He had been appointed mayor by Letters Patent (7 Sept.) to succeed Sir John Shorter, who had died from the effects of a fall from his horse on the occasion of his opening St. Bartholomew fair in Smithfield (Luttrell, i, 458-459). Eyles was to continue in office during the king's pleasure.
The deed of restitution under the great seal, dated the 3rd October, as well as Chapman's commission to be mayor, dated the 5th October are preserved at the Guildhall (Charter Closet, Box No. 24).
Repertory 94, fos. 1-3.
Id., fos. 4-5.
Journal 50, fo. 352. Sir Humphrey Edwin was re-elected, and with him John Fleet, in place of Sir Samuel Thomson. Both Edwin and Fleet prayed to be discharged, but the Court of Aldermen refused.—Repertory 94, fos. 13, 14.
Repertory 94, fo. 17.
Repertory 94, fo. 77; Id. 96, fo. 312. "The citty of London, since the refusal of Sir George Treby to be their recorder, have made choice of Mr. Sommers, of the Inner Temple, but he also refused it; then they pitcht upon Mr. Conyers, but he declined it, as also Mr. Selby."—Luttrell, i, 471.
Repertory 94, fo. 69.
Journal 50, fo. 361.
Luttrell, i, 463, 479, 480; Journal 50, fo. 351.