Francis Blomefield

“ In 1395, the Danes laid roving on the Norfolk coasts, and did much injury to the English merchants, upon which, Yarmouth, Norwich, and all the coast towns in this county furnished out a number of ships, and ventured to fight with these Danish pirates, but being overcome, many of them were slain, others taken prisoners, and were forced to pay great ransomes, the merchants also lost 20,000l. ”

“ But the bailiffs and citizens were most of all discomforted, as they had good reason to be, for the cruel death of this their captain, upon which they met again, and chose four citizens to go and consult with Will. de Ufford then Earl of Suffolk, for the peace of the city and country, but Litester, who was styed King of the commons, thinking himself and fellows wiser than the rest, resolved to compel several of the principal nobles and great men of the country to join them ”

“ In 1388, there was an ordinance made that no citizen should buy any worsteds of any country weavers, in the city liberties, without they set their chests in the messuage late John de Welbourn's, now called the Worsted-Celde, (shop or stall,) under penalty of 40s. ”

“ Upon which, there was a tax immediately laid, and two citizens appointed to collect it, and ordinances made for all goods to be landed at the publick city stath, and for all foreigners to pay the same as citizens; and then was fixed the tolls and customs for all things whatever coining to, or going from, the city by land or water, as appears at large in the city evidences: and in the treasurer's accounts of this year, I find 15 of the towers in the walls were let out by the city, some to Tho. de Worthsted, keeper of the city ditches, who had a salary of 13s. ”

“ In 1392, the King granted a license of mortmain, dated at Notingham the 8th of July, in which for a hundred pounds in hand paid, he licensed the bailiffs and commonalty to receive in mortmain to the use of the city 3 messuages, 18 shops, 42 stalls, and 54s. of yearly rent, in Norwich, held of the King in burgage, and to apply the profits thereof to repair the city walls, towers, and ditches, or for any other works, towards easing the poor and middle sort of citizens, yearly ”

“ In 1386, the French intending to invade England, Sir Henry Percy and Faulx Percy were sent to Yarmouth with 300 men of arms, and 600 archers, to guard the coast; and the King sent his privy seal to the city, commanding them to fortify their town, array their men, and take care of their towers, gates, and walls, and also to lend him 500 marks, upon which they chose the Bishop their governour, and elected William de Blickling, Ralf Skiet, Tho. ”

“ Soon after this, the Essex rebels that escaped began to assemble again and make for Colchester, but when they could get none to join them there, they marched to Sudbury, where the Lord Fitz-Walter and Sir John Harleston, Knt. a brave man and excellent soldier, fell upon them as they were making their proclamations, and slew many, and quite dissipated them, so that by their manhood this rebellion came to nothing. ”

“ And this year they obtained another Charter, which is beautifully adorned with gold and various colours, it is dated at Westminster, Feb. 15th, and is witnessed by Simon Archbishop of Canterbury, Chancellor, and Thomas Bishop of Exeter, both Treasurers, John King of Castile and Leon, Edmund Earl of Cambridge, Thomas Earl of Bukingham, Constable of England, the King's uncles, William de Latimer, Will.de Beauchamp, Chamberlain, and Hugh de Seagrave, Steward of the household. ”

“ Alban's, and from thence to the King, feigning himself to be servant to Sir Robert de Boys, and carrying a wallet behind him; the citizens being thus disappointed of a captain, were much terrified, the rebels threatening daily to burn the city, which they guarded against as well as they could, and in order thereto they summoned a general assembly, and there Ralf Skeet and Hen. Skye, two of the bailiffs, Barth. de Appleyard, William de Blickling, Henry Lominour, Thomas Spynk, Ralf Papinjeay, John de Multon, Will. ”

“ In 1399, order was issued, that every night one bailiff, and two of the 24 council, with 12 armed men and 24 archers, should watch and guard the city, and that all men should be in readiness for defence, and have their weapons ready at any warning. The walls, turrets, barge, &c. were well fortified, the ditches cleansed, and every thing in a good posture of defence; they having hired many archers and armed men to keep the city, particular care was taken to fit up the Red Tower, called the Dungeon, and to guard the river, and all the city gates were kept shut day and night, except Cunsford, St. ”

“ By which he so incensed them, that the commons in divers parts drew together, and at last brought into their faction those of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, &c.; what havock, outrages, and murders, they committed in London, and other parts of the realm, and how they were at last appeased by the valiant prowess of Sir Will. ”

“ They came home, and on their representation, had watch and ward day and night kept in the city, and the men thereof well armed and arrayed, all their towers and gates filled with instruments of defence; and whereas the principal citizens were often absent at the election of bailiffs, it was ordered that every one that was absent for the future, at the great assembly yearly held at the chapel of St. Mary in the Fields, to choose the bailiffs, shall pay 40d. ”

“ In this King's reign lived Sir William Norwich, Knt. a great follower and friend of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, with whom he performed many feats of arms in foreign countries, and it was much through this knight's means that that Duke so often visited, and had such a value as he always showed, for this city; Froisart mentions him in his Chronicle, as do several others that I have seen.
Bailiffs 1377, Rob. Popinjay. Will. de Blickling. John de Moulton. Will. de Eaton. 1378, Rob. de Burnham. Will. de Wurstede. Will. de Horning. Reginald Cobbe. Will. ”