Rye Custumal

RYE/57/2

Rye Custumal

1563-1828

The contents in detail are as follows:--

fo. Ir Scribbles, including 'John Donnynge maior.'

fo. Iv blank.

fo. 2 'Tabula Huius Libri.' Lists 66 articles in French. (Cf. No. 57/1, fo. 39r.)

fos. 3-16r 'Theis byn the Vsagis of the Comynaltye of the Towne of Rye vsed ther of tyme out of mynde which mens myndes cannot thinck the Contrarye.' English, 66 articles follow, ended by the date 1564. There are 19th-century annotations referring to later decrees. Differences from Holloway's version appear to be verbal.

fo. 17r Attested copy of a letter dated 8 April 1571 from Roger Manwoode to the mayor's deputy, stating that a reasonable construction must be put on the custom of the mayor giving judgment in person; his absence with cause is 'yet no cause for Sutes to be lettyd from judgement.'

Ibid. Bounds of Rye borough according to the exemplification of 1444 (RYE/45/13) 'which remaigneth in the chest conteyninge the townes evidences in a box. No. 1.'

fo. 17v. blank.

fos. 18-27r 'The decrees of the Towne of Rye.' Commences with a decree of 20 August 1558 followed by numerous others down to 1584 (see Introduction to RYE/57 above).

fos. 28-30r Decrees copied in the hand of Thomas Procter [town clerk, 1807-40]: 19 December 1631 for altering times of election of officers; 9 September 1633 setting the penalty for jurats refusing office; 2 December 1639 reducing the number of constables from 12 to 4; 3 April 1637 disfranchising a freeman; 1 December 1590 abolishing the common council; 10 December 1828 concerning freedom by birthright.

Inside cover. Receipts at the opening of the boxes, 26 August 1620.

English

1 vol.

A volume of 30 fos. parchment within original boards, additionally bound with calf in the 18th century. Stamped title on cover 'Custumal of the Towne of Rye' and label on spine 'Rye Custumal.' Inscribed with letter 'A' on the cover. The date 1564 appears on fo. 16 and the volume is identified with the entry in the Hundred Book for 1563 (see Introduction to RYE/57 above). A 19th-century foliation commences on fo. 2. The top right-hand corner has been damaged by rodents.