[435] In Coventry the wool buyers appear to have been the clothmakers. The dyers in 1415, who were "great makers of cloth," took "the flower of the woad" for their own use (Rot. Parl., iv. 75). In 1435 we hear of the clothmakers employing combers to card wool (Leet Book, 182), and in 1512 we find that a searcher examined the wool to see that it was free from filth for the clothier (ib., 636).
[436] There are no new ordinances relating to the weighing of wool at this time. Most likely the ordinance of 1440 (see above) was often evaded, and it was resolved that a stricter supervision should be exercised.
[437] i.e. Godiva.
[438] Leet Book, 556-7. Laurence afterwards committed William Boteler to ward for breach of regulations of leet doubtless, but "without authority."
[439] For Robert Barlow, see Corpus Christi guild accounts, Corp. MS. A. 6, f. 5.
[440] Leet Book, 564.
[441] Leet Book, 567. One of the pieces of "civic poetry" quoted by Sharp, 235.
[442] Sharp, Antiq., 235.
[443] Leet Book, 574; Corp. MS. A. 79, f. 14. The poverty from which Laurence suffered now had probably not afflicted him earlier in his career.
[444] It is noticeable that this bishop sympathized with the unruly people of York. See Miss Sellers, "The City of York in the Sixteenth Century" in Eng. Hist. Rev., ix. 275.