9th July, 1556. John More, Cordwainer, and Richard Wiston, had leases of houses in St. John’s, Walbrook, for 30 years from Midsummer, and about this period there are several other notices of leases for 30 years having been granted of property in East Smithfield, Holborn Bridge, and Mugwell Street.
22nd July, 1556. An order was made:—
That there shalbe a painter belonge to the hall, and he to have a penc͠on yerely of vjs viijd by the yere to be payed at fower tymes of the yere and for the same he shall make cleane all the paintinge wtin the hall bothe above and benethe as the Tables in the hall and other things and in the gardein every qr̃ter of a yere if it so neede: and to amend faults where there ys anye at his owne proper costs and chardgs as is afore declared.
26th August, 1557. It was ordered that Mrs. Dawson, the Widow of one Bryckett—
a Toothe drawer shall paye no quartryge to the hawle nor hange oute any signe or clothe wth teethe as she hearetofore hath don.
12th October, 1557. John West was discharged out of this howse bycawse he wold not abyde ye order of ye Mr & govˀnors and one Asheton had lycence to arest hym.
Various entries occur about this period of freemen being brought before the Court and punished for using “obrobrious wordes.”
9th November, 1557. It was ordered that Robert Postell (Warden 1544) should have a “yerely anewitie oute of thys howse” of 40s.
A freeman before “setting up shop” was required to procure the testimony of one or more citizens that he was worth 10 marks, and to obtain a licence from the Court; there are numerous examples in point, e.g.:—
16th November, 1557. Heare was before the Mr and Govˀnors Rychard Lynley and he had Lycẽce to sett up hys shoppe and one Johan Coale of the Cytie of London Cytizen and Clothwoorcker Deposed that the sayd Rychard ys worthe and valued of hys proper owne vjli xiijs iiijd.