1381-01-24, Westminster

Commission to Henry de Percy, earl of Northumberland, John Marmyon, Ralph de Hastynges, sheriff of York, James de Pikeryng, John Bygot, Thomas Nessefeld and John de Lokton to enquire touching a petition by the commonalty in the present parliament at Northampton as to the following circumstances : By royal charters the citizens of York yearly elected a mayor on the morrow of the Purification, and on the last occasion duly elected John de Gysbourn, who for some time executed the office, yet certain evildoers congregated together and chased him from the city, broke into and entered the Gildehall, chose one Simon de Quyxley, for the office, compelled many good men of the city by threats to recognise him, and made certain ordinances, to the subversion of good government, providing that at the hour when the bells on the bridge of York should ring backward (aukeward), whether by day or night, all should rise and assemble together for the purpose of supporting these ordinances. [See Holls of Parliament : vol. iii., p. 96. 6.