(perhaps as compensation) the rebate on the last serplar was 4 cloves, though it only contained 1 sack 18 cloves. In Howlake's account the total rebate was apparently 57 cloves; if we calculate it at 4½ cloves the sack and dis|regard resulting fractions of cloves, the rebate on the first serplar was 15 cloves, and on each of the others 14, giving the total of 57. This explains the "poyse". The price of 11½ sacks 14 cloves at 19 marks the sack should be £149 1s. 6d., not £147 12s. 8d.; possibly there was a reduction in respect of a broken sack; or it may be that this is the "more respyte" to which Howlake refers. The value in sterling money agrees with the value in Flemish (£180 8s. 9g.), if one-third is taken at 25s. 4g. Flemish for £1 sterling, and the rest at 24s. It is therefore clear that Howlake when he wrote "viij s. g. ffl." meant only 8 shillings Flemish. The "g" presumably means "groot"; but it is clear that if so there were, as calculated, 12 groots to the shilling; for on this basis the three bills exactly make up £180 8s. 9d. Flemish.
Peter van de Rade and Danyell van de Rade, merchants of Bruges, appear in the Cely Papers (Nos. 2 and 10). Dr. John Coke was employed in July, 1478, to treat with Thomas de Plana, the representative of Maximilian and Mary of Burgundy "super Intercursu ac communicatione Mercansie necnon Piscatione super mare," and to arrive at a settlement of all commercial grievances between England and Flanders. As a result a treaty was con|cluded on 12 July; to the treaty there were annexed documents dealing with the complaints of the Merchants of the Staple, fixing Ordinances for the Staple at Calais and providing for the inspection of the wool-trade there (Foedera, xii, 66-86). "Thursday last" was 23 July, the day before Howlake wrote his letter, so that news of what had been done at Bruges could hardly have reached Calais. From A.C., xlvi, 175.
Jhesu Ano xviijo.
Ryght reverent and worchipfull Syr, I recommaund me unto your good maisterchip in the most lowly wyse I best can or may &c. Fyrder|more, Syr, please yt your maysterchip to wyt þat now latly I have made a salle, þe whiche follewyth.
The xxij day in Jully I sold to Peter Vanderade and Danyell Vanderad off Bruges iiij serplars ffynne Cottes wolle ffor xix marcs le sacc, and to take ffor the thyrd part off the holle summa ffor every L. st. xxv. s. iiij. g. ffl, [Sc. flemming.] and for the rest ffor every vj. s. viij. d. st. viij. s. g. ffl.
xl. ss. di. xliij cl.; xxxij. ss. di. xxxix. cl.; xxxvij. ss. di. xxxiiij. cl.; j. ss. di. xxxiij. cl.; poyse xj. sacc. di. xiiij. cl.; Summa cxlvij. l. xij. s. viij. d. st.; Valethe ffl. ciiijxx. li. viij. s. ix. g.
