1413.

This year there arose very serious disputes between the University and the town, which continued during the greater part of this reign.

On Hock Tuesday, the commonalty made an ordinance, declaring that if any burgess should be outlawed in any foreign county, or elsewhere in the hustings or his proper county, he should not forfeit more than the 20th part of his goods and chattels; except in case of felony, of which, if it should happen any burgess should be convicted, then he should forfeit all his goods and chattels.

A commission for the repair of the Great Bridge, and for making various inquiries with reference thereto, was on the 14th of July issued to Sir Hugh Burrell knt. Sir Walter atte Pole knt. Richard Billingford clerk, Thomas Lopham, Nicholas Morice, John Herrys, and John Bilney.

This year Richard de Billingford, D.D. Chancellor of this University, was sent ambassador to Rome, with Henry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester, Henry Lord Scrope, and the Chancellor of the University of Oxford. The object of the embassy was to inform the two Popes, that unless one would withdraw his pretensions to the papal chair, the kingdom of England would acknowledge obedience to neither.

1412–14

On the 8th of February a commission of the peace for the town was directed to Richard Billingford and Guido la Zouche clerks, Simon Bentybowe mayor, and others.