ee. Plese it mi Lord Mair, Aldirmen, and Comen Coucell,
to ordeigne that the sayd kenell be amoued and sett in so other
couenient place where as best shall seme them. And also that the
said diches mai be clensed from yere to yere, and so kepte yt
thereof folowe non annoyaunce."--p. 87.

Of course "Houndsditch" is here meant; but for what purpose were the
hounds kept? And, indeed, what kind of hounds were they, that thus
formed a part of the City establishment? Were they bloodhounds for
tracking criminals, or hounds kept for the special behoof and pleasure
of the "Lord Mair, Aldermen, and Comen Cousel?" The Houndsditch of that
time bore a strong resemblance to the Fleet ditch of times scarcely
exceeding the memory of many living men.

I come now to the passages relating to the clergy.

"Also, where as the curatis of the cyte have used often tyme
herebefore to selle their offring (at mariag), whereby the
pisshes where such sales be made comenly be lettid fro messe or
matyns, and otherwhiles from both, by so moch as the frendis of
the pties maryed vsen to goo abowte vij. or viij. dayes before,
and desiryg men to offryg at such tymes as more conuenyent it
were to be at diunyne seruice. Plese it my Lord Mair, Aldirme,
and Come Couseile, to puide remedy, so that the sayd custume be
fordone and leid aparte."--p. 86.

"Also, to thentent that the ordre of priesthood be had in dew
reuerence according to the dignite therof, and that none
occasions of incontinence growe bee the famylyarite of seculer
people. Plese it my Lord Mayre, Aldirmen, and Comon Counsyll, to
enacte that no maner persone beyng free of this citee take,
receyue, and kepe from hensforth ony priest in comons, or to
borde by the weke, moneth, or yere, or ony other terme more or
lesse, vpon peine thervpon to be lymytyd, prouided that this
acte extede not to ony prieste retayned wyth a citezen in
famyliar housolde."--p. 89.

"Also, plese it my Lord Mayre, Aldyrmen, and Comon Counseylle,
that a communication may be had wyth the curatis of this citee
for oblacions whiche they clayme to haue of citezens agaynst the
tenour of the bulle purchased att their owne instance, and that
it may be determined and an ende taken, whervpon the citezens
shall rest."--p. 89.

"Also, yf ther be ony priest in seruice within the warde, which
afore tyme hath b