Skip to main content
Service phase: Beta

This is a new way to search our records, which we're still working on. Alternatively you can search our existing catalogue, Discovery.

Item

Mayor and commonalty of Melcombe Regis. King. The mayor and commonalty of Melcombe...

Catalogue reference: SC 8/125/6206

What’s it about?

This record is about the Mayor and commonalty of Melcombe Regis. King. The mayor and commonalty of Melcombe... dating from [1378-1388] in the series Special Collections: Ancient Petitions. It is held at The National Archives, Kew.

Is it available online?

Yes, this record is available online and can be downloaded. How to view it.

Can I see it in person?

No, this record is not available to see in person at The National Archives. Other ways to view it.

Full description and record details

Reference
SC 8/125/6206
Date
[1378-1388]
Description
Petitioners
Mayor and commonalty of Melcombe Regis.
Addressees
King.
Nature of request
The mayor and commonalty of Melcombe Regis state that their town has been burnt and destroyed by the enemies, such that nobody remains there. In connection with this they make a number of requests.1) That their charters and ancient franchises be confirmed.2) That they be granted the prise of wines in the same manner as the people of London.3) That their fee farm be reduced to four marks per year from the usual eight.4) That their contribution to the present fifteenth be reduced from £9 10s to £4 10s.5) That they be pardoned all arrears of rents, fifteenths and other taxes.6) That every person trading in the town should take lodgings within the town, so that they cannot avoid the King's customs.
Nature of endorsement
[None]
Places mentioned
Melcombe Regis, [Dorset]
London.
Note
Petitions from Melcombe Regis concerning damage by the French appear from 1378-9 onwards (SC 8/19/922-4). In 1388, Richard II granted remission from the fee farm and all fifteenths for seven years, and pardon of all outstanding arrears, a grant confirmed by Henry IV. This petition is clearly not directly related to that grant, but since it contains largely different requests from those made in 1378-9, and would have been redundant in the light of the 1388 grant, it therefore seems likely that it was presented at some point in the intervening period (1378-1388). The handwriting would also suggest a date around that time rather than any later.
Related material

A related petition is SC 8/19/922

Held by
The National Archives, Kew
Former department reference
Parliamentary Petition 5432
Legal status
Public Record(s)
Language
French
Closure status
Open Document, Open Description
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C9208379/

How to order it

  1. View this record page in our current catalogue
  2. Check viewing and downloading options
  3. Select an option and follow instructions
View this record page

Series information

SC 8

Special Collections: Ancient Petitions

See the series level description for more information about this record.

View series description

Catalogue hierarchy

Over 27 million records

This record is held at The National Archives, Kew

74,884 records

Within the department: SC

Records of various departments, arranged artificially according to type, and formerly...

18,283 records

Within the series: SC 8

Special Collections: Ancient Petitions

52 records

Within the piece: SC 8/125

6201-6250. Individual petitions are described , dated, and are available at item...

You are currently looking at the item: SC 8/125/6206

Mayor and commonalty of Melcombe Regis. King. The mayor and commonalty of Melcombe...

Related records

Records that share similar topics with this record.