[773] See Paston Letters.
[774] Not only were there disputes with the prior of Norwich, but with the Hospital of S. Paul (Town Close Evidences, 7-8); the prioress of Carrow (Blomefield, iii. 64, 147); the abbot of Holme (ibid. 153-4); the abbot of Wendling (ibid. 147).
[775] “For the people here is loth to complain till they hear tidings of a good sheriff.” (Paston Letters, i. 166.)
[776] The mayor and citizens were able if necessary to have in harness from two to five hundred men of the town. (Ibid. ii. 414.)
[777] Blomefield, iii. 144-155.
[778] In 1444. Blomefield, iii. 151, 152. The courts were held in the tolbooth, but the assemblies of the commons still gathered in the chapel of the Virgin Mary in the Fields. (Ibid. 92.) Most of the city business was done there as late as 1455. (Ibid. 160.) It appears that the citizens frequently availed themselves of other people’s accommodation (the Priory, Black Friars, Grey Friars) rather than spend money in providing it for themselves.
[779] Ibid. iii. 153.
[780] William Paston was one of the commissioners. (Blomefield, iii. 148.)
[781] Ibid. iii. 144-6.
[782] Proceedings of Privy Council, v. 17-19.