se, all those
persons, as well as citizens as others, of whatever sex or condition
they may be, whom, upon diligent examination in this behalf to be
made, within the city and suburbs aforesaid you shall find to be
smitten with the aforesaid blemish of leprosy, you are to cause to be
removed from the communion of sound citizens and persons without
delay, and taken to solitary places in the country, there, as above
stated, to abide. And this, as you shall wish to keep yourself
scatheless, and to avoid our heavy indignation, you are not to delay
doing; and as to that which you shall have done herein, you are
distinctly and openly to certify us in our Chancery under your seals,
within the fifteen days next ensuing herefrom. Witness myself, at
Westminster, the 15th day of March, in the 20th year of our reign in
England, and of our reign in France the 7th."

Proclamation of this writ was made on the Wednesday next after the
Feast of St. Gregory the Pope [12 March], in the 20th year aforesaid.

_The Porters of the City Gates sworn that they will prevent Lepers
from entering the City._

49 Edward III. A.D. 1375. Letter-Book H. fol. xx. (Latin)

WILLIAM DUERHIRST, _barbir_, porter of Algate, and the several porters
of Bisshopesgate, Crepulgate, Aldrichesgate, Neugate, Ludgate, Bridge
Gate, and the [1]Postern,--were sworn before the Mayor and Recorder,
on the Monday next after the Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle [24
August], in the 49th year etc., that they will well and trustily keep
the Gates and Postern aforesaid, each in his own office and bailiwick;
and will not allow lepers to enter the City, or to stay in the same,
or in the suburbs thereof; and if anyone shall bring any leprous
person to any such Gate, or to the Postern aforesaid, or if any lepers
or leper shall come there, and wish to enter, such persons or person
shall be prohibited by the porter from entering; and if, such
prohibition notwithstanding, such persons or person shall attempt to
enter, then they or he shall be distrained by their or his horses or
horse, if they or he shall have any such, and by their outer garment;
the which such persons or person are not to have back, without leave
of the Mayor, for the time being. And if even then such persons or
person shall attempt to enter, they or he shall be attached by their
bodies or body, and in safe custody be kept, until as to such persons
or person it shall by the Mayor, for the time being, have been