The history and antiquities of Boston, and the villages of Skirbeck, Fishtoft, Freiston, Butterwick, Benington, Leverton, Leake, and Wrangle; comprising the hundred of Skirbeck, in the county of Lincoln. Including also a history of the East, West, and Wildmore fens, and copious notices of the Holland or Haut-Huntre fen ... sketches of the geology, natural history, botany, and agriculture of the district; a very extensive collection of archaisms and provincial words, local dialect, phrases, proverbs, omens, superstitions, etc. By Pishey Thompson. Illustrated with one hundred engravings.

52 TAXATION OF BOSTON (1332).
In 1331 (5 Edward III.), a special commission was directed to the Sheriff
of Lincoln, instructing him to inquire by a jury"c Whether the Lords of the Fair of St. Botulph held the fair there beyond the time fixed
by the charter; of which fair the said Lords were, by their charter, commanded to make
proclamation on the first day thereof, announcing how long the same was to be holden.
The King understood that the Lords held the same fair beyond the time limited, and that
also merchants, as well native as foreign, tarried in the said fair, and sold their goods,
beyond the limited time, in manifest contempt of the King, and contrary to the law."
Therefore the said jury was required to inquire what Lords of the Fair had so
transgressed, and what merchants had " tarried in the fair, and sold their goods
after the legal time for holding such fair had expired." The jury found that
John de Brittany, Earl of Richmond, had lately held the fair for various lengths
of time, but, not knowing the number of days allowed by the charter, they
could not say whether he had ever exceeded those days. The record is much
defaced, and is illegible towards its conclusion.l In 1334, an Inquisition was
taken, on the death of John de Brittany, of the value of the property held by
him in the town of St. Botolph. The jury estimated the profits of the fair (mart)
to be 1001. annually, and no more, because foreigners came not there as they
were wont to do. Among the merchandise enumerated are, wines, fish,
herrings, and onions. The whole revenue was returned as 1841. 10s., from
which " Rents resolute," amounting to 18s. 8d., were deducted.2
John Alleyn de Langtoft recovered possession from William Franceys and
Joan his wife of two acres of land in Boston, "held for himself and for others,
for whom he is responsible," 6 Edward III. (1332).3 A subsidy of a fifteenth
and a tenth was granted in the Parliament at Westminster this year,-the
tenth on boroughs, towns, &c., and the fifteenth on persons not living in boroughs,
towns, &c. The statements of the amount of these subsidies vary. The entire
amount of the subsidy for the Wapentake of Skirbeck is first stated to be
1761. is. 8d.; but when it is apportioned among the parishes, and assessed upon
the individuals in those parishes, it amounts to 1581. 15s. 2Id. only. In the
same way the amount assessed upon Boston is stated as being 731. 6s. 8d., but
the amount of the individual taxation is 601. 19s. 84d. only.
One hundred and thirty-one persons are taxed in Boston, of whom John de
Tumby paid 41., the highest charge. John Brasse paid 21.; Hugh de Leycester, 11. 6s. 8d.; and Robert But, Reginald Rygaud, and John le Warner, 11.
each; the remainder varying in amount from 17s. 31d. to is., the lowest
amount paid.4 Among the namles are John Tilney, John de Kyme, William de
Fenne, Richard de Sibsey, Thomas Abraham, Robert King, Robert Pynson,
John de Stickney, John de Roughton, Richard Hardy, William Whytyng,
Thomas de Spayne, Hugh Adcock, Peter Read, John de Ros, Peter Lambert,
and Thomas Bell. The remainder are not, either traditionally or by known
descendant, at present associated with the town or neighbourhood. John de
Kyrketon held lands and tenements in Boston in 1334.5 John de Roos also
held lands there at that time.6
In 1334, the King confirmed to Philip of Coventry, in fee, a piece of land
and a shop, in the town of St. Botolph, which were given to him by John,
Count of Richmond, for the yearly rent of 2s.7 Alexander de Cubbledyk
possessed property in St. Botolph at that time. The town of Boston, with the
Commission of Inquiry, 5 Edward III. (1331), 4 Subsidy Rolls, 6 Edward III. (1332).
No. 179. 5 Inquis. post Mortem, vol. ii. p. 80.
2 Inquis. post Mortem, 8 Edward III. (1334), 6 Ibid. p. 85.
No. 70. 7 Patent Rolls.
3 Rot. Orig. Abbreuiatio, vol. ii. p. 73.