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

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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

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Transcriber’s Notes

About this book. Although the title indicates that the Chronicle begins in 1089, it actually 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 copious notes and an extensive section of illustrative 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.

LONDON:

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.

[Enlarge]

[See the text]

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

J. Shuttleworth & Co. Lithogrs. 28 Poultry.

To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of London.

This 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.

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.

PREFACE.

The present period is so distinguished for historical 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 Chronicle of London 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 each year with the 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 following Illustrations 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 curious Latin Poem on the dispute between 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 a French Poem on the treacherous conduct of Sir Thomas Turbeville, in 1296. From the Cottonian MS. Caligula A. xviii.

A Letter from 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 Letter F.

A Letter from Edward the Black Prince to the 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 Battle of Poictiers. From the MS. in the Town Clerk’s Office, marked Letter G.

A Letter from a Priest, named Robert Prite, to 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.

A Declaration of Bernard Du Troy, a Gascon 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.

A Proclamation 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 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.

A Poem, 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.

Another Poem, 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 a Poem on 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.

A Ballad sent 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 a Ballad, also by Lydgate, entitled London Lickpenny; the one from the Harleian MS. 542, and the other from the Harleian MS. 367.

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

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

A Ballad on Fraudulent Millers and Bakers; 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.

February 1827.

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

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

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

Destruccione of the Jewes.

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. Will’m’ rex Scotie fecit homagiu’.In that yere in the monthe of Decembre cam kyng William of Scotlande to Caunterbury and dede homage to kyng Richard.

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

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

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

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.

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

Kyng Richard was taken p’son’ and raunsoned at an c m’ li’.

This yere the kyng comynge homward fro the holy lond was taken of the duke of Ostrich and brought to the emperor, and there he was emprysoned and afterward raunsoned at an c ml’ 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.

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

An heretike with the long berde.

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

Ordre of the Trynyte.

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

Rex Ric’us int’fectus fuit ap’d Castru’ Gaillard in France.

In this yere, that is to sey the yere of oure lord a ml’cxxxxix, the kyng was sclayne atte the castell Gaillarde in Fraunce 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 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. Bertram Gordon.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, ANNO Ml’ Cmo NONAGESIMO NONO.

TEMPORE REG’ JOH’IS. [1199-1200.]

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.]

Parlement at Londoun.

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. S’cus Hugo de Lincoln isto anno monebat’. And this yere deide seynt Hughe of Lincoln; also the erchebysshopp of Caunterbury; and the priour of Cricherche, and all the monkes weren exiled.

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.

Hailstones grete:

In this yere of oure lord a ml’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, and foules were seyn berynge fyer in the eyr in there billes.for there were seyn foules fleynge in the eyre berynge in there billes brennyng coles, whiche brenden manye houses. And in this yere Engelond and Walys were enterdited, and stood so vj yere and more, for the kynges trespas.

TEMPORE REG’ JOH’IS. [1203-1208.]

A quart’ of whete at xxv s.

In this yere of oure lord a ml’cciij a quarter of whete was worth xxv s., and a cistern of wyn was worth iiij s.

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

In this yere were seyn at oones too fulle mones in the firmament. And in this yere of oure lord a ml’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.

The plees of the crowne were pletyd in the tour.

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

This yere the enterdytynge of the reaume was new proclamed thorugh out Engelond. Also in this yere was born Herry the kynges sone; and in this yere the kyng wan Irlond.

TEMPORE REG’ JOH’IS. [1208-1214.]

P’m’s maior. Sent Mary Overy was begonne.

In this yere was the firste maire of London; and seynt Marie Overeye was that yere begonne.

The cessyng of the enterdytyng of this land. London brigge was first begonne to make.

In this same yere the land was reconsyled, and the enterdytyng cesed: and in this yere the stone brigge of Londone was first begonne to make.

In this yere an eretyk was brent for eresye, the whiche be craft quenchyd ofte the fire.

A gret parte of London was brent.

In this yere was gret discencione be twen the kyng and hise lordes; and Lowys the kynges son of Fraunce was waget to come into Engelond with manye Frensshmen, whiche dede moche harme in the reaume or they wenten home; and the kyng wente with his hoost to Berham Downe. And in this yere, on seyn Benettes day, Southwerk, Londone brigge, and the moost part of London was brent.

In this yere was Castell Baynard cast done and distroied.

In this yere, on candelmasse even, the kyng seyled unto Peytowe.

TEMPORE REG’ JOH’IS. [1214-1216.]

The ordre of Frere Menors began.

In this yere, that is to seye the yere of oure lord a ml’ccxiiij, began the ordre of seynt Fraunceys, besyde the assise of Frere Menours. And in this yere, in the fest of Gordiam in Septembre, the barons entred the citee of Londone, and strong werre was betwen the kyng and the lordes: and Rog’ Fitz Aleyn, maire, was discharged of his meiralte be the forsaid barons, and afterward they chosen Cerle meire, and the schirreves as it folwith: and yet lasted the werres.

This yere, on seynt Lukes day, the kyng deyde and was beried at Westm’.

NOMI’A MAIOR’ ET VICECOMITU’ LONDON’ TEMPORE REGIS HENR’ T’CIJ, QUI CORONATUS FUIT APUD GLOUCESTR’ IN DIE S’C’OR’ SIMONIS ET JUDE ANNO D’NI MILL’MO CCm xvj, ET ANNO ETATIS SUE NONO.

REX HENRICUS T’CIUS. [1216-1219.]

In this yere Walys was entirdited: also Eustache the Monk wyth manye Frensshemen as he was comynge into Engelond ward, for to helpe Lowys the kynges sone of Fraunce, was taken in the see be Hubert of Burgh and the V portes; and Eustache heed was smeten of, and the schippes drowned. And in this yere Lowys retorned home ayene with his meyne, and he hadde a ml’ mark of sylver.

In this same yere the barons were take at Lincoln.[2]

Translacio’ s’c’i Thome archie’pi Cantuar’.

This yere the kyng hadde of every plough land in Engelond ij s. And in this yere seynt Thomas of Canterbury was translated the l yere after his martirdome.

This yere the kyng was crowned ayeyn at Westminster, and Hubert of Burgh was mad the kynges chief justice.

REX HENRICUS T’CIUS. [1220-1221.]

This yere of oure lord a mlccxxiiij,[3] the emperour Baldewyn which whanne he wente to bataile to fyghte with Godes enemyes he hadde a croos boren before hym, whiche crosse seynt Eleyne made of the crosse that Cryst deyde upon; and there was an Englyssh prest that tyme with hym that was called Sr. Hughe, and he was borne in Norfolke, the whiche preest broughte the same crosse to Bromholm in Norfolke. Plees of the crowne. Castell of Bedf’ was stroid.Also in this yere the plees of the crowne were pletyd in the tour of London. Also in this yere was the castell of Bedford beseged, whiche endured fro the ascencione of oure lord unto the assumpcion of oure lady; at whiche day be greet crafte and strong assaught it was wonne and distroid: and sithe it was not beldyd ayeyne because it was rebell to the kyng. Ordre of Frere Carmes began.

A gret wynd.Also in this yere began the ordre of Frere Carmes. Also in this yere upon seynt Lukes day there blew a gret wynd out of the north, whiche caste doune manye houses, steples and torrettes of chirches, and turned up so downe trees in wodes and in orchardes, at whiche tyme Firy dragons were seyne.fyry dragons and wykkes spirytes grete noumbre were seyn openly fleyng in the eyre.

This yere a gret discencione aros in London be empechement of Walter Bokerell, so that Constantyne Fitz Arnulf the morwe aftere oure lady daye, the assumpcion, was drawe and hanged. And in this yere the kyng was purposed to have cast down the walles of London.

REX HENRICUS T’CIUS. [1222-1225.]

Frere Meno’, ven’ in Angl’.

In this yere, that is for to seye the yere of oure lord a mlccxxiiij, in the feste of seynt Bertylmewe the apostell, the ordre of Frere Menours[4] cam ferst into Engelond. Also in this yere a man of Alderbery feyned hym Cryst, whiche was brought to Oxon’, and there he was crucifyed.

Alyens put out of the ream.

The same yere were alle the alyens put out of the reaume.

Plees of the crowne.

In this yere the plees of the crowne were pletyd in the tour of London; and John Harleon failed of his lawe for the deth of Lambard his liege.

REX HENRICUS T’CIUS. [1226-1228.]