English gilds : the original ordinances of more than one hundred early English gilds : together with The olde Usages of the cite of Wynchestre; the Ordinances of Worcester; the Office of the Mayor of Bristol; and the Costomary of the Manor of Tettenhall-Regis : from manuscripts of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries / edited by Toulmin Smith ; with an introduction and glossary, etc., by Lucy Toulmin Smith ; and a preliminary essay on the history and development of gilds by Lujo Brentano

I.
RETURNS,
IN ENGLISH,

MADE TO THE KING IN COUNCIL,
BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT,
AS TO
THE ORDINANCES, USAGES, PROPERTIES, &C.
OF
ENGLISH GILDS,
IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF RICHARD II: A. D. 1389.

FROM THE ORIGINALS,
IN THE
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE.

Editor's Introduction

THE original of each of the Returns here printed is contained in a separate record. Few of these records are in a good state: many of them are in a very bad state; while in several cases a part has been eaten away, or become otherwise destroyed. The following methods have been therefore adopted, in the hope of making the documents more intelligible, and more convenient for reference.

Some of the original Returns are headed by the name of the place whence they come. In every such case, that name is here put, with the spelling used in the original. Where there is no such heading, the name of the place where the Gild was in fact established is here put, between brackets. And in every case where the Gild had any distinctive name, and that name is not contained in the heading of the original Return, it is here put, between brackets, before the name of the place.

To every heading a note is added, stating where the Return is to be found, among the three Bundles in which, as is fully explained in the Introduction, all these Returns are now kept. The serial number of each Return is given, as this was found marked in pencil in the Bundle, at the time when copies were made for the present work. A statement of the condition in which the original writing is now found is added.

In many cases, although the original record has been eaten or decayed, the sense can nevertheless be made sure of. In such cases, this sense is here given, either in the marginal abstract, and without words inserted in the blank, or by the insertion, in italic type and between brackets, of what seem likely to have been the actual words that are now destroyed. In a very few instances, a single word, accidentally omitted by the writer of the Return, has been inserted between brackets, but not in italics.

In printing these Returns, I have sought, by careful punctuation, and the use of hyphens and other usual modern means, to bring out the sense more clearly. The stops found in the originals are arbitrary, and are usually only the straight stroke, single or double, sloping from right to left. But, as there is no uniformity among these Returns in the manner of using those marks, the adherence to such methods of punctuation would be only confusing to the reader.

I.
GILD OF GARLEKHITH, LONDON.

[CCCIX. 6. Condition, fair; but a piece destroyed in the middle.]

In þe worship of god almighti oure creato^r, and hys moder seinte marie, and al halwes, and seint Jame apostle, a fraternitee is bygonne of good men, in þe chirche of seint Jame atte Garlekhith in Londone, þe day of seint Jame, þe ȝer of our lord M^l.CCC.LXXV., for amendement of her lyues and of her soules, and to noriche more loue bytwene þe bretheren and sustren of þe bretherhede: and eche of hem had sworen on þe bok, to perſourme þe pointȝ vndernethe wryten atte here power.

ffirst: al þo þt beth, oþer schul be, in þe same bretherhede, þei schul be of good loos, condicions, and beryng, and þt he loue god and holy chirche and his neghbours, as hooly chirche maketh mencion.

Item, who þt entryth in þe same ffraternite, he schal ȝeue at his entre, to þe comune box,__________________________vj.s. viij.d.

Item, þe forsaide bretherhede wil þt þer be wardeins þerof; which wardeins schul gadere þe qwarterage of bretheren and sustren, and trewelich ȝyld here acompt þerof, euery ȝer ones, to þe wardeins þt haue ben to-fore hem of þe bretherhede, wt oþer wysest of þe bretherhede; þe which acompt euery ȝer schal be þe morn after here fest.

Also, þe brethren and sustren of þe bretherhede, euery ȝer, shul be cloþed in suyt, and euery man paye for þt he hath.

Also, þe brethren and sustren of þe bretherhede, at on assent, in suyt byfore sayd, shul euery ȝer come, and hold to-geder, for

to norishe more knowelech and loue, a fest; which fest schal be þe soneday after þe day of seint Jame apostle. And euery paye þerto xx.d.

Also, eche broþer of þe bretherhede schal paye, euery ȝer, atte foure tymes oþer ones in þe ȝer, ij.s., atte firmast to-fore þe day of þe acompt of þe maistres, so þt þe wardeins mowe here acompt ȝeld clerelich.

Also, þe maistres and bretheren to-fore said, euery ȝer schul foure tymes come to-geder, at som certein place, to speke touchyng þe profit and ruyl of þe forsaid bretherhede, of peyne of a pond wax to þe bretherhede.

Also, eche broþer oþer suster þt ben of þe fraternite, ȝif he be of power, he schal ȝeue somwhat in maintenance of þe bretherhede, what hym lyketh.

Also, ȝif þer be in bretherhede eny riotour, oþer contekour, oþer such by whom þe fraternite myght be ensclaundred, he shal be put out þerof, in-to tyme þt he haue hym amended of þe defautes to-fore said.

Also, þe brethren and sustren of þe bretherhede þt taken of þe cloþes of here suyt, þey ne shul noght do it away wit-in þe ȝer after þe takyng.

Also, ȝif any brother oþer suster of þe bretherhede dye, al þe oþer schul comen to þe placebo and dirige, and in morun atte messe, and offer w hem whan þey be warnyd, but ȝif he may hym excuse resonabely, oþer ȝif he be in seruice of kyng, oþer out of countre, of peyne of 1.lb. of wax to paye to þe forsaide bretherhede.

Also, ne broþer ne suster of þe said bretherhede ne schal noght debat with oþer. And ȝif it be so þt eny debat chaunselich falle among eny of hem, þt god defende, þey beynge in debat shul shawe and come þe cause of her debat to þe wardeins of þe forsaide broþerhede, and þe most wyse þerof: and þe same maistres and breþeren shul do her diligence trewly to redresse it, and make bytwene hem a good acord. And ȝif eny be rebelle aȝeins þt acord and ordinance, he shal be put out of þe bretherhede, and þe oþer haue his accoun by þe lawe, and þe

forsaide bretherhede shul be helpyng aȝeins þe rebelle and vnboxhum.

Also, ȝif eny of þe forsaide broþerhede falle in such meschief þt he hath noght, ne for elde oþer mischief of feblenesse, help hym-self, and haue dwellid in þe bretherhede vij. ȝer, and done þerto alle þe duytes with-in þe tyme; euery wyk aftir, he schal haue, of þe comune box, xiiij.d., terme of his lyf, but he be recouered of hys mischief.

Also, ȝif any of þe forsaide bretherhede be enpresoned falslich by enme, oþer by fals conspiracie, and haue noght for to fynd hym with, and haue also ben in þe brotherhede vij. ȝer, and done þerto as it is byfore next sayd, he shal haue xiiij.d. duryng hys enpresonement, euery wyk.

Also, þo þt comen here-after to þe bretherhede, as brethren oþer sustren, he shal swere on þe papir, to-fore þe wardeins þerof, for to kepe wel and trewely alle þe pointȝ of þis papir atte here power.

Also, ȝif eny of þe brethren of the forsaid Bretherhede be chosen wardein in þe bretherhede, be he in toun oþer out of toun, he shal take þe charge al-sone as he is warned þerof, and do his deuer as a wardein of þe bretherhede ought to do; and ȝif he refuse þe same doyng, he shal paie to þe same bretherhede xl.s.

II.
GILD OF ST. KATHERINE, ALDERSGATE, LONDON.

[CCCIX. 9. Condition, fair.]

Preface

Ricardus Brechford et Reginaldus Swetebon, ciues Londonie, Custodes ffraternitatis Sancte Katerine, fundate in ecclesia Sancti Botulphi in Aldrichesgate, Londonie, veniunt coram concilio domini Regis, in cancellaria sua apud Westmonasterium, videlicet tricesimo die mensis Januarii, anno regni Regis Ricardi secundi duodecimo, et secum ibidem deferunt et apportant, in quodam rotulo scripto, totam formam auctoritate,(sic.) fundacionis, incepcionis, continuacionis, et regiminis, fraternitatis predicte, vt in rotulo huic cedule annexo plenius continetur; facturi et recepturi inde quod per concilium domini Regis ordinari contigerit, juxta formam cujusdam proclamacionis inde facte in ciuitate predicta.

Ordinances

These ben þe poyntȝ and þe articles ordeyned of the bretheren of seint Katerine in the cite of Londone, the whiche is founden in the chirche of seint Botulf with-oute Aldrichesgate.

The furste poynt is this, þat whan a brother or a suster schal be resceyued, þat þey schul be swore vpon a book to þe brotherhede, for to holde vp and meyntene þe poyntȝ and the articles þat be write after folwynge, eche man to his power, sauynge his estat; and þat euerich brother and suster, in tokenynge of loue, charite, and pes, atte resceyuynge schule kusse eueri other of þo þat be þere.

Also, ȝif it so befalle þat any of þe bretherhede falle in pouerte, or be anientised thorwȝ elde, þat he may nat helpe hym-self, or thorwȝ any other chaunce, thorw fyr or water, theues or syknesse,

or any other happes, so it be nat on hym-selue along, thorwȝ his owne wrecchednesse, þat he schal haue, in þe wyke, xiiij.d.

Also, þat what man is take in to be brother, schal paie to þe almesse, at his entre, as þe maystres and he mowe acorde; and eueri quarter, for to meyntene þe liȝt and þe almesse of þe broþerhede, iij.d. And ȝif he haue a wyf, and ȝhe wil be a suster, þan schal he paie six pans for hem bothe in þe quarter, þat is, ij.s. in the ȝeer: and ȝif a sengle womman come in to þe broþerhede, paie as a broþer doþ.

Also, that alle the breþeren and sustren of þe foreseid ffraternite, schul assemble to-gydere in the chirche of seint Botulf aboue seid, in þe day of seint Katerine, and þere a masse here, and offre in þe worschepe of here: and also at after-non þe same day, or þe nexte sonday folwing, schul be to-gydere to chese here maistres for þe nexte ȝeer folwynge.

Also, what tyme þat a brother is ded or a suster, that they come to þe dirige and offre wt hem on the morwe, vpon þe oth aboueseid, but he haue a resonable cause to be excused.

Also, ȝif any brother deye, þat haþ nouȝt of his owne to be beried withe, ȝif it may so be ataken, þanne schal he be beried wt þe moneye of þe comune box.

Also, ȝif it so befalle þat any of þe breþeren falle syk x. myle eche weyes aboute Londone, and deye þer, þat ȝif þe wardeyns of þat ȝeer be of sent after, þat þey schul wende and fecche hom þe body to Londone; and þat alle þe breþeren schulle be redy at here warnynge, and go aȝens þe body, wt-oute þe cite townes ende, for to bringe þe body in to þe place þider withe worschepe, als he schal be brouȝt vpon her charge aboue seid, but he haue a verrey enchesoun to be excused.

Also, þat alle þe costages that be mad aboute hym be mad good of þe box, ȝif he were nat of power to paie þerfore hym-self; and ȝif he were of power, lete his executors paie þerfore hem-self: but how-so it befalle, þt þe costages of þe wardeyns be maad god of þe box.

Also, ȝif cas fallethe þat any of þe brotherhede haue nede for

to borwe a certein of seluer, þat þey go to þe keperes of þe box, and take þat he haþ nede, so þat þe somme be nat so moche þt on may be esed as wel as an oþer, and þat þey leye a suffisaunt wed, or elles fynde suffisaunt borwes of þe broþerhede.

Also, þat þer shul be founde v. tapres rounde, the wighte of xx.li. of wex, for to ben iliȝt on heye feste dayes, alle v. atte alle þe houres of þe day, in worschepe of god, and of his moder maiden marie, and seint Katerine þe gloriouse virgine and martyr, and of alle halwen. And on sondayes and on othere symple festes, two schul be liȝt of þe fyue tapres atte heiȝe masse. And ȝif it so bifalle þat a symple brother dye, þat may nouȝt fynde hym-selue no liȝt, þanne þo v. tapres schul be mad newe, and set aboute þe body, and þe torches also; and whan any brother is ded, that he haue þo torches redy to brynge hym withe to cherche ȝif nede be.

Also, whan a brother or a suster is deed, the wardeyns schul warne þe frere meno^rs that they come to þe place þer he schal be beried, and seye þer a dirige, and on þe morwe to seie a trent of masses atte same ffreres; and þe wardeyns schul paie hem for here trauaile.

And þat no brother schal be resceyued but vpon þe day of oure assemble, at al þe companyes assent.

Also, þer schul be foure suffisaunt men for to kepe þe catel wel and suffisauntly; that on to kepe þe box, an-other þe keye, and þat oþer two schul resceyue þe seluer for þe quarterage; and þe foure schulle trewely ȝiue vp here acompte vpon seint Katerine day, byfore al þe breþeren, or elles before sixe of þe wisest men þat ben to þe catel and to þe companye forseid.

Also, þat þer schal non of þe wardeyns make none newe statutes ne newe ordinances wt-oute assent of alle þe bretherhede, and þat it be don on þe day of here assemble. [This paragraph is distinguished, in the original, by a strongly marked cross at the side, clearly for the purpose of marking its importance.]

And to þis breþerhede þey haue a vestement, a chalys, and a massebok, pris of x. marks.

III.
GILD OF STS. FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN, ALDERSGATE, LONDON.

[CCCIX. 10. Condition, fair, excepting some lines at the end.]

These ben þe poyntes and þe articles ordeigned of the brotherheed of seint ffabian and sebastian in the Cite of Londone, þe whiche is founden in þe chirche of seint Botulf with-oute Aldrichesgate.

Magistri ffraternitatis

• ...Johannes Dancastre, lymenor.
• ...Ricardus Spaigne, pelliparius.

The furst poynt is this; that whan a brother or a suster schal be receyued, þey schul be swore vpon a book to þe brotherhede, for to holde vp and meyntene the poyntes and the articles þat be write after folwynge, eche to his power, sauynge his estat; and þat euerich brother and suster, in tokenyng of loue and charite and pees, atte resceyuynge schul kisse oþer of þo þat ben þer.

Also, ȝif it so bifalle that any of the brotherhede falle in pouerte, or be anyentised thurwȝ elde, that he may nat helpe hym-self, or thurwȝ any other chaunce, thurwȝ fyr or watir, theues or syknesse, or any other hap, so it be nat on hym-selue alonge, ne thurwȝ his owne wrecchednesse, he schal haue, in þe wyke, xiiij.d. And ȝif it so befalle þat he be ȝong ynowȝ to werche, and he falle in meschef, and þat it may be take þat he ne hath nouȝt of his owene to helpe hym-self withe, that the bretheren helpe hym, eche man wt a porcioun, what his wille be, in wey of charite, sauynge his estaat.

Also þat eueri man schal paie, atte ffurste comynge in to the brotherhede, half a mark, and iij.d. eueri quarter, to meyntene þe liȝt of þe brotherhede and þe almesse; and ȝif þe man wil haue his wyf a suster, þan schal þt paiement stonde for hem bothe, and ȝhe to paie in þe quarter othere iij.d., that is, two schillinges in þe ȝeer for hem bothe. And ȝif a sengle womman come in to the bretherhede, ȝhe schal paie no lasse þan a brother doth.

Also, þat euery brother and suster schul be boxom, and come, whan þey be warned, to a certeyn place whider þat þey be assigned, foure dayes in the ȝeer, vpon the oth þt þey haue maad, and on þe peyne of xl.d. to paie to þe box; and þis schal be peyne for alle manere defautes þat þe breþeren falle inne. And þese ben þe foure dayes of oure assembles:—The day of seint ffabian and sebastian princpaliche, herynge a masse of þe foreseid seintȝ, and offre in worschepe of hem, on þe peyne forseid. The seconde day, þe sonday next after Pask. And þe sonday next after missomer day. And þe sonday next after micheles day. Vpon þe peyne afore-seid, but he haue a verrey enchesoun wherfore þt pey mowe be excused.

Also, what tyme þat a brother is ded, or a suster, that they come and offre with hem, whan þey be warned to come, vpon þe foreseid peyne, but ȝif he haue a verrey enchesoun to be excused.

Also, ȝif any brother dye þat hath nouȝt of his owene to be beried with, ȝif it mowe be so ataken, þanne þat he be beried of þe comune box.

Also, ȝif it befalle þat any of þe bretherhed falle syk x. mile eche weyes aboute Londone, and deyeth there, that ȝif þe wardeyns of þat ȝeer ben sent after, þat they schul wende and fecche þat body to Londone, and that alle þe bretheren be redy at here warnynge, and go aȝens þe body wtoute þe citees ende, for to bringe þe body in-to þe place wt worschepe þider, as he schal be brouȝt vpon þe fore-seid peyne. And þat þe costages aboute hym be mad good of þe box, ȝif he were nouȝt of power to paie þerfore hym-selue; and ȝif he were of power, lat his executo^rs paie þerfore hem-self: but how-so it falle, þat þe costages of þe wardeyns be mad good of þe box.

Also, ȝif caas fallethe þat any of þe breþeren haue nede to borwe a certein of seluer, that þey go to keperes of þe box, and take what he hath nede of, so þat þe somme be nat so moche þat on may be esed as wel as an other, and þat þey leye a suffisaunt wed, or elles fynde suffisant borwes of þe broþerhede; and þat non oþer borwe non þerof but of þe same brotherhede.

Also, þat þer schul be founde vij. tapres rounde, the wighte of xxj.li. wex, for to be liȝt on heiȝe ffeste dayes, all seuene at alle houres of þe day, in worschepe of god and his moder marie, and seint ffabian and Sebastian, and of alle halwes; and on sondayes and on othere symple ffestes, two to be liȝt of þe taperes at þe heiȝe masse. And ȝif it so befalle þat a symple broþer dye, þt may nat fynde hymself no liȝt, þanne þo vij. tapres schul be mad newe and set aboute þe body, and þe torches also; and whan any broþer deieþ, þat þey haue þo torches redy to bringe hem to chirche ȝif nede be.

Also, ȝif any of þe breþeren be alosed of þefte, or a comune conteco^r, or of any oþer wykked fame, wherfore þat þe companye is apaired by, þat with-oute any delay þat þey be put out of þe breþerhede.

Also, þat no broþer schal be resceyued but on þe dayes of oure assembles.

Also þt foure gode and trewe men schul kepe þe catel longynge to þe companye, and trewely ȝiue vp here acounte þe day of seint ffabian and sebastian byfore alle þe breþeren, or elles sixe of þe wiseste of þe same bretheren; and eche ȝeer þe foure schal be chaunged, but it so befalle þat þey be þe more profitable to þe companye.

Also, þat þer schal non Wardeins make non newe statutȝ ne newe ordinance wt-oute assent of alle þe bretherhede, and þat it be don on on of þe foure dayes aforeseid.

De bonis et catallis eidem ffraternitati pertinentibus.

• ... In primis, duo vestimenta et unum calicem et missale …
• Item, vnum…xiiij.s.
• Item, in auro et argento in pixide_______________xiij.s. iiij.d.

Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presens scriptum peruenerit, Johannes de Thorntone, ciuis Londonie, et Johanna vxor ejus, vxor quondam Johannis de Thame, ciuis et Hatter Londonie, ac executrix testamenti predicti Johannis de Thame, salutem in domino. Cum predictus Johannes de Thame, in testamento suo, probato, proclamato, et irrotulato, in hustengo Londonie de placitis terre tento die Lune proxima post ffestum sancti Barnabe apostoli, anno regni Regis Edwardi tercii post conquestum vicesimo tercio, legauerit totum illud tenementum suum cum pertinentiis, quod perquisiuit de domino Willelmo Lothewyk, Milite, in parochia sancti Botulphi extra Aldresgate, Londonie, Margarete filie sue, et heredibus de corpore ipsius Margarete legittime procreatis, volens vlterius et legans in eodem testamento suo quod, si predicta Margareta obierit sine herede de corpore suo legittime procreato, quod tunc predictum tenementum cum pertinentiis venderetur per executores suos. Que quidem Margareta, sine herede de corpore suo legittime procreato, jam mortua est. Noueritis nos prefatos Johannem de Thorntone et Johannam vxorem ejus, virtute et auctoritate testamenti predicti, vendidisse, concessisse, et hoc presenti scripto nostro confirmasse, Stephano Vant, Bookbynder, ciui Londonie, Johanni de Bokkynge, Webbe, ciui Londonie, Philippo atte Vyne, Cappere, ciui Londonie, et Ricardo Lincolne, Hattere, ciui Londonie, totum predictum tenementum cum omnibus suis pertinentiis, habendum et tenendum eisdem Stephano, Johanni de Bokkynge, Philippo, et Ricardo, heredibus et assignatis eorum, de capitalibus dominis feodi illius, per seruicia inde debita et de jure consueta, imperpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium, huic presenti scripto nostro sigilla nostra apposuimus:—Johanne Philippot, tunc Majore ciuitatis Londonie; Johanne de Heylesdoun et Willelmo Baret, tunc Vicecomitibus ejusdem civitatis; et Rogero Elys, tunc Aldermanno illius warde. Datum Londonie, primo die Octobris, anno regni regis Ricardi secundi post conquestum tertio.

Tenementum predictum valet per annum vij. marcas. Vnde reseruatur, de quieto redditu, annuatim, xiij.s.

Et tenementum predictum est in manibus feoffatorum predictorum, quousque imposterum, per licenciam domini Regis, ad opus predicte Gilde siue fraternitatis, poterit amortizari; et iidem feoffati, ex deuotione sua, quando eis placuerit, soluunt redditum tenementi predicti in auxilium manutenendi lumen, et eciam pro emendacione vestimentorum predictorum, et in aliis operibus divinis et elemosinis, prout in hac parte melius viderint expidire. [Each of the three paragraphs of this indorsement is written in a different hand and ink from the others. No doubt the reason of this was, that a different officer of the gild made each separate entry, taking it from such documents as were in his separate possession on behalf of the gild.]

IV.
GILD OF ST. MARY, NORWICHE.

[CCCX. 17. Condition, fair.]

In Dei nomine, amen. And in hono^r of oure leuedi seinte marye, cristes moder of heuene, and alle halwyn, þe ordenaunces off certeyn persones weryn be-gunnen in þe Cite of Norwyche, in yer of grace a thousande thre hundred and syxti, ȝe ȝer of regne of kyng Edward, þe thridde after þe conquest, XXXIIJ., and perpetueli scha [(sic.)] ben holden, in þe honor of oure lady seynt marye, cristes moder, at þe heye auter in þe ffrere Prechours of Nortwyche.

Thus it is ordeyned: þat alle þe bretheryn and sistyn of þe gylde, als longe as xij. persones of hem lyuen, þei schullen offeryn a candel and to torches of wax; and þis light þey han hoten and a-vowed to kepen and meyntenen, and þese oþere ordenances þat ben vnder wreten, vp-on here power and diligence, in wyrschipe of crist and his moder; and þe to torchis schullen ben of xl. lib. weyghte; and alle þe brethren and sisterin schullen offeryn þis candel and þe to torchis, eueri ȝer, þe sunday aftir þe natiuite of oure lady, and herin here messe at þe heye auter atte selue frere prechours; and eueri brother and sister offerin an ob. wyth here candel and here to torches, in honor of þe holigost.

And þe to torchis, eueri day in þe ȝer, schullen ben light and brennynge at þe heye messe at selue auter, from þe leuacioun of cristis body sacrid in til þat þe preest haue vsed.

[What follows is in another hand and ink.] Thys ben þe names of þe men þat ben maystres and kepers of þe gyld:

• Johannes Brocke, webster
• Henricus Wyld
• Johannes Hotere

And þis men han in kepynge for þe same light, xl.d.

V.
GILD OF ST. BOTULPH, NORWIC'.

[CCCX. 18. Condition, fair.]

Preface

Excellentissimo principi et domino, domino nostro Ricardo, dei gratia Regi Anglie et ffrancie, ac consilio suo in Cancellaria sua, sui humiles ligei, Custodes fraternitatis sancti Botulphi Abbatis in ecclesia sancti Botulphi, Norwici, omnimodam subjeccionem ac reuerenciam et honorem. Virtute cujusdam proclamacionis, per vicecomitem Comitatus Norffolchie, apud Norwicum, de mandato regio nuper facte, vestre celsitudini nos prefati ligei vestri, juxta formam proclamacionis predicte, certificamus, quod nostra fraternitas predicta anno Domini millesimo CCCmo octogesimo quarto fuerat incepta, ob honorem sancti Botulphi Abbatis, et luminis augmentum in ecclesia predicta singulis diebus ad missam ibidem dicendam continue sustinendi, sub certis ordinacionibus factis, quarum quidem tenor sequitur in hec verba:—

Ordinances

In nomine sancte Trinitatis, patris et filii et spiritus sancti, ac sancti Botulphi Abbatis, et omnium sanctorum, Amen.

In ye begynnyng it is ordeynede, yat yis fraternite shal be holden, at ye Chirche of seint Botulphe forsayde, on ye sonday next folowande ye Epiphany of oure lorde, ande yer offeren here Candel deuouteliche; and euery brother and euery sister shal offeren a ferthynge at ye messe wt ye candel; ande ye bretheren and sisteren yat bene absent, shul payen a pounde of wax to ye light.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat alle ye bretheren and sisteren of yis fraternitee shul comen, on ye monday next folowande, to

ye Chirche forsayde, and yer haue a messe of requiem for alle cristen soules, vp ye peyn forseyde.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat when a brother or sister deyethe, alle ye bretheren and ye sisteren of yis fraternitee shule comen to ye Dirige and to messe; ande euery brother and euery sister shul offre a ferthyng, and yeuen a ferthyng for loue of godd, a peny to a messe for ye soule of ye dede; and he shal haue, of ye bretheren costes, two torches and two candels brennand.

And also it is ordeynede, yat what brother or sister of yis fraternitee falle in pouert, euery brother and sister shal yeuen ye pouer brother or syster a ferthyng in ye woke.

Et quo-ad bona et catalla fraternitatis predicte, eidem celsitudini vestre similiter significamus, quod nos, prefati Custodes, habemus in custodia, ad opus dicti luminis sustentandi, xxvj.s. viij.d. argenti. In cujus rei testimonium presentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus.

VI.
GILD OF ST. GEORGE, NORWIC'.

[CCCX. 35. Condition, good.]

Preface

Excellentissimo principi et domino, domino nostro Ricardo, dei gratia Regi Anglie et ffrancie, ac consilio suo in Cancellaria sua, sui humiles ligei, Custodes fraternitatis sancti Georgii Martyris, in ecclesia Cathedrali sancte Trinitatis Norwici, omnimodam subjeccionem ac reuerenciam et honorem. Virtute cujusdam proclamacionis, per vicecomitem Comitatus Norffolchie, apud Norwicum, de mandato regio nuper facte, vestre celsitudini nos prefati ligei vestri, juxta formam proclamacionis predicte, certificamus, quod nostra fraternitas predicta anno domini millesimo CCCmo octogesimo quinto fuerat incepta, ob honorem gloriosi martyris sancti Georgii, et luminis augmentum in ecclesia Cathedrali predicta singulis diebus ad magnam missam ibidem celebrandam continue sustinendi, sub certis ordinacionibus factis, quarum quidem ordinacionum tenor sequitur in hec verba:—

Ordinances

In nomine sancte Trinitatis, patris et filii et spiritus sancti, ac gloriosi martyris sancti Georgii, et omnium sanctorum, amen.

In ye begynnyng it is ordeynede, yat euery brother and sister of this fraternitee shullen halwen euermore ye day of seint George, and heren ye seruice of bothe ye euensonges and messe, and preyen for ye sisters and ye bretheren of yis fraternitee, and for alle trewe men yat trauaillen in ye kynges viage.

Ande also it is ordeyned, by comoun assent, yat ye forseyde bretheren and sisteren shullen offeren a candel brennande in ye

forsayde Chirche, on ye day of seynt George in ye worshepe of seint George, by-for ye Trinitee. Ande ye same day yei shul bene at ye Chaundelers by pryme of ye day; and yat bene absent shul payen a pounde of wax to ye light; ande euery brother and euery sister shall offeren an halfpeny at ye messe wt ye candel.

Ande also, yat euery brother and sister, on ye next day efter seint george day, shul comen to ye forsayde Chirche by pryme, and yer do synge a messe of Requiem for alle Cristen soules, vp ye peyn forseyde.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat when a brother or a syster deyethe, alle ye bretheren and sisteren of yis fraternitee shule comen to ye Dirige and to ye messe, ande euery brother and euery sister shul offeren a ferthyng, and yeuen a ferthyng for ye soule of ye dede, ande a peny to a messe; ande of yat siluer he shal haue two candels poysand vj. pounde of wax.

And also it is ordeynede, yat what brother or sister of yis fraternite falle in pouert, euery brother and sister shal payen, in ye woke, to ye kepers of yis fraternite, a ferthyng; of whiche siluer ye pouer brother or sister shal haue, in ye woke, viij.d.; ande ye siluer yat leueth, shal gone to ye makynge of ye Image of seint George.

Et quo-ad bona et catalla fraternitatis predicte, eidem celsitudini vestre significamus, quod nos prefati Custodes habemus in custodia, ad opus dicti luminis et dicte ymaginis sancti Georgii faciendi, xl.s. argenti. In cujus rei testimonium, presentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus.

VII.
FRATERNITAS SANCTE KATERINE, NORWIC'.

[CCCX. 40. Condition, generally fair; but bad along one side.]

Norwic'.

Excellentissimo principi et domino, domino nostro Ricardo, dei gratia Regi Anglie et ffrancie, ac consilio suo in Cancellaria sua, sui humiles ligei, Custodes cujusdam fraternitatis sancte Katerine virginis et martyris, in ecclesia sanctorum Simonis et Jude in Norwico, omnimodam subjeccionem ac reuerenciam et honorem. Virtute cujusdam proclamacionis, per vicecomitem Comitatus Norffolchie, apud Norwicum, de mandato regio nuper facte, vestre excellencie, juxta formam proclamacionis predicte, certificamus, quod nostra fraternitas predicta anno domini millesimo CCCmo septimo, per quosdam parochianos dicte ecclesie, et alios deo deuotos, fuerat incepta, ob honorem sancte Trinitatis, beatissimeque virginis marie, ac sancte Katerine virginis et martyris, et omnium sanctorum, luminisque incrementum in ecclesia predicta continuandum, sub certis ordinacionibus communi consensu fratrum et sororum fraternitatis predicte editis et factis; quarum quidem ordinacionum tenor sequitur in hec verba:—

In ye begynninge wt one assent it is ordeynede, yat alle ye bretheren and sisteren of yis gilde shul comen to-geder to ye paroche chirche of seynt Symond and Jude in Northwiche, on ye day of seynt Katerine, for to gone with processioun wt her candel, ye whiche be born be-forn hem, ande to heren ye messe of seynt Katerine in ye forsayde chirche; ande at yat messe euery brother and sister shal offeren an halfpeny.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat what brother or sister be absent at ye processioun forsayde, or at messe, or at offeryng,

he shall payen to ye catel of ye gilde ij. pounde of wax, bot yei mowen bene excused resonablely.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat when a brother or sister is dede, euery brother and sister shul come to Dirige and to messe; ande at ye messe, eueriche shal offeren an hal-peny, ande yeuen an hal-peny to almesse; ande for a messe to be songen for ye soule of ye dede, a peny. Ande at ye Dirige, euery brother and sister yat is letterede shul seyn, for ye soule of ye dede, placebo and dirige, in ye place wher he shul comen to-geder; ande euery brother and sister yat bene nought letterede, shul seyn for ye soule of ye dede, xx. sythes, ye pater noster, wt Aue maria; ande of ye catel of ye gilde shal yer bene two candels of wax, of xvj. pounde weight, aboute ye body of ye dede.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat if eny brother or sister deye oute of ye Citee of Northwiche wtinne viij. mile, yat sex of ye bretheren yat han ye catel of ye gilde in kepyng, shul wenden to yat brother or sister yat is dede; and if it be lefulle, he shul done carien ye [(sic.)] Norwiche, ande elles be beryede yer; ande if ye body be beriede oute of Norwich, alle ye bretheren and sisteren shul bene warnede to comen to ye forsayde chirche of seynt Symond and Jude, ande yer shal be done for ye soule of ye dede alle seruice, light, and offeryng, as ye body were yer present. Ande what brother or syster be absent at placebo and Dirige, or at messe, he shal payen two pounde of wax to ye catel of ye gilde, bot he be resonablely excusede. Ande neueryeles he shal done for ye dede as it is seyde a-forn.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat, on ye morowe efter ye gilde day, alle ye bretheren and sisteren shul come to ye forsayde chirche, and yer done syngen a messe of Requiem for ye bretheren and sisteren soules of yis gilde, and for alle cristen soules, and euerich yer offere a ferthyng. And who-so be absent, he shal payen a pounde of wax.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat if eny brother or sister falle in pouert, thurghe auenture of ye werld, his state shal bene holpen, of euery brother and sister of ye gilde, wt a ferthyng in ye woke.

Ande also it is ordeynede, by comoun assent, yat if eny discorde be bytwen bretheren and sisteren, first yat discorde shal be shewede to other bretheren and sisteren of ye gilde, and by hem acorde shal be made, if it may be skilfully. Ande if he mowen nought bene so acorded, it shal be lefulle to hem to gone to ye comoun lawe, wtouten eny meyntenaunce. Ande who-so do ayein yis ordenaunce, he shal payen two pounde of wax to ye light.

Also it is ordeynede, by comoun assent, yat what brother of yis gilde be chosen in to office, and refuse it, he shal payen iij. pounde of wax to ye light of seynt Katerine.

Also it is ordeynede, by comoun assent, yat ye bretheren and sisteren of yis gilde, in ye worshepe of seynt Katerine, shul han a lyueree of hodes in suyte, and eten to-geder on her gilde day, at her comoun costes; ande who-so faile, he shal payen ij. pounde of wax to ye light.

Also it is ordeynede, by comoun assent, yat no brother ne sister shal be resceyued into yis gilde bot by ye Alderman and xii. bretheren of ye gilde.

Et quo-ad bona et catalla dicte fraternitatis, eidem excellencie vestre similiter significamus, quod nos, prefati Custodes, habemus in custodia, ad opus dicte fraternitatis, xx.s. argenti.

VIII.
NORWIC': FRATERNITAS SANCTI CHRISTOFORI.

Certificacio in Cancellaria, per Magistrun Radulfum Nektone.

[CCCX. 66. Condition, three parts fair; remainder bad.]

Preface

Excellentissimo principi et domino, domino nostro Ricardo, dei gratia Regi Anglie et ffrancie, ac consilio suo in Cancellaria sua, sui humiles ligei, Custodes cujusdam fraternitatis sancti Christofori martyris, in ecclesia fratrum ordinis sancti Augustini in Norwico, omnimodam subjeccionem ac reuerenciam et honorem. Virtute cujusdam proclamacionis, per Vicecomitem Comitatus Norffolchie, apud Norwicum, de mandato regio nuper facte, eidem excellencie vestre, juxta formam proclamationis predicte, certificamus, quod nostra fraternitas predicta anno domini millesimo CCCmo octogesimo quarto fuerat ex deuotione fundata, ob honorem sancte Trinitatis, patris et filii et spiritus sancti, et sancti Christofori martyris, sub certis ordinacionibus consensu communi fratrum et sororum predicte fraternitatis factis; quarum quidem ordinacionum sequitur series in hec verba:—

Ordinances

In ye worshepe of ihesu crist, ande of his dere moder, and of seynt Cristofere ye holy martir, and alle holy halwen, deuouteliche we begynnen yis fraternite by yes ordynaunces vnderwriten.

In ye begynnyng, we shul preyen deuoutely for ye state of holy chirche, and for ye pees of ye londe; for ye pope of Rome and his Cardinals; for ye patriak of Jerhusalem; for ye holy londe and ye holy crosse, yat godd for his myght and his mercy bryng it oute of hethen power into reule of holy chirche, ande yat godd of his merey make pes and vnytee in holy Chirche;

ande for alle Erchebisshopes and bisshopes, and specialy for oure bisshope of Norwiche; for alle parsones and prestes, and alle ordres of holy chirche, yat godd of his mercy saue hem and kepe hem, body and soule, and yeue heme grace here, ordre to kepe, and so to reule holy chirche and mannes soule yat it be to goddes worshepe and saluacioun of here soules and to alle cristen men; for oure lorde ye kyng, for oure lady ye qwen, Duckes, Erles, Barouns, and Bachelers of ye londe, yat godd of his grace sauue hem and kepe hem fro dedely synne, and yeue hem grace, ye Roialme and holy chirche and here owen soules so to reulen and kepen yt it be worshepe to godd, and to alle cristen men saluacioun; for alle knyghtes, squyers, citeȝenis and Burgeys, fraunkeleyns, and alle trewe tyliers and men of craft, wydoues, maydenes, wyfes, and for alle ye communalte and cristen peple, yt godd of his mercy saue hem and kepe hem yt in yis werld leuen wt treuthe, and yeue hem grace so to done yat it be worshepe to godd and saluacioun to here soules; for alle trewe shipmen, and trewe pilgrymes, yt godd for his grace yeue hem wederyng and passage, yat yei mowen sauely commen and gone; for ye fruyte of ye londe and of ye see and ye wederyng; for alle ye men yt bene in fals beleue, and wolde bene in goode beleue, godd yeue hem grace to comen to her desir; for oure faders soules, and moders, bretheren and sisteren, and for alle ye bretheren and sisteren of yis gilde, and for alle cristen soules: amen.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat yis bede and preyer shal bene reherside and seyde at euery tyme yat ye alderman and ye bretheren bene togedere.

Ande also it is ordeynede, by ye bretheren and sisteren of yis gilde, yt yei shulle holden ye day of her fraternite, euery yher, on ye sonday next a-forn ye feste of seynt Cristofore; ande on ye same day yei shulle offren a candel of fyue lightes, brennande aforn ye heye Auter in ye freres Austyns of Norwiche; ande yei shule eten to-geder on ye same day, on her owen costes.

Ande yis is here entent, to make non ordinaunce in prejudice ne lettyng of ye comoun lawe, but only in worshepe of godd and seynt cristofore, and norisshyng of loue and charitee.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat euery yher, on ye monday next efter ye sonday of her offeryng, yei shul bene alle to-gedere in ye same place, and haue a messe of Requiem, and eueriche offre a ferthyng for alle cristen soules.

Also it is ordeyned, yat on ye day of ye sepulture of eny brother or syster of yis gilde, yt eueryche offre a ferthyng, and yeuen an halpeny to allemesse, ande aboute ye dede ij. candels of viij. pounde of wax; ande two pouere men shul bene hirede of ye almesse siluer, to holden ye torches aboute ye dede.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat yhef eny brother or sister of ye gilde falle in pouerte or myschef, by auenture of ye werld, euery brother and sister shal payen an halpeny euery woke to ye kepere; and oute of yis he shal han, euery woke, xij.d., and ye remanant to ye light.

Et quo-ad bona et catalla dicte fraternitatis, eidem excellencie vestre similiter significamus, quod nos, predicti Custodes, habemus in custodia xx.s., ad opus et sustentacionem luminis predicti.

IX.
FRATERNITAS SANCTE TRINITATIS, in ecclesia Cathedrali sancte Trinitatis, NORWIC'.

[CCCX. 85. Condition, fair.]

Norwic'.

Excellentissimo principi et domino, domino nostro Ricardo, dei gratia Regi Anglie et ffrancie, ac consilio suo in Cancellaria sua, sui humiles ligei, Custodes cujusdam fraternitatis sancte Trinitatis in ecclesia Cathedrali sancte Trinitatis, Norwici, omnimodam subjeccionem ac reuerenciam et honorem. Pretextu cujusdam proclamationis, per vicecomitem Comitatus Norffolchie, apud Norwicum, de mandato regio nuper facte, vestre celsitudini, juxta formam proclamationis predicte, certificamus, quod nostra fraternitas predicta anno domini millesimo CCCmo sexagesimo quarto fuerat ex deuocione incepta, ob honorem summe et indiuidue Trinitatis, patris et filii et spiritus sancti, luminisque augmentum in ecclesia Cathedrali predicta singulis diebus deuote continuandum, sub certis ordinacionibus communi consensu confratrum et sororum predicte fraternitatis factis; quarum quidem ordinacionum tenor sequitur in hec verba:—

Ordinances

In ye begynnyng it is ordeynede, by comoun assent, yat alle ye bretheren and sisteren of yis fraternite shul kepen and begynnen her deuocioun on ye euen of ye feste of ye Trinitee, at matyns commande, wt solempnite to ye forsayde chirche, wt torches brennande, and yer offeren euery brother and sister. Ande on ye morowen gone wt ye processioun, wt a candel of fyue lyghtes to brene aforn oure lady.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat, euery yher, yat on ye monday next efter ye Trinite sonday, alle ye forsayde bretheren and

sisteren shul comen togeder to ye same place wher ye candel is offered, and haue a messe of Requiem for alle cristen soules. Ande euery brother and sister shal offre a ferthyng. Ande whoso be absent, he shal payen a pounde of wax to ye light.

Ande also it is ordeynede, by comoun assente of yis fraternite, yat, at ye day of ye sepulture of ye bretheren and sisteren, euery brother and sister forsayde shul offeren an halpeny, and yeuen an halpeny to almesse; ande eueriche brother and sister shal payen a peny to a messe; ande euery brother and sister shal payen, of ye commoun catel, a peny to a sauter for ye dedes soule; ande he shal haue, of ye comoun catel, two candels poysaunt viij. pounde.

Ande also it is ordeynede by yis fraternitee, yat yefe eny brother or sister falle in pouert, or in mischief, euery brother or sister shal payen an halpeny in ye woke to ye officers; wherof ye pouer brother or sister shal haue xij.d. in ye woke, and ye remanant shal be done to ye light.

Ande also it is ordeynede, yat if eny brother or sister be absent at eny gaderyng or beryinge, or when he be somound, he shal payen a pounde of wax to ye light, bot he be excused resonablely.

Et quo-ad bona et catalla dicte fraternitatis, eidem excellencie vestre similiter significamus, quod nos, predicti Custodes, habemus in custodia, ad opus et sustentationem fraternitatis predicte, lx.s. argenti.

X.
BROTHERHOOD OF BARBERS, NORWICHE.

[CCCX. 111. Condition, fair.]

And a bretherhode þer is ordened of barbres, in þe site of Norwyche, in þe worschep of god and ys moder, and seynt Johan þe Babtis, þat alle bretherin and sisterin of þe same gylde, als longe as xij. persones of hem lyuen, þey schulen offeryn a candel and to torches of wax; and þis light þey hoten and a-vowed to kepyn and myntenyn, and þes oþer ordenances þat ben vnder wreton, vp-on here power and diligence, in worschepe of crist and ys modyr and seyn Johan Babtis; and þe to torches schul bien of xl.lib. weyght; and alle þe bretherin and sisterin schullen offeryn þis candel and þe to torches eueri ȝer a misomere day, and þey herin here messe at þe heye auter atte Charunel in cristis cherge, and eueri brother and sistir offeryn an ob. wyth here candel and here to torches, in honor of god and oure lady and seynt Johan þe Babtis.

And þe to torches, eueri day in þe ȝer, scullen ben light and brennynge at þe heye messe at selue auter, from þe leuacioun of cristis body sacrid, in til þat þe priest haue vsud.

This bien þe names of þe men þat ben maystris and kepers of þe gyld:—

• Philippus Barbur
• Jacobus Barbir
• Thomas Barbyr at prechors

And þis men han in kepynge for þe same light, ij.s. in here box.

XI.
GILD OF THE PELTYERS, NORWICH.

Fraternitas sancte Trinitatis, Norwici, ac sancti Willelmi Innocentis et martiris, de Norwico.

[CCCX. 116. Condition, partly fair; the rest bad.]

Norwic'.

Excellentissimo et nobilissimo principi et domino nostro, domino Ricardo, dei gratia Regi Anglie et ffrancie, ac ipsius sano consilio in sua cancellaria, sui ligei humiles et benignissimi, magistri et custodes fraternitatis constitute et ordinate in honore sancte Trinitatis, beate marie, ac beati Willelmi innocentis et martiris, ac omnium sanctorum, que quidem fraternitas est tenta in ecclesia cathedrali sancte Trinitatis, Norwici, die dominica proxima post festum Petri et Pauli, omnimodam reuerenciam cum omni subjeccione et honore. Cum nuper, de mandato Regio, per vicecomitem Norffolchie, palam et publice, inter alia, fuisset proclamatum quod omnes et singuli magistri et custodes gildarum, fraternitatum, quarumcumque, certificent in cancellariam vestram, in scriptis, plenarie, distincte, et aperte, citra festum purificacionis beate marie vbicumque tunc fuerit, de modo forma ac auctoritate fundacionis, inceptionis, ac continuationis, et regiminis, gildarum et fraternitatum predictarum, ac de modo et forma sacramentorum, congregacionum, conuiuiarum, assembliarum, fratrum et sororum, ac omnium aliorum de gildis et fraternitatibus hujusmodi existentibus, necnon de libertatibus, privilegiis, statutis, ordinacionibus, vsibus, et consuetudinibus, gildarum et fraternitatum earundem, ac insuper de omnibus terris et tenementis, redditibus, possessionibus, mortificatis et non mortificatis, ac bonis et catallis quibuscumque, ad predictas gildas et fraternitates qualitercumque pertinentibus siue spectantibus, in quorumcumque manibus hujusmodi terre et tenementa, redditus et possessiones, bona seu catalla, ad opus hujusmodi gildarum et

fraternitatum existant, ac de vero precio bonorum et catallorum predictorum. Nosque ligei vestri, audita et intellecta proclamatione predicta per ipsum vicecomitem sic facta, regie celsitudini vestre, juxta formam proclamationis predicte, in omnibus obedire volentes, eidem celsitudini vestre certificamus, quod nostra confraternitas antedicta ab anno domini millesimo tricentesimo septuagesimo sexto fuerit incepta et fundata; ac deinceps, ad honorem dei, glorioseque virginis marie matris sue, ac beati Willelmi, ac omnium sanctorum, diuinique cultus augmentum, ac dicte ecclesie cathedralis et sustentationis duorum capellanorum deo ibidem seruiencium releuamen, per confratres et sorores ipsius fraternitatis successiue continuata, sine prejudicio, injuria, seu calumpnia cujuscumque. Nec est dicta fraternitas in aliquibus terris, tenementis, redditibus, aut possessionibus immobilibus dotata; sed fuit et est, quando et quociens necesse fuerit, pro oneribus eidem confraternitati incumbentibus subportandis, de collecta communi inter dictos confratres et sorores fieri consueta, ac de legatis in testamentis et vltimis voluntatibus, aliisque piis deuocionibus eidem relictis et collatis, decenter sustentata et huc usque debita gubernata. Ad hos insuper modum et formam, fratres et sorores dicte confraternitatis sunt conuocandi, conuocati, assembliandi seu assembliati, secundum quasdam ordinaciones, communi sensu ipsorum confratrum et sororum editas atque factas, quarum quidem ordinacionum tenor sequitur in hec verba:—

Constitutiones.

In ye name of ye fader and sone and holy gost, thre persones o god in trinite; and in ye worchepe of oure lauedy seynte marie his dere moder, and of seynt William ye holy Innocent and digne marter, and alle halewyn. In ye yer of oure lord jhesu cryst, a thousande thre hundred seuenty and sexe, Peltyers and oyere god men be-gunne yis gylde and yis bretherhod of seynt Willyam ye holy Innocent and marter in Norwyche. And alle yis ordenaunces undirwreten, al ye bretheren and systeren schulyn helden and kepen vpen here power.

At ye fyrste, alle ye bretheren and systeren thus han be hoten: yat yey, euery yer, on ye sunday nexst aftyr ye fest of seynt Peter and Powel, in worchepe of ye trinite and of oure leuedy and seynt William and alle halwen, schullen offeren to floured candelys a-forn seynt Willyams toumbe, in ye mynstre of ye trinyte, and eueri of hem offeren an halpeny at ye messe, and heren al ye messe. And qwo-so be absent, yanne he schal payen to seynt Williams lythe thre pound of wax. And it schal ben reysed and gadered be ye alderman and his felas. Also a knaue chyld, innocent, beren a candel yat day, ye wygthe of to pound, led be-twyxen to gode men, tokenynge of ye gloryous marter.

Also it is ordeyned, yat no man schal ben excusyd of absence at yat messe, but it be for ye kyngges seruise, er for stronge sekenesse, er twenty myle duellynge fro yis syte, yat he ne schal payen ye peyne of thre pound of wax.

And qwo-so schal ben escused for any oyer schyl, it schal ben at ye aldermannes wyl, and at ye cumpany.

Also alle ye bretheryn and systeryn han hordeyned and graunted, for any ordenaunce yat is mad or schal ben mad a-monges hem, yat yey schal saue ye kynge hys rythe, and non prejudys don a-geyn his lawe in yes ordenaunce.

Also it is ordeyned, yat eueryche broyer and syster of yis gylde, erly on morwe aftyr ye gylde day, schal heryn a masse of requiem for alle ye brethere soules and systeren soules of yis gilde, and for alle crystene soules, at seynt Williams auter in ye mynstre of ye trynyte in Norwyche, and offeren a ferthynge. And qwo-so be wane, schal paye a pound of wax.

And qwan ye messe is don, be here aldermannes asent yey schal alle to-gedere gon to an In. And euery man yat hat ony catelle of ye gilde, leyn it doun; and ordeynen yer of here lykynge be comoun assent, and chesen offyceres for ye nexte yer. And qwo falye, schal payen thre pound of wax.

And viij. men of ye aldermannes chesynge, on ye gylde day, schulen chesen an alderman, and to felas, and a somono^r, for ye nexte yer.

Also it is ordeyned, in ye worchepe of ye trinite and of oure

leuedy seynt marie, and of seynt William and of alle halwyn, yat qwat brother or syster, be goddis sonde, falle in mischefe er mys-ese, and haue nout to helpen hem-selfe, he schal han Almesse of eueri broyer and syster euery woke, lestende his myschefe, a ferthynge; of qwyche ferthynges he schal han xiiij.d., and ye remenaunt gon to catelle. But if it be his foly, he schal nout han of ye elmes.

Also it is ordeyned, be comoun assent, qwo-so be chosen in offys, and refuse it, he schal paye to seynt Wylliams lythe thre pound of wax, and vp peyne of his othe.

Also if ony brother er syster deye, he schal han of ye gylde foure torches, and foure pore men cladde, abouten his cors. And euery brother and syster offeren at his messe, and heryn al ye messe, and byden his enterynge, and at messe offeryn a ferthynge, and an halpeny ȝeuen to almes for ȝe soule. And ȝeuen to a messe a peny, ye qwyche schal be gaderyd be ye alderman and hise felas, te don for ye soule and for alle crystene.

Also if any broyer er sister deye seuene myle fro ye cite, ye alderman and oyer seuene bretheryn, at his exequises, schulwende in fere to ye cors, and ordeynen and don for ye soule as for on of ye bretheren.

Also it is ordeyned, be comoun assent, yat yese bretheren, in worchepe of ye holy trinyte and seynt William, schul etyn togedere on yat day, at here comoun cost.

And qwo-so be somouned to don semble, er to congregacioun be-forn ye alderman and ye bretheryn, and come nout, he schal paye a pound of wax to ye lyt.

Also it is ordeyned, be comoun assent, yat no broyer ne syster in yis gilde schal be reseyuet but be ye alderman and xij. bretheryn.

Also it is ordeyned, be comoun assent, yat ye comoun belleman schal gon thurghe ye cite on ye gilde day, after none, and recomandyn al ye brethere soules and systeres of ye gilde be name, and alle crystene soules; and seyn yat a messe of Requiem schal ben seyd erly on ye morwen, be prime day, in memorie of ye soules and alle crystene; and somownyn alle ye

bretheryn an systeryn, yat yey ben at ye messe at ye auter of seyn William at yat tyme of prime, vp ye peyne of thre pound of wax.

removeAlso it is ordeyned, yat ye fo [

This beginning of a fresh ordinance, and its crossing out, are so in the original record. As none other of the ordinances has this beginning, the inference is, that some fresh ordinance happened to be at that time under consideration, but had not been yet adopted. The Latin clause which follows supports this inference. It is certain that fresh ordinances were, from time to time, adopted. The case of the Shipmanes Gild gives an illustration of this fact. (See after, p. 57.)

The Latin preface to these Ordinances speaks of the maintenance of two chaplains; but this was clearly a mistake, for there is nothing at all in the ordinances themselves as to the maintenance of any chaplain.

]

Non sunt alie constitutiones constitute nec ordinate in fraternitate predicta.

Summa catallorum dicte fraternitatis, iiij.li. iiij.s., et non plus nec minus.

[Indorsed:]—ffraternitas sancte Trinitatis ac beati Willelmi Innocentis et martiris in Norwico.

XII.
THE TAILORS' GILD, NORWICH.

Certificatio fraternitatis Artificii Sissorum, Norwici.

[CCCX. 120. Condition, generally fair, but bad in places.]

Norwiche.

Excellentissimo et nobilissimo principi, domino nostro, domino Ricardo, dei gracia Regi Anglie et ffrancie, ac ipsius sano consilio in sua cancellaria, sui ligei humiles et benignissimi, magistri et custodes fraternitatis Artificii sissorum in Norwico, facta(sic.) in honore assencionis domini nostri ihesu christi et beate marie virginis, omnimodam reuerenciam cum omni subjeccione et honore. Cum nuper, de mandato regis, per vicecomitem Norffolchie, palam et publice inter alia fuisset proclamatum, quod omnes et singuli magistri et custodes gildarum, fraternitatum, quarumcumque, certificent in cancellariam vestram, in scriptis, plenarie, distincte, et aperte, citra festum Purificacionis beate marie, vbicumque tunc fuerit, de modo, forma, ac auctoritate, fundacionis, incepcionis, ac continuacionis, et regiminis, gildarum et fraternitatum predictarum; ac de modo et forma sacramentorum, congregacionum, conuiuiarum, assembliarum, fratrum et sororum, ac omnium aliorum de gildis et fraternitatibus hujusmodi existentibus; necnon de libertatibus, priuilegiis, statutis, ordinacionibus, vsibus, et consuetudinibus, gildarum et fraternitatum earundem; ac insuper de omnibus terris, tenementis, redditibus, possessionibus, mortificatis et non mortificatis, ac bonis et catallis quibuscumque, ad predictas gildas et fraternitates qualitercumque pertinentibus siue spectantibus, in quorumcumque manibus hujusmodi terre et tenementa, redditus et possessiones, bona seu catalla, ad opus hujusmodi gildarum et fraternitatum existunt; ac de vero precio

bonorum et catallorum predictorum. Nosque ligei vestri, audita et intellecta proclamacione predicta per ipsum vicecomitem sic facta, regie celsitudini vestre, juxta formam proclamacionis predicte, in omnibus obedire volentes, eidem celsitudini vestre certificamus, quod nostra confraternitas antedicta ab anno domini millesimo tricentesimo quinquagesimo fuerit incepta et fundata. Ac deinceps, ad honorem Assencionis Domini nostri ihesu christi, glorioseque virginis marie, diuinique cultus augmentum, in capella beate marie de campis in Norwico, Deo ibidem seruitura per confratres et sorores ipsius fraternitatis, sine prejudicio, injuria, seu calumpnia cujuscumque. Non est dicta fraternitas in aliquibus terris, tenementis, redditibus, aut possessionibus immobilibus, dotata; sed fuit et est, quanto et quociens necesse fuerit, pro oneribus eidem confraternitati incumbentibus supportandis, de collecta communi inter dictos fratres et sorores fieri consueta, secundum quasdam ordinaciones communi sensu ipsorum confratrum et sororum editas atque factas, quarum quidem ordinacionum tenor sequitur in hec verba:—

ORDINACIO.

[The copy of ordinances which follows, in English, is written in a different hand from the foregoing Latin preface.]

This ordenaunce ys mad in this manere:—þat alle the breþeren and the susteren schullen ben to-gedere on the half thursday, at þe candel berynge, and at the messe seynge and offeryn; and who-so faille þat day, þat he be nouthe þere, as comenaunt ys, he schal paie a pound of wax for is faute.

And also, on the fryday nest folowende, it is ordeyned þat alle þes breþeren and sisteren shullen ben at a messe of requiem for the bretheryn and þe sisteren þat ben dede, and for alle cristene soules: als-so ho-so make defaut that day, he schal paye half a pound of wax.

And also it is ordeyned, þat alle the bretheren þe wache þe halderman of this gilde sendit fore, shullen ben redy at that day

that he sendit for hem, be-twixen þe feste of the Natiuite of oure lady and Misschelmasse, in wat stede that he syngnyt hem, for to here the Countes and reknynges for the dettes þat he owen to Alderman and þe compayne.

And who-so make defaut þat day, and be warned, he ssal paye to pound of wax.

Also it is ordeigned be þe breþeren, þat alle þo þat the Alderman sendit fore, shullen ben redy on þe soneday fourtnythe after esterne, en what place þat þe Alderman assyngnetȝ, for to ordeynen hoo ssal make the candel þat ȝer, and kepent; and also þo þat arn assyngned to don that office, þe companye ssal oward hem viij.d. for here trauaille. And þe sexteyn of the forseid chapel ssal han, for lythynge of the lythe, viij.d. Also þe clerk that ryngetȝ on the half thursday at euen, ssal han iiij.d. for his trauaille.

And also it ys ordeyned, be þe Alderman and alle the breþeren, þat who-so falle at meschief, en pouerte, croked, blyn, be þe grace of Godes sonde, out-taken ȝef he be a theffe proued, he ssal han seuene penes in þe woke, of þe breþeren and sisteren, to helpen hem withe.

And also it ys ordeyned, be alle þe breþeren and sisteren, þat what brother or sister deye, þe ferndes of þe dede body sshullon whet þe Alderman to seyn; and he ssal sende forthe þe bedel to alle þe breþeren and þe systeren, þat þey bien at the derge of þe body, and also at messe and offeren, and ben withe the body til it be closid in þe herthe; and also fynden þer, of here cost, to tapers of wax, of þe wythe of xij.li., at þe derge and at þe messe brennende. And also euery broþer and euery sister of þe gilde sshullen ȝeuen on halpeny in þe worchepe of god for þe soule; and also seyn oure ladys sauter, or don seyn. Euery broþer and sister ssal ȝeuen a peny to a messe for þe soule, hastili songen.

And also, what broþer or sister þat deye vij. mile a-boute þe sete, þe breþeren þat þe alderman assyngnetȝ sshullen gon þeder wt he wax, and bryngin þe bodi to þe herthe, as it is be-fore.

Also ȝef ony broþer or sister deye in straunge cuntre, in

cristendom or in hethenesse, þe breþeren sshollen gon to þe chapel on the feld, with here wax, and leyn a clotȝ, and doun a messe of requiem for þe soule, and oþere þenges, als ȝon he where at hom amoungeȝ hem.

Also it was ordeyned ferst be Peres of Weston, and be alle þo þat han be sithyn, þt alle þese Comenauntȝ a-forsaid sshulle ben holden ferme and stable: and þer-to harn þei sworon on the halidom. And alle þo þat comen after sshullen do þe same othe.

And also it is ordeyned, þat alle the bretheren sshullen ben togedere on the friday after half thursday, for to chesen an Aldirman; which Aldirman ssal receyue þe catel at a serteyn day, and deliueren aȝen in serteyn place þer þe breþeren assyngnetȝ. And who-so faile, þe friday after mete, he sshal paien half a pound of wax.

And also it is ordeyned, þat a-mounges the breþeren and sisteren in here assemble, a candel brennande of wax, and seyn a bede in worchepe of god and of oure leuedy, alle seyntes, and for alle cristene soules, and for alle þe breþeren and sisteren of þis gilde.

Also it ys ordeyned þat, fryday after noon, þat þey shole chesen a Somno^r; and alle þt ȝei who-so be in þat office, he shal paie no siluer, but gon qwyte for hys trauaille. Also qwat broþer or sister þat entrit in his time schal paie to þe bedel a peny.

Indorsed:— Fraternitas sissorum ciuitatis Norwici, ordinata in honore assencionis domini.

XIII.
THE CARPENTERS' GILD, NORWICH.

[CCCX. 174-177. Condition, fair. This return is made up in the form of a book. It has six leaves of vellum, each measuring 9 1/2 inches by 5 1/2. Only three of the leaves are written upon, but each of these is written on both sides. The handwriting is very remarkable.]

In the name of þe fader and sone and holi gost, and of oure ladi seinte marie, cristes moder, and al þe holi cumpanye of heuene, þe ordenaunces of þe gilde of Carpenteris werin begunnen, in honor of þe holi trinite, in þe ȝer of grace of oure lord jhesu crist a thousand thre hundred and seuenti and fyue, þe ȝer of oure noble kyng Edward, þe thridde after þe conquest, fourti and nyne; and shullen ben holden perpetuelliche in þe moder Chirche of Norwiche a-forn þe heye auter: and it was begunnen by þis entent, for to encresin a light of torchis atte sacrement of cristis bodi at selue auter. The qwilk ordenaunces alle þe breþerin and sistrin of þis gilde han be hoten and avowed, to þe hono^r of þe trinite, to holden and stabeliche kepen, vp-on here might and power, as longe as xij. persones of þis gilde lasten and lyuen.

Thus it is, þat alle þe bretherin and sistrin shullen comen togidere, on þe saterday atte euen next after þe ascension of oure lord crist, eueri ȝer, at þe place assigned be þe alderman and his to felas, in Norwich, in cause of deuocioun, and þere biddin a bede a-forn here light in honor of trinite, and han recomoundid in here mynde þe stat of holi Chirche, and for pes and vnite in þe lond, and for alle þe bretheren soules and sistris soules of þis gilde, and alle here frendis soules, and alle cristene. And eueri of hem shal seyn, wt good deuocioun, v. pater noster and v. aue marie be-forn þe candil brennyng.

Also it is ordeyned, þat eueri ȝer, on þe sunday next after þe ascensioun, alle þe breþerin and sistrin, at tyme of day, shal ben at þe Chaundelers þer here wax is ordeyned in Norwiche, and gon alle to-gidere, in processioun, wt here candil and here torchis, in-to þe menstre of þe trinite, and offerin es vp at þe heye auter, and heren þe heye messe, and eueri offerin an halpeny atte messe.

Also it is ordeyned, þat if any broþer or sister of þis gilde deye with-outen þe Cite of Norwiche, he shal han to Candils of þe bretherin at his dirige and his messe, brennyng abouten his corps, of xij.lib. peys. And alle þe bretherin and sistrin shullen ben at his dirige, and praye for þe soule. And, on þe day folwande, ben at his messe of requiem from gynnyng to þe ending; and eueri offerin a ferthing, and ȝeuen an halpeny to elmes for þe soule. And eueri broþer and sister ȝeuen a peny to do seyn a messe for þe soule, and for alle þe bretherin soulis and sistrin of þis gilde, and alle cristen soulis.

Also, if any broþer or sister of þis gilde deye wit-outen Norwiche vij. mile abouten, alle þe bretherin shullen gon to his berying messe, with here alderman, with here to candelis brennende a-bouten his cors, and offrin alle atte messe, and ȝeuen here elmesse þere, and gaderin þe messe pens for þe soule in manere for-seyd.

Also, if he dye in ferthere cuntre, he shal han his seruise and messe offring, elmesse, messe pens, and trental, as on of here othere bretherin, in þe mynstre of Norwiche.

Also þese bretherin han ordeyned, be weye of charite, þat if any broþer or sister of þis gilde falle in any meschef or pouert, be godis sendyng, or be any chaunce of þe werld, and nat be his owne folye ne ryotous lyuyng, and he may nought withe his craft ne with his godis helpen him self, he shal han, of eueri broþer and sister of þis gilde, eueri woke, a ferthyng, lestyng his meschif: and þese ferthinges shal be gaderid at eueri moneth ende, and delid forth to þe nedful man, in honor of crist and his moder, and for alle cristene soules.

And qwo-so make defaute in any of þese ordenaunces, he hath

oblisshed him-self, bi his avow and his owen graunt, to payen to þe light ii.lib. of wax in wursship of crist, but if he may resonabli escuse him-self be þe kyngis seruise, or for any journe þat touchit þe kyng or his ministris, or be any oþer cause resonable.

Also þis is þe bretheris entent, þat for non ordenaunce þat herin is mad, ne be no maner colo^r of þis gilde, þei shullen makyn no meyntenaunce ne confideracie ageyn þe kyngis right ne þe comoun lawe, ne no preiudice don to no maner man, be þe feyth þat þei owen to god and þe ligeaunce þat þei awe to oure lord þe kyng.

[This paragraph is written in another and very different hand. It is clearly not intended to be taken as one of the ordinances, but as the statement of a fact. See the note at the end of the Gild next following.] And bysyden alle thise ordinaunces, Robert of Elyngham, Masoun, and othere serteyn masouns of Norwiche, fynden, in Cristes chirche at Norwiche, tweye torches brennyngge atte heye auter as it is by-for seyd.

XIV.
THE POOR MEN'S GILD, NORWICHE.

[CCCX. 212-217. Condition, fair. This return is, like the last, made up in the form of a book. It has six leaves of vellum, each about eight inches long by five wide. Of these, only two leaves are written upon, but each of the latter is written on both sides. The front of the first leaf, which is otherwise blank, bears the indorsement given on the next page, and which is written in an entirely different style of hand from that in which the ordinances themselves are written.]

In hono^r of oure lord Jhesu crist, and of oure lady seinte marie, and in wursship of seyn Austyn, anglorum Episcopi, and alle holi halwen; in hono^r of which seynt austyn þe pouere men of þe parisshe of seynt Austyn be-gunnen a gylde, in helpe and amendement of here pouere parish chirche of seyn Austyn þe bysshop in Norwiche, in þe ȝer of oure lord crist a M¹.CCC.IIIJ^XX, þe ȝer of oure Kyng Richard secounde þe iiije.

ffirst, þat þei shullen meynten and fynden a light in þe same chirche in hono^r of þe selue seynt Austyn; and þis light eueri ȝer þe shullen offerin vp eueri ȝer in þe same chirche, an meynten and susteyn it vp-on here power, whil god ȝift hem grace, on þe sunday next a-forn þe feste of seynt Austyn, here avowe.

And on þat day þat þei offeryn here candel, alle þe bretheryn and sistrin of þis gilde shullen at þe offring of þe selue light, and herin a principal messe in þe same chirche, and offerin at þe messe.

And if any broþer or sister of þis pouere gilde falle in any pouerte or secknesse, or any oþer meschef, be þe sendyng of crist, and he may nouȝth helpe him-self with his owen godis, and he may nought ne haue nouȝthe to susteyne him self, he

shal han, of þe bretherin and sistrin, eueri woke, iij. pens, til þat he be recured.

Also it is ordeyned, þat any broþer or sister of þis gilde deye vij. mile abouten þe Cite, or with-innen þe cite, alle þe bretherin and sistrin shullen [This word "shullen" is written twice in MS.] ben at þen enteryng of þe dede corps, and offerin at his messe, and ȝeuen xxx.d. for xxx. messes singing for þe soule, and for alle cristen soules.

[On the outer cover is written as follows:—]

Nomina societatis sancti Augustini:—Nicholas Bryan, Johannes de Shypdham, Johannes de Bukenham, et alii, &c.

Nomina societatis sancte Trinitatis:—Robertus Elyngham, Thomas de Hecham, Ricardus Gront, et alii, &c.

Et memorandum, quod Johannes Alunday, Robertus Snape, et Robertus Elyngham, preter omnia alia, inueniunt ij. cereos et vnam candelam in ecclesia sancte trinitatis predicte. [As the present return touches only the "Poor Men's Gild" of St. Austyn, it would seem that the last two of these paragraphs relate to some Gild the particulars of which were sent up at the same time with those of "The Poor Men's Gild." The Carpenters' Gild is stated to be "in honour of þe Holy Trinity" (before, p. 37); and the name of "Robert of Elyngham," mentioned in the lines added at the end of the ordinances of that Gild (before, p. 39), leaves little doubt that these two paragraphs refer to that Gild. But it is here stated that two waxes and one candleare found; while only two torches of wax are named in the return of the Carpenters' Gild. At any rate, it is odd that an indorsement should be found on the return of one Gild, touching another Gild, which must have been known to have made a separate return.]

XV.
THE SADDLERS' AND SPURRIERS' GILD, NORWICH.

Fraternitas de Sadelers et Spuriers Norwici.

[CCCX. 57. Condition, generally fair, but bad in parts.]

Preface

Mdum de fraternitate, constitutione, et ordinatione, in honore beate marie et omnium sanctorum, de,(sic.) in ecclesia conventuali de Carrowe, pro-ut in ordinacionibus per fratres et sorores ipsius fraternitatis factis plenius continetur. Que quidem fraternitas est sustentata et supportata cum Sadelers et Spuryerys ejusdem ciuitatis Norwici. Non habent terras, tenementa, redditus, nec possessiones, nec catalla, vltra valorem decem solidorum.

Ordinacio.

To ye hono^r of oure lady seynt marie, and of alle halwen, yese ordenaunce of fraternyte of Sadeleres and Sporyeres, in ye cite of Norwyche, wern be-gunnen in ye yer of oure lordis birthe ihesu Crist, a thowsande thre hundred foure skore and ffyue, and perpetuelli schal ben holden a-forn ye ymage of oure lady at ye heye auter in ye chirche of nunnes in ye nunrye of Carrowe be-syden Norwyche.

Thus it is ordeyned; yat ye bretheryn an systryn of yis fraternyte, as longe as xij. persones of yis gilde lyuen, yey alle han hoten an a-vowed, to ye hono^r of god, yat yey schuln mayntenen yese ordenaunces vnderwreten, vp here power and diligence, in worchepe of cryst and of his moder and alle halwen, and

amendement of here soules and alle crystene, in ye worchepe of holy chirche.

Frust, yat yey schuln fynden and meyntenen a lythe of to torchis of wax, of xxxij.li., euery day brennynge at leuacioun of crystys body sacred, at ye hey masse, but no masse more.

And yis gilde schal ben holden euery yer on ye sunday aest after ye trinite; and alle ye bretheren and systeren han a lyuere of sute, to kennen ye bretheryn an systeryn, and for no oyer enchesoun.

And on ye euen a-forn yis day, at ye aldermannes assygnement, alle ye bretheryn and systeryn yat ben in Norwyche, or oyer place yat may resonableche, schul comen to-gedere, in cause of deuocioun, and seyn a bede for alle ye brethere soules and systrys of yis gilde; and qwo-so faly of yis, he schal payn ij. pound of wax at here owen graunt, but it he may resonabli escuse hem be kyngges seruise.

Also, on ye morwen on yis day nest suwynge, be-time, alle bretheryn and systeryn schul ben to-gedere in crystis chirche, to heryn a masse at ye auter a-forn ye relikes, and euery of hem offere yere. And qwan ye masse is seyd, alle ye bretheryn an sisteren schul gon wyt ye alderman, in deuocioun, to ye place yer here lithe is ordeyned, and gon wyt ye lythe, in processioun, to ye nunrye of Carrowe, and yer heryn a masse and offeryn an ob.

Also, if any brother er syster deye in ye syte of Norwyche, alle ye bretheryn and sisteryn schal ben at his dirige, wyt to torchis of wax, and to pore men cladde.

And also on yis manere ben at his masse and his enterynge; and euery offeryn a ferthynge, and ȝeuen an halpeny to almesse for yat soule and for al crystene.

And if he deye thre myle out of Norwyche, alle ye bretheren schul comen to his enterynge, wyt here to torches and to pore men cladde, and offeryn and don as for a brother.

And if he deye wit-outen ye lystes of thre myle, and his mansioun and his houseld ben in ye cite, he schal do don a dyryge and messe wyt here lythe, and don elmesse.

And any brother or sister yat duellen wyt-outen ye lystys of thre myle from ye cite deye, alle ye bretheryn and systeren schal don seyn for his soule, in ye chirche of ye nunrye of Carrowe, dirige and masse, an don for is soule as for any brother or sister forseyd.

Non sunt alique alie constitutiones ordinate in congregatione predicta.

Endorsement

Indorsed on the above return is the following:—

ffraternitas Sadeleres et Spuryeres de Norwico, tenta in ceclesia conuentuali beate marie de Carrowe, juxta Norwicum. [This return is written on a piece of vellum which has once formed two leaves of a book, of about the same size in the page as the one described before, p. 40 note, and with ruled lines on each side of each page. The two leaves have been flattened out, and the return is written across the ruled lines. But the mark of the fold of the pages, and the holes where the threads went through to hold these leaves as part of a bound book, are still plainly seen. Such facts as the use of this piece of second-hand vellum for this return, and the very unusual use of paper for the official writs (see Introduction, and after, Part II. No. I.), perhaps point to an unwonted scarcity of vellum at this time. On the other hand, it will be seen, by reference to the Gild of Garlikhith (before, pp. 3, 5), that paper was used in 1375 to write the Gild-ordinances upon; while an inferior specimen will be found mentioned after, p. 121 note.]

XVI.
GILD OF ST. ANTHONY, LYNN, NORFOLK.

Statute Gilde Sancti Antoni, Lenne.

[CCCVIII. 117. Condition, fair, except in the lower lines.]

In þe worchep of God of heuen, and of his modir seynt mari, and alle þe holy Company of heuen, and souerengly of þe Noble confessour seynt Antony, wt a grete deuocion þs ffraternite was be-gonne in þe toun of lenne, of men and women, lestenliche for to fyndyn, in chirche of seynt margare of lenne, be-forn þe ymage of seynt Antony, on candelle of j.li. of waxe, brennend euery festiuale dai thorow-out þe yere, in þe tyme of seruyse, in þe honour of god almyghty, and of þe holy confessour seynt Antony. Also it is ordeyned, be assent, þt alle þe men and women of þs fraternite wt a good deuocion shuln gon in fere, þe sonday nest aftir þe fest of seynt Antony, to þe Chirche of seynt margare fornseid, deuowteliche þer for to heren a messe of seynt Antony; and eueriche broþer and sistir shal offren an ob. in þe worchepe of god and of seynt Antony. Also it is ordeyned to hauen foure mornspeches in þe ȝere. Þe first shal bene þe monday nest aftir þe fornseide soneday: þe secunde shal bene þe soneday aftir þe fest of seynt michel: þe thred shal bene þe soneday aftir þe fest of Epiphanie: þe fourte shal ben þe soneday aftir þe fest of seyntes Tiburs and Valerian in Aprille. Also ordeyned it is, þt what man or woman, hauened deuocion to þt holy confessour seynt Antony, þat wille comyn in to þis fraternite to ben broþer or sistir (be als mekil als þe forseide lyght, to þe worchep of god an holy Chirche, lestyngliche in tyme comyng, wt-outen help of mennys deuocion ne may not

be meyntened and kept), shal payne v.s. Also it is ordeyned, be on assent of alle þe company, to chesen an Aldirman, wyse and wittye, able and konyng to reulen and gouern þe company, to þe worchep of god an holy Chirche; and foure skeuaynes, trost men and trewe, for to kepyn and reseyuen þe goodes and þe katel of þe gilde; and on Dene, for to warnyn alle þe gild breþren and sistren, as is þe custum in þe fornseide toune of lenne; and on clerke, to wryten þe nessessariis of þe gild. Also what broþer or sistir of þs fraternite dye, þe Aldirman shal weten þe dene to seye, and þe Dene hastiliche bryngyn þe waxe to þe Derige, wt outen any lettyng, and sythen warnyn þe brethren and sistren to come to þe derige and gon wt þe Cors to þe kirke; and eueriche broþer and sistir shal offren ob. for þe soule. And also, what broþer or sistir of þis fraternite dye, he shal haue, of þe clene katel of þe Gilde, xx. messes songyn for his soule. Also, what broþer or sistir of þs fraternite lese hys katel þorow þe grace of god, or ellis falle in sekenes, where-þorow he may not helpyn hymselfe, þan ilke broþer and sistir of þs gild shal ȝeuen, ones in þe yere, j.d. to his sustenauns and releuyinge. Also ordeyned it is, þt þe clerke shal haue, for his trauaile in þe yere, xij.d., and þe dene, for his trauaile, xij.d.

Be it knowe openliche to ȝow, be þeis presentes, þt we alle buxumlye vndirstondend ȝoure lettres sent to vs, seyend on þs manere, þt we shuld sende ȝow a kopy of our statuȝ, and also þe summe of our katelle. Weteth it wele þt þe summe of our katelle is xxxiij.s. iiij.d. [These figures are so much defaced that I cannot be quite sure of them; but I have little doubt that the sum, as given above, is right.] At my lord þe Kynges wille.

XVII.
GILD OF ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY, LYNN.

Ordinaciones Gilde Sancti Thome Episcopi Cantuariensis, Lenne.

[CCCVIII. 118. Condition, fair.]

In þe worchep and hono^r of Jhesu Crist, and of his mild modir seynt marye, and of alle þe holy Company of heuen, and specially of þe holy martir seynt Thomas of Cauntirburye, men and woman, þorow a grete deuocion to þe forseide martir seynt Thomas, hauend, in þe toun of lenne, þis fraternite be-gonne, in þe ȝere of our lord a thowsend CCC.LXX.VJ., lestendliche for to meyntene and fynden, be-forn a certayne ymage of seynt Thomas, in þe Chirche of seynt Nicholas of þe fornseid toun of lenn, on kandel of ij. pound of waxe, for to brenne in seruice tyme eueriche festiuale day in þe ȝere. And þis gild shal ben holdyn in þe day of seynt Thomas aftir þe feste of þe Natiuite of seynt ion þe baptist at midsomir. Þat day, eueriche broþer and sistir of þis gilde shuln seme-lyn in a certayne place, faire and honestliche arayde. And þan alle þe bretheryn and sisteryn of þis fraternite, alle to-gedir shuln wend to þe fornseide Chirche, þer for to heryn, wele and deuowteliche, a messe solempliche soungyn. And at þe messe, alle þe bretheryn and sisteryn shul offren ob., in þe worchepe of god and of seynt Thomas. And þis gild shal haue foure mornspeches in þe ȝere. Þe first shal bene þe nest day folowend þe fornseid fest of seynt Thomas. Þe secund shal bene þe soneday aftir seynt mathue. Þe thrid shal bene in þe day of seynt Thomas in Cristmes. Þe fourt shal bene þe soneday aftir þe fest of seynt Pernele. Also ordeyned it is, be assent of þe bretheryn, to chese an Aldirman to reule þe Company, and

four skeuaynes to kepe þe goodes of þe gilde, and also a dene to warnyn þe bretheryn and sisteryn, as þe manere is, and also a Clerke to wryten and entryn þe þe [(sic.)] Names and þe nessessarijs of þe gild. Also it is ordeyned for to fyndyn, at þe fest of Estern, on kandel of xvj. pound of waxe, for to brenne a-bout þe sepulcre in þe fornseide Chirche of seynt Nicholas. And if any broþer or sistir of þis gild be ded, þe dene shal do þe Thorches comyn to þe Derige, and warnyn alle þe gild bretheryn and sisteryn þt ben in toun, to comyn and offren ob. at þe chirche; and what broþer or sistir so comyn nout, he shal ȝeue ob. to Elmes for his soule. And if any broþer or sistir be ded, he shal haue, of þe propre katel of þe gild, xxx. messes soungyn for his soule wt-in þe thredd day. Also, what broþer or sistir bere oþir any falshede, thefte, or wroung on hand, he shal lese þe fraternite perpetueliche. Also ordeyned it is, þt what man or woman þt wille comyn in to þs fraternite þorow deuocion of þt holy martir seynt Thomas, for to fyndyn, þe tyme comyng, þe fornseide lyght, to þe worchep of god and of seynt Thomas (be als meche as it may nout be found wt-out mennys Elmes and deuocion), he shal payne v.s. Also it is ordeyned, be on assent of alle þe Company, þt what man or woman of þs fraternite þt falle in pouert, þorow losse on þe se, or þorow fire or any manere othir, sond of god, alle þe bretheryn and sisteryn of þis gild shul ben gadred in fere, and helpyn hym wt a porcion of here katel, vp here powere. Þeis ordennauns were ordeyned be on assent of alle þe bretheryn and sisteryn of þis gild, to meyntene and fulfillyn þeis forn statuȝ, to þe worchep of god and of seynt Thomas, to lestyn wt-outen ende. And þe Clerke shal haue for his trauaile, iij.s.; And þe dene, for his trauaile in þe ȝere, xviij.d.

Be it open and knowen apertiliche vn-to ȝow, be þeis presentes, þt we fulliche vndirstondend þe lettres sent fro ȝour Chauncrye vn-to vs, shewend and seyend on þs manere, þt we shuldyn send ȝow a kopy of our statuȝ and þe summe of our katel. We do ȝow to wetyn þt þis is þe very kopy of our statuȝ, and þt xl.s. is þe ful summe of our katel, redy at our lord þe kynges wille.

XVIII.
GILD OF ST. LEONARD, LYNN.

He sunt ordinaciones Gilde sancti Leonardi Confessoris de Lynne.

[CCCVIII. 119. Condition, fair; except in the lower lines.]

In honore sancti leonardi confessoris. In þe worchep of god alle-myghti, and of his modir seynt mary, and of alle þe holy company of heuen, and specially of þe holy confessour seynt leonard, þs Gilde was be-gonne in Damgate in þe toun of Lenne, þorow þe deuocion of men and women, to fyndyn be-forn on ymage in þe Chirche of seynt Jame of lenn, in þe worchep of god and of seynt leonard, on Candelle of j.li. waxe, to brenne ouery festiuale day in þe ȝere, a-forn þe ymage of seynt leonard. Alle-so it is ordeyned, be on assent of alle þe bretheryn, þat eueriche brothir and sistir shal offren at þe Chirche of seynt Jame, on þe soneday nexte aftir þe fest of seynt leonard, ob., in þe worchep of god and seynt leonard. Alle-so it is ordeyned, be on assent of þe brethren, to haue foure morspeches in þe ȝere. Þe firste shal bene þe moneday neste aftir þe forseide soneday. And at þt mornspeche, þorow on assent of alle þe brethen, to chesen an Aldirman, wise and able to reule þe Company to þe worchep of god; and also foure men for to reseyuen and kepyn þe katel of þe Gilde; and also on certayne Oficere to warnyn alle þe brethren to comyn to chirche; and also on clerke, to wryten þe katel of þe gilde. Þe secunde morspeche shal bene aftir þe Purificacioun of our leuedy. Þe thred, aftir þe feste of Phelip and iacob. Þe fourte, aftir þe feste of seynt Petre ad uincula. Alle-so it is ordeyned, be on assent of þe brethren, be als mechil as þe lyght

fornseide ne may nout be meyntened in þe tyme for to come, euery man þt wille wt good deuocion comyn in-to þs ffraternite, shal pay iij.s. Alle-so, if any brothir or sistir deye, þe aldirman shal comand þe Oficere to warnyn alle þe bretheryn and sisteryn to bryng þe Cors to þe chirche, wt waxe brennend, and þe waxe for to brenne in þe tyme of seruice. And euery broþir and sistir shal offren at þe messe for þe body ob. Ȝefe any brothir or sistir of þs Company be in any mischefe, þorow losse of þe se, or any other myshappes, þorow goodes sond, þe company shal ben gadered to-gedir and helpyn hym. Ȝefe any broþer or sistir of þs gild dye wt-in a mile a-bouten, and haue nout whereof to bryng hym to þe erthe, þe Aldirman and þe gilde brethren shuln wend and bryng hym to þe erthe on þeire owe costages. And if any broþir dye wt-in þe iij. mile aboutyn, þe Aldirman shal gon and beryne hym, or ellis hyren a man of here costages to bryng hym to þe erthe. Þere shal no broþir ne sistir sene othir in prison, þt he shal comyn and vesyten hym, and comfordyn hym in his powere. Also, if any broþir or sistir of þis gild dye, he shal haue xv. messes songyn for his soule. Also, what man or woman of þis gilde be rebel ageyne þe lawe of holy chirche, he shal lese þe fraternite of þis gilde tille he come to amendment.

Be it open to ȝow, be þs presentes, þt we fulliche vndirstondend ȝour lettres sent to vs, seyend on þs manere, þat we shuld send ȝow a kopy of our statuȝ, and also þe summe of our katel. We do ȝow openliche to wetyn, þat þe summe of our katel is xxi.s.viij.d., redy to our lord þe kinges wille.

XIX.
THE GILD OF YOUNG SCHOLARS, LENNE.

Hee sunt ordinaciones et consuetudines gilde sancti Willelmi, Lenne Episcopi.

[CCCX. 65. Condition of what remains, fair; but fully one-third destroyed.]

In þe worschip of ihesu crist, and of his modyr seynt marye, and of þe holy martir seynt Wiliam, a fraternite was begonne, in þe ȝer of oure lord M¹.CCC.LXXX^o.IIJ^o., of ȝonge scolers, to mayntene and kepen an ymage of seynt Wylyam, standyng in a tabernakle, in þe chirche of seynt Margarete of Lenne, fyndende aforn þe forseyd ymage vj. tapers of wax, brennende iche festiual day, to þe worschip of god and of his modyr marye, and of seynt Wiliam þe holy martir.

Also afterward, men secnde to þe deuocioun don in holy chirche, and hauende affeccioun to þe holy martir seynt Wiliam, askynd þe fraternite, ȝeuende of here fre wylle, eueryche after her power, to mayntene and to kepen þe forseyd ymage, withe þe lighte, in þe forseyd chirche, also longe as her catel myghte endure.

Þan afterward, be assent of þe breþeren, ȝernende to ben encresyd, to þe worschip of god, was ordeynd þt what broþer deyed of þe fraternite of seynt Wiliam, schulde haue of þe godys of þe gilde, withe-outyn any delay, xxiiij. messis to helpyng of his soule, and also, at þe day of his beriyng, eueryche broþir, quiche myghte leeffully, schulde come and gon wt þe cors to chirche, and offren as þe maner is vsyd in þe toun of Lenne.

Also ordeynd it was, be on assent of þe forseyd fraternite,

þt quat broþir felle in-to pouerte, be losse of þe se, or any myshappe of þis werd, [(sic.)] he schulde, foure tymes in þe ȝere, ben releued withe þe godys of gilde, be on assente of þe breþeren, as þei sowen here godys myghte suffysen.

Also it was ordeynd, be on assente of þe forseyd fraternyte, for to haue a spekyng to-gedyr thre tymes in þe ȝer: þe fyrst, þe sonday after seynt micael þe arcaungyl; þe secund, þe sonday after þe fest of þe conuersioun of seynte poule; þe þird, after þe fest of philip and jacob. In quiche dayes þe maister of þe gilde, wiþ on assent of þe breþeren, schulde sen þt þe godes of þe gilde were spente and kepte vppe þe askyng of þe forseyd ordynauncys, to þe worschip of god and of his moder marye and of seynt Wiliam þe holy martir.

Also ordeynd it was, be on assente of þe fraternite, þt þe general day schulde ben helde vppon þe feste of reliques, in þe chirche of seynt margarete atte Lenne. In quiche feste all þe bretheren quiche myghte leeffully comen, warned be þe officer of þe gilde, schulde come into a honest place, honestliche and peysiblyche to gon to þe forseyd chirch, þere to heren a messe in þe worschip of god and of seynt Wiliam, offerend atte messe as devocioun of …portion of MS destroyed; and also, on þe same day in special, to haue a messe of requiem for þe soules of alle þe breþeren and þe gode doers of þe forseyd gilde. And alle breþeren schul come to þis messe of requiem, to offren.

Also ordeynd it was, be on assente of þe breþern of þe liche were prouyd rebel ageyn þe kyng, his lige lord, …unbuxom a-geynes þe lawes of ["þe" was written before "holy," but has been erased.] holy chirche, schulde …portion of MS destroyedfauour and þe benefis of þe forseyd gilde …portion of MS destroyedkyng, and reconsiled be holy chirche, to his sta…portion of MS destroyed

Also ordeynd it was, be on assente of þe breþeren, …portion of MS destroyedman wyse, and a-vyse and profitabyl to þe…portion of MS destroyeda clerk, to wryten and entren þe name …portion of MS destroyedof þe forseyd gilde; and also…portion of MS destroyedand leeffull vsages ordeyned…portion of MS destroyed

Also ordeynd it was …portion of MS destroyedmessys, and oþer costes …portion of MS destroyedencrese of godys …portion of MS destroyed if he …portion of MS destroyed eueriche b …portion of MS destroyedseyl of …portion of MS destroyedas þe godes …portion of MS destroyed [In cases like the present, where a large part of the original has been destroyed, the blanks thus left will not be filled up, as it is impossible, where the words wanting outnumber those that are left, to restore the former with certainty. The blanks thus appearing in the print by no means equal what is lost in the original; but they show how many lines, or parts of lines, have become irrecoverable.]

Also, for as myche as we weren beden, be vertu of þe …portion of MS destroyed, to certefyen ȝ^u of godes and chateux, we do ȝu to witen þat þe fraternite quiche we haue late be-gonne, hatȝ dispent in þe chirche of seynt margarete, to þe worschip of god and seynt Wiliam, aboute honest werkys named in þe ſorseyd ordinauncys, þe godes quiche han be ȝouen of þe breþeren comend into þe fraternite, to be spent in þe ordynauncys and þe leefful vsages forseyd. Wherfore, as children in ȝonge age, hopyng in tyme comyng to haue ben encresyd be help and counseyl of wyse men, oure godes han dispent as we han forseyd; no catelle kepende,—trostende, as children, withe ȝiftes to ben amendyd.

Expliciunt. Johannes Goldsmyth est Magister et Custos Gilde supradicte.These words are written in another hand and ink.

XX.
THE SHIPMANES GILD, LYNN.

Statuta de Gilda Exaltacionis sancte Crucis, vocata Shipmanesgilde, de Lenn.

[CCCX. 156. Condition, bad; and a fourth of the whole destroyed.]

In ye hon^r of ihesu cryst of heuene, and of his modir seynte marie, and of alle holy halwyn, and specialeke of ye exaltacion of ye holy crouche, in septembre yis fraternite is funded and stabeled, and, be ye grace of god, euere more to lasten, in ye ȝer of oure lord a Thousand CCC.LXVIIJ. And yis fraternite schal haue iij. morwespeches be ȝere, and mo if it nede be. Ye ferste morwe-speche xal be after ye drynck: ye toyer xal be ye sunday after candilmesse day: ye thridde xal be ye sunday after ye Natiuite of sen Jon day, baptist. And if yese morwespechyis be-forn inemed be nouht holdyn at ye serteyn day a-sygned, ye aldirman xal heldyn hem at wat tyme he setȝ most profyte to ye gylde. And if any broyer be somound to any morwespeche, and he be in toune, and wil nouht come, ne no leue haue of ye aldirman, he xal paye a pound of wax to ye lytȝ. And if ye den fayle of hys somouns, he xal paye, for euerilk broyer yt is in toune and nowt somouned, iij.d., but if he haue grace. And qwo-so be chosen in office of aldirman, and he for-sake his offyce, he xal paye, to amendement of ye gylde, iij.s. And qwo is chosen in office of skeueyn, and he for-sake ye office, he xal paye ij.s. And ye den, xij.d. And qwo-so entreȝ in-to thys fraternite, he xal paye ye rytes of ye hows, at his entre, viij.d.; yt is for to wetene, to ye aldirman, iiij.d.; to ye clerk, ij.d.; and to ye den, ii.d.; and fynden two suffysaunt borwes to make payment of ye

catel for his entre in ye ferste ȝer. And if any broyer of yis fraternite be ded in thys toun, ye den xal do come ye candelis of ye gylde to ye dirige, and warne alle ye gylde breyeren yt ben in toune to comyn, and go wit ye body to chirche, and offre yere an halpeni at ye messe for ye soule. And if ani broyer be ded wit-owten ye toun, ye aldirman xal do ye belleman gon for ye soule, and ye den xal somoune alle ye gylde breyeren, and don as it is aforn-iseyd. And qwo-so is somouned, and come nouht, he xal paye, at nest morwespeche, to lyth, a pound of wax. And euerilke broyer of yis fraternite yt is ded, xal haue for his soule xl.d. to messes. And qwo-so be rebel or vn-buxum ageynȝ ye aldirman, in time of drynck or of morwespeche, vnskylfulleche, he xal paye to ye lyht iiij.li. of wax. And if ani broyer be rebel ageynȝ oyer, he xal paye iij.li. of wax. And if ani broyer of thys fraternite bere oyer ani falsed on hande, or wronge, and it may be proued, he xal paye iij.li. of wax, and sythen make pes to hym yt he hatȝ trespased ageyn, be asent of ye aldirman and of men of ye counseyl. And qwo-so discuretȝ ye counseyl of ye gylde of yis fraternite to ani straunge man or wymman, and it may ben proued, or …portion of MS destroyed, xal paye to ye lyht ij. ston of wax, or lese ye fraternite tyl he may haue grace. And ordeyned is, yt ye catel of yis fraternite yt ye skeueynes xuln haue on hande, it xal be deliuered to hem be suffisaunt borwes, and be …portion of MS destroyed bryngen ye catel, wit ye encresement, at ye general morwespeche, by-forn ye alderman and ye gylde breyeren. And none xal be rebele or lettynge, so yt ye catel of yis fraternite in no maner be lessid, vp ye peyne, of ilk a skeuey ne, of .. pound wax, or his bor wis for hym. Also ordeyned is, yat no broyer of yis fraternite xal geue no wed an borw on oyer …portion of MS destroyed in til no plase, for dette ne for trespace, ne for non oyer cause, tyl swilk tyme yt he hatȝ …portion of MS destroyed of yis fraternite, and to ye breyeren yt ben chef of ye counseyl. And ye alderman and ye …portion of MS destroyed And if yei moun nowt acorden hem, ye alderman xal geuen hem leue to make her suyt at ye commune law. And qwo-so do nowt as it is aforn iseyd, he xal paye to

ye lyhtȝ a ston of wax. And ordeyned is, yt ye aldirman xal haue, euere-ilk day wil ye drynck lestetȝ, ij. galouns of ale; ilk askeueyne, j. galoun; ye clerk, ....; and ye dene, .... Andordeyned is, yt if ani broyer of yis fraternite be in pouerte, or in ani myscheif, so yt he may nowt of hys owene holpen hym-self, yan xal he ben holpyn wit ye comoun catel of …portion of MS destroyed yeren, and wit here owyn catel if it nede be. Also ordeyned is, yt euereilk broyer of yis gylde xal paye to ye lyhtȝ, for ilk a fare, vj.d.; and he …portion of MS destroyedand maketȝ no fare, he xal paye, be ȝere, to am …portion of MS destroyedye ale lytȝ, wit-outen leue of men of ye offis …portion of MS destroyedalderman is chesen in his offys he xal …portion of MS destroyedfraternite and ye statutis yt ben …portion of MS destroyed qwan ye alderman is …portion of MS destroyed and alle ye men yt …portion of MS destroyed for to helpyn and mayn …portion of MS destroyed ye olde aldirman xal …portion of MS destroyed te make ani d …portion of MS destroyednot fulfillyn it, he xal …portion of MS destroyedrysetȝ but men of offys. And qwo-so …portion of MS destroyedfraternite, for to ben a broyer of yis gylde, …portion of MS destroyeda broyer of yis fraternite, xal come euere-ilk a ȝer, qwan he is in toune, …portion of MS destroyed same ȝere, and paye yerfore as ye ordinance is; and qwo-so do nowt as it is aforn iseyd, he xal paye, to amendement of ye gilde, ij.li. of wax, or lese ye fraternite. Also yt euereilk a broyer xal kepe hys hod of lyuere of yis gylde be two …portion of MS destroyed, vp ye peyne for to paye two pound of wax, or lese ye fraternite. Al-so, if ani broyer of yis gylde be dede, ye den xal warn alle ye gylde breyeren yt be in toune, for to takyn on here hodis yt ben ordeyned of lyuere for ye gylde of ye same ȝere, and comen to messe and offere as it is aforn iseyd. And qwo-so is somouned, and come nowt, but if he haue leue of ye Aldirman, he xal paye, to amendement of ye gilde, j. pound of wax, or lese ye fraternite. And ordeyned is, yt ilk a broyer yt is in toune, and cometȝ to ye offrende, he xal dwelle to ye messe be don, and gon

hom wit ye aldirman. And qwo-so make defaute, and do nouht as it is aforn-iseyd, but if he haue leue of ye aldirman, he xal paye a pound of wax, or lese ye fraternite.

In festo sancti Dunstani, Episcopi, anno Domini M.CCCo. LXXXmo. primo:—Ordeyned is, yt if ani broyer of yis fraternite be ded witȝ-outen ye toun of Lynne, yan xal ilk a broyer of yis fraternite yt is in yt place, xal comyn and gon wit ye cors to cherche, worchepefulleke, and offere yere an halpeni, and be yere tyl he be beried. And qwo-so do nowt as it is aforn-iseyd, he xal paye, to amendement of yis fraternite, ij. pound of wax, or lese ye fraternite.

In festo sancti bartholomei apostoli, anno domini Mo.CCCo. LXXXIJo.:—Ordeyned is, yt ani broyer of yis fraternite be dede in west Lynne, or in south Lenne, ye den xal do comen ye torches of ye gylde to ye dirige, and warnen alle ye gylde breyeren yt ben in toune, and gon and don as it is aforn iseyd.

Traces of two lines more are found on this return; but nothing can be made out, save that the goods of the gild were there named.

XXI.
GILD OF THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LENNE.

[CCCX. 165. Condition, bad.]

In ye worchipe of ihesu crist of heuen, and of his der worthi moder seynt mare, and of all hallowen, and specialyke of ye Natiuite of seynt Jone ye Baptist, in quose worchipe yis fraternite is be-gunnen, be ye sent of alle ye breyeren and systers of yis gilde, to haue yre mornspeches be ye ȝere. Ye fyrst schal be ye next souneday after ye general day: ye secunde schal be ye souneday be-fore hallomese day: ye yre schal ben ye souneday be-for Pentecost. Also, if anny broyer or sister be somonde to anny of yis mornspeches, and he be in tone, and wil noght come, ne make non atturne for home, [(sic.)] ne non leue axken of ye Alderman, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, di. pounde of waxe, bot if he haue grace. And if ye deen faylith of his somonse, for euery broyer or syster, j.d. And who-so entres in to yis fraternite, he schal pay to ye ryghtes of ye hous; yt is for to say, to ye Alderman, j.d.; ye clerk, ob.; ye deen, ob.; and to ye waxe, ob. And if anny broyer or syster of yis gilde be dede, ye deen schal brynge ye candeles of ye gilde to ye diryge, and warn all ye breyeren and systers of ye gilde to come offere wyth ye dede a q^r., and a q^r. to ye almes. And he yt offers noght for ye dede, he schal paye, to amendement of ye lyght, j.d. And who-so be-wreys ye counseil of ye gilde to anny straunge man or woman, and hit may be prouid be anny broyer or sister of yis gilde, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, a pounde of waxe. And if ye Alderman be chosen, and forsake is office, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, ij. pounde of waxe;

eiyer skyueyn, di. pounde; and ye deen, di. pounde of waxe. And if anny broyer or sister be dede of yis gilde, he schal haue messes for his soule, of ye propere cattel of ye gilde, yt his for to weten, xij. messes. And who-so entres in to ye chaumbre yer ye ale lyth in, and askes no leue of ye officers of ye gilde, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, j.d., bot he haue grace. Also, ye deen schal haue for his travayle, be ye ȝere, vj.d.; ye clerk, viij.d. Also, ye skeueyns yt hath ye catel of ye gilde, yei schal fynde borowes of ye catel, to bryng hit before ye Alderman and ye gilde breyeren and systers atte ye general mornspeche; and if he do noght, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, ij. pounde of waxe, bot if he haue grace. And yt no man dwelle longer in ye hous yer ye gilde his holden in, yen ye Alderman. He yt doth, schal pay, to amendement of ye lyth, j.d., bot he haue grace. And ye Alderman schal haue, for his ffesse in tyme of drynkyng, ij. galons of ale; euery skeueyn a galon; ye clerk a potel; and ye deen a potel. Also, if anny broyer or syster be seke, in tyme of drynkyn, he schal haue a potel of ale. Also, if anny broyer or syster fallyth in pouerte, and may noght helpe hym-selfe, he schal haue, of euery broyer and syster, atte every mornspeche, j.d. And who-so entretȝ into yis fraternite, he schal pay for his entre ij.s., and fynde ij. borowes for ye catelle.

• Johannes Tyringtoun
• Robertus Thornegge
• Willelmus ffolkarde

Sunt custodes dicte gilde; et habent, de bonis ejusdem,...

XXII.
GILD OF ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY, LENNE.

[CCCX. 167. Condition, bad; a part destroyed.]

Yese ben ye status off ye gylde of seynt Thomas of cauntyrbury. And ordeynyd it is, yat yis gylde shal haue iiij. morwe-speces be ye ȝere. Ye fyrst morwe-speche shal ben ye soneday next aftyr ye drynkynge: ye next shal ben ye soneday be-forn halwemesse day: ye yredde shal ben on ye soneday be-forn Lammes day: ye ferde shal ben ye soneday be-forn wyth-sounday. And ho-so ys somownd to yese morwe-specys, and yei ben in towne, and wil nowt come, he shal pay, to amendement of ye gylde, half a pownd of wax. And who-so entrys in to ys fraternete, he shal pay to ye ryȝtys of ye hous; yat is for to say, to ye alderman, j.d.; ye den, ob.; ye clerk, ob.; ye wax, ob. And ho-so komys aftyr prime be smytyn, he xal pay, to amendement of ye lyȝthe, j.d. And what broyer or syster of yis gilde be ded, ye den shal don ye candelys of ye gylde to ye dyryge; and euery broyer and syster shal offeryn ij. q^rtre and j. q^r to ye almes: and he yat offeryt nowt, he schal at ye next morwe-speche, to ye helpynge of ye lyȝth, j.d. And who-so be ded of yis gilde, he shal haue messys for his soule xxvj. And who-so entrys into yis fraternite, he shal pay to ye ryȝthys of ye hous, and fynde to Borwys of ye catel, and he shal payen for hys entre xl.d. And ye aldyrman shal haue, euery day, to hys fyse, tyl ye drynk lastes, ij. galonys of ale; euery skeuen, a galon; ye clerk, j. potel; ye den, j. potel. And who yat fallyth in pouerert, and askyth helpe of ye gilde, euery broyer and syster of ye gylde shal gyue, every morwespeche, j.d.

And who-so ys choȝyn in office of aldyrman, and he for-sake hys office, he shal pay, to amendement of ye lyȝth, ij. pownd of wax; euery [This word is written twice over in the original.] skeueyn a pownd of wax; and ye den di. pound of wax. And who-so be seke in tyme of drynkyng, he shal have one galoun of ale. And who-so make any noyse in tyme of drynkyng, wher-thorw ye breyere and sisteren shul be greuyd, he shal pay, to amendement of the lyȝth, di.pound of wax. And ordeynyd it is, yat the skeueyns shul brygge ye catel of ye gylde, atte general morwe-speche, beforn ye aldyrman and ye gylde breyeren and systeren, ope ye peyne of …portion of MS destroyed And ȝif ye den falyeth of hys somouns, he shal pay, for euery man and womman …portion of MS destroyedAnd who-so be-wrayeth ye counseyl of ye gilde to anny straunge man or womman, he schal pay, to amendement of the gylde, …portion of MS destroyedpound of wax. And who-so entryes into ye chaumbre yer ye ale lyggys in, wyth-oute leue of ye officershe shal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, di. pound of wax. And yat noman sitte lenger yan ye alderman, in payn of a pownd of wax.

• Ricardus Harpole
• Willelmus ffolkarde
• Johannes Patyrmak
• Rogerus Broun

Custodes dicte Gilde, habent, equis portionibus, de bonis dicte Gilde, xl.s.

XXIII.
GILD OF ST. PETER, LENNE.

[CCCX. 168. Condition, very bad.]

This ys ye statuȝ of ye gylde of ye holy apostyl sente peter, by-gunnyn in ye toune of Lenne, in ye wrchepe of god and of oure lauedi sente marie, and of ye holy apostyl sente peter, in ye yere of oure lord M^o.CCC^mo.XX. nono. [The MS. is so much damaged that I cannot be certain whether the date is not M.CCC.XXXIX, instead of M.CCC.XXIX.] And yis gyld schal haue foure morne-spechis in ye yer. Ye frist schal bene after ye drynkyng: ye secund schal ben ye sonday nest be-fore mielmes day: ye thyrd schal be ye sonday nest be-fore candelmes day: ye ferd schal be ye sonday nest be-fore sent austenis day in may. And at euery morne-speche, eueriche broyer and syster yt longythe to yis gyld schal pey an halpeny, to meyteyn wit-al a lythe brennynge in ye chyrche of sent Jame, a-fore ye ymage of sent peter, ye quile yat deuine seruise is seyd in festiual dayys. And quo-so be somund to any morne-speche, and he be in toune, and wyl not come, ne make non aturne for hym, he schal a peny to ye lythe. And if ye dene faly of hys somonis, he schal peyyn, for eueriche yt is not somonde, j. peny to ye lythe. And eueril yere schal ye alderman clepyn up iiij. men of ye gyld, to chesyn an alderman, skyueyns, and den, yt ben profeth-abil to ye gyld. And if any of hem yt is schosyn for-sake is offyse, he schal peyyn to ye lythe: yt is forwetyn, ye alderman, j. pound of wax; eueriche skeueyn, di. li.wax; and ye dene, a quarter. And if any broyer or syster of ye gyld be ded, ye den schal do comen ye candelis to ye dyrige, and somon al ye cumpanye for to gone wit ye corse to chirche

and offeryn. And if he ne wil come, and he be in hele and in toune, he schal peyyn, at nest morne-spech, to ye almes for is soule, ij. pens. And eueriche broyer and syster yt is ded of ye gyld, he schal haue for is soule xx^ti messis. And ye alderman and ye skeueynis schullyn do synge ye messis wit-in ye thyrd day after he is ded, on ye perile of here soulis. And ordeynid it is, yt ye catel of ys gyld ye alderman schal delyuere to ye skeueynis, be sufficient borus to bryngyn ye catel ageine at ye general morne-speche, be-fore ye alderman and ye gyld bretheryn, of peyyne of ij.^li. wax. And ye alderman schal hauen, eueriche day ye qwile ye general drynkkynge lestyt, ij. galonis hale for is fees; eueriche skeueyne, j. galon; and ye den, j. potel; and ye clerke, j. potel. And quo-so enter into yis gyld, he schal makyn feythe to ye alderman for holdyn of yeyse statutis: and sythen peyyn ye rythys of ye house; yt is for wetyn, to ye alderman, j. peny; ye clerk, j. peny; ye den, ob., and to ye wax, ob.: and sythen mak god hys entrees, if ye cumpanye and he is acordid, or elis fyndyn borws to peyyn wt-ynne certeyn dayis. And ye dene schal haue, for is traualye in ye ȝere, vj.d. And also ordeynid it is, yt qwat broyer or syster bere oyer ani falsed or ani wronge on hande, or …MS badly damaged, and it may be prouyd be men of ye self gyld, he schal payyn, to ye reparacion of ye lythe, di. li. wax. And qwat broyer or syster falle in pouerte, and may nout helpe hym-self, yanne schullyn ye breyeryn and ye systeryn helpyn hym of here almesse.

Ȝis is ye verye copie of ye gylde of sent Petyr ye apostyle, holdyn in Lene afore-seyde, wrytyn on ye feste of seynte hillari, Anno Domini millesimo CCCo octogesimo octavo.

A list of some names, with other memoranda, follow the above in the original; but they have become entirely illegible.

XXIV.
GILD OF THE PURIFICATION, LENNE.

[CCCX. 185. Condition, good.]

Thys ys the Gylde of the Purificacion of owre lauedy seint marie, bygunnyn in the toune of Lenne, in the worchype of god and of oure lauedy seint marie: and it schal ben holdyn on candelmesse day. And thys gylde schal han iij. morwespechys be yere. The fyrste schal ben on seint Blasyes day: the secounde schal be the soneday nexte after the feste of seinte Barnabe apostole: the thrydde schal be the soneday after the feste of seint Dyonisii. And euery yer schal the Alderman callyn vp foure men of the gylde bretheryn, for to chesyn alderman and skyueynys that ben profitable for the Gylde. And if any of hem that arne chosyn forsake the office, he schal paye, to amendement of the Gylde, xij.d. And if any brothyr or syster be deed, the Deen schal do comyn the candelys of the Gylde to the dirige, and euery brothyr and systyr schal offere j.q^r. for hys soule. And euery brothyr and systyr that deed ys, schal han, of the catelle of the gylde, xl. messes, wythynne the thrydde day after hyse deth. And who-so entre into this ffraternite, he schal paye, to the amendement of the gylde, xl.d. Also, if any brothyr or systyr of this gylde be in mescheef, euery brothyr and systyr schal yeuyn hym iiij.d. yche yer, tyl he may helpyn hym-self.

• Walter Glouere, Aldirman.
• Wiliam Gedyngton
• Johannes Payabele
• Rogerus Folsham
• Willelmus Waltham

Skeueynys; and han in hande, of the catelle of the Gylde, xxxviij.s. viij.d.

XXV.
GILD OF ST. MARY, LENNE.

[CCCX. 203. Condition, bad.]

In ye worchippe of ihesu crist of heuene, and of his dere worthi moder seynt mare, and of ye Purificacioun, in quose worchippe yis fraternite is be-gonone. Be ye sent of ye breyere and ye systeres of ye gilde, to haue iiij. mornspeches be ye ȝere. Ye fyrst mornspeche schal be on ye general day, after mete: ye secunde schal be on ye souneday next after seynt Dunstoun day in may: ye yre schal be ye souneday next after seynt Mathew day: ye ferde schal be on ye souneday be-forn seynt Thomas day be-for Cristenmes day. And al-so if anny broyer or syster be somonde to anny of yis mornspeches, and he be in toune, and wil noght come, ne make non att^rne for hym, ne non leue askyn of ye alderman, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, di. pounde of wax, bot he haue grace. And if ye deen faylith of his somonse, he schal pay, for euery broyer or sister, j.d. And who entres in to yis fraternite, he schal pay ye ryghtes of ye hous; yt is for to say, to ye Alderman, j.d.; ye clerk, ob.; ye deen, ob.; and ye waxe, ob. And if anny broyer or sister of yis gilde be dede, ye deen schal brynge ye candeles of ye gilde to ye dirige, and warn al ye breyere and sistere to come ofter, wit ye dede a q^r, and a q^r to ye almes: and he yt offeres noght for ye dede, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, j.d. And who-so be-wreys ye counseyl of yis gilde to anny straunge man or woman, he sal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, a pounde of waxe. And if ye Alderman be chosyn and he for-sake is offece, he schal pay, to amendement of ye

lyght, ij. pounde of waxe; every skeuyn, di. pound; ye den, di. pounde of wax. And if anny broyer or syster of yis gilde be dede, he schal haue messes for his soule of ye propere catel of ye gilde, yt is for to weten xij. messes. And who-so entres in to ye chaumbere yer ye ale lyth in, and askes non leue of ye offesers of ye gilde, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, j.d., bot he haue grace. Also, ye deen schal haue for his trauayle, be ye ȝere, vj.d.; ye clerk, viij.d. Also, ye skeuens yt hath ye catalle of ye gilde, yei schal fynd borowes for ye catalle, to bryng hit be-for ye Alderman and ye gild breyere and sisters of yis gilde atte general mornspeche. He yt do noght, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, ij. pounde of wax, bot if he have grace. And yt no man dwelle in ye hous yer ye gilde his holden in, lenger yen ye Alderman: he yt doth, he schal pay, to amendement of lyght, j.d., bot he have grace. And ye Alderman schal haue to his fesse, in tyme of drynkyn, ij. galons of ale; euery skeuen, a galoun; ye clerk, a potel; and ye Deen, a potel. Also, if anny broyer or syster be seke, of yis gilde, in tyme of drynkyng, he schal haue a potel of ale. Also, if anny broyer or syster of yis gilde fallyth in pouerte, and may noght helpe hym-selfe, he schal haue, of euery broyer or sister, atte ilk a mornspeche, a peny. And who-so entres in to yis fraternite, he schal pay for is entre ij.s., and fynd ij. borowes for ye catalle.

Robertus Thornegge, custos ejusdem gilde, habet, de bonis, v.s.

XXVI.
GILD OF ST. KATHERINE, LENNE.

[CCCX. 223. Condition, good; but a corner destroyed.]

Theyse arne the ordinaunces of the Gylde of Seynt Katerine the virgine, of Lenne, ordeynyd be the assent of the bretheryn in the fyrste fundacion; that the brethere and the systres of the seyde Gylde, in the reuerence of god and alle halwyn, and specialy of seynte katerine, schulne fyndyn an candele brennennde, in the worchype of god and of seynte katerine, in the Chyrche of seynte margarete of Lenne; where, euery feste of the seyde maydyn, alle the bretheryn schun comyn, and offeryn at the heye messe. And they schun holdyn, euery yer, foure dayes of spekyngges tokedere for here comune profyte. The fyrste schal ben the nexte day after the feste of seynt katerine: the secounde schal ben the soneday nexte befor the feste of seynt Gregory: the thrydde schal ben the soneday befor the feste of seynt Jon Baptiste: the ffeerde schal ben the soneday nexte aftyr the feste of seynt mychelle. And if any brothyr or systyr be warnyd to comyn, and wyle nought comyn, at ony of theyse dayes, he schal payen, to the amendemente of the wax, j.d. Also, quat brothyr or systyr schal comyn into this fraternite, he schal payen, to the sustentacion of this gylde, v.s., quanne that he may resonabely. Also, if any brothyr be chosyn in office of Alderman, or Skeveynys, and he forsake it with-outen cause resenable, he schal paye to the wax vj.d. Also, quat brothyr or systyr be deed with-ynne Lenne, the Aldirman of this gylde schal doon beryn ij. torches, foundyn of the comune

coste, to the place there the deed body is ynne, to brennyn aboutyn the body the tyme of the dirige and of the messe, tyl the body is byryid, in worchype of god and of seynt katerine. Also, euery brothyr and systyr schal offeryn for the soule, in the worchype of god and holy Chyrche, j.ob. Also, euery brothyr and systyr that deyeth schal han xxx. messes, of the comune almesse of thys Gylde, for hyse soule.

• Petrus Tapeser
• Willelmus Wodylle
• Robertus Scherman
• Willelmus Lowyk
• Ranulphus Watyiledere

Sunt Custodes Gilde supradicte, et habent in manibus suis, de bonis dicte Gilde, xxxiij.s. iiij.d., equis portionibus.

Summa bonorum Gilde, xxxiijs. iiij.d.

XXVII.
GILD OF ST. JAMES, LENNE.

[CCCX. 227. Condition, very bad.]

In ye worchipe of ihesu cryst of heuene, and of his der worthi moder seynt mare, and of al halwen, and specilike of seynt Jame, in quose wyrschepe yis fraternite is be-gunnen. Be ye sent of alle ye breyere and systers of yis gilde, for to haue iiij. morn-speches be ye ȝere. Ye fyrst morn-speche schal be ye souneday next after ye drynkyng: ye secunde schal be ye souneday next after halumesday: ye threde schal be ye souneday next after Fastyngonge: ye ferde schal be ye souneday next after ye trinite. Also, if anny broyer or sister be somonde to anny of yis mornspheches, and yei be in toune, and wil noght come, ne make non att^rne, ne non leue aske of ye Alderman, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, di. pounde of wax, bot he haue better grace. And if ye Den faylith of his somons, for euery broyer or sister, a peny. And who-so entres in to yis fraternite, he schal pay ye ryghtes of ye hous: yt is for to say, to ye Alderman, a peny; Clerk, ob.; Den, ob.; and ye wax, ob. And if anny broyer or sister of yis gilde be dede, ye Den schal brynge ye candeles of ye gylde to ye Dirige, and warn al ye breyere and systere of ye gilde come ofter with ye dede a fardyng, and a fardyng to ye almes. And he yt ofter noght, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, a peny. And who-so be-wreys ye counsel of yis gilde to anny straunge mon or woman, and hit may be prouid be anny broyer or syster, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, a pounde of [wax], bot if he haue grace. And if ye alderman be chosen, and he for sake his office,

he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, a pounde of wax; euery skeueyne, di. pounde; and ye Den, di. pounde of wax. And if anny broyer or syster be dede of yis gilde, he schal haue messes for his soule, of ye propere cattel of ye gilde, yt is to weten, xxx. messes. And who-so entre in to ye chaumbre yer ye ale lyth in, and askes non leue of ye offecers of ye gilde, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, a peny, bot if he haue grace. Also ye den schal haue for his travayle, be ȝere, vj.d. Also ye clerk schal haue for his trauayle, be ye ȝere, viij.d. Also ye skeuens yt haue ye catel of ye gilde, yei schul fyndes borowes for ye catel, to brynge hitt be-for ye alderman and ye gilde broyere and systers atte general mornspeche; and if yei do noght, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, ij. pounde of wax, bot if he haue grace. And yt no man dwelle lenger in ye hous yer ye gilde is holden in, yen ye Alderman: he yt doth, he schal pay, to amendement of ye lyght, ij.d., bot if he haue grace. And ye alderman schal haue to his fesse, in tyme of drynkyn, ij. galouns of ale; eyer skeuen, a galoun; ye Clerk, a potel; and ye den, a potel. And if anny broyer or sister of yis gilde be seke, in tyme of drynkyng, he schal haue a potel of ale. Also, if anny broyer or sister fallyth in pouerte, and may noght helpe is-selfe, he schal haue, of ilke broyer and sister, at ilk a mornspeche, a peny. And qwo-so entres in to yis fraternite, he schal pay for is entre . . s., and fynde ij. borowes for ye catel.

• Johannes Tyringtoun
• Johannes Thornegge

ejusdem gilde sunt custodes, et habent, de bonis, xxxs.

XXVIII.
GILD OF THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, LENNE.

[CCCX. 82. Condition, fair; but nearly one-third destroyed.]

Body of Text

These arn the ordenaunce of ye gilde of ye Natiuite of seint Johan Babtiste, founden and ordeynd ye ȝere of hour lord ihesu M^l.CCC. and sextene. ffirst, yere schulen been holden yre morunspeche be ye ȝere. Ye first shal been ye next day aftere ye general day: ye secunde shal been ye sunday next aftere ye fest of seint martyn: ye tridde shal been ye sunday fowrtenytȝ aftere hestern. And if ony brothere or sistere be somound to is morunspeche, and wil nouht comen, ne make non attourne for him, he shal paye, to amendment of ye liȝt, ij.d. And ordeynd it is, that eueriche yere, at ye general morunspeche, ye Alderman shal clepen vp iiij. men: and yei shul chesyn an Alderman, skyueyns, and deen, qweche yat yei seen is most profitable to meyntene ye gilde, to ye worschipe of god and of seint Johan. And if ony of hem yat is chosen, for-sake is office, and wyl nouht doon, he shal payen to amendement of ye liȝt; yat is for to witen, ye Alderman, ij.li. wax; eythere skyueyn, j.li.; ye deen, di. li. Also ordeynd it is, yat ye skyuens shal hauen ye Catelle of yis gilde, shul fyndeen ij. sufficiauntȝ borwes, to brynge ye catelle, at general morunspeche, by-forn ye alderman and ye gylde bretheren, vp ye payn of ij.li. wax, to amendement of ye liȝt; and, ofyr yat, yei shul pursu for her Catelle in qwat cowrte yat hem liste. Also ordeynd it is, yat eueriche nyth qwil drynkynd lastetȝ at ye general time, yei shul haue ye preyeers for ye pees and ye state of holy chirche, and for ye

pes and ya state of ye lond; and yer-qwile shal ye Candelle yat longetȝ to ye gilde brennynge; and qwat man maketȝ ony nowse in yat time, he shal paye, to ye amendement of ye lizt, ij.d. Also, qwat broyere or sistere deye of yis gilde, ye deen shal do come ye Candelle to ye Dirige, and warn alle ye breyeren and sisteres yat yerto longetȝ, for to ben redy to beryn him to chirche, and offren an ob. for is sowle; and if he dootȝ nout qwat is a-forn seyd, he shal paye, to a-mendement of ye lytȝ, di. li.wax but if he haue a resonable excusacioun. Also qwat broyere or sistere entretȝ into yis gilde, he shal make feyth to ye alderman to meynten yeis ordinaunces, and shal paye all the rites of ye hous; as is for to-witen, to ye Alderman, ij.d.to eueriche skyueyn, j.d.; to ye clerk, j.d.; to ye deen, j.d.; and sythen paye for his entre …portion of MS destroyedded, or elles fyndeen borwes for to payen in ce …portion of MS destroyedbe ded of yis gilde, he schal xxx. messis for …portion of MS destroyedȝo messis shul been songen wt …portion of MS destroyedshal hauen for is fees be ȝe…portion of MS destroyedueyn a galoun; ye Deen a …portion of MS destroyedAnd if ye Deen falietȝ …portion of MS destroyedand sistere yat is in …portion of MS destroyedand sistere shal pay …portion of MS destroyedye worsipe of god …portion of MS destroyednoman be rebelle…portion of MS destroyedne non gilde broyer …portion of MS destroyedpeyne of di. li. wax…portion of MS destroyedye selue lytȝ yat is a …portion of MS destroyedsonge is seyd in festiual dayes.…portion of MS destroyedAlso, ordeynd it is, yat eueriche broyere and sistere shal be redy at ye hous qwere yat he gilde is holde, on ye general day, for to go to ye chirche, ij. and ij., wt ye alderman togedere, and here ye messe in ye worsipe of god and of seynt Johan, and offren, and also han a oȝere messe for ye soules of hem yat been dede, and offren also; and qwat man or woman be fawty, he schal paye, to amendement of ye liȝt, di. li. wax, but if he haue good excusacioun. And qwat brothere or sistere

falle in pouerte, he shal be holpen wt ye catelle of ye gilde, be ye ordinaunce of ye Alderman and of ye gilde breyeren.

Thomas de Hylburgheworthe,
Skynner, Alderman.

Addendum

[What follows is written in a different hand from the foregoing ordinances, and with an ink so faint that the names, and several of the words, are barely legible, though the sums put after the names happen to be quite plain.] Ista est certificatio statutorum gylde Sancti Johannis Baptiste, ville Lenne episcopi.

• ... Ricardus Crambudiges habet, de catallis dicte gylde, xx.s. iij.d.
• ... Item Ranulfus de Dynton, xx.s. iij.d.
• ... Item Adam de Smitton, xx.s. iij.d.
• ... Item Johannes de Bambrygges, xx.s. iij.d.

XXIX.
GILD OF ST. GEORGE THE MARTYR, LENNE.

[CCCX. 90. Condition, very bad; and destroyed in several places.]

This ffraternyte is be-gonnen in þe worship of Jhesu Crist of heuen, and of his modir seint mary, and specially of Seint George þe martir, in þe toune of Bisshopis Lenne, þe ȝere of oure lorde M^l.CCC.LXXVJ. And þis ffraternite is be-gonnen in þis atent; to fynden a Preste to syngen atte autere of Seint George in þe chirche of Seinte margare of Lenne be-fore saide, in þe worship of god and þe holy martir, and for alle þe brethir and sistrin þt to þe ffraternite longes. Also [This word is, by mistake, written twice in the original.] ordeynd it is, þt þe seluel bretheren and sistres shal fynden v. candelles, brennand a-forn þe [This word also is written twice in the original.] same autiere in festiuale dayes, while þat diuine seruice is saide in þe chirche. And also ordeynd it is, þay shul fynden iiij. torches, ffor to brenne þe principal day at messe, and at exequises of euery brothir and sistir þat dies, and her messe is in doynge, and to þe body be boren to þe biryinge, if it be þere present. And also ordeind it is, þt what brothir or sistir so be deed of þis ffraternite, þe aldirman shal do comen þe Deen, and warne alle þe compaignye þat longen to þis fraternite, man and woman, þat is wt-inne þe toune, to come to þe exsequies of hym or of hir þat is deede, whethir-so it be, and bene redy to beren hem to þe chirche, and for to offren for þe Soule as þe manere is to done for þe deede; and what man or woman so faille, shale pay j.d. to þe almes for his soule, and di. pounde of wax to þe mayntenance

of þe liȝt. Also ordeynd it is, þat what brothir or sister die owte of toune, als-sone as þe aldirman may wit it, he shal, be þe deen, do comen þe compaignye to-gedre þat is wt-inne þe toune, and done helden a messe solempnely atte autiere of seint George afore-saide, wt þe liȝt afore-saide, and euery brothir and sistir shalle offre, atte selfe messe, as þouȝ þe body were þere present, vp þe payne afore-saide. And also ordeynd it is, þt what brothir or sister so be deed of þis ffraternite, he shal haue saide for his soule lx. messes, of þe preste þat loges [(sic.)] to þe ffraternite, sone so he is dede, specialliche, and afterward to bene had in memorie wt othir þt bene deed aforne. Also ordeinde it is, þat what brothir or sistir so falle in pouerte þt he can nouȝt helpe hym-selfe to leuen resonably, þan shal eueryche brothir and sister þat is of powere, atte euery morunspeche, pay an ob. to helpen hem wt þt is ffallen so in pouerte. And also ordeynd it is, þat þis ffraternite shal han iiij. morunspeches by þe ȝere, in time þat is profitable to þe worship of god and saluacioun of þe ffraternite. Þe ferste shal be þe feste of seint marke next after þe feste of seint George. Þe secunde shalbene þe sunday next after þe natiuite of seint Johan Baptiste. Þe þrid shal be þe sonday next after þe feste of seint ffathe þe virgine. And þe fourt shal be þe Sonday next after þe feste of þe Purificacioun of oure lady marie. And euerich brothyr or sister þat is somonde, and is in toune, and come nouȝt, bot if he haue resonabel excusacioun, he shal pay, to þe amendement of þe liȝt, ij.d. And also ordeynd it is, þt atte general morunspeche, in þe feste of Seint marke, þe aldirman shal clepen up viij. menn, and þay viij. shall chesen an aldirman, skyueyns, clerk, and dene, þo þat þay seen ere most profitable for to gouerne þe ffraternite to þe worship of god and of seint George. And what man so is chosen in office, and for-sake it, he shal pay to maytenance of þe liȝt; þt is for to witen, þe Aldirman, ij.lib. wax; euery Skyueyn, j.lib.; þe Clerk, j.lib.; and þe Deen, di. lib. Also ordeynd it is, þat þe Aldirman shal haue, iche nyȝt while þe general drynkyng lastis, ii. galouns of ale for his fees; every Skyueyne, a galoun; þe

Clerke, a galoun; þe Deen, a potelle. Also ordeynd it is, þat eueryche brothir and sistir þt longes to þe ffraternite shal be redy atte þe general day, atte hous þat is assigned for þe fraternite, for to gone, ij. and ij. to-gedre, worshipfully to þe chirche, wt þe Aldirman, for to heren messe and euensonge, and atte general messe for to offre in worship of þe holy martir, and atte messe of Requiem ilke for hem þat ben deed, vp þe payne of di. lib. wax. Also þat no brother no sister ne shalle discuse þe counseil of þis fraternite to no straungere, vp þe payne of for-feture of þe fraternite for euermore, bot if he haue grace, if it may be prouet resonabely be bretheren of þis fraternite. Also þe skyueyns þat shal haue þe katelle in hande, shul fynde sufficiauntborwes to saue þe catelle atte generale morunspeche to þe fraternite, vp þe time of her semblynge. Also, atte general tyme, while þe drinkynge lastes, eueryche nyȝt, a-fore þe feste,þe clerk shal stonden vp and done pees ben in þe house, while þt he says þe bedes for þe state of holy chirche and þe state of þe londe, wt þe liȝt brenninge þt longes to þe compaignye. And what maner of man þat make noise or janȝe-lynge in þe tyme, he shal pay ij.d. to þe amendement of þe liȝt. Also, þere shal no man no woman entre in to þis ffraternite, bot atte general morunspeche, be þe assent of þe aldirman and alle þe gilde bretheren, bot iff it be ony man of Contre þat is knowen of gode conversacioun. And what man so entre in to þis fraternite, sone so he is comen in, he shal take his charge of þe aldirman, vp his feythe to kepen þese ordinance a-fore sayde vp his myȝt, and paien his fees, þat is for to wyten, ij.d. to þe aldirman; j.d. to þe wax; j.d. to þe clerk; and j.d. to þe deen. And sethen, for his entrees, xiij.s. iiij.d., or elles fynde borwes to pay it wt-ynne certeyne dayes. Also ordeynd it is, þat what man so be greued wt oþer, he shal warne þe aldirman þer-of; and he shal done his bisynes to acorden, if he may, wt his bretheren; and, if he may nouȝt, prsue þe lawe where hem list. Also ordeynd it is, þat euery brothir þat is of powere shal come, ilke a daye, and fecche his hoode of lyuere of þe gylde, and pay þer-fore, vp þe peyne of …portion of MS destroyed of wax to

þe amendement of þe liȝt. And euery brothir shal haue on his lyuere hoode atte euery morunspeche, and atte biryinge of his brothir or sistir, wheþir it be, up þe payne of di. lib. wax. Also ordeynde it ys, þt what brothir or sister trespas aȝenes yes ordenaunces thries, and þer-of ben amercie by þe bretheren, he shalle lese þe fraternite for euermore, bot if he haue grace. And þe Clerk shal haue for his travaille, by ȝere, iij.s. iiij.d.; and þe deen, ij.s.

• Johannes Palgraue, Aldirman
• Nicholus de Suttoun
• Rogerus Pynchebek
• Stephanus Stenyor
• Johannes Lakynghythe, Cotoller

Scabini; et habent, in manibus eorum, de bonis dicte gilde, equis portionibus, iijli. iijs.

XXX.
GILD OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, LENN EPISCOPI.

[CCCX. 12. Condition, fair; but a piece destroyed.]

In ye worschepe of ihesu crist, and his modere seint marie, and of alle halowen, and specialli of seint Johan Babtyst, of qwam yis fraternite is founden and stabeled in ye ȝere of hour lord ihesu M^l.CCC^o.LXXIJ. And yis gilde shal haue foure morwe-speches be ye ȝere. Ye first shal been on ye self day: ye secunde shal been on Johan Day, in Cristemesse: ye yridde shal be ye sunday after hesteriday: ye feerde shal been ye sunday after missumm^rday. And who-so is somound to ani of yeis morunspeches, and he be in toune and in hele, and he wille nouht come, ne make attourne for hym, he shal pay di. li. wax. And if ye deen faile of is somouns, he shal paye, for ilk broyere and sistere yat is nouht somound, j.d. And who so is chosun in offices of alderman, and he for-sake ye office, he shal paye ij.li.wax; and eythere skeueyn, j.li. wax; and ye clerke, di.li.wax, if he be a broyere; and ye Deen, di. li. wax. And who-so entres in to yis fraternite, he shal paye ye rythes of ye hous; yat is to wyten, to ye alderman, jd.; to ye clerk, j.ob.; to ye deen, j.ob.; to ye wax, ob. And if ani broyere or sistere of yis gilde be ded, ye Deen shal do comen ye candelles of ye gylde to ye Dirige, and warn all ye gylde breyeren and sisteres to come and go wyth ye cors, and offyr a ferthynge; and who-so come nouht to ye offrend, he shal paye, at ye next morunspeche, j.d.to ye almes for ye sowle. And euerilk broyere and sistere of yis gilde yat ded is, shal haue, of ye propre catelle, x. messis, wtin ye viij. dayes after yei been ded, vp payn of xl.d. And

also who-so is rebel ageyns ye alderman, or ageynes sistere or bretheren, in tyme of drynk, or of morunspeche holdun, he shal pay j.li. wax vp g^rce to ye liȝt. And who-so discuretȝ ye counseil of ye gilde to ani straunge man or womman, he shal paye j.li.wax to ye liȝt. And qwo-so jangle in time of drynk, or of morunspeche holdun, and ye Deen comaund hem be stille, and he wilnouht, he shall pay di.li. wax. And ye alderman shal have a galoun of ale; eythere skyueyn, a potelle; ye deen, a potelle; ye clerk, a potelle. And ordeynd it is, yt ye Skyveyns schulloun haue ye katel hon hand. Yei shal fynden sufficiaunt borwes to brynge ye catelle, wt ye encresement, at ye general morunspeche, be-forn alderman and ye gylde breyeren, vp payn ij.li. wax to ye liȝtȝ, or her borwes for hem. And ye Deen shal haue iiij.d., be ye ȝere, for is trauaille. And ye clerk, vj.d.and her fees. And yat noman sitȝ lengere ȝan alderman, ne dwelle in ye hous but men of office, vp payn di. li. wax to ye lytȝ. Also, qwat broyere or sistere yat cometȝ aftere prime be smeten, he shal pay j.d. to ye lytȝ; and prime shal be smetȝ ij. howres aftere noon. And ilk a broyere and sistre shal pay, ilk a morunspeche day, ob., to meynten a Candelle brennyng a-forn ye ymage of seint Johan, in ye chirche of seint Jame, on sundayes and oyere holydayis, qwil yat seruice is in doynge. And a odyr ob. to the encrese of ye catelle and for ye ale. Also ordeynd it is, bi al ye s …portion of MS destroyed, yat yis gilde shal be offred in ye chirche of Seint …portion of MS destroyedowten heende yeise ordinaunce for to be kep …portion of MS destroyedto ye alderman qwan he entretȝ in to …portion of MS destroyedbreketȝ hem, he grawnt hym self, for…portion of MS destroyedbut if he haue grace.

• John de Essex, taly …portion of MS destroyed
• Thomas of Cressyngh …portion of MS destroyed
• Adam of Smitton
• Thomas Peddere

XXXI.
GILD OF ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY, LENN EPISCOPI.

[CCCX. 89. Condition, fair; but a large piece destroyed.]

In ye wurchepe of ihesu crist of heuene, and of his moder seinte marie, and alle ye companie of heuene, and also specialike of ye translacioun of seint Thomas of Cantewarbiri, for quose wourchipe yis fraternite his bi-gunnen. And yeise ben ye odynaunse of yis gilde. Yat men scholen holden foure morspeches in ye ȝer. Ye friste schal ben on ye general day: ye secunde schal ben sunday next be-for ye feste of seint michel: ye thridde schal ben ye day of seint thomas after cristemese: ye ferde schal ben ye next sunday be-forn Pentecoste. Also, if any broȝer or sister be in toune, and be warned, and wille nouht comen, ne maken non attourne for him, ne no leue asken of ye alderman, he schal payen I.d. to ye lite. And qwo-so entre into yis fraternite of yis gilde, he schal ſynden borwes to payen for is entre as he is a-corde with ye companye. And sythen ye rythes of ye hous sone so he comen in; to ye Alderman, I.d.; to ye clerk, ob.; to ye wax, ob.; to ye den, ob. And if ani sister or broyer be ded of yis gilde, ye den schal bryngen ye candeles to ye dirige, and warnen his breyern to comen and ofren here ob. atte chirche for ye soule; and he yt comet nouht to ye offrende, schal payen ob. atte next morspeche, to ye elmesse. And if any broyer or sistere maliciouseliche, or dispisantliche lie on his broyer or on his sister, in wrecche, in present of ye Alderman and of ye gilde bretheren, schal payen, to amendement of ye lyte, alf a pownd waxche. And qwho-so be rebel

of his tounge a-ȝein ye alderman, or dispise ye alderman ye time yat he holden here mornspeche, schal payen, to amendement of ye lyte, alf a pound of waxse. And if ani broyer or sister bere his breyer or sister falsed on hande, and if it may ben prouid by ye gilde breyeren or sisteres, schal paye, to amendement of ye lite, ij.d. And qwho-so be-wreye ye conseil of yis gilde to ani straunge man or woman, and it may be proued be ye gilde breyeren or sisteres, he schal payen, to ye mendement of ye lite, a pownd of waxse, or lesen ye fraternite for euere-more, but he haue grace. And if ye alderman be chosen, and for-sake ye office, he schal payen, to amendement of ye lite, a pownd waxe: eyȝer skyuen, alf a pownd waxse: ye den, a qwatteer. And if any broyer or sister be ded, schal hauen his messes for ye soule, of ye propre cattel of ye gilde, xxiiij. messes. And who-so entre in to ye chambre yer ye ale lithe inne, wiht-outen leue of men of officis, schal paye, to amendement of ye lite, ij.d. Also ye alderman schal hauen, be ye ȝere, for his officis, to galones of ale; eiyer skyuen, j. galon; ye den, j. potel. Also, ye skyueyns of ye gylde yat hauen ye catel in hande, scholene fynden borwes to ye alderman, for to sauen ye catel, and for to bringe it forht at ye general morspeche, wyht-outen ani lettyng: and if yei do nouht, yei scholen payen, to amendement of ye lite, ij.li. waxse. Also yt noman come be-forn ye alderman and ye gilde breyeren and sisteren, in time of drynk, in tabard ne in cloke, ne barleges, ne barfote; and if he mowe be wyst, schal paye, to amendement of ye litȝ, j.d. And qwho-so make ani noyse in time of drynk, or in tyme of mornspeche holden, and wil nouth be stille, ye alderman schal don taken him ye yerde; and if he wil nowth reseyuen, he schal payen, to amendement of the litȝ, iij.d., or lesen his fraternite for euere-more, but he haue grace. Also yat noman slepe in tyme of drynke, ne late ye evppe stonde nere him, vp ye peyne of j.d. Also yt noman duelle in ye hous after yat ye alderman rised, but men of office; and if yei don, yei schul paye, to amendement of ye gilde, cueri persone j.d.And if ani broyer …portion of MS destroyed

schal eueri broyer and sister payne of …portion of MS destroyedj. feryinge. Also …portion of MS destroyeddel of waxse b …portion of MS destroyedof seint thomas …portion of MS destroyedis scheid in …portion of MS destroyedor sister falle …portion of MS destroyedwyht his …portion of MS destroyedhem …portion of MS destroyed

All the rest is destroyed.

XXXII.
GILD OF THE HOLY CROSS, LENNE EPISCOPI.

[CCCX. 123. Condition, bad; and two large pieces destroyed. Most of the clauses are marked in rubric; and the first letter of the return is somewhat ambitiously illuminated.]

In nomine patris, et filii, et spiritus sancti, Amen. In ye honour of ihesu crist, and of his moder seinte marie, and of alle holy halwen, and namelike of ye holy crouche yat seinte Eleyne founde. We schulle holde yis gilde yre mornwespeches bi ye ȝer. Ye first schal be ye sonday nixt after ye drynke: ye second, ye sonday byfor seint michel's day: ye yridde, ye sonday nixt after vre lauedyes day in lenten. And, at ye general mornwespeche, ye aldirman schal callen vp foure men, to chese an alderman, skyueyns, and dene. And ye skyueyns schal be deliuered ye catel, wit tayle and boruh; and yat yai schulle bringe ye Catel at ye general mornwespeche, and leyn vpon ye cheker bifor ye aldirman, or here boruwes for hem, vp peyne of ij.s. And ye Den schal do somoun alle ye Gilde breyere, and ye sistres, to ye mornspeche; and he faille of his somouns, he schal ben amercid at ye aldermannis wille. And who-so is somound to ye mornwespeche, and he be in toun, and wil nouth come, he schal paye half a pound of wax, bot he be resonable-lyke escused. And he come after prime be smyten, he schal paye j.d. And if ony brother or sister be ded, ye den schal do bringe ye Candeles to ye dirige, and eueryl broyer and sister schal offre an halpeny at ye chirche; and he yat offres nouht, he schal paye an halpeny to ye almesse at ye nixt mornspeche. And everyl brother and sister þat ded his, schal haue xxx. messes for his soule, and yat ye messes schal be

songen on ye mornwen after ye cors be biryed. Ye Aldirman shal haue, eueril day, a galoun of ale, to ye drynk lastes; eiyer skiueyn a galoun; ye den a potel, and, for his somouns, be ȝer, iiij.d. And he yat is chosen aldirman, and he forsake his office, he schal paye xij.d.; eyyer skyueyn, xij.d.; ye den, xij.d. And who-so is rebelle to ye aldirman in ony tyme, he schal paye a pound of wax. And if ony broyer or sister mak ony noyse or janglinge befor þe aldirman, at ony mornspeche, he schal paye a pound of wax. And if ony brother smyte oyer at ony mornspeche, or during ye time of drynke, he schal paye ffoure pound of wax. And he …portion of MS destroyedGilde, whar-yourghe deshonour may …portion of MS destroyed, he schal paye xij.d., or lese þe fraterni …portion of MS destroyedwymman dwelle longere in ye hous yan …portion of MS destroyedpound of wax. And he yat entres …portion of MS destroyedouten leue of men of office, he scha …portion of MS destroyedbrother sone or sister schal entre in …portion of MS destroyedals an oyor man doth. And also y …portion of MS destroyedschal meyntenen and susteynen ye liht yat is …portion of MS destroyedholy crouche and of seint Heleyne. And eueril broyer and…portion of MS destroyedto ye liht biȝer, til better may be. And yat no man ne womman entre in to yis gilde lesse yan [The words and figures between these marks are written over an erasure of half a line.] vj.s. viij.d., and ye fees vj.d. [The words and figures between these marks are written over an erasure of half a line.] And if ony brother or sister be seke, he schal haue for his drynke a galoun of ale. And if ony brother or sister be in pelgrimage, he schal haue a galoun of ale to his drinke. And ordened is, yat no brother ne sister of yis gylde ne enplede oyer in no place, for no dette ne trespas, til yat he haue axed leue of ye Alderman and of men of ye …portion of MS destroyeddo, he shal paie, to amendement of ye Gylde, ij.s. …portion of MS destroyedfor his traualie bi ȝere, xij.d. And…portion of MS destroyedof yis gylde be ded, ye deen shal warnen …portion of MS destroyedcomen to hous yer ye cors lyhth,…portion of MS destroyedand offren an halpeny. And whoso …portion of MS destroyed

and in toune, and wyl nouht come, he shal …portion of MS destroyedand relesen Johan Clerke; [

All the latter part of this return is in such very bad condition, that it is only by using every device of oblique and reflected and transmitted light that more than a word or two can be made out. By these means only have I deciphered the release of John Clerke; and I should have hesitated to put down the words thus painfully deciphered, and of which no other example is found in any of these returns in English, but that, in the instance of a very interesting Cambridge gild (see Part II. of this work), I find one John Cornwall released from all payments that others are bound to make, in acknowledgment of the pains he had taken at the foundation of that gild. When I made, some years ago, my MS. Calendar of the whole of these returns, I wrote, opposite to the words releasing John Cornwall from all payments, the word "unique." Since I have more carefully deciphered the above return, for the present work, I have no doubt that "John Clerke," of Bishop's Lynn, was thus released for the same reason as was "John Cornwall" of Cambridge.

Many instances are found where the bretheren are acquitted of payments while holding office; of which the last ordinance of the Tailors' Gild of Norwich may be taken as an example (see before, p. 36). But the two instances named above, give a general acquittance of two bretheren by name, and not only while office-holders.

] for he shal …portion of MS destroyedAnd ordened is, yat euerilk a brother of yis ffrat …portion of MS destroyedhod of liuere of yis gylde, at euerilk a …portion of MS destroyedof yis ffraternite, and qwo-so do nowt …portion of MS destroyedordened is, yat ilke a broyer of yis ffra …portion of MS destroyedgylde in ilke a ȝer. And qwho-so …portion of MS destroyed

XXXIII.
GILD OF THE CONCEPTION, LENNE EPISCOPI.

[CCX. 125. Condition, very bad; a large piece destroyed.]

In ye wrchepe of Jhesu Criste of heuene, and of his moder Seynte marye, and of alle halwen, and speciali of ye concepcioun of oure leuedy seynte marye, in qwose wurchepe yis fraternite is be-gunnyn, ȝeyse ben ye statutes. Yt men schullyn heldyn foure mornspeches in ye ȝere. ȝe fryste mornspeche schal bene nexte ye drynking; ȝe secunde schal bene on ye sonday nexte sente Mathi ye apostyl: ȝe thyrd schal bene on ye sonday nexte sente bernabe day ye apostyl: ȝe ferd schal bene on ye sonday nexte sente Matheus day ye apostyl. Ordeynyd it is, yt eueriche broyer and syster schal payen j.d. at eueri mornspeche, to fyndyn wt lythe in ye chyrche of sent margarete, a forne ye auter of oure lady, ye qwile deuine seruise is seyd in festiuale dayes. And if any broyer or syster be somonde to ye morne-speche, and yei bene in toune, and wil not come, ne make none aturne for him, nyn no leue aske of ye alderman, schalle payen di. li. of wax to amendmente of ye lythe, or lose ye fraternite of ye gyld for euermore, but he haue grace. And ye dene schal payen, for oueriche broyer and syster yt is not somond, and he be in toune, j.d. And qwo-so entyrit into yis fraternite of yis gyld, he schale fynd boruis, and pay ye rythis of ye huse, sone so he comythe in: ye alderman, ij.d.; ye clerk, j.d.; ye dene, j.d.; ye wax, j. peny. And if ani broyer or syster be ded of yis gylde, ye dene schal brynge ye candelis to ye dirige, and warnyn his breyeryn and systeryn to comen and

offeryn here ob. at ye kyrk for ye dede. And he yt comythe nouthe to ye offerynge, schal pay di. li. wax, and he be warnyd and heyle, and be in toune; and if he be oute of toune, he schal pay ob. for his offerynge. And if any broyer or syster dispyse or mysconsel or lye his broyer, in presence of ye alderman and of his breyeryn, schal pay di. li. wax to ye amendement of ye lythe, or lese ye fraternite of ye gyld, but he houe grace. And qwho-so be rebel of his tongue aȝeynes ye alderman, or dispise ye alderman, in ye time of drinkyn or heldyn any mornspeche, schal pay, to ye amendement of ye lythe, di. li.wax, or lese ye fraternite of ye gyld. And if ani broyer or sis …portion of MS destroyedand it may be prouid …portion of MS destroyedamendement of ye …portion of MS destroyedAnd qwo-so w…portion of MS destroyedman or woman …portion of MS destroyedpay to am …portion of MS destroyedhe haue …portion of MS destroyedfise he s…portion of MS destroyedden iij.d.…portion of MS destroyedsoule y…portion of MS destroyedso enteryn …portion of MS destroyedleue of …portion of MS destroyedden schal h …portion of MS destroyednys yt haue ye …portion of MS destroyedfor ye catel, to brynge it forthe aforne ye alderman and gyld breyeryn at ye general mornspeche; and if ȝey will do it nouht, ye schal pay to ye gyld xl.d.…portion of MS destroyed eyyer, xl.d. Also, yt no man ne come, in time of drink, before ye alderman and ye gyld breyer and syster, in tabard ne in cloke, ne bareleg, ne barefote; and it may be seyne, schal pay to ye lythe j.d. And qwo-so make noyse in tyme of drycke, [(sic.)] or in tyme of mornspeche, and ye dene comande hym to ben styl, and he ne wyl noute, yane schal ye dene takon hym ye yerd; and, if he wille nouthe reseyu yt, he schal pay to ye lythe iij.d., or lose ye fraternite. Also yt no broyer ne no syster be so hardy, in tyme of drynck, to slepe, ne lete

ye cuppe stonde be hym, up peyne of j.d. to ye lythe. And also, yt no man dwelle in ye huse aftyr tyme yt ye aldyrman rysythe, but men of offyse: if he do, he schal paye j.d. to ye lythe. And also ordeynyd it ys, yt qwat broyer or syster be ded of yis gylde, ye aldyrman and alle ye gylde breyeryn and systers schullyn be redi to bere hym to ye chyrche, and offyrryn as it aforne seyde, and dwelle yer tylle ye messe be don, and be beryid, upp ye peyne of …portion of MS destroyed And ordeynyd it is, yt ye aldyrman schal haue ij. galounes of ale; euery skeueyn, j. galoun; ye clerk, j. galon; ye dene, j. potell; be ye ȝere, for here feys. Also, qwat broyer or syster entryt in-to yis gylde, sone so he is reseyuyd, he schal takyn his charge of ye alderman, on his feyth to meynteyn yis gyld uppyn his power, and payen his fees, and sythyn for hys entres, as he is acorded wt ye cumpanye, or ellys fyndyn borwes to pay wtinne syrteyne tymes.

Four or five lines more are so bad that nothing can be made of them.

XXXIV.
GILD OF THE PURIFICATION, LENNE EPISCOPI.

[CCCX. 142. Condition, bad; and a large part destroyed.]

In ye honuraunce of ihesu crist of heuene, And of his moder seinte marie, and of alle halowene, and speciallike of ye Purificacioun of oure lady seint marie, yis fraternite is founden and stabled, in ye ȝere of houre louerde a Thousande yre hundred sixti and seuene, and bi ye grace of god euere more to lasten, and shal be helden on ye sunday next after Candelmesse day. And yis gylde shal haue foure morwespeches bi ȝere. Ye firste shal be vp-on ye general day: ye secunde shal be ye sunday next bi-forn ye Assencion: ye yridde shal be ye sunday after seint Dionise: ye fourte shal be ye sunday next after ye Epiphanie. And who-so be somoned to any morwespeche, and wil nout come, ne make attorne for him, he shal pay di.li. wax. And if ye Deen falie of his somounes, he shal paye, for euerilke a brothere and sistere yat is nouht somoned, j.d. And euerilke ȝere shal ye Alderman callen vp foure men of Gylde bretheren, for to chesen an Alderman and offyceeres and a Deen yt been profitable for ye gylde. And if any of hem yat arn chosen forsake here office, he shal paye to amendement of ye liȝt; yat is to witen, ye Alderman, j.li. wax; eythere officer, di.li. wax; and ye Deen, quarter li. wax; wyht-outen any oyere grace. And who-so is rebel ageynes ye alderman in tyme of drynke, or of morwespeche holden, he schal paye to ye litȝ j.li. wax. And if ani broyere or sistere of yis fraternite bere oyer any falsed or wronge on hande, or him lie or mysseie, he shal paye to ye litȝ di.li. wax, and make pes to hym þat he has trespased a-geyn, by ye ordenaunce of ye Alderman and of ye gylde breyeren, or lese ye fraternite. And if any broȝere or sistere of yis fraternite be deed, ye Deen shal do come ye Candeles of ye Gylde to ye

Dirige, and warne alle ye Gilde breȝeren and sistres to comen and go wyht ye cors to kyrke, and offre j. ferdynd; and he yat comeȝt nouht to ye offrend, he shal paie, at ye next morwespeche, an ob. to ye almesse. And ye alderman shal haue, eueriche day whiles ye drynk lasteth, a galoun of ale; and eytheere skyueyn, a galoun; ye deen, a potelle; and ye Clerk, a potelle of ale. And who-so entret into the chambre yere ye ale litȝ, with-outen leue of men of office, he shal paie to ye litȝ, ij.d. And who-so entre into yis fraternite, he shal paie ye fees of yis hous; to ye Ald …portion of MS destroyedob.; to ye wax, ob.; and …portion of MS destroyedfor his entre. And orde …portion of MS destroyedueyns shullen haue …portion of MS destroyedſiciaunt borwes …portion of MS destroyedforn ye alderma …portion of MS destroyedspeche vp ye pey…portion of MS destroyedof yis gylde to a …portion of MS destroyedto ye liȝt iij.d. …portion of MS destroyedgle in tyme of dr …portion of MS destroyedcomaunde him for …portion of MS destroyedto ye liȝt, di.li. wax …portion of MS destroyedhous þan ye Alderman rise…portion of MS destroyedhe schal paye, to ye litȝ, ij.d. Also ye Alderman shal haue, for his trauaille be ȝere, iiij.d. and ij. galouns of ale; eythere Skyueyn, iiij.d. and j. galoun of ale; ye Clerk, vj.d. and j. potelle ale; and ye Deen, vj.d. and a potelle ale. Also, qwo-so entre in-to yis gylde, shal payen for his entrees ij.s. and is fees. Also ordeynd it is, yat euerylk brothere and sistere shal paye iij.d. in ye ȝere, for to fynde a Candelle brennend in ye chirche of seint Jame, a-forn ye Autere of owr lady, qwyl seruice is seyd in holydayis. Also ordeynd it is, yat euerilk brothere and sistere yat deyeth of this gylde shal haue xiij. messes seyd for is sowle.

• Johannes de Bysted, talyo^r, Alderman.
• Johannes Austyn, Baxter, ixs. viijd.
• Gilbert Plesant, ixs. viijd.

[These names are written in a different hand and ink from the rest of the return, and are so faint as to be hardly legible.]

XXXV.
GILD OF ST. LAWRENCE, LENNE EPISCOPI.

[CCCX. 222. Condition, bad; and two large pieces destroyed.]

In ye hon^r of ihesu crist of heuene, and of his modir seynte marie, and of alle halwyn, and speciallich of ye holi martir seint laurence, in ye feste of ye selue day, i yis ffraternite is founden and stabled, and bi ye grace of god euere-more for to lasten.

Yise ben ye ordenance of yis ffraternite. Yat ye breyeren and ye sisteres sholen holden iiij. morunspeches in ye ȝere. Ye first morwespeche shal ben after ye drynke: ye secunde shal ben ye sunday next after mihelmesseday: ye yridde shal ben ye sunday in mydlentoun: ye feerde shal ben ye sunday bi-forn ye fest of seint margarete. And if any of yise morwespeches bi-forn j-nemed be nouȝt holden at ye certeyn day assigned, ye Alderman shal don hem helden at qwat tyme yt it be most profitable and worsipe to ye ffraternite. And if any brothir or sister be somoned to ani morwespech, and wil nouht comen, ne make attorne for him, ne no leue axen of ye Alderman, he shal paye, to amendement of ye liȝt, ij.d. And qwo-so come after prime be smeten, he shal pay j.d., or leye a wed; and if he grucche, he shal paye ij.d.; and if he wil nouth payen it, he shal lesen ye ffraternite. And if ye deen fayle of hiis somouns, he shal paye, for ilke a brother and sister yat is nouth somouned, j.d. And euerilk ȝere shal ye alderman callen vp ffoure men of ye gilde breyerene, for to chesen Alderman, Skeueyns, and deen, yat ben profitable for ye gilde. And if any of hem yat haren chosen forsake

here office, he shal paye to amendement of ye liȝt: yat is for to qwyten, ye Alderman, vj.d.; eyther skeueyn, iiij.d.; and ye deen, ij.d. And euerilke a ȝer shal ye holde Alderman chargen ye newe Alderman, whan he is chosen, and alle hise felawes wyhtȝ hym, for to don hos it is a-forn i-seyd. And qwo-so entretȝ in to yis fraternite, he shal paye ye rigthes of yis hous, v.d.; yat is for to wyten, to ye Alderman, ij.d.; to ye Clerk, j.d.; and to ye Deen, j.d.; and to ye wax, j.d.; and fynde sufficiauntȝ borwes for his entre. vj.s. And if ani brothere or sistere of yis fraternite be deed, ye deen shal do comen ye Candeles of ye gilde to ye Dirige, and warne alle ye gilde bretheren and sisteres yat ben in toune, to comen and offren ob. at ye kyrke for ye dede; and he yat cometȝ nouht to ye offrende, he shal paye, at ye next morwespech, j.d. to ye almes. And if ye deen faile of his somouns, he shal paye, for ilke a brothir and sister yat is noutȝ somound, j.d.And if ani brother or sister of yis gild be ded, he shal haue, of ye propre catel of ye gyld, for his soule, xl. messis. And ye Alderman and ye skeueyns shullen don seyn yo messes wyhtinne vj. day after ye terement, if it be…portion of MS destroyed he be dede. And if ani of ye Skeueyns make defaute, and wil n …portion of MS destroyeda-forn i-seyd, he shal paye, to amendement of yis frater …portion of MS destroyedor vn-buxum a-geynes ye Alderman, vnskilfullike, …portion of MS destroyedshal paye, to amendement of yis ffraternite, …portion of MS destroyedbere oyer any falsed or wronge on hande, …portion of MS destroyedto amendement of yis gilde, iij.d., and …portion of MS destroyedmake pes to hym yat he…portion of MS destroyedye gilde bretherene and …portion of MS destroyedto ani straunge man …portion of MS destroyedof yis gylde iiij.d. …portion of MS destroyedof yis gylde on …portion of MS destroyedbi scryt a-count …portion of MS destroyedspeche a-forn …portion of MS destroyedso make defau …portion of MS destroyedof yis gilde, xl.d. …portion of MS destroyedqwiles ye drynk las …portion of MS destroyeda galoun; ye Clerk a g …portion of MS destroyed

ueyns hauande ye Catel of yis Gild, …portion of MS destroyedand counseil wyth hym bi-forn ye general day, …portion of MS destroyedin ye ȝere, for to make ordenaunce and purueaunce yat be …portion of MS destroyedfor yis fraternite. And if ani of ye skeueyns bi-forn i-nemed be founden atte defaute in ani poyntes yat longetȝ or falletȝ to his office, he shal paye, to amendement of yis gilde, vj.d., or lese ye fraternite. And if ye deen be comaundeed for to be entendaunt hem for to helpen, and he make defaute, and whil nouth, he shal paye iij.d., or lese ye fraternite. Al-so ordeynd is, yat no brothere ne sistere of yis gild shal make hym-self seruaunt, for to seruen in non office, but if he be comaunded bi ye alderman. And qwo-so do, he shal paien ij.d., or ley a wed of ye valuwe. And qwo-so make noyse or jangele in tyme of drynk or of morwespeche, and ye alderman or ye deen comaunde hem for to be stille, and he wil nouth, he shal paye to ye liȝt ij.d. And ye deen shal haue for his travaille, be ȝere, ij.s. And ye clerk, ij.s. And also yat no man dwelle in ye hous lengere yan ye Alderman rysetȝ, but men of office, vp ye payne of ij.d.to ye litȝ. Also ordeynd it is, yat eueriche brothere and sistere schal payen iij.d. in ye ȝere to fynden wt a litȝ of v. Candeles, brennend in ye Crykche of seint margrete qwyl yat diuine seruise is perfourmed in festiualle dayes, and for to payen to messis. Qwat brother …portion of MS destroyedof ye ordinaunce of ye gylde of sente…portion of MS destroyedqwreten in ye boke …portion of MS destroyed

• ... Mdum quod
• Johannes Smy…portion of MS destroyed
• Johannes Glar…portion of MS destroyed

XXXVI.
GILD OF ST. EDMUND, LENNE EPISCOPI.

[CCCX. 229. Condition, very bad; and two pieces destroyed.]

In þe wurchepe of jhesu crist of heuene, and of his der wurthr moder seynt marie, and of seynt Edmund, þt holi martir, in qwose wurchepe þis fraternete is bi-gunnen. Þese ben þe statuȝ of þis gilde. Þat men scholen holden foure mornspechis in þe ȝer. Þe first mornespeche schal ben on þe general day: þe secunde schal ben on þe sunday after seynt Petir: þe thridde schal ben on þe sunday after seynt barnabe apostele: þe ferde schal ben on þe sunday after seynt lukes day. Also, ȝif any broþer or sister be somund to here mornespeche, and yei ben in towne, and wil no^t come, ne make non att^rne for him, ne no leue axen of þe aldirman, scal payen j.d. And if he come after prime be thriis smeten, he schal paie j.d.; and ȝif he sette him doun and grucche, he scal payen j.d. And qwo-so entre in-to þe fraternete of þis gilde, he scal finde borwes, and paie þe rithes of þe hous, sone so he comyt in: þe alderman, j.d.; þe den, ob.; þe clerk, ob.; þe wax, ob. And if ani broþer or sister be ded of þis gilde, þe den scal bringen þe candeles to þe dirige, and warnen hise breþeren and hise sisteres to comen, and offren here ferþinge atte kirke for þe soule, and leþen a ferþinge to þe elmesse; and he þt comyt no^t to þe offrend, scal paien ob. atte nest mornspeche to þe elmesse. And if þe den faile of hise somounis, for eueri broþer and sister þat is not somound, he scal paien j.d. Also, þe den schal han, for his trauayle, be ȝere, vj.d.; de cklerke, viij.d. ["de cklerke, viij.d." is added in the margin, in a very different hand and ink. But the "vj." in the line before, is written in the same hand and ink as this marginal addition.] And if any broþer or sister maliciouslike or

dispisauntlike lye his broþer or his syster, in wrecche, in present of þe aldirman and of here gilde breþeren, scal paie, to amendement of þe gilde, vj.d. And qwo-so be rebele of his tonge aȝein þe aldirman, or dispise þe aldirman in time þt he holden here mornspeche, scal paien, to amendement of þe gilde, vj.d. And if any broþer or sister bere his broþer or his sister any falsed or wronge on hande, and it may be prouid be þe gilde breþeren, scal paien vj.d. to amendement of þe gilde. And qwo-so be-wreie þe conseil of þis gilde to any straunge man or woman, and it may be prouid be ȝe gilde breþeren or sisteres, scal paien, to amendement of þe gilde, xij.d., but if he haue grace. And if an aldirman be chosen, and he forsake his office, he scal paien, to amendement of þe gilde, xij.d.; eiþer skeueyn.... d.; and þe den, iij.d. And if any broþer or sister be dede of þis gilde, he schal han hise messes for his soule, of þe propre catel of þe gilde, xv. messes. And qwo-so entre into þe chambre þere þe ale lyth inne, with-outen leue of men of office, scal paie, to amendement of þe gilde, iij.d.Also, þe aldirman scal han, eueri nith wilis þe drinken, ij. galoun ale; eiþer skeueyn, a galoun ale; þe den, a potel ale; þe clerce, a potel ale. Also, þe skeueyns þat han þe catel of þe gilde, sullen finden borwes for þe catel, to bringen it forth aforn þe aldirman and þe gilde breþeren at general mornspeche, with-outen any lettinge: and if þei ne do not, þei sulle paie, to amendement of þe gilde, xl.d. Also, þat noman ne come, in time of drinke, beforn þe aldirman and þe gilde breþeren and þe gilde sisteres, in tabbard ne in cloke, ne bar-lege, ne barfoote; and it mowe be wist, he scal paie, to amendement of þe gilde, j.d. And qwo-so make any noyse in time of drinke, or in time of mornspeche holden, and þe den comaunde him to ben stille, and he ne wil nouth, scal taken him þe ȝerde, and if he ne will no^t reseiuen it, schal paie, to amendement of þe gilde, iij.d., or lese þe fraternete of þe gilde for euere more, but if he haue grace. Also, þat noman be so hardi, in time of drinke, to slepe, ne to late þe cuppe stondin be him, vp þe peyne of vi.d. Also, þat noman duelle in þe hous no lengere

þan þe aldirman rised, but men of office; and if he don, scal paye, to amendement of þe gilde, ij.d. Also, þt noman ne no woman of þis gilde enplede oþer for no trespas, tyl qwan þe aldirman and þe gilde breþere han asayed for to bringen hem at one; and if he ne moun nout, þan scholen he pleden quer-so þei wolen; and if þei doun, þei scholen paien, to amendement of þe gilde, xij.d., or lese þe fraternete of ye gilde for euermore, but if he haue grace.

[This paragraph is added in another hand and ink, and is hardly legible. The hand seems the same as has inserted the words "de cklerke viij.d." in the margin. See p. 94.] Also if oni broþer or sister entre into þis gilde, yo shalle payin iiiij.s.

[

The names here following are also in another hand and ink, and afterwards a pen has been drawn several times across them. The last two names are written in yet another hand and ink, and afterwards separately erased. All the names are very indistinct.

The foregoing return from the Gild of St. Edmund, is written on a long narrow roll, in a remarkable hand, and with an ink that has much faded. It has been afterwards corrected, in several places, by another hand, and with an ink which is still black. No part of the list of names is in the same hand or ink as either the first writing of the original return or the corrections.

]

• ...removeStefanus Warin, et Claricia vxor ejus.
• ...removeJohannes Mashemaker, ob.
• ...removeRadulfus de Hecham, et Margerie vxor ejus.
• ...removeAlicia de Hole, ob.
• ...removeWillelmus de Blokene.
• ...removeRicard de Litul, et Cecilia vxor ejus.
• ...removeHenri Gylbert, Henri Holf.
• ...removeHenre We…portion of MS destroyed
• ...removeGylbertus Kont, et Matil…portion of MS destroyed
• ...removeRobertus de Thornege, et Catarina vxor ejus.
• ...removeJohannes de Brestun, et Johanna vxor ejus.
• ...removeAlicia de Brecham.
• ...removeRoger de Geywode.
• ...removeWillelmus de Hogo.
• ...removeJohanna Spyrkynge.
• ...removeAngnes de Derham.

XXXVII.
GILD OF ST. NICHOLAS, LENNE PETRI.

[CCCX. 218. Condition, bad; and a large piece destroyed.]

In ye honuraunce of ihesu crist of heuene, and of his der woryi moder seynt marie, and of ale halowene, and speciallike of yt blisful corsant seynt Nicholaus, yis fraternite is by-gunnen and stabled, in ye fest of ye selue day, in ye ȝere of houre louerd a thousande CCC^mo fyfty and Nyne. And yis gilde schal haue, by ȝere, foure mornspeches. Ye fyrst schal be after ye drynkynge: ye secunde schal be on blake monunday: ye yride schal be on mesomur day: ye ferthe schal be on mykames day. And who-so is somound to any of yis mornspeches, and he be in toune and in hele, and ne wyle noughte come, ne make attorne for him, he schal pay to ye lyht half a pounde of wax. And if he grucche, he schal pay a pounde of wax, or lese ye fraternite for euere more. And if ye Deen faylie of is somones, he schal pay, for ilk a man and woman yat is noght somond, a peny. And eueri ȝere schal ye Alderman callen up foure men of ye gilde breyeren, for to chesen Alderman, and Skeueyns, and Deen, yat bene profitable for ye gylde. And if any of hem yt aren chosen, for-sake ye office, he schal pay to amendement of ye gilde; yt is to wyten, ye Alderman, xvj.d.; eyther skyueyn, xij.d.; and ye deen, vj.d.; wyth-outen any grace. And who-so trespase a-geynes ye Alderman, or a-geyn any of ye gilde breyeren, in tyme of drynkynge or of mornspeche holdynge, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, viij.d., and make pes to him yt he has trespas a-geyn, by ye ordinaunce of ye gilde breyeren. And if any

broyer or syster of yis gilde be dede, ye deen schal do come ye candeles of ye gilde to dirige, and warne alle gilde breyeren and sisteres to come and go wyht ye cors to chirche, and offre an halpeny. And who-so come noght to ye offerand, and he be in toune and in hele, ne make non attorne for him, he schal pay, at ye next mornspeche, a peny to ye almus. And euerilke broyer and sister of yis gilde yt dede is, schal haue for his soule, of ye propre catel of ye gilde, xxx. messes. And ye Alderman schal haue, euere-iche day whyles ye drynk lastes, out-taken ye first nyht and ye last, a galoun of ale; eythere skyuen, a galon; ye deen, a galoun; and ye clerke, a golon. And who-so entre in-to ye boteri yer ye ale lytȝ, wyht-outen leue of officere, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, ij.d. And who-so entre in to yis fraternite, he schal pay ye ryghtes of yis gilde; yt is to weten, to ye Alderman, ij.d.; ye clerke, a peny; ye deen, a alpeny; and to ye wax, a alpeny; and fynde suffisaunt borwes of payment of ye catel for his entre, yat is to seyne, iiij.s. And ordeyned hit is, yt ye catel of yis gilde yat ye skyueyns schullen haue on hande, schal be deliuered to hem, by suffisaunt borwes to bryng ye catel, wyth ye encrescement, by-forn ye Alderman and ye gilde breyeren at ye general mornspeche: and if day don noght hos hit is be-forn sayde, ye skeueyns schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, xl.d. or here borwes for hem. And who-so discuretȝ ye counseyl of yis gilde to ani straunger, and he beouertaken, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, .. d., or lese ye fraternite. And ordeyned hit is yt no…portion of MS destroyedplete oyer in no place for dette ne …portion of MS destroyedleue of ye Alderman and of…portion of MS destroyedden be-forn ye Alderman …portion of MS destroyedAlso yat non gilde bro …portion of MS destroyedforn ye Alderman and…portion of MS destroyedleg, ne barfote, and…portion of MS destroyedpeny. And who-so…portion of MS destroyeda peny. And yat no man …portion of MS destroyedAlderman riset, but men of office;…portion of MS destroyedto ye lyght a peny. And ye Deen schal haue, for …portion of MS destroyed

by ȝere, vj.d. And ye Clerke shal haue, for his trauayle be ye ȝere, xij.d.

• Robertus Palmere
• Johannes Harte
• Johannes Dykessone

Sunt custodes dicte Gilde: tamen, de bonis dicte Gilde, nichil habent, quia bona seu catalla dicte Gilde non pertinent.

[NOTE.—The second line of the ordinances next following, shows that Lynn Petri is but another name for West Lynn West Lynn has also been named before, p. 57.]

XXXVIII.
GILD OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, LENNE PETRI.

[CCCX. 257. Condition, bad; and a large piece destroyed.]

Thise been ye statuȝ of ye gylde of ye holy prophete Seynt Jon baptist, be-gunnen in West Lenne in ye ȝere of houre louerd a thousand CCC^mo seuenti and foure. And yis gilde schal haue foure mornspeches be ye ȝeere. Þe first schal ben after ye drynkynge: þe secunde schal ben vp-on ye seynt Jhon day in heruyst: þe thryde schal ben vp-on seynt Jon day in Cristemesse: þe fourte schal ben vp-on seynt Jhon day in May. And whoso be somonde to anny mornspeche, and wil nought come, ne make a-tourne for hyme, he schal pay half a pound of wax. And if ye Dene faile of his somounes, he schal pay, for ilk a broyer and systere yat is nought somonde, a peny. And who-so is chosen in office of Alderman, and he for-sake is office, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gylde, ij.s.; eythere Skeueyn, xviij.d.; and ye Den, xij.d. And who-so be rebel a-geyn ye Alderman in tyme of drynkynge, or of mornspeche holden, or in any oyere tyme, vnskilfullik, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, ij. pounde of waxe. And if any broyer or sistere be rebel a-geynes oyere, or bere him any falsede or wrong on hande, and hit may be proued, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gylde, ij. pounde of waxe, and sythen make pees to hym yat he has trespasede a-geyn, by a-sent of ye Alderman and ye gilde breyeren. And if any broyer or sistere of yis gylde be deed, ye Den schal do come ye candeles of ye gilde to ye Dirige, and warne al ye gylde breyeren and systers yat ben in hele and in toune, to come, and go wyth ye cors to kyrke, and offere a halpeny; and euerilk

a broyer and sister schal gyuen an oyere halpeny to ye almys. And ye Den schal gedren ye forseyde halpenys, and by wyht-al breed, and gyue hit for ye soule. And if he do nought os hit is be-forn seyde, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, ij.s. And euerilk broyer and sister yt deede is, schal haue, of ye propre catel of ye gylde, xxx. messes for ye soule. And who-so entres in to yis ffraternite, he schal pay ye fees of yis hous: yat is to weten, to ye Alderman, ij.d.; ye clerk, a peny; ye dene, a peny; and ye wax, a peny; and ffynde suffisaunt borwes of ye paiement for his entre. And ye Alderman schal haue, eueriche day whiles ye drynke lastet, two galouns of ale; euericheskeueyn, a galoun; ye clerke, a …portion of MS destroyedAnd who-so entres in to ye …portion of MS destroyedleue of men of office, he …portion of MS destroyedwax. And also ordey …portion of MS destroyedskeueynes scholen …portion of MS destroyedby suffisaunt bo …portion of MS destroyedbe-forn ye Ald…portion of MS destroyedvp ye peyne…portion of MS destroyedyis gilde …portion of MS destroyedhe schal …portion of MS destroyedmake noyse…portion of MS destroyedstylle, and he wil …portion of MS destroyedof waxe. And so yat no man dwelle…portion of MS destroyedye Alderman risetȝ, but men of office: and who-so …portion of MS destroyedschal pay to ye lyght half a pounde of waxe. And al-so ordeynd hit is, yat no broyere of yis ffraternite ne schal gyuen wed and borow vp-on oyere, ne him somoune, ne do somoune, for dett ne for trespase, til swiche tyme as he has shewed his agreuaunce til ye Alderman and ye gilde breyeren yat ben chef of ye counseil. And ye Alderman and ye gylde breyeren shullen prouen, vp-on here myght, for to a-corden hem. And if yei mown noght acorden, let hem make pleynte in what plase so yat yei wyle. And who-so do nought als it is by-forn hy seyde, he schal pay, to amendement of ye gilde, xl.d. And who-so make any disturbaunse for any poynt yat is ordened be ye first foundurs of

yis gilde, he schal pay, to amendement of yis gilde, ij.s. And ye Deen schal haue for his trauayle, be ye ȝere, vj.d.

• ... Adam Outelawe habet in custodia, de bonis dicte Gilde, vj.s. viij.d.
• ... Henricus Boston habet vj.s. viij.d.

NOTE.

—Two points in this return call for remark here. First, the letter 'þ' is used four times in one sentence, each time at the beginning of one of the four clauses that make up the sentence. In every other place throughout the return, 'y' is used for the one-letter sound of 'th.' In other returns, sometimes 'þ' is used, sometimes 'y;' but whichever is used, it is constant throughout the same return. Second, in this return alone is it stated, though the fact was probably the same in every gild, that the offerings at the dirge were to be spent in buying bread to be given to the poor. (Compare the return No. XLVI.) And the bread so bought is to be 'wyht-al' or 'wastel' bread, that is, bread 'white and well baked.' In other words, the dole to the poor shall be of eatable bread of the best quality, and not 'cocket' (seconds) or 'simnel' (twice baked) bread. [In a vocabulary of the early part of the fifteenth century, contained in Mr. Mayer's privately printed volume of Vocabularies, no less than twelve sorts of bread are named (pp. 197, 198). But among these there are many of very coarse quality, and not made from wheat. Wastel, cocket, and simnel are the only sorts recognized in the "Assise of Bread." In the Vision of Piers Plowman, the contrast between the sorts of bread is strongly put. Piers tells Hunger that,

"A lof of Benes and Bren, I bake for my children;"

but adds that, after harvest,

"Ne no Beggare eten Bread, þat Benes inne come, Bote Cocket and Cler Matin, an of clene whete."

(Mr. Skeat's edition of the Vernon Text, pp. 89, 90.) See further, the Note at the end of the "Usages of Winchester," in Part III. of this work.] The word 'wastel' is no doubt (by the very common transposition of the 's') the Old Northern 'veitsla' (feast), the wastel bread being what should always be given to guests. 'Veitslu-dagr' is dies epularis.

These two sentences seem to me to shew that part at least of the ordinances found in this return were copied from the now lost ordinances of some gild much older than the date when this one itself began.

XXXIX.
GILD OF ST. JAMES, NORTH LENNE, SANCTI EDMUNDI.

[CCCX. 141. Condition, fair; but a large piece destroyed.]

In ye honour of ihesu crist of heuene, and of his modyr seynte marie, and of alle holy halewen, and specialike in the honour of seynte James, of qwom owre fraternite is foundyn and stablyd. Yeis arn ye ordynnaunces of our Gylde, ordeynd be alle the hol fraternite. Yat ther shuln ben foure morwespeches be ȝere. Ye first shal be aftere ye drynke: ye secunde shal be ye sunday nest aftere the fest of sein mihel: ye thryd shal be ye sunday nest aftere the pyffanye: the ferde shal be the sunday nest aftere ye fest of sen Barnabe apostel. And who-so be somound to any of yeise morwespeches, or to any othere, and he be in hele, and wille nouht comen, ne make non attorne for him, he shal paye to ye liȝt half a pound of wax. And if ye Deen falie of his somouns, he shal paye, for ilk a broyere and sistere nouht somound, to ye amendement of ye liȝt, j.d.And also ordeynd it is, yat eueriche broyere and sistere shal paie, at eueriche morunspeche, ob. to ye wax, for to meyntene iij. Candelle brennend a-forn ye seint [So in original. No doubt "altar," or "image," was intended to be written.] of seint Jame, in ye worschepe of god and of yat holi seint, seynt Jame, in ye tyme yat diuine seruise is seyd in festiualle dayes. And who-so be chosen in offyce of Alderman, and he for-sake ye offyce, he shal paie, to amendement of ye liȝt, j.li. wax; and eythere skyueyn, j.li. wax;

and ye Deen, j. quarter li. wax. And who-so entre in to yis fraternite, he shal paie ye rythes of ye hous, sone-so he cometȝ in: to ye Alderman, ij.d.; to ye Clerk, j.d.; and to ye Deen, j.d.; and to ye wax, j.d.; and fynden suffisand borwes to make ye payment of his couenauns for his entre. And if any broyere or sistere of yis Gylde be ded, he shal do come ye Candelles of ye Gylde to ye Dirige, and warn alle ye Gylde breyeren and sisteres to comen and offren ob. atte cherche; and he yt cometȝ nouht to ye offrend, he shal paye, at ye next morwespeche, j.d. to the almus for ye sowle. And if any broyere or sistere be deed, he shal haue, of ye propre Catel of ye Gylde, xxx.d. to messes for his sowle, and ye Alderman and ye Skeueyns shuln do synge tho messes qwer-so welyn yei shuln. And qwo-so be Alderman, he shal haue, atte euenes, eythere euene, a galoun of ale and a qwyt lof; and ye Skyueyn, eithere heuen, a potel of ale. And if any brothere or sistere of ye Gylde falle at any meschef, he shal han, in ye wooke, qwyles he leueth, iiij.d. to sustynaunce. And who-so be rebel of his tunge a-geyn ye Alderman, or ageyn any of ye Gylde bretheren or sisters, in time of drynkynge, or [This word is written "of" in the MS. But it is so plainly a slip of the pen, that I have read it as if the letter "r" had been written.] of morwespeche holden, he schal paie, to ye amendement of ye liȝt, di. li. wax. And if any broyere or sistere of yis Gilde bere his broyere or his sistere any falsed or wronge on hand, and it may be proued be ye Gylde bretheren or sisteres, he shal paie, to ye amendement of ye liȝt, j.li. wax. And who-so entretȝ in-to ye chambre there ye ale lythe inne, wt-oute leue of men of offyce, he shal paye to ye liȝt j.d. And ordeynd is,…portion of MS destroyedye Skyueyns schuln have in hand …portion of MS destroyedhem, be sufficiaunte borwes, to bryng …portion of MS destroyedwespeche bi-forn ye Alderman, and …portion of MS destroyedvp-on table. And who-so faly, yt …portion of MS destroyedpaye to ye liȝt ij.li. wax, or his borwes for him. And who-somake noyse or ianglynge in tyme of drynk, or of morwespecheholden, and ye Deen comande hym be still, and he wil nout, he shal paye to ye liȝt di. li. wax, or lesen ye Gilde, but if he

haue grace. And ye Deen shal haue for his traualie, be ȝere, iiij.d. And ordeyned is, be alle ye Gylde breyeren, yt euerilke broyere and sistere shal paye to ye Almus, for evere-ilk broyere and sistere …damage for his soule.

Johannes Knolles, Alderman: et nichil habet de Catellis. North Lenne.

XL.
GILD OF ST. EDMUND, NORTH LENNE, SANCTI EDMUNDI.

[CCCX. 149. Condition, fair; but a large piece destroyed.]

In ye honour of ihesu crist of heuene, and of his modere seinte marye, and of alle holi halowen, and specialike of yat holi martyr seint Edmunde ye kynge, yis ffraternite is foundyn and stabled. And yis Gylde shal haue foure morwespeches bi ȝere. Ye first shal be aftere ye drynke: ye secounde shal bene ye first sunday of lentone: ye yridde shal bene ye sunday aftere seinte Thomas ye martyr: ye fourte shal bene ye sunday aftere seint Dionise. And who-so be somound to any of yise morwespeches, or to any oyere, and he be in hele, and ne whille nouht come, ne make attorne for him, he shal paie to ye liȝt half a pounde of wax. And if ye Deen faile of his somouns, he shal paie, for ilke a broyere and sistere yat is nouht somonde, to amendement of ye liȝt, j.d. And also ordeynd it is, yat eueriche broyere and sistere shal paie, at euerich morwespeche, ob. to ye wax, for to mentene iij. Candelle brennend a-forn ye seint, in ye worschepe of god and of yt iche holi seint, seint Edmunde ye kynd [(sic.)] and martyr, in ye tyme yat diuine seruise is seyd in festiualle dayes. And who-so be chosen in offyce of Alderman, and he for-sake ye offyce, he shal paie, to amendement of ye liȝt, j.li.wax; and eythere skeueyn, di.li. wax; and ye Deen, quarter li.wax. And qwo-so entre in to yis fraternite, he shal paie ye rightes of ye hous, sone-so he cometȝ in: to ye Alderman, j.d.; to ye Deen, ob.; to ye Clerke, ob.; and to ye wax, ob.; and fynde suffisaunde borwes to make ye paiement of his couenauns for his

entre. And if ani broyere or sistere of yis Gylde be deed, ye Deen shal do come ye Candelle of ye Gylde to ye dirige, and warne alle ye Gylde breyeren and sisteres to comen and offre an halpeny at ye kyrke; and he yat cometȝ nouht to ye offrende, he shal paie, at ye next morwespeche, to ye almus, j.d. for ye soule. And if any broyere or sistere of yis Gylde be ded, he shal haue, of ye propre Catel of ye Gylde, xxx.d. to messes for his soule, and at ye Alderman and ye Skeueyns do singe yo messes. And who is rebel of his tunge a-geyn ye Alderman, or a-geyn ani of ye Gylde breyeren or sistere, in time of drynke or of morwespeche holden, he shal paie, to amendement of ye liȝt, di.li. wax. And if any broyere or sistere of yis fraternite bere his broyere or sistere ani falsed or wronge on hande, and it may be proved bi ye Gylde breyeren or sisteres, he shal paye, to amendemente of ye liȝt, j.li. wax. And who-so entretȝ in-to ye Chaumbre yere ye ale lytȝ inne, with-oute leue of men of offyce, he shal paie to ye liȝt j.d. And ordeynd is, yat ye Catel of yis Gylde yat ye Skeueyns shulen haue in hand shal be deliuered to hem, bi sufficiaunt borwes to brynge ye catel, at ye general morwespeche, bi-forn ye Alderman and ye Gyld breyeren and sisteres, and leyn doun vp-on ye table bi-forn ye Alderman. And wh…portion of MS destroyedpaiement, he shal paie to ye liȝt of ye gylde …portion of MS destroyedAnd who-so make noyse or iangele in time of …portion of MS destroyedand ye Deen comaunde hym be stille…portion of MS destroyeddi. li. wax, or lese ye fraternite of …portion of MS destroyeduaile, bi ȝere, iiij.d. And ordeynd…portion of MS destroyedand sistere shal paie to ye alm …portion of MS destroyed

Robertus Kocsoun, Al…portion of MS destroyed

XLI.
GILD OF CANDLEMASS, NORTH LENNE, SANCTI EDMUNDI

[CCCX. 207. Condition, fair; but a large piece destroyed.]

In the hon^re of ihesu crist of heuen, and of is modere seinte marie, and of alle holy halowen, and specialike of ye fest of oure lady yat is cleped Candelmesseday, this fraternite is founden and stabled. And this Gylde shalle hauen foure mornspeches by ȝere. The fyrste shalle ben the morn nexte aftere Candelmesday. The secunde shalle be the sunday next aftere ye feste of ye Annunciacioun of oure lady seinte marie. And the thredde shalle ben ye sonday next aftere ye feste of ye Natiuite of oure lady. The fourthe shalle ben ye sonday next aftere ye feste of ye Concepcioun of oure lady. And who-so be somound to any of yis morunspeches, or to any othere, and he be in hele, and he wille nouht come, ne make none attorne for hym, he shalle paye to ye lyȝt j.li. wax. And if ye Deen faile of his somouns, he shalle paye, for ilke a broyere and sistere yat is nouht somond, di. li. of wax. And also ordeynd it is, yat eueriche broyere and sistere shal paye, at euerich morunspeche, ob. to ye wax, for to meyntene iij. Candelles of wax brennend aforn ye, [(sic.)] in ye worschipe of god, and of iche holy mayden our lady seint marie, in ye tyme yat diuine seruise is seyd in festivalle dayes. And who-so be chosen in offyce of alderman, and he for-sake ye offyce, he shalle paye, to amendement of ye lytȝ, ij.li. of wax; and eythere skyueyne, j.li. of wax; and ye Deen, di. li. of wax. And who-so entre in to yis fraternite, he shalle paye ye ryȝtes of ye hous, soon-so hee comen in: to ye Alderman, j.d.; to ye Deen, j.d.;

and to ye wax, ob.; and fynden sufficiaunt borwes to make ye payment of ys couenanteȝ for is entree. And if any broyere or sistere of this gylde be ded, he shalle do comen ye Candelle of ye Gylde to ye Dirige, and warn alle ye Gylde breyeroun and sisters to comen and offren ob. atte ye Chirche: and he yat cometȝ nouht to ye offrend, hee shalle paye, atte next morunspeche, j.d. to ye Almus for ye soule. And if any broyere or sistre of yis Gylde be ded, hee shalle haue, of ye propre catelle of ye Gylde, xxx.d. to messes for is soule. And ye Alderman and ye Skyueyns shun [This word has a scratch over it, which may be accidental, but which (though, if so, very unusual) may be intended for a mark of contraction, as if the word should be read "shullen." But there is no other instance of the kind throughout these returns. "Schun" (before, p. 67, twice) has no such mark.] do syngge ye messes, vppoun ye disposicioun of ye Alderman and ye Skyueyns. And who-so be rebelle of is tonge agayne ye Aldre[man], or agayne any of ye Gylde bretherene or sisteren, in tyme of drynk or of morunspeche holdene, hee shal paye, to amendement of ye lytȝ, j.li. wax. And if any broyere or sistere of yis fraternite bere is broyere or sistere any falsed or wrong on hande, and it may be proued by ye gylde breyerene or sisteren, he shal paye, to amendement of ye lytȝ, j.li. wax. And who-so entre in to ye chaumbre yer ye ale lytȝin, wt-out leue of men of office, he shalle he shal [These two words are thus twice written in the original.] …portion of MS destroyedordenyd is, yt ye catelle of yis Gylde yt ye sk …portion of MS destroyedshalle be delyuered to hem by suffysaunt …portion of MS destroyedgeneral morunspeche be-for ye Alde …portion of MS destroyedtable; and who-so faille yat d …portion of MS destroyedor is borwes for him. And …portion of MS destroyedor of is morunspeche holden …portion of MS destroyednouht, he shal paye to ye …portion of MS destroyedby ȝere, iiij.d. And ordey…portion of MS destroyedand sistre shalle paye to ye …portion of MS destroyedye soule.

John Knolle, Alderman ye se
North Lenne.

XLII.
GILD OF THE HOLY TRINITY, WYGNALE, NORFOLK.

Certificacio fundacionis et regiminis gilde Sancte Trinitatis de Wygnale, per Aldermannum eiusdem.

[CCCX. 20. Condition, disfigured by the use of galls.]

In the worchip of god, and of his modur marie, an specialy of the holi trinite, in qwose worchip this fraternite is begonne. Sey a pater noster, and Aue pur charite, and ne nos, &c. laudemus qui fecit celum, &c. Benedicamus patrem, &c. laudemus, &c. Benedictus es domine, &c. per signum sancte crucis, &c. In omnem terram exiuit sonus eorum, et in fine orbis, &c. Oremus, Oremus, Omnipotens, &c.; Be-sege we ihesu crist mercy, for the pees, an for the stat of holy chirche, for the pope of Rome an his Cardinales, &c. vt in Pulpito. [The MSS. of this and the two following returns are in such bad condition, that I feared that some of the initial words of the prayers named in them might not have been correctly taken down. I am indebted to the courtesy of the learned author of "The Church of our Fathers" (already quoted in the Introduction), for the verification of their correctness, save in a few cases where the scribe of 1389 has made literal blunders too obvious to mislead any one.] And for alle the gilde bretherun an sisterun that this gilde furst begonne, and lengest sal vp-haldene, says a pater noster, Phalmus Deus misereatur nostri, &c. Also qwat brother or sustre die, and he may noughte be broughte to the hergdes wyt his owne catelle, he sal be broughte wyt the broderhedes. And if he be drowned in water, he sal be soughte vj. myle about, and the lyghte be broughte be-for hem to the kirke. Other fundacioun es ther non.

XLIII.
GILD OF THE ASSUMPTION, WYGGENALE, en Contee de Norffolk.

Anno regni Regis Richardi secundo [(sic.)] viijo., die Assumsionis.

[CCCX. 119. Condition, very bad.]

In ye worschipp of Jhesu crist, and of is dere moder seynt mare, and ye holy feleschipp of heuene, and specialy of oure lady sent mare of ye assumcion of oure lady, in wyche fraternite ys be-gunne, in ye ton of Wygenhale, for to worschippe oure lady. In ye worschipp of god and of is moder, in a-mendement of oure lyff, and sauacion of oure saules, and sayes a Pater noster and a aue pur charite.

Laudemus Deum, &c. Benedicamus pater, &c. Benedictus es, &c. Per signum sancte, &c.

Maria virgo semper letare, que meruisti Christum portare, celi et terre conditorem, quem de vtero tuo protulisti, mundi Saluatorem. Deo gratias.

Be-seke we Jhesu crist mercy, ffor ye state of holy chirche and al yer-to longes.

Also we schal be-seke for oure lord Kyng Richard of yngelond, and for ye qwene, and ffor alle ye baronyge, and for alle yat to yam longes, yat gyff yam grace to ouer-come ere enmys.

Also we schal be-seke for ye pope of Rome, and ye Patriarcke of Jerusalem, and for alle holy kirke, and al yat to it longes.

Also we schal be-seke for ye holy lond, yat Jhesu crist, for is mekul mercy, brynge it in to criste powere.

Also we sal be-seke for ye frutte yt is on ye herthe, yat god send it soche wedurynge yt may turne cristen men to profyt.

And ffor schipp-men and for al men yat trauayle, be se and be land. And for al yat yis fraternite first be-gunne, and longes wil vp-hold. And yei to saye a pater noster pur charite. [Compare with this the very remarkable prayer of the Gild of St. Christopher, Norwich, before, pp. 22, 23.]

Deus miseriatur nostri, &c. Gloria patri, &c. Kyrieleison, &c. pater noster, &c. Dies fuit, &c. habundat quemcumque; Deus a quo, &c.

Also be-seke Jhesu mercy for oure fadere saules, and for oure modere saules, and for ye criste saules yt ben in ye bitter payne of purgatore, and for al ye brethire saules and sisturres yat to yis fraternitee longes, and maynteynen in ye worschipp of oure Lady. Says a pater noster, &c. De profundis, &c. oremus; Incline Domine ne fideles, &c. benedicite dominus, &c. Ille nos benedicat. Godes helpe be a-mong vs. Amen.

• Johannes de Tydde.
• Robertus de Gedney.
• Adam Halyward.
• Robertus Helys.
• Johannes Dey.
• Thomas de Tyringetoun.
• Johannes Gerard.
• Johannes de Heyssewelle.
• Johannes Wyntur.
• Galfridus Lewer.
• Ricardus Mayden.
• Laurence Laycy.
• Thomas Drewry.
• Cicillia Leman.
• Angneta Haliward.
• Asselyn Millener.
• Beatrix Deye.
• Isabella Laicy.
• Cicillia de Tydde.
• Katerina Witrasse.
• Margareta Garenelle.

• …portion of MS destroyed Wyntur.
• Alicia Paschelewe.
• Alicia Gerard.
• Angneta Spense.
• Katerina de Gedney.
• Alicia Daundy.
• Elena Williams, filia…portion of MS destroyed

Qwat brother or systur dey of yis fraternite, if he deye soden dede, be water or be lond, he schal be soughte vj. myle a-boute, of oure cost, if he be nought of power to pay for hym-self; and oure lythe to ye derige and to ye kirke; and ye next sonunday aftere, he schal haue ix. messes. And al yo yt were naught at ye beriynge of ye corse, schal pay a ob. to oure lady lyght, and to ye leuacion of godes bodi ... kepe, if may so far reche.

Qwat brothere or systure bere other any falsed on hand, and schal paye to ye lyght ob.

Ista sunt debita de gylda de Assumsionis beate marie, in villa de Wygenhale.

• Robertus Helys habet de moneta, ________________vj.s. viij.d.
• Thomas Drewre debet __________________________________xl.d.

Qwat man yat comes nought to yis toy morunspeche, he schal pay to yis lyght a ob.

[Several names have been written on the back of this roll, with some accompanying description; but the whole is now quite illegible.]

XLIV.
Certificatio regiminis GILDE DE CRANBONE, in villa de WYGNALE, per Thomam Chapeleyn, Aldermannum.

[CCCX. 139. Condition, very bad.]

In hon^r of ihesu of heuen, and of his moder seinte marie, an of alle halwen, and specialy of seint Johan the Ewangelist, in qwose worchip this fraternite is be-gunne. Sey a pater noster; pur charite; Et ne nos, &c. set libera nos, &c. laudemus deum, qui fecit celum, mare, et omnia que in eis sunt; Benedicamus patrem, &c. laudemus, &c. Benedictus, &c. per signum sancte crucis, &c. In omnem terram exiuit; oremus; Ecclesiam tuam quisThis seems to be a mistake for "quæsumus," or for some contraction of that word; but it is plainly "quis" in the MS., and it has no mark of contraction over it. domine, &c. Beseche we ihesu crist mercy, for the pees and state of holy chirche, for the pope of Rome an the cardinals, for the patriak of Jerusalem, and for the stat and pees of holy chirche:—meinten hem and susten hem; and for the Archibischope of Canterbury, and the Bischope of Norwyche, and for the Prioresse of Crabous, [It is right to say that this name could not have been made out from the original return alone. But, on comparing it with an ancient MS. in my possession (formerly in the famous Dering collection, but once belonging to Sir Roger Twysden), which gives names and particulars of the old abbeys and priories in England and Wales, I find that all the remains of the word that can be traced in this return (except the dropped "h," and "u" for "w"), agree with the name "Crabhows," which is recorded in that MS. as being in the county of Norfolk. See also Tanner's Notitia, Norfolk, "Crabhouse."] and for alle the couent, and for alle Archibischopes, Bisshopes, Abbotes, Priours, an for alle men and wommen of religioun; and for the kynge and the

qwene, and al the Comones of this Roialme, vt patet in Pulpito,&c. And also more-ouer, this is the ordinance of this Gilde, apud Cranbone in villa de Wyggenale; qwyche was be-gunne in the day of Seint Johan the Ewangelist, in the ȝere of Kynge Richard second xj^o. That if any man be ded of this fraternite, wyt-inne vj. myle about, o lond or of watre, and the lyghte sal be brought to bery hym, wyt the cost of al the companie. And qwo-so of that companie absent hym fro the beryyng, he sal paie an alpenie to the gilde. Also, if any mann of companie ben wrothe, they sal take tway men of the brethere to accorden hem; and if they mowe nought accorden hem, ethir sal peye a peny to the lyghte, an pursue to the Commone laghe qwer-so-euer they wylle. Also more, twey dais of mornspeche in the yere: that is for to say, on the day aftir day of seint Thomas in Cristimasse: the secounde, seint Thomas day of Canterbury. And qwo-so comythe nought to the day, if the ben in town, the sal paie an alpenye to the lyghte. Also we haue a peyntid clothe that cost xl.s., qwyche was ordeined to hang in the chirche in the [(sic.)] of seint Johan on hes festes. Also, we fyndyn a torche to servyn atte leuacion in time of messe. An be-for the ymage of seint Johan we fynden iij. Candelie of wax. And non other fundacion no gouernynge es in oure gilde.

XLV.
Certificatio fundacionis et regiminis GILDE SANCTE TRINITATIS, de WYGNALE, per Willelmum Cautynge, Aldermannum ejusdem.

[CCCX. 144. Condition, fair.]

In hon^r of ihesu crist, and his modir seinte marie, and al the holy felichipe of heuen, an specialy of the Trinite, in qwom this fraternite is begonne, be al the conseil of xxxj. bretheren and sisteren; for to hold foure mornspeches in the yere, in worchipe of the Trinite, and in amendement of al holy chirche, and helpyng of oure soules. The first mornspeche, of Trinite sunday: the seconde, after seint Johanes day in heruest: the thred, on sunday after seint andrewes day: the fourt, on midlentene sunday. Also, that eueriche mann be redy at thys foure days, for to paie to the holy Trinites light ob. Thys is accorde be al the holy [This word "holy" is so in the MS.; but it is clearly a mistake for "hole"=whole.] berthere. In the yere of Kynge Richard xj. this gilde was begonne: and therto, in worchip of god and holy cherche, William Cautyng, Aldermann of the forsaide gilde, and alle the bretheren and sisteren, paien a certein somme of seluer to leghte of Trinite, qwyche amont to vj.s. ij.d. ob. Other fundacion no gouernynge is noughte in oure gilde.

XLVI.
GILD OF ST. PETER, WYGGENALE, en Contee de Norffolk.

[CCCX. 163. Condition, fair.]

In honoure and worschippe of Jhesu crist, and of is dere moder sent mare, and al ye holy feleschipp of heuene, and specialy of ye holy a-postille sent Peter, in qwose worschippe this fraternite is be-gunne. For to hold toy morunspeches in ye ȝere: ye first, at ye fest of sent Peter ye a-postil; ye secunde, ye sonunday next after ye twelft day. And, at ye general day, yat ilke a brother be redy wit othir, to go to ye kirke wit is brethere wit a garlond of hoke Lewes.

Yis is hordenned be ye a-sent of al ye brethere and systurs of yis fraternite: yat euer-iche brothere and systure be redy to go to ye kirke, wen any brothere or systure is ded of yis fraternete; and yat euer-iche brothere hoffer a ob.; and yat iche a brother gyff a halpeny wortht of bred for is soule, and yat he haue vij. messes songen for is soule.

And also, if he dey, yat is for to say if he be perichee be water or be lond, yen schal is gyld brethere gare seke him iij. myle aboute, and brynge him to cristen mennes bereynge, if he be nouȝt in power of is owen catelle; and ye lyght be brought be-for hym to ye derige, and to ye kirke; yat is for to say, a torche yat schal bren at ye leuacion of ye messe euer-iche sonnunday. Also wen yat ye brethere and sisture ben geyderd at yere generale day, qwat godes man come to oure fraternite, he schal haue mete and drynke, qwyles it wil last. And also a taper for to bren be-for sent Petur, of a pond of wax.

[Indorsed on the foregoing return is the following:—]

Catella de gylde Sancti Petri in Wygenhale, in ye ton ende:—

• Willelmus Cautyng_______________v.s. vj.d.
• Willelmus Harald _______________v.s. vj.d.

XLVII.
GILD OF EST WYNCH, de Comitatu Norfolcie.

[CCCX. 64. Condition, fair; but a piece destroyed.]

In ye honowre of ihesu cryste, and of hese modyir seynte marye, and of al ye companye of hewene, and specialleche of sen Jon ye baptyst, in qwose name yis gylde is hordeynyd. Yis gilde chal hawe foore morwe-spechiis: ye fyrste morwe-speche schal ben on sen Jon day; ye secunde schal ben on ye swnday after ye feste of sen micael; ye yrede schalben on sen Jon-is day in cristemesse; ye ferde schalben on ye sunday after crowchemesse dai. Yis gylde schal hawe an haldyrman, and to screweynys, and a clerk; and qwat man yt comyt in, he chal payn a peny to ye wax, and a peny to ye clerk. And hewery yer schal ye aldyrman callyn vp fore men of ye breyern, for to chesen aldyrman, and to screweynys yt ben profitable for to kepyn ye gelde catel: and if ony of hem for-sake hys office, yt is to seyne, ye aldyrman schal payn halwe a pownd of wax to ye leyt of sen Jon, and eyther screweyny a qwarter of wax. And if ony broyer or sister be ded of yis gelde, he chal hawe ye candelle of ye gylde to ye derige, and ewery broyer or syster chal offeryn a ferȝyng, and yewen anoyr for ye soule. And qwat broyer or sister yt comyt nowt to ye offeryng, he chal payn, at ye nexte morwe-speche, a peny to ye elmesse. And qwat broyer or sister be det of yis gylde, he chal hawen xiij. messes of ye pro-pir catel of ye gylde. And if ony broyer or sister be sek on general day, he chal hawen a lof, and a potel of ale, and mes of

kechen stuff. And yis gylde was ordeynyd and be-gwnyn in ye ... yere of the regne of kyng Ric. ye secunde.

• Aldyrman, William of Hely …portion of MS destroyed
• Screweys, Johannes Sm …portion of MS destroyed
• Thomas …portion of MS destroyed

XLVIII.
GILD OF ST. PETER, OXEBURGHE, NORFOLK.

[CCCX. 79. Condition, good. This return is one of a bundle of eight sewn together;—of which six are in Latin, and this and the one next following are in English. All the eight relate to gilds in Oxburgh, Norfolk. To the lower edge of the first of the eight, there is sewn a piece of linen paper, 2 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches, containing an account of the goods of the gild. See before, p. 44 note.]

In þe hono^r of god, and of hese modir marie, and of seint Peter, a ȝelde is be-gonne, in þe ȝer of þe regne of þe kyng Richard þe secunde, þe secunde ȝer. Þis is þe ordenaunce of þe ȝylde; þt þe alderman and þe bedel, bretheryn and sisteryn of þe gilde, schullyn comyn, at þe secunde belle of þe Euesong of seint Peter, and beryn a-forn hem a torche brennyngge, of vj. pond of wax; and þat euery gilde broþer and sister be at þe euesong and messe of seint Peter, and at þe secunde euesong, in þe peyne of a pond wax to þe lythe of seint Peter, ȝif he be fyue myle be halue; and, at here gilde day, euery man to offeryn a ferthyn at messe, and anoþer to Elmesse. And al-so, at þe ded day of a broþer, euery couple to ȝeuyn iij. penys; and þt þe aldirman and bedel shullyn gaderynt, be asent of alle þe breþeryn. And ȝif ony broþer or sister falle at myschef, he schal haue, be ȝere, iiij. [(sic.)] And ȝif ony broþer or sister be-wreye here conseil, he shal payin, to le lythe of seint Peter, a pond of wax.

Billa de catallis gilde sancti Petri in Oxeburghe, v. quarteria ordei: pretium quarterii, xx.d.

Willelmus Mark, Alderman; Johannes Skultoun, bedel.

XLIX.
GILD OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, OXEBURGH, en le Contee de Norffolk.

[CCCX. 80. Condition, fair. See note to the return last foregoing.]

In ye hono^r of god, and of his modur marie, and of seint Johan Baptist, a brotherhed is be gunne. This is the ordinance of the gilde:—that the Alderman and the bedel, an brethren an sistren of the gilde, xlij., comyn at the second belle of the furst euesonge of seint Johan the Baptist, and a candel beryng a-forn hem brennynge, to the cherche of seint Johan; and that euery gilde brother and sistur be at the furst euesonge, and at the messe of seint Johan, and at the second euesonge, vp the pein of a pounde of wax to the lyght of seint Johan, if he be thre myle about. And the alderman sal offren a pany at the messe, and iche brother and sistre a farthynge, in the worchip of Seint Johan; and iche brother and sistren schal giffen a farthynge in the worchip of seint Johan. And also, at the ded day of a brother or sistre, eche brother an sistre sal ȝeuen a messe peny, a [(sic.)] offren a farthynge, and ȝeuen a farthynge to pore men p^r his soule. And if any brother or sistre falle at meschief, he sal hauen gilde, [The word "gilde" is here used in the sense of that word as found in the oldest English (Anglo-Saxon) writings, namely, for a rateable payment, as is explained in the Introduction. The word is not thus used in any other of these English returns. It will be seen that this Oxeburgh gild was an old one, having been founded A.D. 1307.] houereday a farthyng, and on sunday a halpeny, be ȝeire, wille that he his at meschief. And if any brothren or

sistren be ded, a mile aboute, the brethren and sistren sul ben at placebo and dirige an at masse, of peine of a pounde of wax.

Thys gilde was be-gonne in the ȝere of the regne of the Kyng Edward the secounde, the first ȝere.

Billa de catallis gilde sancti Johannis Baptiste, in Oxeburghe, xx. quarteria ordei: pretium quarterii, xx.d. [In Stow's Annals (ed. 1615, p. 301) is the following passage:—'In the beginning of this yeere [1387], at Leicester, an hundred quarters of Barley were sold for an hundred shillings;' and the marginal note is,—'Barley sold for xij.d. the quarter.' Thus the price of barley in Leicestershire, in 1387, was little more than half the price of it in Norfolk in 1388.]

Robertus Baldeȝein, Alderman; et Willelmus Baker, Bedel.