Exchequer: King's Remembrancer: Vintners' Fines

E 176

1570-1589

This series consists largely of indentures made between Richard Ellis, deputy of Edward Horsey, captain of the Isle of Wight and the Crown's patentee; vintners and other sellers of wine; and local justices of the peace or, in the case of cities and boroughs corporate, the mayor and at least one alderman.

The indentures discharge sellers of wine from penalties incurred as a result of their breach of a statute of 1553, in return for a monetary composition, of which half was payable to Horsey and half to the Crown. The indentures are signed and sealed by all the parties.

The indentures include the names and styles of those offending, their place of residence, the names of the justices or town officers, the amount of wine sold in a manner contrary to statute, and the amount of the fine. The condition of the seals attached to these indentures is variable.

The series also includes a number of prosecutions under the statute. These are in the form of informations, and are strays from the files of Bille (E 207). Many were brought by Hugh Bonell of the parish of St Clements, London, who appears to have been a professional informer.

Public Record(s)

English and Latin

13 bundle(s)

Topics

Government finances

Food and drink

By letters patent of 23 April 1570 Elizabeth I licensed Edward Horsey, captain of the Isle of Wight, to reach agreement with offenders against statutes regulating the vending of wine, the primary offences being defined as retailing wine without licence, or selling it at greater prices than those allowed by statute. For both, the offender incurred a substantial penalty.