Trespass.—Further, they say that Alan son of Sayer Banstrat of Great Baddow, sawyer, will not serve unless he take for his salary as much as two others take, against the Statute, etc., in oppression of the people....
Grand Inquisition.
Trespass.—Further, they present that John Galion, vicar of Nazeing, will not minister to any the sacrament of marriage unless he have from each man 5s. or 6s., and in this manner by extortion the said John has taken from John Wakerild 4s. 1Od., from William Gurteber 5s., from John Mabely 9s., and from many others to the sum of 20s., in oppression of the people by tort and against the peace....
Trespass.—Further, they present that John Hindercle took for stipend from the rector of Parndon for the time of August this year 10s. against the Statute.
Further, they present that John Hindercle, William Pourche, are butchers and forestallers of victuals, against the Statute.
[214] Printed in Putnam, op. cit., p. 169*, Appendix.
14. Excessive Prices Charged by Craftsmen [King's Bench, Ancient Indictments, 38, m. 22d.] 1354.
Further they [the jurors] say that dyers, drapers and tanners are dwelling in the town of Ware, where they were not wont to be, but within the borough of Hertford, to the grave damage of the lord the King and the lady Queen Isabel, lady of the same town of Hertford, and of the whole commonalty of the town of Hertford aforesaid, and against the liberty of the aforesaid Queen, and that the same dyers and tanners use their craft in too excessive wise, to wit, the aforesaid dyers take for a cloth sometimes half a mark, sometimes 40d. and sometimes more, where they were wont to take for a cloth 6d. only, and the aforesaid tanners buy oxhides and divers other hides at a low price and refuse to sell them unless they gain on the sale fourfold, to the greatest oppression and damage of the whole people.
15. Fines Levied for Excessive Wages, 25 Edward III[Exch. K.R. Estreats, 11, 2], 1351.
Layer de la Hay.