"Also, where as the curatis of the cyte have used often tyme
herebefore to selle their offring (at mariag), whereby the
pisshês where such sales be made comenly be lettid fro messe or
matyns, and otherwhiles from both, by so moch as the frendis of
the pties maryed vsen to goo abowte vij. or viij. dayes before,
and desiryg men to offryg at such tymes as more conuenyent it
were to be at diunyne seruice. Plese it my Lord Mair, Aldirmê,
and Comê Coûseile, to puide remedy, so that the sayd custume be
fordone and leid aparte."--p. 86.
"Also, to thentent that the ordre of priesthood be had in dew
reuerence according to the dignite therof, and that none
occasions of incontinence growe bee the famylyarite of seculer
people. Plese it my Lord Mayre, Aldirmen, and Comon Counsyll, to
enacte that no maner persone beyng free of this citee take,
receyue, and kepe from hensforth ony priest in comons, or to
borde by the weke, moneth, or yere, or ony other terme more or
lesse, vpon peine thervpon to be lymytyd, prouided that this
acte extêde not to ony prieste retayned wyth a citezen in
famyliar housolde."--p. 89.
"Also, plese it my Lord Mayre, Aldyrmen, and Comon Counseylle,
that a communication may be had wyth the curatis of this citee
for oblacions whiche they clayme to haue of citezens agaynst the
tenour of the bulle purchased att their owne instance, and that
it may be determined and an ende taken, whervpon the citezens
shall rest."--p. 89.
"Also, yf ther be ony priest in seruice within the warde, which
afore tyme hath been sette in the toune in Cornhyll for his
dishoneste, and hath forsworne the cyte, alle suche shulde bee
presentyd."--p. 92.
Upon these I shall make no remark. They will make different impressions
on different readers; according to the extent of prejudice or liberality
existing in different minds. They show that even during the most
absolute period of ecclesiastical domination, there was one spot in
England where attempts to legislate for the priesthood (though perhaps
feeble enough) were made. The legislative {101} powers of the
corporation were at that time very ample; and the only condition by
which they appear to have been limited was, that they should not
override an act of parliament or a royal proclamation.
Is there any specific account of the "tonne in Cornhyll" existing? Its
purpose, in connection with the conduit, admits of no doubt; the
forsworn and dishonest priest had been punished with a "good ducking,"
and this, no doubt, accompanied with a suitable ceremonial for the
special amusement of the "'prentices."[3]
I have also marked a few passages relative to the police and the fiscal
laws of those days, and when time permits, will transcribe them for you,
if you deem them worthy of being laid before your readers.