A Chronicle of London from 1089 to 1483 - Written in the Fifteenth Century, and for the First Time - Printed from MSS. in the British Museum

Anonymous, Nicholas Harris Nicolas, E. (Edward) Tyrrell

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• Publié par: arro
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 42
• Langue: English

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Project Gutenberg's A Chronicle of London from 1089 to 1483, by Anonymous

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: A Chronicle of London from 1089 to 1483  Written in the Fifteenth Century, and for the First Time  Printed from MSS. in the British Museum

Author: Anonymous

Release Date: October 26, 2008 [EBook #27027]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRONICLE--LONDON, 1089-1483 ***

Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Linda Cantoni, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Transcriber’s Notes

About this book.Although the title indicates that theChroniclein 1089, it actually begins begins in 1189 with the reign of Richard I, and ends in 1483 with the death of Edward IV. It is based on two manuscripts, now in the British Library, written by anonymous scribes in the 15th Century. It recounts events not only in the City of London—such as the elections of Mayors and Sheriffs—but also in the British Isles and France, covering battles, coronations, births and deaths of prominent people, tempests, earthquakes, plagues, and other noteworthy occurrences.

The Chronicle was first published in 1827, in a limited edition of 250 copies, with copiousnotes and an extensive section ofillustrative documents. Although the editors of the 1827 edition are not named, the British Library catalogue identifies them as Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas, G.C.M.G., and Edward Tyrrell (whose signature appears at the end of the dedication).

This e-book was prepared from a 1995 reprint of the 1827 edition, published by Llanerch Publishers, and from images of the 1827 edition at the Internet Archive, www.archive.org.

Orthography.The Chronicle section is written in

15th-Century English. The original spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and hyphenation have been preserved in this e-book.

Numbers and dates in lowercase Roman numerals often end in a “j,” signifying “i.”

Blank spaces in the text are represented by long dashes (——).

Formatting.The Chronicle section of the original utilizes unique page headers indicating the name of the monarch and the years covered on that page, e.g., REX HENRICUS T’CIUS [1238- 1242.]. These have been retained in this e-book and inserted in the appropriate chronological place.

The original contains numerous sidenotes. In the Chronicle section, sidenotes marked with an asterisk were added by the editors and are here treated as footnotes.

A

Chronicle of London,

FROM 1089 TO 1483;

WRITTEN IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY,

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME PRINTED

FROM MSS. IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM:

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

Numerous Contemporary Illustrations,

CONSISTING OF ROYAL LETTERS, POEMS, AND OTHER ARTICLES DESCRIPTIVE OF PUBLIC EVENTS, OR OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE METROPOLIS.

L

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PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER- ROW; AND HENRY BUTTERWORTH, No. 7, FLEET STREET.

M.DCCC.XXVII.

[ONLY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY COPIES PRINTED.]

RICHARD TAYLOR, PRINTER, SHOE-LANE.

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:

[Enlarge] [See the text]

Fac-simile of a page of the Chronicle of London in the Harleian M.S. 565, fol. 37.

rs J. Shuttleworth & Co. Lithog . 28 Poultry.

T OTHE  R IGHT  H ONOURABLETHE  L ORD M AYOR , L A DERMEN , AND  C OMMON C OUNCILOFTHE C ITYOF L ONDON .

T HIS Volume presents to your notice an early Chronicle of the great Metropolis over which you preside.

The rising taste for literature, and particularly that part of it relating to the History of your ancient City, which has lately been evinced by you in the formation of a Library, as well as in the private Collections made by several of your members on the same subject, renders it probable that the publication of this Chronicle, which has never before been printed, may not be deemed unacceptable.

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Amongst the “Illustrations” will be found some interesting and important documents taken from the Archives of your Corporation;—they give a faint idea of the valuable historical information contained in your Records; and it may be hoped that these specimens will induce you to follow the example set by the Great Council of the Nation in printing the Parliamentary Records, and that at no very distant period measures may be taken for the publication of such of the documents in your possession as will illustrate the History of England, and of the City of London.

London, February 1827.

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T HE period is so distinguished for historical present research, that the publication of an English Chronicle, written in the fifteenth century, will not it is presumed require any other prefatory remarks to recommend it to attention, than a brief account of the MSS. from which it has been transcribed. Two copies are extant in the British Museum; the one in the Harleian MS. 565, the other in the Cottonian MS. Julius B. I . and the material variations between them are either alluded to, or inserted in the Notes. The copy in the Harleian MS. ends with the 22nd year of the reign of Henry the Sixth, Anno 1442, about which time the volume was evidently written: but the other transcript, which is in a much later hand, is continued to the death of Edward the Fourth, Anno 1483, though after the accession of that monarch the narrative is barren and unsatisfactory. It may therefore be inferred that the original compiler did not survive the death of Henry the Sixth, and that the continuation was by another person. With the events of that period the writer is consequently to be deemed contemporary; and all which he relates of the reigns of Henry the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth, are peculiarly deserving of notice; for some curious facts are mentioned, many of which have never, it is believed, been so fully detailed, even if they were previously known; whilst of earlier times his statements are as worthy of credit as those of other Chroniclers who did not live in the ages of which they respectively treat.

This volume is called “A C HRO NICLEO F  L O NDO N ” in the title- page, from the author having so particularly confined himself to the Metropolis; and still more, because he has, like his successor Fabian, commenced eachyear with the

F

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v

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E

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election of the Lord Mayors and Sheriffs of London, whose names are uniformly recorded, but unfortunately no clue exists by which the name of the writer can be ascertained.

To the history of England however, no less than to that of London, this Chronicle will, it is confidently expected, be considered a valuable addition; and the laudable avidity evinced by the Corporation, under whose patronage it appears, as well as by numerous natives of the metropolis, to possess every work relating to its early history, justifies the hope that by them at least it will be favourably received.

Towards the end of the volume the followingI LLUSTRATIO NS are introduced, the most important of which have, with the obliging permission of Henry Woodthorpe, Esq. the Town Clerk, been copied from the invaluable muniments in the City Archives.

A curiousLatin Poemthe dispute between on King Edward the First and the King of France, relative to some lands in Gascony in 1295. From the MS. in the Town Clerk’s Office, marked Liber Custumarium.

A fragment of aFrench Poem on the treacherous conduct of Sir Thomas Turbeville, in 1296. From the Cottonian MS. Caligula A. XVIII .

ALetterfrom King Edward the Third to Edward Prince of Wales, giving an account of the Battle of Scluyse, dated 28th June, 14 Edward III. 1340. From the MS. in the Town Clerk’s Office, marked LetterF.

ALetterEdward the Black Prince to the from Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of London, dated 22nd of October 1356, detailing the proceedings of the English Army under his command, and informing them of the B ATTLEO F P O ICTIERS . From the MS. in the Town Clerk’s Office, marked LetterG.

ALettera Priest, named Robert Prite, to from some Nobleman, dated 8th of December 1356; in which he speaks of the Battle of Poictiers, and relates other news of the times. From the original in the Cottonian MS. Caligula D. III .

ADeclarationBernard Du Troy, a Gascon of gentleman, made on his death-bed, 1st of July 1361, that he was the individual who took John King of France prisoner at the Battle of Poictiers. Also from the Cotton MS. Caligula D. III .

AProclamation of Richard II., dated at Chelmsford on the 5th of July 1381, to the Earl of Warwick and others, denying that Wat Tyler and his followers were supported by his

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authority; and commanding them to use all possible means for the preservation of the peace in Warwickshire, and the places under their jurisdiction. Also from the Cottonian MS. Caligula D. III .

APoem, by Lydgate, describing the Expedition of Henry the Fifth into France, the Battle of Agincourt, and the magnificent Pageant prepared by the City of London, in honour of his return to the Metropolis. From the Harleian MS. 565.

A noth e rPoem, by Lydgate, describing the Pageant and Reception of Henry the Sixth into London on the 21st of February 1431, after his coronation as King of France. Also from the Harleian MS. 565.

Two copies of aPoemon the reconciliation of the Lords of the Yorkist faction with King Henry the Sixth and his adherents; the one from the Cottonian MS. Nero A. VI ., and the other from the Cottonian MS. Vespasianus B. XVI .

ABalladsent by a Pursuivant to the Sheriffs of London and their Brethren on May Day at Bishop’s Wood, at an honorable dinner; each of them bringing his dish: by John Lydgate. From Ashmole’s MS. No. 6943.

Two copies of aBallad, also by Lydgate, entitled “London Lickpenny;” the one from the Harleian MS. 542, and the other from the Harleian MS. 367.

A shortBallad, also by Lydgate, upon the Emptiness of his Purse. From the Harleian MS. 2255.

AnotherBallad, by Lydgate, in ridicule of the Forked Head-dresses of Females. From the Harleian MS. 2255.

ABalladFraudulent Millers and Bakers; on likewise by Lydgate. From the same MS.

The whole of these articles were written at the periods to which they relate, and the greater part of them are for the first time printed; whilst the few that have been before published, are inserted either because more correct copies have been discovered, or because they are so intimately connected with some of the others that they could not with propriety be omitted.

Most of the pieces enumerated have escaped the notice of Historians; and as they tend in an important degree to illustrate the Manners and Customs of the Metropolis, their appearance in this volume cannot fail, it is hoped, to be acceptable to those who are interested in the early History of London or of this Kingdom.

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Destruccione of the Jewes.

Will’m’ rex Scotie fecit homagiu’.

The popes legat put oute al the monkes of the p’orye of Coventry and put yn seculer chanons.

February 1827.

WILL’ CON’TOR. WILL’ RUFFUS. HEN. PR. STEPHAN. HEN. SECUNDUS. RIC. JOHN. HENRICUS. EDWARD TRES. tus RIC. HEN. IIIJ .

NOMI’A CUSTODU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REG’ RIC’I PRIMI, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ TERCIO DIE mo SEPTEMBR’ ANNO D’NI MILL’O C lxxxix.

TEMPORE REG’ RICI’ PRIMI. [1189-1195.]

HE same day that the king was crowned and the nyght folwynge alle the Jewes that myghte be founden weren for the moste partie slayne and brent. And in this yere began the ordre of seynt Tonyes in Pruce. In that yere in the monthe of Decembre cam kyng William of Scotlande to Caunterbury and dede homage to kyng Richard.

Custodes. Herry Cornhill. — Richard Fitz Reyvery.

Anno primo.

This same yere the emperor Frederyk with an huge ooste wente to Jerusalem.

Custodes.John — Herlyonn. Roger le Duke.

Anno secundo.

This yere the emperor Frederyk deyde in his goynge to Jerusalem; and in this yere began the orde of oure lady in l Pruce, that is to sey in the yere of oure lord a m ’clxxxx.

Custodes. William Anno — Hav’hille. tercio.  John Buknote.

This yere the kyng with many lordes of Engelond wente over the see in to the holy land and toke the strong citee of Acres and killed manye Sarasygnes. And in this yere Hugo Nonant bysshopp of Coventre and Lychefelde, thanne beynge the popes legat, putte out alle the monkes of the priorye of Coventre and putte in seculere chanons.

Custodes.Nicholl

[Anno

1

2

—

Doket. Pers Newelyne.

quarto.]

This yere the kyng toke the Ile of Cipre; and the prynce of the same ile he lete folowe hym in sylver cheynes.

Custodes. Roger Duke. — Ric’ the sone of Aleyne. William Fitz Isabell. William Fitz Arnulf.

Anno to v .

Anno to vj .

Kyng Richard was This yere the kyng comynge homward fro the holy lond was taken p’son’ and taken of the duke of Ostrich and brought to the emperor, raunsoned at an c m’ li’. and there he was emprysoned and afterward raunsoned at l an c m ’ li’, whiche somme to pay everych other chalys in Engelond was broken and coyned into moneye, and the monkes of Cisteux’ solden there bookes for to paye the kynges raunsone.

An heretike with the long berde.

TEMPORE REG’ RICI’ PRIMI. [1195-1199.]

Custodes. Robert Anno o — Besaunt. vij .  Jokell le Josne. [Custodes.]Gerard de Anno o — Antiloche. viij .  Robert Duraunt.

In this yere the kyng come in to Engelond, and tok the castell of Notynghame, and disherited John his brother. And the same yere kyng Richarde was crowned ayeyne at Westm’. And in the same yere an heretyke called with the longe berd was drawen and hanged for heresye and cursed doctrine that he had taughte

[Custodes.] —

Roger Blount. Nicholl Doket.

Anno o ix .

Ordre of the Trynyte. l The same yere, the yere of oure lorde a m ’clxxxxviij, began the ordre of Trynyte. The same yere deyde pope Celestyne; and thanne succeded Innocent. And in this yere kyng Slewe the frenche Richard seiled over the see into Normandye and sclewe king. the kyng of Fraunce.

[Custodes.]Constantyne FitzAnno mo — Arnulf. x .  Robert le Beale.

Rex Ric’us int’fectus l In this yere, that is to sey the yere of oure lord a m ’cxxxxix, fuit ap’d Castru’ the kyng was sclayne atte the castell Gaillarde in Fraunce Gaillard in France. with schot of a venemed quarelle in the heed. Neverthelees or he deyde the castell was wonne and his body setthe entered at Pount Ebrarde with hys fadir Henry the

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Bertram Gordon.

Parlement at Londoun.

S’cus Hugo de Lincoln isto anno monebat’.

secounde. Whan the kyng Richard was thus hurt, with his owne hand he pulled out the quarelle, and anon the wonde rancled; and whan the kyng wyste that his wounde was dedly, he comaunded anoone his peple scharply assawte the town, and so it was wonne: and the kyng dede his will with them that were withinne: among othere he lete comaunde hym to be brought before hym that schotte that quarrelle; and whanne he cam the kyng asked his name. Sire, seide he, my name is Bertram Gordone. Wherfore, seide the kyng, have ye sclayne me? dede y yow ever ony harme? Nay, sire, q’d Bertram; but, sire, with youre owne hond ye sclowe my fadir and my brothir, the whiche y have quytte yow. Now thanne, q’d the kyng, he that deyde for us on the crosse he save us from helle, he foryef yow my deth, and y foryef it yow. And the kyng comaunded hym an hundred schillynges of silver, and chargyd upon lyf and membre that no man schulde dow hym non harme: natheless certeyn persones of the kynges hous sued after hym and sclow hym after his departyng. And so kyng Richard obite is the vj day of April.

NOMINA COSTODUM TEMPORE REGIS JOH’IS QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD WESTM’ IN DIE ASCENSIONIS D’NI, l mo ANNO M ’ C NONAGESIMO NONO.

TEMPORE REG’ JOH’IS. [1199-1200.]

[Custodes.]Arnold Fitz — Arnulf. Ric’us Fitz Berthi.

Anno primo.

In this yere kyng John loste all Normandye and Angoye be werre; and he toke of every plowe lond in Engelond iiis. toward hise werres.

TEMPORE REG’ JOH’IS. [1200-1203.]

[Custodes.] Anno Roger Desert. — s’c’do. Jacob’ Fitz Barthi.

This yere the kyng held his parlement at Londone, and asked of the clergye the stynte of every chirche in Engelond for to conquere ayen Normandye and Angoye. And in this yere deyde Huberd erchebisshop of Caunterbury; and thanne the priour and the covent of Caunterbury chosen in there chapytre hous the noble clerk Stephen of Langeton, ayens the kynges will, whome the pope sacred at Viterke. And this yere deide seynt Hughe of Lincoln; also the erchebysshopp of Caunterbury; and the priour of Cricherche, and all the monkes weren exiled.

[Custodes.]William Fitz — Alice.

Anno tercio.

4

5

—

Alice. Simon de Aldermanb’y.

tercio.

This same yere, be the avyse of wyse men of the citee of London that were chosene xxxv men whiche were sworne to holde and mayntene with the maire the assyses.

[Custodes.]Normane — Bloundene.  John of Ely.

Anno to iiij .

Hailstones grete: l In this yere of oure lord a m ’ccij, there fallen grete reynes, and hailstones as gret as an ey medlyd with reyn, where thorugh trees, vines, cornes, al manner frutes were moche distroied; and the peple were sore abaysshed, for there and foules were were seyn foules fleynge in the eyre berynge in there billes seyn berynge fyer in the eyr in there brennyng coles, whiche brenden manye houses. And in billes. this yere Engelond and Walys were enterdited, and stood so vj yere and more, for the kynges trespas.

A quart’ of whete at xxvs.

In this yere were too mones seyn. Frere P’chours ordre began. A gret wynt’ and long durynge.

The plees of the crowne were pletyd in the tour.

TEMPORE REG’ JOH’IS. [1203-1208.]

[Custodes.] Anno Wat’ Broune. — quinto. Will’m’ Chamb’leyne.

l In this yere of oure lord a m ’cciij a quarter of whete was worth xxvs., and a cistern of wyn was worth iiijs.

[Custodes.] Thomas Anno — Hav’yll. sexto.  Hamo Bonde.

In this yere were seyn at oones too fulle mones in the l firmament. And in this yere of oure lord a m ’cciiij began the ordre of Frere P’chours, in the cuntre of Tholomeis, undir duke Domynyk. Also in this yere was a strong wynter and an hard, fro the circumcisione of oure lord til the annunciation of oure lady.

[Custodes.] Anno John Walg’ve. — vij. Ric’ Wynchestre.

This same yere the plees of the coroune were pleted in the tour of London, and Hugh of Cisell was drawe and hanged.

[Custodes.] John Holylond. — Edward Fitz Gerard. Rog’ de Wynchestre. Edmond Hardell.

Anno viij.

Anno ix.

This yere the enterdytynge of the reaume was new proclamed thorugh out Engelond. Also in this yere was born Herrythe kynges sone; and in thisyere the kyngwan

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