Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/450

 Readings in European History 168. Agree- ment between the mayor and citizens of London and the merchants of the Hans a towns (1282; some- what con- densed). The following illustrates the way in which the Hansa towns negotiated with the city of London. In the tenth year of the reign of King Edward, son of Henry, Henry de Maleys being mayor of London, a conten- tion arose between the mayor and citizens of London and the merchants of the German Hansa, concerning the gate called Bishopsgate, which was falling into ruin. For the mayor and citizens of London claimed that the merchants of the German Hansa were bound to repair this gate in return for the liberties granted to them ; but the merchants said that they were not so bound. Then the lord king of England, at the suggestion of the aforesaid mayor and citizens, wrote to his treasurer and the barons of the treasury, and commanded them to call together the contending parties and inquire into the facts of the matter; and if they should find that the said merchants were bound to keep this gate in repair, they should compel the Germans to rebuild it. When the two parties came before the treasurer and barons, the merchants could show no cause wherefore they should not make the repairs in question, especially since it is clearly prescribed in the liberty which they have from the aforesaid city that they should make them. Therefore the treasurer and barons did enjoin the mayor and council afore- said that they compel the merchants to repair the gate in question. The merchants, Gerard Merbade, alderman of the Hansa, Ludolph of Cusfeld, burgher of Cologne, Bertram, burgher of Hamburg, John of Erest, burgher of Tremoine, John of Dalen, burgher of Miinster, did, for themselves and all their associates of the Hansa then dwelling in the city, promise to pay to the mayor and citizens of London for the present repairs of the gate 240 marks sterling. Further they agreed that they and their successors, merchants of the Hansa, wouid at all times repair the aforesaid gate whenever it should be necessary ; and that when need should arise to defend the gate, they would furnish a third part of the guard, to