Trades and Crafts in Fourteenth-Century
Lancashire
From the file of indictments and presentments of the Lancashire Assizes, 12th November 1350
(TNA KB 9/54A)
Transcribed, translated and edited by Claire Moorehead, Astrid Andersen-Bjune and other members of the Ranulf Higden Society
N.B. ‘TNA’ stands for ‘The National Archives’, the current name of the Public Record Office.
© Ranulf Higden Society members
EXTRACTS
1. Lancaster borough
An unwilling servant breaks her contract
It is presented by the inquiry of the town of Lancaster that William son of John of Chorlegh hired Alice, daughter of John Robynsone of Chorlegh, to be in his service from the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Mary the virgin in the 24th year of the reign of King Edward III after the conquest (2nd February, 1350) until Whitsun next following (16th May, 1350), and the said Alice quit his service on Thursday after Easter (22nd April, 1350), and that the aforesaid William was served unwillingly and she withdrew her services against the terms of the statute.
Overpaid threshers
Item William Drury corn thresher was accustomed to take 1d. and breakfast as a rule, and now takes 2d. plus food for the day against the statute.
Item Roger Scharpe thresher works in the same way against the Statute.