they might have a mayor from among
themselves in such form as they were wont to elect him."(275)

(M171)

He further allowed them to choose two sheriffs who should discharge the
duties of sheriff, (_qui tenerent vicecomitatem_) of the City and
Middlesex, as formerly; but instead of the yearly ferm of L300 in pure
silver (_sterlingorum blancorum_), formerly paid for Middlesex, they were
thenceforth to pay an annual rent of L400 in money counted (_sterlingorum
computatorum_.)(276)

(M172)

The citizens lost no time in exercising their recovered rights. Their
choice fell upon John Adrian for the mayoralty, whilst Philip le Taillour
and Walter le Poter were elected sheriffs. After they had been severally
admitted into office--the mayor before the king himself on Wednesday, the
16th July, and the sheriffs at the Exchequer two days later--the king
restored the city's charters, and the citizens acknowledged the royal
favour by a gift of 100 marks to the king, and 500 marks to Prince Edward,
who had proved so good a friend to them, and who was about to set out for
the Holy Land.(277)

(M173)

Adrian was succeeded in the mayoralty by Walter Hervy, who had already
served as sheriff or bailiff on two occasions, once by royal appointment.
He made himself so popular with the "commons" of the city during his year
of office, that when October, 1272, came round and the aldermen and more
"discreet" citizens were in favour of electing Philip le Taillour as his
successor, the commons or "mob of the city"--as the chronicler prefers to
style them--cried out, "Nay, nay, we will have no one for mayor but Walter
Hervi."(278)

(M174)

The aldermen finding themselves in a minority, appealed to the king and
council at Westminster. Hervy did the same, being accompanied to
Westminster by a large number of supporters, who took the opportunity of
the aldermen laying their case before the council to insist loudly, as
they waited in the adjacent hall, upon their own right of election and
their choice of Hervy. It was feared that the noise might disturb the king
who was confined to his bed with what proved to be his last illness. All
parties was therefore dismissed, injunction being laid upon Hervy not to
appear again with such a following, but to come with only ten or a dozen
supporters at the most.

(M175)

Hervy paid no heed to this warning, but continued to present himself at
Westminster every day for a fortnight, accompanied by his su