JOHN

Summary

1199.

Immediately on the accession of John, the burgesses of Cambridge paid to the King the sum of 250 marks (or rather, as it seems, acknowledged themselves indebted to him in that sum), in order that they might have the town at farm, and might enjoy such liberties as the King's free and demesne boroughs which had liberties.

A hospital for lepers was established at Sturbridge, in the suburbs of Cambridge, before this period; for in Michaelmas term, 1 John, the lepers recovered, in the King's Court, a free tenement in Comberton, of which Alan de Berton had diseised them.

1200.

1200–1

The King, by a charter dated at Geddington, the 8th of January, in the 2nd year of his reign, and tested by Roger bishop of St. Andrew's, Geoffery Fitzpeter earl of Essex, Robert earl of Leicester, William earl of Sarum, and others, granted to the burgesses of Cambridge the following privileges:–

1. I. That they should have a gild of merchants.

2. II. That no burgess should plead without the walls of the borough of any plea, save pleas of exterior tenure (except the King's moneyers and servants).

3. III. That no burgess should make duel; and that with regard to please of the Crown, the burgesses might defend themselves according to the ancient custom of the borough.