Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/earlychroniclesoOOIeig EARLY CHRONICLES OE SHREWSBURY. 13 7 2 1 S O 3 . TRANSCRIBED AND ANNOTATED REV. (CAMB.), F.L.S., Ac. Reprinted from the Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. i 18 8 0 . EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY, 1372— 1603. TRANSCRIBED AND ANNOTATED By Rev. W. A. LEIGHTON, B.A. (Camb.), F.L.S., &c. In the Library of the Royal Free Grammar School of Shrewsbury there has been long preserved a folio MS. volume generally known as “ Dr. Taylor’s MS.” It is a folio 11t> inches by 8 inches, of 460 closely written pages. Prefixed is an elaborate Index, which has been torn away down to the letter E, and the end has been apparently similarly torn away. In this tattered condition Dr. Samuel Butler, Bishop of Lich- field, when Head Master, found it, and in 1814 caused it to be substantially bound. The writing is that of the age of Elizabeth, and, from various personal expres- sions, evidently compiled by some person who lived through the reign of Elizabeth and the early part of that of James I. There is nothing throughout the volume which will indicate the writer, but a note in pencil by the late Rev. J. B. Blakeway states that “ I have heard that it was given to Dr. Taylor by Mr. Lyster of Rowton,” and it may have been written by some individual of that family who resided at the Council House, their property. It is an interesting gossiping Chronicle of the principal events which oc- curred in England, France, and other portions of Europe, and would be well worth printing entire. To each year are prefixed the names of the Bailiffs of Shrewsbury. I have transcribed all that relates to Shropshire and Shrewsbury, and have added a few notes to illustrate or explain the text. Dr. John 2 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. Taylor bequeathed a portion of his Library to Shrews- bury School, and this MS. came with it. Dr. Taylor was Canon residentiary of St. Paul’s, Chancellor of the diocese of Lincoln, and Archdeacon of Buckingham, a learned critic and philologist. He was born in Shrewsbury in 1704, and died in 176G. An elaborate Biography will be found in Archdeacon Owen’s admir- able work Ancient and Present State of Shrewsbury, 1808, p. 377— 396. Anno D’ni 1372-3. 46-47 Edw. 3. Thomas de Byringt’n, Roger Atteyate, Baylyffs of Salop. 1373- 4 John Stury & Roger Mutton 1 Baylyffs. 1374- 5 Richard de Ponsbery & John Geffereye Baylyffs. 1375- 6 William de Wythyford & Roger de Loryate, 2 Baylyffs. 1376- 77 Reynold de Mutton & Thomas Preede, 3 Baylyffs. 1377- 78 1 Richard 2nd William de Langworth 4 & John Geffereys, Baylyffs. 1378- 79 William de Byryget’n & Jamys de Dyar, Baylyffs. 1379- 80 Rychard de Beort’n & Wyllyam de Weston, Baylyffs. 1380- 1 Wyllyam de Byryngt’n & Thomas Preede, Baylyffs. 1381- 2 Thomas le Scynner & Rychard Russell, Baylyffs. 1382- 3 Wm. de Byrynget’n & Hughe de Downefowe, Baylyffs. 1383- 4 Thomas le Scynner & Thomas Preede, Baylyffs. 1384- 5 Wyllyam de Byrynget’n & Reynolde Muttun, Baylyffs. 1385- 6 Wyllyam de Byrynget’n ■& Hughe Wygan, Baylyffs. 1386- 7 John Geffereys & Reynold de Muttoon, Baylyffs. 1387- 8 Rychard Sturry & Wyllva’ de Beri’gtoon, Baylyffs. 1388- 9 Robart Thornes & Hughe Wygan, Baylyffs. Ffrom thesse two baylyffs last before namyd and all here- after following agree withe the Esclieker boock in Salon and the sayd baylyffs now mad in the xij?A yere of Rychard the second as aperthe in the sayde Escheker boock. 1389- 90 Hughe de Dowford 5 & Jacob Le Dyar, Baylyffs. 1390- 91 Reynold de Muttun & Robart de Grafton, Baylyffs. 1391- 92 Symond de laTowar, & Rondle de Ffourde, Baylyffs. 1 Owen and Blakeway History of Shrewsbury 1, 526, say Reginald de Mutton. 2 O. & B. loc. cit. say Roger de Foryate. 3 O. & B. say Thomas Pride. 4 O. & B. say Will, de Longnore. 5 0. & B. say Hugh Donfowe. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 3 1392- 3 John Geffcrey & Wm. de Beryngt’n, Baylyffs. 1393- 4 Thomas de Preede & Wm. de Wylleleye Baylyffs. 1394- 5 John Tyler & Rychard Alderscot, Baylyffs. 1395- 6 Wm. de Berryngt’n & Reynold Scryven, Baylyffs. 1396- 7 John Gefferey & Jacob Dyar, Baylyffs. This yeare and the xxijt/i daye of January began a parlyme’t w’che contynewyd almost tell Xr’as and the’ was adiornyd to be kept at Shrosberye 1 at hyllary followinge. 1397- 8 Wm. Wylleley & Nycolas Gerrard, Baylyffs. 1398- 9 Robart Thornes & Wm. de Byrryngtoon, Baylyffs. This yere kinge Rychard the second helld hys p’lyment in Shrosbery. 2 This yere at the forsayd parliame’t holde’ at Shrousbery the Lord Reynold Cobbam 3 was condempnyd and to be exhilyd to the lies of Gernsseye there to remayne as an exhilyd p’son. 1399- 1400 (1 Henry 4th) Thomas de Pawnceley 4 and Rychard Alderscott, Baylyffs. 1400- 1 Jacob le Dyar & Thomas Portar, Baylyffs. This year Wm. Ponsbery 5 dyeed and lyethe in St. Alkmond’s in Shrousberw. 1401- 2 Robart de Grafton & Wm. de Beryngetoon, Baylyffs. This yeare was seene in England a comott or blasinge starr of an nudge quantitie & there followyd p’sently after the Battellfylld. This yeare the kinge wennt into Wales against Owen Glendowr w th an Armye but dyd no good because they con- vey’d themselves in unknown places, &c. M d that the p’cell of Slirewsbery fylld or Battellfylld next ensinge most be here placed. 1402- 3 Robart Thorns & John Scryven Baylyffs. This yeare and the xxijtk daye of July being fry day and Mary Mawdelens eeven was Shrausberys fyld at the battell 1 After the execution of the Earl of Arundel the King apprehended a rising of the Earl’s tenantry, and as he purposed to seize his estates, he thought his iniquitous measures could be effected more easily in a provincial town. This O. & B. 1, 175, allege as the probable reason of Shrewsbury being selected. 2 This parliament called the Great Parliament was held Jan. 29, 1397-8. 3 Lord Cobham (or as O. & B. loc. cit. call him Sir John de Cobham) had been associated with the Earl of Arundel in opposition to the King. 4 Thomas Paunteley O. & B. 5 Many members of the Pontesbury family were buried at St. Alkmond’s, see 0. & B. 2, 288. 4 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. file! 1 where the P’sys were slayne and beheaded who rebellyd against Kynge Henry and were slayne at that battell many a nobleman more. 1403- 4 Symond de La Towar & Wyllyam Fostar, Baylyfs. 1404- 5 Thomas Skynner & Rychard Sturry, Baylyffs. 1405- 6 Wyllyam Towar, Wyllyam Beryngtoon & John Pearle junior, Baylyffs. This yere Master Wm. Beringet’n 2 being as this yeare one of the baylys of Salop dycessyd and John Pearle was chosen and supply ed the place for the reast of the yeare. 1406- 7 John Pearle junyor & John Scrvven Baylyffs. 1407- 8 John Glouer & Dauythe Rathebonne Baylyffs. This yeare Sir Henry Percy yearle of Northumberland and father to one of the Persys that were slayne at Shrewsberie battell w th other commynge w th a greate companye agaynst the Kynge of England was slayne by the Shyreffe of Yorke- sliyre and hys head stricke of w th another of hys lords w ch ij heades were sennt upp to London. 1408- 9 Rychard Sturry & Nycholas Shettoon Baylyffs. 1409- 10 Robart Thorns & Symo’de de La Towar Baylyffs. This yeare Battellfilld colledge 3 beinge nere Shrosberie was foundyd by Kinge Henry the iiij£/t where he ou’eam Syr Henry Persy soon and others in remembrance of hys vyctorie. This yeare one benet tuptu’ beinge a comm’e beare bruar and dwellinge in St. Chadds churclie yorde in Shrousberie nowe callvd the colledge 4 founded the Almeshowses in the 1 The details of this great battle must be sought for in O. ifc B. 1, 179-200. 2 O. & B. call him “ senior.” 3 The Charter of Henry IV. is as follows : — Henricus &c Omnibus &c Sciatis q’d de gra’ n’ra speciali ccncessimus & licenciam dedimus Bic’o Huse ai’mig 0 q’d ip’e duas acras terre cum p’tinenciis in Adbrighton Huse in com. Salop jacentes in quodam campo vocato Hateleyfeld in quo bellum inter nos et Henr. Percy nup’ adv’sarium n’rm defunctum & sibi adherentes extitit, dare possit & assignare dil’cis nobis Ro’go Yve capellano & Joli’i Miridin capellano in puram & p’petuam eleinosinam divina singulis dicb’ in quadam capella ]>’ ipo’s ibidem de novo faciend’ edificand’ & construend’ p’ salubri statu n’ro dum vixim’ & p’ ai’a n’ra cum ab liac vita migravim' & ai’a’b progenitor’ n’ror & illor’ qui in eodem bello interfecti fuerint & ibidem humati existunt necnon p’ ai’ab’ om’i fidelium defunctor’ celebratur’ impp’m &c Teste meipso apud Westmonast’ vicesimo octavo die Octobris anno regni n’ri octavo. 4 For a description of the College of St. Chad see O. & B. 2. 256. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 5 sayd St. Chad’s churche yorde in Shrewsbery being a man at that tyme of lx yeares of age. 1410- 11 John Pearle junior & Wm. Towar Baylyffs. 1411- 12 Nycholas Garrard & Wyllyam Hoortle Baylyffs. 1412- 13 Dauythe Holbeche & Rychard Sturry. Baylyffs. 1413- 14 (1 Henry 5) John Gammell 1 & John Glouer Baylyffs. 1414- 15 Nycholas Shettune & Robart Horseleye Baylyffs. 1415- 1G Dauythe Rathebonne & John Shettoon Bayl’. 141G-17 Roger Corbet & John Pearle Baylyffs. 1417- 18 Roger Corbet & John Pearle Baylyffs. Thesse baylyffs last reherssyd were chosse’ agayne for thys yeare so that they occupied the office for ij yeares. 1418- 19 Wyllyam Whoorde & John Ffostar 2 Baylyffs. 1419- 20 Dauythe Rathboone & John Northampt’n Baylyffs. 1420- 21 John Glouer & Robart Whytcoom Baylyffs. This yeare frenche religious bowses in Ffraunce and Abbeys w th frear howses in England were suppressyd. 1421- 22 John Shettun & Robart Horsley Baylyffs. 1422- 23 (1 Henry 6) John Pearle and Nycholas Shetton Baylyffs. 1423- 4 Wyllyam 3 Towar & Vryan Semper Baylyfs. This yeare and in the second yeare of Henry the vj th 1424 and in these balyves tymes one benet tupt’n bere bruar dyed who dwellyd in a brewehouse in St. Chadd’s churche yorde in Shrosberie w ch afterwards was and nowe of late dayes ys callyd the colledge and was burieed in St. Chadd’s churche who laft behynde hym a doughter of hys namyd blase tupt’n who cam by chance to be a leeper and made the oryell w ch goythe a longe the west syde of the sayd churche yarde throughe w ch she cam a loft to heare s’ueys throughe a doore made in the churche wale and so passyd usually uppon the leades unto a glasse wyndowe throughe w ch she dayly sawe and hard dayly serveys as longe as shee lyvyd. 4 1424- 5 John Gammel & John Glouer Baylyffs. 1425- 6 John Shetton & Wyllya’ Fostar Baylyffs. This yeare and the xxvij daye of September was a terrible Earthequacke all England over w ch dyd contynowe the space of two longe howres. 1426- 7 Robart Whytcoom & Wyllyam Burley Bayl’. 1427- 8 John Towar 5 & Wm. Whoorde Baylyffs. 1 O. & B. call him “ senior.” 2 0. & B. say Roger Forster. 3 O. & B. say John Tour. 4 See 0. and B, 256. 5 0. & B. say William Tour. G EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This year John Malvorne 1 of oriall colledge in Oxford fynyshycl hys boock by hym made and namyd the Yysyons of Peerce Plowman. This yeare in England was vereye unseasonable weether for it raynyd most pt. contynuallye from easter to mychelmas soom write from Aprell to Halloutyde. 1428- 9 Nycholas Shetton & John Pawnton Bayl’. 1429- 30 Roger Corbet & Rychard Whoorde Bayl’s. 1430- 1 Thomas Fostar & Yryan Semper Baylyffs. 1431- 32 Wyllyam Whoorde & John Shetton junior Bayl’s. 1432- 3 Robart Whytcom & Thomas Thorns Bayl’s. 1433- 4 Nycholas Shettoon & John Knyght Bayly’s. 1434- 5 Thomas Forster & Wyllyam Burley Bayly’s. This yeare was a greate frost all England ove’ the w ch duryd xj weecks just by w ch longe contynewance tkamys at London was so frossen ov r . that marchandise was of forse karyed to Loondon by haunde. 1435- 6 Rychard Whoord & John Fawllc Baylls. This yeare were seene iij soonns at once at w ch present folio wyd threefold rule in the churche or three man r governme’t. This yeare was a greate tempest of wynde w ch overthrewe steeples howses & treese. 1436- 7 Thomas Thorns & John Beggett Baylyffs. 1437- 8 Robart Whytcombe & John Scryven Baylyffs. 1438- 9 John Gamell & Rychard Burley Baylyffs. This yeare and the xxvt/i daye of November was a great wynde w ch dyd mutche hurtt in London and other placs. 1439- 40 Wyllyam Burley and Thomas Wotley Baylyffs. This yeare was a greate dearthe in England and in Fraunce that the poor people made them breade of fetches, peason, beanes and fernerootes. 1440- 41 Thomas Thornes & Thomas Myttoon Baylyffs. 1441- 2 Robart Whytcombe & John Myttoon Baylyffs. 1442- 3 Rychard Burley & John Gamell Baylyffs. 1443- 4 John Falcke & Thomas Wotley Baylyffs. 1444- 5 Wyllyam Burley & Rychard Sturry Baylyffs. 1445- 6 Roger Eytoon & Wyllyam Bastard Baylyffs. This yeare the kynge gave to the towne of Shreusberig a newe composi’con. 2 1446- 7 Thomas Fostar & Adam Goldsmyth Baylyffs. 1 Malvorne was a monk of Lilleshall Abbey. Other writers give his name as William Langland. See Salopian Shreds and Patches, vol. 1, p. 8, 58, and 111, and vol. 2, p. 10. 2 See O, & B. 1, 212. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 7 This yeare dysseesytl S r . Gryffythe Vaughan beinge sergeant of the coyffe and lyethe burieed in St. Chaddes in Salop. 1447- 8 John Knyght John Falcke & John Gamell Baylyffs. This yeare John Fawlk died & John Gamell chose in hys place to be bayly. 1448- 9 Wyllyam Burleye & Rychard Sturrye Baylyffs. This yeare Arthor Keltun of Salop gentil’ & poete dyeed & buried in St. Mary’s. * 1 * * * * * * 1 For particulars of the family of Kelton see 0. & B. 2, 329-331. Arthur Kelton seems to have been born of a genteel family in Shrop- shire, tho’ said to have been a Welshman : & after he had made a consid ble progress in arts, applied his mind mostly to the read® of the histories of Britain, wherein he much excelled in his riper years. But being withal very poetically given, he must forsooth write & publish his lucubrations in verse, wh’by for rhime’s sake, many material matters, and the due timing of them, are omitted, and so consequently rejected by historians and antiquaries, as his Chronicle of the Brutes, Lond. 1547 in Oct.* printed in an old English character. The preface of which being also written in verse, is by the author directed to K. Edw. 6 at the end of the s d chronicle is, A Genealogy of the Brutes. This is drawn from Osiris the first King of Egypt down to K. Ed. 6, of England, and contains but about 32 generations, which shews that the author was ignorant in genealogies. He hath also written another book of poetry in praise of the Welsh- men, dedicated to Sir Wm. Herbert, but this I have not yet seen, nor other (if any) of his things in prose. He was living at Shrewsbury in the time of K. Ed. 6, and for ought I know to the contrary, died also, and was bur. there. I have discovered a pedigree of the Keltons of Shrewsbury in Bowen’s collections for Shropshire among Gough’s MSS. in the Bodleian. It commences with Arthur Kelton of Shrewsbury. The subject of the present article I conceive to have been son & li. to Tho 8 . Kelton by Mary dau. of George Ponsbury. He marr d Joan, dan. of Rich 1 Morgan, and had issue William his s. & h. Here the pedigree concludes. Kelton’s Booh of Poetry in praise of the Welsh men is perhaps one of the scarcest in the English language. Neither Wood, Ames, Warton, Herbert, Ritson, or any other writer on bibliography or poetry, appear to have seen it. I have, however, thro’ the kindness * A Chronycle ivith a Genealogie declaryng that the Brittons and Welshmen are lineallye descended from Brute. The Chronicle, says Herbert, (Typ. Antq. 523) appears to have been written in the time of K. Hen. 8, but, he dying before it was printed, the author dedicated it to K. Edw. 6. At the end is a genealogical scheme of the descent of Edw. 6 from Brute ; it was printed by Richard Grafton in sixteens. 8 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 1449- 50 Roger Eytoon & John Whoorde Baylyffs. This yeare the burgesses and tenssars * 1 in Shrewsbury dyd varye. 1450- 1 Robarte Scryven & Thomas Lloyde 2 Baylyffs. 1451- 2 Jenckyn 3 Gammell & Wyllyam Bastard Baylyffs. This yeare began a commo’con by the Duke of Yorke and other noble men commynge out of the marches of Wales w ch was apeacyd agayne for a time callyd the battell of Black heathe. 4 1452- 3 Rychard Sturry & Rychard Burley Baylyffs. This yeare the Lord Talbott Erie of Shrosbery was slayne w th a goon in the losinge of Burdeux in France. 1453- 4 John Cole & Phyllyp Grace Baylyffs. 1454- 5 Wyllyam Burley & Robert Scryven Baylyffs. 1455- 6 Roger Eytoon & John Trentam Baylyffs. This yeare my lorde of Shrewsbery and John Trentam dyd mary and eyther of them had slayne a man. 1456- 7 Rychard Sturry & John Whoorde Baylyffs. 1457- 8 Nycholas Fytzharber & Roger Addys Baylyffs. 1458- 9 Robart Scryven & Nycholas Stafford Baylyffs. 1459- 60 John Trentam & Thomas Byry’gtoon Baylyffs. Thys yeare to say 1460 and in Trentam and Byryngtons tyme being baylyffs and in the 39 yeare of Kynge Henry the vj tit was gratyd the composition of the towne of Salop alias of a friend, obtained a sight of this very curious publi’con. The copy before me wants the title page, but I shall have no hesitation in attributing it to the press of Grafton, and the last page supplies the date, 1546. It commences on sign, a iii. Mr. Bliss then gives extracts, and states that the concluding lines of the poem draw a very just character of the volume : — Go barberous boke, rusticall and rude, Full unworthy thankes for to haue, Oneles of beuyng gratitude, Gentell reporte listithe the to saue, Nether arte thou pure, sincer, or graue ; Confesse thy faulte blushe out for shame, Thy wittes are past, thy termes out of fram.] Wood’s Athence Oxon, p. 166. 1 Tensers were such as traded in the town without being burgesses ; for which liberty they paid such fines as by the court leet were set upon them. Phillips’ Shrewsb. 168. 2 0. & B. Lud or Luyt. 3 O. & B. John. 4 See 0. & B. 1, 223. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 9 Shreusberye and the fyrst xij Aldermen then chosen to assyst and accompany the baylyffs then and from thence furthe. 1 1460- 1 John Knyght and John Graftoon Baylyffs. The same yeare was seene iij soons severally shyninge w ch afterwarde closyd all three togeather in one. 1461- 2 (1 Edward 4) Thomas Wynns & Thomas Stone Baylyffs. 1462- 3 John Lloyd & Wyllyam Wotley Baylyffs. 1463- 4 John Baxter & Hughe Hosyar Baylyffs. This yeare was a greate pestelence w th a dry soomm’ all England over and a harde wynter. 1464- 5 Rychard Sturry & Thomas Myttoon Baylyffs. 1465- 6 Roger Knyght & John Cowltoon Baylyffs. 1466- 7 John Cowle & Edward Estope Baylyffs. 1467- 8 John Trentam & Thomas Wotleye Baylyffs. 1468- 9 Thomas Mytton & Thomas Goldsmythe Baylyffs. 1469- 70 Wyllyam Wotley & Thomas Ponsbery Baylyffs. Thys yeare one Jhon Humffrestoon 2 of Salop dyeed who lyethe buryeed in Sainct Alckemonds in the sayd churche there. 1470- 1 Roger Knyght & John Baxter Baylyffs. This yeare and in the moonthe of Apryll a 0 1471. Nvcholas Stafford gentyl’ 3 c 1 1 ’ ' 1 " 111 been baylyffe of thys towne who was a woorthy gentilma’ & wyse. 1471- 2 Hughe Hosyar & Rychard Watnor Baylyffs. 1472- 3 Thomas Myttoon & John Trentam Baylyffs. This yeare the Ducke of Yorke 4 was borne in the Blacke frears w tb in the towne of Shrewsbery the w ch frears standethe under Sainct Mary’s churche in the sayde towne estward. 1473- 4 Thomas Wotley & Thomas Ponspery Baylyffs. 1474- 5 Wyllyam Wotley & Roger Hor’tun Baylyffs. 1475- 6 John Cole & Robart Apenyon Baylyffs. This yeare the Lord Marches and the Lord Rytche went throughe Shrewsberye to Oswesterye. 1476- 7 Thomas Myttoon & Thomas Thorns Baylyffs. 1 Consult 0. & B. 1, 212, who place the date of this Composition as 1444. 2 See his brass and inscription in 0. & B 2, 288. He was a vintner in Shrewsbury and admitted a burgess, 15 Edw. IV, 3 See an engraving of his incised slab in St. Mary’s Church, and some account of his family in 0. & B., 2, 397. 4 Richard Shrewsbury, second son of Edward IV. 10 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare one Degory Waters 1 * * * * & of Salop draper dyeed the xxviijt/i day of Julii A 0 1477 and was buryed in Sainct Mary’s churche in Salop in Trynytie Chappel he in hys lyffe tyme buylded all the Almshowsen in St. Marys churche yorde and dwellyd in the Almeshowse hall there amongst them and wold also kneele amo’gst them in the same churche in a fayre longe pewe made for them and hym selfe. 1 See 0. & B., 2. 234-337. 28 July 1477 Degory Waturs of Shrewsbury Draper Will Imprimis I bequeath my soul to God the Father Almighty & to our blessed Ladie & to all Saints & my body to be buried in the Church of the Colledge of St. Marie in town of Salop. Item I geve to the newe buyldinge of the said Church xiijs iiijd to 3 orders of Fryars viz Preachers Mynas & St Austens Devises to Richd. Watur of Salop Drap all his lands &c in Town & fields of Assleye co. Salop — also one pasture called Kencfye as it lyeth next Sutton — also one Shopp under the Guyld lialle now in tenure of Wm. Sugden — also one Ten 1 in the High S 1 . in wh. s d . R d . now inhabiteth — also one Cottage in Shoppelogge now in tenure of Edw d . Leeche — also a cert n rent from a Ten 1 , in Marduall wh. John Watur his Bro. lately inhabited — also a rent from a Ten 1 , in Frankvile in tenure of John Wicke, Glover — to hold as in a certain Deede thereof made more plainlie appeareth. Bequeaths towards building a certain Chimpney in the Drapers’ Hall. Bequeaths to Wardens of the Craft of Drapers for the repr’acons of the lightes on Corpus Christi daie & for cert n o r ’ ch’ges th’abouts y’rly to be rec d from cert u Ten 13 to the s d Fraty, or craft belg. Gives to the Wardens of s d Craft & to th r succ’ors all his lands & ten 18 above not beq d as in certain Deeds more plainlye appeareth, so that the Wards & th r Succ’ rs fynde an honest & vertuous Prieste to cellybrate in the said Churche in a certain chappell called Heybourne Chappell for the salv n of my soul my Parents & Benefactors Soules. Also I will that the said Wardens of the s d rents sh 1 suffly susteyue the poor people in our Almashouse called St. Mary Almeshouse set next the Churche-yarde of the Colledge of St. Marie, in the s d Town w th all the reprations to the s d house belg. If Wardens will not fulfil — power for Rich d Watur to enter — & fulfil. Gives to Thomas Maddox of Asteley my coossen — also to Rich d Maddox — and to Maude Maddox, also to John .... & the residue of goods to Rich : W Appts Rich d W. Ex’or. Witnessed by Sir John Coline Sir Thomas .... Wm. Kinge Thos. Goldsmith, Wm. Sugdon Robt. Emery Roger Ileylyn & many others. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 11 1477- 8 John Whoord & Roger Knyght Bavlyffs. 1478- 9 Thomas Wotley & Thomas Byryngtoon Baylyffs. This yeare was there a greate dearthe, and also a greate deathe w ch happenyd in England to say so fyrse and quycke a pestelence that there dyeed more therew th then xv yeres warrs before wastyd w th in the space of iiij moenthes were brought to their graves. 1479- 80 Thomas Goldsmythe & Wyllyam Sugedun Baylyffs. 1480- 1 Thomas Mytton & Thomas Ponsbury Baylyffs. 1481- 2 Thomas Thornes & John Baxter Baylyffs. 1482- 3 John Whoord & John Gyttyns Baylyffs. 1483- 4 (1 Richard 3) Rychard Wantnor & John Wotleye Baylyffs. 1484- 5 Thomas Myttoon & Roger Knyght Baylyffs. This yeare and the 24 day of Aprell dep’tyd thys present lyffe master Thomas Wotley 1 of Salop m’ chant and maior and marchant of the staple at Callys who also had been soondrv tymes baylyff of thys towne of Salope who lyethe buried in St. Jullyans churehe there. Thys yeare in the monthe of August 1485 Henry Earl of Rychmond cam owt of Bryttayne toward England w th a smale companye and landyd at Mylford haven in Wales nighe Pembroocke the vij daye of August havynge helpe inoughe in England and so marchynge forward beinge stayed at no place untyll he cam to the towne of Shrosberye where the gates weare shutt against hym and the p’cullys lett downe so the sayd Earles messenger cam to the gate to saye the Walshe gate commaundinge them to open the gates to theyre right Kynge and mast 1 ' Myttoon made and swoore beinge head bayly and a stowt wyse gentilma’ sainge that he knewe hym for no kynge but only Kynge Rychard to whom he was swoorne whose lyffe ten’nts he and hys fellowes weare and before he should enter there he should goe over hys belly me’ainge thereby that he wold be slayne to the grounde and so to roon oV hym before he entryd and that he protestyd vehementlye uppon the othe he had tacken so the sayd Erie retornyd w th hys companye backe agayne to a vylledge callyd Forten iij myles from Sh’orsburie where he laye that nyght and in the morninge followinge there cam embassadors to speack w th the baylyffs requestinge to passe quyetlye and that the Erie theyre master dyd not meane to hurt the towne nor 1 Thomas Otteley one of the first Aldermen appointed under the Composition of Henry VI. (1444). He purchased the manor and lordship of Pitchford where his family continued for 10 generations. 12 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. non therin but to goe to trye hys right and that he promysyd further that he wold save hys othe and hym and hys fellowes harmeles upon thys they enteryd and in passinge throughe the sayd Myttoon lay alonge the grounde and hys belly uppward and so the sayde Earle steppyd ov’ hym and savyd hys othe and so passinge furthe and marchinge forwards untyll he cam to a vyllage nere unto Lecester callyd Bossworthe where he met Kynge Rychard and hys enymys the xxljth of August heinge Mondaye A 0 dicto. 1 1485- 6 (1 Henry 7) Thomas Thorns & Nycholas Ponspery Baylyffs. This yeare and the fyrst yeare of Kynge Henry the vij tk was the fyrst begyninge of the sweatinge sycknes in England contynewinge above ij monthes so that there dyeed in the Cytie of London a greate number in the w ch number dyed ij mayres and vj Aldermen so that it fell so to passe that thys p’sent yeare was iij maiors chosen in London one after another. This yeare wheate was at iijs the bushell and bay sallt at ijs viijd and iijs the bushell in London. 1486- 7 John Woord & John Baxter Baylyffs. 1487- 8 Rychard Wantnor & John Wotley Baylyffs. 1488- 9 Thomas Myttoon & Roger Knyght Baylyffs. 1489- 90 Thomas Thorns & Thomas Ponspery Baylyffs. 1490- 1 John Gyttyns & Robart Thorns Baylyffs. This yeare was wheate sold at London for xxd the bushell w cU the’ was countyd deere. 1491- 2 Thomas Trentam & Floriw Semper Baylyffs. 1492- 3 Thomas Myttoon & Nycholas Ponspery Baylyffs. 1493- 4 Wyllyam Cowle & Wyllyam Ponspery Baylyffs. This yeare wheate was solde in London for vj d the bushell bay sallt at iijd ob. the bushell whyte sallt at vj d the bushell whyte herringe at ixs the barrel redd herrmge at iijs the cade sprats at vjd the cade, and gascoyne wyne at vj li the twnn. And about thys tyme began the fowle scabbe and horryble syckness called the freanche pocks. 1494- 5 John Gyttyns & Larrance Hosyar Baylyffs. This yeare a barrell of whyte herringe was solde for iijs iiijcZ. This year 1495 and in these baylyffs tymes the Escheker was paynted wi th n furthe w th antyclce woorck and the Armes 1 See 0. & B., 244. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 13 of England, and Wales displayed w th the Armes of the towne of Salop very beutyfully to behold. This yeare the Kynge and the queene of England w th prynce Arthor cam to Shrosbery 1 and the same yeare the check 1, there was ordaynyd and newe tranches grauntyd. 1495-0 Nycholas Waringe & Hughe Walkar Baylyffs. 1490-7 Thomas Myttoon & Edward Hosyar Baylyffs. Thys yeare was a cage of wood made uppon the Walshe brydge and se r tte’ come pryveys bothe for men and wome’ for theyre eassme’ts whosoev’. 1497- 8 Roger Thornes & Rychard Forster Baylyffs. 1498- 9 Wyllyam Cowle & Larrance Hosyar Baylyffs. Thys yeare good Gascoyne wyne was sold in London for xls the toon and whete for iiijs the quarter w ch ys after vjd the bushell and bay salt for iiijcZ the bushell. 1499- 1500 Nycholas Ponspery, John Lloyd Gyttyns 2 & Nycholas Warynge Baylyffs. This yeare Nycholas Ponspery beinge baylyff of the towne of Shrewsberey decessyd and was chosse’ in hys place Nycholas Waringe who supplyed the place untyll the yeres ende. 1500- 1 Thomas Myttoon & Thomas Trentam Baylyffs. This yeare was a greate pestelence in the cyty of Londoon by reason whereof the kynge and queene saylyd to Callys. This yeare dyeed Larrance Hosyar gentil’ who had be’n sondry tymes baylyff of thys towne of Salop and was buryeed in the northe syde of St. Maris churche there w th in the same churche. 1501- 2 Thomas Knyght & Edward Hosyar Baylyffs This yeare decessyd one Wm. Sugedoon Alderman of thys towne of Shrosbery the viijt^ daye of November beinge master of the company of the Drapers and had ben baylyffe of thys towne of Salop who lyethe buryed in Saynct Chadds churche there. This yeare Ladye Katheryn daughter to Ferdinando Kynge of Spayne landyd at Plymmouthe in England ye 4th October who was maryed w th in x dayes after hyr aryvall unto prynce Arthor in Powles churche w ch Arthor dyeed at Ludlowe the seconde of Apryll followinge and was buried at Worcester. 1 In Phillips’ Hist. Shrewsb. is an account of the expenses of entertaining the royal visitors. 2 O. & B. call him John Lloyt. 14 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yere was deereed that thosse names w ch might call the ellecton should be put in a bagge for indyfferency & ij of them pullyd out. 1502- 3 Wyllyam Cowle & Rychard Dychar BaylylFs. 1503- 4 Rychard Myttoon & Thomas Wythyford Baylyffs. 1504- 5 Thomas Myttoon Roger Forster & Wyllyam Myttoon Baylyffs This yeare dyeed Thomas Myttoon beinge baly of thys towne of Shrousberie and Wm. Myttoon chosen in hys place. 1505- 6 Roger Thornes & Thomas Knyght Baylyffs. 1506- 7 Rychard Lyster & Edwarde Hosyar Baylyffs 1507- 8 Thomas Trentam & Edward Knyght Baylyffs. 1508- 9 (1 Henry 8) Wyllyam Myttoon & Thomas Wythyford Baylyffs. i.509-10 Roger Thornes & Thomas Knyght Baylyffs. 1510- 11 Nycholas Waringe Davyd Ireland & Edward Hosyar Baylyffs. This yeare dyceassyd Nycholas Waringe beinge baylyffe of the towne of Shrosberye and Edward Hosyar was chosen in hys place. 1511- 12 Thomas Trentam & S r Thomas Kynnaston Baylyffs. 1512- 13 Wyllyam Myttoon Thomas Trentam & Rychard Myttoon Baylyffs. This yeare dyeed Syr Thomas Kynnaston late Baylyff of Shrosberye and lyethe buried in Saynct Marys churche who was a woorthy Knyght. This yeare Wm Mytton dyed & Rychard Myttoon chosen in hys place. 1513- 4 Thomas Knyght & Wyllyam Jannyns Baylyffs. This yeare died Mr. Wm. Myttoon and lyethe buried in St. Marys churche by the hyghe aulter uppon the west syde of the same. 1514- 15 Rychard Pursell & Roger Luter Baylyffs. This yeare 1514 and in the begynni’ge of these baylyffs tymes one Thomas Ponspery 1 soomtyme baylyffe of thys towne of Salop decessyd and lyethe burieed in St. Alkmonds churche there. 1515- 16 Robart Dudley & Roger Thorns Baylyffs. 1516- 17 Thomas Trentam & Thomas Hosyar Baylyffs. This yeare there was sutche a frost in England so extreme and of sutche contynuance w ch was for the space of almost vj weeks. 1 See the inscription on his brass in O. & B., 2, 288. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 15 This yeare decessyd Thomas Trentam w th in ij or three dayes before the elect’ on of the newe baylyffs. 1517- 8 Thomas Knyght & Wyllyam Jannyns Baylyffs. This yeare dyeed in England many of the swetinge sicknes w th a generall famyn and pestelence. 1518- 9 Rychard Mytton & Rychard Purcell Baylyffs. 1519- 20 Thomas Wythyford David Ireland & Roger Luter th’ elder Baylyffs. Thys yeare Wythyford beinge baylyffe of tliys towne of Shrewsbury dyed who lyethe burieed in St. Mary’s churche there and Roger Lut’ chosen in hys place. This yeare was a generall chapter of blacke frears in the towne of Shrosbery. 1520- 1 Rondle Byston & Edward Bent Baylyffs. This yeare and in these baylyffs tymes one Gryffythe ap Yevan ap Davyd alias Gryffythe Nycknam a cruell and notable outlawe of Wales was tacke and brought to Shrews- bery and there had hys iudgeme’t to be hangyd drawne and quarteryd and hys hed sennt to thys towne of Shrosberie w ch was put up uppon the topp of the Welshe gate there, and the cause why he cam to be an outlawe or rebell ys thys he was an honest man and a good farmar dwellynge at a farme in Wales callyd mycknym and so in p’cesse of tyme usually callyd Gryffythe mycknym be so surnamyd throughe hys dwellinge uppon the sayd farme place so namyd yet notw th standinge further usurpyd and nowe of late days callyd and commynyd ov’ uppon the name of gryffethe nycknam thys gryffythe uppon a certe’ tyme having a number of cattell stolle from hys farme place (as in thosse days Wales was soomwhat wylld one stelinge from another) the calves of w ch kyne machinge sutche bletinge noyse and pytyfull crye that he was soe and in sutche greevyed agony that he wylfully drove the’ all bei’g about the number of xi in to a deepe water harde upon hys farme and drownyd them and so uppon the same made a wyckyd vowe sware a desperate wothe that he wold never contente hymselfe before he had spoylyd that kynrad that had stolle hys kyne and so p’sently gave hym sellffe to owlarye and dyd many wyckyd deads w ch he confessyd at hys execuc’on and especyally that w ch grevyd hym most w ch was that he mett w th a wooman w th chylde and throughe occasyon of talk slewe hyr and ryppyd the childe out of hyr belly and tossyd it uppon hys speare toppe sprallinge quycke and havynd delyte to see it so dye w ch was kynn to the w ch stole hys cattell. 16 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. Tliis yeare was a greate plage in London and in many other plaeys of the realme. 1521- 2 Roger Thorns & Thomas Hosyar Baylyffs. 1522- 3 Robert Dudley & Edmund Cowle Baylyffs. This yeare was a parlyment at the black frears at London and the burgessys for the w ch parlyme’t for the towne of Shrewsbery weare apoynted master Edmond Cole & Mr. Adam Myttoon in the w ch parlyme’t was grauntyd a greate subsedye. This yeare one Morrys Mynttoon of thys towne of Shrews- berie and beinge one of the Counsell of the sayd towne died and was buried in the ladie chappell in St. Chadds churche there beinge a verteous man and a good occupyer and dyd put many poore people on woorcke. 1523- 4 Adam Mytton & Wyllyam Gennyns Baylyffs. 1 This yeare 1524 and the xxiij£/t of Ap’ll dyscessyd master Edward Burtoon 2 gentil’ and lyethe buryed in St. Chadds churche in Shrosberie w th in St. Gorgys chappell there. This yeare was wheate at iiijs the bushel! and rye at ij.s xd in the towne of Shrewsberie. 1524- 5 Davyd Ireland & Rondle Byston Baylyffs. This yeare in the towne of Shrewsberie wheate was sold for vj d a bushell and rye at iiijd the busli ell. 1525- G Roger Thornes & Thomas Hosyar Baylyffs. This yeare golde was inhaunsyd by p’clamacon to say the frenclie crowne at iiijs vj d the Angell at vijs vjr/, and the Ryall at xjs ijd and so ev’y pece after the valo’r aforesayd. This yeare the plage 3 was in the towne of Shrewsbery. This yeare was unsesonable wether in England that it raynyd from the xij th of Aprell to the thryd of June day and nyght contynuallye w ch was vij weecks and ij dayes. 1526- 7 Robat Dudley & Edward Bent Baylyffs. This yeare was sutche scassetie of all things in England by reason of the unseasonable weather in England aforesayd that manye dieed for default of breedde. This yeare in August was Rye at ijs iiijd and wheate at iijs iiijd the bushell in Shrosberie. This yeare wheate was at London at xvs. the quarter. 1527- 8 Addam Mytton & Wyllyam Bayly Baylyffs. 1528- 9 Edmond Cowle & David Ireland Baylyffs. 1 0. & B. say William Bayly. 2 See an engraving of his incised alabaster slab (now in Atcliam Church) in 0. & B. 2, 280. 3 In 1525 great numbers died of the plague, which was followed by a dearth. Phillips’ Shreivsbury, 17. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 17 This yere dyed Rog’ Luter of Salop gentill’ & lyethe buried in y e lady chapell in St. Chadds. 1529- 30 Thomas Hosyar & Rondle Byston Baylyffs. 1530- 1 Roger Thornes & Rychard Bryckdale Baylyffs. This yeare 1531 dyed Master Roger Thorns 1 callyd the wyse thorns of Shrosbery for that botlie towne and countrey repayred to hym for advyse whoe gydyd this towne polytyckely & lyethe buried in St. Mary’s chu’che. 1531- 2 Robart Dudley & Addam Mytton Baylyffs. This yeare was there a plage 2 agayne in thys towne of Shrewsbery. 1532- 3 Thomas Byryngton & Nycholas Pursell Baylyffs. This yeare and in thesse baylyffs tymes was one John Goldsmythe a yonge man was drawen throughe Shrosberie and hangyd for coyninge of money approvid uppon hym. 1533- 4 Edmund Cowle & Thomas Hosyar Baylyffs. This yeare 1533 uppon twelfft daye in Shrewsbury the dyvyll apearyd in Sainct Alkmonds cliurche there when the preest was at highe masse w th greate tempest and darknes so that as he passyd throughe the churehe he mountyd up the steeple in the sayde churche teringe the wyer of the sayde clocke and put the prynt of hys clawes uppon the iiijt/i bell and toocke one of the pynnacles awaye w Ul hym and for the tyme stayed all the bells in the churches w th in the sayd towne that they could neyther toll nor rynge. 1534- 5 Rychard Hussey Wyllyam Bayly & John Waters Baylyffs. This yeare also all the abbeys and pryories w th nooneries in all England were vysyted by one Doctor Lee beinge auctorisyd by the kings m ti . . This yeare Wyllyam Bayly beinge one of the baylyffs of Salop as thys yeare dysceassyd at bartlemowtyde and John Waters chosen in hys place for to serve out the wast of the yeare. 1535- 6 John Thorns & David ap Owen Baylyffs. This yeare were all the chantries presented to the queenes m li . This yeare were smal howses of religion suppressyd. This yeare there cam iij Ducks throughe Shrewsbery to say the Ducke of Rychemoond the Ducke of Northefolke and the Ducke of Suffolke w th a greate retynewe. 1 See 0. & B. 2, 398. 2 This plague is not mentioned by Phillips. 18 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare was chardge gyven ov’ all Englaund that the pater noster, creede and tenn comma’dyme’ts to be lernyd and sayd in Englyshe. This yeare was a greate plage 1 in Shrewsberye. This yeare was a maltman slayne in grope lone in Shrews- burie w th the fall of a wecke chymney in an old howse there w ch fell upon hyrn in tying the horse there after he had pytchyd hys loade. 1536- 7 Nycholas Pursell & Roger Lewys als’ Pope Baylyfis. This yeare was there an Earthequacke in the towne of Shrewsberie. 1537- 8 Edmund Cowle & Adam Myttoon Baylyfis. This yeare all the notable Imagys in England unto the w ch people usyd to goe to in pylgremage weare utterly taken awaye w th all shrynes. Tliis yeare all the abbeys and frear howsen in England were suppressed theyre goodes tacken to the kyng’s use. This yeare lord Croomwell beinge Lord Pryvey seale and vicegere’t to the king’s m li sennt furthe Iniunctions to all byshopps and curats throughe the realrne charginge them to see that in ev’y parryshe churche the byble of the largyst volume pryntyd in Englyshe weare placedd for all men to reede on and that a boocke of regester were also provydid and kept in ev’y p’rishe churche wherein shalbe wrytten ev’y weddinge christ’ninge & burieinge w th in the same p’yshe for ev’. 1538- 9 Thomas Byrryngtoon & Thomas Irelande Bayl’. This yeare dyed Thomas Hosyar and Robt. Dudley beinge Aldermen and of good callinge in thys towne of Salop. This yeare one Rychard Brewer of Salop beinge Ih’on Brewers soonn the brewar was soddenly slayne passinge . throughe the gate of the Walslie bridge in Shrosbery by the reasoon of a great flare of wynde blewe the gates togeather as he passyd the same that hys head beinge betwexet them re d sutche a blowe that the braynes fell owt, and so p’sently died and never spack woorde. 1539- 40 Davyd Owen Rychard Atkys & Rychard Erycke- dale Baylyfis. This yeare ste’ Abbotts and preests of England weare hangyd drawe’ and quarterr’d in soondry places ol the realrne for denyeinge the Kyngs Supremesy. This yeare was there a greate dearthe and drought in all England that there wold have ben gyven one bushell for the gryndinge of another. 1 This occurrence of the plague is not noticed by Phillips. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 19 This yeare deceassyd Davyd Owen beinge one of the baylyfis for this yeare and Rychard Bryckedale was chosen in hys place. 1540- 1 Nycholas Pursell & John Mackwoorth Baylyfis. This yeare Thomas Davys al’s Fletcher being sergiant as this yeare to master Nycholas Pu’sell baylyffe wyckydly murtneryd on the Walshe bridge in Shrosbery on namyd Carr a jurneyman of Thomas Jucks of Shrosbery Shomacker and furthe w th the sayd sargiant fledd to Callys & after had hys p’doon. This yeare was a p’clamacon y l the byble in Englishe shulde be had in ev’y parishe churche in Englaund. 1541- 2 Adam Myttoon & Edward Hosyar Baylyfis. This yeare the kinge toock a great loane of money of the subiects of Englaund. 1542- 3 Rychard Myttoon & Thomas Byryngtoon Bay lifts. This yeare and the xxvijf/t of January Byshop Rowland 1 beinge lorde presydent of the marches of Wales was burieed in St. Chaddes churche before the highe ault’ there under a toombe of marble stone beinge one the right hand who brought Wales beinge at hys fyrst comy’ge very wylde in good syvilitie before he dyed who said he wold macke the whyte sheepe keepe the blacke. 1543- 4 Thomas Ireland 2 & Roger Luter Baylyfis. This yeare chaunsyd iiij Eclypses one of the soon the xxiiijf/i of January and iij of the moone a strange thing and suche as hathe not happenyd sethins the tyme of Charles the greate. This yeare was gold inhawnsyd and basse money coynyd. 1544- 5 Humphrey Onslowe & Nycholas Pursell Baylyffs. This yeare all the Stues and brothell howses in all England were put downe. 1545- 6 Thomas Moongombery & Rychard Dawys Baylyffs. This yeare and the xxiiijt/i of November a Parly me’ t begun at West’ by auctorytie whereof was grauntyd to the kinge a subsedie of ijs viijcZ the pounde of goods and iiij.s the pounde of Laundes to be payd for ij years space and all colledges chauntres and hospytalls gyve to the Kinge to a better ordere for the glory of god and common welthe. This yeare and the xxijtA day of January 1545 and in these baylyffs tymes there was a greate floodd in Shrosbery and the 1 Rowland Lee Bp. of Lich. & Cov. 1534-1543, died at the College of St. Chad, of which his brother, George Lee, was Dean. 2 0. & B. call him “ senior.” 20 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. xxiij£/i daye the stoane gate 1 of the same towne there at v of the cloche in the morninge fell downe and beinge therin at the fall a prysonar for fellonye who was so woonderfully and myracuously savyd contrary to all p’sons expecttac’on and dores & wynde’s barryd and lockyd and also bolts on liys feate for the w ch he was lett goe and pardonyd. This yeare the xvj th day of July 1546 were burnyd in Smythefuld iiij p’sons whose names were mystres Ann Ashe we a gentil woman borne to good lyvyinge Nycholas Otterdon preest a Sliropshyreman, John Adams a taylor of London and John Lassells gentil of the courte and liousholld of Kinge Henry the viij th all iiij burnyd togeather and Doctor Shaxton 2 soomtyme byshop of Salysburie preached in a pulpyd made there at the same fyere and there recantyd p’swadinge them to do the lyke but they wold not. 1546- 7 Adam Mytton & Roger Lewys al s Pope Baylyffs. This yeare Images were commaundyd to be put downe and owt of the churches, and beades, and precession forbydde’, and preests grauntyd to marry in England. This yeare in Adam Myttoon and Roger Popes tyme the pycture of o r Lady owt of St. Mary’s in Shrosbery and the picture of Mary Mawdelen and the pycture of St. Chaddes owt of Sainct Chadds ehurche in the same towne were weare all three burnyd in the market place there commonly callyd the come marcket. This yeare and in the foresayd baylyff’s tymes the boothe hall in Shrosbery was reedyfyed to saye walls and ruffs by master Humffrey Onslowe of the same towne and all thoughe the towne allowyd hym parte yett it cost hym dooble so mutche of his owne puree therefore most woorthy of the prayse therein. 1547- 8 (T Edward 6) Edward Hosyar and W m Whytakers Baylyffs. This yeare in November and in the fyrst yere of Edward the vj th there was a parlyme’t helde wherin was g’antyd and gyve’ to the Kynge all chaunteries, free chappells and broothe’- hoods, the communyon to be mynystreed in bothe kyndes and churche serveys to be sayd in Englyshe throughout all 1 This was what is now called the English Bridge. 2 Nicholas Shaxton was elected Bishop of Salisbury 1535 but resigned 1539 for not subscribing to the Six Articles. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 21 The sargints names were Robart Webster com’e, Davyd Yevans, Ric’ ap Ric’ who went a warfare 1 .... 1548- 9 Thomas Byryngetoon & John Maekwoorthe Bay lyffs. This yeare was set furthe in England by aucthorytie of Parlyment a boocke made for the unyformytie of common prayer and the admynystrac’on of Sacrame’ts in Englyshe and the masse was cleane abolyshyd. This yeare & the tuesday after Ester holly days ij yonge me’ of Salop whose names were Edmonde Reynolds & Roba’t Clarcke were smootherid under the castell hill hiding the’ selves from mayds the hill fallinge p 1 therof upon the’. This yere were chose’ s’gyants for Salop Roger Woorrall com’e W m Pyper & Hughe Barbure. 1549- 50 Rychard Myttoon and Humffrye Onslowe Baylyffs. This yeare Sir Rowland Hyll beinge as thys yeare maior of London free of the mercers and a Shropshyre man whose goodd deades and lyberalitie to the poore are not to be hydden that ys to say he was a grave and woorthy father of the cytie and longe before hys deathe he gave ov’ liys occupy’eg gy vinge hym sellffe wholy to purchasing of launds havinge never a chyld in the world the grettyst part of hys launds lay in Shroppshyre where he bare greate rule and never raysyd rennts nor toocke any fyne of hys tenannts he suffryd the chyllde to inioy the fathers farme before all others he was the frynd of the wydowe & fatherles, he gave yearely to the poore people of the contrey iij c shyrts and smocks and as many frocks and coates to cov’ them w th al, he made a causey iiij myles of leangthe from Stone to Nontw ch he made also a cawsey in Warwyckshyre of ij myles of leangthe to say from Donchurche to Branson and gave xx 1 in ready money towards the mackinge of Roytton brydge iij myles from Coventry he made the highe way to Kylboorne near unto London, he made iiij brydgs ij of them of stone h’inge bothe xviij arches to say the one ov’ the ryv’ of Sevarn callyd Atcham brydge and thoder Terne bridge and thoder two of tymber at Stocke and 1 This is the first mention in the MS. of the Sergiants, whose office was considered as of some importance. They were to be burgesses and residents and to be annually elected. Their duty was to carry the maces before the Bayliffs and to execute all writs and processes. Amongst the Corporation Plate are 3 silver maces respectively of the age of Henry VII. Elizabeth and Charles I. At Bridgnorth the mace is surmounted by a crown which is made to unscrew and form a drink- ing cup. An excellent Paper on “ Civic, and other Maces ” is in the Antiquary, Jan. 1880, p. 66. 22 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. he buylt a good p‘ of Stock churche, he buylded a notable free scoole at Drayton in Shropshire w th master and usher and sufficient stipende for them bothe for ev’ he also purchasyd a free fayre to the sayde towne w th a free m’ket weeckely and a fre’e marcket for cattell ev’y xiiij dayes he gave also to the releeffe of the poore in the hospytalls in London in hys lyffe tyme v cU and at hys deathe he gave j° pounds to the poore of all the wardes in Londoon besyds many other charitable and naturall deads as helpinge and preferringe his poore kynsfolks and servaunts to great lyvings and p’motions. This yeare about thys tyme the Lord maior of Lond’ beinge S r Rowland Hyll and hys breethren the Alderme’ purchasyd the borowe of Southwarcke lyberties belonging to the same w ch was in the kyngs hands. This yeare and in thesse baylyffs tymes dysceassyd John Mynton of this towne of Shrosbery draper and dyeed a batchelar & of greate wealthe he laft c u to the poore he was not unmyndfull of hys kynsfolks he dyeed a faythefull X’rian and a true constant p’testant he was a true occupyar and delyd justly w th all thosse Sherme’ that wrought for hym he never stoppyd w th them any peney but payde the’ alwas redy money. This yeare dysceassyd mystres Katheryn Dudleye a vertuous wooman and very very bowntyfull to the poore in feedinge and clothinge in her lyife tyme as also at hyr deathe many a hongry sowle. This yeare trynytie tearme was reioarnyd untell mychelmas because the gentylme’ should tarry at home to keepe the people in quyett from commocvons. The S’giats were Thomas Fy slier come’ Richard Owen & Edward Harcoote. 1550-1 Nycholas Pursell & Thomas Irelande Baylyffs. This yeare the swetinge sycknes 1 raignyd in England and began fyrst in thys towne of Shrowsbery the xxiji/i of Marche and ran through the realme and began in London the i xth of Julii and contynewyd there not passing a weecke and dyeed there the number of viijc p’soonns of the to wads you the in all the cyte and in theyre best tyme and the sayd Swatt fell uppon non but Englyshmen and followyd Englyshe men not onely w Ul in the realme but in forayne countreys beyonde the sease w ch was a greate exsample to England of gods gentyll correct’on. 1 See 0. & B. 1. 344, for this disease, and Dr. Caius Boke or CounseiU of the same. For the nature of this sweating sickness and regimen for its cure, see Phillips, p. 17. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 23 This yeare and the i xtk of July the basse money w ch was coyned in the tyme of Kinge Henry the viij th and Kynge Edward the vj th was p’claymyd the shylling to goe but for i xd the grote for iijd w ch toock effect immediately after the p’clamacon. This yeare and the xvij£/t daye of August was another p’clamac’on of the bateme’t of moneye the shyllinge that was brought to i xd was abassyd to vyl and the iiijd to ijcZ and the i]d to j d and the peny to a halfe penye. This yeare and about tliys tyme were seene dyv’ strange and monsterews things as iij soonns iij moones somtymes pale sometymes bloodye in marvellows fryghtfull order. The S’giats this yere were Roger Wright com’es Peerse Wright & Harry Fallows. 1551-2 Roger Luter & Rychard Whyttacks 1 Baylyffs. This yeare and the xviij^ daye of October one Elizabethe Byckerstaffe was buryed in St. Chaddes in Shrosbery who was murtheryd by one Thomas Byckerstaffe hyr kynesman and one Thatcher w ch murther was doon by the sayd p’ts vij weecks before shee was foonde to say in the moonthe of August 1551. the man’ of the murther was thus, thys Elyzabethe Bycker’ beinge an agyd wooma’ kept the sayde Byckerstaffe beinge kynn unto hyr, for charytie sake from a chyld tyll he cam to mans state and suckeryd hym styll and at the lengthe confederatyd hym selffe w th the sayd Thatcher and cruelly in hyr bedd murtheryd hyr in cruell man’ cuttinge of hyr head armes legs & thyghes and so buryed hyr unde’ hyr bedd in the growncle and made up the place fayre againe and the next daye he made great a doe and requestyd that serche should be made bothe in fylds and waters lest she should be myschansyd or drownd upon this greate serche was made but could not be f’ounde wher uppon the sayd Byckerstaffe seamyd to lament mutche and then stayd untyll the landlorde cam to strayne for rennt and to make an entry for no payme’ and want of reparac’ons and beinge in the howse a stenche, the dogge who cam Wth hym scrapyd under the bedd and so suspecting the p’myses the grownd was presenntly diggyed and so foounde hyr there buried w th shyppes heades and other boanes cast in w the hyr and presently Byckyrstalfe was tacke’ and executed accord- ingely and shortly after Thatcher after hys fyrst escape retoornyd and was in lyke case aprehendyd and executyd. 1 0. & B. say Whittakers. 24 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare and the xxx of October was publyshyd by p’clamacon serten newe coynes bothe of gold and syl’ to say soveraigns of fyne gold at xxxs. angells of fyne gold at xs. and dyv’ other gold of lesser valewe a pece of sylv’ of v s. a pece of ijs. vj cl. a pece of xijd. and soondry other smale peces of moneye. This yeare by the labor of one Hughe Edwa’ds of Salop and late of London mere’ and master Rychard Whyttacks being as thys yeare one of the baylyffs of thys towne of Slirewsbery was laborycl to the Kyngs m u for anwetie of xxli. for and towa’ds the mayntenance of a free scoole 1 in the sayde town of Shrewsbery for ev’ w ch was obtaynyd to the greate p’ferm’t of the youthe of that towne and the quarters there adioyninge in good lerni’ge and godly educac’on the w ch scoolehowse ys sytuat nere unto the castell gate of the same towne uppon a goodly p’spect. This year and the xxiij th daye of Maye 1552 a servant of Thomas Reynolds bruar was drownyd at the Walshe brydge in Salop foond agayne & burieed in St. Chads the same daye. This yeare was a parlyme’t in the w cU prests childre’ were made legyttymate and userie for the loane of money forbydde’. This yeare and towards the latt’ ende of these baylyffs tymes the Stoane gate of this towne of Shrewsburye was made up agayne in better force and coomlyer manerthen it was before. The S ’gyants names were John Meredeth comes Edward Clarck backar & John Blesse. 1552-3 (I. Mary) Syr Addam Myttoon & Roger Lewys als’ Rope Baylyffs. 1 Edward VI (10 Feb. 6 regni) founded a free grammar school in Shrewsbury to endure for ever and to be called “ a free grammar schoole of Kinge Edwarde the sixt for the education bringing upp and instruction of children and youthe in grammar” to have one school- master and one under-schoolmaster. For this purpose he gave to the town of Shrewsbury his tithes of “ Sheffe blades, grayne and hey ” in Astley, Sensawe, Clyffe, Leiton and Almond Park lately belonging to the dissolved College of B.V.M. Shrewsbury, also the tithes in Frankewell, Belton, Woodcott, Horton, Bickton, Calcott, Shelton, Whitley and Whelbache lately belonging to the dissolved college of St. Chad Shrewsbury ; the clear annual value of all which was then £20. 8. 0 ; the corporation to appoint a school- master and under-schoolmaster and (with the advice of the bp of Lichf.) to make statutes for the order of the school, the masters’ salaries and other things affecting the interests of the school. The town appointed Tho. Asheton master and Tlio. Lawrance under master. Baker’s Hist, of St. Johns College, Cambridge. Vol, i., p. 405. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 25 This yeare and the thryd of October were testame’ts p’vyd in St. Chads Churche in Salop. This yeare and in these baylyffs tymes the condyt in Shros- berv was begoon and wrought in woodden pypes. The xxvijf/i daye of August the serveys began in Latten at Poules churche in London after the use of Sarum. This yeare and the iiiji/i of Septe’ber was proclaymyd certayne newe coynes bothe of gold and sylver that ys to saye soveraig’s of fyne gold of xxxs. the peece the halfe soveraig’e callyd the Royall at xvs. an angell of xs. the halffe angell vs. and of sylv’ the Mary grote the half grote and penny and the base money to be currant and to goe as before that p’clamac’on dyd. The same tyme also the queene pardonyd by p’clamac’on the subsydy of iiijs. the pounde Lands and ijs. viijd. the pounde of goods grantyd in the last parlyme’t of Kynge Edward the vj th. This yeare also and the daye aforesayde one Edward Stephens 1 beinge curate of St. Chadds church in Shrosberye beinge marieed and all other maryed prests of the same dyoses were forbydden to selebrate any more uppon they’re perrells by the ordynarye. This yere the iij sargya’ts names were John Blackewey comme’ sergia’t Thomas Barker & Thomas Larrance. 1553-4 Rychard Myttoon & Rychard Dawys Baylyffs. And soone after in thys presennt moonthe [October] the queene soommonyd hyr hyghe courte of parlyme’t at West- me’ster in the w ch was repellyd all Statutes that were made eyther of prymenery in the tyme of Kynge Edward the vj th and Kinge Henry the eyght or co’cerninge religion and administrac’on of Sacraments under Kynge Edward the vj th and masse and Latten serveys and all the olde rely gy on was wholy restory d agayne and the devorsement of Queene Katheryn was made unlawfull and a communycac’on was had in the sayde p’lyment of the queenes mariage w th Kynge Phyllypp of Spainge. This yeare one S r Thomas Whyte beinge maior of London p’vvdyd to be dd’ in a 0 1593 104/i to be delyverid from the ma’cha’t taylors hall in London for Shrewsberie to be d’d’ there to 4 yonge occupyars especially beinge clothea’s to say xxvli a pece for x yeres a boute painge nothinge for the loane and the 'odd 4 li the maior or head officer to have it for hys paynes in resevinge and painge the same. 1 Incumbent of St. Chad’s 1550-1553. 26 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare the Lord Thomas brother to the Ducke of Suffolke was tacken at Osestrie in Wales by master Rychard Ivlyttoon of Shrosbery beinge then baylyft' w ch fell owt at leangthe to the sayde Mr. Myttoons greate hynderance. This yeare dysceassyd one S r Thomas Bromeleye of Shrews- bery beinge Chyffe Judge of England and Alderman of the sayde towne of Slirevvsbery and free w th the company of the Drapers there. The S’gants names were John Sprystow com’e Rob’t Abenyon John Webstar who was dysplacid & Edward Har- coote suplyed. 1554- 5. Nycholas Pursell & Robart Irelande 1 Baylyffs. This yeare dep’tyd this p’sent lyffe master Thomas Ireland of Salop mere’ and was burieed the xth day of November 1554 in these baylyffs tymes to saye of Nycholas Pursell & Robart Ireland the Elder, the w ch Thomas Ireland was a right p’testant and a dylygent favowrar of the woorde of God and was also a verteous and charitable man unto the poore zelows & carefull in p’vydinge for them and yf he had lyved he wold have brought hys mynde to pas in y e same for his perpetuall memorie w ch Purcell should have ben placyd at the begyninge of thesse baylyffs tymes. The iij S’gants for the towne of Salop were Roger Woorrall com’es. Francis Tenche & Roger Wryglit. 1555- 56. Umfrey Onslowe & Thomas Byrygtoon Bayl 3 . This yeare aperyd a comet or blasinge starr ov’ England and many children monstrous borne in dyv’ placs of the realme. The thre sargya’ts were Robart Smythe com’e s. Lewys Smythe & John Bradeley. 1556- 7. Thomas Mongombry & John Dawys Baylyffs. This yeare was a fraye in the East foriate in Shrosbery be- twyxt S r Henry Stafford and Edwa’d Harberd the w ch had fallen to greate bloodshed yf the baylyffs the’ beinge w th the woorshipfull of the saide towne had not wyselye pacylieed the same. This yeare wheate was woorthe in Shrosbery viijs. vjcZ. the bushed and Rye at vjs. the bushed. This yeare also and in these baylyffs tymes the coondyt in Shrosberie fynyshed and rann in iij placs in the sayd towne but it dyd not contynewe many yeares because the pypes were of wood & yd wrought. 1 0. & B. call him “ senior.” EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 27 This yeare Hobby’s howse the backer of Pryde hyll in Shrosbery to saye the stone howsse where hys faggots dyd lye was by myschance sett on fyer the w ch was a verey greate and fearfull her w ch dyd mownt throughe the toppe of the same stone howse beinge oppe’ of a huge heagthe and yf the sayde stone howse had not keapt the force therof in it had burnt the hole streete but God be blessyd y* it wennt no further but consumyd w th in it selffe. This yeare at the later ennde of harvyst wheat w ch before harvyst was at viijs. vyJ. came to viijd. the bushell and so of all grayne a lycke man’ so that in this yeare was bothe darthe & plenty in Shrosbery. This yere were chose’ sergia’ts Thomas Tenche comme’ sergia’t John Bowdlar & Rychard Webstar. 1557- 8. Rychard Myttoon & Johon Mackwoorth Baylyffs. This yeare Thomas Goghe s’vant w th W m Hughes butcher was drownyd in Sevarne and foonde agayne and buried in the sayd baylyffs tymes. This yeare were s’giats Yryan Fysher com’e s. Ric’ Langley & Wyllyam Scott. 1558- 9. (I. Elizabeth). John Yevans & John Hally well Baylyffs. The xxij daye of November hyr grace [Queen Elizabeth] was p’claymyd in this towne of Salop & in the sayd baylyffs tyme. This yeare and the last of November Rychard Nettells of Salop tann’ was drownyd and founde agayne & buried the same daye beinge an excellennt swymmer yet for all that hys howre was coom. This yeare and the viij th of May was a subsedy grauntyd. Parlyme’t reioornyd and the serveys apoyntyd in Englyshe agayne throughowt all Engla’d the olde byshopps depryvyd and other placyd, howses of relygyon suppressyd sutche as were & Imags burnyd. This yeare and in these baylyffes tymes to saye of John Yevans & John Hally well ther was ordaynyd by the onely mocion of the sayd baylyffe Hallywell whoe dwellyd in St. Jyllyans parryshe in the sayd towne that the bell in the sayde churche shulld ringe ev’y morninge at iiij of the clocke and toll the sayd bell at vj of the clocke in the morni’ge, xij at noone, and vj of the clocke at nyght and so to contynewe for ev’ the w ch ys a goodly knowledg for the inhabytants & strang’ the w ch ys callyd to this daye Hallywells knyll. The s’gyants names were John Tomkis come’ Roger bruar & Rychard Hygyons. 28 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 1559- 60. Robart Allen & Rycliard Owen 1 alias Barbur Bayl’. This yeare on mychelmas yeaven the basse money fell to saye the best pece of vj d. to iiijcZ. ob. the secoond pece of vjci. to ij d. ob. and the thyrd and woorst sort of vj d. to no value the pece of iijd. to j d. ob. the pece of ijd. to a penye and shortly after callyd in and good sylv’ coynyd and deiyveryd for the same agayne. The s’gyants were Davyd Heylyn com’e s Robt. Webstar & Phellyp Howie. 1560- 1. Thomas Moongom’ry & Wyllyam Tenche Bayll’s. The s’giats were Thomas Teanche come’ s Ric.’ ap Ric.’ & Ric.’ Wright. John Lecese suplied Ric.’ ap Ric.’ 1561- 2. Rychard Myttoon & Rychard Dawys Bayll’s. The sergiants were J ohn Geno come’ s Thomas ap Hughe & Lewys Smytlie. This yeare the plage 2 was disparcyd in dyv’s placys in Engelaund. 1562- 3. Roger Luter & Rychard Owen 3 mere’ Baylyffs. This yeare were chose’ sergiants for the towne of Salop Georg’ Bure’ come’ s Robart Bromeley & John Abenyon. 1563- 4. Umfrey Onslowe & George Hyggyns Baylyffs. This year was there a greate tempest w th lyghteni’g & thoonder contynewinge the space of xj dayes the lycke was nev’ seene in England before the forse wherof dyd mutche harme in manye placs A the force therof was sutche that w th in a myle of Shrosbery to say by a villadge callyd Barwycke were ij ocks shacke’ and forcyd upp by the rootes and so dryve’ uppright slydinge uppo’ theyre rootes a greate space from theire growinge places and downe a slope fyll into the myds of the water therby callyd Sevarn and so standinge as it were growinge in the mydds of the same to the great woonder of the beholders and there standinge a longe tyme untill at lengthe there was shift made to have the’ awaye for trobblinge the passedge of flots corny ’ge yerely downe for the commodity of the towne of Salop. This yeare the foresayd baylyffs of this towne of Shrews- berie mad a good act & decreid order y‘ no fory’nar should coom in to be made free of the sayd towne unde’ the soom of vli pryncypall besyds other ordynarie chargs therunto apper- tay’inge w ch before that tyme myght have com in for Ls. 1 0. & B. call him “junior.” 2 We have no note of its occurring in Shrewsbury at this time. 3 0. & B. call him “ junior.” EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 29 This yere the iij s’gia’ts names were Rog’ Wms. come’ s Rye’ Leat’u & Robt Rychardsoon. 1564- 5. Ry chard Owen 1 Sherma’ & George Leyghe Bayl’s. This yeare and in these baylyffs times in the moonthe of October was seene in the Elyment many fierie impressyons as it were proceedinge owt of the Elyment and all the northe parts seemyd to be coveryd w th flames of fyer stainge the most parte of an houre and so descendinge westward and all the same nyght beinge next after the change of the moone seemyd as lyght as it had been daye beinge the vij th daye of October at nyght. This yeare in the towne of Shrewsberie they began to brynge the condit water towards the towne in pypes of leade (w ch before was brought in pipes of wood & by that meanes faylyd) to the mayntenance wherof one Mr. Poynter of Loondon mar- chant gave the soom of xxli who was borne in the sayd towne. This yeare & friday next after mychelmas daye the xxv parsons that wennt uppon the baylyffs for the yeare folio winge for this towne of Shrewsberie were in the Elect’on howse w th out meate'or dryncke xxvj howres at the least before they coulde agree. This yeare were the iij serga’ts Wyllyam Pettoon come’ s Roger iiledge & Robart Smythe. 1565- 6. Rychard Pursell & Wyllyam Peerse Baylyffs. This yeare and in the forsayd baylyffs tymes to say of Purcell and Peerse dyed Mr. Rychard Corbett soon to S r Robart Corbet of Murtu’ Corbet knight, he was karver to Prynce Edwarde, standart berar to hys bannd at Bullen and one of the queenes M ts counsell in the marches of Wales and lyethe buried in y e weast syde of Shabories churche v miles from Shrewsberye and dyeed w th out yssue. This yere were the iij sergya’ts to say Thomas Tenche come’ s Thomas Howells & Rychard Mannynge. 1566- 7. Robart Allen & Robart Ireland yong’. This yeare & the xxij of Aprell was burnt in a towne of Wales callyd Oswestry beinge lardge xij myles from Shros- bery above ijc howses in the space of ij howres in the after- noone of the same daye by myschaunce of one of the neigh- bours bruinge in the nyght. This yeare master John Dawes of Shrosbery and alderma’ of the sayd towne began and buyldyd ij fayre bayes in the corne m’ket there for the saffe placinge of corne from wether so that the own’ therof may stannd safe and drye the w ch 1 0. & B. call him “ senior.” 30 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. buyldinge was of liys owne costs and cliargs w ch place servethe for the inhabytants as also strangers to walk in and the lofte above for soondry profitable purposes. This yeare wer’ sargints Rychard Reynolds comen s Wyllyam Tydder & Roger Langeley. 1567- 8. Rychard Myttoon & Thomas Sturry Bayll’s. This yeare in the moonthe of August mast r Robart Allen dyscessyd and was burieed the xxviij of the same who was baylyffe of tliys towne of Shrewsbery the last yere who laft ij cli to be dystributyd yearly to xx yonge begynn’s to clothe w th all to say to ev’y sutche xli a pece for iij yeares a bout pay’nge for the same but iiijcZ. in the pounde to be delyverid to the poore and so to contynewe for ev’ in the delyveringe tlierof as well for the pryncypall to sutche parties as also the Eneresse tlierof to the poore the baylyffs of the sayd towne of Shrewsbery are chargyd w th the delyv’y and payment of the same from yere to yeare accordinge to y e formar graunt. This yere were sargyants Thomas ap Hugh come’ s John Nycholls & Rondell Rolls. 1568- 9. George Leyghe & Richard Owen 1 Slierma’ Baylyffs. This yeare about the xij th of Marche in the after noone at the commy’ge in of the iudgs of the assyse into Shrosbery there fell in the sayd towne an yearthquacke w cU lielde an howre. This yeare was a monsterous goslinge lietchyd in Shrous- berie at the howse of one Edward Mynttoon in Frankvile there liavinge iiij feete to say ij feete lycke a sw T an & ij feete lycke a goose one hole bodie havinge ij Ishues and headyd lycke a swan. This yeare at Whytsoontyde was a notable stage playe playeed in Shrosberie in a place there callyd the quarrell w ch lastid all the hollydayes unto the w ch cam greate number of people of noblemen and others the w ch was praysed greatlye and the chyff aucter tlierof was one master Astoon beinge the head scoolemaster of the freescoole there a godly and lernyd man who tooke marvelous greate paynes therin. This yeare were sergiants to say Rondle Stevens come’ s John Scott & Raffe Becldowe. 1569- 70. George Hyggyns & George Prowde Baylyffs. This yeare and uppon Easter daye at eveninge serveis in the abbey of Shrewsbery were ij men kyllyd w th the clapper of the tliridd bell fallinge owt of the steeple and chancyd to fall upon those ij meen beinge w th other ringinge at the greate 1 0. & B. call him “senior. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 3 L bell and were strycken starcke dead and never spacke woorde theire names were Haywarde & Bradeleye. This yere one master Onslowe to say master Umffrey Onslowe beinge alderma’ of Shrousberie buylded in the corne- market of the sayde towne iij bayes adioynynge to master Dawes buyldinge ffor safe placinge of corn and the owners from wetheringe. This yeare and the xviij th of September 1570 one Syr Ry chard Newport 1 a valiant knyght of Shropshire and of a pryncely personage dysceassyd for whose deathe there was mutche mone made in Shrosberye. This yeare were sergiants Rychard Marshall come’ s Roger Illedge & John Lewys. 1570-1. Umfreye Onslowe & Hughe Beanes Baylyffs. This yere the vth of October, 1570 there fell sutch a terry ble tempest of wynde and rayne bothe uppon sea and lande w ch dyd mutche hurt in overflowinge medows pastures and howses to the utter undoinge of the queenes m ts subiects of this realme. This yeare and about the begynninge of thesse baylyffs tymes a common fyld belonginge to the towne of Shrewsbery callyd behynde the walls 2 was putte ferme for x yeares unto iij of the burgyses of the same towne namyd Wyllyam Jones W ra Herynge and Rychard Gardner drapers and they for the w ch bargayne are chargyd to brynge the water in leaden pypes nowe in hande for the condyt at a sertayne daye to run in soondry placs in the sayd towne. This yeare master Rychard Onslowe 3 master of the queenes m ts wardes commynge in good helthe to Shrewsberie (where 1 Sir Richard Newport of High Ercall Sheriff 1552 was eldest son of Thomas Newport Sheriff in 1550, and a member of the Council of the Marches. He married the only child of Sir Thomas Bromley, Chief Justice, and acquired large estates about Wroxeter. His fine altar tomb is on the south side of the chancel of Wroxeter church. Arms arg. a chevron gu. between 3 leopards’ faces sa. Blakeway’s Sheriffs. 2 This is now called the Quarry. 3 Richard Onslow, Master of the Wards, Recorder of London, & Speaker of the House of Commons, was eldest son of Roger Onslow Salop, mercer (2nd son of Edwd. 0. of Onslow Esq.), & nephew of Humphrey Onslow of Onslow, Sheriff in 1566, Arms arg. a fesse gu. between six Cornish choughs proper. Blakeway’s Sheriffs. See the description of his altar tomb formerly in St, Chad’s Church, and now in the Abbey Church, in 0. & B., 2, 167. 32 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. he was borne and brought up) to vyset hys uncle Umffrey Onslowe then beinge baylyff of thys towne of Shrosbery as aforesaid endyd hys lyfe and lyethe buryed in St. Chadd’s Churche being buried the vij th daye of Aprell. This yeare S r Harry Sydney Lord Presydent of Wales and Deputie of Ireland cam from Irelandd throughe Shrewsbery towards the parlyment upon whom the Shermen made an exclamac’on to have hys help against the Drapers cons’eninge an act for byenge of Walshe clothe to be at lybertie but at this tyme it cam to non effect. This yeare one Mr. Ast’n scoolemaster of the freescoole 1 in Salop beinge a good and zealows man towards the preferme’t of learni’g in the same scoole made suyte of his owne charge besyds greate labor to the queenes m tie and so obtayned to the maynetenance of the same scoole xxli a yeare more w ch made it x\li a yere to sufficient fyndinge for diligent dys- ciplyne of a master and ij ushyars. This yere we r sergia’ts Thomas Elcks come’ s Gylbert Woodd & Adam Clare ke. 1571-2. W m Peerse & Thomas Burnell Baylyffs. This yeare master Umffrey Oneslo we buldyd in the marcket place of Shrosberie callyd the cornemarket one other baye adioyni’ge to his iij bayes buylded before for thesaffe placinge of corne also he pavyd and repayryd all the paveme’t of Franckwell Streete, and buyldyd the upperp’t of o r Lady Chappell in St. Chadds churche, he pavyd also the greate causey between the Lords place and the higlie crosse in the sayd towne of Salop. This yeare was a soodden p’lvment callyd the v i ij th of May where there were iij barrons made, in the w ch p’lyment was made an act for the towne of Shrewsbery cons’inge the buyi’ge of Walshe clothe w cU was put at lybertie for all men to bye but not to dresse theyre owne clothe. This yeare and the iij of August there was a sycleman’ w ch had by chance two of hys horses drownyd in the horse fayre in Franckwell in Shrewsbery lade’ w th syckells and sythes as he was passi’g towards Oswestry fayre but throughe the lielppe of good people he had hys goods savyd and releavycl w th a pece of money for lacke wlierof he had ben undoon. This yeare and in the moonth of August cam throughe Shreusberie iiij Earles of highe almayne from Irelaund havinge lycence to se the countreys. This yeare and the iij of October beinge the Elect" day at nyght was greate contrav’sy betwyxt the woorshipps of thys 1 See Baker’s Hist, of St. John’s College Cambridge. 1, 406. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 33 towne cons’inge the dysplacynge of Mr. Rychard Dawes and Mr. Robart Ireland alderme’ in swering and placing others the w ch was throughe cownsell pacyfyed or ells it had growyn to a further inconvenyence. This yeare were sergyaunts of the towne of Salop Rondle Rolls come’ s’giat Roger Wyllyams and Nycholas Onslowe. 1572-3. Thomas Sherar th daye of June 158G a newe Charter wythe serte’ Articles grauntid by y e Queenes M li unto the towne of Shreusberie the xxtli daye of Aprell last past and openly redd in the guylde hall the said 14 daye of June of the w ch articles I have put downe the principalis and have leaft owt the others for brevitie sacke (videlicet) Imp’mis the parishe of the Crosse and St. Giles w th Mirivall to be ac- compted a suburb of the towne of Salop and to be p’sell of the Stoaneward and the baylyffs of the towne of Salop to have the order gouernme’t and liberties and other things in the foriate and Myrivall and they to be also contributars to all seasme’ts and obedient to the baylyffs and all others officers of the sayde towne as in other places of the towne. The court of conscience to be ev’y Thursday fortnight the baylyffs to ap- poynt place and to be bulges p’vidid that the cause be under 40s neither for no title of launde and the same court to ex- tennde throughe all the fraunches. The court of recorde to be holden by the baylyves ev’y Tuesdaye and to trie and deter- myne all causes of p’sonall act’ons, the p’ties to sue a writt owt of the Chancerie and so to trie his cause by writ of assyzes in as ample man’ as any shire in England, the baylyffs at theire pleasures to take suerties of the p’ties and the writ so directid owt of the Chauncerie to commawnde the p’tie or p’ties to be before master baylyffs or one of them and the deputie of theoder w th a note of the daye tyme and place and yf there be any cause hard before M r . Baylyves at the said court of record uppon the Teusdaye and as that day cannot be determinid that the same to be hard and endid on Wensday in as ample man’ as yf the same had been doon on Teusdaye. And where there is nowe 9 Atorneies after the avoidance of three of them to be but vj at one tyme never hereafter, the baylyffs to chuse the atorneies and master baylyffs to sennde for at theire pleasures the towne clarke and attorneys to aske theire advise. That no inhabiter w th in the towne and libertie doe owe any apparance at any other court of record or at any asisses. The baylyves of the towne to take fyne and recouery and to approve wills and testame’ts at any tyme w th in two yeares after the decease of the p’tie so decessid. The baylyffs have power to tacke statute marchant and the statute of Actoon Burnell in as lardge man’ as in any cytie in England and the towne clarcke to recorde the same. That no shyrreffe under- sherref slierreffs clarcke baylyfe of the hundred nor no other EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 69 licke p’son serve any p’cesse precept or warrant w th in the towne and liberties of the same but onely the baylyffs and other officers so y‘ the baylyffs and theire officers be not necklygent but doe theire dueties in servinge the same. That no inhabiter paye no seassme’t subsedie &c, in any place out of the liberties. The castell of the towne of Salop is gyven to the towne for ev’ w th all the p’ffetts therto belonginge payinge yearely at twoe termes in the yeare to the crowne xiijs. 4d. Further also the towne hathe libertie to purchesse laundes not extendinge 100£i by the yeare not beinge holden by knights serveis to maynetayne a preacher or otherwyse at theire pleasure and the same never to be reconnyd as consealid launds. That no officer &c enformer &c have to doe in any matter or cause w th in the s&yd towne or liberties uppon payne of xxli p’vided that the baylyffs be not necklige’t but foresee all sutche things as they shulld doe &c w th many other liberall articles and as lardge freedoomes as any cytie in England hathe to the comfortable securitie of the inhabitannts who are dayly bounde to pray for the longe lyffe and p’sperous rainge of hir M ties most gracious p’son Amen. This yeare in the moonthes of June and Julii come grewe to be verey deare in most places in Englaund and especially in the weast and northe countreis and namely in the towne of Salop wheate was at 8s. 8 d. the bushell and rye at vjs. the bushell so that the queenes maiestie causyd in all places w th in the realme that the iusteces in ev’y p’syncke should cause corne masters to bringe theire corne to marketts that hyr poore subiects shoull not waunt for theire money. This yeare and in this moonthe of Julii all kynde of corne was at an excessyve price in the towne of Shrewsbery to saye Rye at 8s. the bushell wheate at ixs. and barly at 4s. 6d. and upwards but the carefull zeale of master James Barker in consciderac’on of the poore inhabytants brought from forren places one hundred strycke of Rye and selld the same in y e market to the poore after the rate of vs. the bushell and so brought down the price, as also further the baylyffs Aldermen comme’ counsell of the towne and others of the towne have p’vidid store to ease the suspectid want that were licke to ensue the Lord blesse them for theire mercyfull care and sennd plentie Amen. This yeare and the 8 daye of Septe’ber beinge Thursdaye the scollars of the free scoole in Shreusberie made a triumphe in warlicke man’ in a feeld there callyd behind the Wales against the popes army and other rebells whom they trium- phantly vanquished to the greate reioysinge of the beholders 70 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. departinge from the filld throughe the towne victoriously towards the castell there beinge over the towne where they w th soownde of trompet dromme and shoutes sownded owt theire victery w th greate fyers made and thanckfull psalmes most joyfully soonge to God in the comfortable hearinge of all the towne w th ioyfull and harty thancksgyuinge. This yeare and the 28 day of September beinge Mi’helmas even throughe the extreeme tempests of wynde and rayne longe tyme before the Severne water passinge by Shreusberie did arise soddenly in the night unlookid or greatly suspected of sutche a hudge height that the lycke was nev’ seene of raine water of any man’s memorie lyvinge w ch did mutche hurt in howses bames and stables not only in the sayd towne but also in other places and especially to be notid a whole myxen cam downe the water wheron were dyv’s swyne walk- inge upp and downe the sayd mixe’ upon Mi’helmas daye and so passinge more the’ a myle to the miraculous sight of the people and at leangthe whe’ the sayd mixe’ brake a soonder the swyne were drownid before they were savid. 158G-7 Thomas Sherar and David Lloyde Baylyffs. This yeare were chosen commyn sergiant- George Benyon and the other twoe sargiants were John Smythe Shoomaker and Rychard Hardinge sherma’. This yeare and the beginninge of these baylyffs tvmes were chossen burgesis of the p’lime’t for the towne of Shreusbery Mr. Thomas Harrys lawiar and master Charles 1 Scryven gentill. This yeare and the 1G daye of November 158G one Goodales howse at Cottoon hill by Shreusberie was burnt w th his back- side which e cam throughe the mischance and neckligence of the wyfe of the house, after shee had boucked serten clothes lafte the her in one ende of the chymney and so throughe a broken hole caught amongist fearne and other light fuell in sutche sort that the fier cam owt of the house topp beinge thatched before shee was warr therof beinge washinge at the watersyde but a lytill of and yf great lielpe had not coom owt of the towne and the soodden turninge of the Wynde w th all the neygliboors howses and barnes there about had been cleane burnt also, w ch were by Gods goodness and theire dilligent helps savid. This yeare and the 24 day of November departi d this present lyffe master Rychard Purcell of Salop alderma’ beinge a woorthie gentill’ ol a lovinge and gentill nature being a 1 0. & B, say Reginald. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 71 liberall releev r of the poore and at all tymes the poore man’s frinde and the next daye followinge the baylyffs and the counsell of the towne mett and elected ij aldermen, one in the place of Mr. Sturrie who gave ov’ his clocke beinge alderma’ and another in the place of master Purcell, whose names were Mr. Richard Owen the elder and master Thomas Chorlt’n beinge before counsellors and in their places electid master Rychard Dawes drap’ and master J ohn Davies gentill’ in the electon of whom dyd aryse greate grudge. This yeare and about the 4 daye of December cam strange newes to Shreusbery from Calabria upon the sight of a starr there seene for the yeares followinge to say for the yeare 87 then when the moon ys in the watery sings the world ys lyck to be in grete danger the soon shall be couerid w th a dragon, and thereby in danger this yeare of many accidences as for brevitie sacke I omyt onely puttinge downe these breefe verses conserning those troblesoom yeares and tymes p’nuncicatid as ensuethe He w ch had no mischance in A 0 85 and in A 0 86 dothe remay ne alyve Hee beinge in A 0 87 unhurt & unslayne and in A 0 88 alyve dothe remayne And lyvinge untill the yeare 89 he may then specke of a ioyfull tyme. This yeare and the 8 daye of December 1586 beinge betwixt 5 and 6 of the clocke in the morninge cam soddenly from the south west sutche an extreeme and ferefull storme w th thoonder and lighteninge that shakid for the tyme howses and soom ov’throwen w ch ov’threwe a wyndmill by Cardoogas Crosse by Shrosbery w th overthrowinge of teynters and other harme doone the Lorde staye his wrathefull haund from us and gyve us all grace to amend. This yeare and the 17 day of December the Shereffe p’claymid in Salop the queene of Scotts traitor beinge trieed by examiac’on to be in confederacy w th the formar conspirators as Babingtoon and his associates for conspiringe hir maiesties cleathe who weare executid, and the sayd traitor the Scottish queene hathe iudgme’t to dye and for ioye therof the baylyffs and aldermen caused bonyfiers and bell ringins w th assemblinge them selves in theire beast araye in banquetinge and reioysing the same praysinge God w th triumph and sownde of trumpet. This yeare a bout the begyninge of February to say at night the moone passid w th a greate syrcle about hir contynewinge still w th the same syrcle shee shininge bright througlie the same where as at all other tymes before the clouds in passinge over the same wold obscure. 72 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare Henry Earle of Pembrooke was creatyd Lord President of the Marches of Wales in the place of his father in lawe Sir Henry Sydneye late disseasyd who was a valiaunt and a woorthy knyght. This veare and these baylyffs tymes in the moonthe of Aprell Sir Thomas Bromley 1 beinge Lord Chaunsellor of England dysceassyd who was a greate fryncle and a pryncypall iuell to Shropshyre who contynued in the sayd office but 8 yeares iust for he was creatyd in Ap’ll 1579 & dep’tyd in Aprell 15S7. This yeare the Earle of Pembrooke and lorde President of the Marches of Wales cam into Shreusberie the 2G claye of Aprell and the 27 day following, musterid in Styrrys Close 2 all the countrey bothe of horseme’ and footemen and the 28 day of A} i’ll his honor musterid the townes men bothe of horsemen and footemen and the 29 daye of Ap’ll dep’tyd and before his dep’ture his honor dyd tacke order for the agreement of the Aldermen and counsellors of the saide towne of Shreusberie amongst whom was greate controv’sie and mutche money speant and beinge so agreid they displacid serten Aldermen and counsellars that were not inhabitants w th in the said towne and placyd others in theire rowmes that were continuall resiants accordinge to their booke upon w ch agrem’et for ioye therof there was bothe bancketinge and ringinge of bells to the greate reioysinge of the commons. This yeare and the third of May Sir Christopher Hatton 3 was creatid Lord Chancellor of England. This yeare and aboute this tyme the christening font in Sainct Chades churche was take’ downe beinge of stone & broken & another of wood placid unto the quier. This yeare and the 12 th of May in the after noone one Margaret Reece the wyffe of Humfrey Reece of Salop baker willfully drownid hirselffe in takinge two of hir childre’ w th hir myndinge to drownde them also and dyd cast them in the water before hir and shee leappinge after uppon them but as God wold have it a neighbor beinge not far of heringe the children crie before they were cast in the water & seinge the myschance stippid soddenly into the water up to hir breasts 1 His superb monument with effigies is on the north side of the Chancel of Wroxeter Church, 2 Now called Belmont. 3 The Hatton family inhabited a large black-and-white timber house near Lord Hill's Column in the Abbey Foregate, long since taken down. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 73 and \v th mutche a doe savid the children but the moother of them was drownid, a pytyfull hearinge the Lorde have mercy upon us and guyde us w th his grace amen. This yeare and in the moonthe of Julii a strange sickness namyd the burninge Agewe raignid all England ov’ and especially at this tyme in the towne of Shreusberie of the w ch there discessid at the begynninge many of the woorthiest occupiars and p’perist p’soonns leavinge greate chardge of childre’ behynde them. This yeare was in England a very quicke and tymely harvest for before bartlomewe day the most part of corne was karieed into barnes the w ch tymelye harvist and the aboondant plenty therof causid wheate and rye beinge before harvist in the towne of Shreusberie at xis and ixs the bushell to fall to 3s 8 d and iijs the bushell and under w ch God be praysesid was a coomfortable hearinge. This yeare and in the moonthe of September to say the iiij^/7 daye the greate assise was kept in Shreusberie w ch was woont to be kept in the moonthe of Augoost but becausse of the syckenes did rainge abroade in ad p’tes it was put of untill the coldnes of the yeare as aforesayde Mr. Needam 1 beinge head Shirreff who cam in w th a goodly trayne. 1587-8 Geordge Hyggyns & Wyllyam Joanes Baylyffs. This yeare was chosen commen sergiant Hughe Benyon, and the other two sergiants were Kychard Harrys and Ellys Kelly n draper. This yeare and the last daye of November beinge Sainct Andrews day in the night the prison’s of the casteli gate in Shreusberie to say of the Shirens chardge brak out of prison of the w ch twoe of them escapid the reast were p’ventid, they had found the means to ease them selves of their irons and they had not been espieed they had escapid ad and had put the geyler to greate trobble. This yeare and the xxujth daye of December beinge Satur- day Severn water did ryse at Shreusberie by the reasoon of greate raine in Wales of sutche great height that it cam in many of the houses in Franckvill beinge the west suburbs of the same towne and contynewed untill the xxvf/t daye to say Christmas day in w ch tyme the inhabitans there were fayne to assende up to their chambers and sustaynyd greate losse thereby, also the sayd water to say the sayde Severn did rise 1 Blakeway gives Francis Newport of High Ercall, afterwards Sir Francis as sheriff in 1586. There are two views of High Ercall Castle in Mrs. S. Acton’s Garrisons, p. 44, 74 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. agayne the xxi xth daye beinge Frydave at night but not so highe as the first water by halfe a yarde plombe, w ch vanished away soon’ w th out greate harme, so that in one weeke, the sayde Severn water bathe not been seene to ryse so sooddenly togeather beinge no great weather to force the same neyther no snowe in Wales w ch uppon sooden tliawe hathe causid greate floods to coom. This yeare and the i xth daye of January beinge Tuesday at night one Jane Ryton a mayde servant of Jucks wyffe of Franckvill tanner dyd wyl fully drowne hir selltte. This yeare and the 20 daye of Januarie 1587 the christeninge foant in Sainct Chadds churche in Shreusberie was placid againe in stone in his olde and usuall place in the enteringe in of the churche for that the most parte of the parishon’s did grudge against the remoovinge of the same to the quier or chancell. This yeare and in the moonthe of Februarie there was a p’clamac’on conserninge the inordinate wearinge of apparel! and an order of all estates what should be worne and usid and penalties p’sc’ibid for the offenders for not obser’inge the same. The yeare and the xxj th of Marche beinge Thursday the iudges of assises cam to Shreusberie brought in by the Shyrreffe Mr. Edward Leighton esquier who had a woorthie company of men and well horsed the sysses continued from Thursday untill Saturday night unto the w ch cam sutche a boundans of people that the lycke hathe not been seene by the reasoon of the apparance owt of Wales S r . Edward Harbert knight beinge playntyfe and John Owen A 'agh an esquire and Howell Vagha’ deffendants whoe had matters the’ and there to bee trieed. This yeare and the xxvth daye of Marche beinge Moondaye and in the after noone of the same daye the prisoners were executed at the Olde Heathe amongst whom one Rychard Illedge beinge a towne prisoner and a towne borne childe was by the request of the sayde prysoner committed from the baylyffs to be tried befor the iudges of the sayde assises whoe made sutche a godly ennde that it gretly comforted the audience who were innumerable for the lycke company in that place hathe not ben seene. This yeare and the xiijt/i daye of July was published in the towne of Shreusberie a p’clamac’on from the Queenes maiestie beringe date at Grenwiche the first of July of and conscerninge a malicious and detestable Bull or libell publisheed and sett furthe of late by Sextus the fifte nowe Pope of Roome against hir maiestie and hir most gracious and peaceable government w th other trayterous libells booclcs and pampletts lately also EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 75 contrivid written and printed by dy’vs sedicious and traytorous personns goinge a boute w th most false and abhominable lyes to sclaunder and dishonor hir maiestie whom God longe pre- serve and confounde all hir enimies Amen. This veare and the 18 day of Julye the iudges of the assise cam into Shreusbery at xj of the clocke before noone accom- panied w th the Shyrreffe beinge master Edward Leightoon and the woorshipfull of the shire and theire traynes in worshipfull man’er, there was but smale apparance and fewe matters to fynishe, for that they enndid all the 20 daye beinge Satturnday in the foore noone of the same daye. And it is to be notid that the xi xth daye beinge Friday and in the midds of the assise one Richard Reynollds of Bageley by Cockeshoot in the countie of Salop yoman was put uppon the pillorie in Shreusbery by the appointment of the privey counsell and had bothe his eares cutt of by Richard Stubbs then apointed by the bayliffs of the towne execucion’, his offence was this he wickidly burnid a shipp coate of one Hanmer his brother in lawe wherin were nyne score sheepe and a geldinge and serten goates w ch were all burnid savinge a fewe sheepe whiche escapid but yeatt the wolls of them singid to the skynn. This yeare and the 19 daye of September beinge Tuesday© and two dayes after the festivall daye of the coronac’on of the Queenes maiestie and the sayde daye fallinge uppon S Elizabethes daye was a solempn daye in Shrousberie and all people that daye keapt it holly unto the Lorde that had gyve’ hir m tie sutche victorie and blessid ov’throwe of the Spanishe power and liudge navy of hir enimies to the greate reioisinge of all England. God be praysid Ame’ 1588-9 John Pearche & Nicholas Gybbons Baylyffs. This yeare were chosen sergiaunts Phellip Wildinge common sergiaunt and the two other sergiaunts were William Barnes and Robart Smithe the yonger all three free w th the Shoo- makers and it is to be notid that before the sayd Rob’t Smithe was swoorne officer to Mr. Baylyf Pearche there weare alligac’on’ put in against hym because he wore master Luson’s liverey and ought not to be weringe any gentilma’s lyverey for affect’on sac'ie acordinge to the boocke so he was put of for a tyme and the skanninge thereof put to lernid men but at the lengthe he was R a and sworne. This yeare and the 19 daye of October beinge Saturday were electid m the Guylde hall in Salop two burgises of the p’liment for the sayde towne to say Mr. Reynolde Skryven and master Andrew Newport to deale for y® towne. 7G EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare and the iiijf/i daye of November there were sennt owt of Shropshire tow^ Ireland 100 souldiars after the vewe taken of them in Shreusberie of Mr. Edward Leighton beinge Shiriffe of the sayde shire to assist the countrey there con- serninge a serte’ number of Spaniards w ch beinge wynde dreeven uppon the northe cost of Irelaunde and there beinge forsvd to launde incampinge them selves but the saide men wennt no further then Cheaster but returnid whom agayne for there cam certificate from Irelaund that they were soone vanquished and deed awaye. There is to be remembrid the unseasonableness of the weather this yeare to saye from Maye daye to the myds of November there hathe been sutche foule weather that mutche hey in the liarvist and after was lost and especially in lowe countres beinge rottoon and harried away withe waters and mutche corne taclcen in not well seasonid and weare fayne for the most p’t to kepe their rie grownd for barly whiche causid all grayne somwhat to rise in price, to say, whete a hove 5s. the bushell and rye at 3s. the least. This yeare and the 7th daye of November beinge Thursdaye and the countie daye were chosen in the castill of Shreusberie by the body of the shire 2 knights of the parlime’t whiche were to saye Sir Water Lusoon and master Richard Lusoon his soonn and heire. This yeare and the 7th daye of Januarii 1588 beinge the quarter sessions for the Shire usually keapt in Shreusberie the Tuesday after xijf/t daye there had licke to have been greate hurt doon tliroughe the blowinge of a troompett by master Frances Newpards troompetar over against master David Lloyds howse in whose bowse was one master Owen Vaugha’ & his meen beinge a stoute gentil’ betweene whom was an ollde grudge, the w ch troompetoor beinge founde faullt w th all drewe out his swoorde to stricke at the p’tie and therupon theoder hys fellows drewe and the bayliffes beinge in the hall cam amongist them to keepe peace were not regardid uppon the same the common bell was ronge the’ the townes men assisted the baylyffs and the’ they were forcid to put upp their Aveapons Av th halfe a doss’n broke’ pates and all this broile the sayd Mr. Owen Vagha’ and all his men keapt the howse and by counsell storred not w ch yf he and his men had coom furthe there had been a bloddie daye but God be thanckid it Avas for that tyme pacitieed. This yeare and the 22 of Januarii beinge Wensday and in the night the prissoners of the castell geole in Shreusberie foonde meanes to unfasten their bolltes and lynches and Avcrc EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 77 at libertie in the prison ivho had pullyd downe sertene stone of the wall towards the scoole house to have gott’n owt but coulde not passe by reason the yearthe that way was far above the breache the w ch yf they had made it on the other syde w ch they durst not for awakinge the geylor and other people they had gon furthe so at the last w th their bustelinge & noise the geylors men callid upp the geilor who p’seivinge the’ to have the boltes in their hands to brayne the’ w ch had first com in wennt to the baylyffs for assistance who sennt thider certe’ men weeponid and so forsyd them all to yealde to peace and were all putto shurer hollde and so keapt till the nexe greate assise. This yeare in the moonthe of Maye and June was soom con- trav’sie in the towne of Salop about the settinge upp of maye poales and bonyfiers maekinge, and erection of tresse before the Shearmans haule and other places the w ch one Mr. Tomkys 1 publicke prechar there did preche against and the saide p’char beinge presennt at the perswadinge reformac’on was there thretenid and pushid at by certe’ lewde p’soonns but in the ennde it was reformid by the baylyffs. This yeare and about this tyme the bishopps ordinarie cam to Shreusburie to se reformac’on in churches of soondrie faults contrarie to the queenes m ts inionct’ns who gave commandme’t amongst other matt’ that the ministers in sainge of devine serveis shulld were their surpluces acording to the queenes inioonct’s but whe’ he departid the most part of them did not observe the same but do staunde to the danger of the lawe & extremitie tlierof. This yeare and at the ennde of harvist Rye provid very light and thyn in most places of Englaund and they whiche sowed rie at the fyrst were fayne to sowe barly agayne in the same place, so that barly was exceedinge good and plenti- full and at 2.s. 6d. 2s. 4>d. and at 2s. the bushell, whiche causid rie to keepe at iiijs. the bushell because the people put mutche barly w th rie to macke breadd yee and many made bredd of cleane barly and good bredd too, for barly was so fayre and so plentifull this yeare whiche yf it had chauncid otherwysse rye had benn at an unreasonable price at the least at vijs. or viijs. the bushell, and by that lielpe wlieate at vs. This yeare and the seconnde day of October beinge Thurs- day and the daye before the ellect’n of the baylifts of the towne of Salop there was assembly of the commons at the guldhall 1 Rev. John Tomkys, M.A., minister of St. Mary’s. “ 1592 June 24 Mr. John Tomkis, public Preacher buried.”— St. Mary's Register. 78 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. there to heare and consennt to the mackynge of freeme’, and amongst other matt’ this one is especially to be notedd that Mr. John Okell gentyl’ and one of the counsell of the towne and as it may appeere hathe borne the office of the towne, did promes ope’ly the same day before all the assembly that yf he may be sparid from the office of baylywicke as longe as he lyvid at his deatlie he wolde free the stone gate for pamge any toll for ev’ and purchase somutche launds to furnyshe the same to the whiche the commons & all agreid unto so the same ys put downe and confirmyd, whiche woorthie act is and wille not only a perpetuall commendac’on to hym but a further p’vocacon to others to sturre the’ to be myndefull of well doinge towards the p’ffet of y e towne. This yeare and on the elect’on daye were pullid owt of the bagge by the baylyffes Richard Chirwelland Mr. Edward Owen who callyd the 25 p’soonns, to make the baylyffs and other officers the w ch 25 p’soons went into the elect’on house at 3 of the clocke in the after noone and cam not owt before 7 of the clocke on Saterday at night the only stave was for that they coulld not agree uppon the common sergiaunts. 1589-90 Thomas Lewys & John Davies Baylyffes. This yeare was chosen common sergiant William Jenckes and the other two servants were Robart Ball and Richai’d O Harris taylor. This yeare and aboute the myds of October was take’ a monsterous fyshe callid a Sturgion at the next weare benethe Bridgnorthe she was a bout a yarde broade in the backe and 3 yards in lengthe whiche was sennt to the counsell for a presennt. This yeare and the 29 daye of October A" 1589 one Sir Rychard Shatelworth 1 w th the Ladie his wyfe cam to Shreus- berie, beinge Justes electyd for the counsell in the Marches of Wales who were woorthely r d and an orac’on made unto hym before my Lord’s Place and so brought to master Sherar’s howse where he purposethe to remayne. This yeare and the xxth daye of January Syvern water at Shreusbery did rise a hove a foote height in soom of the in- habitants bowses in Francvill beinge the west suburbes of the sayde towne of w ch was unlookyd for of all the inhabitants whiche did contynewe but a short space to say wennt downe againe the next daye at night. 1 Son of Hugh Shuttleworth, Esq., of Gawthorp, co. Lancaster, chief justice of Chester died 1599, s. p. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 79 This yeare and in the moonthe of February there went owt of this towne and shire a hundreed sowldiars toward Ireland to keepe and defennde the garrisons there who tocke ship- pinge at Bristowe. This yeare and the 27 day of Marche 1590 beinge Fryday was a man and a wooman 1 executid at Knockin Heathe beyond Nesclyf in Wales beinge in the county of Salop for murtheringe a childe of the adge of 5 yeares to say for his laundes being an heir of \li a yeare or thereabouts whiche fell after the sayd chikles dethe yf he had dieed w th out issue to his uncles beinge three of them w ch uncles p’curid and imagenid the deathe of the saide childe ev’ sence his byrthe the three uncles were executid at Bridgnorthe sysses beinge holde’ the xi xt.h of Marche last one of his uncles was pressid to deathe there and the other two hangid there at Bridnorthe also, from whence the saide wooma’ beinge grand mootlier to the chillde and the sayd man whose name was GefFerey Elkes beinge hirid to doe the deede cam to be executid in the saide heathe where the deede was the wooma’ beinge hangid there was cutt downe and burieedd and the saide Elks hangithe in chaynes for a memoriall and an exsample to others. At his deathe the sayde Elks confessid that he did not the deede but brought a payle of water to the heathe and leaft his uncle that was pressid to deathe to doe the deede, and before the deede was doon and after two Ravins usually wold meete hym the saide Elks wolld folio we hym and krye a bout hym and wlie’ he escapid and hidd hym selfe the saide Ravins did crie and flyed about the place and discried hym owt and so was founnde in a cocke of hey by their meanes, w ch the sayd verely was the iust iudgme’t of God. so he warnid all peeple present (beinge there of all p’ts an infinite number) to tacke heed of pryvey murther for the fowles of the aire will discrie them, as it well p’vyd by hym selllfe. This yeare and the 17 th daye of Aprill there went a hundred souldiars owt of Salop and the shire who went towards Ireland and toocke shippinge at Cheaster. This yeare and the ith of Maii there was a yonge scollar beinge about xij or throthene yeares owld beinge burdid at master Hamons in Salop hangid hym selllfe in the chamber where he did lye beinge a Walshe boye whose name was Reece ap John beinge an idle boy & hatid the scoole. This yeare and the 26 daye of Maye one Reynold Powell carpenter was murtherid in Salop in placinge a peece of 1 See Gough’s Hint, of Middle (ed. 1875), p. 71 and 72. 80 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. tymber at the repayringe of a housse a lyttel bene the the gullet ap’taininge to master Richard Owe’ senior drap’. This yeare and the 19 tli daye of June one John Broome the soon of Thomas Broome of Mynsterley comming to the towne w th a loade of poales was sooddenly murtherid by the over waltinge of hys wayne w th in a myle of the towne of Salop. This yeare and the 5 th of Julii a man of Thomas Joanes of Salop, shoomaker callid Hughe Morris a Walshe boye was drownid under on of the arches of the Walshe bridge in Salop the same daye after eveninge prayer beinge a Sonday in bath- inge of hym sellffe. This yeare and the vijt/t of Julii one John Lewis a prenteise of Richard Fallows of Salop sherman was soodenly take’ and foounde dead yet comminge to hym sellfe in tyme was p’tley recoverid yet remaynethe speecheless and verey sicke and weacke. This yeare and the xxiiijt/i day of July there was a scaffold put up in the cornem’kt in Salop upon the w fh an Hongaria’ and other of the queenes m ts players and tumblars usid and excersisid them selves in sutche man’ of tumblynge and turninge as the’ the licke was never seene in Slirewsberie before that is to saye in this maner they wold turne them selves twise bothe backward and forwarde w th out towchinge any grownde in lightinge or fallinge upon theire feetc som of them also wold apeare in a bagge upright in the same beinge tieed fast at the mowthe above his head and wold beinge in the sayde bagge turne bothe foreward and backward w th out towchinge any grownde in falling upright uppon his feete in the sayde bagge marvelous to the beholders. Also a litill from the sayde stadge there was a gable roape tighted and drawen strayte uppon poales erectid against master Purser's place in the sayde corne market upon the w ch roape the sayde Hongaria’ did assende and goe uppon w th his bare feete havinge a longe poole in his hanndes over his headd and wold fall stridlongs uppon the sayd roape and mowntinge up againe upon the same w th hys feete verey myraculous to the beholders at soondrie t}^mes and in soondrie man’s. Also uppon the topp of the same roape goinge streight from bothe the sloapes he went to & fro the same in daunsinge and turninge hym sellffe w th holdinge still his saide poale w ch wayed above xxxviij/i. weight and also be put on two broade sliues of copper upon hys feete not towchmg the’ w th hys hands and went upright upon the saide roape never swarvinge on no syde in woonder- ful maner and after he had put downe the poale he shcwyd woonderfull feates and knacks in fallinge his head and hands EARLY CHRONICLES Of SHREWSBURY. 81 downewards 11 1,1 is feete and assendid handes and all his up agayne feate & body downewards and turnid his body backward & forward betwixt his hands & the rope as nymbell as yf it had been an eele in sutche woonderfull maner that the licke was nev’ seene of the inhabitants there before that tyme. This yeare and the xiijt/i daye of August beinge Thursday A 0 Dm’ 1590 the Judgs of the greate assise cam to Salop and keapt there the assises for the space of 3 daies and so the sayde iudgis dep’ted againe uppon Soonday followinge and uppon Moonday after in the forenoone sutche prison’s as were con- demnid had their execue’on, Mr. Andrewe Chorlt’n beinge Slier ref. 1590-1 Thomas Sherar and Thomas Burnell Balyvs. This yeare was made common sargiant Edward Lloid shoo- maker and the other two sargiants were Thomas Coomiy taylor beinge sargiant to master Baylyve Sherar and Thomas Evans taylor beinge sa’giant to master Baylyve Burnell. This yeare the counsell of the Marches of Wales keapt Michelmas tearms in Shreusburie w ch began in the beginninge of November by the meanes of master Justes Shatelwoorthe wheare the seale remaynid untill the weeke before Christmas because they were unserten either to goe or tame untill they hard from Loondon to w ch place y e towne of Salop sennt Mr. Roger Evans to be a sutor to have the counsell to remaine still for the lielpinge forward the reparac’on of a ruynous castell there to be repayrid and buildid herafter to be a place bothe to reseve the counsell as also a convenie’t place for the prisoners of the shire. This yeare and the . . . daye of December was by the apointment of the counsell a man put uppon the pil- lorie in Shrosberie for pi’urie provid upon hym whose name was This yeare and the viijt/t daye of February beinge Monday in the morninge one Humfrey Smythe alias Sadlar dwellinge under the Willde Copp an old man hangid hym selfe in a coke loft w th in his owne howse beinge well able to lyve. This yeare and the xxvj th daye of February was the towne sessions of Salop where there were no pryson’s condempnyd but were foonde under the value. This yeare by the meanes of the hardnes of wynter and drynes w Ul all causid hey & fodder to be verey deere and causeed many cattell to perrishe for waunt, as also the wether fell unkyndly at N’ras and after X’ras to sutche snowe and rayne that made the water uppon a soodde’ thawe to ryse 82 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. somwhat highe that the lycke wat’ was never seene in the ennde of M’che before contrarie to kynde that the people could not in tyme fallowe their barly grownde and by reasoon of the frost w th all and hard weather causid the gresse springe soo’what late and killid almost all hearbes in gardeines and other placs so that husbandme’ were fayne to sowe theire barly presently after in Aprell uppon the fyrst turninge aft r the ploughe and the garde’ to be sowidd in Ap’ll for want of season- able weather. This yeare and the first day of May about v. of the clocke in the afternoone of the same daye their fell a terrible thoonder w th lighteinge and tempest w ch lasted not verey longe the thoonder bolt therof did kyll upon Leat’n Shelffe by the towne of Shreusberie one Geordge Maninge shomaker comminge w th his brother Richard Maninge of Salop taylor from Oswestaries fayre the saide Geordge killid owt right and bothe theire horses but the sayd Richard Maninge was astonied but escapid a lyve savinge that he was a massid a day or two after who reported that there was at the tyme sutche a steanche and greate heate in the same place by the reason of the longe continewance of lighteninge after the thonder past that the saide place remaynid three dayes in greate heate and stinckinge smell wliiche sodden chanses is an exsample for others to serve God at all tymes not knowinge at what tyme or where or howe he will stricke us for o r synns. This yeare and the 28 th day of Maii one Mr. Thyn esquire by the assistance of the Shireff of Shropshire beinge the Mr. Hoptu’ assaultyd the castell of Cause 1 belonginge unto the Lord Harry Stafford to whom the sayde Mr. Thin had bought longe agoe and had recovirid the same by lawe but could never gett possession and was w tb stood by the Ladie Stafford and serte’ of hir men beinge at that instant within the sayde castell the Lorde Stafford hym sellffe beinge from whoame but at the lengthe the sayd Thin by the helpe of the Sheereff entrid p’ force and expullsid the sayde Lady w th smale hurt doon. This yeare and the 0 day of June beinge Soondaye and the festivall day of the company of the Shermen of Salop aboute the settinge upp of a greene tree by serte yonge me’ of the 1 The Earl of Stafford inherited Cause Castle and estates from the Corbets. William Hopton of Rockall and Chirbury was sheriff. Arms : gu semee of cross crosslets, a lion rampant or. There is a view of Cause Castle in Mrs. Stackhouse Acton’s Garrisons of Shrop- shire EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 83 saide company before their hall doore as of many yeares before have ben acostomid but preachid against by the publicke precher there and comma wndid by the baylyffs that non sutche shoulde be usid and for the disobedience therein theye were put in prison and a privey sessions called and there also indictid and still remayne untill the next towne sessions for further triall as hear after may apeere. This yeare and the 17 day of Julii beinge Saturday in the night the most part of Shyffnall 1 was burnid withe her by mischance of a mayde s’vant at night w th a candle where flax did lye in the w ch the snoffe of the said candle fell in unknowe’ to hir and so kindlinge in the night by an extreme tempest scatterid the fyre a broade the towne in a woonderfull sort that the sayd fier leapt to the churche there beinge a pretie space from any house and burnyd the same and burnid and meltid the bells therin and laft nothinge unburnyd savinge the stoane woorke therof and the sayd her was so veheme’t that wythe the sodde’ fright therof beinge in the night and the people makinge all the speede they coulld to save their goods as a sort of men soddenly amasid made smale speede to save their neighbors howses but suffringe the same uppon suclie extremitie that it was past healp so that not w th stand- inge comminge and chaunsinge in the night ev’y p’soon beinge in bedd yet were there non buried, thanks be to God. This yeare and the ldth daye of August Sir Edward Leigh t’n knight w th other Justices of the Shire did muster at Slireus- berie for the towne and shire y e number of 200 souldiars prickid and apointid to apeare at an howres warninge upon payne of deathe. This yeare and the 22 of August beinge Soondaye the bayliffs then beinge of the Bishops Castell xij miles from 1 This fire was described in a book, at present known only by its title in Ames’s Typography (Herbert’s ed.), p. 1371. “ The lament able mines of the Towne of Shiffnall, alias Idsall, in Shropshire, by Fire ; with the most rare and wonderful 1 burnyng of the Parish Church standinge on the other side of a water ; and the miraculous preservation of certaine Houses which stood close by the said Church, set forth by Edward Milliard, Parson of Idsall, alias Vicar. Printed by John Danter. Lond. 1591. 4°.” Milliard was Vicar 1567-1598. There is also in existence a Brief dated 1592, which states that “ 32 houses with their goods and household stuffe were consumed & the Parish Church together with the Chancell and steeple with six Bells in the same utterly consumed and molten.” — Trans. Shropsh. Arch. Soc., vol. I., p. 449. 84 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. Shrcsbery sennt sertificats to the curates and preachers in the towne of Shreusberie and ells where to the churches about that all people shulld have knowladge that theire fayre day beinge the 29 of August and fallinge upon the Soonday that in considerac on of the will of God to keepe holly the sabothe daye and because y‘ daye shulld be keapt holly that the shulld not repayre thyder as that day but uppon the Monday foliowinge beinge the 30 daye of August and the’ the fayre there to be keapt and nott to losse their labor the w ch is a godly exsample and to be followid in all places and truly God will blesse us all in so doinge grant it so to be good Lord amen. This yeare and the 23 th daye of August A 0 p’d was the towne sessions and thosse prisoners that were, were savid under the value & by their boocke also thosse youthes whyche weare indictid about the erectinge of the Sherman’s tree and uppon their submission there the’ were quit for their disobedience and for all matters and the matter therin to be endid by Mr. Sergia’t Owen who determinid the matt’ the’ the usuall tree shulld be usyd as heretofore have be’ so it be don syvely and in lovinge order w th out contenc’on. This yeare at the 16. 17. & 18 daye of Septe’ber the greate assise was keapt at Shrewsbery at w ch assisse were above 60 prisons’ of the w ch were 21 condempnid ten of those had their boocke and one wooma’ begged by the gentilweeme’ of the towne and 9 suffreed to say 8 of them suffred at the old heathe and the other whosse name was Edward Juson whoe did murther a yonge youethe beinge apprentise w th one Mathewe Styntoon tan’er of Wellinget’n under the Wrekin where he was hangid in chaynes and there shall hange for exsample, he had murtherid the saide youthe a boute May day last and was not foounde longe after and that was by the chance of serte’ mayds in gatheringe of straweberies foounde hym and uppon the fynding of hym the sayd Edward Juson beinge servant in the same house w th hym roon away and therby suspectyd pursuid & take’. Mr. VVillia’ Hopton Esq’ Shereffe. This yeare and against the assise tyme on master Bancks 1 a Staffordshire gentil’ brought into this towne of Salop a white horsse which wolld doe woonderfull and strangd things as 1 Banckes and his “ dancing horse ” are alluded to by Shakspeare in Love's Labour Lost, Act 1, sc. 2, and by many writers contem- porary with Shakspeare, Thus Ben Jonson, in Every Man Out of his Humour : — “ He keeps more ado with this monster, than ever EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 85 $ thesse wold in a company or pres tell howe many peeces of money by hys foote were in a man’s puree also yf the’ ptie his master wolld name any man beinge hyd nev’ so secret in the company wold fatche hym owt w th his mowthe either nami’g hym the veriest knave in the company or what cullerid coate he hadd, he pronowncid further to his horse and said Sir ha there be two baylyves in this towne the one of them bid mee welcom into the towne and usid me in frindly man’ I wold have the goe to hym and gyve hym thanks for mee and he wold goe truly to the right baylyf that did so use hys sayd M r as he did in the sight of a number of people unto master baylyffe Sherar and bowyd unto hym in makinge curchey w th hys foote in sutche man’ as he coullde withe sutche strange feates for sutche a beast to doe that many people iudgid that it were impossible to be don except he had a famylar or don by the arte of magicke. 1591-2 Ry chard ap Powell and Edward Irelande Baylyffs. This yeare was chosen common sergiant Francis Betton shoomaker and the other two sergiants were Hughe Benion wever sergia’t to master Baylyfe Powell and Richard Hortu’ fletcher sergia’t to master Baylyff Ireland. This yeare and the xiij^daye of October one Roger Wilsoon ol Salop sherma’ was burieed who drownid hym sellfe about mi’helmas last and could not be hard of untill nowe wlioe was able to lyve and was of a reasonable welthe whoe was a quiet man and lyvid quietly the Lorde gyve all people grace dayly to call uppon hym to gyde us at all tymes. Amen. This yeare and the 24 of Januarie 1591 there was in the parrishe of Awburburie in the countie of Salop a swarme of beese cam owt of an hyve there the sayd daye and beinge hyvid in good order and lyckid well the whyche was verey strandge Bankes did with his horse.” And again in Thos. Bastard’s Chresto- loros, 1598, lib. 3, ep. 17 : — “ Bankes hath a horse of wondrous qualitie, For he can fight, and pisse, and dance, and lie, And find your purse, and tell what coyne ye have, But Bankes who taught your horse to smell a knave 1" In 1595 a pamphlet was published “ Maroccus Extaticus, or Bauckes’s Bay Horse in a Trance : A Discourse set downe in a merry Dialogue between Bankes and his Beast ; anatomizing some Abuses and bad Trickes of this Age,” 4to, prefixed to which was a print of the horse standinge on his hind legs with a stick in his mouth, his master with a stick in his hand, and a pair of dice on the giound, A facsimile of this print is given in Malone’s edition of Shakspieare, PoorBankes and his horse were burnt at Rome as magicians. 86 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. in that tyme of yeare never seene or hard of to any mans memorie. This yeare and the 28 th day of Nove’ber 1591 was master Rychard Myttoon Esquire callyd the gentill master Myttoon and Alderma’ of Salop who had ben 6 tymes baylyf of the towne in his tyme & was solemnly burieed the 28 th day of November 1591 beinge about a C yeares olde. This yeare and the 13 th daye of June 1592 and beinge Teus- day and the towne court daye of Shrowsburie accordinge to the order of the newe composic’on one of the baylyves to say master Edward Ireland beinge furthe of y e towne and master Baylyfe Powell beinge verey sycke was karied from his howse in a cheare to the bootlie hall and syttinge therein, the cowrte was reiornid and so in licke man’er was karried agayne whom to his howse, whiche event hathe not been seene or harde of before. This yeare and the 23 day of June one M r John Toomkies 1 beinge curat of Sainct Maris churche in Salop beinge a famows lernid man and a publicke preacher there dep’tid this p’sent lyfe and was buried the next daye ensuinge the w ch was mydsomm’ daye for whose deathe of the p’fect p’testants was great lamentac’on. This yeare in the moonthe of Awgust to say the . . . . day Umfrey Sadlar’s daughter whose name was ...... drownid her sellfe whose father hangid hym sellffe as aperethe before, by whose deathe all her goodes cam to the towne of Shrewsburie God sennd all people better grace to serve God & to be better myndid. This yeare botlie the assises were kept owt of Shrousbury to say at least at Bridge northe & at som’ in Ludlo M r Robart Eyton Esq Shereff. This yeare and the xxvijt/i, daye of August beinge Thurs- daye the Baylyffs of Salop made a feaste in the guylde hall in Shrewsburie beinge at 4 tables a hove a hundred p’soons where they hadd plentie of venison wyne and other good cheere the whiche venyson was gyven by M r Richard Corbett unto the towne for to meete & assemble in fryndly man’ and to macke myry the w ch was doon accordingely. This yeare and about the ennde of August there was made by the baylyffs of Salop a clocke within the guylde hall there w th a dial! w th in the hall and two dyalls w Ui out the hall the one to serve the highe streete market and passars by and the 1 “ 1592 June 24 Mr. John Tomkis Public Preacher buried.” — St. Mary's Register. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 87 inliabytants there, and the oder towards the corne marckett in lycke man’, the w ch two dialls do not onely noate howe the howres of the daye passethe but also theirin the picture of the moone howe it clothe increase and decrease verey artyficiall and comodius to the beholders. This yeare and the first in Septe’ber 1592 in the night were woonderfull fierye inflamac’os and brightnes withe sutche light flashes and aspirac’ons that any person might deserne the value of a peece of money as yf it had ben breke of daye (to say light in darknes) the omnypotent God have m’cy upon us. 1592-3 Robart Irelancle & Mychaell Chambers Baylyffs. This yeare were chosen com’en sergiatt Thomas Browne draper and Roger Langley taylor sergiant to master Ireland and Richard Mannynge taylor sergia’t to master Chambers. This yeare and the 30 daye of Nove’ber beinge Sainct Andrews daye Richard Teggin draper was swoorne commyn sergiant in the place of Thomas Browne beinge electyd sergia’t because he was lame and therefore unfitt to prosecute the same as aptaytaynyd. This yeare and the 27 of November in the night Mr. Prynce his howse or place in the Abbey foriyate was broken by theeves to say they brocke into his countinge howse and foounde there smale stoare of money but foond the keys there to ope’ the moost and chyffyst dores and places where they might have com by money and other things but belicke beinge frighted uppon soom noyse whiche they hard in the house departid uppon a soodden to a coate there hardd bye where they laft their horses but when they cam there their horses were gotte’ owte into the filldes they knewe not whyther and beinge darcke allso so they toocke their heelis whyther no man can tell and laft the sayde pryvey kayes behynnde them and in the morninge the horses were foonde strayd in the fiellds beinge ij horses w th theire furniture the w ch were brought to be seene bothe in this towne and other places to be seene yf by the sight of them any knowledge might be hadd. This yeare and the xj th daye of January 1592 from the after noone of the same daye untill the 18 th day to say a whoale weecke to geather the wynde beinge at the northwest continewid for the most p’t sutche an extreeme tempest of wynde onely that did greate harme in many places. This yeare and in the moonthe of Februarie began a p’lyme’t to say the 19 day of Februarie for the whiche were chossen burgeysis for the towne of Shreusburie at the request of the Earle of Essex master Reynold Scriven and master Robart 88 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. Wright beinge the Earles stuarcl, and were made knights of the shire for the sayd p’lyme’t master Fraunces Newport and Mr. Robart Needam. This yeare all this som’ the citie of London was visited w th the plage and a pestelent burninge ague great numbers died, the sayd plage was in Darby, Li ch til Id, Bewdley, Worcester, Glocester, Tewksbery, Wem, Bishops Castell and w th in 3 myles of Shreusbery, so that watche and warde was kept for longe tyme at all the gates there that non infected p’son or any others shulld com from those placs except they kept them sellves owt of the towne for a monthes space at the least by w ch pollitick governm 1 and the omnipotent blessinge favor & governme’t of God the towne of Shreusbery was free and escapid danger God be praysed for the same. Amen. This yeare 1593 the 25 of August y e great assise keapt in Shreusberie Sir Ric’ Corbet Esq. beinge Sheerriff. This day A° dicto and the 6 day of September beinge Thursday departid this p’sent lyffe mysteres Mary Cole of Shrewsburie, and was buried the Saturday followinge who was a verteous gentill’ & of a good mynde of no pride but familiar w th the simplist of all, willinge to hyr power to do good to all p’sons and never consentid to the hurtt or hyndera’ce of any p’soon. This yeare and the xth of Septe’ber the woorthy knight S r Edward Leighton of Watilsborowe in the countie of Salop and beinge one of the counsell in the m’shes of Wales dep’tid this p’sent lyffe beringe greate countena’ce and fame all Shropshire ov’ whose buriall was not solempnisid untill a moontlie after, whose deathe was sore missed & lamented of many. This yeare and the 17 daye of Septe’ber A° p’d there was burnid in Stretton to saye mydle Stretton in the count’ of Salop xj howses and barnes by myschance of tier after this man’ to say a nydiart or foole of the same towne makinge a tier by a ricke of strawe adioininge to a barne caught fiere in the ricke and so to the barn, beinge fewe p’sons laft in the towne but were a broade about their bussines and markets so that havinge lyttell lielpe or past helpe whe’ any cam so the number of thosse howses were spoilid as aforesaid. There was burned also the same daye at Shyfthall two howses by the necklygence of an olde ma’ beetinge fier in a bruehouse being lievie and sleepy and soe the tier caught into the thatche of the howse and so were burnt. The yeare and the xxijt/tof Septe’ber the baylyffs Alderme’ and come’ cownsell of the towne of Shreusburie mett together w th the assistance of M r Sergia’t Owe’ at the guild hall EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 89 comme’ly callid the boothe hall of Shreusburie w th the assem- bly of the commons there of and conserninge the benyvolent gyft of S r Thomas White late of London (of woorthy fame) of the soom of 104 li laft by hym to the towne of Shreusburie to be lennt to 4 yonge occupiars being clothears for 10 yeres and the matter being debated before the commons in the guyld hall there and the pryncipall poyntes of the will and testame’t of the sayd Sir Thomas White there ope’ly declarid and the lernid mynde of M r Sergia’t Owe’ therupon uttered and upon the same deliberac’on granted to the saide comme’s to pounder uppon the same untill the next daye beinge Thursday whiche 4 owt of a number beinge namid and agreid upon most elect’ on but the bayly ves and counsellors had agreid before uppon these 4 to saye Richard Betton, Geordge Phellips Nycholas Leighton & Thomas Chorltoon, but as it was thought the most parte of the comuns by their p’sons and voyces wold not have Thomas Chorlt’n but wolld have had in his place Thomas Yevans and uppon that point they stood so longe in triall by voices & hands that they coulld not disserne the difference uppon the w ch they dep’tid and weare all by the baylyves appointed to meete againe the next daye beinge Friday and were fayne to goe throughe the dore by pole and so their names taken and the clioise in number fell upon Thomas Chorlt’n but the dyfference was but lytyll and on Saturday followinge they severally reseved theire porc’ons to say 25 li a peece and the odd 4 li was for the bayliffs in v’singe and payeinge the same apoynted so by the granter, the dis- course of whose famous graimt and stablished gyft aperithe somwhat larger in this boocke. 1593-4 Edward Owen draper & Humfrey Hughes Slierma’ Baylyffs. This yeare were chosen sergiaunts at the mace to say Richard ap Ric’ wer’ comme’ sergia’t Willia’ Jencks drap’ sergia’t to Mr. Owe’ and Rychard Harries taylor sergia’t to Mr. Hughes. This yeare and the 9th of October in the after noone the almshowses 1 in Franckvill was by myschance on fyer and there had not be’ greate helppe and (lilligence it had spoilid many howses beinge charged w th broome fagotts and other drie fuell verey dangerous but God be thanckid by reason of Severn water so neere and rediness of the people it was stayed for p’ceedinge any further the’ thosse almshouses and savinge two or three of their howses burnt and spoilid w th in furthe all 1 These were St. John’s or Coles Almshouses. 90 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. y e rest owtward a bout was keapt standinge and the mis- chance therof cam by one of the’ fatchinge coles of fyer in a woode’ dyshe and levinge it in hir howse goinge uppon an arrant the fyer burned the dishe and so caught hollde of brome or sutche licke fuell and before she cam agayne the house was on fyer the dore beinge shutt. This yeare and the xxjth day of November beinge Wensday a man of mast’ Thomas Chorlt’n drap r whose name was Roger beinge an husbandma’ was drowned in mackinge fast of a peece of wood for goinge downe the watersyd being somwhat highe and coulld not be foounde of longe tyme after, the next daye followinge beinge the 22 daye was a mayde drowned by Montford whose name was Elizabethe Reynollds (the chance fell owt thys) a yonge ma’ and shee passing in a boate to fatche another over the water and in passinge in the sayde boate a longe the shoreside the wynd beinge extreeme bigge drive the boate upon the roote of a tree lyeinge in the water and so ov’ tumid the’ bothe in the water, the yonge ma’ savid hym sellffe but the mayde was drownid and not as yeat foounde beside other two more drownid in the saide water w th in 4 myles compasse, but y e said Eli’h was foond againe not before y e 21 day of Janu’ & brought to Salop y e 22 day of Januarie and the crown 1-3 jury charged so buried the sayd day. This yeare 1593 and the 15 daye of December at night Severn water at Shreusbury did rise by the reason of greate weete and of sutche contynewance that it did ryse a foote deep in dyv’ mens howses especiall in Franckvill somwhat nere the wat’ syde and continewed and keapt at the borse- fayres montlie more the’ 8 dayes with sutche terrible tempest of wynnde and rainge for the space of a moontlie before, that the licke wether hathe not ben seene and never sennce before hallentide the water was not under a floate wat’ and the wynnd keapinge most terrible togethe’ for the space of 7 weaks in the reast. This yeare and the 8 daye of Januarie beinge Tuesdaye the quarter seassions for the shire beinge ShiriflEe of the same Mr. Robart Powell of the Parcke by Oswestrie at v e whicbe seassions (beinge u sually keapt in the towne of Shresburie) was not liymsealffe presennt but his deputie, and the next daye followinge bei’g the 9th daye of Januarie the towne seassions of gaole delyvi’ in Shrosbery was keapt in the whiche were 2 condempned, one savid by his boocke & the rest Avhipped. This yeare and the 21 da ^ 1 ‘ ’ “'““e Thursday there fell sutche a monsterous extreeme feerce EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 91 owt of the northeweast all that whole day univ’sall all England ov’ that the force thereof threwe downe barnes, uncoverid a number that were both thatchid and tylid, overthrowinge howses, steeples, parcke pales and greate treese, and soondry parsoons slayne by the fall of them, that the lycke wynde was never seene of thosse that be lyvinge in these dayes, to the greate losse and hinderance of most men, the force wherof amongist other losses in thys towne of Shreusbury removid the upp’ part of Sainct Maris steeple owt of his place towards the southeest about 5 inches and at the present remove there was master Laut’n publycke precher there in the pulpit that yf it had fallen it wold have dryve’ the churche uppon the heads of hym and the people but God stayd the fall thereof and p’servyd the precher & his people God be thanckid the danger therof so standinge that the people of the towne durst not ringe the bells nor any bell for shakinge of the same to a further inconvenience the w ch were the plesaunts and comfort- ablest ringe of bells in all the towne as also the disvigurid sight of the steeple so standinge was a greate eyesore not onely to the townesmen but unto the coontrey and other Strang 8 passingers in considerac’on wherof the baylyffs and townesme’ whe’ oportunitie servyd made p’parac’on for things nedefull and a chiffe masson gott’n to remedy the same so that before all things were fynishid and the skaffollds bothe w th in and without take’ downe to say the 22 daye of June and the 23 daye followinge beinge Soonday the grette bell was ronge owt there to the sermonde and the 29 th daye of June beinge Sotturday followinge all the bells were roonge verey solumly to the comforde of all the herars ; it is further to be noted that the vj th day of June the wether coke of Sainct Maris steeple was tacke’ downe of the topp of the sayd steeple by one Francs Barnet of Salop bricke layer who newe pointid the said steeple the w ch coke was seene and shewid to many whiche was and is of brasse wainge 12 pounds the lengthe of the sayde coke from the bill to the ennde of his tayle is a yarde lackinge 2 ynches and the deepnes from the topp of the combe unto the bottome of the breast is halfe a yarde & one inche and was put on the steeple topp againe the 1 4 daye of June by one John Richmoond of Acton Reynolld masson chiffe woorckema’ of the stoane woorcke and the placinge of the sayde bracke or cracke w th his advice in the scaffolds mackinge bothe w th in the sayd steeple as w th out, who mesurid the whoole steeple and towre from the toppe of the same to the bottom as by hys iust report ys in thys man’ to say, the barr that berithe the cocke ys 2 inches and a halfe thyck & is 92 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. in compas a boute 10 inches and the saide barr is in height from the cocke to the upper stoane G foote 10 inches. The crosse barr of iron ys 3 foote 10 inches the topp stoane under the barr is in breadthe 2 foote 2 inches, it is from the topp- stoaneto the cracke 14 foote and from the cracke to the upper wyndows 31 foote 7 inches and from the upper wyndowe to the nether wyndowe 39 foote, and from the nether wyndowe to the bottoom of the spire at the garretts 47 foote & a halfe, so that the whoale spire in stoane woorcke is 132 foote & one inche. The whole towre from the bottoom of the spire is to the grownde 87 foote and a halffe. so the height of all the stoane woorcke from the bottoom of the grounde unto the topp stoane that holldithe the barr ys 219 foote 7 inches the w ch is 73 yards and 7 inches and adding therunto 6 foote 10 inches, so then by this accompt the cocke standethe in height from the grownde 7G yards 5 inches. And it is further to be notid the cocke of the steeple standethe lower from the grownde by 9 yards & 9 inches the’ Pawles steeple standithe nowe after this maner to be reconnid, that Pawles spire steeple in Loondon was in tymber woorcke and leadid over to the battelme’ts before the burninge therof in height 200 foote and the steple or mayne towre as it standethe newe ys in height from the grownd 2G0 foote w ch ys 8G yards & 2 inches, so it aperethe the difference to be as afor is layde downe 9 yards 9 inches higher than St. Maris steple, and the whoale height of Poales steaple was before it was burnte from the grownde 153 yards & one foote, furthe’ Pawles churche ys in leangthe 720 foote w ch is 240 yards the w ch is 12 score. This yeare and in this moonthe [May] and in these baylyves tymes there was errectyd and made about the highe crosse in Shreusburie a place of tymber woorcke for contrey folks and others to sit and stand drie from raine to sell their poultrie butter egges and chesse &c the w oh was coverid and fynyshid the 10 daye of July. This yeare and the 0th daye of June 1594 about 3 or 4 of the clocke in the morninge there fell sutche a storme & fright- full thunder clap w ch did liarme in Bridgenorthe and in other places at that instant. This yeare and the 30 of July beinge Tuesday and the towne court day in Shreusburie a matt’ betwyxt master Frauncs Mere Ditheg’ and master Sturry of Rossoll wennt to a Jury and the matter was so longe pleaded before them andgoinge togeather and chargid a bout G of the clocke at night and contynewyd untill 8 of the clocke on Thursday night followinge and coulld not agree w th out meate drinke or any other releeffe and som of EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 93 the sayd Jury before they wolld yeald wold eyther dye the’ selves or famishe others upon the w ch extremitie the baylyffs and worship of the towne intreatid bothe the p’ties to conscyder the lyffe of men and to put the matter to frynnds the w ch in the ennde they dyd agre uppon and presently entrid into baunds and so uppon the same the Jury cam owt as aforesaid weacke I noughe especially som, of the’ yf they had taried one night longar had died. This yeare and most p’t of the somm’ & p’t of the harvest tyme contynewly for the most p’t was greate weete that Severn wat’ did hollde upp most strandge and not mutche under a flote water from the beginninge of J une to the begyninge of August and the’ cam 4 or 5 days verey faire and then began agayne mixinge wethere that where rye was at 18cZ. or xxd. the bushell and wheate 8 grots nowe it is rise’ to 3s. 2d. rye and 5s. 4cZ. wheate so that yf God do not sennd sesonable weather in tyme it wille licke to fall dearer, but God be praysed it cam to passe that the ennde fell owt a verry fayre season to all peoples comfford. This yeare the’ was apointid by the clergy w th the conscent of the bayliffs and assistants of thys towne of Shreusburie a generall fast to be used to say the xj th day of August beinge Soondaye at w ch day most of the inhabitants in Salop repayrid to Sainct Maries churche there to pray and call uppon God to sennd seasonable weather to bringe in theyre corne for the comford of his people who lamentinge their synns and callinge to God w th sootche godly sermons made there of the p’ chars to the comfford of all the hearars the w ch contynewyd all that Soonday from 8 of the clocke in the mor’inge untill 4 of the clocke at night and never cam owt of churche untill then. This yeare and the xxvj th of August the greate assisse was hellde in Shreusburie and the iudgs of the assises were brought in by the Shyreffe of the Shire whose name was Mr. Robart Powell of the Parcke by Oswestrie Esquire who cam in verey valiantly and at the ennde of the assise there were three con- dempnid to say two men and a woma’ so the twoo men were executid & the woama’ reprivid beinge thought to be w th childe. This yeare and the 4 th day of October beinge the elect’ on daye for the makinge of newe baylyffs and beinge at night there was murtherid by serte’ unruly youthes of the towne one Thomas Lakon aprentise w th Mr. Richard Chirwel drap’ beinge uppon the elect’on that night and his saide man beinge under the hall waitinge for his m r to com owt sett uppon hym verey cowardly sett uppon hym purposidly pretendid aforehand by 94 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. them and so gave hym soondrie dedly woounds for the whiche soom are uppon suspic’on put in the gaole to be examyned to trie owt the truthe w ch God sennd Amen, he was a proper youthe and com of good frinds. 1594-5 David Lloyd drap’ & Thomas Lewis Baylyffs. This yeare was chosen comme’ sergiant Edward Phellips sherma’ and the other two sergiants were Richard Hardinge sherma’ unto Mr. Baylyf Lloid and John Lewis tann’ s’giant to Mr. Baylylf Lewys. This yeare and the 29t/iday of October 1594 beinge Tuesday was the towne seassions of Salop of gaole delivery there and master Fowlar beinge stuard and sittinge there w th the baylyffs in the whiche sessions were condempnid Hughe Preece serva’t w th Robart Taylor of Salop sherman and William Morris soon unto Willia’ Morris of Salop sherman for wilfull murther for murtheringe of one Thomas Lakon s’vant unto Mr. Rychard Chirwell of Salop drap’ as apeerithe in the last p’cell of the last yeare who were executid at the olid heatlie the next daye followinge beinge the 30 daye of October in the after noone of the same daye, who althoughe in their lyve tymes were unruly youthes yeat at theire end they died w th pacience repentinge their former lyves to the exsample of all youthes and people present at whose execut’on were a greate multitude. This yeare by the reson of swiftnes of rie and unsesonablenes of barly and karrienge owt of rie and other grayne from place to place and stolle’ owt of the lannd corne waxid verey deere in Shreusbery to say rie at 13 and 14 grots wheate at 5s and 16 grotts the bushell. This yeare about the ennde of M’che there went souldiars owt of Shropshire and other places towards Ireland for the Earle of Terrone did rebell w th his assosiates and burnid towards the northe parte and stole serte’ cattell there and so returnyd. This all the monthe of M’che corne kept still deere to say wheat at 7s. and upwards and rye at 17 grotes. This yeare 1595 was Francs Albany Esquire Sheref who keppt bo the the assises at Bridgenorthe. This yeare and the 5th daye of Septe’ber A 0 p’d there was in the howse of Rychard Mynton dwellinge in the suburbs of Salop a strange pigge farieed havinge two hynder parts from the navill downewarde and one inteere bodie upwards to say one head necke and breast havinge 8 feete verey strandge to behclld to saye the nether partes joynid syde to syde soondred from the upper p’t of the bodie havinge two lagges a peece benethe and 4 leggs above from the whoale body in suclie sort EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 95 aperinge so playne that the contrarie legge of the one servyd eiche other for the other legge so althoughe there were 4 leggs above yeat had they two leggs a peece after sutche man’ that the one legge of the one servyd and apeerid to be the fellow to the other and had under one skynn 2 backe bones aperinge unto the necke yeat joyninge and growinge togeather aperinge benethe to be two boare piggs having but one pissill & one hart and was faried alyve but dieed presently after. This yeare and in the moonthe of October the counsell of the marches of Wales cam to Shrewsburie to keape the tearme there w ch dothe begin the secoond daye of November ensuinge & stayd there. This yere corne kept verey deere still to say wheate at 7s. Qd. and rye at 6s. the w ch was a strange matt’ conscideringe y‘ harvyst beinge past & all corne in. God for hys mercy sake amend it and helpe the poore Amen. 1595-6 Wylliam Jones & Thomas Chorltoon Baylyffs. This yeare and the thrid of October beinge Friday and the elect’on day for the forsaide baylis &c the xxv p’sons that were chosse’ entrid into the elect’on house about 12 of the clocke the sayde daye and cam not owt before Seturday at night so at lengthe agreed upon the forsayd baylyffs and made John Wycherley common sergia’t and the other two sergiants were John Butterie weav’ for Mr. Baylyff Joanes and Thomas Davies taylor for Mr. Chorlt’n. This yeare and the 8th daye of Januarie was the towne sessions of Salop of gaole deliv’ where serte’ p’sconn’s were raignid and the twelve that wennt uppon lyffe and deathe for savinge of them beinge indighted were sore thretenid by the Stuard and baylyffs to be fynid and were all commytted to the gate. This yeare and the xth daye of Januarie A°. p’dict beinge Saturday Severne water did sooddenly rise by the reason of greate raine and contynwall wynde that the water did rise in men’s howses in the subu’bes of the sayde towne and especially in the subu’bs of Francvill that the water was in the goodma’ Mvnttoons howse xiiij ynches deepe that the howsholld were fayne to assennd up to their chambers a lofte and contynuid there untill Moonday morninge before it dep’tid clene owt of the howses and thosse w ch cam to the market bothe of con trey folks as inhabitants in the sayd subu’bs were fayne to passe to and fro the sayd towne in bargs and boates and the water kept still at the horsefayre mowthe for the space of 7 or 8 dayes. This yeare and the xth day of Januarie beinge Saturdaye and in the after noone of the same daye one Thomas Yeavans 96 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. of Oswestrie gentil’ was shamefully murtherecl under the Wilde copp against the redd lyon in the sayde towne of Shreusburie by one Ry chard Twysse trumpeter and servaunt to one master Williams the whiche Twisse cam behynd the sayde Evans in feyghteinge withe one Emery a fellowe of the sayde Twisse and thrust hym througlie the bodie with a rapiar who toocke his horsse and presently withe all speed passid on horse backe throughe the towne and throughe the water in Franckevill beinge so highe in gallop inge throughe the sayd water most desperatly for it was soe suddenly doon and feightinge withe another & presse of people so thicke about them that it was not knowen untill he fell downe a non after the wownde and then knowledge had the sayde Twisse was pursuid with hughe and crye but cowld not be ov’take’ & so as yeat not taken. This yeare and sethins the begininge of November untill the saide p’sent daye of January the winde contynwid almost ev’y daye very ruggid in the weast & northe west for the space of 9 or ten weeks verey unquiet and mutable wether without any greate frost or snowe to speake of contrarie to usuall tyme. This yeare and the xxixth daye of Januarie was the towne sessions of gaole dely v’ callyd againe in the towne of Shreus- burie for that daye as conscerninge the sayde murther at the whiche was condempnid Humffrey Cleye of Shrewsburie paynter for that he p’curid the brawle and was bustelinge withe them and gave before threteninge woords in that be- halffe and had juclgme’t to goe to the place of execuc’on but was keapt and repri’ed for a tyme and greate freensliip made by Mr. Thomas Leight’n beinge capte’ of the traynid men (of w ch number he beinge one) sekinge w th others to save hym yf they can. This yeare & y e 12th daye of Februarie 1595 about eveninge of the same daye a child of one Ric’ Hoggins weav’ whose name was Mary Hoggins of the adge of 4 yeres old was murthered in the Fishestrete by a burde fallinge uppon liir she plainge there w th other children the other escapid but she was kyllyd the more was the pyty yf it had so plesid God. This yeare and in the moonthe of Marche to say the . . . day of the same the olid buyldinge in the cornemarket place was agreid to be take downe and the tymber woorcke therof was solid to serten of the townes me’ and withe all speed to erect and buyld in the place withe stoane and tymber a s’mpteous hall a loft and a lardge marcke howse for corne benethe and it is to be notid that the serche and foondac’on was a quart’ of a yeare before it was fynishid and so the stoane EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 97 woorcke was begon the 15 day of June folio winge and was fynishid and almost coverid before the baylyffs of the sayde towne wennt owt of their offices at my’helmas followinge. This yeare and the 30 day of July A 0 . 96 a child of Thomas Foxes of Salop husbandma’ of 2 yeares ollde playeinge with other childre’ in the cornem’kett was murtherid in the corn- market in Shreusburie withe a pece of tymber being placid there w th other tymber against Phillip Pigions liousse did fall uppon hir and pressid the sayd chilld to deathe before any helpe cam. and the reast escapid. This yeare 1596 Mr. Robart Needam Esq r . was Sheref & keapt the som’ assise in Salop y e 26 of August. 1596-7 John Webbe & Nycholas Gybbons Baylyffs. This yeare and the first daye of October beinge Friday and the elect’ on daye for y e foresaid Baylyffs was chosen common sargiant Edward Lloid corviser Francys Betton shoomaker sergia’t to Mr. Webb and Thomas Phellips baker sergia’t to Mr. Gibbonns. This yeare and the 21 day of November 1596 one John Ludlowe the soon of Roger Ludlo of Salop weav’ hanged hym sellffe in his fathers house the cause therof was not knowe’ but thought to bee his owne wickid purpose beinge a youthe not fullye in his sencies so that before at soondrie tymes assayde thesse wickid meanes to ennde his lyfe but was pre- ventid and seene unto. God be m’cyfull unto us and blesse us all withe his gracious spyrite and to lyve in his love and feare. Amen. This yeare is further to be notid that greate tempest of thunder wynde and rayne hathe ben for the most parte sethins mihelmas last and especially uppon the 27 day of Novemb’r a bout thre of the clocke in the after noone was about Shreus- berie sutche extreeme tempest of wynnde rayne and thoonder w th Hghteninge. This yeare there was by the baylyffs and alderme’ of Shreus- berie w th the commons of the same provision made for corne at Loondon the whiche cam from Danswicke Denmarke and those foren places to ease all England and especially Loondon of the excessyve prices w ch corne bare all England ov’ and especially in Shreusberie so that there was p’vidid a bove 3200 bushell at the least for Shrewsberie and cam by the way of Bristowe and was sold to the commons there after the rate of 8s. the bushell of rie whiche was in the markett at 12s. and better and wheate at 14 & 15s. and also there was preparid to be bakid of the sayde rye 40 bushells weeckely by the towne bakers in peny breed two peny bredd three peny bread and 98 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. foure peny bredd for the poore to have it for their money w ch had not nor were not able to by any other bigger porcion then by the peny ijcZ. iijd. or a grote whiche for want of the same were lycke to perrishe and were so unruly and gredie to have it so that the baylyffs vj men & other officers had mutche a doe to serve the’. The God most mightie sennd plentie y l his chosen flocke perrishe not and dy for want as many in all contrees in England die and goe in greate numbers myser- ably abegginge and leve their howses and be not able to lyve. This yeare and the xtk daye of Januarie 1596 beingeTusday after twelffe day and the quarter seassions for the shire in Shrosbury did contynewe and liolld a bove his ordinarie course whiche was iij dayes the cause was thus they houlde tliere- w th all a gaole delyv’ of the shyre prison’s beinge about 50 in number whereof were 12 put to execuc’on 7 burnt in the hand and 6 apointid to be whipt and the rest for waunt of bills of indictme’t were reiornid untill the next quarter seassions or assises. This yeare and the 20 day of January beinge Thursday senight after the sayd quarter sessions of the shire the towne seassions of gaole delyvi’ was holde’ whe’in sutclie towne prison’s that were foound under the value were lett passe at libertie painge for their irons and chardgs whiche continewed also untill Saturday in the after noon because the saide baylyffs had mutche a doe withe inmates and idle p’soons pesteringe the towne in examinge of the’ and so drive’ owt of the towne to their owne coontres for that they repaired in greate numbers owt of soondrie coontries to lyve idely and loyteringely overcliardginge & hinderinge the chepnes of corne beinge so exceedinge deere by whiche meanes the poore in- habitants had lesse releeffe to their utter undoinge. God amend it whe’ hys will is. Amen. This yeare and the xiijf/t daye of Aprih 1597 a bout 4 of the clocke of the same in the after noone there did raine in the towne of Ludlowe wheate 1 in soom smale quantitie and there was gathered upp a pint of the same whiche was delyv’id to the Lorde President there of y e Marches beinge then at Ludlowe Castell and soom of it brought to the towne of Shreusbury, there did the licke fall in Ponspery and som the licke in Shreusbury verey shortly after the sayd grayne beinge thre square soom in p’fect forme and some blacke & sotfter the’ the naturall forme but full of fiowre and thinnir ryndid 1 This supposed wheat was no doubt the tubers of the common Pilewort, Ranunculus Ficaria (L). EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 99 then the naturall God for his mercies sake turne all to the beast and take pitie uppon us and gyve us all grace to repent and amend Ame’. This yeare and abouts the myds of May corn cam to be at the deerist for wheate was at 18s. the bushell and rye at 15s. beanes at 13s. chesse at 4d. the pound and all other victells after the lycke rate. This yeare and the 21 of June was one Jhon Arrowsmythe the soon of Thomas Arrowsmythe of Shreusburie shoomaker drownid in Seevarn bathinge of hym the same daye. This yeare and the secoond daye of July A 0 p’dict master Thomas Sturrye 1 of Shrewsburie and a gentill’ by birthe of good callinge and soomtymes baylyff of Shrewsburie was drownid passinge hym selffe over the water of Sevarn towards his place at Rossall and in landi’ge hym sellffe beinge to slowe havinge one foote uppon the land and a nother on the boate the boate slyppyd from the one foote before he coulld recover his body to land and so fell backward into the watter and so was drownid w ch was a pitifull case. This yeare and the 28 th of August the greate assise was keapt in thys towne of Shrewsburie and contynewed from Moonday untill Wensday at noone w ch was verey bussie and a quicke dispatche consideringe the gaole beinge so greate in the whiche were condempnid to dye 7 prisoners the w ch goinge to execut’on the sayd Wensday in the after noone there were 6 hangid & one brought backe againe to be savid who was chargid withe the stealinge of a bagge of corne but he wolld have taken hys deathe that he did fynnd the same and so con- scideringe the extreeme dearthe and scarsetie of the yeare was pitied. Mr. Edward Skryve’ 2 Esquire beinge Shyrreff who cam in w th the Judges most valiantly and keapt m Shreusbury duringe the tyme of his contynuance a plentifull howse. This yeare & in the month of Septe’ber was kej)t the towne seassions of Salop of gaoll delyvi’. 1597-8 Thomas Burnell & Rychard Chirwell Baylyves. This yeare the three sergeaunts were to say commun s’giant Willyam Barnes shoomaker Roger Phillipps tann’ sergia’t to Mr. Baylyf Burnell and Phillip Willdinge sargiant to Mr. Baylyff Chirwell. This yeare and in the moonthe of February 1597 was a sessme’t grauntid by bothe baylyffs withe the woorshipps and 1 “ 1597 July 2 Thomas Stury Esq. buried drowned at Little Berwick.” — St. Mary's Register. 2 Of Frodesley. Arms : — arg guttee de sang, a lion rampant sa. 100 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. whole consents of the p’rishion’s of Sainct Chadds 1 in Shros- bury of the soom of xxxli and upwards towards the payment of the newe castinge of the bells in the sayde churche w th the frames wheeles & bell ropes of the same w ch were sore de- cayed and the bells owt of tune and order whiche weare cast & brought in tune and all other things fynisheed before wit- sontyde followinge beinge in June, it is to be notid that bothe the baylyves of thys towne weare this yeare of the sayd p’rrishe beinge verey forward in y e same. This yeare Lent assises was kept at Bridgenorthe the . . . day of Marche 1597 beinge then Shyreffe Mr. Charles Fox Esquire. This yeare in Aprill and in the Ester weeke was a great cock- feight and other pastymes kept in Shreusbury at Rychard Hortoon’s house beinge geylar of the towne upon whose back- sid a howse and the pitt was made for the peaple to staund and soe stand saffe from weather unto the w ch cam Lords Knights and gentilmen at the w ch was grete soms of money woon and lost. The matche was made betweene the Cocks of Cheshire and Lanckashir against the cocks of Shropshire and Wales thidir cam L unden 8 . w fch their cocks whiche held w th Shropshiremen but in the ennd the Cheshireme’ and Lancashir had the victory and wennt away w th the gaynes of greate soms of money. This yeare and the 7th day of Julii were serte’ sowldiars mustrid in Shrosburie and the shire about for Ireland who dep’tid towards Ireland the next day followinge by 4 of the clocke in y e morninge beinge Saturday and y e 8 day of July by water towards Bristowe. This yeare & the xiijt/t day of July 1598 beinge Thursday the towne sessionns of Salop of gaoll delyvery was kept there for all sutche towne prisoners as theire weere to have their tryall at w ch seassions master Townshend his woorshipp beinge of late chose’ by the consent of the communs to be their Steward sate as iudge uppon them & there were 8 executid. The next daye followinge beinge the xij th day [July] there was won Joanes a Shropshyrma’ executyd at Sainct Mary Watterings who studd stowtely a gainst the Queene’s M ts pro- ceedings being a semynary. This yeare master Thomas Sherar 2 * beinge an Alderman of the towne of Salop and boarne in the same and of lonnge tyme 1 In Phillips, p. 85, is a view of old St. Chad’s Church. 2 Son of Edward Sherar by Alice, daughter of John Harris, of Cruckton. He had two wives, and left a large family. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 101 belonginge to the counsell beinge one of the chyffist darks in the same as also the keaper and regestiar of the boocks theare and cheeffe examiner of deepe causes was burieed the towne of Salop the xxviij^ daye of July A 0 . 1598 and dieed in Bewdley where he was attendaunt upon hys offic the counsell the’ lyeinge there, who was solemely burieed and mooche moane made for & especially of his kynn and lyse me’ who had been good to the’ & his servaunts. This yeare Lady Margaret Newport 1 of Eytoon and in the county of Salop wydowe dep’tid this present lyfe the xj th daye of August A 0 , p’d and was buried at Roekcetter the next day followinge beinge hir will so and the xxixth day of August all the bells in Shreusburry dyd ringe in remembrance of hyr the whiche towne she lovytl well and she was belovyd of the in- habytants therin there was bestowyde uppon the poore that day xxli besyds many other placs in the coontery verey amply, she was a verteous lady in all hyr lyfe tyme and verey good to the poore in towne & coontrey. This yeare and the xxxj daye of August beinge Thursday the greate assises was kept in Shresbury the Shirreffe whose name was Mr. Charles Foxe who brought in the iudgs upon Wensday at night before verey woorshippfully withe a goodly trayne in the whiche assises were condempnid and executed uppon the thrid day of Septe’ber beinge Saturday in the after- noon 5 prisoners after the departinge of the iudgs whiche prysoners wennt to their execut’on verey stubburnly & desper- ately, and wolld neither repennt nor praye and when the Sherreffe wolld admonishe the’ to repentance and to conffesse for the example of others they wolld andswer hym so stub- bornly and saye that they cam not thyder to preache. This yeare and in the moon the of Septe’ber at the ennde of the same month corne was solid in Shrewsburie to say Rye the bushell at 3s. 4 d. and wheate at iiijs. and 4s. 4 d. the bushell and other grayne ac’odi’ge. 1598-9 John Rerche Alder’ & Ry chard Dawes Baylyffs. This yeare 1598 and y e 6th day of October beinge the Friday next after Mylielmas daye beinge also upon a Fridaye were chosse’ the forsayde Mr. John Pearche Alderma’ and Mr. Richard Dawes Baylyffs and Richard Teanche commun sargia’t and the other two sargia’ts were Robart Smythe shoomaker and Thomas Coomiye taylor to saye the sayd R 1 Smythe sergia’t to Bayly Pearche and T. Toomiy shergya’t to Bayly Dawes, 1 Her altar tomb of effigies of herself and her husband, Sir Francis Newport, is on the south side of the Chancel of Wroxeter Church. 102 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare and the eighth of January beinge Monday there were two of the Clarcks beinge watermen and dwellmge in Shreusburie were drownid in passinge w th a bardge throughe the Walsh bridge laden w th wood and other more in danger of drowninge at the same tyme it is further to be understood that the bardge that they were in was their owne beinge in towne 3 breethre’ in all wliouse names were to say Edward Clarcke John Clarcke and Richard Clarcke cooming all downe the water lade’ as a foresayd and thinckinge to shute the bridge the ennd of the same towchinge the bridge tornyd the same a crosse the bridge overwhelmyd and they all fell into the water Edward the eldist escapid by greate lucke, John and Richard beinge drownyd and y e water the’ beinge greate Richard beinge the yongist was not foound before Saturday followinge being the xij th day of Februarie at Bulgars loade 1 under the wall and John was nott foonde before the 8 day of Februarie which was 31 dayes after his drowninge and was foond betweene the Beyond the Walls & Stury’s Closse stickinge at the roote of a wythye. This yeare and the 1 6th daye of February was the gaole delyvi’ in Shrosbery in the whiche there was but one executed whose name was Dod who was a notable theffe or ells he hadd not suffered no more the’ the ooder dyd for Mr. Townssliend 2 beinge Stuarde and J udge over them was so full of pitie and mercy that his woorshipp did what was possible for the lyfe. The greate Assize was kept in Bridge northe the 5th day of Marche A 0 p’dicto beinge Shyreffe of Shropshire S r Edward Ivynnaston knight 3 who cam in thider most woorthely and keapt there sutclie a bowntyfull howse for most of the gentil- me’ and others strangers besydes the townes men there also invitid w th comm’s and gears that the inholders were speedily hyndred y l the licke there was nev r seene. This yeare and the 4 th daye of June A 0 . 1599 the counsell of the Marches of Wales cam to this towne of Shrewsburie to kepe tearme there and contynewed but one tearme and de- parted here hence seale and all the 6 of July the towne being 1 Bulgerode was a gate or postern at the bottom of Roushill. 2 Henry Townshend, of Cound, Esq., afterwards Sir Henry (3rd son of Sir Robert Townshend, chief justice of Wales), buried at Cound 9th Dec., 1621. His daughter Elizabeth married Edward Cresset, Esq., of Upton Cresset. See also Trans. Shropsh. Arch. Soc., 3, 130. 3 Of Oteley, father of Sir Francis Kynaston, a poet and scholar, Esquire of the Body to Charles I., and Regent of the “ Museum Minervae.” Arms : — az., a lion rampant sa. — Blakeway’s Sheriffs. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 103 woorse the’ the better for the’ because they made provision for the’ for two tearmes and keapt but one. This yeare and the xvj th daye of August the greate assise was keapt in Shrewsbery beinge Shireffe therof Sir Edward Kinnaston who cam in to r’s the iudges valiantly and keapt ope’ bowse to all comm’s for beere and beeffe and sumptous cheere at hys sett table for gentilme’ strangers and me’ of accompt com where of that sort wolld & wellcom. This yeare and the 7 th of September beinge Fry day the towne seassions of Shreusberye was hollden in the w ch were condemnyd of towne pryson’s & the rest savyd beinge Stuard and iudge of them master Townsend a most woorthy Esquire. This yeare & the xvjt/i. day of September beinge Soonday was burnt by myschance of fyer in the night tyme in a villedge w th in a myle of the towne of Shrewsbury callyd Brase Meele two bowses and a barne full of corne downe to the grownd w cU was by the meanes of leavinge an ennd of a candell burninge that the fyer coming in the dead of the night all was spoylid before it coulld be stayde or any thinge to any a compt savyd. This yeare dep’tid this p’sent lyffe Sir Bye’ Shutterworthe beinge Justice in the counsell of the M’ches of Wales who was a just conscionable & pitifull man & good to the poore. 1599-1600 Master Thomas Edwards & master Edward Owen Baylyffs. This yeare and the 5 th daye of October A° 1599 beinge the Frydaye next followinge after Myhelmas daye beinge the usuall day for the election of Baylyffs and Officers for the towne of Shrewsbury were electyd, and chosen Baylyves the foresayd master Thomas Edwards Esquire & mr. Edward Owen Alderman and commen sargiant Rychard ap Richard weaver and y e two other sargiaunts were Richard Hardinge the yonger taylor sergiant to Mr. Edwardds & Geordge Phellips sherman sergiant to Mr. Owen. Further there ys to be noted that after the choosinge of master Edwards to be Baylyffe he wold not bee nor take the office uppon hym but stoodd uppon a pryveledge of the howse he dothe dwell in beinge in tymes past a colledge 1 and therfore he sayd he ought nott to be nottw th standinge beinge a good gentilman and at lengthe pswadid beinge made of love by his frynnds was contennt and did r’s his office thanckfully uppon this condic’on that uppon the choise of two lernyd men the 1 The College of St. Chadd. 104 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. one for the towne and the ooder for hym sell that yf it were iudgid by the freedom of his howse that he shulld not be chargid withe that office yeat wolld he serve the office the yeare owt and never after to be charged withe any agayne, and yf it fell owt by lawe in their iudgeme’ts that hee ought and most take y m office then to be contentyd withe good will to r’s the same when herafter itt shulld fortune by ord r and turne to fall to his lott. This yeare and the 6 of October Mr. Robart Ireland Esquire departid this present lyffe who was a stowt protestant and a furtherar of the poore, a good house keeper and one y l keptt greate countenance in his proseedings in this towne he died godly in good remembraunce unto the last ennde and was solemly burieed in Sainct Chadds churche in Shreusbury for whom were many weepinge teares & greate moane he will be myssid of his kinsfolke and freeunds. The baylyves this yeare dyd diligently looke unto and ov’see the bakers in especially and others artyfysors bothe in theire assises of breadd and other weights and measures for over charginge the poore in more obstricter maner the’ liathe been done before. This yere was apoyntid a cryar for the night tyme (whose name ys Rychard Morrys beinge the commune bellman of Salop for the daye) to krye and call through.# the towne in the night gyvinge all peeple knowledge of the clocks to take heede of doores & locks, of fyer and candell light & so byddinge them all good nyght w ch is a good order to avoyd the dangers that might followe. This yeare and in the moonthe of November to say the 29 day a welthy tanner of Whitingtoon called lveson drownid hym sellffe in a smale water by his owne house beinge a man of good yeares and a verey honest man in all his dealings w ch caused his neyghboors and people to marvell mutche therat, but ov’ com withe the wickid spirite as the Dyvill is most busiest uppon good peapell to woorcke his will to alter theyre good meanings, y t most tymes forget to call uppon God bringethe the’ to desperac’on God gyve us all grace to call uppon hym that wee be not temptid above our strengthe Amen. This yeare and in thesse baylyves tymes and the xxi xth day of December in the nyght there was a barne of corne and hey burnt of mystres Langles wydowe 1 dwellinge in the Abbey of 1 This was the widow of Richard Langley, of the Abbey, gent, who .died 1587, the son of Wm. Langley, the purchaser of the Abbey. Mrs. Elizabeth Langley was d. and coh. of Wm. Poyner, of Abbey foregate, gent. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 105 Shreusbury throughe the myschance of a candle laft negli- gently in the oxeliouse sarving them the same nyght, and yf great help had not been the oxen and all had been burnt, and the husband that was so neclygent roon away. The barne was full of wheate rye & hey havinge therby greate losse. This yeare & y e thrid daye of m’che beinge mu’day the greate assise was kept at Bridgenorthe beinge Sherriffe Mr. Humfrey Lea 1 of Longnor who kept a bountyfull howse there. This yeare & the xth of Marche Hoomfrey Sherars howse of Salop sherma’ clwellinge in the Barkers streete was by mys- chance sett on fyer throughe a lull y 1 bee had & no grete harme doon savinge y e kill was burnt & all the malt theron, the housse beinge wette and filthely slabbered by reasoon of ye speedy helpe of the water in tanpitts hard by was in good tyme slakid. This yeare and the vij th daye of Aprill one Robart beinge ostelar of the Redd Lyon in Shreusburie goinge whomewards to visit his ffrennds was sett on by the way by one David Davies ali’s Cricke uppon an old grudge and in fyght withe the company of a taylor that cam in company withe the sayd Davies the sayd ostelar was slayne by the sayd Davies about Hadnall goinge uppon his iurney. There was this weeke in the sayd towne of Salop div’se houses frightened with fyer throughe the neckligence of loockinge to kills as to say Ry chard Yemans tann’ and Cundertoons howse a bruar in the Abbey foreyate but tliancks be to God no harme doon. The xi xth daye of Aprill A 0 p’d a servant of master Thomas Onslows of borow Attoon neere Baschurche in the countie of Salop whose name was Peter Carter stood uppon the pillorie with a paper uppon his hedd as conscerninge a vehement suspic’on in hym to pretend y e poysoinge of his sayd Mr., the dishe and spone w ch servid hym w th poddedg wherin the poyson was and p’tly of the poyson that was laft in the bottoom of the same of the w ch he tasted beinge p’sently sycke of the same notwithestandige by Gods goodnes escapid the danger of deathe. This yeare one John Ockeley of Awburburie a husband ma’ belonginge to Mr. Thomas Leighton whose tenan’t he also was his howse was burnt throughe a kill & lost above c li for all was burnt. 1 Of Lee Hall, Langley and Acton Burnell, created a Baronet 1620. Arms : — gu. a fesse componee or and az. between 8 billets, 4 in chief aDd 4 in base arg. There are views in Mrs. S. Acton’s Garrisons and Mansions of Lee Hall, Langley and Acton Burnell. 106 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. This yeare and the 17 tit daye of Maij beinge Saturday and as it fell owt thys yeare to be trynytie soonday eeve one master Thomas Leighton Esquire of Watelsboorow by Awbur- berie in the countie of Salop beinge capte’ of all the traynyd men in Shroppshire and a woorthy stowt gentil’ and wel- belovid of y e whole shire who was woont to trayne the’ in y e towne of Salop dep’tid this p’sent lyffe about ix of the clocke in the forenoone of the sayd day whose sowle God take to his mercy. Amen. This yeare and about this tyme all kynnde of come began to rise to say wheate at 7s rye at vs vjcZ otts at 2s 8 cl &° and is feared will com to be deerar. the cause is iudgid that throughe the greate waunt of fodder and grasse many me’ in most places were forsed to thrashe upp theire cornne from stoare to feed and save their cattell for they were willinge to delyv’ one hallffe of their cattell to feed the oder and especially in Wales notwithstandi’ge great numbers of cattell dyed, the tyme of yeare was so hard that scant in the beginninge of May was any blossom of tree or grasse apeeringe to any good effect. God wee hope will mend it. Amen. This yeare and the 17 th daye of June the towne sessions in Shrewsberie of gaole deliv’ was kept there then and those prison’s y l were there weare all savid savinge one whose name was David Davies a shoomaker & boarne in the sayde towne who was executid for murtheringe the ostelar of the redd lyon of the same towne who was all the tyme of his apprehencion and aboade in warde wickedlye and desperately mynded but goinge to his execuc’on mortified and dyed godly and patiently God bee prayseed. This yeare 1600 and in the monthe of June cam from Loondon S r Edward Lewckn' to be iustis of the counsell in the m’ches of Wales and toocke his place in the rowme of Sir Richard Shittelwoorthe discessyd beinge a verteous man and good to the poore. This yeare & the 24 of June A 0 p’d beinge Mydsomm’ dave the good Esquire Tho’as Leighton of Watelsborowe in the countie of Salop, his funeral was solempnised there w th the niimber of all y u traynid souldiars of Salop in battell raye and most valiantly shott of their peces at the buriall and returninge thence in m’oinge aray departed acordinge to the usuall order of their champion and Capten as he was ov’ them most pytifully to behold. This yeare and the 31 of July was the grete assyse kept in Shrewsburie fallinge upon a Thursdaye beinge shireffe of the shire Mr. Humffrey Lea who cam in withe y e iudges upon EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 107 Wensday before in y e afternoone with a goodly company in brave order in the w'hiche assyses all those pryson’s w ch were cast had their boocks & were savid so there was non put awaye. Tliis yeare & the 3th daye of August beinge Soonday a Walshe boye of Thomas Gittins of Franckvill goinge in the morninge withe a trotting mare towarrds the fillde and rydinge uppon the same was throwne downe of hir uppon his head and so broosyd y l he nev’ spake woorde but dieed presently after. 1600-1 Mr. William Joanes & Mr. Tho’as Lewis Baylyffs. This yeare & the thrid day of October 1600 beinge the Friday next after Myghelmas daye the usuall daye for the elect’on of the newe Baylyffs & offic’s for the towne of Shreusburie were chossen the sayd Mr. W m Joanes & Mr. Thomas Lewis beinge bothe Alderme’ Baylyffs as y s aforesayd & John Gittins butcher common sergia’t and the other two sargiants were to say John Buttery weav’ sergia’t to Mr. Balyffe Joanes and Thomas Maninge draper s’giaunt to Mr. Baylyffe Lewis. And it is further to be notid y t the Electors weare longe tyme in controv’sy in agreinge upon the commun sergiant beinge two in force of elect’on to saye John Gittins & Fraunc’s Bettoon notwithstandinge at the ennd they all agreeid that their severall names shulld be bothe putt into the bagge and the towne clarcke to pull owt one of them and he y* was by liym puld owt shulld be common sergia’t and so he pullid owt the sayd John Gittins who had the office as aforesayd & so was all endid. This yeare Henry Earle of Pembrooke beinge Lord President of the Marches of Wales departed this present lyfe in December A° d’ni 1600 and was buried at London in Lennt followinge withe greate solempnitie he contynued in this sayd office but y e space of xiij tB yeares. This yeare and in the moonthe of Januarie were apointed by the sayd Baylyffs serten to brewe beere and ale for the towne of Shrewsberry and to put downe all pan brewars especially commen alehouses that usedd bruinge but the inholders might yf they thought beast to brewe for the utterance and provision of them selves and intertayneme’t of their gheasts. This yeare and the 10t,h daye of February cam sertificats to all Sherreffs baylyffs and officers in hir m tis name all England over and the sayde daye to the Baylyves of this Towne of Shrewsbery w th greate chardge in hir m tis name for dilligent wetche and warde and to kepe theire towne and liberties in good order and peace, and to suppresse all tumowts, unlawfull assemblis and rebellion y‘ might happen. 108 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. The xvth of Februarie cam downe to Shreusburie datid the 9th of February a p’clamacon as concerninge y e rysinge of the sayd Earle [of Essex] and disobedience used to my L. Keeper beinge chyffe iudge of England and others in loekinge them upp in bis bouse beinge sennd for. This yeare & the xxiijt/t of Marche was the greate assyse in Bridgenorthe beinge Shirreff for the shire S r Frances Newport beinge a woortby & a valiant man. This yeare & in .the beginninge of J une corne was deare to say wbeate at 8s. Gd. and rye at 7s. and for want of gresse & scarsnes of money all kinde of cattell resonably cbepe as to say horses kyne and sbeepe. This yeare to say all the moontlie of June & July was ex- treeme hott drie and dustie y* the grasse in many places for the most p’t burnid verey sore that liaye becam so deare to say 15s. 16s. 18s. & 20s. and upwards for the loade of heye as the loads were and smale gressinge for cattell. This yeare and in these Baylyffs tymes the towne seassions of gaole delyvi’ in Shreusberie was holden the xvj and xvijt/t daye of July where there were many prysoners but only one executed callyd Bowckley and the reast savid under the value but were poonnyshed and whippid. This yeare & the 30 of July beinge Thursdaye the greate Assise was kept in Shreusburie w ch contynewed 3 dayes beinge Shyrreffe of the Shire S r Frances Newport, the iustices therof were Justes Walmsby & iustice Warberton bothe of the common place unto the w ch assyse cam mutche people by reasonn of the fayre and sysses chanced to coom togeather notwithstandinge bothe gentili’ & yome’ sparid their purses money beinge scant and many beinge neere the towne cam on foote and the horseme’ sutche as were made short karyeinge : the iudgs cam into the towne upon Thursdaye morninge and contynewyd unto Saterday eveninge and the’ departed no further the’ master Owens of Coondor at w ch assyses were many prison’s but were all savid. God graunt the’ grace to amend Amen. This .yeare and the 6 day of August 1601 there were sowldiars sennt into Ireland owt of Shropshire to say the number of 50 wherof the towne & liberties did furnyshe and sennt 3 the names of whom were Thomas ap Thomas laborar Danyell Morris sherman and another of the liberties whose name was Edward Cloobb butcher dwellinge at Montfords bridge and dep’tid all towards Bristowe y e same daye. This yeare and the 24 day of September A° prod’ there were chose’ in the castell of Salop knights for the shire Mr. Roger EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 109 Owen Esquire and Mr. Thomas Egertoon my Lord Keepers soon to gyve attendance on the parliment apointid to begin at Westmester the 24 of October next ensuinge but reiornid 3 days further. 1601-2 Rychard Hyggns & Thomas Joanes Baylyfis. This yeare and y e secoond day of October 1601 beinge Fry day next after Mihelmas daye the usuall daye for y e election of the newe Baylyffes & ofiic’s for the towne of Shrewsbery were chosen the sayd Mr. Rychard Hyggins tann’ and Mr. Thom’ Joanes soon unto Mr. William Joanes draper, Baylyffs and William Bowdelar sherma’ common sergia’t and the other two sergiants were Willy am Hurst shoomacker sergiant to Mr. Baylyff Hyggyns and Thomas Davis taylor s’gia’t to Mr. Baylyff Joanes. This yeare and the 6th daye of October 1601 beinge Teus- day in the morni’ge was a lyttle howse of Thomas Jones shoo- maker beinge upon the Walshe bridge over the water in Shreusberie som p’t of it burnt withe fyer w ch cam by mys- chance of the snoffinge of a caundle wherin he lost mutche of hys stuffe & apparrell to his greate hinderance & partly un- doings. This yeare & y e 15 th day of October beinge Thursday were chosen burgesses of the parlyment for the towne of Shreus- berie Mr. Reignold Scryve’ esquire and Mr. John Barker of Hamoonde in the choise of whom was greate adoe. There is further to be noted the comen sai’giant whiche was chossen this yere for the towne of Shreusbery Willia’ Bowdelar by name as aforesayd after he had taken his othe wolld not be bonde to the same and gave ov’ y e same and in his place was chose’ and swoorne Robert Ball glov’ who supplyethe the place for this yeare. This yeare & the 29 th daye of October one Mr. Roger Luter was buried in Saynt Chadds in Shreusbery who had ben thrise Baylyfe of the sayd towne and was also Alderma’ &c but gave over his cloke because he gave hym selffe to dwell in the coontrey and toward his later dayes repayreed into the towne agayne where he dyeed, hee was 44 yeares ollde when he was fyrst made baylyfe w ch was in y e yeare of o r Lord God 1543 so y* hee lyveed 90 yeares beinge a wisema’ havinge his memory & speeche to y e last howre God be praysed who lyeth buried in the Lady Chappell as may apeere overheadd in sight the pictures or proporc’on of Lute’s signifieinge his aw’cietris names whoo made the ruffe of the same beinge therunder buried he was a gentil’ of smale launds yeat by his wisdoom countenance and wise governme’t bare it owt w th sutche 110 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY credit that twise his betters did not here the licke portt of humanytie. This yeare and upon Christmas daye in the morninge throughe grete tempests of weather and rayne that Severn water did rise in the suburbs of Shreusberie into the in- habitants bowses there w ch contynewed 5 dayes together y* the peaple there keapt a loft in theire chamberes withe sutche p’vision the had or coulld be brought to them by water and at the 5th dayes ennd began to fall that the inhabitants might goe downe to their liowses, but w th in two days followinge it did rise agayne within a foote of the same height w ch con- tynewid two dayes beinge a very hevye Christmas & discom- fortable to the sayd inhabytaunts for it troublyd them sore in washinge downe their walles ovens & furnases to their greate hinderance & losses besides. This yeare & the 28 daye of January beinge y e Thusday before Candelmas day A 0 , p’d Syvern water did ryse agayne into the said suburbes of Shrewsberie into those formar peoples bowses but not so highe as the first water was by threequarte’ of a yard and wennt downe the next day after but did smale hurtt, so that so often of risinge & slowinge of waters fyrst and last so neere together of sutche contynuance w th extreeme wyndes bathe not been seene this hundreed yeares before. This yeare and the 8th of Marche was the greate assize for thys tyme keapt at Bridge northe beinge Shyrriffe of the shyre Mr. Francis Newtoon 1 who dyd welcom in the iudggs there very soberly and wysely to hys creadid. This yeare and about the myds of Trynitie tearm beinge in June A 0 , p’d the Lord Edward Sowche was made Lorde President of the Marches of Wales who cam not downe unto Ludlow castell to take there his place before the 14 th daye of August followinge God sennd hym longe lyfife to e’ioye the same w th m’cye & iustice Amen. This yeare and the 19 th daye of July was the greate assyze keapt in Shrewsburye but the iudgis cam in the day before conducted by the Sherref of the sayd shire whose name was master Francis Newton 2 very bravely brought in by hym beinge a sober and wyse gentilman wliiche keapt an oppe’ house bothe for victell and beere coom that coom woulld at wliiche assize were condempned 4 persons wherof were but 3 executed and the fourthe beinge beggyd of the J udggs by the Shirref and freends was from the tree backe againe &> savid. 1 2 Of Heightley, grandson of Sir Peter Newton, Sheriff in 1503. Arms : — arc/., a cross formee fleury, sa. ends or. — Blakeway’s Sheriffs. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. Ill This yeare and in this moonthe of August were men pressyd in Shropshire to say the number of 50 p’sonns for Irelaund of the w ch number the towne of Shrewsberie did fynde two p’sonns. This yeare and against Lammas daye were most p’t of Englaund ov’ p’vydid for one kinde of bushell afte’ the order of London or Winchester measure w ch mesure is lesse than the olid usual bushell by a pecke so that the newe bushell is but three whoopes and after that order to be rebatid in the price of the olid bushell in Shreusber as also in other townes and places accordinge to their prises and sysees notw th standinge som towards Wales and Chester do stande against the altera- c’on because they say it was not agreid by p’lyme’t the whiehe is contrarie to reason seinge one equall measure ought to be all England ov’ whiehe is more commendable then one syze of measure in one place and a nother in another place to dyffer mutche from another and of sondry alterac’ons beinge under- nethe one prynce and iurisdic’on. This yeare and in this moonthe of Septe’ber harvist was slacke beinge a weery harvest the tyme beinge most p’t moyst that there was aboondance of gresse evi’ where and the corne in many places cloggid with tarr and the wether so un- certayne that neyther corne nor heye cowld scant in season be takin in notwithstandinge for all that there was plenty al- thoughe the harvist was long and a late harvist by means wherof the newe lyttill bushell of wheate cam to 4s. 4d. and 4s. 8 d. and so all other graine accordinge to the same rate, all garden seedes as onyons porwt beanes pease and other mounted all upp to the topp and cam to no p’fect perfect’ on for lacke of warme and drie weather especially onynions w ch roon upp into the blade that shulld have ben in the headd and the onyon seeds for lacke of drought and drye weather fell owt to be quassed and eaten w th birds that were greate losse in them, Smale store of mast, small store of aples peares and plumbs and especially in the coontreys of Worcester and Glocest’ w cU countreys were never woont to fayle so that those coontreys w ch were woont to be refreshid withe greate store of cyder and perye now shall fayne to macke them drincke of mailt w ch will cause mailt in those coontreys to be deere. Also hopps this yeare are scaunt in most places that the C weight was solid at Sturbridge fayre for xli and by retale here in Shrewsbery for ijs. ijs. 4d. and 3s. the pounde and non p’fett good to be gott’n the w ch excessyve pryse were nev’ hard of before. This yeare uppon Mychaellmas even and the day also did fall a greate snowe and frost withe all whiehe hathe ben silden 112 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. seene w eh snowe did beate downe mutche com whiche did then growe and hay lyeinge a broade but God be praysed did not longe tarrie but hinderid sore the latter ennd of liarvist. 1G02-3 Mr. John Perche Aid’ & Mr. Roger Marshall Baylylfs. This yeare 1G02 and the first day of October beinge the Fryday next after Mycha 8 day beinge the usuall day for the choosinge of newe Baylyffs for the towne of Salop the 25 persons that wennt in to the elect’on howse keapt there from Friday one of the clocke untill Saturday 6 of the clocke at night and at leangtlie agreid and made Mr. John Pearche and Mr. Marshall Baylyffs as aforesayd and Rychard Fawckner corviser common sergiant and the other two sergiants were Andrew Warner taylor & Rychard Harris taylor to say Warner sergia’t to master Baylyffe Pearche and Harris sergiant to Mr Baylyff Marshall. This yeare and the 30 day of January A 0 . 1G02 beinge Soon- daye dep’tid this lyfe the woorthy Mrs. Elnor Myttoon late wyfe of Mr. Rychard Myttoon esquire shee was buried the Thursdaye followinge verey solumely beinge of the full adge of 90 yeares she was of greate birthe and verey good to the poore vertious & godly she wolld dayly pray most devoutly 3 whole liowres before noon & 3 whoale howres in the afternoone & never stoore but those tymes uppon liir knees, the God of peace no doubt bathe rs d hir to his m’cye Amen. This yeare and the xi\)th daye of Marche A° 1G02 beinge Munday the greate Assize was keapt in Shreusberye for the shire who was Sheirefe of the sayd shire Mr. Roger Kynnastoon 1 beinge iustes of peace dwellinge in Hordley who cam into the towne w tu the iudgges the xiijf/i day of Marche in the after noone beinge the Soonday before w th a goodly company bothe of liys owne men in lyverey and his well willers & their retynewe about 250 p’soons keepinge a greate port in the sayde towne, there was so many prison’s and number of Isiprics w ch caused grett multituds of people to resort the whiche by the quiche dispatch of the sayd iugges sittinge early and late dispatched bothe the gaole & all by Wensday at noone and then dep’tid towards Stafford in the w cU greate assize was condemnid but one man beinge Hughe ap Hum- freys base soon of the Crigge’ who was executed uppon Thurs- day in the morninge next followinge & a number burnid in y e haund. 1 Grandson of Humphrey Kynastou (“Wild Humphrey”), ofMarton in Lordship of Knockin, and great nephew of Sir Thos. Kynnaston, of Hordley, Sheriff in 1599, Arms: — arg., a lion rampant, sa., quartering arm . , a chevron gu.— Blakeway ’s Sheriffs. EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. 113 There was a prentise of Salop y c 16 of Marche in holdinge the iiulggis horses to be in a redynes against they dynid sore broosed by the fall of a rotten peece of tymber w ch fell a lofte from under a wyndowe nere where the iudggis cam into dyner throughe y e leaninge owt of serten people to see the iudges com from the hall the w ch prentise is in greate danger to recov’ it. This yeare and the 17 th day of M’che there was a generall watche and commandid to be warely keapt bothe night and day w oh is observyd in this towne of Shreusberye acordingely God save the Queenes M tie Amen. The 27 of Marche A 0 p’dicto beinge Soonday Kinge James was proclaymid in the afternoone of the same daye in the towne of Shreusbery by the Baylyffs & Alderme’ in theire skarlet gownes w th the woorshiprall and the rest of the commons w th sownde of troompets & droomes wortliely and ioyfully in castinge up theire haundes and shakinge of hatts & capps in sainge God save kinge James. Amen. The 28 of Marche beinge Moonday the Sherriffe of Shrop- shire then beinge whose names was Justiece Kinnaston w th the Juistices and gentill’ of the shire cam to Shreusbery w th theire greate horses and proclamyd there w th sownde of troompit in licke solemne man’ for the shire to say James the first kinge of England France & Ireland &c. This yeare in the later ennde of Marche and begin ni’ge of Aprill the wynde dyd rise verey extreemly whiche did con- tynewe 4 daves day & night w ch did mutche hurt in many places. This yeare and the 24 th day of July A 0 1603 the counsell of the Marches of Wales cam to Shreusberye and the seale cam 4 dayes before and they contynewyd the tearme and vakant tyme till the 7th day of October folio winge and so departid to Ludlowe w th seale and all w ch was abowt a moonthe after Michalmas. Such are the extracts which I have made from Dr- Taylor’s quaint old MS. Chronicle relating to Shrop- shire generally, and especially to Shrewsbury. They cannot fail to amuse and interest the reader by their special phraseology, the minute particularity with which events, even those which to us appear trivial, are related, and the insight afforded into the circum- stances, habits and customs of the writer’s period. Very many incidents and events known from other 114 EARLY CHRONICLES OF SHREWSBURY. n* sources receive ample and particular confirmation. Many new and unknown circumstances and events are recorded, as for example, the cause of the burning of Shiffnal Church, the building of the Market Hall at Shrewsbury, the early supply of conduit water to the town of Shrewsbury, the purchase of the land on which the springs arise, and the gradual and successive way in which the conduiting apparatus was perfected, the benefactors to whom we owe this comfort, and many others which do not at a moment recur to recollection. The writer was evidently a contemporary of the cir- cumstances which he details, and was a close observer of what occurred around him. This renders his narra- tion the more valuable as relating to an age in which newspapers were not, and in which the every day occurrences of a provincial town would otherwise have sunk into utter oblivion. Words are often used in a peculiar and unusual sense— one only example may suffice, the word “ murthered ” being used indifferently of wilful or accidental death. On concluding our perusal, one cannot fail to exclaim in the oft- quoted expression of our great national poet, Shakspeare : “I could not wish a better chronicler than Griffiths.” Specialities : family Jiistory. Genealogy. y ^ Topograpljy. / £)$ Hurpismata. /'bookseller Aptiquariap, Genealogical, AND Topographical K 4* S ^ l?fublisl)er, qr/v, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, W.C. Correspondence and Lists of Wants invited.