CHAPTER XI
OF THE CITY IN KING JOHN'S TIME.
John, after the death of his brother Richard, was proclaimed King of England, in April 1199, and was crowned in May following; and upon the French King's invading Normandy, he soon after went thither; but though he was out of the realm, the citizens found means to apply to him, by the interest of John de Grey, a Norfolk man born, who the year following was made Bishop of Norwich, who promising the King 300 marks to be paid by the citizens, which was accordingly performed the next year, obtained a confirmation of all their liberties, which charter is still extant in the gild-hall at Norwich, with his broad seal of green wax still appendant thereto; it bears date at Caen in Normandy, September 28, A Domini 1199, and was passed or sealed by the hands of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, the King's Chancellor, Henry Bishop of Salisbury, Simon Archdeacon of Welles, John de Grey aforesaid, John de Brauncester, Ralph Earl of Chester, William Earl of Arundel, Robert Earl of Leicester, Philip Fitz-Robert, and Will. de Huntingfeld, being witnesses. It is word for word the same as the charter of Richard I. only in the style, the King hath the additional title of "Lord of Irland," and in the direction, these words, "to all Provosts and Bailiffs," are added; and in the reservation of the fee-farm, instead of the words "esterlings by tale" it is, "sterling blanch," that is, white or silver money.
In 1202, the ordinance for the assize of bread was proclaimed throughout the whole realm, as most necessary and profitable for the commonwealth, which assize was approved and assessed by the baker of Jeffry Fitz-Peter, Lord Chief Justice of England. And all were to obey it, under penalty of the pillory.
In 1203, the citizens tried, convicted, and hung, several assayers or triers of money, that were arrested in this city, under pretence of their charter; but it appearing, that all persons belonging to the mint, were excepted out of their jurisdiction by the very words of their charter, in 1205, the King seized all their liberties for this offence, by the hand of the sheriff of Norfolk.
In 1210, the Jews all over England were grievously taxed, and many, for want of payment thereof, vexed and imprisoned, but most of those of this city met with but little difficulty, they paying without any trouble.
In 1213, Alfrid of Norwich, clerk, one of a noble or good family, who pleaded and produced the Pope's bull in a certain cause in the Exchequer, was called to an account for that presumptuous action by the King, he having commanded the contrary, and was imprisoned for it at Notingham, and so loaded with fetters that he died.