[1]"Cause to assemble the good folk of your Ward, and that they choose tow, three or four, of themselves, to assess and levy in the said Ward 100 (blank) for the men-at-arms who are to go to our Lord the King, in aid of his war against Scotland; that so they may have the same moneys at the Guildhall, on Saturday the morrow of St. Martin (November 11th), at the latest; on pain of losing as much as they may forfeit unto our Lord the King, and to the City; in such a manner that the poor may not be aggrieved thereby."
Afterwards, on the Tuesday next ensuing after the Feast of St. Martin, in the year aforesaid, the said Mayor caused the Aldermen to be convened there, and the more powerful and better citizens of the same city; to which meeting came John de Pulteneye, John de Grantham, John de Ferstone, Gregory de Nortone, Henry Darcy, William de Caustone, Henry de Combemartyn, John de Oxenford, Richard de Rothinge, John de Kyngestone, Anketin de Gisors, Andrew Aubry and Richard Lacer, Aldermen, and an immense number of citizens; where, for the honour of the city aforesaid, it was ordered that 100 men-at-arms, horsemen, and as many foot; should be sent to our Lord the King, in aid of his war aforesaid; and that an increase of the assessment of the said 1000 marks should be made proportionably throughout the Wards, to the extent of 200 marks, for the pay and expenses of Edmund Flambard, the leader of the same men, and for gowns, lances, and standards, and for the wage of a minstrel, as set forth below. Of which increase Ralph de Uptone and Richard de Berkinge were chosen as receivers, and Richard de Lacer, Simon Fraunceis and Thomas de Chetyndone, receivers of the 1000 marks before mentioned. Who accordingly received the said moneys, and delivered the same, as set forth in the rolls of the receipts.
And further, inquisition was made by the Mayor how and in what manner the rebels and opponents of the said assessment ought to be punished and distrained; to which the Alderman and Commonalty aforesaid made answer, by distress, sequestrations, and all other means of coercion whatsoever, seeing that the business stood in need of such great haste. After this, the men were selected by Edmund Flambard, Simon de Stapleford, and John Amys; and then they were again chosen and surveyed by the Mayor and Aldermen; whereupon, each man-at-arms received ten marks and his gowns, - the same being for himself and his groom, - and his horse, for going to the King and returning, and staying 40 days after coming to him."
[The following section lists the names of the 100 men-at-arms chosen, along with 100 foot soldiers.]
And be it known, that all the persons whose names are before written were sworn in manner as follows:
"You shall swear that well and loyally you will serve our Lord the King, and the City of London, in the expedition against Scotland; and will be obedient and attentive to your leaders and governors, and will take nought of any one against their will; and for that which you shall buy you shall readily pay; and you shall loyally remain with our Lord (the King) for 40 days after you shall come to him, and been entered on the roll of the Constable, at the wage which you have received from the said city; and that you shall not withdraw yourself, or absent yourself, without warning and leave from your said leaders and governors; so help you God, etc."
The accounts of the receivers:
"To Reynald atte More, in part payment of a present sent to the Earl of Chester(1) and other children of the King, at the Feast of the Nativity (2) in the same year, 7 pounds. To 99 arned horsemen, 10 marks each. To a certain minstrel who rode with them, 100 shillings. For 14 pieces of cloth bought for the gowns of the said men, 32 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence. For shearing the same cloth, 16 shillings, 3 pence. For green hoods bought, 115 shillings. For making such hoods, 22 shillings. For eight pieces of cloth of Candlewykstrete, with the shearing thereof, for gowns for one hundred foot-soldiers, 16 pounds, eight pence. To John de Cologne, for making such gowns, 11 pounds, 15 shillings, eight pence. For 107 pennons and 6 standards, 4 pounds, 5 shillings. For lances..... And to a certain man called ‘Quadeville', who went into Normandy and Brabant, to espy as to certain rumours that prevailed in those parts, 40 shillings. To a certain man, who went to Dunstaple with letters of the City, and for wine given to the tailors, 14 shillings, 2 pence. Given as a courtesy to the hundred foot-soldiers, by assent of the Aldermen, 10 pounds. For a present made to our Lord the Earl of Chester, and the other children of the King, who were at the Tower, 14 pounds."
Notes:
1) Edward the Black Prince
2) Christmas
Originally in Letter Book E, folio 1 and 2, in Latin and Norman French