And a bretherhode ther is ordened of barbres, in the site of Norwyche, in the worschep of god and ys moder, and seynt Johan the Babtis, that alle bretherin and sisterin of the same gylde, als longe as xij. persones of them lyuen, they schulen offeryn a candel and to torches of wax, and this light they hoten and a-vowed to kepyn and myntenyn, and thes other ordenances that ben vnder wreton, vp-on here power and diligence, in worschepe of crist and ys moder and seyn Johan Babtis, and the to torches schul bien of xl. lib. weyght, and alle the bretherin and sisterin schullen offeryn this candel and the to torches euerie ʒer a misomere day, and they herin here messe at the heye auter atte Charunel in cristis cherge, and eueri brother and sistir offeryn an ob. wyth here candel and here to torches, in honor of god and oure lady and seynt Johan the Babtis.
And the to torches, eueri day in the ʒer, scullen ben light and brennynge at the heye messe at selue auter, from the leuacion of cristis body sacrid, in til that the priest haue vsud.
This bien the names of the men that ben maystris and kepers of the gyld.
Philippus Barbur
Jacobus Barbir
Thomas Barbyr at prechors
And this men han in
kepynge for the same
light, ijs in here box.
(Modern English of the preceding.)
NORWICH.
And a brotherhood there is ordained of Barbers, in the city of Norwich, in the worship of God and His Mother, and Saint John the Baptist; that all brothers and sisters of the same guild, as long as twelve persons of them live, they shall offer a candle and two torches of wax; and this light they promise and avow to keep and maintain, and these ordinances that be under-written, upon their power and diligence, in worship of Christ and His Mother and Saint John Baptist; and the two torches shall be of forty pounds weight; and all the brothers and sisters shall offer this candle and the two torches every year at Midsummer day, and they hearing their mass at the high altar at Charunel in Christ’s church, and every brother and sister offering a halfpenny with their candel and their two torches, in honor of God and our Lady and Saint John the Baptist.