attendance on him, entered London on that day (October 7, 1191), and
on the following day John and the Archbishop of Rouen and all the
bishops and barons, and with them the citizens of London, met in St.
Paul's church, and accused the chancellor of many things, especially
with regard to the injuries which he had wrought to the Archbishop
of York, the Bishop of Durham, and his son Henry. Moreover the
colleagues of the chancellor, whom the King had associated with him
in the government of the country, accused him of many crimes, saying
that he had performed everything without their counsel and consent.
Then the Archbishop of Rouen and William Marshall showed to the
assembly the King's letter, by which it was ordered that if the
chancellor did any foolish thing to the harm of the King or the
realm, the said Archbishop of Rouen was to be appointed in his
stead.... Therefore John the King's brother, and all the bishops and
barons and the citizens of London, decided that the chancellor
should be deposed from the government of the kingdom.... John and
the Archbishop of Rouen, and all the bishops and barons of the
kingdom who were present, granted to the citizens of London their
commune, and swore that they would guard it and the liberties of the
city of London, as long as it pleased the King; and the citizens of
London and the bishops and barons swore allegiance to King Richard,
and to John the King's brother, and undertook to accept John as
their lord and King, if the King died without issue.
From _Richard of Devizes_, vol. iii., p. 416.
On that day was granted and confirmed the commune of London, to
which the barons of the whole kingdom and the bishops of every
diocese gave their consent. On that occasion for the first time
London realized that the kingdom was without a king, by this
conspiracy which neither Richard himself nor his father Henry would
have allowed to take place for a million marks. A commune puffs up
the people, threatens the kingdom, and weakens the priesthood.
JOHN'S THIRD CHARTER (1199).
John granted five charters to the City, and in this third charter he
restored to the citizens two privileges, of which they had been deprived
by Matilda and Henry II. The latter, wishing to bring the City under the
direct supervision of the Crown, had retained the appointment of
sheriffs in his own hands; Matilda had annulled the arrangement by which
the citizens were to have the farm of Middlesex on payment of £300 every
year. The restoration of the right of electing the sheriffs was not of
very great importance, for during the period which had elapsed since
Henry II. assumed this privilege the office of Mayor had become
established, and this had considerably lessened the importance of the
sheriffs.
John, by the grace of God, king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of
Normandy and Aquitaine, and earl of Anjou; to his archbishops,
bishops, abbots, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, rulers, and to
all his bailiffs and loving subjects.
Know ye, that we have granted, and by this our present writing
confirmed, to our citizens of London, the sheriffwicks of London and
Middlesex, with all the customs and things to the sheriffwick
belonging, within the city and without, by land and by water, to
have and to hold, to them and their heirs, of us and our heirs,
paying therefor three hundred pounds of blank sterling money, at two
terms in the year; that is to say, at the Easter exchequer, one
hundred and fifty pounds; and at the Michaelmas exchequer, one
hundred and fifty pounds; saving to the citizens of London all their
liberties and free customs.
And further, we have granted to the citizens of London, that they
amongst themselves make sheriffs whom they will; and may amove them
when they will; and those whom they make sheriffs, they shall
present to our justices of our exchequer, of these things which to
the said sheriffwick appertain, whereof they ought to answer us; and
unless they shall sufficiently answer and satisfy, the citizens may
answer and satisfy us the amerciaments and farm, saving to the said
citizens their liberties as is aforesaid; and saving to the said
sheriffs the same liberties which other citizens have: so that, if
they which shall be appointed sheriffs for the time being, shall
commit any offence, whereby they ought to incur any amerciament of
money, they shall not be condemned for any more than to the
amerciament of twenty pounds, and that without the damage of other
citizens, if the sheriffs be not sufficient for the payment of their
amerciaments: but, if they do any offence, whereby they ought to
incur the loss of their lives or members, they shall be adjudged, as
they ought to be, according to the law of the city; and of these
things, which to the said sheriffs belong, the sheriffs shall answer
before our justices at our exchequer, saving to the said sheriffs
the liberties which other citizens of London have.
Also this grant and confirmation we have made to the citizens of
London for the amendment of the said city, and because it was in
ancient times farmed for three hundred pounds: wherefore we will and
steadfastly command, that the citizens of London and their heirs may
have and hold the sheriffwick of London and Middlesex, with all
things to the said sheriffwick belonging, of us and our heirs, to
possess and enjoy hereditarily, freely and quietly, honourably and
wholly, by fee-farm of three hundred pounds; and we forbid that none
presume to do any damage, impediment or diminishment to the citizens
of London of these things, which to the said sheriffwick do or were
accustomed to appertain: Also we will and command, that if we or our
heirs, or any of our justices, shall give or grant to any person any
of those things which to the farm of the sheriffwick appertain, the
same shall be accounted to the citizens of London, in the acquittal
of the said farm at our exchequer.
LONDON BRIDGE (1202).
It is possible that there was a London Bridge in Roman times, and there
certainly was one, built of wood, before the Conquest. The modern
structure was finished in 1831, and this replaced the old bridge, which
was built between 1176 and 1209, about 200 feet east of the present one.
It consisted of twenty arches, a drawbridge for large vessels, and a
chapel and crypt in the centre, dedicated to St. Thomas of Canterbury.
It was afterwards covered with houses and shops on both sides, like a
street. The last of these buildings was removed in 1757.
The following letter was written by King John to the citizens of London
during the construction of the bridge, and shows that the erection and
maintenance of this important means of communication was a matter for
royal and national, as well as local, consideration.
=Source.=—Document quoted by Maitland, vol. i., p. 45.
John, by the Grace of God, King of England, etc.
To his faithful and beloved the Mayor and Citizens of London,
greeting.
Considering how the Lord in a short time has wrought, in regard to
the Bridges of Xainctes and Rochelle, by the great care and pains of
our faithful, learned and worthy clerk Isenbert, Master of the
Schools of Xainctes: We therefore, by the advice of our Reverend
Father in Christ, Hubert, Archbishop of Canterbury, and that of
others, have desired, directed and enjoined him to use his best
endeavour in building your bridge, for your benefit, and that of the
public: For we trust in the Lord, that this bridge, so necessary for
you, and all who shall pass the same, will, through his industry,
and the Divine blessing, soon be finished: Wherefore, without
prejudice to our right, or that of the City of London, We will and
grant, that the rents and profits of the several houses that the
said Master of the Schools shall cause to be erected upon the bridge
aforesaid, be for ever appropriated to repair, maintain and uphold
the same.
And seeing that the necessary work of the said bridge cannot be
accomplished without your aid, and that of others; We charge and
exhort you kindly to receive and honour the above-named Isenbert,
and those employed by him, who will perform everything to your
advantage and credit, according to his directions, you affording him
your joint advice and assistance in the premises. For whatever good
office or honour you shall do to him, you ought to esteem the same
as done to us. But should any injury be offered to the said
Isenbert, or the persons employed by him (which we do not believe
there will), see that the same be redressed, as soon as it comes to
your knowledge.
Witness myself at Molinel, the eighteenth day of
April (1202).
OPPRESSION BY HENRY III. (1249).
Perhaps no monarch was ever more detested by the citizens of London than
was Henry III.—a weak and foolish ruler, who subjected every class to
his exactions and oppressions. He was himself preyed upon by swarms of
favourites, and enticed into all manner of expensive projects, and could
only free himself from his debts and difficulties by abusing his royal
prerogative. On one occasion he sold his plate and jewels to the
Londoners. "These clowns," he said, "who assume to themselves the name
of barons, abound in everything, while we are reduced to necessities."
Henry certainly seemed to regard their resources as inexhaustible; false
charges were repeatedly made against them, for the purpose of exacting
money; exorbitant sums were demanded for purchasing the King's
good-will, and for the granting of charters; no occasion of soliciting
presents was allowed to pass by; schemes of begging and robbing were
carried on so assiduously by this infatuated monarch that the citizens
were driven, in the end, to offer and render active assistance to the
barons who leagued themselves against him. During this disturbed period
the City did not prosper; it needed a firm and steady Government, and
not till Edward I. ascended the throne did London resume its career of
progress.
=Source.=—Matthew Paris, _History_.
The King began now sedulously to think how he could entirely dry up
the inexhaustible well of England. For, on meeting with a just
repulse from the community of nobles, as above mentioned, who stated
that they would no longer lavish their property to the ruin of the
kingdom, he studied, by other cunning devices, to quench the thirst
of his cupidity. Immediately after the festivities of the said
season, he entered upon the following plan of harassing the citizens
of London: he suspended the carrying on of traffic in that city, as
has been before mentioned, for a fortnight, by establishing a new
fair at Westminster, to the loss and injury of many; and immediately
afterwards he sent letters by his agents, containing subtle and
imperious entreaties, asking them for pecuniary aid. On receipt of
this message, the citizens were grieved to the heart, and said: "Woe
to us, woe to us; where is the liberty of London, which is so often
bought; so often granted; so often guaranteed by writing; so often
sworn to be respected? For each year almost, like slaves of the
lowest condition, we are impoverished by new talliages, and
injuriously harassed by fox-like arguments; nor can we discover into
what whirlpool the property of which we are robbed is absorbed." At
length, however, although immense sums were demanded, the citizens,
although unwillingly and not without bitterness of heart, yielded
their consent to a contribution of two thousand pounds, to be paid
to the King at a brief period....
About the same time, the City of London was excited in no slight
degree, because the King exacted some liberties from the citizens
for the benefit of the abbot of Westminster, to their enormous loss,
and the injury of their liberties. The mayor of the city and the
whole of the community in general, as far as lay in their power,
opposed the wish (or rather violence and raving) of the King; but he
proved harsh and inexorable to them. The citizens, therefore, in a
state of great excitement, went with sorrowful complaints to Earl
Richard, the earl of Leicester, and other nobles of the Kingdom,
telling them how the King, perhaps bent into a bow of wickedness, by
the pope's example, shamelessly violated their charters, granted to
them by his predecessors. The said nobles were much disturbed at
this, fearing that the King would attempt a similar proceeding with
them; they therefore severely reproached him, adding threats to
their reproaches, and strongly blamed the abbot, who, they believed,
was the originator and promoter of this wrong, heaping insult upon
insult on him; which, however, it does not become us to relate, out
of respect to the order. Thus the prudence of the nobles happily
recalled the King from his conceived design.
INTERFERENCE BY BARONS (1258).
When, in medieval England, the central authority was weak, injustice and
oppression were rife throughout the country, and at such times the men
of London were often hard pressed to maintain intact their privileges.
Under the feeble and vacillating Henry III. there was little restraint
upon corrupt and unscrupulous barons, such as the Hugh Bygot of the
following passage. The right to attend to the administration of justice
within the borders of the City was one of the most essential elements of
the citizen's freedom; no interference in this direction could possibly
be tolerated if the hardly won charters were to be of any avail. It is
not surprising, therefore, that the arbitrary conduct of this justiciar,
who pretended to act by royal authority, being a King's servant, aroused
great resentment among the citizens.
=Source.=—Fitz-Thedmar's _Chronicle of the Mayors and Sheriffs_,
edited by Riley, p. 42.
This year, John de Gizors was chosen Mayor, and that too, even in
his absence. This year, after a Parliament held by the Barons at
Westminster, Hugh Bygot, the Justiciar, went to Saint Saviour's, and
having Roger de Turkelby for his associate, held there all the Pleas
which pertain unto the Justiciars Itinerant in the County of Surrey;
and not only did he there amerce several bailiffs and others who had
been convicted of offences committed against those subject to them,
but he caused them to be imprisoned, clerks as well as laymen. And
yet he ransomed one person for twenty marks, and certain others for
forty marks, and more; while several others, for but trifling
reasons, he immoderately aggrieved.
In these pleas the men of Southwark and others of the County of
Surrey made complaint against the Sheriffs and citizens of London,
that they unjustly took custom without the Stone Gate on the Bridge,
seeing that they ought to possess no such rights beyond the
Drawbridge Gate. The citizens, coming with their Sheriffs who had
been summoned by the Justiciars, appeared at Saint Saviour's, before
the Justiciars, and bringing with them their Charters, said that
they were not bound to plead there, nor would they plead without the
walls of the City; but without formal plea, they were willing to
acknowledge that it was quite lawful for the Sheriffs of London to
take custom without the gate aforesaid, and that too, even as far as
the staples placed there, seeing that the whole water of Thames
pertains unto the City, and always did pertain thereto; and that
too, sea-ward as far as the New Weir. At length, after much
altercation had taken place between the Justiciars and the citizens,
the Justiciars caused inquisition to be made, on the oath of twelve
knights of Surrey—and this, although the citizens had not put
themselves on such inquisition—whether the Sheriffs of London had
taken any custom beyond their limits. Who said, upon oath, that the
Sheriffs aforesaid might rightfully take custom there, for that as
far the staples before-mentioned, the whole pertains unto the City,
and no one has any right upon the Thames, as far as the New Weir,
save and except the citizens of London.
After this, the Justiciar before-mentioned, having as his associate
Roger before-named, came to the Guildhall of London, and there held
Pleas from day to day, as to all those who wished to make plaint;
and at once, without either making reasonable summons or admitting
any lawful excuses, determined the same, observing no due procedure
of justice; and that too against the laws of the City, as also
against the laws and customs of every freeman of the English realm.
This, however, the citizens persistently challenged, saying that no
one except the Sheriffs of London ought to hold pleadings in the
City as to trespasses there committed; but to no purpose. Still
however, the citizens had judgment done upon all persons abiding in
the City, who had been convicted, or had been cast in making a false
charge. At the same time also, the Justiciar summoned before himself
and before the Earl of Gloucester all the bakers of the City who
could be found, together with their loaves; and so, by some few
citizens summoned before them, judgment was given in reference to
their bread; those whose bread did not weigh according to the assay
of the City, not being placed in the pillory, as they used to be,
but, at the will of the Justiciar and Earl aforesaid, exalted in the
tumbrel, against the ancient usage of the City and of all the realm.
THE STEELYARD (1282).
The Steelyard was the residence of the Hanse Merchants, who obtained a
settlement in London as early as 1250. Valuable privileges were granted
to them by Henry III., and these were renewed and confirmed by Edward
I., who was anxious to encourage the trade of the City by all possible
means. Many privileges were also conceded to the Steelyard merchants by
the City, in return for which they undertook to maintain Bishopsgate in
good repair and to assist in its defence when necessity arose. In spite
of the jealousy of the English merchants, the foreigners flourished
exceedingly, but towards the end of the sixteenth century their power
began to fail. As English traders became more enterprising, the monopoly
of the Steelyard merchants disappeared, and finally, in 1598, Elizabeth
expelled them from the country.
=Source.=—Stow's _Survey_, p. 234.
Next to this (Cosin) lane on the east, is the steelyard (as they
term it) a place for merchants of Almaine, that used to bring
hither, as well wheat, rye and other grain, as cables, ropes, masts,
pitch, tar, flax, hemp, linen cloth, wainscots, wax, steel, and
other profitable merchandizes: unto these merchants in the year 1259
Henry the third, at the request of his brother Richard earl of
Cornwall, king of Almaine, granted that all and singular the
merchants, having a house in the City of London, commonly called
Guilda Aula Theutonicorum, should be maintained and upholden through
the whole realm, by all such freedoms, and free usages or liberties,
as by the King and his noble progenitors time they had, and enjoyed,
etc. Edward the first renewed and confirmed that charter of
Liberties granted by his Father. And in the tenth year of the same
Edward, Henry Wales being Mayor, a great controversy did arise
between the said Mayor, and the merchants of the Haunce of Almaine,
about the reparations of Bishopsgate, then likely to fall, for that
the said merchants enjoyed divers privileges, in respect of
maintaining the said gate, which they now denied to repair: for the
appeasing of which controversy the king sent his writ to the
Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer, commanding that they should
make inquisition thereof, before whom the merchants being called,
when they were not able to discharge themselves, since they enjoyed
the liberties to them granted for the same, a precept was sent to
the Mayor, and sheriffs, to distrain the said merchants to make
reparations, namely Gerard Marbod Alderman of the Haunce, Ralph de
Cussarde a citizen of Colen, Ludero de Deneuar, a Burgess of Triuar,
John of Aras, a Burgess of Triuon, Bartram of Hamburdge, Godestalke
of Hundondale, a Burgess of Triuon, John de Dele a Burgess of
Munstar, then remaining in the said City of London: for themselves,
and all other merchants of the Haunce, and so they granted 210 marks
sterling to the Mayor and Citizens, and undertook that they and
their successors should from time to time repair the said gate, and
bear the third part of the charges in money, and men to defend it
when need were. And for this agreement, the said Mayor and Citizens
granted to the said merchants their liberties which till of late
they have enjoyed, as namely amongst other, that they might lay up
their grain which they brought into this realm, in Inns, and sell it
in their garners, by the space of forty days after they had laid it
up: except by the Mayor and Citizens they were expressly forbidden,
because of dearth or other reasonable occasions. Also they might
have their Aldermen as they had been accustomed, forseen always that
he were of the City, and presented to the Mayor and Aldermen of the
City, so oft as any should be chosen, and should take an oath before
them to maintain justice in their courts, and to behave themselves
in their office according to law, and as it stood with the customs
of the City. Thus much for their privileges: whereby it appeareth,
that they were great merchants of corn brought out of the East parts
hither, in so much that the occupiers of husbandry in this land were
enforced to complain of them for bringing in such abundance, when
the corn of this realm was at an easy price: whereupon it was
ordained by Parliament, that no person should bring into any part of
this realm by way of merchandise, wheat, rye or barley, growing out
of the said realm, when the quarter of wheat exceeded not the price
of 6 shillings 8 pence, rye 4s. the quarter, and barley 3s. the
quarter, upon forfeiture the one half to the King, the other half to
the seizer thereof. These merchants of Haunce had their Guild hall
in Thames street in place aforesaid, by the said Cosin lane. Their
hall is large, builded of stone, with three arched gates towards the
street, the middlemost whereof is far bigger than the other, and is
seldom opened, the other two be mured up, the same is now called the
old hall.
THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE AND ORDER
(1282).
It would appear from contemporary evidence that the Londoners must have
been somewhat turbulent during the thirteenth century. Owing to the
smallness of the houses and the insufficient accommodation for families,
the greater part of the population constantly filled the streets; and,
although the watch and ward arrangements for the protection of the City
may have been sufficient in quiet times, they were quite inadequate when
troubles arose. In spite of stringent regulations frequent quarrels and
riots occurred in the crowded streets, and punishments, fines, and
imprisonments were common. The commonest offences, to judge by the
records of trials, were night-walking after curfew, robbery with
violence, frequenting taverns, and gambling. The following passages
illustrate some of the efforts which were continually being made to
devise improvements in the administration of the City and the
safeguarding of its inhabitants:
=Sources.=—(_a_) "Provisions for the Safe-Keeping of the City";
(_b_) "A Royal Mandate for the Preservation of the Peace."
Riley's_Memorials_, pp. 21, 36.
(_a_) On Wednesday next before the Feast of Pentecost, in the 10th
year of the reign of King Edward, by Henry le Galeys, Mayor, the
Aldermen, and the then Chamberlain of Guildhall, the following
provisions were subscribed:—
As to the trades: that every trade shall present the names of all
persons in that trade, and of all who have been serving therein;
where they dwell, and in what Ward.
Also, each Alderman, with two of the best men of his Ward, shall
make inquisition as to persons keeping hostels, and the persons
lodging in the same, making enquiry one by one, and from house to
house; that so he may know how many, and who, and of what kind or
condition they are, clerks or laymen, who are residing in his Ward,
of the age of twelve years and upwards.
To be remembered:—as to provision made how suspected persons, when
found, ought to be removed, or under what security to remain.
Secondly, as to the safe-keeping of the City:—All the Gates of the
City are to be open by day; and at each Gate there are to be two
serjeants to open the same, skilful men, and fluent of speech, who
are to keep a good watch upon persons coming in and going out; that
so no evil may befall the City.
At every Parish Church, curfew is to be rung at the same hour as at
St. Martin's le Grand; so that they begin together, and end
together; and then all the Gates are to be shut, as well as all
taverns for wine or for ale; and no one is then to go about the
streets or ways. Six persons are to watch in each Ward by night, of
the most competent men of the Ward thereto; and the two serjeants
who guard the Gates by day, are to lie at night either within the
Gates, or near thereto.
The serjeants of Billingsgate and Queen Hythe are to see that all
boats are moored on the City side at night, and are to have the
names of all boats; and no one is to cross the Thames at night. And
each serjeant must have his own boat with four men, to guard the
water by night, on either side of the bridge.