CHAPTER IX.

Norwich in the Fourteenth Century.

IN this century this city and other towns began to obtain political privileges. The kings of the middle ages found themselves obliged to summon burgesses to parliament in order to obtain supplies. The early parliaments appear to have been convened chiefly for this purpose, and were constantly dissolved as soon as the business for which they met was transacted. Formerly the burgesses returned were always citizens, who really were representatives of the city and its interests, and not merely supporters of the ministry of the day. There is no record of the early local elections, but lists will be given of the burgesses returned.

Edward II. began his reign on July 7th, 1307, and he reigned nineteen years. Walter de Norwich, son of Jeffry de Norwich, was so much in favour with the king as to be one of the Barons of the Exchequer in 1311, and in 1314 was summoned as a parliamentary baron, and afterwards made the Treasurer of the Exchequer, which office he held several years. He obtained liberty for free warren in all his demean lands, and a fair to the manor of Ling in Norfolk, on July 20th, and two days following. He continued in favour till his death.

In the reign of Edward III., A.D. 1328, the king, by a statute, made Norwich a staple town for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, by which the trade of the city was much increased. In the “Paston Letters” we find the following reference to articles of Norfolk manufacture:

“I pray that you will send me hither two ells of worsted for doublets, to happen me this cold winter, and that ye enquire where William Paston bought his tippet of fine worsted which is almost like silk, and if that be much finer that ye sh’d buy me, after seven or eight shillings, then buy me a quarter and the nail thereof for collars, though it be dearer than the other, for I would make my doublet all worsted for the honour of Norfolk.”

In 1340, Norwich Castle was made the public prison for the county of Norfolk, and the custody thereof was committed to the sheriff. A great tournament was held in Norwich, at which the king, with his queen Phillippa, was present; and they kept their court at the bishop’s palace. In 1342 the king and queen honoured the city with another visit.

In 1344 a new charter was granted, by which the liberty of the castle was reduced to the outward limits of the present ditch, and so continues. By this charter, the citizens became proprietor’s of the ancient fee of the castle, that is, the castle ditches, and the great croft, now the market place.

In the reign of Richard II., A.D. 1381, Wat Tyler’s rebellion broke out in London. Insurrection became prevalent in many parts of the kingdom, manufactures declined, and discontent became general. Norwich and Norfolk shared in the general plunder at the hands of armed bands. Under John Lyster, Litister, or Linster, a dyer, 50,000 men attacked the city and committed great depredations. They were, however, pursued to North Walsham by the king’s troops under the command of Henry Le Spencer, Bishop of Norwich, and defeated. Their leader and many of his adherents were taken and executed for high treason. They were hung, drawn, and quartered, according to the barbarous usage of the times. In 1399, the bailiffs having put the city into a proper posture of defence, openly declared for Henry Duke of Lancaster, son and heir of John of Gaunt, the late deceased duke, their especial friend. On this declaration, Henry gave them strong assurances that, whenever it was in his power, the charter which they so earnestly desired for electing a mayor, &c., should be granted them, and he was afterwards as good as his word. The great connection there was between John of Gaunt and this city, arose through William Norwich, a knight, who was a friend of the Duke’s, and who frequently visited the town, for which he always expressed great regard. In 1389, the great John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, visited this city, and was honourably received.

In the first year of Henry IV., Sir Thomas Erpingham, knight, a Norfolk man, Warden of the Cinque Ports, and Lord Chamberlain, obtained the King’s Charter, dated at Westminster, February 6th, 1399, confirming all the former charters ever granted to the city. In 1409, through the interest of Sir Thomas, a grant was made to the city for a certain term of years of the alnage and survey of all manner of worsteds made in Norwich and Norfolk.

* * * * *

ST. GEORGE’S COMPANY took its rise in the second half of the fourteenth century, and consisted of a society of brethren and sisters associated in honour of the Martyr St. George, who by voluntary contributions supported a chaplain to celebrate service every day in the cathedral before the altar, for the welfare of the brethren and sisters of the Guild, whilst living, and of their souls when dead. In this state they continued till the fourth year of Henry V., when that prince granted them a charter dated at Reading, incorporating them by the name of the Aldermen, Masters, Brethren, and Sisters of the Fraternity and Guild of St. George in Norwich; and empowering them to choose yearly, one Alderman and two Masters, and to make all reasonable orders and constitutions for their own government; to have a common seal; to sue and be sued; and to maintain a chaplain to pray daily for the health of the king, the alderman, masters, and sisters whilst alive, and their souls when dead; and lastly to purchase £10 per annum in mortmain. The prior, mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen of the Guild, had power to expel or remove any member for bad behaviour. In consequence of this charter, ordinances were made for the well-governing of the society, and for yearly choosing one alderman, four masters, and twenty-four brethren, for the Assembly or Common Council. In 1451, by the mediation of Judge Yelverton, the disputes between the Guild and the city were settled; when it was agreed that the mayor for the time being should yearly, on the day after the Guild, be chosen Alderman of the Guild for the year following his mayoralty, that the Assembly of the Guild should consist of twenty persons, and that the common council of the city should be eligible for admission into the company, but be liable to the charge of the feast. Indeed, the chief object of the Guild was feasting. Every brother took an oath on admission. The Aldermen and Common Council of the Guild had power to choose such men and women, inhabitants of the city, to be brethren and sisters of the Guild, as they might think fit. But no man living out of the city could be chosen unless he was a knight, esquire, or gentleman of note. Many other orders were made in regard to their procession, which was always very grand. This Guild, with the other ancient crafts or companies of the city, made a very splendid appearance on all public occasions. The companies were then on the same footing as those of the city of London now are, and some of the trades long continued as a fraternity, and chose wardens among themselves. From the Friday after May day, to the Friday before the Guild day, the members of St. George’s Company used to meet every evening at the Guildhall in the Market Place, where they refreshed themselves with as much sack and sugar rolls as they pleased, besides two penny cakes from the baker’s. Being thus assembled they sent for the last chosen feast-makers, and asked them whether they intended to bear the charges of the feast, “which” (said they) “will cost you more than you think.” By this they so terrified timorous, wary people, that they were persuaded to buy it off, though, had they agreed to make the feast, it would not have cost them much more than £6 or £7, which sum they were glad to save. The Company continued till February 24th, 1731, when the committee appointed for the purpose reported to an assembly held that day, that they had treated with St. George’s Company, who had agreed to deliver up their charters, books, and records, into the hands of the corporation, provided the latter would pay their debts, amounting to £236 15s. 1d., which, being agreed to, they were accordingly delivered up and deposited with the city records in the Guildhall. Thus terminated this ancient feasting company by the surrender of all their goods to the corporation.