Proceedings at the King’s Coronation, 23 June 1377 (C 54/217, m. 45)
This legal document provides a description of the coronation ceremony. It demonstrates how influential individuals and power groups wanted to secure their right to be involved in a medieval coronation ceremony.
Transcript
23 June 1377, Westminster
King Edward III dying on 21 June 1377, in the 51st year of his reign, was succeeded by Richard II, being son of Edward prince of Wales his eldest son; and provision being made for the coronation of King Richard on Thursday the morrow of the Translation of St Swithun following, John King of Castile and Leon and duke of Lancaster, appearing before the king and council, as earl of Leicester claimed the office of steward of England, as duke of Lancaster claimed to bear the king’s first sword called ‘Curtana’ on the coronation day, and as earl of Lincoln claimed to cut and carve that day before the king sitting at table. Judgement in his favour, as tenant by courtesy after the death of Blance his wife, to exercise those offices by himself or by deputies, taking the fees due.
He performed the office of steward in person, bore the said sword until high mass after the coronation and then committed the same to Henry earl of Derby his son and heir, and by his appointment Hugh earl of Stafford carved bread and meat before the king at table in the great hall of Westminster.
Memorandum that by order of the king on Thursday before the coronation the said duke as steward of England sat in the White Hall of Westminster palace near the king’s chapel, and made inquisition what offices were to be performed or fees taken by any persons on the coronation day, causing proclamation to be that day made that lords and others claiming offices or fees should bring their bills and petitions before him or his representatives; whereupon the following claims were made by petition or by word of mouth;
Thomas de Woodstock the king’s uncle, having taken to wife one of the daughters and heirs of Humphrey de Bohun earl of Hereford and constable of England. Claim to the office of constable of England as pertaining of right to the said earl and his heirs who were minors in the king’s wardship, showing that the late king committed the office to him during their nonage [the period of a person’s youth]. Claim admitted at the king’s will, and office performed.
Margaret Marshal countess of Norfolk, daughter and heir of Thomas de Brotherton earl of Norfolk. Petition to perform the office of marshal of England by deputy, as did Gilbert Marshall, earl of Strogoile at the coronation of Henry II, to wit appeasing debates in the king’s house on the coronation day, assigning lodgings, guarding the door of the king’s chamber, and taking of every baron and earl that day made a knight one palfrey and saddle. For the king it was said that the said office in fee was in his person. Debate postponed until after the coronation; and Henry de Percy appointed by order of the king, who performed the office.
Robert de Vere earl of Oxford. Two petitions, one to perform the office of chamberlain, the other to serve the king with water before and after meat, taking the basins and towels. Claims admitted by the king’s consent, notwithstanding the earl’s nonage; and offices performed.
John Wiltshire citizen of London, as tenant of certain lands in Heyden comprising the moiety of the manor. Petition for the serjeanty [role to provide personal service to the monarch] of holding a towel when the king shall wash his hands before meat, as did John son of John Picot who held the said moiety by King Edward II. Claim admitted; and service performed by Edmund earl of Cambridge as the said John’s deputy.
Thomas de Beauchamp, earl of Warwick. Petition to bear the third sword, and for the office of paneter, taking for fee the salts, knives and spoons. Claims admitted, the salts and knives set before the king at table being the fee, the spoons to be at the king’s will; on further evidence the king decreed that he should have the spoons also. Services performed, and fees taken.
John de Argenthem, knight, tenant of the manor of Great Wymondley, county Hertford, who at the last coronation was of the age of 8 years and in the king’s wardship. Petition to serve the king with the cup. Claim admitted, and for fee a white cup of silver wherewith he should serve the king. Service performed as the king sat at table, and fee taken.
William Furnivall, tenant of the manor of Farnham with the hamlet of Cere. Petition to find a glove for the king’s right hand, and support the king’s right arm so long as her should hold the rod. Claim admitted, the said William first taking the order of knighthood, which he did at Kennington on Tuesday before the coronation. Service performed.
Anne who was wife of John de Hastings, earl of Pembroke, tenant of the manor of Ashill, county Norfolk, in dower. Petition to perform by deputy the office of naperer, taking the cloths when removed as her fee. Claim admitted; and service performed by Thomas Blount, knight her deputy, taking the said fee.
John, son and heir of John de Hastings, earl of Pembroke. Petition to carry the great gilt spurs before the king, as did William le Marshal his ancestor at the coronation of Edward II. Claim proved, but the claimant being a minor, the service to be at the king’s will. Edmund, earl of March, appointed by the king, carried the spurs in right of the said heir.
The said John, son and heir of John de Hastings, as tenant of the castles and towns of Pembroke, and Tenby, Kingswood Grange, the commote of Croytrath, the manors of Castle Martin and Tregeyr. Petition to bear the second sword.
Richard earl of Arundel and Surrey, in right of the earldom of Surrey. Petition to bear the second sword. The said John, being a minor, showed better evidence for his claim. By order of the king Edmund, earl of March performed the service in the name of the earl of Pembroke.
Richard earl of Arundel and Surrey, in right of the earldom of Arundel. Petition for the office of chief butler, taking the fees for the same.
Edmund, son and heir of Edmunde de Staplegate, as tenant of the manor of Bilsington, county Kent. Petition to perform the office of butler, as appears in the book of the fees of serjeanties in the exchequer, reciting that on his father’s death the late king by reason of such tenure seized the claimant as his ward, taking the profits of the said manor for four year, and then committed to Geoffrey Chaucer the wardship and marriage of the claimant, for which he paid the said Geoffrey £104. Seeing that final debate concerning the business might not be had before the coronation, that after the manor of Bilsington was by them aliened the earl’s ancestors were in possession of the said office, and that it is not found nor alleged that any ancestor of the said Edmund performed the same, the earl was told to perform the office at this coronation and take the fees, saving the said Edmund’s right; and so he did.
The mayor and citizens of London, appearing by the recorder. Claim that the mayor should serve the king with his gold cup as well as dinner in hall as after dinner at the spices in his chamber, having for his fee the said cup and ewer of fold and taking the same with him when he should withdraw from the king’s banquet; and that other citizens chosen by the city of London should serve the lords in the office of butler in aid of the chief butler as well at table at the dinner in hall as after dinner in the chamber. Finding evidence that the chief butler used to do the service and take the fee claimed, the steward referred the matter to the king, who in consideration of the loyalty and aid of the citizens in times past decreed of his complaisance that they should serve in aid of the chief bulter in hall while the king should sit at table, and that after dinner when the king shoulder enter his chamber and call for wine the mayor should serve him with a golden cup, and should have the cup of the king’s gift and the ewer thereto pertaining. Service performed, and cup taken accordingly.
John Dymmok, knight, in right of Margaret his wife for their manor of Scrivelsby. Pettion and bill to have on the eve of the coronation one of the king’s destriers with saddle and harness of iron and full armour such as the king should wear in battle, and being so armed and mounted to ride before the king in the procession, crying to the people there in the hearing of all men that if any man would deny the king’s right he was ready to deraign the same by his body, maintaining that he lies as a false traitor, and if any man should make denial and he should so deraign it the horse and harness should to him as his fee, and if no man should make denial, after the third hour after the procession and after the king should be anointed and crowned he should dismount and be disarmed, and the horse and harness should be at the king’s will.
Baldwin de Freville, knight and counsin and one of the heirs of Philip Marmyon, to wit cousin and heir of his eldest daughter, and tenant of Tamworth Castle, county Warwick. Petition to be at the king’s coronation in armour on one of the king’s destriers, and to defend his coronation if any many will gainsay the same. Inasmuch as the said John produced the better evidence, and upon the testimony of divers princes and lords that the late king and the prince in their life time often declared that he ought to do that service for his said manor, by order of the king it was determined that he should so do this time, provided that the said Baldwin should be heard if within three weeks after St Hiliary next he should show more evidence, otherwise he should be forever barred.
William de Latimer, and John, son and heir of John Mowbray of Axholme, tenants of the lands of William Beauchamp of Bedford. Petition to perform the office of almoner, and to take the silver alms dish with a cask of wine, citing the Red Book of the Exchequer. Claim admitted; the said William to do the service for himself and the said John, a minor in the king’s wardship, and to take the alms dish, the cask of wine being reserved. Service performed and dish taken accordingly.
William de Bardolf tenant of certain lands in Adynton. Petition to find a man in the king’s kitchen to make a mess called ‘dilgirunt’, and if lard be added it is called ‘malpigeryuin’. Claim admitted, and service performed.
Richard Lyons tenant of the manor of Liston. Petition to make wafers to serve the king withal, as did John de Lyston and his ancestors time out of mind. Claim admitted and service performed.
The barons of the Cinque Ports. Petition to carry a cloth of gold or silk at his will over the king’s head upon four lances covered with silver, and at the four corners thereof four bells of silver gilt, all at the king’s cost, and to have these things for their fee; also to sit at meat at the chief table in the hall on the king’s right hand. Claim to service and fee admitted, and that they should this time sit as aforesaid; and so it was done.
John fitz Johan tenant of this manor of Seulton, county Norfolk. Petition in right of his wife for the office of chief lardener, as performed by Sir Geoffrey Burdeleys at the coronation of Edward III, citing an inquisition taken 21 Edward III before William de Middleton, escheator. Claim admitted, and office performed.
Nicholas Hering, tenant of the manor of Cattishall, county Surrey. Petition in right of Agnes his wife to be usher of the king’s chamber. Determined that this claim does not affect the coronation.
Simplified transcript
23 June 1377, Westminster
King Edward III died on 21 June 1377, in the 51st year of his reign, and was succeeded by Richard II. Provision was made for the coronation of King Richard on Thursday 16 July 1377.
John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, appeared before the king and council and claimed the office of steward of England, and claimed the right to bear the king’s sword called ‘Curtana’ on the coronation day. He also claimed the right to cut and carve (bread and meat) at the king’s table on the coronation day. Judgement for these claims was made in his favour.
He performed these duties, and appointed Hugh, earl of Stafford to carve bread and meat before the king at table in the great hall of Westminster.
Memorandum that by order of the king, on Thursday before the coronation, the duke of Lancaster sat in the White Hall of Westminster palace as steward of England, and investigated what offices (duties) were to be performed by any persons on the coronation day. Proclamation was made that lords and others claiming offices should bring their bills and petitions before him or his representatives. The following claims were made:
[1. Office of Constable of England] Thomas de Woodstock, the king’s uncle, claim to the office of constable of England. Claim admitted, and office performed.
[2. Office of Marshall of England] Margaret Marshal, countess of Norfolk, petitions to perform the office of marshal of England by deputy, appeasing debates in the king’s house on the coronation day, assigning lodgings, guarding the door of the king’s chamber, and taking of every baron and earl that day made a knight one palfrey (horse) and saddle. Debate postponed until after coronation. Henry de Percy was appointed by order of the king, who performed the office.
[3. Office of Chamberlain] Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, petitions to perform the office of chamberlain and to serve the king with water before and after meat, taking the basins and towels. The claims admitted by the king’s consent, despite the earl’s nonage (youth) and offices performed.
[4. Serjeantry of holding a towel] John Wiltshire, citizen of London, petitions for the serjeantry of holding a towel when the king shall wash his hands before meat. Claim admitted, and service performed by Edmund, earl of Cambridge, as John’s deputy (nominee).
[5. Bearing of the third sword] Thomas de Beauchamp, earl of Warwick, petitions to bear the third sword and the office of paneter (in charge of food), taking as his fee the salts, knives and spoons set before the king at table. Services performed and fees taken.
[6. Serving the king with a cup] John de Argenthem, knight, petition to serve the king with a cup. Claim admitted. Service performed as the king sat at table.
[7. A glove for the king’s right hand] William Furnivall, tenant of the manor of Farnham, petitions to find a glove for the king’s right hand, and support the king’s right arm so long as he should hold the rod. Claim admitted. William first took the order of knighthood. Service performed.
[8. Office of Naperer] Anne who was wife of John de Hastings, earl of Pembroke, petitions to perform the office of naperer (responsible for tablecloths). Claim admitted, and service performed by her deputy, Thomas Blount, knight.
[9. Carrying gilt spurs before the king] John, son and heir of John de Hastings, earl of Pembroke, petitions to carry the great gilt spurs before the king. Claim proved, but because the claimant is a minor, the decision is with the king. Edmund, earl of March, appointed by the king, and carried the spurs instead of John.
[10. Carrying the second sword] The said John, petitions to bear the second sword.
Richard, earl of Arundel and Surrey, petitions to bear the second sword.
The said John, showed better evidence for his claim. By order of the king, Edmund, earl of March, performed the service in the name of John, earl of Pembroke.
[11. Office of Chief Butler] Richard, earl of Arundel and Surrey, petitions for the office of chief butler.
Edmund, tenant of the manor of Bilsington, county Kent, petitions to before the office of butler.
Seeing that debate concerning this business might not be resolved before the coronation, the earl of Arundel and Surrey was told to perform the office and so he did.
[12. Serving the king with his gold cup] The mayor and citizens of London claim that the mayor should serve the king with his gold cup, as well as dinner in hall, and after dinner at the spices in his chamber.
Other citizens chosen by the city of London should serve the lords in the office of butler in aid of the chief butler as well at table at the dinner in hall as after dinner in the chamber.
The steward referred the matter to the king, who in consideration of the loyalty and aid of the citizens in times past assented. Service performed.
[13. Riding before the king on the eve of his coronation in full armour] John Dymmok, knight, petition to ride before the king in procession on the eve of the coronation, with saddle and harness of iron and full armour such as the king should wear in battle, crying to the people that if any man would deny the king’s right he would ‘deraign the same by his body’ (mortally wound him). If no man should make denial, after the third hour after the procession and after the king is anointed and crowned, John should dismount and be disarmed.
Baldwin de Freville, knight, petition for the same.
John produced better evidence. Provided that Baldwin should be heard if he is able to show more evidence, otherwise he should be forever barred from the office.
[14. Office of Almoner] William de Latimer, and John, son and heir of John Mowbray of Axholme, petition to perform the office almoner (distribute alms). Claims admitted. Service performed.
[15. Make a mess called ‘dilgirunt’] William de Bardolf, tenant of certain lands in Adynton, petitions to find a man in the king’s kitchen to make a mess (food) called ‘dilgirunt’, and if lard be added it is called ‘malpigeryuin’. Claim admitted, and service performed.
[16. Making of wafers] Richard Lyons, tenant of the manor of Liston, petitions to make wafers to serve the king. Claim admitted and service performed.
[17. Carrying a cloth of gold or silk over the king’s head] The barons of the Cinque Ports petition to carry a cloth of gold or silk at his will over the king’s head upon four lances covered with silver, and at the four corners thereof four bells of silver gilt.
They also petitions to at the chief table in the hall on the king’s right hand. Claim to service admitted, and that they should this time sit as aforesaid; and so it was done.
[18. Office of Lardener] John fitz Johan, tenant of this manor of Seulton, county Norfolk, petitions for the office of chief lardener. Claim admitted, and office performed.
[19. Usher of the king’s chamber] Nicholas Hering, tenant of the manor of Cattishall, county Surrey, petitions to be usher of the king’s chamber. Determined that this claim does not affect the coronation.