Royal MS 17 B XLVII

COLLECTIONS on Dictamen or the art of letter-writing, with legal and other commonplaces, for use in London. One of the compilers seems to have been connected with the northern part of Hampshire, and probably with the family of Leigh of Herriard. Contents:-

1. Poems, viz.:-(a) Dietary, or verses on the health of body and soul (10 x 8 lines, rhymes ababbcbc); perhaps, as ascribed in two Oxford MSS., by John Lydgate (see H. N. MacCracken, The Lydgate Canon, 1908, p. xiii). Printed by Caxton as Medicina Stomachi (The Gouernayle of Helthe, &c., circ. 1491, repr. Blades, 1858), by Halliwell (Lydgate's Minor Poems, Percy Soc., 1840, p. 66) from Harley MS. 2251, and by Furnivall (Babees Book, E. E, T. S., 1868, p. 54) from a Lambeth MS., with a Latin version from Sloane MS. 3534. The text differs considerably in the eighteen Museum MSS. (to MacCracken's list add, besides the present MS., Add. 11307 and Harley 541). Beg. 'For helth of body keuere from cold thy hede, Etc no raw mete, take gode heede therto'. f. 2;-(b) 'Prudence' (7 lines), beg. 'Enforce thy witte somwhat for to lese, Aquaynte the with konnyng for þat is ay sure'. f. 3 b.

At the end of art. 1 (f. 3 b) are added in later hands, among other scribbling.-(a) Recipes, in Lat. verse (beg. 'Vinum lacte laua, oleum licore faborum') and Engl. prose, for taking out stains;-(b) Quatrain in Engl. beg. 'Wele were him þat wiste To whom he might trust'; followed by a corresponding Lat. distich beg. ' Felix qui sciret in quo confidere quiret'.

2. Forms of grant and notes on tenures and other legal matters, chiefly relating to London, many being decisions given 'per m[aiorem]'. In Latin and French. In several hands. f. 4. Among them are:-

(a) Definition of a 'daywerk' of land. f. 5;-(b) Rules relating to apprenticeship in London. f. 6 ;-(c) Extracts from Letterbook K and another London record called Albus Liber (not that edited by Riley). ff. 6 b, 7 ;-(d) Rule about sealing wills. f. 7 ;-

(e) Form of prohibition in a suit by Rich. Halle, Doctor of Canon Law, rector of S. Michael, Cornhill, and Tho. Russell and Walter Hersy, church wardens, against John Brown, of the parish of S. Botolph without Aldersgate; 27 Jan. a^o 28 Hen. VI (?). No such rector occurs in the lists, but Richard Halle, Doctor of Canon Law, is mentioned in Cal. Pat. Rolls, 28 Hen. VI, p. 309. f. 11;-(f) Extracts from the provincial canon law of Canterbury concerning wills (cf. Wilkins, Concilia, ii, pp. 59, 553, 698, 705). f. 11 b;-(g) 'En tantz des maners homme ne fra sa ley': rules relating to purgation, with Lat. mnemonic verses. f. 15 b;-(h) Rules for computing scutage, beg. 'Sciendum est quod magnum feoduni militare constat ex quatuor hidis'. Followed by measures of length. f. 15 b.

Artt. 1, 2 consist of seven leaves uncertain and one gathering of 14. There is an old foliation 33, 34 on ff. 1, 2 ; 35-45 on ff. 10 sqq. On f. 19 b is written 'Iste liber pertinet ad Iohannem Chowne'.

3. Forms of bonds or obligations, chiefly relating to London, and many dated between 27 and 34 Hen. VI [1449-1456]. In Lat., Fr., and Engl. In several hands. f. 20. Among them are:-

(a) Customs bond of Rob. Ouerton and Will. Pykeryng, citizens and mercers, to John Powtrell and Will. Beaufitz, collectors 30 Apr., s.a. f. 20 ;-(b) Bill for 200 l. by John [Sutton al. Dudley], Baron Dudley, Treasurer of the Household, and John Wode, Under treasurer, to Rich. Bird, Serjeant of the Catery; 18 Apr. 32 Hen. VI [1454]. Engl. f. 21;-(c) Three bonds relating to brewhouses called 'le goze on þe hoop', 'le corbet', and 'le pecok on the hoop' in the parish of S. Botolph without Aldersgate ; n.d. ff. 23 b, 24;-(d) Bond of Rob. Halle, Reginald and Arnold to serve Thomas Crafford for 3 months as archers, with jack, sallet, bow, 24 arrows, sufficient strings, a dagger and a bill, poleaxe or leaden mallet, in a voyage proposed by Rich. Seintbarbe to Calais, and to pay the said Thomas one third of the profits of prisoners, &c.; n. d. The time of the muster is to be fixed by the said Richard in concert with Rob. White, mayor of the staple of Calais, Rob. Horn, and Will. Cantelowe, merchants of the said staple. f. 24;-(e) Bonds relating to ships called 'le Mary. Knyght' and 'le Mighell de Fobbyng' ; n.d. ff. 26,26 b;-(f) Bond of a parish-clerk. f. 28 b; - (g) Bond of a renter-warden of the Mercers' Company. f. 29;-

(h) Bond of Tho. Payn and Hen. Crisp, executors of Rob. Cotton. clothworker, concerning a debt due by Rich. Leylond, esq. ; n. d. f. 32;-(i) Bond for arbitration by Will. Norman and Tho. Lee. Rob. Hale and Nich. Westloker., between A. and B. and Rich' Witles about repair 'unius plumbi vocati le Waterlede in fornace positi' in a brewhouse called 'le Sterre and le Cheker' in the parish of S. Martin, Outwich; n. d. f. 33 ;-(k) Bond for conveyance of the manors of Woughton, co. Bucks, and Ashdon-hall, co. Essex, from John Nowers and Johanna his wife to Rich. Nowers; n.d. f. 35 ;-(l) Bond (to be left with John Chichelaye, chamberlain of London) for arbitration by Nich. Wifolde and John Derby, aldermen, nominated by John Olney, mayor, and the other aldermen, between John Sewale, broderer, of the one part, and John Balle and John Lambe, wardens, John Mounselle, John Curson and others of the Broderers' Company; 10 Sept. 26 Hen. VI [1447]. Noted as entered in the journal, 10 Sept. 32 Hen. VI [1453]. f. 37;-(m) Bond for arbitration by Rich. Caudray, clerk, Will. Venour, Warden of the Fleet Prison, and John Wodehous, with [Humphrey Stafford] Duke of Buckingham as umpire ('impar'), between the Prioress and convent of - and John Shirley; n. d. f. 38.

4. ' Modus dictandi breuis et vtilis datus a Sampsone', or, in another hand, 'Forura (sic, for forma ?) dictaminis': a short tract with examples, many in the name of Thomas Sampson, the author (cf. Harley MS. 4993, f. 9, another formulary by the same, in which he styles himself a scholar of the University of Oxford). Some of the forms are dated in 1396. Beg. 'Domini et amici precarissimi, quia meum salutare'; ends 'et illud perficere recusarem, &c. 'Colophon, 'Hic finem feci, commoda plura ieci'. f. 42.

5. Rule for using the prime and Sunday letter. Title, 'This is a rewle to knowe without laboure Whan the mone chaungeth and in what houre'. Beg. 'Whan þe prime is on A'. Followed by Lat. mnemonic verses, showing the 'dies communes de returnis breuium'. f. 48.

6. Model state letters and others, in Latin except where otherwise stated, viz.:-

(a) Henry VI to the magistrates of Lübeck about a robbery of salt belonging to Henry Spicer, an English merchant, stolen by the crew of a Lübeck ship (John Fasmar, master) from a ship of Scluys (John Lambertson, master) at ' Old Selhowe' [Selo?] in Norway; n. d. f. 48 b;-(b) The Mayor and aldermen of London to Pope Nicholas V, that Roger Niger, Bishop of London (1228-1241), fixed a rate for the citizens to contribute to the support of the parish churches, in proportion to the value of their houses ; that under Archbishop Thomas Arundel and Pope Innocent VII an attempt was made to upset this arrangement and the dispute was committed at the request of John [Stafford or Kempe?], late Archbishop of Canterbury, and Thomas [Kempe], Bishop of London, to eight arbitrators who settled it; that nevertheless certain incumbents have since produced alleged papal letters imposing new burdens; that the city's emissaries sent to protest to the Pope have been imprisoned by [Dietrich von Moers,] Archbishop of Cologne, and that they now accredit [Tho. Wynchecombe] the queen's nuncio to speak for them; 11 May, 1454. f. 49b;-(c) The same to the same, on the same subject, that, although the above-mentioned envoys, John Aleyn, D.C.L., and Roger Tonge, their Common Clerk, have been released from prison, Tonge is dangerously ill from his sufferings, and they therefore accredit Aleyn 'alone; 3 Sept. 1454. f. 51 b;-(d) Grant of Henry [VI] to A. B. de Basyngstoke of exemption from the offices of bailiff, escheator, constable, chamberlain, burgess in parliament, &c.; n. d. f. 52 b ;-(e) Grant by the same of the like and other privileges to John Carpenter, junior, late Secretary [or Common Clerk] of the city of London [founder of the City of London School, compiler of the Liber Albus; see Cal. Pat. Rolls, Henry VI, 1436-1441, p. 356, cf. T. Brewer, Life and Times of John Carpenter, 1856, p. 39]; [3 Dec. 1439]. f. 53;-(f) Part of a letter sent from the King by the hands of Ludovicus Johannes (probably Louis Johan, Master of the Mint under Henry V, Warden of the Stannaries till 1442) with a Garter for a foreign sovereign; n.d. f. 54;-(g) Alice, Lady Lovell of wife of William Lovell, 7th Baron], to Giles Colebronde, collector of her rents at King's Sutton, co. Northt., to pay money to Robert B. of London, goldsmith; Westminster, 13 Apr. 32 [Hen. VI, 1454]. Engl. f. 55;-(h) The same to the same, in favour of [the same?] Robert Botiller; n. d. Engl. f. 55 ;-(i) Henry VI to the Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster for patents to be sealed to Will. Bradford, Tho. Beaumont, and Will. Ambros to adjourn the sessions at Lancaster from Wedn. aft. S. Laurence to a day in Lent following; Westminster, 5 Aug. 33 Hen. VI [1455]. Engl. f. 55 b ;-(k) Petition to the King from T., 'appeched of treson bicause of reklees wordes'; n. d. f. 55 b.

7. Forms of letters for a poor scholar, to ask assistance from relatives and others. f. 56.

Gatherings in artt. 3-7, i²¹, ii⁴, iii¹³. Old foliation 3-14 on ff. 24-35.

8. Rules in Engl. verse (12 couplets) for the purchase of land. Printed in Works of Sir John Fortescue, 1869, i, p. 543, but of doubtful authorship. Other copies, with variations, are in Lansdowne MSS. 470, f. 298 (printed in the Catalogue, 1819, pt. ii, p. 130), and 762, f. 2b, and Add. MS. 25001, f. 2 b. Prefixed is the couplet:-

'Ihesu, as thou art heuen kyng, Sende vs grace to haue knowyng'. Beg. 'Who wille be warre in purchasyng, Considre the poyntes here folowyng'. f. 59.

9. Computation of proceeds of a fifteenth and tenth from laymen throughout England and a tenth from clergy of each province, totalling £56,810 5s. 4 1/4d. Followed by a corrupt form of the usual mythical statistics of numbers of parishes, &c., in England, cf. 7 D. XXI, f. 2 b, 13 D. I, art. 13, &c. f. 59 b.

10. Note on the legal terms Assise de point assise, Assise large, Assise de droit dez damages, and Assise hors de point assise; also on the distinction of Housbote and Haibote. Fr. f. 59 b.

11. Forms of presentation, certificate of banns, testimonials, &c. f. 60. Among them are:-

(a) Presentation by Alianora, late wife of Sir Henry de S. Amando, of Thomas Legh, capellanus, to the rectory of Lodyngton [Loddington, co. Leic. or co. Northt. ?], dioc. Lincoln, vacant by death or resignation of John Clerk; 20 Oct. 1451. f. 60;-(b) Presentation by Will. Tailboys, esq., of Simon Flegard, capellanus, to the rectory, of F., dioc. Lincoln [? Faldingworth, co. Linc.]; n. d. [1450- 1451]. f. 60;-(c) Grant by Tho. Huggreford, Nich. Rody and Will. Berkeswell, feoffees of Richard [Neville], Earl of Warwick, to Ralph Molans, esq., of the first presentation to B., co. Rutland; n. d. f. 60 b;-(d) Grant by Edmund [Kirton], Abbot of Westminster, to A. B. of the first presentation to S. Matthew's, Friday Street, London, with reservation of a pension of 20s.; [1440-1462]. f. 60 b; -(e) Presentation by Rich. Granger, rector of S. Pancras [Soper Lane], London, John Boston and three others, parishioners, to Thomas Bekington, Dean of Arches, of J. C. to the chantry in the church founded by John de Causton and vacant by the death of Thomas P.; [1430-1440]. f. 61 ;-(f) Testimonial from A., Prior of the Austin Priory of 'Bosgris' (sic), dioc. Canterbury, to B., a canon of the same order, to receive a cure of souls; 10 Mar. s. a. f. 61 b;-(g) Presentation by Henry [Chicheley], Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas [Langley], Bishop of Durham, Sir Walter Hungerford, knt., and John Leventhorpe, esq., feoffees of the Duchy of Lancaster, of T., capellanus, to the wardenship of a chantry in the church of Kirkeby iuxta Bolyngbroke [East Kirby, co. Linc.], dioc. Lincoln, vacant by resignation of Will. Trey; [1414-1438]. f. 62;-

(h) 'Titulum (sic) domus religiosorum ad ordines recipiendum': testimonial from William, prior, and the convent of Botley [Butley], dioc. Norwich, to Thomas Grace, clerk; 14 July, 1456. f. 63 b. Between (g) and (h) is placed art. 12.

12. Forms of fiat for great and privy seals, viz.:-

(a) By John Stafford, clerk of the Treasury [afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury], for grant to John Cornewaill, knt., of the custody of the manor of Eyno [Aynho], co. Northt., during the minority of John, son and heir of John [FitzAlan, al.] Arundel, late Lord Arundel and Maltravers (d. 1421); n. d. f. 62 b; -(b) By John M., knt., Richard [Neville], Earl of Warwick, and Will. Oldehall, a follower of Thomas [Beaufort], Duke of Exeter, respectively, for protections (under privy seal) for persons accompanying them abroad; n. d. f. 63.

Artt. 8-12, five leaves, gatherings uncertain. Old foliation 46, 47 on ff. 62, 63.

13. Indentures and acquittances, among which are:-

(a) Lease by the rector and churchwardens of S. Alphage within Cripplegate, with consent of the Bishop of London and of the Dean of. S. Martin's le Grand, to John Reede of a small piece of land adjoining the church-tower to build a house with projecting upper stories ('ex duabus storiis gettatis') with a flying staircase over the churchyard; 14 Aug. 28 [Hen. VI, 1450]. f. 64;-(b) Lease by Roger Merssh, rector, Robert Chirch, and Thomas Roughey, churchwardens, of S. Mary Magdalene, Milk St., to Will. Cantelowe of three new houses in Milk St. till a debt of 301. 3s. 4d. is paid from the proceeds; [1441-1459]. f. 65;-(c) Lease by Henry [Holland] , Duke of Exeter, Earl of Huntingdon, Count of 'Ivory' (Ivry) and lord of La Sparre, Admiral of England, Ireland and Aquitaine, to John Chancey of the manor of Ardington, co. Berks; [1446-1461]. f. 68 ;-(d) Acquittance by John Wilkes, rector, and R-ob. Graft and Will. Stilez, churchwardens, of S. Mildred, Bread St., to A. and B. for rent of a house in Sevehode lane, par. of S. Laurence, Jewry; morrow of Easter, 32 Hen. VI [22 Apr. 1454]. f. 71 ;-(e) Acquittance by John Petresfeld and Thomas Lion, wardens of the fraternity of Corpus Christi in the chapel of S. Mary in Conynghope lane [Conyhope Lane in S. Mildred, Poultry], to the Prioress and convent of S. Helen within Bishopsgate for 6l. 13s. 4d by the hand, of Will. Fitz-Wauter, her steward; n.d. f. 71 b;-(f) General quitclaim by Peter Lee, of Halton, co. Southt., by Thomas Lee, his attorney, to Peter Cowdray ; 1 Oct. 30 Hen. VI [1451]. f. 72 ;-

(g) Acquittance by John Arundell, clerk, to Sir Roger Chambreeyne, knt., for 20s. paid at the church of S. Thomas Acon, London ; n.d. f. 72 ;-(h) Acquittance by John Welle, Prior of Hertford, to W. L., farmer of the manor and rectory of Peryngtone [Pirton], co. Hertf.; morrow of Annunciation, 29 [Hen. VI, 26 Mar. 1451]. f. 72 ;-(i) Acquittance by Henry Trencherd, esq., janitor of the castle of D. (sic, for Carisbrooke), I. of Wight, to Richard, Duke of York, for 6l. s. 8d. ; n. d. f. 72 b;-(k) Acquittance by Sir John Astley, knt., to John [Mowbray], Duke of Norfolk, for 20s. ; n. d. f. 73 ;-(I) Acquittance by Elizabeth, Prioress of Sopwell [co. Hertf.], to the wardens of the Grocers' Company for an annuity of 13s. 4d. due [under the will of Thomas Knolles, proved 24 Feb. 143⁵/₆ , see Sharpe, Cal. of Wills in the Court of Husting, ii, p. 474 to Johanna Welles, a nun of the house; [1436-1480]. f. 73;-(m)Acquittance by William Hallum, esq., to Johanna, late wife of John Olyver, of Charing, co. Midd., daughter and heir of Will. Brokherst, for 46s. 8d. of the dower of Margery his wife, late wife of the said W. Brokherst; morrow of Pentecost, 30 [Hen. VI, 29 May, 1452]. f. 73b;-(n) Acquittance by R[obert Nyk] to the Prior and convent of N., Thomas Portealeyn, esq., and Robert Bale, scrivener, of London, executors of Johanna, widow of Richard Person, for annuities of 40s. and 21s. to the said Robert and Alicia [his wife] from lands in the parishes of S. P[eter de Woodstreet] and S. M[ildred, Poultry], and for deeds relating to lands of the said Richard and Johanna; [ after 1451, see Sharpe, op. cit. pp. 515, 518]. f. 73 b ;-(o) Acquittance by R. Hallum and R. Middelmore, mercers, to Alice rde la Pole], Duchess of Suffolk [Chaucer's granddaughter], and W. Rassh de C. for 251. by the hand Of J. P., bailiff of her manor of Cossey, co. Norf. n.d. f. 74;-(p) Quitclaim by the Prior and convent of S. Mary within Cripplegate to John Warender, merchant, of a rent for 300 years in the parish of All Hallows, Grasschurch; Christmas day, 1452. f. 75;-(g) Quitclaim by Robert Quynaton, executor of Sir John Drayton, knt., to Will. Alnewyk [Alnwick], Bishop of Lincoln(1436- 1449), John Ingram and master John Trotter, parson of Ochecote [Edgeott], co. Northt., and other co-feoffees, of the manor of Edgcott; n.d. f. 75.

Art. 13, one gathering of 12, leaves. Old foliation 17-28 on ff. 64-75.

14. Powers of attorney, &c., in Lat. and Engl. Among the names occurring are :-

Peter Lee, of Heryerd [Herriard], co. Southt., gent., and Thomas Lee his brother. ff. 76, 77. For the latter cf. ff. 78 b, 79 b; and [another?] Thomas Lee, M.A., occurs at the end (f. 88) in a proxy (in a later hand,) for his induction to the rectory of Farlee [? Farleigh- Wallop, co. Southt.], dioc. Winchester. Laurence Myn , of Basingstoke, co. Southt., merchant. f. 76. Henry Constle, son and heir of Thomas Constle, late of Weston, co. Southt., lord of part of the manor of 'Utby', co. Surrey. f. 76 b. Sir William Norman, knt., J.P. for co. Kent, 1450. ff. 78, 78 b. John Wallyngbury, al. Waleys, Prior of the hospital of S. Mary without Bishopsgate, and Thomas Man, steward of the same hospital, 29 Aug. and 3 Sept. 1450. ff. 79, 79 b. Thomas Elys, clothworker, of London. f. 81 b. Richard, Duke of York, Earl of March and Ulster, Lord of Meath and Connaught, Lieut.-Gen. of France and Normandy [1436-1437 or 1440-1447]. f. 84 b. Richard -Bene, fuller, of London. f. 86 b.

At the end of this section are a few medical recipes in a late 15th cent.hand in English. f.88 b.

15. Licences to debtors to go abroad free from arrest for specified terms. Lat., Engl., and Fr. f. 89 b.

16. Assignments of apprenticeship, in Lat. f. 92.

17. Manumissions by (a) John Tyrell, esq., lord of Cromer, co. Norf., to James Marable, his 'nativus'; n.d, f.93 b;-(b) James (sic,? for John, 1443-47), Duke of Exeter, to John Trigge, of Preston, co. Lanc.; n. d. f. 94. With another form, without names.

18. Wills and codicils, including (a) Nuncupative will of Robert Lathum, of Astbury, co. Chester; 5 June, 1452. f. 95 b;-(b) Codicil to the will (see Sharpe' op. cit. p. 548) of Elias Davy, mercer, of London; 21. Nov. 1455. f. 96 b.

Artt. 14-18, one gathering Of 24 leaves. Old foliation 1, 2 on ff. 78, 79.

19. 'Littere testimoniales' (cf. art. 11 above), in Lat. and Fr. f. 98.

At the end of this section (f. 100b) are added in a later hand two forms of grant of first presentation, one in the name of Edward [IV] to John [Sutton], Lord Dudley, of the provostship of Kyrkby [Kirkby Overblow, co. York]; 6 Jan. 10 [Edw. IV, 1471].

20. Miscellaneous deeds, among which are:-

(a) Beneficial lease by Nich. Wyfold, alderman, Rich. Lee, and Will. Taillour to Will. Bowes, servant of the said Nicholas and of Margaret his wife, of a tenement in the par. of S. Bennet, Sherehog; n. d. f. 101;-(b) Pledge by John Shefeld, of London, to Will. Cardmaker of a silver cup ; 16 May, 25 Hen.VI [1447]. f. 101 b; -(c) Grant by Reginald West, Lord [de] La Warr, Tho. Bailly, and Will Fereby to Tho. Keys, servant of Lord de la Warr, of an annuity of 13s. 4d. from the manor of Luteys [Easton Lucies in Berwick St. John], co. Wilts. ; n. d. f. 102 ;-(d) Grant by Richard, Duke of York, &c., to Tho. Dinkan, clerk, of an annuity of 10 l. out of the annuity granted by Rich. II to Edmund, Duke of York, and his heirs male from the ancient customs of wool, hides, &c., in the port of London ; n. d. f. l02 ;-(e) Appointment by John Codeworth, master or warden of the hospital of Holy Trinity, Pontefract, co. York, of Sir Tho. Tudenham, knt., as steward of the hospital's manors in co. Norf. ; [1419-1447]. f. 102 b;-(f) Livery of dower by Tho. atte Welle, bailiff of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Honour of the Eagle in the Rape of Pevensey [co. Sussex], to John Threpland and Johanna his wife, late wife of Rog. Honyngton, esq., viz.

1/3 of the manor of Worth in Little Horsted, recovered by them against Tho. Walsyngham, Tho. Ballard, esq., and Joh. Martyn; 30 May, 25 Hen. VI [1447]. The particular lands assigned are described. f. 104;-(g) Lease by John Rotham, gent. (cf. Sharpe, op. cit. p. 578), and Mary his wife, and others to Will. Groonde, mercer, of London, of a tenement in the churchyard of S. Mary le Bow, and other tenements, for 113 years ; n. d. f. 104 b ;-(h) Assignment by A. and F. his wife to G. of a lease of a tenement in the par. of S. Peter, Westcheap, from B. [? Sir Will. Estfeld, see Sharpe, op. cit. p. 509], knt., mercer, refounder of Bokerell's chantry in S. Mary, Aldermanbury; n. d. f. 106 b ;-(i) Lease by Elena Halle, late wife of John Halle, mercer, of London, to Will. Denton, mercer, of a tenement in the par. of S. Mary, Aldermanbury, in occupation of John Olyver, surgeon; n. d. f. 107 b;-(k) Agreement concerning the construction and maintenance of a gutter for rainwater on a tenement of John Grove in the Barbican, in the par. of S. Giles without Cripplegate, consequent on new buildings by Will. Forster, tailor, on his tenement adjoining, held of the prior of S. Bartholomew, Smithfield; n. d. f. 109 ;-(l) Appointment by John [Tiptoft], Earl of Worcester, of Humphrey Smart as steward of his manors in cos. Glouc. and Heref.; [1443-1470]. f. 110;-(m) Grant by Will. de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk,to Sir Robert Corbet, knt., of an annuity of 20 marks from the manors of Stratford near Bergholt [Stratford St. Mary], co. Suff., and Langham, co. Essex ; Westhorp, 13 Apr. 28 Hen. VI [1450]. French. f. 111 b;-(n) Grant by John [Mowbray], Duke of Norfolk, &c., to his uncle Edw. Neville, Lord Bergavenny, of the custody, &c., of the park of Haylee [? Highley in Balcombe], co. Suss.; 20 Mar. 31 Hen.VI [1453]. f. 113 b ;-(o) Assignment by Matthew Danson, of Westminster, and Agnes his wife, executrix of her late husband Walter Clerk, carpenter, of London, to Will. Mayhewe, fishmonger, of a 40 years' lease of a tenement and stone quay near Brokenwharf in the par. of S. Mary Somerset, London, dated 22 Mar. 20 Hen. VI [1442], from Henry [Warkworth], Prior, and the convent of S. Mary, Southwark; n. d. f. 115 b;-(p) Confirmations by the Bishop of London and by two Deans of St. Paul's of leases by prebendaries. The names and dates given are inconsistent. f. 117 b;-(q) Sale by Will. Pykeryng and others, executors of the will of Will. Millereth [al. Melreth, see Sharpe, op. cit. p. 506], of reversions in Milkstreet and Ladlane, lands in the par. of S. Mary, Alderrnary, and a shop in Westcheap; [after 1446]. f. 118 b;-(q) Grant by Sir Tho. Findern, knt., to John Cornyssh of a rent of 5 1. from the manor of East Mersey, co. Essex, to pay off a debt of 50 l.; n.d. f. 120.

On f. 113 are scribbled in a late 15th cent. hand two quatrains of Engl. verse, beg. (a) 'O Lorde of hevyn and kyng of might';-(b) 'Shall I go to her agayn onys to proue'.

Art. 20 is one gathering of 24 leaves. No old foliation.

21. Conditional feoffments and other deeds. f. 121. Among them are:-

(a) Grant in remainder by John Smyth, of Hendon [co. Midd.], to John Crowton and others of certain rooms in a tenement called Jakelyns in Hendon, held for life by Ralph Vernoun, during the life of Agnes, wife of the said Ralph; n. d. f. 121 b ;-(b) Grant by William le Zouche, 'dominus le Zouche et Saymour ' [5th Baron La Zouche and iure uxoris Baron Saint Maur], to Tho. Bernard of lands, &c., in Oundle, co. Northt., conveyed to him by Rich. Knyght, for whose debt to the said Thomas Lord Zouche had pledged himself before the mayor of the Staple at Calais; n. d. f. 122 b;-(c) Grant by Margaret de Bello Monte, Prioress, and the convent of Dartford, co. Kent, to John Benet and Agnes, his wife, of lands in the manor of Norton Bavent, co. Wilts., at certain specified customary services, with remainder successively to -, their son, and Margaret, their daughter; 9 Aug. 30 Hen. VI [1452]. f. 123; -(l) Covenant by John Marton, Master, and the scholars, or the senior fellow and fellows, of the 'Magna Aula Uniuersitatis' in Oxford [University College], to observe in perpetuity an agreement with Alice Belasys for two masses weekly for the said Alice, her father and mother, and Alice her grandmother, under penalty of two gallons of good wine for the table of Gilbert Keymer, Chancellor of the University, and his successors, payable at Christmas; dat. Oxford, 'in dicto collegio sancti Cutberti nostrum prefatorum magistri et scolarium'; 11 Feb. 31 Hen. VI [1453]. f. 125 b;-(e) Feoffment by Rich. Collyng, clerk, and John Fray to Alice, late the wife of John Coventre, mercer, of London, of lands, &c., in the par. of S. Mary le Bow, settled upon her so long as she remain single, with remainder to Henry, son of the said John Coventre; n. d. f. 126 ;-(f) Grant by William Wymbull, Abbot of [Stratford Langthorne], to Will. Possemore, of a room and a weekly allowance for life of seven loaves called 'lyuerey myche ', seven loaves called 'prikked brede', four gallons of best beer and three of seconds and a roonde of beef', also a dish of pottage daily and a dish of cooked fish or raw eggs on each fish day as served to the monks, also food at the servants' table twice daily, also 21 yards of broad linen cloth, when the servants have their livery, and two loads of fuel a year; n. d. f. 126 b ;-(g) Exchange by the Abbot and convent of Stratford Langthorne, co. Essex, with Thomas Bernewell and Will. Hulyn, under licence from the King dated 6 Nov. 24 Hen. VI [1445], of a messuage called Erles and lands in Havering, co. Essex, held of the King for 2s. or a sparrow-hawk, for a messuage and lands, &c., in West Ham, co. Essex, enfeoffed to the said Thomas and William by Rob. Monter, clerk; [circ. 1445]. f. 128 ;-(h) Feoffment by John Norman, Rob. Cristendome John Stonton and others to Nich. Bolthorpe and Elizabeth his wife of lands in Bengeo [co. Hertf.] and elsewhere enfeoffed to them by the said Nicholas and John Godstone, on condition that the said Nicholas and Elizabeth make no claim to a tenement called 'le Gote of the hope' in the par. of All Hallows, Holilane [al. Honeylane], in Westcheap, London; n. d. f. 129 ;-(i) Grant by Richard C. to J. W., son of his daughter Johanna, of a rent of 26s. 8d. from a tenement or inn called 'le Cardinales hat' in Grasschurch street, held of 'A. prior domus ordinis fratrum (sic) b. Marie de Graciis iuxta Turrim London' [apparently the Abbey of S. Mary of the Graces] ; n. d. f. 131 b ;-(k) Contract for delivery of several gross of' purses for wommen called ' respectively 'xviii peny ware', 'xxx peny ware', and 'thre shelyng ware', and two dozen others 'broudered, cailedfyve schelyng ware'; n.d. Engl. f. 132b ;-(l) Transference by Harry -, 'fosistour' [al. ' foystour' or fuster, saddle-tree-maker], of London, to John Cornysshe, saddler, of Martin Symond, his -apprentice, until Easter 1456, Cornysshe covenanting to make him a freeman of the craft of foysters at the end of the term ; n. d. Engl. f. 133 ;-(m) Sale by Rich. Crulle, bowyer, of London, to Elis Davy (see above, art. 18 b), mercer, of lands called Delles in Croydon, co. Surrey, at fifteen years purchase;n.d. Engl. f. 133b;-(n)Covenantbetween John Stokton and Will. Geffrey, of Holloway, and Johane his wife 'vppon a surende after custume of maner'; n. d. Engl. f. 134 b; -(o) Covenant for payment of a debt by Aylisaundre Orable, mercer, of London, to Isabell, executrix of her late husband John Yonge, of Chipping Norton, co. Oxon.; n.d. Engl. f. 135 ;-(p) Bill of sale by Beatrice Burghbroke to Will. Taylour, grocer, of London, of two parcel-gilt silver basons with arms in the bottoms, weighing 6 lb. 3 oz. Troy, for 9l. 7s. 6d.; n. d. Engl. f. 135 b;-

(q) Contract for delivery by John Heydon, dyer, of London, to Will. Elmet, dyer, at his house called 'Þe Herteshorne', of 30 stone weekly of 'goode and sufficient rede corke for dyers to make crymseins'; n.d. f. 136;-(r) Contract for delivery by Will. White, of Coventry, mercer, to John Chacomer, mercer, of London, of sheep's leather, goat's leather, lamb's leather, called 'passelarge ',and kid's leather, all well and sufficiently 'madertawed and erved', &c.; n. d. f. 136 b ;-(s) Agreement between maister Edmond B[urgh], parson of Tendring, co. Essex, and Sir Geffrey Highfeld, of London, priest, concerning the benefice ; n. d. Edmund covenants to endeavour to procure the presentation, &c., of Geoffrey, in return for a pension of 8 marks for life; in case of failure he is to let the church and parsonage to him and John Highfeld, mercer, for 20 years at 8 marks. f. 139.

22. Medical recipes in Engl. and Lat., chiefly for the eyes. f. 140 b. Interspersed are a few more letterforms, including (f. 141) an undated petition to the King from William Hull, of Gloucester, yeoman, a prisoner in Newgate, for pardon.

Artt. 21, 22 are one gathering of 24 leaves.

23. A few more recipes in another hand, in Latin, followed by an unfinished list in English of 'Rotes commestable', which beg. 'Carretrotes growyng in gardyns arne rede'. f. 143.

On blank leaves are scribbled another form of grant of annuity (f. 144 b) and a fragment of a will including bequests of sheep to the parishes of Wynslad [Winslade], Mapulderwell [Mapledurwell], Upton [Upton Grey], Tanworth [Tunworth], Weston [Weston Patrick], Heryard Herriard], and Elsefeld [Ellisfield, all in co. Southt]. f. 146 b.

Art. 23 is a mutilated gathering, originally of ten or more leaves.

24. 'Magna Carta' (Edward I's confirmation): the Latin text with a legal commentary in English, both incomplete, ending with cap. viii, 'sine assensu domini sui si de illo tenuerit'. Commentary beg. 'Bifore þe makyng of this statuet, þat is to seic þe greet chartour'. f. 147.

25. Form of deed, in Latin, viz. :-

Covenant by John B., master, and C. and T., wardens, and the gild or fraternity of Holy Trinity in the church of S. Botolph [without Aldersgate?], with John Joye and Will. M., executors of J. L., to keep for 20 years the said J. L.'s anniversary on 12 Aug. f. 158.

26. Forms of entry upon court-roll of the manor of Iseldon Berners [in Islington, co. Midd.], viz. :-

(a) Admission of Will. Clouer and John Hudgrey, upon surrender out of court by Johanna, daughter of the late Will. Brokhurst; Mond. aft. Inv. of Holy Cross, 30 Hen, VI [8 May, 1452]. f. 163 b;-(b) Admission of Margery, widow of the said William Brokhurst, with remainder to the said Johanna ; Thursd. bef. Pentecost, 22 Hen. VI [6 June, 1443]. f. 163 b;-(c) Surrender by the said Will. Clouer and John Hudgrey and readmission subject to an annuity to Will. Halum and the said Margery, now his wife; date as in (a). f. 164.

27. Letters, in English, viz.:-

(a) Richard, Duke of York, to Dame Elizabeth Wodehille[?widow of Thomas Wodhull, of Odell, co. Bedf., styled Baron of Wodhull or Wahull, who d. 1421] in favour of the suit of Sir Hugh John ; n. d. It does not appear that the intervention was successful. She married William Ludsthorp and d. 1475 (see Baker's Northants, i, p. 712). f. 165 b;-(b) Richard [Neville], Earl of Warwick, to John Nanfan, 'occupiour of þe issues and profites' of his islands of Jersey and Guernsey, for payments to John Cornyssh; 11-, 28 Hen. VI [1449-50]. f. 165 b ;-(c) The same to Dame Elizabeth Wodehille, to the same effect as (a), Sir Hugh John being described as having been made knight at Jerusalem, afterwards knight marshal of France and of England (see also Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1452, p. 562); n. d. f. 166.

28. Wills, viz.:-

(a) Copy of part of the will (dealing with movables only) of John Carpenter, junior (see above, art. 6 c). A translation is printed by Brewer, op. cit. p. 131. The first leaf is torn. f. 168;-(b) Will (dealing with lands and tenements) of T. Pernell, girdler, of London, providing for augmentation of the chantry of Holy Trinity and S. Katharine in the church of S. Mary le Bow, &c., and bequeathing lands, &c., to that use to Will. Gerveis, rector, John Nortborn and P., churchwardens; 10 Dec. 1429. f. 169 b;-(c) Notarial copy of will (dealing with lands and tenements) of Sir R[obert] K[nolles], knight and citizen; 31 Oct. 1389 (see Sharpe, op. cit. p. 377). f. 170 b ;-(d) Probate in the consistory court at St. Paul's of a codicil, dated - Dec. 1451, of John Osyne, leatherseller, bequeathing lands and tenements in Colman Street to the Leathersellers' Company; 2 Jan. 1454/5. f. 172.

Later insertions in this section (artt. 24-28) are:-(a) Part of a private letter to 'unkyl Spursto'. f. 156 ;-(b) Farm accompts. f. 159 b;-(c) 'Money, money': song in a 15th cent. hand, in twenty four-line stanzas, each with four-line refrain. f. 160 b. Begins:-

'Aboue all thing thow arte a kyng And rulyst the world ouer all'.

Refrain:- 'Money, money, now hay goode day, Money, where haste thow be? Money, money, thow goste away And wylt not byde wyth me'.

Artt. 24-28 are one mutilated gathering originally Of 36 leaves, and ten leaves uncertain.

Paper (exc. ff. i, ii, i) ; ff. ii + 174. Circ. 1452-1456. Sec. fol. 'of alle'. On the vellum scraps at the beginning are the names of owners: 'Iste liber constat magister (sic) Leye' (15th cent.), f. 1; 'William Challner est possessor huius libri', and ' Iste liber constat Thomam (sic) Cheke' (both 16th cent.), ff. i, 1. Not recognizable in the old catalogues.

includes:

• f. 21 Accounts: Bill of the Treasurer of the Royal Household: 1454.
• f. 59b Accounts: Computations of a fifteenth and tenth, etc.: temp. Rich. II.
• f. 159b Accounts: Farm accounts: circa 1500.