6, but also a charter confirming
and enlarging their ancient liberties.(424)

This latter charter, which has been held to be of the force of an Act of
Parliament,(425) established (among other things) the ferm of the
Sheriffwick of London and Middlesex at the original sum of L300 per annum,
instead of the increased rental of L400 which had been paid since
1270;(426) it appointed the mayor one of the justices at the gaol delivery
of Newgate, as well as the king's escheator of felon's goods within the
city; it gave the citizens the right of devising real estate within the
city; it restored to them all the privileges they had enjoyed before the
memorable Iter of the last reign; and granted to them a monopoly of
markets within a circuit of seven miles of the city.(427) These two
charters--the charter of pardon and the charter of liberties--together with
another charter(428) releasing the citizens from all debts due to the late
king, were publicly read and explained in English to the citizens
assembled at the Guildhall by Andrew Horn, the Chamberlain, on the 9th
March.(429)

(M259)

Scarcely was he knighted and crowned king before necessity compelled him
to take the field against the Scots. The Londoners were, as usual, called
upon to supply a contingent towards the forces which had been ordered to
assemble at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.(430) They responded to the king's appeal
by sending 100 horsemen fully equipped, each one supplied with the sum of
100 shillings at least for expenses, and a further contingent of 100
foot-men. They made their rendezvous at West Smithfield, whence they
proceeded to "la Barnette."(431)

(M260)

Whilst furnishing this aid to the king the citizens were anxious that
their liberality should not be misconstrued, or tend to establish a
precedent in derogation of their chartered privileges. Their fears on this
score were set at rest by the receipt of letters patent from the king
declaring that their proceedings on this occasion should not be to their
prejudice.(432)

(M261)

A parliament held in September, at Lincoln, in which the citizens were
represented by Benedict de Fulsham and Robert de Kelseye,(433) granted the
king an aid of a twentieth to defray expenses; and Hamo de Chigwell, among
others, was appointed by the king to collect the tax from the
citizens.(434)

(M262)

The City's representatives were accompanied to Lincoln by the mayor,
Richard de Betoyne, who was the bearer of letters