Indenture of agreement between the Cordwainers and the
Cobblers.
19 Richard II. AD. 1395. Letter-Book H. fol. ccciv. (Norman French.)
THIS indenture, made on the 14th day of
August, in the year of Grace 1395,
and the 19th year of the reign of
King Richard the Second, witnesseth
that, whereas a certain suit was made unto our Lord the
King by the Cobelers
from beyond sea, dwelling in London, making assertion that
they
could not gain their living as they had
gained it theretofore, by reason of their disturbance by the Wardens of the
trade of Cordewaners; the King thereupon, by his Letters, commanded John Fresshe, Mayor of the said city, that the said
Cobelers should gain their
living as they had done from of old, and according as the custom of the said
city demanded. By reason of which command of the King, the said Mayor, to do
right and justice to either side, and that it might be declared what of
right should belong
to the one party and the other, held inquisition by
24 men, twelve of whom were new
workers, called ‘Cordewaners,’
of the said city, and twelve
were old workers, called
‘Cobelers,’
in the City, as well English
as aliens there residing; and charged them loyally to present and declare
that which was due, and would belong in right and
reason to either side. The which jurors, sworn, that is to say, Richard Mildenhale, John Lillyngeston,
John Pottere, Thomas Kyngesbrigge, Aleyn Walsingham, Richard Pyrie, John
Silhy, John Crendone, Richard Shote, John de Bury, Thomas Mortemer, and
Stephen Toppesfeld, of the new
workers, called ‘Cordewaners,’ and John Hildresham, William
Balsale, John Oliver, John Pope, John Richemond, William Walyngford,—English
Cobelers, Henry Mertone, John Balk, John Tiler the Elder, Nicholas Cortrik, Angelbright Van Ottenburgh, Jacob Petressone,—alien old workers, or
Cobelers, agreed by
common assent, for them and their successors, Cordewaners and Cobelers in the City of London, before the said
Mayor, in the Guildhal] of London, after this form, that is to say :—that no person who meddles with old
shoes, shall meddle with new shoes to sell; and that every manner of work that may be made of new leather
belongs to the new workers, without their meddling with any
old work to sell. And in the same manner, the old workers shall not work upon anything but old leather for sale, on pain of forfeiting such work;
except in mending old boots and shoes, that is to say, in quareling
before and behind, clouting and pecyng, and ryvetting and
lynyng; in doing the which, they may take new leather, or old, whichever
shall be best for the common profit. And also,—that all persons following the said trade, in new work and in old, as well masters as serving-men,
shall be under the rule and governance of the Wardens of the said trade of Cordewaners, in overseeing and searching whether they
keep the Ordinances, and do their work, on both sides, well and lawfully, for
the common profit. And in case that the Wardens of the said trade of Cordewaners,
sworn in the
Guildhall, shall hereafter find, any one in default as
against this agreement, such person shall pay 40d. the first time,
and the second time 6s. 8d., and the third time 13s.
4d., to the use of the
Chamber; and the fourth time, he shall submit to the ordinance of the Mayor and
Aldermen of the said
city thereon. In Witness of which final accord between the parties aforesaid, to one part of this
indenture, remaining with the said men, the
Cordewaners, the twelve of the said
inquest of the calling of Cobelers have set their seals. And to the other part
of the same indenture, remaining with the said men of the calling of Cobelers,
the twelve of the same inquest of the said trade of Cordewaners have set
their seals. Written at London, in the said Chamber of the Guildhall, the day
and year above mentioned.