1388-10-11, Cambridge

To the mayor, sheriffs, aldermen, good men and all the commonalty of the city of London. Order upon their allegiance and under pain of forfeiting life and limb etc. peaceably without disturbance to assemble as the manner is for election of a mayor in the accustomed place in moderate numbers, joining with them no strangers nor servants not free of the city, treating and taking counsel together, and without favour, corruption or affection, without unlawful assemblies or confederacies in the city, electing and appointing a sufficient and indifferent person of whatsoever estate or condition who shall be faithful to the king and useful to the city, according to the liberty and free custom thereof, and when elected and sworn obeying him, as they will avoid the king's wrath ; and order to the sheriffs on sight etc. to cause proclamation to be made forbidding any man under the pain aforesaid to sow discord, make unlawful assemblies, or do or attempt aught else which may tend to disturbance of the peace or rioting of the people of the city, knowing of a surety that if by their default and unwise election harm or peril shall happen to the city the king will impute it to their negligence, and is purposed so grievously to punish them that it shall be a terror to such as resist his commands ; as by report which has come to his ears the king is informed that now by colour of the election there is growing discord and strife by some of the city, who fear not to break the peace thereof, being confederate together and purposing to make unlawful assemblies furnished with arms, and that greater discord is like to ensue if the king lend not a helping hand, whereby not only is the peace of the people there dwelling disturbed but there is danger of their sudden destruction if not speedily restrained by the king's power; and by advice of the prelates, great men and lords of the realm in this parliament, being aware that such assemblies and excesses may tend to his discredit and contempt and to the ruin of the city, the king's will is to resist with his might the malice and covin of such confederates and their adherents, as to his dignity belongs. Et erat patens.