A.D. 

 1407. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



[I. 171.] These be the grievances and offences, whereat the 

 marchants of the Hans of Almaine, comming 

 unto, and residing in the Realme of England, 

 doe finde themselves aggrieved, contrarie to 

 :he Articles and privileges of the Charter 

 graunted unto them by the worthy Pro- 

 genitors of the king of England that now is, 

 and also by the saide soveraigne Lord the 

 King, ratified, and confirmed. 



Mprimis, whereas the foresaide marchants 



have a privilege graunted unto them 



by Charter, that they may, in cities, 



boroughs, and in other towns and villages 



throughout the whole realme of England, 



exercise traffique in grosse, as wel with 



the natural inhabitants of the kingdome, 



as with strangers, and private persons : of late, those that 



are free denizens in the cities, boroughs, and villages 



within the foresaid kingdome, do hinder and restrain all 



others that be strangers, foreners, and aliens, that they 



neither can, nor dare buy and sel with the marchants of 



the Hans aforesaid, to their great hinderance and losse. 



Item, the foresaid marchants by vertue of their charter 

 were wont to have and to hold Innes and mansions, for 

 the reposing of themselves and of their goods, where- 

 soever they pleased in any cities, boroughs, or villages, 

 throughout the whole kingdome : howbeit of late the 

 foresaide marchants are not suffered to take up their 

 mansions, contrary to the tenour of their charter. 



Item, the foresaid marchants are privileged not to 

 undergoe any other burthens or impositions, but onely 

 to pay certaine customs, as it doeth by their charter 

 manifestly appeare. Notwithstanding at ye same time 

 when Simon de Moreden was maior of London, the 

 foresaid marchants were constrained, in the ward of 

 Dove-gate at London, to pay fifteenths, tallages, and 



72 ' 



