FOURTEENTH AND FIFTEENTH CENTURIES. 35 
William le Webbe is reported to have made an encroachment 
on the King’s highway at ‘‘le Thrul,” viz., two virgates and a half 
long and in breadth two rods and a half, and is given a set time to 
remove the same, John Jacob acting as his pledge. 
It is also reported to the Court that the highway opposite the 
Court of William de Marinis, one of the larger landowners, is in a 
bad state of repair and the Court orders the bailif to distrain upon 
the said William to repair the same. 
This incident shows us that the repair of the roads was not, 
as now, the business of the local authorities, but was laid upon the 
owner of the adjoining land. 
Upon question put John Jacob and Adam Ede, the ‘‘ Borges- 
alders” or Headmen of Leuesham, declare that they have made 
their presentments as they ought to make them. 
The sum of the fines, etc., of the Court came to 71s. 64d., of 
which Greenwich should pay 39s. 7d. and Leuesham jos. rod. 
The afferatores or assessors of fines were Amis Godson, Adam 
Atte Forest, and John Calvel. 
At another Court held at Lewisham, in the summer of the 
same year (1301), Robert Lord was summoned for digging turf 
on the common ‘‘de la Blakeheth”’ and is fined 3d. Jurdan the 
Shepherd is also fined a similar amount. Margery Calvel is 
indicted because she to the grievous damage of the lord and all 
the commonalty was wont to dig on the said common. Margery 
claimed an inquisition, which was held and declared her guilty, 
whereupon she is fined 3d. Giles of the Hall and Richard Grey 
and others are similarly fined. 
These instances will show how jealously the common rights 
were guarded against unauthorized encroachment, but at the same 
time their number indicates a growing disregard. 
At the same Court we have the election of certain officers. 
Peter Billuk was elected ‘* Borgesalder” of the ‘‘ Southborg” of 
Lewisham, Symon le Freend is elected aletaster, and both are 
sworn faithfully to do as they ought. 
Another group of proceedings relates to the year 1320, when 
John de Catford and Peter de Bywyne were ‘‘ Borghesalders.” 
William Ede is elected Borghesalder by the whole homage (the 
freeholders) and Thomas Ede aletaster. Many are fined for 
brewing ale contrary to the assize, including Thomas Brekerop, 
John Vayrwyne and William Sanguinel. These and others 
mentioned previously will give an idea of the Lewisham names of 
the 14th century and will serve to show how many surnames arose. 
If the Abbot of Ghent was left in peace during the reign of 
Henry III that period of undisputed possession was now to come 
to an end, mainly on account of the French wars undertaken by 
the Edwards. In 1294 Edward I was engaged in preparing for 
war against the French King, and besides obtaining large supplies 
from both clergy and laity he seized the lands and goods of the 
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