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Carlson, David R.
2004.
Chaucer’s Jobs.
p.
1.
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IV. Chaucer and Aldgate
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 December 2020
Extract
Though we are particularly fortunate in knowing a good deal about the life of Chaucer, nevertheless some of the facts are not wholly intelligible. More and more, however, as “men observingly distil them out,” various cruxes are being disposed of. One of the most important of these perplexing problems, which if solved will clear up much besides, is the poet's sudden loss of Aldgate in 1386. This year was a crucial one in the poet's career: for the political happenings at that time—not only were national issues at stake, but London was passing through its most critical period in history—seriously affected Chaucer's welfare. There is, also, a possibility that the poet's sudden misfortune at that time is reflected in some of his poems.
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References
1 Life Records, pp. 190f.
2 In 1342, the one other time that Aldgate (Alegate) was granted in the reign of Edward III, the tenant, John Lucas, clerk of the Sheriffs, paid a yearly rent of 13s.4d. in addition to keeping it in repair (Calendar of Letter-Books, F, ed. R. R. Sharpe, London, 1904, p. 81). It is interesting to note that Aldersgate was apparently (see however under “Cripplegate”) the only other gate leased in Edward's reign.
3 Riley, Memorials of L., p. 489. Cf. Coulton, Chaucer, 1.908, p. 94; Letter-Book, H, p. 290. Oct. 4 was “Thursday next after the Feast of St. Michael (29 Sept.).”
4 Life Records, p. 264. Aldgate seems not to have been granted again until 1466-67 (Letter-Book, L, p. 70).
5 This is undoubtedly the same person who was esquire of the King, as well as the poet's attorney in 1378. Professor S. Moore (Anglia, XXXVII, p. 12) has all but proved as much.
6 Page 94.
7 Chaucer, Forester, and Mayor Brembre.
8 Skeat (I, p. xxxviii) in discussing the date of the LGW, believed that we “may suppose that he (Chaucer) had already practically resigned his house to his friend in 1385, when he was no longer expected to perform his official duties personally.” Compare Tatlock, The Devel. and Chron., p. 139; passim, Hulbert, Chaucer's Official Life, 1912, p. 68; Lowes, P. M. L. A., xx, pp. 772f.
9 There were gatekeepers who lived adjoining the gates or had small rooms on the ground floor (cf. Letter-Book, H, pp. 9, 83). In 1375 they were required “to safeguard their several gates” (ibid., p. 9). I may state here that the index to this volume is wholly unreliable.
10 Newgate for example.
11 “Monday after the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.].”
12 Letter-Book, H, p. 2; Memorials of London, op. cit., p. 387. Watlyngton had been a Sergeant of the King in 1369 (Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1367-70, p. 348). At another time he is mentioned as “clerk” (ibid., 1381-5, p. 294). For duties, etc. of the Common Sergeant see Liber Albas, Rolls Series, I, pp. xlvii, 49. The above grant was made by Walworth about a fortnight before the election for mayor. Another victualler, John Warde, succeeded Walworth. The bearing of all this upon Chaucer is discussed later in this paper.
13 Coulton, p. 93. He does not cite his authority, nor do I find any mention of it in Letter-Book, G. There were apparently two Kents—one a fishmonger (ibid., H, p. 84), another a skinner (ibid., pp. 302, 388).
14 Became mayor Oct. 13, 1390 (Letter-Book, H, pp. 358f.).
16 Or Batisford. He was Common Sergeant of the City two years later (Letter-Book, H, p. 375). This was under Hende, draper, elected mayor Oct. 13, 1391 (ibid., p. 368). Hende succeeded Bamme, but was removed by the King and sent to prison. Staundone, grocer, succeeded Hende (ibid., p. 379 n.; cf. intro. p. liii).
16 Feb., 1408.
17 Letter-Book, I, pp. 65f. Staundone, grocer, was mayor. This is the first reference to Credy, though he had served fourteen years as esquire of the Mayor.
18 Letter-Book, H, pp. 358f. Bamme was a goldsmith (ibid., p. liii). His opponent was Wm. Venour, grocer, and Higden (IX, p. 217) states that it was a hotly contested election. Bamme had been alderman in various wards (cf. Letter-Book, H, index). When he died in 1397 the famous Whittington succeeded him (ibid., p. 436).
19 For conditions in 1386 see infra.
20 The gate as a matter of fact had been leased years before (1337) to a carpenter for a period of twenty years (Letter-Book, F, p. 18).
21 The “philosophical Strode.” For the identification of the Oxford and London Strode see Kuhl, P. M. L. A., xxxvi, 270 ff.
22 Letter-Book, H, p. 15. Cripplegate had been granted less than a month before; the lease to Strode was made on Walworth's last day as mayor.
23 John Warde, pepperer, had been mayor meanwhile.
24 Letter-Book, H, p. 83. Appended to this document is an order annulling the grant for certain reasons.“ Sharpe, the editor, thinks this was tacked on during Northampton's mayoralty (ibid., p. 245 n.), for the reason that Brembre in 1384 and again in 1386 gave Strode a pension for having been ousted from Aldersgate in the time of Northampton (ibid., p. 208 n.).
25 See previous note. For his loss Strode received (May 4, 1386) an annuity of four marks (ibid., p. 287).
26 Related to Wm. Walworth? In my search I have failed to find any ties.
27 Ibid., p. 208. They were to have custody of the gates as well as of the mansion and gardens. That the two Sergeants were in the employ of the Mayor is certain (cf. ibid., pp. 47, 53, 78, 97, etc.).
28 Granted to them Sept. 14, 1378. For further discussion see infra (Ludgate).
29 Italics mine. At this same meeting of the Common Council held on Dec. 11, 1382 (Letter-Book, H, p. 208).
30 Ibid,, p. 208.
31 Ibed., p. 213. Of course Northampton belonged to the unpopular faction. He would willingly risk his reputation in order to win the King's confidence. He succeeded, for it was the desire of Richard that the citizens re-elect him as Mayor.
32 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1385-9, p. 344; ibid., 1391-6, pp. 361f., 538.
33 Letter-Book, H, p. 284. There is no reference to Beauchamp, beheaded two years before. On this same day it was voted that Strode should be “retained as standing counsel for the City” (ibid., p. 288). Oct. 6 Fekyngham was given a grant in money, as well as a brew-house formerly held by one John Sterlyng (ibid., p. 288). Sterlyng had been given Postern the preceding May (the 4th). See infra under Postern.
34 More, vintner, had been elected mayor Oct. 13 (1395), and sworn in on the 28th following (ibid., p. 426).
35 Ibid., p. 433. Blytone, in addition to a life lease, is to have 100 s. yearly. He had been banished to Corfe Castle with Northampton's brother in 1384 for disturbances in London (ibid., pp. 229, 232). Covelee was Sergeant in 1392 (ibid., p. 375). There is no reference as far as I can find to the grant made him sometime between 1386 and 1395.
36 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1396-9, p. 87. He was keeper of a royal manor in 1397.
37 Letter-Book, H, p. 97. To Wm. Wircestre and Philip Walworth-They were to have it on one condition: that if the gate became a free prison,“ the ”Chamberlain“ should provide manacles, etc. at the expense of the City.
38 I have made a fairly careful search.
39 Italics mine.
40 Letter-Book, H, p. 253. This grant was made by Brembre ten days before election for mayor. He was re-elected (ibid., p. 251). Jargevylle is to have the place during the pleasure of the Mayor and Aldermen.
41 Ibid., p. 292.
42 Just after John of Gaunt embarked for Spain. Fuller discussion follows at end of this paper.
43 Letter-Book, H, p. 292. The grant included the prison and gate. There was to be no rent, but “subject to certain reservations.” In case of extortion the grantors are to resume possession. Possibly the unsettled condition of that year accounts for the peculiar conditions of leasing.
44 Cf. Letter-Book, H, p. 290 n. 3.
45 He was not sworn into office, however, until Oct. 26, two days before the Mayor took his office (Letter-Book, H, p. 14).
46 Ibid., H, p. 2. He was to have custody of the gate also. Walworth, a fishmonger, was succeeded by another victualler, John Warde. Cobbe was a butcher by trade (Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1377-81, p. 432); a “scrutineer” of the Skinners' mystery in 1376 (Letter-Book, H, p. 29).
47 “Wednesday the Feast of St. Lucia”—about Dec. 13.
48 Letter-Book, H, p. 277.
49 Ibid., p. 288. The same day Strode was given a pension (ibid., p. 287). The grant of the previous Dec. states definitely houses adjoining, but in this present grant it seems clear that the “mansion” is meant. Compare the lease of 1398 (see next note as well as note to “gate on London bridge”).
50 John Credy, the Mayor's esquire, was given it Feb. 27, 1398. The lease was for life (ibid., p. 443; this entry is not indexed). The City reserved the right to take possession in time of war.
51 John Dustone (Letter-Book, H, p. 212). In 1382 Dustone was a clerk of Northampton (ibid., p. 197). The next reference to the gate is in 1399 when it was again leased to a Sergeant (ibid., p. 447; not indexed). An esquire of the Mayor received it in 1421 (ibid., I, p. 259).
The leasing of the gate and “the custody thereof” in 1383 seems at first sight to refer only to the keepership of the gate. The index of Letter-Book, H, gives it as such. However, in 1375 the gatekeepers of the various gates were appointed (ibid., p. 9) with no reference to the gates themselves. Hence it seems clear that the grants of 1383 and 1399 refer to the dwelling.
52 See supra.
53 There was, as a matter of fact, a threatened invasion of the French in the summer and early autumn of 1386 (cf. Letter-Book, H, pp. 285f.; Coulton, p. 58).
54 At any rate the gate had been granted May 23 (1386) to an esquire. 55 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1396-9, p. 87.
56 On the same day, to be sure, regranted to Beauchamp, a royal servant. On the importance of letting the gates to Sergeants see infra.
57 It is interesting to observe that this happened during the mayoralty of Northampton, opposed bitterly by the King's faction. On the strained relations between Gaunt and the royal ruler see infra.
58 Cf. S. Moore, Anglia, xxxvii, pp. 10-12. Aldgate had been leased but once in Edward's reign, more than thirty years before. On the royal esquires cf. Hulbert's remarks (Official Life, p. 58).
59 The records of course do not state that the wine was for services in Italy. The grant was made at Windsor, April 23. This seemingly was the only present given that day, and only minor business apparently was disposed of (Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1370-74, pp. 433, 455). Hulbert (p. 24) finds that grants of wine were not common.
60 Cf. Letter-Book, G, p. xxii (and references).
61 Modern reckoning. Ibid., pp. 330, 333. The freight was paid in November—£ 42. Was Chaucer's daily pitcherful any better?
62 Almost due north of the Tower and the Customs building. Cf. Tatlock, Devel. and Chron., p. 139. Kittredge believes that Chaucer was house hunting at this time (The Date of Chaucer's Troilus. Chaucer Society, 1909).
63 On Forester see supra.
64 He must have known of the Comptrollership by this time. However, compare discussion on Gaunt infra.
65 He landed at Dartmouth April 26, and was at the Savoy by the first of May (John of Gaunt's Register, Camden Soc., Third Ser., xx, 1911. Nos. 667, 682; cf. S. Armitage-Smith, John of Gaunt, 1905, pp. 117, 123).
66 Cf. S. A.-Smith, pp. 121-126.
67 Ibid., p. 124.
68 Ibid., pp. 121ff.
69 Waugh, Scottish Hist. Review, XII, p. 66. This was in 1378.
70 Register, No. 1429. They were, of course, retainers. Cf. further note 90 on Gaunt's interest at this time in the political situation. Cf. also notes 83 and 100.
71 Life Records, No. 83.
72 Cf. S. A.-Smith, pp. 77f. The Duke never did forget his first Duchess.
73 Chaucer and his P., 1915, p. 77.
74 Cf. Kittredge, Eng. Stud., xiii, p. 7; ibid., Date of Chaucer's Troilus in Chau. Soc., 2nd Series, vol. xlii, p. 45. S. A.-Smith says in one place (p. 93) that Gaunt landed at Plymouth with his bride in November, but elsewhere (p. 123) remarks that the Duke was still in Aquitaine in December.
75 Ibid., p. 93.
76 Ibid., p. 357.
77 Ibid., p. 358.
78 Life Records, No. 67.
79 Ibid., No. 71. A May-day gift?
80 S. A.-Smith, p. 98.
81 Ibid., p. 103. He was leaving Plymouth for France May 10.
82 One finds such personal touches when a knight becomes the Duke's chief forester (one of Gaunt's favorite officers: S. A.-Smith, p. 216) (cf. Register, No. 609).
83 To Tutbury Castle, between Stafford and Derby (S. A.-Smith, p. 104 and map p. 218). Was the Duke afraid to leave his family at London? In pointing out the relation between Gaunt and Chaucer's wife I do not forget his relation with Philippa's sister. But that liaison cannot explain everything.
84 Proof that the poet remained at London instead of going to Tutbury also.
85 The King and his son John may not have been on the best of terms at this time (cf. S. A.-Smith, pp. 117, 129, 184).
86 Cf. note 83 and text.
87 Cf. note 65.
88 Day of the feast of the Garter (cf. S. A.-Smith, p. 121).
89 Cf. Register, Nos. 1442 ff.
90 Cf. S. A.-Smith, p. 117. He spent this period in thinking about the political situation, and after retirement “he appeared as the exponent of a new policy” (ibid., pp. 117f.).
91 Cf. supra.
92 This was but half the amount.
93 S. A.-Smith, p. 224.
94 Ibid.
95 Ibid., pp. 225 f.
96 Stury's case has been noted also.
97 See supra.
98 Cf. my forthcoming article, “Was Chaucer Happily Married?”
100 It has already been mentioned that Gaunt sent his family into the Midlands in 1373 (cf. notes 83 and 90).
101 Strode, of course, was employed by the City.
102 Cf. note 98.
103 Letter-book, H, pp. 14, 47, 78, 154, 219f., 251, 289f., 358, 426. With the exception of 1365 and 1367 (and possibly 1366) this remained the date until 1546.
104 Letter-Book, H, pp. 14, 47, 154, etc.
105 Monday following the “Feast of St. Michael (29 September).”
106 Cf. note 105.
107 To be sure Chaucer's case offers an apparent exception.
108 See supra under Aldersgate. Note also the fact that the gates usually went to Sergeants (see supra).
109 Cripplegate had been in need of repairs in 1383 (Letter-Book, H, p. 215).
110 Ibid., p. xxxv. Cf. Trevelyan, England in the Age of Wyclife, pp. 280ff.
111 Letter-Book, H, p. 229n.
112 Ibid., p. 229.
113 Ibid., pp. 245ff. Cf. ibid., pp. xxxvü f. and notes.
114 Ibid., pp. 264-6; p. 266n.
116 Ibid., pp. 270-282, and notes.
116 Ibid. The “Mayor was asked to take with him the Aldermen and such Commoners as he would, and approach the King with the view of getting him to allow the original order to stand” (ibid., p. 282).
117 Ibid., p. xli. The King had already given his promise to Gaunt that Northampton would be pardoned, but he was not to approach within forty miles of London.
118 Ibid., p. 307; cf. p. xli. The prisoners were to find sureties for their good behavior, and were not to come within eighty miles of the City. Northampton did not, as formerly supposed, accompany Gaunt to Spain, for he was M. P. for Southwark in 1388 (Beaven, The Aldermen of London, p. 298).
119 Knighton, II, p. 207. Cf. S. Armitage-Smith, pp. 310f. Hulbert (op. cit., p. 61), in trying to prove too much, makes the amazing statement (likewise omits his authority) that Gaunt left in March. (Since the Duke left London in that month Hulbert may have confused matters). That he did not depart from England until July has been known for years. See, for example, Kittredge, Supposed Historical Allusion in the Squire's Tale, Eng. Stud., XIII, p. 12; Armitage-Smith (pp. 310f.), quoting Knighton (II, p. 207), states that the Duke left July 7. It is well-known that Gaunt gave testimony at the Scrope-G. controversy June 16 (Scrope-G., etc., I, p. 49). The Cal. Pat. Rolls also fully testify that the Duke was still in England in July.
It was about a four day's journey from London to Plymouth—the port of embarkation (cf. n. 67). Was Ludgate granted on the very day that news came of Gaunt's final departure?
120 It is not definitely known to whom the poet was indebted for these appointments. Hulbert (p. 60) believes that Gaunt had no influence in Kent in 1385. Armitage-Smith (pp. 133, 137, 441) notes however that Fogg, fellow J. P. with Chaucer, owed his appointment to that office to the Duke. Fogg was a retainer of the Duke's, and followed him to Spain in 1386. A.-Smith further notes Gaunt's power in various counties. It is interesting to note that the poet's first appointment as J. P. came the day before the annual election for Mayor (Oct. 13); and the reappointment ten days before Gaunt sailed from England (see supra). At the time the poet was elected to Parliament Lancaster was away.
121 My next paper, on Chaucer's relations with Richard, will discuss the poet's loss of Aldgate as well as the two comptrollerships.
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