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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 December 2020
Though no new light seems forthcoming on the nature of the accusation made by Cecily Chaumpaigne against Chaucer, the names of the witnesses (to her release) are not without interest. Of the five witnesses, four were prominent men in their day. Of the fifth, however, nothing has hitherto been known.
1 Sir William de Beauchamp, chamberlain of the King, John de Clanebowe (Clanvowe), a Lollard, and William de Nevylle, Knights, John Philippott grocer and afterwards Mayor of London (Life Records, pp. 225 f.).
2 Grocers Company, edited Kingdon. London, 1886, 2 vols., i, pp. 58, 68.
3 Calendar of Letter-Books, H, edited R. R. Sharpe. London, 1907, p. 125. Of the 150 or so contributors about 125 (including Morel) gave each 5 marks. The Mayor gave 10 £, and the remainder 4 and 5 £ each. The City had been charged with crimes against the Lords of the realm who were withdrawing from the city, thereby damaging the victuallers and hostelers. As the city had no funds, and the Mayor wished to bring about reconciliation, this process was resorted to.
4 Ibid., p. 238. Others from Aldgate Ward were William Badby and John Halstede. On the latter see infra.
5 Ibid., p. 246. A number of the prominent people of London were summoned to this meeting, including some of Chaucer's business friends. Morel appears to have been the only delegate from Aldgate.
6 Ibid., p. 269.
7 Beaven, The Aldermen of the City of London, London, 1908, p. 10.
8 Letter-Book H, p. 300. The surveyors of murage were Nicholas Exton (cf. Life Records, p. 268), Henry Vanner (cf. Life Records, p. 284), and others.
9 Ibid., p. 333.
10 Ibid., p. 345. Morel is here mentioned as a merchant.
11 Ibid., p. 238.
12 Grocers Company, etc., i, pp. 58, 68. His name occurs in the lists of members who were clothed in livery at Christmas in 1383 and 1386.
13 Ibid., p. 76. At any rate his name does not appear in the list of members for that year.
14 Letter-Book H, p. 240.
15 Ibid., p. 245. Cf. Introduction, p. xxxiii; Dic. Natl. Biog. under Strode.
16 Dic. Natl. Biog. under Strode. Cf. Skeat, Chaucer (Complete Works), ii, p. 505.
17 This is an error. Strode was appointed in 1373 (Letter-Book G, p. 317).
18 Chaucer and Ms England, London, 1908, p. 117.
19 Richard Beneger of Donyngton, Berkshire (Cal. Glose Rolls, 1374-7, p. 94).
20 Dic. Natl. Biog. under Strode. In fact they were colleagues at Merton.
21 Ibid. There was another Ralph Strode of London, son of Robert Strode, mercer. (Letter-Book H, p. 310).
22 Communis narrator or Common Serjeant.
23 Letter-Book G, p. 317. Cf. Ibid., pp. 201, 217, 249; Ibid. H, pp. 12, 38, 40, 73, 89.
24 Ibid. H, p. 15. Cf. Riley, Memorials, p. 388.
25 Ibid. H, p. 83. There is no mention of his tenancy of office. Appended to this grant is an account, undated, annulling “for certain reasons” the grant. Sharpe thinks this was appended in Northampton's mayoralty (Ibid., p. 245, n.).
26 Ibid., p. 208.
27 Ibid., p. 245. This rent is to cease if he be restored to the mansion.
28 Ibid., pp. 287 f. This writing was delivered to Strode 18 Oct., 1386. There is no reference to “ in case he be restored to the mansion.”
29 Ibid., p. 288.
30 Dic. Natl. Biog. under Strode.
31 Letter-Book H, p. 306. It is not known when he was elected.
32 Calendar of Wills, Court of Hustings, London, 1889-1890, 2 Parts. Part i, p. xv. His duties were “ to give notice to the judges of the sittings of the Court, and to open and adjourn the same.” For oath taken see Liber Albus i (Bolls Series, Vol. xii, London, 1859), pp. 310 f.
33 Nor should we forget that Strode seemed to have been on friendly terms with Wycliffe who was supported by John of Gaunt (see supra and Dic. Natl. Biog. under Strode).
34 Cal. Letter-Booh H, p. 288, n. For Strode's hearing of cases affecting orphans, see ibid., pp. 14, 28, 33, 53, 72, 84, 169. Ibid. G, pp. 201, 217.
35 Life Records, pp. 196 f., 207 ff.
36 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1350-4, p. 306; Cal. Close Rolls, 1364-8, p. 373.
37 Life Records, p. 198. Of Nonington, Kent. Ibid., p. 198, n.; Cal. Close Rolls, 1374-7, p. 164.
38 We must not forget, either, that the wives had common bonds of sympathy, though the Chaucers did not lose Aldgate until several years after the Strodes forfeited their rights in Aldersgate. See T. and C. (Book v, vv. 263-4) for advice to young people.
39 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1385-9, p. 208.
40 Ibid., p. 266.
41 The Complete Works of John Cower (Oxford, 1902), 4 Vols., Vol. iv, p. xi. Bylsyngton manor, in possession of Staplegate, was but a short distance from Dover—in the marsh near New Romney (Cf. Hasted, Vol. viii, pp. 345 ff., 361; also Index, p. viii).
42 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1385-9, pp. 175-178, 216, 225, etc. See Index for further references.
43 The Nation (March 20, 1913) contains an interesting letter by W. W. Comfort on the “Trials of a Housekeeper in 1400.” He quotes extracts from Gower's Mirour de l'omme, in which the poet laments the vices of society. The poet attacks among others the victualling class. This poem, however, according to Macaulay was probably written by 1381 (op. cit., i, p. xlii).