1326-01-20, Norwich

To Robert Baynard and Simon de Hedersete, appointed to survey and examine measures in co. Norfolk, and to execute certain other things contained in the king's letters. Whereas amongst the other liberties granted to the citizens of Norwich by the late king's charter, which the king has confirmed, it is granted that summonses, distraints, attachments, and other royal offices that shall arise within the city and its suburbs shall be executed by the bailiffs of the city, so that no foreign sheriff, coroner, or other bailiff or minister of the king shall exercise or execute any royal office in the city, to wit within the ditches of the city and the river Weysum, or in the suburbs aforesaid, except in default of the bailiff of the city, as contained in the said charter; and the king now learns from the complaint of the citizens that, although they have had measures agreeing with the standard of London from the time of the king's proclamation that there should be one measure of wine, one measure of ule, and one measure of corn, to wit the quarter of London, throughout the whole realm, and although those who have used false measures have been punished by the bailiffs of the city, the said Robert and Simon intend entering the liberty of the city to examine the measures of the men of the city, and to enquire the names of those who used false measures, and to punish them, by pretext of the king's commission, 10 the prejudice of the citizens and contrary to the said charters, wherefore the citizens have besought the king to provide a remedy: as it is not the king's intention that the citizens should be prejudiced concerning the liberties aforesaid, but that what has been . 533 concerning such measures shall be observed, he orders Robert and to go to the city in person, and to see and examine the standards of city, and if they find that the standards agree with those lately delivered them by the king, and if it appear by inquisition that the men of the and suburbs have used the measures approved by the said standards the proclamation aforesaid, and that the excesses of those who have false measures have been duly punished by the bailiffs of the city, they then not to intermeddle further with the measures, and not to molest or the said men unduly contrary to the tenor of the said charter ; and they find by the inquisition that the said men have used false measures agreeing with the aforesaid standards after the aforesaid proclamation, that the bailiffs have been negligent in punishing the said excesses, are then to certify the king of what they shall find, so that he may to be done herein what he shall see to be just and reasonable.