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Cornell University Library Z2024.L5 J43 -1-1 olin 3 1924 029 566 217 The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029566217 AN INDEX TO THE ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS OP THE BOKOUGH OF LEICESTER, PRESERVED IN THE MUNIMENT ROOM OF THE LEICESTER TOWN HALL. WITH A KEY TO SOME OF THEIR VARIOUS STYLES OF WRITING, AND AN INTRODUCTOEY LETTER TO THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH. BY JOHN COB.DY JEAFERESON, B.A. Oxon. AND BAEBISTER-AT-LAW OP LINCOLN'S INN. WESTMINSTER : PRINTED BY NICHOLS AND SONS, 25, PARLIAMENT STREET. l\.28H-4-8$ PREFACE. The Muniment Eoom in the Old Town Hall, in the Borough of Leicester, was a small room leading from the Mayor's Parlour, having a grated window looking into a detached part of the burial, ground of St. Martin's Church. In this room were deposited the Charters, Title Deeds, Chamberlains' Accounts, Hall Papers, and other ancient and valuable documents belonging to the Corporation. Their condition when they came into the hands of the present Corporation, in the year 1836, and for some time afterwards, is thus described in Mr. Kelly's ^Notices Illustrative of the Drama,. ^-c, in Leicester in the IQth and VJth Centuries': "The MSS. in the Borough Muniment Room had for many years been lying untouched, in a state of great disorder and neglect. The Chamberlains' Accounts (now collected into thirty-eight volumes) were at the time lying in a confused mass, mixed with other papers, in a corner of the Muniment Eoom, a prey to rats, and saturated with moisture, caused by the overflowings of a water- butt, filtrating through the porous stone wall of the building, owing to which the contents of some of the documents were hopelessly effaced, whilst others were rotting away and crumbled under the touch." In the year 1847 the Council of the Borough gladly availed themselves of the offer of the late Mr. James Thompson and Mr. William Kelly, residents of Leicester, well-known for their Archaeo- logical knowledge, to examine and arrange the Charters and the most important of the Tovm Records. The valuable labours of these gentlemen considerably facilitated the more extended and complete arrangements recently made by direction of the Council, the results of which are now pubUshed. PBEPACE. The new Town Hall was opened on the 7th August, 1876, and at a meeting of the Council on the 28th of August, 1877, the following resolution was agreed to, on the motion of Mr. Alderman Burgess, Chairman of the Town Hall Management Committee, namely : — " That the question of the arrangement and preservation of the ancient documents and charters of this Corporation be referred to the immediate attention of the Town Hall Management Committee." At a Meeting of that Committee held the following day, it was resolved "That the removal and arrangement of the ancient documents and charters be left in the hands of the Chairman, Mr. Paget and Mr. Kempson ; and that they be requested to invite the assistance of Mr. Kelly." This Sub-Committee, through Mr. Kelly, communicated with the late Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy, Deputy Keeper of the PubUc Record Office, requesting his advice upon the subject, to which the following reply was received: — ' Rolls House, Chancery Lane, ' nth September, 1877. 'Deae Sik, ' The account you give of the documents belonging to the Borough ' of Leicester is highly interesting, and appears to me to be of historical ' importance. I luill, therefore, if you approve of my suggestion, send ' one of our Inspectors to Leicester (at our expense) to maJce a full report ' upon the Leicester Records to the Commissioners on Historical Manu- '■scripts. You, then, on seeing the Report, can mahe any arrangement ' with our Reporter for putting the same in chronological and consultable ' order. This latter proceeding must, of course, be at the expense of the ' Borough. If you will let me knoiu what you thinh of this plan, I will ' take immediate steps to have it carried out. ' Believe me, Dear Sir, ' To be faithfully yours, 'T. DuFPUs Haedy. ' William Kelly, Esq.' PEEFACE. The offer of Sir T. Duffus Hardy was accepted, and to Mr. J. Cordy Jeaffireson, B.A., Oxon, one of the Inspectors of Historical Manuscripts, and a gentleman of distinguished literary reputation, the work was intrusted. In a letter previous to his visit to Leicester, Mr. Jeafireson says, " It will be my duty to look at every one of your Records, and to describe, for the information of the Commissioners of Historical Manuscripts, all that have any tincture of historical interest." The result of his investigation will appear in a Beport to the Eoyal Commissioners on Historical Manuscripts, contained in a Blue Book, published annually, probably not before June, 1879. In a letter to the Chairman of the Committee, after an examina- tion of the Eecords, Mr. Jeafireson gives it as his opinion that, excepting the Corporation of the City of London, Leicester possesses the most extensive, valuable, and interesting collection of Municipal Eecords in England. He further states, that they are now in a remarkably good state of preservation, being very little injured by damp or otherwise. The further services of Mr. Jeaffreson were secured by the Council of the Borough, in arranging and indexing the very multifarious and ancient documents in their possession, and in transcribing, extending, and translating several selected Charters. The result of his labours is contained in the following Eeport, which the Council have resolved upon printing and publishing, accompanied by fac-similes of three of the selected Charters, produced by the autotype process. A fireproof Muniment Room for the reception of the Records has been constructed in the New Town Hall, and fitted up according to the suggestions of Mr. Jeaffreson, who has super- intended their arrangement. . A. P. Leicester, July, 1878 TO THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE BOKOUOH OF LEICESTER. 24, Cailton Eoad, Maida Vale, London, N.W. Gentlemen, The task of arranging the documents of your Muniment Room has been accomplished. A descriptive label has been attached to each of the historic charters, each of the numerous rolls of several different kinds, each set of the municipal and private deeds, and each package of the miscellaneous documents. Descriptive labels have also been attached to many other original writings, and also to several ofScial copies of more or less im- portant records, the originals of which were never in the pos- session of the Borough of Leicester. By means of these labels it will be easy for the searcher of the Leicester Muniments to identify every notable document or set of writings, not included in the volumes of Hall Papers and Chamberlains' Accounts. Of the notable contents of these last-mentioned collections of MS8. an adequate exhibition wiU appear in the Report on the Leicester Muniments, which has been submitted to the consideration of Her Majesty's Commissioners on Historical Manuscripts. The descriptive labels will also enable the searcher (who makes an intelligent use of the entries of the Double Index and the numerals painted on the falling fronts of the locked compart- B 2 4 INTRODUCTORY LETTER. ments of your New Muniment Room) to discover and recognize with little difficulty any particular record that may be the special object of his curiosity. The multifarious writings of the Leicester Muniment Room may be divided into (a) Books, (&) Charters, Letters Patent and Curious Documents, (c) Municipal and Private Deeds (comprising Conveyances, Leases, Quitclaims, Bonds, and other Indentures), {d) Rolls, (e) Miscellaneous Writings, and this classification has been adopted in the Index which I now have the honour of submitting to your consideration. To obtain a general view of their antiquity and richness in matters of historical interest it will be enough for the archivistic student to glance at this Index to the Muniments, which have been described more fully and minutely in the Report prepared for the information of the Royal Commissioners on Historical MSS. For the further help and convenience of inquirers, who would qualify themselves to explore the historic treasures of your docu- ments by studying the chief characteristics and minutest pecu- liarities of their various styles of penmanship, I have — in the exe- cution of a design which received your approval some few months since — prepared a series of printed transcripts, extensions, and translations, that may serve as a key to some of the chief diffi- culties of medieval caligraphy, and may also initiate the learner in corrupt Latin and old French. The literary interest of the documents thus selected for transcription, extension., and trans- lation, will strike every intelligent reader. But, though they are records of no ordinary moment, they have been chosen on account of their caligraphic rather than their historic merits, and are offered to the student's particular attention as the best models and spe- cimens of ancient penmanship in the entire collection of archives. INTEODUCTORY LETTER. 5 Of course it is assumed that the learner brings to the study of these ancient manuscripts an average quickness in reading modern English hand-writings, and some primary knowledge of classical Latin and modern French. His knowledge of the dead language should not be inferior to that which is possessed as a matter of course by boys in the higher forms of an ordinary grammar-school. Of the living tongue he should know as much as school-girls acquire with facility before they are thirteen years old. Moreover, he should have a natural taste and aptitude for working out literary puzzles, and the intellectual alacrity and steadiness that are not exhausted by a few spells of severe and apparently fruitless labour. The study should be pursued in the following manner. Beginning with the earliest of the Latin charters, i.e. Eobert Bossu's Charter to the Burgesses of Leicester {temp. Henry I.) — the learner should compare, line by line and letter by letter, the characters of the original document with those of the tran- script and the extension. Let him copy on a large sheet of foolscap paper the first line of the instrument, doing his best that each letter of his transcript may be a precise fac-simile of the character in the manuscript, and taking care to leave considerable spaces between the words of the copy. Underneath this line let him put in modern handwriting the same words as they are given in the printed transcripts ; observing at the same time all the minute differences and peculiarities of the old and modern characters. Beneath the two lines of contracted forms let him in a third line put the same words as they are set forth in the extension. Lastly, let him transcribe in a fourth line the English of the translation. In the same manner let him act with each of the other sets of examples, producing line by line a fac-simile of the con- tracted form, a copy in modern writing of the same form, a copy of the extension, and a copy of the English translation. This process should be repeated with the same document several times, 6 INTEODUCTORT LETTER. until he has acquired familiarity with the forms of its ancient ■writing. When he feels that he has impressed these forms well on his memory he should take the printed transcript and copy it in old characters without referring to the original document or a fac-simile of it. If at the close of his first day's work he can produce from memory such a copy of a single charter he may congratulate himself on making satisfactory progress. Continuing the labour of self-education, he should in the same way work steadily through the later Latin charters. He should examine with especial care the " Schedule of the Payments made by the men of the Burgh of Leicester for the Redemption of Pontage and G-able Pence " (37 Henry III.), so that he may learn something of the way in which accounts of money were made out by medieval clerks. Having accomplished these exer- cises on the Latin charters set forth in the collection of tran- scripts he will have grounds for confidence that, with a dictionary of corrupt Latin (say the " Lexicon Manuale ad Scriptores Medise et Lifimae Latinitatis," par Mon. L'Abbe Migne) and an ordinary dictionary of classical Latin at hand, he will encounter no serious difiiculties in dealing with the language of any Latin charter in the Muniment Room. Having in the same gradual and careful manner spelt through Edmund Crouchback's Great Charter to the Burgesses of Lei- cester, with the aid of Robert Kelsham's " Dictionary of the Norman or Old French Language," or some similar vocabulary of Norman-French terms, he may turn with equal self-reliance to the French documents of the Leicester archives. La studying this last-named charter, the pen-in-hand learner should not shrink from the toil of producing several iuterlinear copies of the original document, the transcript of the indenture preserved in " The Vellum Book," and the fifteenth-century translation of the same series of ordinances also set forth in " The Vellum Book." The exercise of copying this ancient INTEODUCTORT LETTER. 7 translation in the caligraphic style of the penman who transcribed it into "The Vellum Book" will render the apt student so familiar with the peculiarities of a particular species of old pen- manship that he will have comparatively little difficulty in perusing any ordinary English documents penned by clerks of our Plantagenet and Tudor times. In conclusion, I may remark for the learner's encouragement, that, like other literary puzzles, the difficulties and perplexities of medieval caligraphy disappear quickly before a resolute pur- pose of mastering them. The student who has slowly made a few first steps in archivistic research by his own strenuous efforts is already on the point of making quick and easy progress ; and at every stage of his onward course the labour of attaining pro- ficiency becomes lighter and more agreeable. John Cordt Jeaffreson, B.A. Oxon. Barrister-at-Law and Inspector of Historical Manuscripts. 1 July, 1878. AN INDEX TO THE CHAETERS, ROLLS, AND OTHER ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS IN THE MUNIMENT BOOM OF THE BOROUGH OF LEICESTER. MADE A.D. 1878, AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE BOKOUGH OF LEICESTER TO TAKE MEASURES FOE THE ARRANGEMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THE BOROUGH RECORDS. 10 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. (a) BOOKS, Volumes. 1. Account-Book op Tithes and Ebnts and other MATTERS, A. D. 1575 to A. D. 1588. One volume . . 1 2. Account-Book of Eecbipts of Moneys, a.d. 1765 to A.D. 1778. One volume 1 3. Chamberlains' Accounts, a.d. 1587 to 1760. Thirty- eight volumes ........ 38 4. The Famous ' Codex Leicestrbnsis ' . . . .1 5. Correspondence : ' Government ' and ' Miscellaneous Public.' Nine volumes ...... 9 6. Hall Books of Minutes of Proceedings at Hall Meetings, a.d. 1477 to a.d. 1806. Ten volumes . 10 7. Hall Papers : A Miscellaneous Collection of Accounts, ; Correspondence, Memoranda, Petitions, Writs, and other Documents relating chiefly to business done at Hall Meetings, a.d. 1580 to 1710. Twenty-four volumes ......... 24 8. Homilies for Sundays and Holidays (15th Century)'. 9. Latin Bible. Small 4to. Transcribed on vellum in the 15th century by J. W. Stanley, alias Walne 10. Miscellaneous Manuscripts of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries. One volume 11. ' The Old Lockt Book.' One volume .... 12. Oath Book: i.e. The Book of Oaths used for swearing-in the various Officers of the Borough of Leicester, a d. 1765 13. Eental of LandSj &c. of the Borough of Leicester, A.D. 1652. Folio 14. Statutes of Edward I. and Edward IL One volume . 15. Statutes from 1 Edward III. to 8 Edward IV. One volume ••....,.. 16. The ' Town Book of Acts.' One volume, folio 17. The 'Vellum Book': an ancient Chartulafy of the Borough of Leicester. Begun in the fourteenth century 1 94 1^ INDEX TO THE LEICESTEK MSS. 11 (b.) CHARTERS, LETTERS PATENT AND CURIOUS DOCUMENTS. Charter of Renewal and Confirmation of Privileges by Eobert />V(in*v-^ '2^, Bellomont (Bosau), 2nd Norman Earl of Leicester, temp. I Henry I., to the burgesses of Leicester. Also, a contem- 14- i' porary copy, of the same document. 2. Richard Basset's Confirmation (twelfth century) of grants of / ^^ land to the Hospital of St. John of Leicester. 3. Licence by King John, dated in the first year of his reign, to / '1 the burgesses of Leicester, to travel freely and do business ' ^ t"""^ throughout the country. 4. Letters Patent by King John, dated in the first year of his ^Ay reign, giving stability to sales of lands of the borough of ^ / Leicester, made in the Portmanmote of the same borough. \. General Pardon, granted by Henry IfSji^in the 30th year of t fl l/l his reign , to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester ; with ■T(l_r^^ special mention of offences against the statutes " de liberatis pannorum et capiciorum." ^'i 6. Composition made 37 Henry III. by the burgesses of Leicester for the Redemption of Bridge-silver and Gable-pence. ^^ "^.5 Record of an Inquisition made 37 Henry III. for the origin of *-, / '^ Gable-pence, and of another Inquisition for the origin of "'2'j / Bridge-silver in Leicester. / / l-o ^'l Simon de Montfort's Remission, temp. Henry III. of Gable- / . »-fX pence and Bridge-silver for ever to the burgesses of Leicester. ' !l Simon de Montfort's Letters Patent to the burgesses of Leicester, dated in the 39th year of Henry III. substituting t y in Leicester inheritance by Primogeniture, instead of the i)^— / , ancient inheritance by the law of Borough English. 10. Charter for the substitution in Leicester of inheritance by Primogeniture instead of the ancient inheritance by law of Borough English, by Henry III. in the 40th year of his reign. o*^ ii. '\ Henry the Third's grant, dated in the 41st year of his reign, to the burgesses of Leicester, of exemption for seven years from ' royal prize,' for their goods throughout the kingdom. / 12. Simon de Montfort's Charter for the banishment of the 5 I 12 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Charters, Lettees Patent and Curious Documents — continued. Jews for ever from the borough of Leicester. — (N.B. This charter is not in the Muniment Eoom at the present time ; but there are reasons for hoping that the missing document will be discovered and restored to its proper custodians.) 13. Henry IIl.'s Letters Patent, dated in the 53rd year of his reign, to the mayor and burgesses of Leicester, granting to their persons and goods freedom from arrest, in respect of debts, the principal sponsors and debtors of which do not appear. Also a duplicate of the same charter. 14. Ordinances, dated 6 Edward I. of Edmund (Crouchback), 1st Plantagenet Earl of Leicester, for the reform and amend- _ ment of the laws and procedure of the Court of Portman- mote of Leicester. — Henceforth to be known as the Great Charter of Leicester. 15. Precept, dated 2 Edward II. addressed by Thomas Earl of Lancaster and Leicester to his accountants, for the payment of divers accounts for provisions furnished to his household. 16. Receipt, dated 16 Edward III. of Gilbert Chasteley, sheriff of Leicester, for four marks paid to him for the use of Queen Phillippa, part of a fine of forty marks made in the 9th year of the same king's reign for the exoneration of the borough of Leicester in respect to ' hobillers ' (i.e. light- armed soldiers) and archers for the king's service. 17. Grant, dated in 18 Edward III, by Henry (Gresmont) Earl of Lancaster to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester of a piece of ground for a place of easement, instead of another piece granted for the same purpose to the Friars Preachers. 18. Special Pardon, dated 18 Edward III., to the Commons of England, in respect to escape of prisoners and chattels of felons and fugitives. 19. Remission and Acquittance granted by Edward III. in the 20th year of his reign, to the men of the borough of Leices- ter, in respect to an assessment to provide six soldiers for his service at his next passage into foreign parts. 20. Grant and Conveyance, dated 20 Edward III. by John Haward, Geoffrey de Kent, and Reginald Wayhous, of certain messuages, &c., &c., in Leicester to the Hospital of St. John of Leicester. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 13 Charteks, Letters Patent and Curious Documents — continued. 21. Renewal and Confirmation by Edward the Third, in the 22nd year of his reign, to Heniy (Gresmont) Earl of Lan- caster, of all the liberties and privileges granted to his father, the late Earl, by a charter now surrendered into Chancery for destruction. 22. Remission of the Custom of Huckstermoll by Henry (Gres- mont) Duke of Lancaster to his tenants of the town of Leicester for ever ; dated in 27 Edward III, 23. Grant and Licence by Edward III. in the 34th year of his reign, to Henry Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Leicester, for the Leicester Michaelmas Fair. 24. Letters Patent by Henry (Gresmont) Duke of Lancaster, dated in 34 Edward III to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, granting them the arrangement and control of the Leicester Michaelmas Fair. Also, a duplicate of the same charter. 25. Agreement, dated 35 Edward III. between Henry (Gres- mont) Duke of Lancaster of the one part and the Mayor and Commune of Leicester of the other part, for the remission by the Duke of certain tolls and other seignorial rights in Leicester to the Mayor and Commune thereof, in considera- tion of a grant of the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln, to be made to the said Duke by the same Mayor and Commune. Also, a duplicate of the same indenture. 26. Undertaking, dated in 35 Edward III., of Henry (Gres- mont) Duke of Lancaster, to execute the above and last- described deed for the remission of tolls and other seig- norial rights in Leicester, in consideration of his re-infeofment in the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln. Also, the duplicate and a contemporary copy of the same indenture. 27. Acknowledgment, dated 35 Edward III. by the Mayor and Commune of Leicester of their undertaking to pay ten thousand marks of silver at the next Feast of 8t. Michael to Henry Duke of Lancaster, his heirs and executors. 28. Grant, dated in 35 Edward III. by Henry (Gresmont) Duke of Lancaster, of the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln, to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester. Also, a duplicate of the same document. 14 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Charters, Letters Patent and Curious Documents — continued, 29. Letters of Attorney, dated in 35 Edward III., for the delivery of seisin of the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln, to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester. 30. Letters of Attorney, dated in 35 Edward III., by the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, appointing three persons, and each of them, to take seisin of the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln, for the said Mayor and Commune, in accordance with a grant made by Henry Duke of Lancaster. 31. Writ of Attornment, dated in 35 Edward III., by Henry (Gresmont) Duke of Lancaster, to his tenants of the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln, on his grant of the said manor to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester. Also, a copy of the same writ. 32. Indented Certificate, dated in 35 Edward III., that John Lambe and Eichard Sandysone, farmers of the manor of Wrangle, have surrendered the said manor to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester. 33. Grant (made temp. Edward III. but undated) by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Blanche his wife, daughter and heir of Henry, late Duke of Lancaster, of the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln, to the Mayor and Commune of Lei- cester, in accordance with a deed executed by the late Duke. 34. Mandate and Warrant, dated by Edward the Third, in the 45th year of his reign, to the Mayor and Bailiffs of Leicester, to deliver " Johan le Suwer and Piers Lamet, hostages de Beaunoys," to the king's treasurer, Eichard Lescrop. 35. Lease for ten years, dated in 49 Edward III., by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, of the bailiwick of the town of Leicester to the Mayor and Commune thereof. 36. Inspeximus, dated in 2 Eichard II., of King John's charter for giving stability to saWs and purchases of land of the borough of Leicester, made in the Portmanmote of the borough. With confirmation of the same charter. 37. Commission, dated in 2 Richard II., to Thomas de Erdyngton, John Burdet, and James Belere, knts. and Richard de Asshby, to levy a special subsidy in the county of Leicester. 38. Ordinances made in the Common Hall of the borough of INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 15 Charters, Letters Patent and Curious Documents — continued. Leicester, in 3 Richard II., touching allowances of money to Mayors, and the duties and remunerations of Chamberlains of the same borough. 39. Inspeximus, dated 3 Richard II., of the Record of Proceedings in the 3rd year of Edward III. before Gebfifrey le Scrope and his associates. Justices-itinerant at Northampton, touching Franchises and Liberties claimed by Henry Earl of Lan- caster in Lilleburne, Esthaddon, Dodeford, Hameldon, and Weodan, with their members, parcels of the honor of Lei- cester, in answer to a plea of Quo Waranto. 40. Licence granted by Richard II. in the 16th year of his reign to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, to purchase and hold certain tenements and lands, the Statute of Mortmain notwithstanding. 41. Licence granted in 16 Richard II. by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, to William Humberston and John Cook, to grant and convey a messuage, &c. to trustees for the sacred service of the church of St. Martin of Leicester. With licence to the same trustees to hold the same messuage, &c. the Statute of Mortmain notwithstanding. 42. Deed of Gift and Conveyance made in 16 Richard II. by William Mercer and William Spencer, of Leicester, of • certain cottages, lands, and rents in Leicester, Whetstone, and Great Glen to the Mayor and Commune of the same borough. 43. Copy of the Record of the suit, 19 Richard II. of John Hedon V. Peter Cook, in the Court of the Steward and Marshal of the king's household for assault, &c. when it was decided that Leicester was outside the verge of the king's court when he rested at Nottingham. 44. Richard the Second's Acknowledgment, dated in the 21st year of his reign, of the sum of one hundred marks, lent to him by the Mayor and Commune of Leicester. With pro- mise of repayment. 45. Precept, dated 22 Richard II. of John Cokayne, Chief Steward north of the Trent of the Duke of Lancaster, for allowing the burgesses of Leicester to enjoy their ancient 16 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Charters, Letters Patent and Curious Documents — continued. privilege of putting their wool-skins into the water of the Sore, at the West-bridge as well as at the North-bridge- 46 Precept addressed by Henry IV. in the first year of his reign to Sheriffs and others, for the observances of Pri- vileges, the maintenance of Liberties, and the execution of Powers, conferred by charter on John of Gaunt (the pre- sent king's father) by Eichard II. 47. Mandate and Warrant, under the Seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, addressed by Henry IV. in the first year of his reign to all Sheriffs, &c., for the maintenance of all Liberties and the execution of all Powers pertaining to him in the said Duchy and elsewhere by hereditary right, before his assumption of the royal power. 48. Confii-mation, dated by Henry IV. in the 4th year of his reign, to the men and tenants of the honor of Leicester, of their freedom from toll, &c. throughout the kingdom. 49. Lease for twenty years, granted by Henry IV. in the 5th year of his reign, to the Mayor, Burgesses, and Commune of Leicester, of his bailwick of the town of Leicester. 50. Special Pardon, dated in 7 Henry IV. to the Mayor, Bur- gesses, and Commune of Leicester, with remission of a penalty of fifteen pounds, incurred by the said Mayor, Bur- gesses, and Commune, as farmers of the king's bailiwick of the said town, through non-payment of dues. 51. Special Pardon, dated in 15 Henry IV. to the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commune of Leicester ; with particular mention of offences against the statutes " de liberatis pannorum et capiciorum.'' 52. Special Pardon, dated in 2 Henry V. to the Mayor and Com- mune of Leicester ; with particular mention of offences against the statutes " de liberatis pannorum et capuciorum." 53. Letters of Free Passage, dated in 7 Henry V. under the seals of the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, certifying that their bearer, John de Lyn, as a tenant of the honor and a burgess of the town of Leicester, is free from toll, &c. throughout the kingdom. 54. Letters of Free Passage, dated in 9 Henry V. under the seals of the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, certifying that INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 17 Chaetees, Letters Patent and Curious Documents — continued. their bearer, Nicholas Cook, 'fisher' and burgess of Lei- cester, is, as a tenant of the honor of Leicester, exempt from toll, &c. throughout the kingdom. Also, similar Let- ters of Free Passage, dated in the same year, for Henry Gery and his son John Gery, burgesses of Leicester. 55. Letters of Free Passage, dated in 10 Henry V. certifying that their bearer, John Gyldenhedes, as a burgess of Leicester and tenant of the honor of Leicester, is free of toll, &c. throughout the kingdom. 56. Lease for ten years, granted by Queen Catherine, in 2 Henry VI., of her bailiwick of the town of Leicester to the Mayor, Burgesses, and Commune of Leicester. 57. Letters of Free Passage, dated in 3 Henry VI. under the seals of the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, certifying that their bearer, Eobert Bramston, saddler, is, as a tenant of the honor and a burgess of the town of Leicester, exempt from toll, &c., throughout the kingdom. Also, similar Letters of Free Passage, dated in the same year, for John Northfolk, butcher and burgess of Leicester. 58. Copy, with the Great Seal appended, of the Statute of 7 Henry VI. confirming divers enactments, beginning with the Ordinances of Edward III. made in the Parliament of the 36th year of his reign, touching prise and purveyance for royal households. 59. Award, dated in 11 Henry VI., of "William de Ferrars, Lord de Groby, Knt., William Babyngton, Knt. and Chief Justice of the Common Bench, Eichard Hastynges, Knt. William Trussell, Knt. and William Babthorp, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, for determining a controversy between the people of Leicester of the one part and the Dean and Chapter of the Church and College of St. Mary of Leicester of the other part, respecting rights of pasturage in the South Field of Leicester, called the Cowhey, and rights in the bank of " Le Dreyner, otherwise called ' The Old Town Dyke.' " 60. Licence, granted by Henry VI. in the 13th yi:;ar of his reign, to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, to purchase and hold lands to the yearly value of forty marks, the Statute of Mortmain notwithstanding. 18 INDEX TO THE LEICESTEK MPS. Chaetbbs, Lettebs Patent and Cueiotjs Documents — continued. 61. Letters of Free Passage, dated in 13 Henry VI. under the seals of the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, certifying that their bearer, Eobert Boteley, as a tenant of the honor and a burgess of the town of Leicester, is exempt from toll, &c., throughout the kingdom. 62. Letters of Association, given a.d. 1454, by Brother Eichard, of the House of St. Robert, near Knaresburgh, of the Order of the Sacred Trinity and of the Redemption of Captives imprisoned for the Christian Faith by Pagans, to Nicholas Clay and Bmota his wife, whereby the said Nicholas and Emota became an associate brother and an associate sister of the said Order, with all the usual pri- vileges of such association, together with an assurance that the exhibition of the said letters at the said House after their death would prociire for them the performance of the "commendation" usually performed for deceased brothers of the same Order. 63. Award of Queen Margaret (of Anjou) touching recent dis- turbances arising out of unlawful Liveries of Clothing by Viscount Beaumont and Lord Ferrers de Growby to divers persons. 64. Letters Patent by Edward IV., dated in the 4th year of his reign, to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, for the elec- tion of Justices of the Peace and Coroners for the borough. 65. Grant by Edward IV. dated in the 13th year of his reign, to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, for a new Fair to be held yearly at Leicester at the Feast of Saints Philip and Thomas. 66. Indulgence and Privileges, granted a.d. 1473 (in accordance with powers given by the Popes of the Holy Roman Church) by the Master and Brothers of the Lazar at Burton to Robert Bostokke, Joan his wife, and their daughters Agnes and Alicia. 67. Requisition addressed by Eichard III., in the first year of his reign, to the men of Leicester and Stamford, for a small Barge, called a " Balynger," to serve in his fleet. 68. Inspeximus, dated in 3 Richard III., of the Record of Pro- ceedings in 3 Edward III. before the King's Justices-itine- rant at Northampton, touching the Liberties and Francliises INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 19 Charters, Letters Patent and Curious Documents — continued. claimed by Henry, Earl of Lancaster, in Lilleburn, Esthadodn, Hemeldon, Dodeford, and Weodon, parcels of the honor of Leicester, in answer to a plea of Quo Waranto. 69. Precept, under the seal of the Dnchy of Lancaster, ad- dressed by Henry VII., in the third year of his reign, to all Justices, &c., for the maintenance of the Sovereign's powers and rights in, and for the preservation of the ancient liberties of, the honor of Leicester, part of the said duchy. 70. Copy, dated 4 Henry VII., of the Record of the Proceedings, temp. Henry VI., of Thomas Neuton, before the last-named King's Justices at Westminster, for the recovery of a Mes- suage and Land in Norton-by-Galby. ' 71. General Pardon, dated in 9 Henry VII., to Lawrence Dawson, cordwainer, shoemaker, and yeoman, of Leicester. 72. General Pardon, dated in 1 Henry VIII., to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester. 73. Precept addressed by Henry VIII., in the 13th year of his reign, to the Mayor and his brethren of Leicester, for the observance and execution of the laws against the giving and taking of Liveries and Cognizances. 74. Precept (without date), addressed by Henry VIIL, to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, for the maintenance of order in their borough during the King's journey to parts beyond the sea. 75. Mandate and Warrant, addressed by Henry VIIL in the 14th year of his reign, to the Mayor and Bailiffs of the town of Leicester, for the arrest and safe keeping of certain "Frenchmen and Britons," being "the Frenche kinges subgiettes." 76. Acknowledgment, dated in 14 Henry VIIL, of the receipt of moneys lent on a Privy Seal writ by the people of Leicester, with a Schedule of the several contributors to the Loan. 77. Inspeximus and Confirmation, dated in 20 Henry VIIL, of the Charter of 4 Edward IV. to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester. 78. Certificate, dated 21 Henry VIIL, of the return of Thomas Brokesby and Eobert Harwar, comburgesses of Leicester, to be burgesses of Parliament for the same borough. o2 20 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Chartbks, Letters Patent and Curious Doovmentb— continued.^ ^ 79. Precept, dated in 30 Henry VIII., to the Mayor and Bailiff of the town of Leicester, for their assistance of the King's officers in the execution of his writs. 80. Grant by Henry VIII., in the 31st year of his reign, to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, for an annual Fair to be held at Leicester at and about the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist ; and also for another Fair to be held yearly at Leicester at and about the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Vii-gin. 81. Proclamation made by Henry VIII., in the 32nd year of his reign, forbidding the importation into, and the utterance in, England of Irish Groats and Pence. 82. Inspeximus, dated 34 Henry VIIL, of the Eecord, preserred amongst the records of the Duchy of Lancaster, touching the exemption from Toll, &c., pertaining to tenants of the s'aid duchy. 83. Lease for eighty years, granted in 37 Henry VIII-, by the " Dean and Chapter of the College of our Lady next the Castell of Leicester," of certain waste ground in Leicester to Eichard Eeynforde, barber, of the said town. 84. Precept (undated), under the signet and sign-manual of Henry VIIL, addressed to the Mayor of Leicester, ordering him to hold the men of Leicester in readiness to serve the King in war under Lord Hastings, the Steward of the said town. 85. Inspeximus and Confirmation by Edward VI. of the Charters of Kings John, Edward III. Eichard II. and Edward IV. to the Burgesses of Leicester, with enlargement of powers. 86. Confirmation by Edward VI., dated in the first year of his reign, of their exemption from toll, (fee, to the tenants and men of the honor of Leicester. 87. Award, made in 6 Edward VI. by the Earl of Suffolk, for ending a Controvei'sy between the Inhabitants of the high town of Leicester and the farmer of the Bishop's Fee, respecting Eights of Herbage and Common in the Leicester Meadows. 88. Inspeximus and Confirmation by Queen Mary, dated in the first year of her reign, of the charters of 31 Henry VIIL and 1 Edward VI. to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester. INDEX TO THE LEICESTEE MSS. 21 Charters, Letters Patent and Curious Documents — continued. 89. Precept, addressed by Queen Mary in the first year of her reign, under the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, for the strict execution of the laws against the giving and taking of Liveries and Cognizances. 90. Inspeximus and Confirmation by Queen Elizabeth, dated in the first year of her reign, of charters granted by previous Sovereigns of England, beginning with the charters of King John to the Burgesses of Leicester. 91. Commission, under the Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth, dated in the 15th year of her reign, for holding Musters in the borough of Leicester. Also, two similar Commissions for Musters in the borough of Leicester. 92. Lease for twenty-one years, granted under the seal of the Diichy of Lancaster by Queen Elizabeth, in the 16th year of her reign, to Robert Hayes and Stephen Harvey, gentlemen, of the lands, tenements, rents, &c., formerly pertaining to the Hospital of St. John and St. Leonard of Leicester. 93. Exemplification, under the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, dated in 16 Elizabeth, of a Decree of the Court of the Duchy of Lancaster, declaring the people of Leicester exempt from toll in all places of the whole kingdom not lying within the liberties of the said duchy. 94. Renewal and Confirmation by Queen Elizabeth, dated in the 31st year of her reign, of the liberties and powers of the Corporation of the borough of Leicester, for the clearer exhibition and definition of the same Franchises and Privileges. 95. Inspeximus and Exemplification, under the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, dated in 36 Elizabeth, of an Order of the Court of the said duchy, requiring certain under-tenants of the duchy to pay their rents to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester. 96. Grant during pleasure, made by Queen Elizabeth in the dOth year of her reign, of the office of Town Clerk of Leicester, to the Mayor of the said borough for the time being. 97. Renewal and Confirmation by Queen Elizabeth, dated in the 41st year of her reign, of the liberties and powers of the Mayor, Burgesses, and Corporation of the borough of Leicester. 22 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Chabtbes, Letters Patent and Cdeious Documents — continued. 98. Inspeximus and Exemplification, dated in 42 Elizabeth, undei: the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, of an order of the Court of the said duchy, declaring all inhabitants, foreigners as well as freemen, of the borough of Leicester, exempt from " all manner of Tolls, Stallage, Picage, Tronage, and through Tolls," within the said town of Leicester. 99. Grant and Confirmation, dated in 3 James I. under the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, of freedom from Toll throughout the kingdom to the people of Leicester, with the exception of places within the said duchy where they haTe of old been required and accustomed to pay toll. 100. Inspeximus and Exemplification, dated in 6 James I., under the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, of a decree of the Court of the said duchy in the suit of Okes versus the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, confirming to the said Mayor and Burgesses, and also to all inhabitants of Leicester, and to all foreigners resorting thereunto at fairs and markets, their ancient freedom from all kinds of toll within the town of Leicester, and at the said fairs and markets. 101. Kenewal and Confirmation, dated in 7 James I., of the Mayor, Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Corporation of the borough of Leicester. 102. Grant by James I., dated in the 15th year of his reign, con- stituting the borough of Leicester a staple town of the King's staple of Wool and Woolskins, with all the privileges in respect to the said staple enjoyed by other staple cities and towns named in the charter. 103. Inspeximus, dated in 16 James I. under the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, of the Certificate of a Commission appointed by the King, in the 14th year of his reign, to make inquisition respecting the Messuages, Lands, Eenls, &c., belonging to the Newark Hospital near Leicester. 104. Inspeximus and^Exemplification, dated iu 17 James I., of a decree of the Court of the Duchy of Lancaster confu-ming to the people of the borough of Leicester their ancient exemption from toll throughout the kingdom, the said decree being made on the petition to the Chancellor and Council of the Duchy of lianoaster against Ralph Parker, of INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 23 Chaetbes, Lettees Patent and Cdriotjs Documents — continued. Burrow Bridge, co. York, for exacting toll from divers persons of Leicester at Buitow Bridge. 105. Licence, dated in 20 James I. to tte Mayor, Bailiffs, and . Burgesses of Leicester, to acquire and possess land, not held in chief or by military service, so that the annual value thereof does not exceed two hundred pounds. 106. Licence, dated in 5 Charles I. by John, Bishop of Lincoln, to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, to appoint the Eeader of Divine Service in St. Martin's Church, for whom provision had been made by the last will and testament of Christopher Tamworth, of Gray's Inn. 107. Eenewal and Confirmation of the franchises and powers of the Corporation of the borough of Leicester, prepared for execution by Charles I. A blank charter without date or seal. 108. Confirmation by Oliver Cromwell, dated a.d. 1657, to the tenants and men of the borough of Leicester, of their ancient exemption from toll throughout the country, with the exception of places in the Duchy of Lancaster where they have been heretofore accustomed to pay toll. 109. Renewal and Confirmation, dated in 16 Charles II., to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, in respect to the lands, possessions, and privileges granted to them by Edward the Fourth in the fourth year of his reign, and confirmed by the charter of 41 Elizabeth. 110. Inspeximus and Exemplification, dated in 17 Charles II., of an order made by the Court of Exchequer in the 16th year of the same reign, remitting to Phillip Abney, an inhabitant of Leicester, and a member of the Corporation of the said borough, a certain fine of four pounds wrongfully imposed upon him for refusing to act as an assessor of taxes, at the appointment of the Commissioners of Taxes for the county of Leicester. 111. Re-incorporation, dated in 36 Charles II., of the borough of Leicester, with renewal and confirmation of the former powers of the Mayor and Burgesses. 112. Letters Patent by George IV., dated in the sixth year of his reign, for the continuance in the borough of Leicester of a separate Court of Quarter Sessions for the said borough. 24 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. (c) DEEDS, MUNICIPAL AND PRIVATE, (COMPKISTNG CONVEYANCES, LEASES, QUIT-CLAIMS, BONDS, AND OTHER indentures). 1. Deeds of the time of Henry III.; oiie packet. 2. Edward I.; one packet. 3. Edward II.; one packet. 4. Edward III.; one packet. 5. Richard II.; one packet. 6. Henry IV,; one packet. 7. Henry V.; one packet. 8. Henry VI.; one packet. 9. Edward IV.; one packet. 10. Richard III.; one packet. 11. Henry VII.; one packet. 12. Henry VIII.; one packet. 13. Edward VI.; one packet. 14. Elizabeth; seyen packets. 15. James I. ; five packets. 16. Charles I. ; four packets. 17. Commonwealth; three packets. 18. Charles II.; four packets. 19. James II. ; two packets. 20. William and Mary, and William ; two packets. 21. Anne; two packets. 22. George I. ; two packets. 23. George II.; three packets. 24. George III.; seven packets. 25. George IV. ; one packet. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 25 (d) ROLLS. 1. Eoll of tlie Account (18 Edward I.) of John Brid for rebuilding the West Bridge of the town of Leicester. 2. Rolls of the Account (1 Richard — ) of the Profits and Receipts of Robert Hornyngwold and John Prentys, bailiffs of the town of Leicester, for two years. 3. Assessment Rolls : of Assessments for births, marriages, and bm-ials, of the years of our Lord 1695 to 1699. 4. Assize of Bread Rolls : for Assizes of Bread at Leicester in the years 26, 30, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, Edward III., and 22 Henry VI. 5. Benevolence Rolls: viz. Eight Undated Rolls of the 17th centuiy, of the lists of benevolence, i.e., of voluntary contributions of money, made by " the Twenty -Four" and "the Forty-Eight" of Leicester towards the special charges of the town. 6. Chamberlain's Accounts (in Rolls) a-d. 1524-5, 1528-9, 1530-1 1531-2, 1533-4, 1537-8, 1541-2, 1542-3, 1547-8, 1548-9, 1549-50, 1550-1, 1551-2, 1552-3, 1553-4, 1555-6, 1556-7, 1557-8, 1558-9, 1560-1, 1561-2, 1562-3, 1563-4, 1564-5, 1566-7, 1567-8, 1568-9, 1569-70, 1570-1, 1571-2, 1573-4, 1574-5, 1575-6, 1576-7, 1577-8, 1578-9, 1579-80, 1580-1, 1581-2, 1582-3, 1584-5, 1585-6, 1586-7, 1587-8, 1589-90, 1590-1, 1591-2, 1594-5, 1595-6, 1596-7, 1598-9, 1599- 1600, 1600-1, 1601-2, 1603-4, 1635. 7. Charter Roll : viz., the commencement of a Roll of copies of the charters of the borough of Leicester, headed " Transcripta Cartarum Communitatis Leycestrie." 8. Corpus Christi Guild Rolls : Rentals and Stewards' Accounts, A.D. 1460, 1495, 1505, 15—, 1519, 1533, 1532, 1542, 1625. Also an undated Stewards' Account of the same guild. 26 INDEX TO THE LEICESTEK MSS. Rolls — continued. 9. Freemen's Admissions. An imperfect series of rolls of admissions to the freedom of the borough of Leicester, from 1764 to 1836. 10. Boll, temp. Edward I. of the persons appointed to elect two Guardians of the bailiwick of Leicester. 11. Guild Rolls of the Merchants' Guild of the borough of Leicester, comprising — I. Four pieces of the Great Guild Eoll ; the oldest of the membranes beginning in 8 Eichard I. a.d. 1197. The latest of the four pieces covering the period 17 Henry IIL to 2 Edward I. II. Separate small rolls of the following years: — 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35 Edward I.; 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20 Edward II.; 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 36, 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45 Edward IIL ; 1, 2, 3, 4 Eichard II. Also two undated rolls. III. Roll of Admissions into the Merchants' Guild in the reigns of Edward II. and Edward III. IV. Eoll of the persons admitted into the Merchants' Guild in the reign of Edward III. 12. Mayors' Accounts of the years 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 10-11, 11-12, 14-15 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 21-2 Edward Et. ; 1-2, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 21-22, 25-6, 27-8, 28-9, 32-33, 38-4, 35-6, 36-7, 39-40, 46-7, 50 Edward IIL ; and 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 Eichard II. 13. Roll of the Mayors of Leicester from a.d. 1223 to a.d. 1721. 14. Muster-'RoWs for musters of trained bands at Leicester, a.d. 1577, 1578, 1580, 1588, 1599, 1601, 1608, 1612. Also, an Eliza- bethan Muster-roll, the date of which has been lost. 15. Petition, temp. Henry VIII. from the people of Leicester to William Earl of Southampton, against the intrusion and ex- cesses of foreigners, who trade and do business in Leicester, to the injui'y of the inhabitants of the town. 16. Placita Coronce Eolls of the years 25 to 35 Edward I. 1 to 8 and 12 to 20 Edward IL ; and 1 Edward TIL INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 27 Rolls — continued. 18. Eecords of Proceedings in the Court of Portmanmote, a.d. 1378, 1379, and 1592. 19. Copy of the Record of Proceedings, 3 Edward III. before Geoffrey le Scrope and his associates, the king's justices- itinerant, at Northampton, touching the franchises and liberties claimed by Henry, Earl of Lancaster, in Lilleburn, Esthaddon, Hemelden, Dodeford, and Weodon, with their members, in answer to a plea of Quo Waranto. 20. Copy of the Record of Proceedings in a plea of Quo Waranto, 4 Edward III., before the king's justices-itinerant at Derby, in respect to liberties claimed by the burgesses of Derby. 21. Copy of the Record of Proceedings before the king's justices at Westminster, 6 and 7 Henry IV. when Ralph del West and Richard Vertsauf, bailiffs of the town of Nottingham, were attached to answer the king, respecting their action in taking toll of the goods and chattels of the king's tenants of the honor of Leicester, on their passage through Nottingham. 22. Borough (Leicester) Rent-rolls, a.d. 1376-7, 1378-9, 1379-80, 1393-4, 1452-3, 1544-5, 1582-3, 1596-7, 1598-9, 1599-1600, 1600-1, 1601-2, 1602-3, 1604-5, 1605-6, 1606-7, 1607-8, 1611-12, 1614-15, 1616-17, 1617-18, 1620-1, 1622-3,1625-6, 1626-7, 1627-8, 1628-9, 1630-1, 1632-3, 1634-5, 1635-6, 1638-9, 1640-1, 1642-3, 1649-50, 1650-1, 1651-2, 1654-5, 1655-6, 1656-7, 1657-8, 1660-1, 1664-5, 1665-6, 1666-7, 1667-8, 1668-9, 1669-70, 1670-1, 1672-3, 1680-1, 1687-8, 1693-4, 1709-10, 1710-11, 1712-13, 1713-14, 1714-15, 1716- 17. With six undated rentals of the serenteenth century. 23. Rental (of the sixteenth century) of the Rents of Simon de Grey of Leicester, which have come into the bands of John de Wilugby. 24. Sessions Rolls a.d. 1609, 1617, 1618, 1626, 1639, 1662, 1669, 1671, 1681, 1682, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1689, 1690, 1692, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698, 1699, 1700, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1708, 1709, 1710, 1711, 1712, 1713, 1714, 1715,1716, 1717, 1719, 1745,1746, 1747, 1748, 1749, 1751, 1752, 1753, 1754, 1755, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1760, 1761, 1762, 1763, 1764, 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772,1773, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 28 INDEX TO THE LKICESTER MSS. Rolls — continued. 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1796, 1797, 1799. 25. Subsidy EoUs, a.d. 1520, 1586, 1589, 1590, 1591, 1593, 1594, 1598, 1599, 1600, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1641, 1648. Also a pactet of Subsidy Accounts of the Borough of Leicester, a.d. 1641, 1642, 1643, 1644. 26. Tallage Rolls of the years 43, 44, and 54 Henry III. ; 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 20, 21, 28, 31, 34 Edward I.; 2 and 13 Edward II.; 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30, 49 Edward III.; and 4 Henry VII. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 29 (e) MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS. 1. Schedules, 50 and 51 Hemy III., of the accounts of divers per- sons of the borough of Leicester, who seek payment for goods supplied by them, or taken as ' prise ' from them, for the use of Edmund (Crouchback), first Plantagenet Eai-1 of Leicester. 2. Account of the lands and tenements, &c., sold by the Corporation of Leicester in the years 27 and 28 Elizabeth. 3. Accounts and Miscellaneous Documents relating to the same lands and tenements. 4. Account, A.D. 1586-88, of the charges of Eichard Archer travelling in the company of Mr. Ihomas Clarke from Leicester to Lon- don, and transacting business in furtherance of the petition &f the Burgesses of Leicester for a new charter. 5. Account, A.D. 1670-1, of lands sold by the Corporation of the borough of Leicester during the mayoralty of William Dean. 6. Lists of Apprentices to Freemen of the borough of Leicester, a.d. 1646 to 1682. 7. Miscellaneous Collection of writings relating to the Bishop's Fee, temp. Elizabeth, James I. and Charles I. comprising petitions, copies of and exceptions to charters, bills in the Court of the Duchy of Lancaster, and correspondence touching the same. 8. Two packets of ' capiases ' issued in divers years of Queen Eliza- beth by successive Mayors of Leicester to bailiffs of the same town. 9. Copy of Edward the Fourth's Charter, dated in the fourth year of his reign to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester. 10. Copy of Edward the Sixth's Charter to the borough of Lei- cester, with papers relating to the same charter. 11. Copies of Queen Elizabeth's Charters to the borough of Lei- cester, with papers relating to the same charters. 12. Copies of James the First's Charters to the borough of Lei- cester, with papers relating to the same charters. 30 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Miscellaneous Writings — continued. 13. Copy of a Privy Seal "Writ, addressed in 6 Charles I. to Lord Keeper CoTsntry, for a Charter of Eenewal and Confirma- tion to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester of privileges granted to them by James I. and Elizabeth. 14. Copy of the Certificate of an Inquisition made 8 Henry VII. by the special Commissioners for the purpose, viz. Edward Hastynges, Knt. Lord Hastynges and John Dygby, Knt. " for certen decais hade vpone the towne walle and dyke" and other matters. 15. Borough (Leicester) Commissions, i.e. Municipal Letters of Attorney, a.d. 1661, 1662, 1670, 1677, 1683, 1685, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1700, 1702, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1708, 1710, 1711, 1712, 1713, 1717, 1725, 1744, 1768, 1770, 1776, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797. 16. Four MS. Curiosities of the time of Edward III. : — 1. A certi- ficate in French from the Mayor and Aldermen of London to the Mayor and Bailiffs of Leicester that a certain mazer is the property of John Lyrepol, a poor merchant, from whom the Mayor and Bailiffs of Leicester have taken the same mazer, on suspicion that he was not its lawful owner. 2. A bill, dated 40 Edward III. for building or for repairing and rebuilding the Guild Hall of Leicester. 3. An undated order for regulating the watermen (les lochelmen appelles Watir- men) of Leicester. 4. A Hall Paper penned during John Leuerifik's mayoralty. 17. Packet of copies of divers documents relating to the Ecclesias- tical Endowments of Leicester. 18. Packet of Writings {viz. petitions, letters, &c.) relating to the Fee Farm Rents of Leicester, the Grange, Sheep-pens, Bramston Pastures, &c. &c. temp. Elizabeth. Also, in the same packet, a draft of a lease from Queen Elizabeth to Eden Holt, Esq. of the tenements, &c. formerly pertaining to the suppressed College of the Blessed Virgin Mary near Leicester ; and a draft (on paper) of Queen Elizabeth's charter, dated in the 41st year of her reign, to the Corporation of the borough of Leicester. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 31 Miscellaneous Writings — continued. 19. Packet of receipts for Fee Farm Bents, a.d. 1600-1650. 20. Packet of copies of Fines levied at Westminster or at the Court of Eecord of Leicester, tejnp. Elizabeth, James 1. Charles I. Commonwealth, and Charles II. 21. Book of lists of Freemen and Apprentices of Leicester, a.d. 1729 and 1730. 22. Packet of unbound Hall Papers, temp. James I. and Charles I. 23. Copy of an Indenture, dated 35 Edward III., between Henry Duke of Lancaster, of the one part, and the Mayor and Commune of Leicester of the other part, whereby the said Duke agreed to remit certain of his seignorial rights in the borough of Lei- cester to the said Mayor and Commune in consideration of the undertaking by the same Mayor and Commune to re-enfeo£f the same Duke in the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln. 24. Translation into English of the French Indenture, dated 85 Edward III., whereby Henry Duke of Lancaster remitted to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester certain seignorial privileges per- taining to him in the borough of Leicester, in consideration of an undertaking by the same Mayor and Commune to re-enfeoff him in the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln. 25. Copy of an Indenture, dated in 35 Edward III., between John of Gaunt, Earl of Lancaster and Eichmond, of the one part, and Robert de la Marc and John de Buckland, Knts. and John de Charnelles, elk. and Johan de Newmarch, exors. of the testa- ment of Henry late Duke of Lancaster. 26. Copy of an Indenture, dated — Edward III., whereby Robert de la Marc, Knt. John de Charnelles, elk. and John Newmarch, granted the castle and honor of Bolingbroke and the manor of Sutton, CO. Lincoln, to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Blanche his wife. 27. Copy of an Indenture, dated in 39 Edward III., between John Duke of Lancaster and Blaunche, daughter and heir of Henry, late Duke of Lancaster, of the one part, and Robert de la Marc, Knt. John de Charnelles, and John de Newmarch, of the other part. 28. Copy of the Certificate of an Inquisitio post mortem, held 1 Ed- ward III. in the city of Lincoln, touching the possessions of Thomas, late Earl of Lancaster, on the day of his death. 32 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Miscellaneous Writings — continued. 29. Copy of the Certificate of an Inquisitio post mortem teld at Leicester in 1 Edward III. touching the possessions of Thomas, late Earl of Lancaster, on the day of his death. SO. Copy of the Certificate of an Inquisitio post mortem held in 22 Edward III. at Bolyngbroke, touching the possessions of Alesia de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, on the day of her death. 31. Copy of the Certificate of an Inquisitio post mortem held in 35 Edward III. at Leicester, certifying that Henry, late Duke of Lancaster, held on the day of his death the castle and honor of Leicester in chief of the King. 32. Copy of the Certificate of an Inquisitio post mortem held in 35 Edward III. at Horncastle, touching the possessions of Henry, late Duke of Lancaster, on the day of his death. 33. Papers temp. Charles II. relating to the case of the smiths of Leicester with respect to Hearth-Money. 34. Copy of the charter of In.speximus and Confirmation, dated in 20 Henry III., confirming to Simon de Montfort, in respect to his half of the honor of Leicester, the charter of concessions touching the same honor made by King John to Robert, Earl of Leicester. 35. Copy of the charter, dated in 53 Henry III., whereby the said King granted the honor and castle of Leicester, formerly pertaining to his enemy Simon de Montfort, to Edmund (Croucliback). 36. Copy of the charter, dated in 22 Edward I,, whereby the said King granted the manors of Thoresby, Wathe, Ingoldemeles, Wrangle, &c. co. Lincoln, for life to Henry, Earl of Lincoln, with remainder to Thomas, son of Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, and Alesia his wife, and to the heirs of their bodies. 37. Copy of the charter of grant made by Edward III., in the fourth year of his reign, to Henry, Earl of Leicester, for the founda- tion of the Hospital and Oratory of St. Mary of Leicester. 38. Copy of a final Concord and Agreement, made in 6 Henry VI., for the settlement of a controyersy between the Dean and Chapter of the New College of St. Mary of Leicester and John Smallwell, elk. of the one part, and Eichard Danett, of Leicester, baker, and two other persons, of the other part, touching a right of way. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 33 Miscellaneous Writings — continued. 39. A collection of Copies of Charters and Extracts from Accounts and other records, touching the Tithes and Ecclesiastical Endowments of the parish of St. Mary of Leicester, made AD. 1774. 40. Packet of Papers, a.d. 1661, relating to the case of the Mercers and Drapers of Leicester. 41. Copy of the Charter of General Pardon, dated in 1 Henry VIII,, to Miles Lambert, mayor, and to the burgesses of Leicester. 42. Undated Petition of the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester to Queen Elizabeth, for a grant of certain lands and tenements. 43. Copy of an undated Petition from the Corporation of the borough of Leicester, touching a previous petition to the Crown for a grant of lands and tenements. In the same packet, divers papers relating to Billers's Case before the Privy Council, A.D. 1665. 44. Collection of Bills of moneys levied and distributed for the relief of persons stricken with the Plague in Leicester in the time of James the First, a.d. 1610 and 1619. 45. Collection of Records of Minutes of Proceedings, temp. Elizabeth, in the Court of Portmanmote of Leicester. Also, in the same packet, a copy of an Elizabethan Charter of Inspeximus and Exemplification of a Decree of the Chamber of the Duchy of Lancaster, touching the immunity from toll of the tenants and inhabitants of Leicester. 46. List (undated, but of the 17th century) of the Subscribers and Subscriptions for the maintenance of a Preacher in the church of St. Martin of Leicester. 47. Copy of a Deed of Quit-claim, dated in 38 Edward III., executed by Eobert de la Marc, knt., John Chamele, elk., and John Newmarch, to the Mayor and Commune of Leicester, in respect to the manor of Wrangle, co. Lincoln. 48. A Rental, made in 16 Richard II., of the lands of John of Gaunt in Leicester, headed " Le Value des terres mon tres doutez Seigneur Johan Due de Guyen et de Lancastre de son laudit Thomas Herdwickes Ian sessismes." 49. A Rental, a.d. 1592, of Lands and Tenements granted by Queen Elizabeth to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester. 34 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. MisoELLANKODS WRITINGS — Continued. 50. Eight packages of Bough Papers (consisting chiefly of rough drafts of leases, indentures, bills in Chancery or in the Chamber of the Duchy of Lancaster, and correspondence about the same matters), viz., temp. Elizabeth, two packages ; temp. James I., one package; temp, Charles I., two packages; temp. Commonwealth, one package; temp. Charles II., one package; temp. William and Mary, one package. 51. Copy of the Charter of Grant and Licence, dated 1 Richard II., empowering the Abbot and Convent of the Abbey of Leicester to assign the Advowson of the parish church of Hathern, co. Leicester, to the Sacristy and Canons of the church of St. Mary of Leicester. 52. A packet of deeds and writings relating to the ofBce of Steward of Leicester. 53. Acts of Parliament, with writs attached, for levying Subsidies, of the years 27, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 43, 45 Elizabeth. 54. A packet of Charters, with letters and other writings, relating to Wigston's Hospital, most of them being of the time of the Commonwealth. 55. Second packet of documents relating to Wigston's Hospital, relating chiefly to affairs of the hospital in the reign of Charles the Second. LIST OP PRINTED BOOKS. LIST OE PRINTED BOOKS KEPT IN THE MUNIMENT ROOM OF THE LEICESTER TOWN HALL. 1. Missale ad vsum ac consuetudinem insignis ecclesie Sarum. A.D. 1519. 2. New Testament in Greek. Edited by " Robertus Stephanus typo- graphicus Regius," and printed at Paris. Title-page torn and defaced. 3 Volume of works relating to the Study of Language, containing (a) Gnomon, opus quidem pernecessarium ac pervtile, volenti- bus serio rimari arcana Poetarum omnium Grfecorum, quan- tum ad quantitatem syllabarum et figuras, libertatesque poe- matis Grseci attinet. Renato Guillbnio Vindocineo Autore. Gum privilegio. Parisiis, excudebat Christianus Wechelus sub Pegaso in vice Bellonacensi, anno salutis mdxlvxii. (b) Or- thoepia Anglicana ; or First Principall Part of English Gram- mar, methodically disposed by the industry and observation of Simon Daines,schoolemaster,of Hintlesham in Suffolk (London) 1640. (c) Janua Linguarum, by John Harmar. 4. Olai Magni Gothi Archiepiscopi Vpsalensis Historia De Gentibus Septentrionalibus, rerumque Aquilonarium natura. a.d. mdlv. 5. Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie. Eight Bookes by Richard Hooker. Printed at London by William Stansbye. 6. In ProTerbia Salomonis Commentarii Trium Rabbinorum, Salo- monis Isacidis, Abraham Aben Ezree, Levi Ben Ghersom, quos Antonius GiggeivB E. Collegii Ambrosiani Doctoribus interpretatus est, castigauit, illustrauit. Mediolani, Ex Col- legii Ambrosiani Typographia. mdcxx. 7. New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Trans- lated into the Indian language and ordered to be printed by the Commissioners of the United Colonies in New England D 2 36 LIST OF PRINTED BOOKS. List of Printed Books — continued. at the charge and with the consent of the Corporation in England for the Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England, mdclxi. With a Dedication to the High and Mighty Prince Charles the Second. 8. Prsefationes et Epistolse Editionibus Principibus Auctorum Vete- rum Praepositse Curante Beriah Botfield A.M. Cantabrigi* : E. Prelo Academico. mdccclxi. 9. An Exact Transcript of the Codex Augiensis, a Grseco-Latin Manuscript of St. Paul's Epistles. Deposited in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge. To which is added a full Col- lation of Fifty Manuscripts, containing various portions of the Greek New Testament in the libraries of Cambridge, Parham, Leicester, Oxford, Lambeth, and the British Museum. By the Eeverend Frederick Henry Scrivener, M,A., late Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1859. 10 A Collation of Pour Important Manuscripts of the Gospels : with a view to prove their Common Origin, and to restore the Text of their Archetype. By the late William Hugh Ferrar, M. A., Fellow of Trinity College and Professor of Latin in the Uni- versity of Dublin. Edited, with Introduction, by T. K. Abbott, M.A. Dublin, 1877. A KEY TO THE YAEIOUS HANDWKITINGS OF THE ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS PRESERVED IN THE MTINIMENT BOOM OP THE BOROUGH OF LEICESTER; BEING A COLLECTION OF PRINTED COPIES, EXTENSIONS, AND TRANSLATIONS OF CERTAIN SELECTED DOCUMENTS. MADE A.D. 1878, AT THE DIRECTION OP THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF LEICESTER TO TAKE MEASURES FOR THE AKflANGBMBNT AND PRESERVATION OF THE BOROUGH RECORDS. ^^^Kri lO ll^l 39 (/.)— HANDWRITINGS OF THE ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS. iii%t iih. 1. Charter of Robert Bellomont (surnamed Bossu), confirming to the burgesses of Leicester their ancient customs and rights of Guild. Temp. Henry I. R. Com Leyc Rado Vic 7 oib3 Baronib3 7 Hominib) suis Franc 7 Angt sat. Sciatis quod ego 7 uolo 7 concede qd Bur- genses mei de Leyc teneant omnes consuetudines suas bn 7 in pace 7 honorifice 7 quiete 7 in Ghilda 7 in oife3 aliis consue- tudinib} sic eas umqiia melius 7 quietius 7 honorilicentius de patre meo tenuert. T. Ern. de Bosco, Gautr afebte, Rad Minor, Johe de ioi, Matho de uilers, Baldeuu de Charn, Rado Mul?, Aiiitr' fit Alfi, Rogo de Crafort, Robto capeft. ( The same extended.) Robertus Comes Leyeestrie Radulfo vicecomiti et omnibus baronibus et hominibus suis Francigenis et Anglieis salutem : Sciatis quod ego et uolo et concede quod Burgenses mei de Leycestria teneant omnes consuetudines suas bene et in pace et honorifice, quiete et in Ghilda et in omnibus aliis consuetudinibus sicut eas umquam melius et quietius et honorificentius de patre meo tenuerint. Testibus Ernulfo de Bosco, Gaufrido Abbate, Radulfo Minore, Johanne de ioi, Matheo de uilers, Baldeuuino de Cham, Radulfo Multon, Anifredo filio Alfredi, Rogero de Cranfort, Roberto capellano. {The same translated.) j Tk^^-MiJU'^-'iL.-ifl j Rojbert Earl of Leicester to Ralph the sheriif and all his barons and men, foreigners and English born, greeting : Know ye that I will and grant that my burgesses of Leicester may hold all their customs well and in peace and honourably, quietly and in Ghild, and in all other customs/^o as they formerly held 40 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — continued. them more quietly and more honourably of my father. The witnesses being Ernulph of the Wood, Geoffrey the abbot, Ralph the Minor, John of loi, Mathew of Uilers, Baldewin of Charn, Ralph Multon, Anifred the son of Alfred, Roger of Cranfort, Robert the cha]}lain. 2. Ricard Basset's Charter to the Hospital of St. John of Lei- cester. In the 12th century. Ric Basset oib} amicis suis 7 hoib3 fracis 7 Anglicis ta p'sentibj q," fufis sai. Sciatis me gcessisse 7 hac p'senti carta mea gfirmasse Do 7 Bate Marie 7 Sco Johi 7 frib} Dom^ hospitalis Sci Johis Ley^estrie ibi do seruientibj, p salute aie mee 7 hedii meoa 7 ancessoa meo^, donacom ilia q" Gralfr Bludel de Cossebj ded 7 9cessit deo 7 Sco Johi 7 p'dcis frib3 gcessu 7 assesu hed suo^ 7 9cessu 7 assesu 7 9firmacoe Dili sui Hug Danuers 7 hed suoa e corpore suo qu se ibi deo reddidit 7 fra?nitate simt c p'dcis frib3 recepit. set vna v'gata t're in Cossebj de feodo meo c oiib3 ptineiis suis if* villa 7 ext" teneda 1 pura 7 ppetua elemosina qH ad me 7 hedes meos ptinet. P't'ra gfirmani eis omnes tenuras 7 possessones de feodo meo q"s ronabilit' possdnt sic earte eoa testaf. Saluo foresi Suicio. His test', Wilio Ridel ire mo, Wilto Sac'dote de Sco Michaele, Alexadro capellano de Sco Mich'elo, Wilio f Oswi, Alexadro clerico, Wilio f Aunger, Fulcone f Aunildi, Geruasio clerico de Sco Pet°. (The same eaitended.) Ricardus Basset omnibus amicis suis et hominibus Franci- genis et Anglicis tam presentibus quam futuris salutem. Sciatis ma concessisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse Domino et Beate Marie et Sancto Johanni et fratribus domus hospitalis Sancti Johannis Leycestrie ibi domino servientibus pro salute anime mee, et heredum meorum et anteeessorum meorum donacionem illam quam Galfridus Blundel de Cossebi dedit et concessit deo et Sanoto Johanni et predictis fratribus concessu et assensu heredum suorum et ooncessu et assensu et INDEX TO THE LEICESTEU MSS. 41 Hand WRITINGS— continued. confirmaeione Domini sui Hugonis Danuers et heredum suorum e corpore suo quum se ibi deo reddidit, et fraternitatem simul cum predictis fratribus recepit, scilicet unam virgatam terre in Cossebi de feodo meo cum pertiuenciis suis infra villam et extra tenendam in puram et perpetuam elemosinam quantum ad me et heredes meos pertinet. Preterea eonfirmaui eis omnes tenuras et possessiones de feodo meo quas racionabiliter possi- dent sicut carte eorum testantur, Saluo forensi seruicio. His testibus : Willelmo Ridel frati'e meo, Willelmo sacerdote de Sancto Miehaele, Alexandro capellano de Sancto Micliaele, Willelmo filio Oswi, Alexandro clerico, Willelmo clerico filio Aunger, Fulcone filio Aunildi, Geruasio clerico de Sancto Petro. {The same translated.) Richard Basset to all his friends and men, foreigners and English, as well the present as those to come, greeting. Know that I have granted and by this my present charter confirmed to the Lord and the Blessed Mary and Saint John and the brothers of the Hospital of Saint John there serving , the Lord, for the safety of my soul and of my heirs and of my ancestors, that gift which Greoffrey Blundel of Cossebi gave and granted to God and Saint John and the aforesaid brothers, with the grant and the assent of his heirs and with the grant and assent and confirmation of his lord Hugh Danvers and of his heirs of his body, when he surrendered himself there to God and took brotherhood at the same time with the aforesaid brothers, that is to say, one virgate of land in Cossebi of my fee with all its appurtenances, within the town and without, to be held for a pure and perpetual almoine as far as pertains to me and my heirs. And further I have confirmed to them all tenures and possessions of my fee which they possess reasonably, as their charter's testify, forensic service being reserved. These being witnesses : William Ridel my brother, William priest of Saint Michael, Alexander the chaplain of Saint Michael, William the son of Oswi, Alexander the clerk, William the son of Aunger, Fulcon the son of Aunild, Geruase the clerk of Saint Peter. "' J J- 42 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — continued. 3. Charter of King John to the Burgesses of Leicester, granting them free-passage throughout the country. _ ^ Johannes Dei ara RexAngi,Domin^Hit)me,DuxNorrii,Aquit , Com And®, Arcliiepis, Epis, Afefeib3, Com, Baronib®, Justic' Vicecomitib3,Prepositis70mib3 Baftyfidelibs suis Sattm. Sciatis nos concessisse 7 hao presenti carta fira confirmasse Burgensibus ville Leircestr' quod lifee 7 sn omi impedimento eant 7 redeant 7 negocient' per tota terra nram cu omib} reb} 7 marchandisis suis; saluis nob 7 aliis debitis 7 iustis consustudinib}. Testibj, Wiftmo Marescatt comite de Penbroc, Wittmo Com Saj, Witto de Humet const' Norm, Witto de Rupib3, Wariii filio Gerald, Thorn BasseH. Dat' p man® S. Wellri Archid', 7 Johis de Gray ap' Bur xxvi. die Decebr' anno B«gni nostri primo. , {The same extended.) Johannes Dei gratia Rex Anghe, Dominus Hibernie, Dux Normannie, Aquitanie, Comes Andegavie, Arehiepiscopis, Epis- copis, Abbatibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Justieiariis, Vicecomi- -" P ' tibus, Prepositis, et omnibus Ballivis et fidelibus suis salutem. ^ Sciatis nos concessisse et hac presenti carta nostra confirmasse ";- Burgensibus ville Leiroestrie quod libereet sine omni impedi- {', mento eant et redeant et negocientur per totam terram nostram cum omnibus rebus et marchandisis suis, Saluis nobis et aliis ' ' CQ debitis etjustis consustadinibus. Testibus Willelmo Marescallo "^Y'" ^' Comite de Penbroc, Willelmo Comite Sarum, Willelmo de Humet constabulario Normannie, Willelmo de Rupibus, Warino filio Geroldi, Thoma Basset. Datum per manus S. Wellensis Archidiaconi et Johannis de Gray apud Bures xxvi. die Decem- bris anno regni nostri primo. (TAe same translated.) John by the grace of God king of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine, Earl of Anjou, to Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, Barons, Justices, Sheriffs, Provosts, and all his bailiffs and lieges, greeting. Know that we hav( V3 r>. w t i *^ ( Translation of the same.) An inquisition made by the underwritten jurors, that is to say, , "William of . Saint Lo, Willard of Lincoln, Willard-Baudewin, Alexander 'debouere,' James Motun, WilHam.Gamel, William Hode, Peter the -Palmer, Nicholas the Burgess, Robert Druer, William Loveman, Willianj Ball, Henry the son of Richard, Ralph Fode, William the Chapman, and Thomas Geram, /^ concerning the pence which were called Q-ouelpence, and con- cerning Pontage, in what way and for what cause they were first given and taken. Who say upon their oath that pi the time -i of Robert de Medland, then earl of Leicester, it happened that itwo kinsmen, that is to say, Nicholas the son of Acres, and Geoffrey the son of Nicholas of Leicester, waged a certain duel for a piece of land, respecting which a suit had arisen between | them ; and they fought from the first hour even unto the ninth and longer, and thus fighting one with aiaother one of them drove the other even to a certain little pit, and as he stood over the little pit, and ought to have fallen into it, his kinsmen said to him, ' Preserve thyself from the pit lest thou fall into it ; ' and immediately there was made so great a clamour and so great a tumult by those standing around and those sitting around, that the lord earl heard their clamour even at the castle, and he sought then from certain persons what that clamour was, and it was answered to him that two kinsmen fought for certain land, and one of them drove the other even to a certain little pit, and as he stood over the pit, and ought to have fallen into it, the other , warned him. The burgesses truly then being moved by piety ' agreed in such manner with the lord earl, that they would give to him three pence per annum for each house whose gable was placed towards the High Street, on condition that he would grant to them th at all pleas happening to them should be dis- ; cussed and determined by the twenty-four jurors who were ap- pointed in Ley cester in olden time : and this was granted to them by the lord earl, and thus were first raised the pence which are called gouelpenceT] After the death, however, of this same 48 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — continued. earl there suceeeded Eobert, his son and heir, who for the safety of the soul of his father altogether remitted the pence which are called gouelpence, and by his charter quit-claimed them for ever. But the aforesaid charter, with many other writings and charters, was given into the custody of a certain one of the burgesses and a clerk who was named Lambert, against whom malefactors rose by night, because he was taken for a rich man, and they burnt his houses, together with the said charter and many other writings. Moreover much time having elapsed, there was a certain clerk in the same city of Leicester, by name Simon Mauditt, who throughout much time, after the death of the said Eobert Earl of Leicester, who had made the charter of quit-claim, had the bailiwick of Leicester to farm, and by his own force and will collected and extorted the said pence which are called gouelpence, by distraining all who gainsaid him, averring to them that they should have shown him warranty respecting the quit-claim, which quit-claim for sooth he well knew to have been burnt, and thus they were paid even mito this day. Moreover this inquisition was made in the presence of Roger of Ekden then bailiff, and Peter the son of Roger then Mayor of Leicester, Ralph Oliver, Richard of Campden, and many others, on Monday next after the feast of St. Gregory, in the 37th year of the reign of king Henry the son of king , John. An inquisition made by the same jurors before the same Roger and Peter and others concerning the Pontage of Leicester, who say upon their oath that in the time of the same lord earl the forest of Leicester was so great and thick and ample that scarce any one could go through the paths of that forest on account of the abundance of dead wood and of branches strewn by the wind. And then it was granted by the assent and will of the lord earl and his council, to those wish- ing to seek for dead wood, to have six cart-loads for one penny, and the burden of a horse by the week for a halfpenny, and the burden of a man by the week for a fartJiing. And those pence INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 49 Handwritings — continued. were first collected at the exit of the wood ; but afterwards out- side the town nearer towards the wood. At length also those pence were collected at the bridges of the town of Leicester, Where the first keeper was one who was called Penkrick, to whom at his petition the lord earl afterwards granted a certain space near the bridge for building : so that he might the more efiectually collect that custom. And that Penkrick afterwards collected those pence for a long time, as well for green wood and the sale of it, as he was in former time wont to do for dead wood. And so it was drawn into a custom. And, that the truth of this inquisition may be the more apparent and evident, it can be readily seen by this that no foreigners, of whatsoever province they be, carrying wood or timber, whether they be of the forest ^ of Arderne, or of the forest of Kanik,"' or of the forest of Medwode, or whosoever they shall be, those of the forest of '-*''-''-<-'<^"'''" Leicester alone excepted, pay any pontage nor were ever C*.-iv4C wont to pay it. Interlineal example of the contractions of the original writing, and of the extensions of the copy of this Record. 0. Hec ante inq'sico fca fuitpsentib3 Eogo de Ekden tOc batto E. Hec autem inquisicio facta fuitpresentibus Eogero de Ekden tunc ballivo 0. Petr° fit Rogi tuc maiore Leyc Rad Oliu, Eic' de Oampeden 7 plurib3 E. Petro filio Eogeri tunc maiore Leycestrie, Eadulfo Olivero, Eicardo de Campeden, et pluribus 0. Aliis die Lune px°post festum Sci Gregor' anno r' r' He' f' re§ E. Aliis die Lune proximo post festum Sancti Gregorii anno regni regis Henrici filii regis 0. Joti xxxvii. — Inquisicio fca g eosdem iuratos coram eisde E. Johannis xxxvii. — Inquisicio facta per eosdem iuratos coram eisdem Eogero' E 50 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — continued. 0. 7 Petr° 7 aliis de Pontag' Leyc' qui dicu sup sac^metum suQ quod E. Et Petro et allis de Pontagio Leycestrie qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod 0. Tep'e ei'de D comit' foresta Leyc' erat tam g'^dis spissa 7 E. Tempore eiusdem domini comitis foresta Leycestrie erat tam grandis spissa et 0. Ampla, quod uix posset aliquis fnsire p semitas illius foreste jp E. Ampla, quod uix posset aliquis transire per semitas illius foreste propter 0. Multandie mortui bosci 7 ramora vento pstt^'or^ et tuc p assensu E. Multandiem mortui bosci et ramorum vento prostatorum et tunc per assensum 0. 7 voluntate dni comit' 7 cosilii sui concessum fdit volentibf q'^rere E. et voluntate domini comitis et consilii sui concessum fiiit volentibus querere 0. Mortuii boscu here sex carecat' p id. et suinam equi p E. Mortuum boscum habere sox carecatas pro uno denario et summam equi per 0. Sepfm p ob 7 suinam hois p sepfm' p q^ et illi E. Septimanam pro obolo et summam hominis per septimanam pro quadrante et illi 0. denar' p'mo ad exitu bosci coUigebantur, postea iio ext* E. denarii primo ad exitum bosci coUigebantur, postea vero extra 0. uillam Leyc ppinq'us usus boscii tandem ecciam illi denar^. E. uillam Leycestrie propinquius uersus boscum tandem ecciam illi denarii. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 51 6. Schedule of the payments made by the men of the burgh of Leicester for the redemption of Pontage and Gable- pence : 37 Hen. III. Mutuii fcm p Redemcione Pon? 7 Gauelpen, anno E R H xxxvii. Por? Orien? De Martino Cagge . . . . x s. iiis. . De Ric' fit ctici . . . .vs. De Rogo Le Crule . V s. totu . . De Hug ad Ular' . iii s. totu . De Jofte Lowys . iii s. totu . De Matheo de Len . . iiii s. iis. . . De Matheo Fode . iiis. De Rofet peamenar^ . . iiis. totu . De Witto Soit . . iiis. totu . D' Witto de Melton . . iii sol. D' Rofet Parler . . xsol. totu . D' Johe Pays . . iiis. totu . . D' Rad Fode . . iiis. D' Jolie le M'cer . . iiis. totu . D' Henrico Houghil . . vs. totu . D' Symoe de Beby . iiis. D' Gregor' pistor' . iii s. totu . D' Rob de duram . vs. totu . D' Pe? le Noreys . iii s. iis. . D' Eustacti fit Captti . . vs. totu . D' De Henr' de Morton . . iiis. totu . D' Rob race . iii s. D' Thorn le Palm' . . iii s. D' Gilberto Norman . . vi s. viii d. D' Johe Keling . . iiis. 1 jor' totu . D' Abel . , . . vs. D' Gilbto Scheile . iiis. totu . D' Herbto Ruff' . vs. totu . D' Thorn de Role . iiis. E 2 52 INDEX TO THE LEICESTEK MSS. Schedule — continued. totu totu n s. D' Symoe In Croft . D' Witto de Bedeford D' WiBo de Beuerlaco D' Hug campanista . D' Wiiio le Waleys . D' Ric de Schulton . D' Petro Rolando D' Symoe le ferur Aust' totu totu totu totu 111 S. VIU. totu vs. D' Jacobo Multon D' Ric Cade . D' Wift le G-ardin' D' Hen' Schaure — Ric' pps p eo D' Wift Prudfot— Ric pps p eo D' Witto Gamel D' Grregor' de Wileweby D'Nicot fit Martin D' Ric de Blaby D' Johe Loueles D' Ric Gilb D' Job' Buthorp D' Rob Saltman D' Rad' de Couentr' D' Th de Melburn D' Hugoe de Blaby D' Johe fit Amio' D' Galfir' Curleuache D' Henr' Curleuache D' Henr' Hulems D' Witto fit Matb D' Regin de Waleber' D' Rog'o Vergant D' Rofeto de Kent D' Regin de Bekles D' Hugoe le pment' — Ric' pps p eo lllS. iii s. iiis. iii s. iiii s. vs. iiii s. vs. ii s. vi d. vs. iiii s. iiis. iiis. iii s. vi s. viiid. iiii s. vs. iiis. iiis. iiis. iiis. vi s. viii d. iiis. iiii s. vs. vi s. viii d. vs. , vs. vs. xs. , iiis. , iiis. , iii s. . iii s. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 53 Schedule — continued. totu . . D' Galfr' Kant . totu . . D' Henr' d Rodinton . totu . . D' Hugoe de Derby . D' Eog Aldich — Ric' pps p eo D'RadOliuer . D' Hugoe Aurifabr^ . D' RaS de Snepston Jj' Alex dult' — Ric' pps p eo D' Wiito de Nouo Castro . D' Wiito Balle . D' Gregor^ Makepays totu . . D' Job fit Robto — inde Ric' pps xii d. totu . . D' Witto Baldewin D' Ric Hemeri . totii . . D' RofetDriweri totu totu totu totu D' Rad fit ailb Joti Blund . Rad Glide Witt le Mason Rob de Hoyland . Job de Clipston. . Baud In venela — Ric' pps pro eo . Witt le palm' , Job de Beleg*ue K Isti denar' §nt assignati Ric' ppo si illos possit pquir'e. D' Walrando Le Border . . . iii s. D' Rog'o Tachent . . . .vs. D' Henr' Bertram . . . . iii s. D' Thorn Ailine iii s. D' Gamelo de Oucheby . . .vs. D' Galfr' de Notingham . . .iii s. Su" . . . xxiis. reeep vs. vi s. viii d. vs. vs. xs. iii s. iiis. iiis. iii s. vs. vs. vs. iiis. vi s. viii s. iiis. vs. iiis. iii s. iiis. iiis. iiis. vs. iiis. S* totat sine xxii s. de arr sup-^sc pt'^ — xviii ti. vii s. 54 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Schedule — continued. ( The same extended^ Mutuum factum pro Redemcione Pontagii Bt Gavelpeniis anno regni regis Henrici XXVII. Portse Orientis, De Martino Oagge . xs. iii s. De Eicardo filio olerici . V s. De Rogero le Crule . . vs. totum . . De Hugone de Ular . . iiis. totum . . De Johanne Low^s . • iiis. totum . . De Matheo de Len , . iiii s. iis. . . De Matheo Fode . iiis. iis. . . De Roberto Parcamenario . . iii s. ii s. De Willelmo Soit . . iiis. totum . De Willelmo de Melton . iiis. De Roberto Parler . xs. totum . De Johanne Pays . iiis. totum . De Radulfo Fode . iiis. De Johanne le Mercer . iiis. totum . De Henrico Houghil . . vs. totum . . De Simone de Beby . . iiis. De Grregorio pistore . . iiis. totum . , De Roberto de Duram . vs. totum . De Petro le Noreys . . iii s. ii s. . . . De Eustachio filio capellani . vs. totum . De Henrico de Morton . iiis. totum . De Roberto Race . iii s. De Thoma le Palmerio . iiis. De Gilberto Norman • . vi s. viii d. De Johanne Keling . . iiis. Borealis. totum . DeAbel .... . vs. iis. . . . De Gilberto Scheile . . iiis. totum . . De Roberto RufFe . vs. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 55 Schedule — continued. totnm . . De Thoma de Role . iiis. totum . . De Simone in Croft . . iiis. De Willelmo de Bedeford . iiis. De Willelmo de Beuerlaco . iii s. De Hugone Campanista . iiis. totum . . De Willelmo le Waleys . iiii s. De Ricardo de Schulton . vs. totum . . De Petro Rolando . iiii 8. De Simone le Ferur . , vs. Australia. De Jacobo Multon . ii s. vi d De Ricardo Cade , vs. ii s. . . . De Willelmo Gardiner . iiii s. pre- totum totum totum totum totum iii s. viii d. totum . vs. De Henrico Scliaure — (Ricardns positus pro eo) . . . . iii s. De Willelmo Prudfut — (Ricardus pre- positus pro eo) . . . . iii s. De Willelmo Gramel . . . . iii s. De G-regorio de Wileweby . . . vi s. viii d. De Nieolao, filio Martini . . ' . iiii s. De Eieardo de Blaby . . . .vs. De Johanne Loueles . . . . iii s. De Ricardo Gilbert . . . . iii s. De Johanne de Buthorp . . .iii s. De Roberto Saltman . . . . iii s. De Radulfo de Couentre . . . vi s. viii d. De Thoma de Melburn . . .iii s. De Hugone de Blaby . . . iiii s. De Johanne filio Amice . . . vi s. De Galfrido Curlevache . . . vi s. viii d. De Henrico Curlevache . . .vs. De Henrico Hulems . . . .vs. De Willelmo filio Mattel . . .vs. De Reginaldo de Wateber' . . x s. De Eogero Vergant . . . . iii s. 56 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Schedule — continued. De Roberto de Kent . . . . iii s. De Reffinaldo de Bekles . . .iii s. De Hugone le parmentario — (Rieardus prepositus pro eo) . . . . iii s. totum . . De Galfrido Kant . . • • vi s. totum . . De Henrico de Eodiiiton . . • vi s. viii d. totum . . De Hugone de Derby • . .vs. De Eogero Aldicb — (Rieardus prepo- situs pro eo) ■ . . . .vs. De Radulfo Oliuero . . . . x s. De Hugone Aurifabro . . .iii s. De Radulfo de Snepston . . . x s. De Alexandro Dult' — (Rieardus prepo- positus pro eo) . . . . iii s. De Willelmo de Nouo Castro . . iii s. De Willelmo Balle . . . . iii s. De Grregorio Makepays . . .vs. totum . . De ' Johanne filio Roberti — (inde Riear- dus prepositus recepit xii d.) . .vs. totum . . De Willelmo Baldewyn . . .vs. De Ricardo Hemeri . . . . iii s. totum . . De Roberto Driweri . . . . vi s. viii d. De Radulfo filio Grilberti . . .iii s. Johanne Blund . . . .vs. totum . . Radulfo Glide . . . . iiis. Willelmo le Mason . . .iii s. totum . . Roberto de Hoyland . . .iii s. totum . . Johanne de Glipston . . .iii s. totum . . Baudwino in venela — (Rieardus prepositus pro eo) . . .iii s. totum . . Willelmo Palmerio . . .vs. Johanne de Belegraue . . .iii s. Item isti denarii sunt assignati Eicardo preposito si illos possit perquirere. De Walrando Borderio . . .iii d. INDEX TO THE LEICESTEE MSS. 57 Schedule — continued. De Eogero Tachent . . vs. De Henrico Bertram . . iiis. De ThomaAiline . iii s. De Gamelo de Oucheby . vs. De Galfrido de Notingham . iiis. Summa . xxiis Summa totalis sine xxii s. de arreragiis superscriptis, xviii ti. viis. {The same translated.) An agreement made for the Kedemption of Pontage and Qavelpence in the year of the reign of King Henry the thirty- seventh. Ofthe East Gate. From Martin Cagge . , 10 3 s. . . From Richard the son of the clerk . 5s From Eoger the Orule . 5s all . . From Hugh at Ular , . 3s all . , From John Lowys . 3s all . . From Mathew of Len . 4s 2 s. . . . From Mathew Fode , . 3s 2 s,. , From Robert the parchment-maker . 3s all . . . From William Soit . . 3s all . . . From William of Melton , . 3s From Robert Parler . . 10 aU . . . From John Pays . 3s all , . From Ralph Fode . 3s From John the Mercer . 3s all . . From Henry Houghil . 5s aU . . From Simon of Beby, . 3s From Gregory the baker . . 3s all . . From Robert of Duram . 5s all . , . From Peter le Noreys . 3 s. 2 s. . . , From Eustach the son ofthe chaplain . 5 s. 58 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Schedule — continued. all . . . From Henry of Morton . 3 s. all . . . From Robert Race . . 3 s. From Thomas the Palmer . . 3 s. From Gilbert Norman . 6 8. 8 d From John Kelmg . . 3 s. Of the North. all . . . From Abel . 5 8. 2 s. . . From Gilbert Seheile . 3 8. all . . From Robert Ruff . . 5 s. all . . From Thomas of Role . 3 s. all . , . From Symon in the Croft . . 3 s. From William of Bedeford . 3 s. From William of Beuerley . 3 s. From Hugh the bellman . . 3 s. all . . . From William le Waleys . . 4s. From Richard of Schulton . 5 s. all . . . From Peter Roland . . 4 s. From Simon the iron-smith . 5 s. Of the South. aU aU From James Multon From Richard Cade .... From William the Gardener From Heury Sehaure (Richard the bailiff for him) .... From William Prudfot (Richard the bailiff for him) .... From William Gamel From Gregory of Wileweby From Nicolas the son of Martin . From Richard of Blaby From John Loueles .... From Richard Gilbert From John of Buthorp s. s. 8d. s. INDEX TO THE LEICKSTEE MSS. 59 Schedule — continued. From Robert Saltman . . .3 s. all . . . From Ealph of Oouentre . . . 6 s. 8 d. aU . . . From Thomas of Melburn . . .3 s. From Hugh of Blaby. . . .4 s. From John the son of Amice ' . .5 s. 3 s. 8 d. . From Geoffi-ey Ourlevache . . 6 s. 8 d. all . . . From Henry Ourlevache . . .5 s. From Henry Hulems . . .5 s. From William the son of Mathew . 5 s. 5 s.. . . From Reginald of Wateber . .10 s. From Roger Vergant . . .3 s. From Robert of Kent . . .3 s. From Reginald of Bekles . . .3 s. From Hugh the vest-maker (Richard the bailiff for him) . . . .3 s. all • . . From Greoffrey Kent . . . .5 s. all . . . From Henry of Rodinton . . . 6 s. 8 d. all ' . - . From Hugh of Derby . • .5 s. From Roger Aldich (Richard the bailiff for him) . . . . .5 s. From Ralph Oliver . . . . 10 s. From Hugh the goldsmith . . .3 s. From Ralph of Snepston . . . 10 s. From Alexander Dult — (Richard the bailiff for him) . . . .3 s. From "Wilham of the New Castle . 3 s. From William Balle . . . .3 s. From Gregory Makepays . . .5 s. all . . . From John the son of Robert — (out of which Richard the bailiff received 12 d.) 5 s. all . . . From William Baldewin . . .5 s. From Richard Hemeri . . .3 s. all . . . From Robert Driweri . . . 6 s. 8 d. From Ralph the son of Gilbert . .3 s. 60 INDKX TO THE LlilCESTEB MSS. Schedule — continued. From John Blund . 5 s. all . . . From Ralph Glide . . 3 s. From William the mason . . 3s. From Robert of Hoyland . . 3 s. all . . . From John of Chpston . 3 s. all . . . From Baldwin in the little street — (Richard the bailiff for him) . 3 s. all . . . From William the Palmer . . 5 s. From John of Belegrave . . 3 s. Also these moneys are assigned to Richard the bailiff if he can call them in. From Walrand the Borderer , 3 s. From Roger Tachent . 5 s. From Henry Bertram . 3 s. From Thomas Ailine . . 3 s. From Gamel of Oucheby . . 5 s. From Geoffrey of Nottingham . 3s. Summa 22 s. Sum total, without the 22 s. of arrears written above, £18 7s. Od. 7. Simon de Montfort's Charter to the Burgesses of Leicester : remitting Bridge-silver and Gable-pence to them and their heirs for ever. Omnib} xpi fidelib3 hoc scripts visuris ul audituris, Dns Synion de Monte forti Comes Leycestr', Senescallus Anglie, salt in dno. Neurit vniu'sitas vra nos remississe T. q'etclamasse in ppetuu p not % hedib} nris omes illos denar' q^ aliquo modo noie pontagii ad Pontes Bros Leycestr' exigi T; capi solebant, q' vocabanf Briggesiluir, Et in simul omes illos denar' q' in uilla nra Leycestr' exigi 1 capi solebant q' vocabant^' Gouilpeniis. Ita qd n° nos n° hedes riri n" aliq's noie nro decet'o de Burgen- sib3 nris Leycestr' uel eor^ hedib3 seu suecessorib}, uel ab aliquib} aliis de quocuq loco fu'int noie pdcori denar' qui voca- INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 61 Handwritings — continued. bant' Briggesiluir T; Gouilpeir', aliq'd cape ul exige' valeam^, n° qd dci Burgenses ul hedes sui siue successores allquid ab aliquib} noie Briggesiluir aut Gouilpen' aliq^modo cape possint ul exig'e. Et pro hac remissione T; quieta clamacone iira Maior T; Burgenses nri de communitate Leycestr' dederiit T. q'et' clamauerut de se T; liedib} suis in ppetuu nofe T; hedib} iiris uel assignatis iiris q'nquaginta sex solid % octo denar' annul reddit', pcipiend in villa nra T; in Camp Leycestr', scit de quatuor virgatis t're in Campo Australi Leycest' quas habuim^ de Andrea Loterel, quadraginta solid quos 'Symon de La Sauce aliquando solebat pcipe annuatim de pdca ?ra, Et in uilla iira Leycestr' % in suburbio eiusdem ville sexdecim solid T; octo denar', scit in pochia Sci Nichot de quada ?ra q fuit Eoberti fris Baldewini de Scharneford iuxta ?rani q fuit Galfr' de Honecot' viginti denar', Et de ?ra q fuit Hug de Stocton iuxta ?ram q fait Wal?i longi qtuordeci denar', Et de quada tra iacente in? ?ram q fuit ^dci Wal?i longi T; ?ram q fuit Rofe le Omvers uiginti denar', Et in pochia Sci Martini de tra q fait Griffini le Fol duodeci denar' 1 vnu Ghapone, Et de quada tra iacente in? terra q fait Bad Albold ex vtraq, pte duos solid T; sex denar' T; duas Gallin', Et in suburbio Orientali de ?ra q ftiit Gamil Le Watirman Noue denar' T; tres Gallin', Et de ?ra q fuit Eic Le Breth Noue denar' T; q'4;uor Gallin', Et de ¥ra q fuit Kofeti M'catoris decern denar' T; oboM T; tres Gallin^, Et de tra Helye de Burbach quatuor denar' T; obolu T; vnam Gallina, Et de tra q fait Yuon de Stretton qtuor denar' T; obolu T; vna Gallina, Et de ?ra Bad Olouelec sex denar', Et de ?ra Petri de Petling duodeci denar' T; qtuor Gallin', Et de tra Ric Cayrun tres denar' T; duas Gallin', Et de tra Willi de Barkeby tres denar' Et in suburbio Boreali in pochia Omniu Scr^ de quada ?ra iacente int ?ram q fuit Wal?i rotarii T; ?am Johis filii eiusdem Wal?i viginti denar' T; vnu Chaponem, Cum homagiis, seruiciis, releuiis, T; cu omnib3 exitib} % libertatib3 de pdco redditu puenientib}, Et ut hec ofhia predca firmitatis ppetue robur obtineant, nos 1 Maior T; Burgenses nri Leycestr' 62 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — continued. Cartam in modu Cyrographi 'fecimus '\ nos hanc ptem eiusdem Carte Apposicone sigilli iiri corroborauim^. Hiis testibus Dno Ernaldo de Bosco, Dno Bad Basseth, Dno Eic de Hauering, Diio Thoma de Estleya, Dno Witto Burdeth, Dno Eofe de Foleuile, Dno Ead Camerario, Dno Eofe Motun, Henrico Mallore, T; aliis. i^Tlie same extended.) Omnibus Christi fidelibus hoc scriptum visuris uel audituris Dominus Symon de Monte forti Comes Leyeestrie, Senescallus Anglie, salutem in domino : — Nouerit vniversitas vestra nos remississe et quiet'-clamasse inperpetuum pro nobis et lieredibus nostris omnes illos denarios qui aliquo modo nomine pontagii ad pontes nostros Leyeestrie exigi et capi solebant qui vocabantur Briggesiluir, Et in simul omnes illos denarios qui in uilla nostra Leyeestrie exigi et capi solebant qui vocabantur Grouilpeniis. Ita quod nee nos nee heredes nostri nee aliquis nomine nostro decetero de burgensibus nostris Leyeestrie uel eorum heredibus seu successoribus uel ab aliquibus aliis de quocunque loco fuerint nomine predictorum denariorum qui vocabantur Briggesiluir et Gouilpeniis aliquid capere uel exigere valeamus, nee quod dicti burgenses uel heredes sui siue successores aliquid ab aliquibus nomine Briggesiluir ant Gouelpeniis aliquo modo capere possint uel exigere, Et pro hac remissione et quieta elamacione nostra, Maior et Burgenses nostri de communitate Leyeestrie dederunt et quiet-clamauerunt de se et heredibus suis in perpetuum nobis el heredibus nostris uel assignatis nostris quinquaginta sex solidos et ooto denarios annul redditus percipiendos in villa nostra et in campis Leyeestrie, scilicet de quatuor virgatis terre in Campo Australi Leyeestrie quas habuimus de Andrea Loterel, quadraginta solidos quos Symon de la Sauce aliquando solebat percipere annuatim de predicta terra, Et in uilla nostra Ley- eestrie et in suburbio ejusdem ville sexdecim solidos et octo denarios, scilicet in parochia Sancti Nieholai de quadam terra que fait Eoberti fi-atris Baldewini de Seharneford juxta ten-am que fuit Galfridi de Honecot', viginti denarios, Et de terra que INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 63 Handwritings — continued. fuit Hugonis de Stocton' juxta terrain que fuit Walterl Longi quatuor decim denarios, Et de quadam terra iacente inter terram que fuit predicti Walteri Ijongi et terrain que fuit Eoberti le Omvers viginti denarios, Et in parochia Sancti Martini de terra que fuit Grriffini le fol, duodecim denarios et vnum cha- ponem, Et de quadam terra iacente inter terram que fuit Radulfi Albold ex vtraque parte duos solidos et sex denarios et duas gallinas, Et in suburbio orientali de terra que fuit Gamil le Watirman novem denarios et tres gallinas, Et de terra que fuit Eicardi le Breth nouem denarios et quatuor gallinas, Et de terra que fuit Eoberti mercatoris decem denarios et obolum et tres gallinas, Et de terra Helye de Burbach' quatuor denarios et obolum et vnam gallinam, Et de terra que fuit Yuonis de Stretton quatuor denarios et obolum et vnam gallinam, Et de terra Radulfi Clouelec sex denarios, Et de terra Petri de Petling duodecim denarios et quatuor gallinas, Et de terra Eicardi Cayrun tres denarios et duas gallinas, Et de terra Willelmi de Barkeby tres denarios, Et in suburbio Boreali in parochia Omnium Sanctorum de quadam terra iacente inter terram que fuit Walteri rotarii et terram Johannis filii eiusdem Walteri viginti denarios et vnum chaponem, cum homagiis, seruiciis, releuiis, et cum omnibus exitibus et libertatibus de predicto redditu peruenientibus, Et ut hec omnia predicta firmitatis perpetue robur obtineaut, nos, et Maior et Burgenses nostri Leycestrie presentem Gartam in modum Cyrographi confecimus, et nos banc partem eiusdem carte appositione sigilli nostri corroborauimus, Hiis testibus. Domino Ernaldo de Bosco, Domino Radulfo Basseth, Domino Eicardo de Hauering, Domino Thoma de Estleya, Domino Willelmo Burdeth, Domino de Foleuile, Domino Eadulfo camerario, Domino Eoberto Motum, Henrico Mallore, et aliis. 64: INDEX TO THE LEICESTEK MSS. Handwritings — continued. {The same translated.) To all believers in Christ who shall see or hear of this writing the Lord Symon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, Steward of England, health in the Lord : — Know all of you that we have remitted and quit-claimed for ever for ourselves and our heirs aU those pence which in any way were wont to be exacted and taken in the name of Pontage at our bridges at Leicester which were called Bridge-silver, And at the same time all those pence which were wont to be exacted and taken in our town of Leicester which were called Grable-pence, so that neither we nor our heirs nor any one in our name may be able henceforth to take or exact anything of our burgesses of Leicester or of their heirs or successors, or of any other persons of whatever place they may be, in the name of the aforesaid pence which were called Bridge-silver and Gable- pence ; and that the said burgesses or their heirs or successors may not be able to take or exact anything from anybody in the name of Bridge-silver or Gable-pence. And for this om* re- mission and quit-claim the Mayor and our Burgesses of the community of Leicester have given and quit-claimed from them- selves and their heirs for ever to us and our heirs or our assigns fifty-six shillings and eight pence of annual rent to be received in our town and in the fields of Leicester, that is to say, from the four virgates of land in the South Field of Leicester which we had of Andrew Loterel, forty shillings which Symon de La Sauce was wont to receive annually from the aforesaid land, And in our town of Leicester and in the suburb of the same town sixteen shillings and eight pence, that is to say, in the parish of St. Nicholas from certain land which was the property of Robert, the brother of Baldewyn, of Scharneford, near the land which was the property of Geoffrey of Honecote, twenty pence. And of the land which was the property of Hugh de Stocton, near the land which was the property of Walter the Long, fourteen pence, and from certain land lying between the land which INDEX TO THE LEICESTKK MSS. 65 Handwritings — continued. was the property of the aforesaid Walter the Long and the land which was the property of Robert le Omvers twenty pence, and in the parish of Saint Martin from the land which was the property of Griffin the Fool twelve pence and one capon, And from certain land lying between the land which was the property of Ealph Albold on either part two shillings and sixpence and two hens, And in the eastern suburb from land which was the property of Gramil the Watirman nine pence and three hens, And from the land which was the property of Ricliard le Breth nine pence and four hens. And from the land which was the property of Robert the merchant ten pence and a half-penny and three hens. And fr-om the land of Helyas of Burbach' four pence and a half-penny and one hen, And from the land which was the property of Yuon of Stretton four pence and a half-penny and one hen, And from the land of Ralph Clouelec six pence. And from the land of Peter de Petling' twelve pence and four hens. And from the land of Richard Cayrun three pence and two hens. And from the land of William of Barkeby three pence. And in the North Field in the parish of All Saints from certain land lying between the~ land which was the property of Walter the wheelwright, and the land of John the son of the same Walter, twenty pence and one capon, together with all homages, services, reliefs, and with all issues and liberties coming from the aforesaid rent, — And, that all these things aforesaid may have the strength of firmness, we and the Maior and our Burgesses of Leycester have made this charter after the manner of a Cyrograph, and have corroborated this part of the same charter by the apposition of our seal. These being witnesses, the Lord Ernald de Wood, the Lord Ralph de Hauering, the Lord Thomas de Estleya, the Lord William Burdeth, the Lord Robert de Foleuile, the Lord Ralph the Chamberlain, the Lord Robert Motun, Henry Mallore, and others. 66 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — continued. 8. Simon de Montford's Charter (39 Henry III.) substituting the Law of Inheritance by Primogeniture in Leicester in place of the old Law of Inheritance of Borough English. Omib3 xpi fidelib} Dns Symon de Monte Forti Comes Ley- cestr' Senescallus Angt salt: Nouerit uniu'sitas ura nos pro salute anime iire Alienoris uxoris nre, puero^ antecessor 7 successorum firoa ad instancia 7 supplicacone Burgensiu uille nre Leycestr' pp? coinune utililate 7 melioracom status eiusde uille que pp? defectu heredum 7 debilitatem eo^ iam multo tempe fere ad occasum declinauit 7 ruinam, coiiiuni assensu 7 uoluntate omium Burgensiu predice uille nostre Leycestr^ con- cessisse 7 hac p'senti carta fira confirmasse qd omes filii p'mo- geniti de legitime mat'monio in p'nominata uilla Leycestr' 7 eius suburbio post morte pat's eo^ hereditate paterna 7 hitacom pacifice quiete 7 sine omi contMccon deeet'o habeant 7 optineant 7 sint eis heredes decet'o legitimi, Ita qd filii ultimo geniti in dca uilla Leycestr' qui ante cocessione 7 confeccom hui^ carte nre patrib) ui antecessorib} eoa tanq heredes in hereditate suc- cesserunt, toto tepe uite sue pacifice, quiete 7 sine oini con- tradccone hereditate 7 habitacon habeant 7 possideant 7 qd filii eoj p'mogeniti scdm concessione prenominata in hereditate decet'o succedant. Hiis testib} D'nis Rog' de Quency comite Wyntofi, Rado Basset, Witto Basset, Rico de Hauering, Thorn de Estlegh militib3, Bartho le Jesne, Rico Morin, And? de la Breche, Alexandre ctico, 7 aliis. Dat^ apud Westm Die Ven'is pxim post festu S. Luce eu^ngeliste Anno Reg' Henr* filii Regis Johannis tricesimo nono. {The same extended.) Omnibus Christi fidelibus Dominus Symon de Monte Forti Comes Leycestrie Senescallus Anglie salutem : — Nouerit uni- uersitas uestra nos pro salute anime nostre Alienore uxoris nostre puerorum antecessorum et successorum nostrorum ad in- stanciam et supplicacionem Burgensium uille nostre Levcestrie propter communem utilitatem et melioracionem status eiusdem uille que propter defectum heredum et debilitatem eorum jam INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 67 Handwritings — continued. multo tempore fere ad occasum declinauit et ruinam communi assensu et uoluntate omnium burgensium predicte uille nostre Leycestrie concessisse et hac present! carta nostra confirmasse quod omnes filii primogeniti de legitime matrimonio in pre- nominata uilla nostra Leycestrie et eius suburbio post mortem patris eorum hereditatem paternam et habitacionem pacifice quiete et sine omni contradictione decetero habeant et optineant et sint eis heredes decetero legitimi. Ita quod filii ultimo geniti in dicta uilla Leycestrie, qui ante concessionem et confectionem hujus carte nostre patribus uel antecessoribus eorum tanquam heredes in bereditate successerunt, toto tempore vite sue pacifice, quiete et sine omni contradiccione hereditatem et habitacionem habeant et possideant, et quod filii eorum primogeniti secundum concessionem prenominatam in hereditatem decetero succedant. Hiis testibus, Dominis Rogero de Queney comite Wyntonie, Radulfo Basset, Willelmo Basset, Ricardo de Hauering, Thoma de Estlegha, mUitibus, Bartholomeo le Jesne, Ricardo Morin, Andrea de la Breche, Alexandre clerico et aliis. Datum apud Westmonasterium die Veneris proximo post festum Sancti Luce euangeliste anno regni Regis Henriei filii Regis Johannis tri- cesimo nono. [The same translated.) To all believers in Christ the Lord Symon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, Steward of England, health : Know all of you that we for the safety of our soul and the soul of our wife Alienor and the souls of our boys, ancestors, and successors, at, the instance and supplication of the burgesses of our town of Leicester, for the common utility and amelioration of the state of the same town, which by reason of defect of heirs and their weakness has now for a long time declined almost to its fall and ruin, with the common assent and will of all the burgesses of our aforesaid town of Leicester, have granted and by this present charter have confirmed the grant that all sons first born of lawful wedlock in our aforesaid town of Leicester and its suburb after the death of a father may hence- 68 INDEX TO THE LEICESTEK MSS. Handwritings— comimwetZ. forth have and obtain their paternal inheritance and habitation peacefully, quietly, and without any contradiction, and may be henceforth lawful heirs to the same : So that last-born sons in the said town of Leicester, who before the concession and completion of this our charter have succeeded to their fathers or ancestors as heirs in inheritance, may for the whole time of their life peacefully, quietly, and without any contradiction have and possess their inheritance and habitation, and that their first-born sons may for the future succeed to their inheritance in accord- ance with the aforesaid grant. These persons being witnesses : The Lords Roger de Quency Earl of Winchester, Ralph Basset, William Basset, Richard de Hauering, Thomas de Estlegh, knts., Bartholomew le Jesne, Richard Morin, Andrew de la Breche, Alexander the clerk, and others. Given at Westminster on Friday next after the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, in the thirty-ninth year of King Henry son of John. 9, Henry the Third's Letters Patent, dated in the 41st year of his reign, granting for seven years to the Burgesses of Leicester exemption for all their goods from royal ' prise ' throughout the kingdom. H' dei gra Rex Angt Dns Hifen Dux Norm Aquit 7 Com And Omnib3 balliuis 7 fidelib} suis ad quos presentes lit'e puen'int satm : Sciatis nos ad instanciam dilci 7 fidelis Simonis de Monte forti comitis Leyc concessisse p nofe 7 hedib} nris Burgensib3 suis Leycestr' qd a festo Sci Johis Baptiste anno regni liri quad- ragesimo primo usq, ad finem septern anno^ pxio sequenciii quieti sint de omimodo prisa nra de pannis 7 omib3 aliis reb} 7 mercandisis suis in singulis nundinis 7 mercatis p totu regnii 7 potestate nram. Ita qd nullus ab eis aliquid capiat de pannis aut aliquib3 reb3 ut mercandisis suis cont^ voluntate eof nisi eis inde incontinenti tali? satisfiat, qd dci Burgenses inde fuerint contenti . Et ideo vofe mandam^ qd predeos Burgenses cont^" banc concessiont iiram no vexetis aut ab aliis vexari pmittatis. In cui^ rei testimoniu lit' as liras eis fierifecim^ patentes. Teste me ipo apud Westin tricesimo die Mali anno regni nri qMragesimo primo. INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 69 Handwritings — continued. ( The same extended.') HenrioTis dei graeia Eex Anglie, Dorainus Hibernie, Dux Normannie, Aquitanie et Comes Andegavie, omnibus balliuis et fidelibus suis ad quos presentes litere peruenerint salutem. Sciatis nos ad instanciam dilecti et fidelis nostri Simonis de Monteforti, Ooniitis Leyeestrie, concessisse pro uobis et here- dibus nostris Burgensibus suis Lej'cestrie quod a festo Sancti Johannis Baptiste anno regni nostri quadragesimo primo usque ad finem septem annorum proximo sequenoium quieti sint de omnimodo prisa nostra de pannis et omnibus aliis rebus et merchandisis suis in singulis nundinis et mercatis per totum regnum et postestatem nostram. Ita quod nullus ab eis aliquid capiat de pannis aut aliquibus rebus uel mereandisis suis con- tra voluntatem eorum nisi eis incontinenti taliter satisfaciat quod dicti Burgenses inde fuerint contenti. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod predietos Burgenses contra banc concessionem nostram non vexetis aut ab aliis vexari permittatis. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras eis fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Westmonasterium tricesimo die Maii anno regni nostri quadragesimo primo. {The same translated.) Henry by the grace of Grod King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Earl of Anjou, to all his bailiffs and lieges to whom the present letters shall come, health : — Know that we, at the instance of our beloved and faithful Simon de Montfort Earl of Leicester, have granted for ourselves and our heirs to his Burgesses of Leicester, that from the feast of Saint John the Baptist in the forty-first year of our reign even to the end of the seven years next following they may be quit of all manner of our prise of cloths and all their other things and merchandise in each and all fairs and markets throughout our kingdom and realm, so that no one may take from them anything of their cloths or other goods or merchandise against their will, unless he forthwith 70 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handweitings — continued. make satisfaction in that respect to them in such wise that the said Burgesses shall in respect of the same be content. And so we command you that you neither vex the aforesaid bur- gesses contrary to this our grant nor permit them to be vexed by others. / mi/self being the witness at Westminster on the thirtieth day of May in the forty-first year of our reign. 10. Henry the Third's Letters Patent, dated in the 53rd year of his reign, granting to the Mayor and Burgesses of Leicester, for their persons and goods, freedom from arrest in respect of debts the principal sponsors or . debtors of which have not stood forth. Henricus dei gra Rex Angt Diis Hiberii 7 Dux Aquitann omnib3 ad quos p sentes litt'e puenerint satm. Sciatis qd ad instanciam Edmundi fit iiri kmi concessimus Maori 7 Burgen- sib3 ipius fit nri Leycestr' p nobis 7 heredib} nostris qd ipi vel eorum bona quocumq^ locorum in potestate nra inuenta nou arrestentur p aliquo debito de quo fideiussores aut debitores principales non extit^int, Nisi forte ipi debitores de eorum sint comuna 7 potestate habentes vnde de debitis suis in toto vel in pte satisfac' possint 7 ipi Maior 7 Burgens in iusticia defuerrt 7 de hoc raconabitr constare pot it. Et phibemus sup forisfcuram nr^m ne quis eos contr"^ banc libertatem 7 concessionem nram in aliquo iniuste molestare vel inquietare p'sumat. Li cui^ rei testimon has litt as nras fieri fecimus patentes. T' me ipo apud Wyndes xx°ii die Aprit anno regni iiri q'nq^gesimo tercio. {The same extended.) Henricus, deigracia Eex Anglie, Dominus Hibernie, et DuxNor- mannie,Aquitannie, omnibus ad quos presentes littere peruenerint salutem : Sciatis quod ad instanciam Edmundi filii nostri karissimi concessimus Maori et Burgensibus ipsius filii nostri de Leycestrla pro nobis et heredibus nostris quod ipsi uel eorum bona quo- cunque locorum in potestate nostra inuenta non arestentur pro aliquo debito de quo fideiussores aut debitores principales non INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 71 Haudwbitings — continued. extiterint, Nisi forte ipsi debitores de eorum sint communa et potestate habentes vnde de debitis suis in toto vel in parte satis- facere possint, et ipsi Maior et Burgenses in justicia defuerint et de hoc racionabiliter eonstare poterit. Et prohibemus super forisfacturam nostram ne quis eos contra banc libertatem et con- cessionem nostram in aliquo iniuste molestare vel inquietare presumat. In cuius rei testimonium hac litteras nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Wyndesoram xxii die Aprilis anno regni nostri quinquagesimo tercio. ( The same translated.) Henry by the G-race of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine,to all to whom the present letters shall have come, health : Know that at the instance of our dearest son Ed- mund we have granted to the Mayor and Burgesses of our same son of Leicester for ourselves and our heirs that neither they nor their goods in whatsoever of places in our power found may be arrested for any debt the principal fideiussores or debtors of which have not stood forth. Unless by chance the same debtors be of their commune and power, having whence they may be able . to make satisfaction of their debts either in whole or in part^and the same Mayor and Burgesses shall have been want- ing in justice, and of this it shall be possible that reasonable evidence may be had (or, of this it shall be able to appear reasonably). And we forbid on pain of forfeiture to us that any one against this our liberty and concession presume to cause trouble or disquiet in any matter. For testimony of which thing we have caused these our letters patent to be made. I myself being the witness at Windsor on the twenty-second day of April in the fifty-third year of our reign. 72 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS, Handweitings — continued. 12. Charter of Edmund (Crouchback), younger brother of Ed- ward the First, to the Mayor and the Burgesses of Leicester, for the Reformation of the laws and procedure of the Court of Portmanmote. Dated 6 Edward I. A.D. 1277. Pur ceo ke les delays de la Curt de Portmannemot de Ley- cestre unt este trop lungs e aeuns vsages a mins a eels ke lor dreit dussent siure, Sire Edmund frere nostre seignor Le Rey seignor de la Vile auaunt dite par son conseil et par assent del Meyre e de Jurees e de tote la commune de mesme la vile ad ordene e purueu les amendemenz de suz escrits. En primes pur ceo quant vn homme se fu pleint de vn altre de dette ou de trespas, demi an ou un an enter passa souent auaunt ke il poeit mener sun aduersaire a respuns, partie par fieble destresce de Bailliffs, e par ceo ke eus muscerent lor choses en Ohaumbres ou ailors ke hum ne lor poeit destreindre, e ausi par ceo ke eus passerent saunz amerciement de lor defautes. En amendement de ceste chose est purueu quant vn homme se pleint de vn altre reseaunt en la vile en sa absence de dette ou de Chatels a tort prises ou detenuz seit cell de ki il se est pleint somuns par tes- moinage de dous veysins de estre a la procheine Curt a respundre. E si a cele Curt ne vegne seit fet vne simple destresce sur li dekil se ataehe par pleggis de estre a lautre Curt, e si il trusse pleggis e ne vegne pas ou si il ne voile pleggis trouer seit com- aunde a destreindre de estre a la terce Curt par la grant des- tresce par quanque hom troue del seen deden3 mesun ou dehors issi ke si il face muscer enclore ses biens en Chaumber ou ailor le baillif par veue de les veisins se face entre par tut a li des- treindre de kataunt kil se justise, e sil ad troue pleggis de uenir seient ses pleggis en la merci pur ceo ke els ne le aueient mie a lor jor, si eus ne puissent mustrer resnable enchesun pur quel eus ne le aueyent mie. En mesme la manere seit fet en plai de trespas quant a destresces mes ke tut a deprimes seit mis par pleggis. Puis quant le defendaunt ad fet defautes issi kil vent par lagrant destresce ke seit issue sur li seit en la merci sil ne puisse ses defautes sauuer par dire ke il fu hors de vile e ren INDEX TO THE LEICESTEE, MSS. 73 Handwritings — continued. ne saueit del plai, ou ke il fu desturbe par altre achesun resnable e ceo voille auerrer. A ceo si le defendauiit eit plegges troue ou meinpernors de estre a la curt a certain jor e ne j puisse estre eyent les plegges ou les meinpernors sil uoilent a jor vn forsal pur ly en lu de assoyne cum auaunt fu vse, e le eyent puis auaunt a vn altre jor. A coo quel oure ke les parties vegnent primes ensemble en' Curt le defendaunt sil veut die hauelawe e par taunt passe a cele jorn^e cum auaunt fu vse, issi ke mes par hauelawe dire en vne querele ne seit delay grante for vne 603. E quant il auera dit hauelawe trusse plegges ou mette sun estal en pleggage si il seit estale de venir a la prochein Curt siwant cum fu auaunt vse. E si dunt ne vegne seit destreint par la grant destresce cum auaunt est dit deskil vegne. E quant il vent seit en la merci si il ne puisse ses defautes sauuer. E pur ceo ke auent acune 603 ke vn homme se pleint de vn altre de grant quantite de dette ou de gref trespas e cell de ki se est pleint ne seit mie ase3 justisable par teres ne tenemen3 ne par altre chose ke il ad en la vile a vne 603 vent e meine chatels en la vile e est par ecus chatels destreint a sei justiser e face de- liuerer ses Chatels par plegges ou meinpernors a venir e a estre a dreiture puis lest ses plegges ou ses meinpernors en cure e se sustret e li e ses biens ke nule destresce sur li ne put estre troue. E pur ceo ke les plegges en tel kas soleyent fere lor pes ver le Baillif de vn sis deners ou de duzze de ceo ke eus ne le auoyent mie si cum els le pleuirent ou meinpristrent, e par taunt passe- rent quit, e le pleintif p6rdi issi sa dette, ou ses amendes ke auer dust ; sur ceo est purueu en tel kas, si destresce seit deliuere par pleggage ou meinprise de acun, si celi ki est repleui ou meinpris ne vegne a sei justiser cum fere deit seient ses plegges ou ses meinpernors destreint a auer le auaunt, si eus le puissent auer, e seyent en la merci pur ceo ke eus ne le aueient mie, si eus ne se puissent par resnable enchesun sauuer, e dunk a meins eyent la chose auaunt ke par lor pleuine ou lor meinprise fu deliuere ou la value. E pur ceo ke vsage est en la vile ke vn home ki tegne del Cunte en chef si il seit emplede il memes ou 74 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handweitings — continued. sun seignor de ki il tent en chef purrunt venir e demaunder curt de li auiut souent ke puis ke la partie en sa suite fu longe- ment trauaile e la Curt ausi, dunk a deprimis vint il v sun seignor e demaunda sa curt e le aueit, e en cele Curt derichef fist tut nuuels delais ; sur ceo est ore purueu ke cely ki voile curt demaunder vegne e la demaunde de den} la terce curt de la parole atache, e auaunt ke la parole seyt querela on repundu. E si ceo nun perde sa curt de cele querele. E puis quant auera sa curt face pleine dreiture. E si il ne le face vegne le pleintif arere a la cheue curt e pruisse par dous leaus humes en quei cele curt li est faili de dreiture. E seit le seignor garni a venir a ee oyir si volt, e son aduersaire ausi. E si la defaute de la curt seit proue voysent auaunt en la principal en la cheue curt cum ad este vse auaunt. E pur ceo ke vse fu auaunt ces oures quant les parties deueient pleder e le pleintif aueit dit sa querele, si le defendant taunt tost cum la parole ly fust issue de la buche ne deist Thwerthutnay il fu tenu cum non defendu e ceo apele- rent Swareles. None li fu suffert de emparler ne de cunseil demaunder ne nul hume ki suist les vsages pur li parler, dunt muz enfurent perdaunz ke ne saueient les usages : Sur ceo est ore purueu ke quant les parties aperent e deyuent pleder, le pleintif die pleynement sa querele saunz ehalenge v hoket par li meimis sil sache ou par altre ke seit auoe si memos ne sache, issi ke par obliaunee de tens ne par altre circumstance ehalenge la querele ne seit abatue. Mes si le defendaunt demaunde de- claracion de tens ou de altre chose ke necessaire seit a la pleinte pur meuz estre acerte a respundre seit la declaraeiun fece mesme lure saunz ehalenge. Puis quant le pleintif auera querele,' le defendaunt eit resnable espace a respundre kil ne seit surpris. E sil se voile conseiller e enparler le face par cunge, e reuegne e die ceo ke il quide ke il quide ke li puisse valer tut saunz ehalenge ne hoket par li meimes ou par altr-e ke seit auoe sil memis ne sache. E sil quide ke son primer respuns ne suffise mie die altre chose ou il se voile a trenk tenir e jugement prendre. E si par auenture quant le pleintif auera querele le INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 75 B.ASBwm'TWGS— continued. defendant ne puisse dedire ceo ke il auera dit ver ]j, on ne voile respundre puis kil serra amoneste par le baillif, si il ne die resnable enchesun pur quel respundre ne deit, seit cum non defendu e cum Swareles cum fu auaunt vse. E pur ceo ke auaunt fa vse ke le defendaunt ne poeit a la pleinte le pleintif autre chose respundre for tut granter ou tut dire Twerthutnay. E quant il aueit dit le nay deueit estre a sa ley sei sisme meyn dunt son aduersaire ou home pur li elireient gente que ne irreient od li pur fauur de lautre parti ou pur haine de li. E si il ne poeit sa ley fere od cele gent nomez serreit ateint de tote la parole fust ele verrais ou fause. Pur ceo est purueu primes en plai de dette si le defendaunt le dedie e le demaundaunt eit prone de sa dette par escrit taile ou par vine voiz seit rescu a la proue fere issi ke si il neit for tayle ou vine voix. Jurge il primes e puis ses tesmoines ke il meine, e seyent examinez de oye e de veue les tesmoines si eus furent a la dette prendre ou a la taile fere, ou si eus furent la ou la dette ou la taile fu grante, e solum ceo ke eus prouent recouere sa dette ou perde. E sej'ent les tesmoines lele gents ne mie suspecenus custumers ne lowy3 a faus sermenz aler. E si il nome tesmoines e eus pur fauur ou par atie se sustrent de la uerite dire, seient destreint par le baillif a venir e dire lor verite, e ausi cum est auaunt dit seyent examine, ou si les parties par assentement se voilent mettre en enqueste de veisins ke seuent la verite de ceste chose, soit len- queste prise. E si le pleintif ne eit for sa simple voix seit le defendaunt a sa ley par taunz cum la curt agardera dei bone gent e leans ne mie lowyj ne custumers a faus sermenz aler. E sil face sa ley al ior ke done li est, passe quit. E si il defaile seit cum ateint do la parole. En mesme la manere en plai de trespas si le defendant die Thwerthutnay seit a sa ley e en mesme la manere la face. E ke nul desormes seit destreint a sa ley fere par gent nomez cum fu auaunt use. E si le defendaunt en plai de trespas se voile mettre en enqueste de son fet seit lenqueste prise par gent couenables hors pris ses nusurs. E si jor del enqueste seit done e le defendaunt ne vegne seit destreint de 76 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — continued. estre a lautre curt. E si a cele curt ne vegne seit lenqueste prise par sa defaute e jugement rendu e exeeucion fete. E pur ceo ke fous funt barez en la vile, bateries, homsokene, e sunt bauz a ceo fere pur ceo ke eus ne vnt ren par vnt estre justizes. Si les trespas seyent encuntre la pes seient justizes par lor eors a ester a droit. E si eus ne se amendent e seyent custumers a tels ultrages fere seient fet voyder la vile. E pur ceo ke aturnez ne soleyent estre pris fors en curt e en presence des parties e ce pur le pleintif sulement dunt muls de gent enperdirent lor altres bosoignes ou lor paroles, est purueu ke luiie partie ou lautre ke voile puisse aturne fere e ceo ausi bien en absence de son aduer- saire cum en sa presence : E ke la torne seit reseu en son liu a faire taunt cum il meismes freit fors sul a la lei fere : ceo est asauer en paroles ke par aturne puissent estre plede, e ee de- uanque deus jures ke lattorne puisse teraoiner, si mester seit. E pur ceo ke vse fu ke le pleintif purreit fere trois defautes et ja le meins aler auaunt en sa querele ; purueu est ke si le pleintif ne siwe mie sa quarele al jors ke done li sunt, seit en la merci e ses pleggis de Siwre si il les eit e son aduersaire a mesme le jor passe saunz jor par sa defaute. E pur ceo ke vn vsage fu en la vile, ke si vn hume se pleinsist de vn altre taunt cum sa pleinte fust pendaunte, son aduersaire de nule pleinte dunt il se pleinsist de li serreit oy, dunt auint souent, ke si vn hume eust batu vn altre si celi ki le tort aueit fet peust cure auaunt al baillif e pleindre sey e celi ki tut le damage eust rescu venist apres e se pleinsist, ja ne sereit oy pur la pleinte lautre : sur ceo est purueu ke cliescun en sa pleinte vers altre seit oy e chescun estoise a dreit vers altre si cum dreit veut auer. E mes par eel vsage ke fu apele Holsake home seit delae de son dreit siure. E pur ceo ke les marchaunz furent souent as grant feyres de la terre fu vse ke taunt cum le grant feyres sistrent nul plai ne fust tenuz nent plus de ceus ke furent ameson ke de ceus ke furent a feyres, est ore purueu ke les curz seient tenues e dreiture seit fete de ceus ke amesun sunt, e ceus ki a feyres sunt seient assoinez par les feires, ceo est assauer pai* ceu feires INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 77 HANDWRiTmos — continued. dunt assoine soleient estre auaunt ces oures si issi ne seit ke ceus ke als feires sunt auaunt lor aler la eient fet atorney ke lor dreit puissent siure ou defendre. E pur ceo ke horn soleit des- treindre veysin pur veisin a auer le auaunt, est ore purueu ke nul ne seit destreint pur altre si il ne fust son plegge ou son meinpernor ou altre resun seit pur quel il deiue estre destreint pur li. Comaunde est ausi ke le meyre e tuz les Jurez ke en vile sunt si eus ne eyent resnable desturber seient al plez e a dreiture fere e jugement rendre, e si horn seit ameroie seit le amerciement taxe mesme le jor ou lendemein, e ceo par jurez solum ces chateus et son trespas e ne mie a volunte de baillif. Ne nul jure ne baillif ke dreiture deit fere ou jugement rendre seit meintenor de parole ne cuntor, si ceo me soit pur sei memes ou ses aliez. E dunk ne fece il mie al jugement. E pur ceo ke aeuue fiez suruindrent bosognes en la vile dunt la gent ne furent ran garniz dunt lor couint a prompter argent pain e vin e altre chose, eus alerent e aprompterent de acune gent ceo ke mester lor fu, e puis malement le rendirent a volunte e a damage de creantors. Pur ceo est ordine e purueu si ren desormes seit a prompte al oes de la vile tauntost tayle enseit fete al creauntor e seit la dette aquite de denz les quarannte jors procheins siuaunz. E si ceo nun, vegne cell a ki la dette est due al primer portamannemot apres les quaraunte jors e demaunde sa dette. E si la dette ne li seit paye apres cele demaunde denz les vt jors suiwaunz, voist il al baillif del Chaste], ke a la mustraunce celi tauntost li face leuer sa dette de la Commune ensement ou les damages ke il auera ev pur la detenue, si eus ne puissent resnable enchesun mustrer pur quei la dette eit este taunt arere. Purueu est ensement pur tail- ages de les vns viit este malement retenuz e concelez e les poueres tuz jors pairent, e les greinors furent manees, ke si auent ke taylage pur commune bosoigne de la vile conuegne estre fet seit eel taylage fet par les plus leans de la vile e ke meuz sachent les eses de gent par lor serment solum la quantite de la chose ke couent estre leue, e solum les eses chescuu ke tayle serra. E 78 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwihtings — continued. eel taylage i^leinement par le Meyre e ceus ke il comaundera soit leue taunt cum purra auaunt ke nul autre seit asis. E si ren re- mayne ultra, seit mis en la commune burse ensele de deus seaus de dous prudishommes de la commune. E chescun an seit acunte rendue des tallages assis auer ceo ke est leue e ceo ke est arere e ou la chose est despendue. E eel acunte seit rendue par le meyer e les euilurs a la Commune ou a ceus ke eus mettrunt en lor liu. E si eus se sustreent del acunte rendre, seient justise a ceo fere par le bailif del Chastel. Purueu est ausi ke si rente ou seruise de terre ou de tenement seit du au seignor de la vile ou a acun autre. E son fe li seit forclos par mur ou par haye ou par mesun ke le baillif ou le seignor ne puisse entrer a son fe destreindre pur son seruise ke arere est, bien list al baillif ou al seignor fere sei entre, e mur ou pareie percer, si le tcnaunt ne li face entre e par tut destreindre des kil eit son seruise. Mes ceo seit primes mustre en la curt de la vile e asent demande. E puis le faeent seurement si eus quident dreit auer solum ceo ke de aunciente ad este vse. Les altres fruunchises de la vile auaunt dite e les vsages resnabies cum auaunt vnt este vse remeinent estables. E ke tutes les choses auaunt dites seient estables a remenaunt le auaunt dit Sire Edmund a eest escrit ad mis son seel ensement od le seel de la commune de la Vile auaunt dite. Of this c/iarter the following {loose, and occasionally inaccurate) translation, made about the time of Henry the Sixth, is preserved in MS. in the Cha.rtulary of the Borough of Leicester, familiarly styled " The Vellum Book " by the old chroniclers of the town. For that that the delayes of the Court of Portmamote of Ley- cester have been fully long and some vsages lessoned to theym that theyr right ought not sue, Syr Edmund brothre of our Lord the King, Lord of the toun aforsaid, by his counseyle and by thassent of the Mayre and of the Juriez and of alle the comens of the same toun, hath ordeyned and purveied amendementes vnder- wreten. First for that that whan a manne maketh his pleint of INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 79 Handwritings — continued. an otlire of det or of trespas the half yere or oon yere whole passed often afore that he myght bring his aduersarie to aunswer to the partie by Feble distres of the baillieiFes, And by that that they hyd theyr godes in chambres or othere plaees there a man myght not distreyn them, And also for that that they passed without a merciement of there defaultes. Jn amendement of this thing, It is purveied, whanne a maime pleyneth him of ane othre Eeseaunt in the toun in his absence of det, or of oataile with wrong taken or withholden be he . of whom is pleyned somond by witnes of two neighbours to be at the next court to aunsewer. And if that court he commeth not, be made a symple distres vntille he be attached by plegges to be at an othere court ; and if he find plegges and comme not, or if he wille not finde plegges be he commaunded to be distreyned to be at the IIP'' court by the grete distres by what somme evyr a man findeth of his within his house or without. So that if he make to hyde or inclose in chaumbre or in othre places the baillief by the sight of the neghbours him make entre through out alle to distreine him of that for asmuche that he him iustifieth. And if he hath founden plegges to comme be his plegges amercied for that that they come not at the day. If they may not shewe Eesonable enchesoun for the whiche they come not. In the same manner be it made in pie of trespas as to distresses, but that all at the first be put by plegges. Afterwarde whanne the defendant hathe made defautes so that he come by grete distres, that that issue upon him be in amercy, If he may not his defautes save, to sey that he was out of the toun and knewe not of the pleinte, or that he was dis- tourbet by an othre cause resonable. And that he wille auerre to that if the defendaunt haue founden plegges or main- pernors to be at the court at a certen day, and ther may not be, haue thoes plegges or those mainpernors. If they wolde at the day oone forsalle for him in the stede of assoyne as afore it was vsed. And ther haue they afterward afor at anothre day. To that at which oure that the parties comen first to gedre in court, the Defeudaunte, If he wolde sey 80 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handweitings — continued. ' Have Lawe ' and by that passe at that journey as afore It was used, so that bot by ' Have Lawe ' to sey in oone quarrelle be no delay graunted bot oone tyme. And whanne he hathe sayde ' Have Lawe ' finde he plegges, or to put his estalle in plegage. And if he be Eueled to comme at the next court suyng as was vsed afore, And If than he comme not be he distreyned by the grete distresse as it is sayde afore tille he comme, And whan he comethe be he amercyed, If he may not his defawtes saue. And for that that it happeneth othere while that a manne pleynethe him of ane othre of a grete quantite of Det or of a grevous trespas and he of whomme is pleyned is not justi- fable Enowe by landes ne tenementes nor by othre thinges that he hathe in the toune At oone tyme sellethe and bringethe catellez Into the toune And is by thoos catelles dystreyned for to Justifie him and to make delyuere his catelles by plegges or mainpernours to comme and to be at Righte aftyr he hathe there his plegges or his mainpernours in courte, and If he with- drawe and eloyme his godes that no distres may bee founde vpon him, And for that that thoez plegges in that caas were wont to make their peas ayenist the baillief of oone vi.d. or of xii.d. of that that they there had not as they there pleyuone or mainprisoue, And by that they shalle passe quyte And the plaintyf lose so his dette or his Amendes that he oughte to haue. Upon that it is purveyed in that caas If the distres be delyuered by plegge or mainpernour of eny, If he that is replevyed or mainprised nor comme not to be Justified as oughte to do, be his boroughe or his mainpernours distreyned to haue him forthe If they him myght haue. And be they amercied for that that they haue him not, If they may not by Eesonable excuse save, And then at the leste haue the thinges afore that by theyr pleuyng or there mainprice was delyuered or the value. And for that that the vsage ys in the toun that a man that holdeth of the Erie in chief may comme and to aske court of him, It appeneth often that aftyr that that the partie in his suete was long travelled and the Courte also. First at the begynnyng he hadde vsed his court and demaunde his court And there he had in that Court fro this INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 81 Handwritings — continued. tyme forwarde made alle newe delayes. Upon that it is nowe purveyed that he that woUe courte aske comme And there aske within the iii**® courte of the parole attached, And afore that that the parole be quareled or aunsewerd, And thus not lose his court of that quarele, And afterward whanne he shalle haue his court make fiille pleyne Eight, And If he do not comme the pleintyf ayein at the chief Court and take by xii men lawfuUe in what this court to him is fayled right, And be the Lord warned to comme to here that If he wolle, and his aduersarie also, And If the defaute of court be proved go forth in the principalle in the chief court as it hath beene vsed afore. 1 And for that It was vsed afore thies tymes Whan thies parties oughte to pledde and the plaintyf hadde said his quarelle if the defendant as oftenne as the parole was oute of his mouthe he oweth not Thwertnay, he was holden as not defendant. And that shulde appere Swareles, And he was not suffred to enparle, nor to aske counseille nor no man that knewe thoes vsage to speke for him, Wherof many therof were loste that knewe not thoes vsagez. Upon that it is now pur- veied that whan thoes partiez apperene and owene to pledde the plaintyf sey pleinment his quarelle without chalenge or hoket . by him self. If he knowe or by ane othre If he be avowed if himself ne knowe so that by forgetting of time nor by circumstaunce chalenge the quarelle be not abated but If the defendaunt aske declaracioun of the tyme or of othre thinges that necessarye is at the plaintyf. For much better to be ascer- teyned to aunswer by the declaracioun made the same owre without chalenge. .Afterward when the plaintyf shalle have quarelle the defendaunt have Eesonable espace to aunswer that he be not surprised, And If he him woUe comiseUe and emparle do it by leve and comme agein and sey that he troweth that may availe him without chalenge or hoket by him self- or by ane othere that is avowed. If him self knowe not and if he trowe that his first aunswer suflfiseth not sey othere thing or If he wille to trouthe holde and iugement to take And if peraventure when the plaintyf shalle quarelle the defendaunt may not with say that that he hath said ageinst him or he woll not aunswere G 82 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handwritings — con tinued. after that he shalbe monyshed by the baillief If he sey not Resonable excuse for the which he owethe not to aunswere be he as not defendaunt And as Swareles as was afore vsed. And for that that afore It was vsed that the defendaunt to the pleint of the plemtyf othere thing to aunswer but all for to graunt or alle to sey Thwertney, And whenne he hath said nay he oweth to be at his lawe himself vi. handes than his aduersarie or A man for him shalle chese folke that shalle not go with him for favour of the othre partie or for hatroden of him, And if he may not his lawe make with suche folkes named shalbe atteint of aU the plee were it true or fals. For that is purveyed first in plee of dett, If the defendaunt withsey and the demaundant hath prove of his det by writing taile or by two voyces be he receyved to prove hit to do so that If he haue not but a taile or by two voyces Rise he vp first and after wardes his witnesse that he bringes, And be then examined of the hering and of the sighte those witnes if they ^were at the taking of the dette or at the making of the taile, or if they were there where the Det or the taile was graunted, And after that that they proven for to Ee- couere his det or to lese. And be theiss witnes lauftdle peaple and not suspect oustumers nor hired fals othes to go. And if he name witnes and they for fauour or by hat withdrawe theim the trouth to sey be they destreyned by the baillief to comme and sey there the trouth. And also as it is aforsaid be they examyned, or If the parties by assentement wolde put theim in the enquest takene of neghbours that knowen the trouthe of this thing be thenquest taken. And if the pleintyf haue not but his simple voice, be the defendaunt at his Lawe by asmany as the court wolle awarde of gode peaple and laufulle not hyred nor Ous- tumers to fals othes to go, And if he do his lawe at the day that is gefen him passe he quyte. And if he faile be atteint of the pie in the same manere in the pie of trespas If the defendaunt sey Thwertoutney be he at Lawe and in the same manere there doo. And that no man frome hensforde be distreyned to do his lawe by folkes named as was afor vsed. And if the Defendant in pie of trespas wolle put him in thenquest of INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 83 Handweitinos — continued. his dede be thenquest take folkes convenables and taken his Nusurs, and If day of thenquest be gefen and the Defendaunt comme not be he distreyned to be at an othre court, And If at that court he commeth not be thenquest taken by default and Jugement gefen and exeeucion doone. And for that folkes made bauz in the toune bateries homesokennes And made batez, And were bolde to do that for that they had nought wherby they might be justified of thiez trespaces Waren ayein the peace be they iustified by theyre bodes to be at iiight, And if they amend not and be custumers to do suche outragez be the avoided fro the toun. And for that that Attourneys were not wonte to be taken bot in court in presence of the parties and that for the pleintyf oonely Wher noone of the people shall lose theyr othre nedes or theyr plees, Hit is purveied that the oone partie or tothre that woUe may malce attourney, And this aswele in the absence of his aduersary as in his presence, And that the Attourney be receyued in his stede to do asmuch as him self shulde do, but oonely to the Lawe to do, that Is to say in plees that by attoumoy may be pleted, and that afore ii Juriez that the attourney may witnesse If nede be. And for that it was vsed that the plaintyf myghte make iii defawtes and there at the last goo forth in his plee. Hit is purveyed that If the plaintyf suy not his plee at the dayez that be geven him he be amercied and his plegges to suy, If he had plegges, and his aduersary at the same day pas without day by his default. And for that that oone vsage was in the toune that if a man playned him of an othre asmuch as his pleynt was hanging his aduersarye of no pleynt Wherof he him pleyned of him shulde be herd. Whereof it happened often that a man had beton an othere, If he that had the wrong done myght comme afore the baillief and pleineth him, And he that alle the damage had receyved cam afore and pleyned him there he shulde not haue hering for the pleynt of the othre. Upon that it is purveyed that euery man in his pleint ayenist othere be herd, And euery manne to stande at Eighte ayenist othere as righte wolle haue, And thof by that vsage that was called holsak a manne to be delayed of his right to sue. And g2 84 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handweitings — continued. for that that those merchauntes were often at grete fayres of the land Hit was vsed that assoon as the grete fayrez were vp no plee was holden no more of theym that- were at home than of them that were at the fayres, Hit is now purveyed that the courtes be holden and Eightwisnes be doon of theim of theym that beene at home, and thay that at fayrez beene be essoyned by the fayrez, that is for to sey by thoez fayrez. Wherof a soyne was wont to be afore thees cures. If so be not as they that a fayrez beene afore theyr going ther haue made attourney that theyre righte may suy or defend- And for that that a man was wont to distreyne neghbour for neghbour to haue him forth. It is nowe purveied that no man be distreyned for othre If he were not his plegge or his mainpernour or othre reason before the whiche he owethe to be distreyned for him. It is commaunded also that the Mayre and alle his Juriez that in towne be if they haue not Eesonable letting be at the plees And to do right And to gef Jugement, And if a man be amercied be the amerciament taxed the same day or the Mornen and that by Juriez after theyr godes and his trespas And not at the wille of the baillief nor no Jurate nor baillief that right oweth to do or Jugement to gef be a main- tener of the plee nor teller. If that be not for himself or his aliez. And than sit not he at the Jugement. And for that that othre whiles comen nedys in the toun Whereof the peaple were not warned, thanne they behoved to lende money brede and wyne and othre thinges they went and borowed of summe menne that that was theyr nedes, And aftyr they evylle quyted they agayn at theyr wille, and to the harmes of the creansour. For that It is ordeyned and purveyed If eny thing frome hensforthewardes be borowed to the vse of the toune, Assoon a Taile therof be made to the lenner. And he haue his dett aquited within xl. dayez next sueing, and If that he haue not, comme he to whom the det is due at the first Portemanmote aftre those xl. Dayes and aske his dett, And if the Det be not paied to him after that asking within viii. dayes suyng wolle he go to the baillief of the castelle that a his shewinge he assoone to him make levye his Det of the commyn INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 85 Handwritings — continued. to gadre with the dommages that he hath had for the which holding If they may no Resonable excusacioun shewe for the whiche the dett hath beene so longe be hinde. It is purveyed also for tail- lagezjof thoez menayhath beene Welle Withholden and eoneeyled and thoes pore allway paied and the grete were fanoured that If it happened that tallages for commyn nedes of the toun behoven to be made that tayllage made by the most laufulle of the toune, And that best knowen those eses of the peaple by theyr othe aftre the quantitie of thing that behoveth to be leved, And after the eases of euery man that taylage shal here. And that tail- age fully by the Mayre and themme that bee shalle commaunde be leveed as much as may bee afor that none othre be set, And If any Remayne over, belt put in the commyn purs enseled of ii. scales of two of the worthiest men of the commen And euery yere make to yelde aecompte of taillagez set or assised to haue that that is leved, and that that is behind and where the thinges beene dispended. And that accompt be gefen by the Mayr and the Collectours of the common or by theym that that put in theyr stede. And If they withdrawe to gef accompt be they Justified to do that by the baillief of the Castelle. It is pur- veyed also that If Rent or service of land or of tenement be due vnto the Lord or to eny othere, And his Fee to him be fore- closed by wall or by hegge or by hous that the baillief or the Lord may not entre to his Fee to distreyne for his seruice that is behind, Be it laufulle to the baillief or to the lord to make his entre. And throughout to destreyne tille he haue his seruice and walle or pales to perce. If the tenaunt make him not entre, but that be first shewed in the court of the toune and a suyt asked. And afterward they maken othe if they that ought righte to haue aftre that, that of olde tyme hath beene vsed. Those othre Fraunchessez of the toune aforesaid, And thoes vsagez resonablez as afore haue beene vsed Remayne stable, And that alle thoes thinges aforesaid been establed To the Remenaunt the foresaid Sir Edmunde to this writing hathe put his sealle also with the Sealle of the commen of the toune of Leycestre afor- said. Date, &c. 86 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Hakd WHITINGS — continued. TRANSLATION INTO MODERN ENGLISH OE THE GREAT CHARTER OE LEICESTER. A.D. 1277. 1. "Whereas the delays of the Court of Portmanmote of Leicester have been too long, and some usages have been weakened to those who should sue their right, Sir Edmund (brother of our Lord the King) lord of the aforesaid town, by his Council and with the assent of the Mayor and the Jurates and the whole Commune of the same town, has ordained and provided the underwritten amendments. 2. In the firstplace. Whereas when a man has impleaded another for debt or for trespass, the half-year or an entire year has often passed before he could bring his adversary to answer, by reason of the feeble distress of bailiffs, and because persons hid their goods in chambers or other places, so that no man might distrain them, and also because persons wentwithout amercement for their defaults. For amendment of this thing, it is provided that whefi. a man impleads another resident of the town in his absence for debt, or for a chattel wrongfully taken or withholden, the person so impleaded shall be summoned, with evidence of two neigh- bours to attend' at the next" court to answer. And, if he come not to that court, let a simple distress be made on him, until he is bound with sureties to attend another court. And if he find sureties and come not, or if he will not find sureties, let order issue for his distraint to attend at a third court, by the great dis- tress of whatsoever may be found of his within or without his house : So that if he try to hide or enclose his goods in his chamber, or in other places, the Bailiff by the sight of the neigh- bours may make entry through every-thing to make a sufBcient and just distress. And, if he has found sureties for his coming, let INDEX TO THE LEICESTEU MSS. 87 Handwritings — continued. them be amerced for not having him there on the appointed day, unless they offer reasonable excuse for not having him there. In the same manner let it be done in plea of trespass as to distresses : but so that all at first be put by sureties. Afterwards, by the Great Distress when a defendant has made defaults, in order that he may come ; so that the issue may be on him in amercement, if he may not account for his defaults by saying that he was out of town, and knew nothing of the plaint, or that he was hindered by some other reasonable cause, and will aver the same, 3. Also, if the defendant has found sureties or mainpernours for his appearance at the court on a certain day, and he cannot be there, let those sureties or those mainpernours, if they will, be put for him at a day on < forsal,' instead o f assoin, a s was the custom in former time, and let them have him there afterward on another day. 4. Also, when the parties first come together in court, let the defendant, if he will, say ' Have Lawe,' and thereby pass at that journey, as the use was in former time, so that by saying ' Have Lawe ' delay be granted only once in one quarrel. And when he has said ' Have Lawe,' let him find sureties or put his stall in^jpledggj if he ^sstalled' to appear at the next court. And then, if he come not, let him be distrained by the great distress, as has been said before, until he come. And, when he has come, let him be fined, if he cannot account satisfactorily for his defaults. 5. And Whereas it happens sometimes that a man sues an- other for a great quantity of debt or for a grievous trespass, aiad the person thus impleaded is not sufiiciently responsible either in lands or tenements in the town, and he comes and brings chattels into the town, and is distrained by those chattels to justify himself, and he makes livery of his chatels by sureties or mainpernours to come and be at right ; and Whereas, after he has his sureties or mainpernours in court, he withdraws himself and eloins hi s goods, so that no distress may be found upon him ; and Whereas in that case the sureties have been wont to make their peace with the bailiff for six pence or twelve pence, for 88 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Handweitings — continued. not having him there, as they pledged and mainperned, and thereupon they have passed quit, and the plaintiff has lost his debt or the amends he ought to have :— For this it is provided. In case a distress be given up by the pledge or mainprise of any person, and the person so pledged or mainprised appear not to justify himself as he ought to do, let his sureties or his main- pernors be distrained to have him forth, if they can produce him, and let them be amerced for not having produced him, unless they can offer reasonable ground for excuse. And then, at the least, let them produce the thing that was delivered for their pledging or mainprise, or the value thereof. 6. And "Whereas it is the usage in the t own that if a man holding of the Earl in c hief be impleaded he himselfij" or TiiT lord of whom he holds in chief, can come and demand court of him ; and Whereas it happens often, that, when a party has long travailed in a suit and the court also, then for the first time the other party has come to his lord and demanded his court and he has had it, and in that court has from that time forth made new delays : — For this it is now provided, that he, who would so ^"-ask courtT'^hall come there and demand it within the third court after attachment of parole, and before' the parole is quarreled or answered, so that this man lose not his court of that quarrel, and afterwards, when he shall have his court, let him make full right. And if he do not make it, let the plaintiff come back to the chief court, and by twelve lawful men prove in what that court has failed of right to him. And let the lord have warning, and the plaintiff &•• adversary also. And if the default of the court be proved, let them proceed again on the principal matter in the chief court as was the custom in foi'mer time. 7. And Whereas it was customary in former times, when the parties ought to plead and the plaintiff had said his quarrel, if the defendant as^oon as the parole was out of his mouth cried not out " Thw^rthutnay," he was holden non-defendant, and this they called '""SwarelesT^ and he was not suffered to em- INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 89 Handwritings — continued. parle nor to ask counsel, nor to have a man who knew the usages to speak for him. Whereby many from not knowing the usages lost their suits. — For this it is now provided, that, when the parties appear and ought to plead, thej)laintiff shall state his quarrel fully without challenge or "^^io^t'T if he know how to do so, or, if he know not how, by another who may be called or avowed {avoe, i.e. his '' advocate ") to do so, so that his quarrel be not beaten down and quashed by any objection or challenge of forgetfulness of time or any other circumstance. But if the defendant require declaration of time, or of any other circum- stance needful to be better known for answering to the plaint, let a declaration to that effect be made at that same time without challenge. And afterwards, when the plaintiff has stated his quarrel, let the defendant be allowed a reasonable time for answering, so that he be not taken by surprise. And if he wish to take counsel and emparle let him do so by conge, and let him return and say what he thinks may avail him, and all with- out challenge or "'^'hoketT*' either by himself, or by another who may be his advocate if he himself know not how to do so. And if he think that his first answer is insufficient let him say other thing, or if he will let him hold stiffly and take judgement. And if peradventure, when the plaintiff has stated his quarrel, the defendant cannot gainsay that which he hath said against him, or shall not wish to answer after he has been admonished by the bailiff to do so, if he offer no reasonable excuse wherefore he should not answer, let him be as non-defendant and as >-"'^Swareles5**-as was the use in former time. 8. And Whereas the usage in former time was that the de- ■ * fendant could not answer any other thing to the plaintiff's plaint, except to admit the whole or to say Twertutnay, And when he had said hi s Nay , he was bound to be at his law, himsel f and six hands : Then his adversary or a man for him should choose folk who would not go with him for favour of the other party or hatred of him ; And if he could not make his law with the folk named he should be attainted of the whole plea, whether it were 90 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS, Handwritings — continued. true or false : For that it is now provided, in plea of debt, if the defendant denies it, and the demandant has proof of his debt by writing-taile or by word of mouth, let him be allowed to make the proof, whether it be hy taile or word of mouth . Let him rise first, and then his witnesses whom he brings ; and Let those witnesses be examined by hearing and by view, if they were at the taking of the debt, or the making of the taile, or if they were at the place where the debt or taile was granted : And, according to what they prove, let him recover his debt or lose it. And let these witnesses be loyal folk, in no degree suspected of taking bribes and going about with false oaths. And if he name witnesses, and they either from favour or hatred withdraw themselves from speaking the truth. Let them be distrained by the bailiff to come and speak their truth, and also, as is aforesaid, let them be examined. Or, if the parties by agreement wish to put the matter in the inquest of neighbours who know the affair, let the Inquisition be taken. And if the plaintiff has only the support of his own voice, let the defendant be at his law by as many as the court will allow of good and loyal people not given to take bribes or go about as ' custumer s with false oaths. And, if he do his law on the day appointed to him, let him passe quit. And if he fail, let him be attainted of the parole. In the same manner, in plea of trespass, if the defendant say Thwerthutnay let him be at his law and in the same manner do it. And let no one henceforth be distrained to make his law by folk named in accordance with former usage. And if the defendant, in a plea of trespass, wishes to put the matter under inquisition of his deed, let the inquest be taken by suitable persons. And if the day of Inquest be given and the defendant come not, let him be distrained to appear at another court ; and then if he come not to that court let the inquest be taken by his default, and let judgment be given and execution done. 9. And Whereas disorderly folk make bars in the town and batteries and assaults on houses, and are bold to do so because INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 91 Hajstdweitings — continued. they have nothing on which to be adjudged : If their trespass be against the peace, let them be adjudged by their bodies to be of good conduct. And if they amend not, and be obsti- nate doers of such outrages, let them be banished from the town. 10. And Whereas Attorneys have been wont to be taken only in court in the presence of the parties, and so for the plaintiff only, whence many people lost their other needs or their pleas : It is Provided that the one party or the other may at will make attorne, and this in the absence of his adversary as well as in his presence : and that the attorney shall be received in his stead to do as much as the party himself should do — but only to the law — that is, to speak in pleas that may be pleaded by attorney ; and this before two jurates, so that the attorney may be a witness if need be. 11. And Whereas the use was that the plaintiff might make three defaults and then go onwards in his plea : It is now ordained that if the plaintiff follow not his plea on the days ap- pointed to him, he shall be amerced and his sureties for his sue- ing also, if he has any, and his adversary shall pass without day on account of his (the plaintiffs) default. 12. And Whereas the usage in the town was that if a man impleaded another, so long as his plaint was pending his ad- versary could not have a hearing of any plaint made by him against the same plaintiff; whence it often happened that when a man had beaten another, if the wrong-doer hastened before the bailiff and made plaint against the sufferer, and he who had sustained all the injury came afterwards and impleaded the doer of the wrong, the injured party had no hearing on account of the plaint of the other. For remedy of this it is ordained that every man shall have hearing of his plaint against another, and that every man stand at right against another as^^feht would have : albeit by that usage, which was called ' **'Holpke7**"a man might be delayed of his right to sue. ^ 13. And Whereas the merchants were often at the great fairs 92 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER HSS. Handwritings — continued. of the land, and the usage was that so long as the fairs continued (or as soon as the fairs were up) no plea was holden of those who were at home any more than of those who were at the fairs : It is now ordained and Provided that the courts be holden and justice be done of them who are at home, and that they who are at fairs be essoined (i.e. exonerated or excused) by those fairs: whereof there was wont to be assoyne in former time, if so it be not so that they who have gone to the fairs have, before going to them, appointed attorneys to sue or defend their rights. 14. And Whereas a man used to distrain neighbour for neighbour to have him forth : It is ordained that henceforth no one shall be distrained for another, if he has not been his surety or mainpernor, or if there be no reason for which he should be distrained for him. 15. It is moreover commanded that the Mayor and al l his j urates w ho are in town attend the pleas unless they are pre- vented by reasonable hindrance, in order to do right and give judgment ; and that, if a man be amerced, the amercement be taxed on the same day or on the morrow, and taxed by the jurates in proportion to his goods and in reference to his trespass, and not at the will of the bailiff ; and also it is commanded that no jurate or bailiff who is bound to do right or give judgment shall be maintainer of the plea or " cuntor," unless it be for himself or his allies ; and then let him not sit at the judgment. 16. And Whereas when some time there have come needs in the town for which the folk were in no way provided, for which it behoved them to furnish money, bread and wine, and other things, they went and borrowed of any persons what they needed, and afterwards returned evil for good and to the loss of the lenders : For this it is ordained and provided that if hence- forth anything be borrowed to the use of the town a taille thereof shall be made to the lender and his debt be acquitted within the forty days next following : And if this be not done let him to whom the debt is due come at the first Portmanmote after those forty days and demand his debt ; And if the debt be not paid INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. 93 Handwritings — continued. within eight days next following that demand, let him go to the bailiff of the Castle, that at his showing he may make him levy his debt of the commune, together with the damages which he shall have endured from the detention, if they cannot show reasonable cause why the debt is so much in arrear. 17. It is ordained also for tallages, of which some have been evilly witholden and concealed, and the poor have always paid while the great were favoured, that if it is meet that a tallage be made for the common needs of the town, the tallage shall be made by the most loyal men of the town, who know best the eases of the people, by their oath and in proportion to the quantity -of the thing which it is required to levy, and with reference to the ease of everyone who shall bear the tax. And let that tallage be fully raised by the mayor and those whom he shall appoint as much beforehand as possible, that no other may be set. And if anything remain over, let the surplus be put in the common " burse," ensealed with the two seals of two worthy men of the commune. And every year let there be an account rendered of the tallages set, to show what has been raised, and what is in arrear, and on what the issue has been spent. And let this account be rendered by the mayor and the collectors of the commune, or to those whom they shall put in their place. And if they decline to give account, let them be compelled to do it by the bailifF of the Castle. 18. It is Ordained and Provided also, if rent or service of land or tenement be due to the lord of the town or to any other, and his fee be foreclosed to him by wall or by paling or by house, so that the bailiff or the seignor cannot enter to his fee, to distrain for his service that is in arrear, it shall be lawful to the bailiff or the lord to make his entry and wall and fence to pierce, if the tenant will not make entry for him, and to distrain all things until he have his service. But this must first be shown in the court of the town, and assent be demanded. And aftei'wards let them make oath if they would have right according to that which has been the usage from 94 INDEX TO THE LEICESTER MSS. Hasdwritings — continued. ancient time. The other franchises of the town heretofore due, and the reasonable usages as they have been customary, remain estabhshed. And that all the aforesaid things may be estab- Kshed for ever, the aforesaid Sir Edmund to this writing has put his seal together with the seal of the commune of the aforesaid town. Dated on the day &c. WBSTMIN STBB : PRINTED BY NICHOLS AND SONS, 25, PARLIAMENT STREET.