[89] Burnings in Smithfield for heresy took place in the following years: 1401, 1410, 1415, 1422, 1431, 1438, 1441, 1494, 1499. The writ in the first case is given in Rot. Parl., iii. 459: “Item, mesme ceste Mesquerdy, March 2, 1400-1, un Brief feust fait as Meir & Viscontz de Londres, par advis des Seigneurs Temporelx en Parlement, de faire execution de William Sautre, jadys Chapelein Heretic, dont le tenure s’ensuyte.” Then follows in Latin the text of the writ, Henry to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London. It recites that the Archbishop of Canterbury, with the consent and assent of the bishops and the whole of the clergy of the province assembled in his provincial council, condemned William for heresy, degraded him, and decreed that he be left to the secular court, and Holy Mother Church has no more to do in the premises. The writ orders that in some public and open place within the liberty of the said city they shall cause, for the reason set forth, Sawtre to be publicly, before the people, committed to the fire and to be burnt. Smithfield, long established as a place of execution, was naturally selected by the civic authorities; hence the evil celebrity of Smithfield as the place of burning of heretics. The fires of Smithfield, associated in the popular mind with “bloody Mary,” were kindled long before her time, and continued long after her. [90] “Henricus Dei gratia et cetera Vicecomiti Midilsex’ salutem. Precipimus tibi quod sine omni dilatione in loco ubi furche prius erecte fuerunt videlicet ad ulmellos fieri facias duos bonos gibettos de forti et optimo mæremio ad latrones et alios malefactores suspendendos et custum quod ad hoc posueris per visum et testimonium legalium hominum computabitur tibi ad scaccarium. Teste H. de Burgo Justiciario nostro apud Sanctum Albanum xxij die Maii. Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum, 1833” (Records Commission, i. 419). [91] Stow’s “Survey of London,” ed. Strype, book iii., p. 238; “Liber Custumarum,” ed. Riley, i. 147-51; Stow’s “Survey,” ed. Thoms, pp. 24, 25. By the last two “Humeaus” is correctly understood to mean “The Elms” of Smithfield, in the jurisdiction of the City of London. [92] Chron. Avesbury, ed. Thompson, p. 285. [93] Loyseau (Charles), “Traité des Seigneuries,” ed. 1601, p. 46; ed. 1704, p. 24. [94] Smith (Thomas), “A Topographical and Historical Account of the Parish of St. Marylebone,” 1833, pp. 38, 39; Loftie (W.J.), “Hist. of London,” ii. 228-9. [95] Matthew Paris, Chron. Majora, ed. Luard, iv. 196; Gregory’s Chron., p. 65. [96] Chron. Murimuth, ed. Thompson, pp. 36, 43. [97] “Mémoires d’un Protestant condamné aux Galères de France,” ed. 1881, p. 432. [98] Maillard (Firmin), “Le Gibet de Montfaucon,” 1863, pp. 16 and 17, and frontispiece. [99] Harleian Misc., iii. 100-8. [100] Martin Marprelate, “Pappe with an Hatchet,” 1589.