Workers and weavers of worsted cloth. King and council. The workers and weavers of...

Petitioners

Workers and weavers of worsted cloth.

Addressees

King and council.

Nature of request

The workers and weavers of worsted cloth state that Robert de Polee obtained the alnage of their cloth by telling the king that such an assize had been and should be held. They state however, that the king cannot ordain an assize, as sixty years have not passed since this cloth was first made, nor has parliament ordered it, nor indeed can it be done, as, because of the variety of wools from various countries used, the weavers cannot guarantee the length of a piece of cloth until it is finished. Many weavers are being driven from their craft, as the merchants do not wish to buy their cloth, as Robert de Polee seizes improperly made cloth from them, until they have made fine with him. They request that they might be able to use their craft as before, without making fine or redemption to Robert or anyone else.

Nature of endorsement

A commission is to be given to the Bishop of Norwich, Walter de Norwich and the others named in the other commission made for the workers, that they are to call workers, merchants and others who seem to them to be appropriate, and enquire in the presence of Robert de Poleye, to be informed of this, so that he can be present if he wishes, how the matter has been done previously, and to what profit to the workers and others it is to use their craft as they did before, and what damage if they do not, and into who, and which and how etc. and other relevant matters etc., and the commission and inquisition are to be returned in Chancery, so that the king can further do what is to be done for the benefit of his people.

People mentioned

Robert de Polee (Poley)

[William Airmyn], Bishop of Norwich

Walter de Norwic (Norwich).

For another alternative version of this petition, see SC 8/268/13364

For a related document, see SC 8/313/E105

For an alternative version of this petition see SC 8/266/13292

For a related petition from Robert Poley, see SC 8/268/13369

• Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edw III, vol. I, 1327-1330, (Public Record Office, 1891), p.31 (appointment of Robert de Poley to alnage); pp.297-298 (commission to enquire into complaints of weavers against Robert de Poley concerning measurement of cloth); p.424 (commission of oyer and terminer on complaint by Robert de Poley of various weavers conspiring to prevent the execution of his office)
• Rotuli Parliamentorum; ut et Petitiones, et Placita in Parliamento, vol. II, Edw III, (Record Commission, 1783), p.409a-b (no.175) (full edition of original petition)
• The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England, Ed. Paul Brand, Anne Curry, Chris Given-Wilson, Rosemary Horrox, W.M. Ormrod and J.R.S. Phillips, (Cambridge University Press, 2005), Appendix of Unedited Petitions, 1307-1337, Rotuli Parliamentorum II, pp. 13-30, no. 50 (summary of references)