Merchants of Genoa. King and lords of parliament. The merchants of Genoa complain...

Petitioners

Merchants of Genoa.

Addressees

King and lords of parliament.

Nature of request

The merchants of Genoa complain that they and many other merchants, foreign and denizen, have been harmed by Stephen Brunne, formerly farmer for the sheriffs of London of a custom called showage, who has demanded this custom from them for goods landed at Southampton and brought by land to London, whereas it should only apply to goods first entering the country there, and has arrested the merchants, wishing to confiscate their merchandise for non-payment. They request a remedy, both for what has occurred in the past, and for the merchandise that they will bring in future.

Nature of endorsement

Because the king has understood that the custom called showage is not specifically mentioned in the charter of confirmation made and granted by him to the citizens of London, he wills that the merchants of Genoa may henceforth be able to carry their merchandise, landed at Southampton, to London, without paying showage there, or incurring any forfeiture for not doing so. Provided always that the merchants of Genoa carry with them from time to time letters of testimony under the seals of the customs officers of Southampton, attesting that they have showed their merchandise before them, and there paid their customs and other dues, as they should. Furthermore, the king wills that if anything has hitherto been attempted to the contrary, this is to be corrected before the council, at their discretion.

Places mentioned

Jeane (Genoa), [Italy]

Southampton, [Hampshire]

London.

People mentioned

Stephen Brunne, farmer of showage in London.

A related document is no. 11180 in C 81/781

• Calendar of Patent Rolls, Hen IV, vol. II, 1401-1405, (Public Record Office, 1905), p.179 (exemplification of petition)
• Rotuli Parliamentorum; ut et Petitiones, et Placita in Parliamento, vol. III, Ric II and Hen IV, (Record Commission, 1783), p.521a-b (no.24) (full edition of original petition, or of later copy) & p.491a-b (transcription of petition on parliament roll: text unmodified)