Egerton MS 2886

COMPOTUS-BOOK of the Guild of the Blessed Mary in St. Botolph's church, Boston, co. Linc., 1514-1525; containing annual statements of receipts and payments by the Alderman, Secretary, Chamberlains and Bailiffs of the guild or their deputies. The Bailiffs' accompts deal with property in Boston, and also in the following adjacent places: Wyberton, Skirbeck, Bennington, Leake, Wigtoft, Wrangle, "Longfenne," Holbeach, Kirton, Sutterton, Algarkirk, Fosdyke, Donin-ton and Quadring. The Chamberlains' accompts include alms for the soul of Anne, "nuper Regine Anglie, fundatricis huius Gilde" (ff. 16, 42 b, etc.), probably meaning Anne of Bohemia, wife of Richard II., who died on Whit- 1394, the anniversary being observed on Whit Tuesday; but the guild existed at least as early as 1378 (see P. Thompson, Hist. of Boston, 1856, p. 57). There are also statements by the Chamberlains' deputies "in partibus australibus, occidentalibus, borialibus, Wallia, et comitatibus Kancie, Surrie," etc. (ff. 19 b, 46, etc.). The Secretary's accompts are largely concerned with receipts and payments "super perquisicionem bullarum apostolacirum," (ff. 26 b, 48 b, 79, etc.); some of them are made on behalf of Nicholas Bradebrige, D.D., Chancellor of Lincoln, or relate to payments made to him (ff. 79, 181). Receipts "pro et super expedicione et acquisiciotie bullarum apostolicaruiu" also appear in the Alderman's accompts (f. 114). These Compoti were noticed by Thompson, op. cit., pp. 138-9. He describes the guild (p. 134) as "undoubtedly the Gilda Mercatoria of Boston"; but this is questioned by C. Gross, The Gild Merchant, i., 1890, p. 10. Vellum; ff. i. + 303. 12¾ in. x 1½ in. A.D. 1514-1525. Bound in wooden boards covered with deerskin.