By B. W. Merriman, Esq. 



79 



The handicrafts carried on in the town furnished, of course, 

 frequent matter for the action of the courts. Some interesting illus- 

 trations will be found in Mr. Waylen's History. The two following 

 extracts from the records of the Court of Piepowder relate to tanning 

 and leather-dressings always among the established trades of the 

 place : — 



" vj Henr. viij. 



" Thomas Osborne sues Richard Wilkinson by reason that when the same Thomas 

 delivered to the aforesaid Richard two half skins of the value of 4 shillings to be 

 dressed in the best manner and tanned. Then the aforesaid Richard designing 

 the same Thomas in this behalf privily to defraud, within a certain time falsely 

 and fraudulenty scorched the said half-skins. Whence he says that he is injured 

 and has damage to the extent of 12 pence." 



" vij Henr. viij . 



" Also they present that George Cann has tanned sheep skins to the number of 

 one hundred skins against the form of divers statutes. Wherefore he has for- 

 feited a certain penalty as is plainly expressed in the Statute of the first year of 

 our Lord King Henry VII. chapter 5. That is to say for every skin so tanned 

 20 pence." 



Here are other examples. One as to saddlery : — 



" 8 Now., 34 Henry 8. 



"John Cousins sues John Thresher in an action of debt for six shillings for that 

 the said John Cousin sold to the household of our lord the King when the same 

 lord the King was last in this neighbourhood [in istd patria] six dozen cloths 

 for horses at the price of six shillings. Which moneys indeed the servants of 

 the said Lord the King from his stable delivered to the said defendant for pay- 

 ment to the said complainant immediately on the departure of the said Lord the 

 King. Which moneys nevertheless the said defendant has not yet paid." 



Thresher did not appear, and a levy on him was ordered, but it 

 seems to have been for three shillings only, which, according to the 

 testimony of Richard King — one of the serjeants-at-mace— plaintiff's 

 wife had admitted to be the extent of the debt. 



This as to medicine : — 



"9 May, 35 Henr. viij. 



" Suit by Agnes Mundy, widow and executrix of John Mundy, her late husband, 

 against Robert Barber, founded on the following document : 



' This Byll made the xiij daye of Janewarye in the xxxiiij 1 ' 1 ye re of the most 

 most noble reigne of oure Sofferayne lord Kyng Hemy the viij that I Robert 

 Barbar of Marlboro bynd myself to John Mondy of the pysh of Chylton Folyatt 



