Source Book of London History, from the earliest times to 1800
History
Source Book of London History, from the earliest times to 1800
London (England) -- History
The frequent proclamations for the preservation of peace and order in
the City seem to show that some difficulty was experienced in this
direction; it is, at any rate, interesting to note that the authority of
the King is invoked to assist in the discipline and control of lawless
inhabitants. The restriction as to the bearing of arms is very
significant, and the instructions regarding night-walkers and
tavern-keepers, which continually recur in similar documents, show
whence arose the greatest dangers to life and property.
=Source.=—Riley's _Memorials_, p. 172.
This proclamation was ordered by the Mayor and Aldermen, on Saturday
the morrow of St. Dunstan [May 19], in the 3rd year of the reign of
King Edward the Third; and on the Sunday following throughout the
City proclaimed; our said Lord the King being about to cross over to
the parts of France on the Friday next ensuing, there to do his
homage; and to the end that, while the King was there, his peace
might be the more strictly observed.—
We do command, on behalf of our Lord the King, that his peace shall
be preserved and kept between both denizens and strangers,
throughout all the franchise of this city.
Also,—that no person, native or stranger, shall go armed in
the same city, or shall carry arms by night or by day, on pain
of imprisonment, and of losing his arms; save only, the
serjeants-at-arms of our Lord the King, and of my Lady the
Queen, and the vadlets of the Earls and Barons; that is to
say, for every Earl or Baron one vadlet, carrying the sword of
his lord in his presence; and save also, the officers of the
City, and those who shall be summoned unto them, for keeping
and maintaining the peace of the City.
We do also forbid, on behalf of our said Lord the King, that anyone
shall be so daring, on pain of imprisonment, as to go wandering
about the City, after the hour of curfew rung out at St. Martin's le
Grand; unless it be some man of the City of good repute, or his
servant; and that, for reasonable cause, and with light.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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