CHRONICLES OF LONDON.
Chronicles of London. Edited, with Introduction and Notes, by C. L. Kingsford, M.A. (The Clarendon Press. 10s. 6d. net.) Mr. Kingsford discusses the date, authorship, and relationship of the chronicles which he here prints as Chronicles of London, arranged in three divisions distinguished by the names which they bear in the Cotton MSS. It would be useless to attempt any epitome of his conclusions. These seem to be formed on a very painstaking examination of handwriting, &c., and contents. These contents are, of course, of varying interest and importance. Among the most curious is the text of a Bill which was brought into the House of Commons in 1407, or, as the editor thinks, in 1410. It is given by Fabyan, but not exactly. It was a very sweeping measure of Disendowment—is., of Bishops and religious houses. The revenue that would be thus made available is estimated at £320,000 yearly, a huge sum when put into modern value. It was to be expended largely in maintaining a military force ; 16 Earls were to have £2,000 each, 1,500 knights £66, 12,400 squires £10. Then 19,000 priests have .22. There were to be 100 almshouses each with the income of a knight, and 15 Universities with £660 each. Finally, the King was to have £20,000. The scheme of distribution is curious, but the most interesting thing is the estimate, not without support from other sources, of ecclesiastical wealth. It must be remembered that the sums allotted to the priests would be additional to their benefices. A notable item occurs shortly before the mention of this Bill, that "all the weirs between London and the Medway and London and Kingston were destroyed as injurious to the commonalty of the city."
Previous page
