Stratford-upon-Avon: Guild of the Holy Cross: Masters' and proctors' accounts

Description

Account of ... [and] ... Milward "Barbour," Proctors of the Guild of the Holy Cross, the Blessed Mary [the Virgin, and S. John Baptist,] from Monday next after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr [30 Henry VI.] to Monday next after the same Feast, 31 (It is doubtful whether this date should read "21" or "31," but as there is a Proctor's Account for 20-21 Henry VI., it has been thought better to consider this to be the Account for 30-31 Henry VI.) [Henry VI.] (one whole year) Very much decayed. Nearly all the side of roll on which the marginal headings are written is wanting [Payments.] (To John Drury and John Collys, Chaplains, ... Mayel, Clerk of the Guild, c.) [Rents resolute.] (To the Bishop of Worcester ... lands called "Trowtis ..." To the Lord of Old Stratford--to John Milward "barbour" for the "Bagyndon" rent for a tenement in Midd[le row.] [Necessary expenses.] (Payment for parchment and paper for the Rolls and Indentures; wax for the Chaplains celebrating in winter time; sum total, £13 17s 5d) [No heading.] Expenses about ... on Monday next after the Feast of the Translation of S. Thomas the Martyr about the accounts of the Master and Proctors; payments for beef, mutton, veal, geese, pullets, bread, ale, c.) [Repairs and other expenses.] (Payments for mending a "chymney"; [repairing] the houses of the Guild in "le Rotherstrete" when they were burnt ("combust fuerut"); I "hawke" for a tiler, 3d; 1 "welle boket" for the well within the Hall of the Guild, 5d; mentions the cost of going to Kynton to bury a brother there, 4d; 1½ ells of linen cloth bought for the Bishop; "Frank sens" (frankincense) at the consecration of the Chapel, 1d; 1 key bought for the gate of the garden within the Hall of the Guild, c.) [Divers expenses.] (Expenses in the Hall on the Monday after Ascension Day about the election of Master, Aldermen, and Proctors of the Guild.) Decay of rent. (The decay in many rents arises from the fact of the houses being burnt down; mention of John Mayell de Warwick.)