Description: The document from which the excerpt below is taken contains a list of individuals who were members of various professional guilds that were required to take an oath to adhere to requirements specified by the City of London on August 9, 1376. A crossed-out entry with the names of two "Fremasons" [Freemasons] and a later entry with the names of four "Masons" is contained in the transcription/translation of Folio xlvii (image 86) below. This is one of the first known historical references to the term "Freemason."

[Folio xlvi b (image 85)]

Names of the misteries summoned and present at this time, viz. :—.

Grossers, Mercers, Pessonners, Drapiers, Vynters, Orfeyvrers, Taillours, Pelters, Sellers, Cordewaners, Seynturers, Ismongeres, Armurers, Broydurers, Tapicers, Tysters, Teynturers, Fullers, Joygnours, Peautrers, Wexchandelers, Talghchandelers, Salteres, Sporiers, Bowyers, Horneres, Curreours, Haberdassheres, Cotillers, Foundours, Bochers, Letherselleres, Brasyers, Plomers, Feveres, Hurers, Peyntours, Lorymers, Toundours, Wodemongeres, Tanneres.

Names of Aldermen and Commoners elected by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty to survey and examine the ordinances in the Guildhall, and to present to the Commonalty those that are of benefit to the City and those that are not, viz.:—.

Robert Hatfeld and John Norhamptone, Aldermen; William Essex, Richard Northbury, William Kelshulle, Geoffrey Cremelford, William Tonge, and Robert Fraunceys, Commoners.

Be it remembered that on the 9th Aug., 50 Edward III. [AD 1376], there came an immense Commonalty from the underwritten misteries to the Guildhall, before John Warde, Mayor, William Haldene, Recorder, John Chichestre, Adam Stable, Robert Hatfeld, John Aubrey, Bartholomew Frestlynge, Nicholas Twyford, John Maryns, John Haddele, Hervey Begge, Adam de St. Ive, Aldermen, and presented the names of the underwritten persons, elected by each mistery and deputed to serve as a Council for the City until the charge (oneratio) of a new Mayor, and they were called separately for each mistery and charged by their oath as follows :—

You swear that you will readily come when summoned for a Common Council of the City unless you have lawful and reason able excuse, and good and lawful counsel shall you give according to your understanding and knowledge, and for no favour shall you maintain an individual benefit against the common weal of the City, preserving for each mistery its reasonable customs. And when you shall so come, you shall not depart without reasonable cause or leave of the Mayor, or before the Mayor and his fellows have departed.

Names of persons of divers misteries so elected, viz. :—

Grossers: Richard Odyham, Geoffrey Cremelford, William Culham, John Hothom, Adam Lovekyn, William Wadesworthe.

Mercers: John Heylesdone, John Eystone, John Boseham, Richard Northbury, Simon de Ayllesham, John More.

Drapers: John Bures, John Benyngtone, John Vyne, John Prentyz, John Walstede, William Essex.

Pessoners: John Bryan, Thomas Welford, John Kirketone, Walter Sibyle, Andrew Pykeman, John Horn.

Orfeveres: Robert Launde, William Fraunceys, John Bodesham, John Fraunceys, Robert Fraunceys, John Carbonell.

Vynters: Walter Doget, Henry Vannere, William Tonge, John Clyvele, William More, Richard Blake.

Taillours: John Tilneye, Robert Hundene, Robert Lyndesey, William Sudbury, Richard Burtone, William Spaldynge.

Saddlers: William Baldewyn, John Pountfreyt, William Lyncoln, Roger Excestre.

Webbes: (fn. 31) John de Baathe, John Gyle, William Goryng, William Godhewe.

Tapicers: Giles de Kelseye, Richard Dicoun, Thomas Bonanture, John atte Dyke.

Lether sellers: John Swantone, William Belhomme.

Foundours: William Godriche, William Wolleriche.

Joignours: Robert de Louthe, Nicholas Pays.

Chandelers de Su: (fn. 32) Richard Willesdone, John Goldryng, Richard Manhale.

Fullers: William Doder, Geoffrey Suttone, John Mordone, Walter Astele.

Curreours: Richard Serne, Thomas Wyllyngham.

Fremasons: Thomas Wrek, John Lesne

Brewers: Thomas Potesgrave, John Cook, John Chipstede, William Strode.

Flecchers: (fn. 33) John Bonet, Thomas Prentys.

Bakers: Thomas Honylee, Simon Frensshe.

Pelters: John Sely, Elias de Thorpe, William Olyver, Walter Pykenham, John Rote, Thomas Roolf.

Girdlers: Richard Russelle, John Abraham, Stephen Kynge, Richard atte Boure.

Dyers: John Claveringe, Henry Grenecob, Nicholas Maynard, Richard Godard.

Brouderers: Nicholas Halley, Robert Ascombe.

Haberdasschers: Robert de Lynne, Thomas Botstone.

Brasiers: Robert Rydere, Robert Rous.

Salters: Robert Ivyngho, William Stapelte, John Reyner.

Cappers: John Hydyngham, Richard Lyncoln.

Peutrers: John Kentoys, Walter Hervyle (?).

Bowiers: Robert Pipot, John Dorneford.

Hurrers: John Camerwelle, John Broke.

Smiths: ("Fabri") John Dancastre and Thomas Tilbery, lorimers, John Neuby, "marchal" (farrier); Robert Roderam, "bladsmythe"; Reginald Dawe, "blaksmythe"; Robert Sendale, "heumer."

Horners: Walter Gerard, William Milward.

Masons: Thomas Wrek, John Lesnes, John Artelburgh, Robert Henwyk (Heuwyk ?).

Ismongers: William Dykeman, Gilbert Maunfeld, Reginald Coleman, Roger Streyte.

Cordwainers: Nicholas Snypstone, John Longe, Benedict Walkelyn, John Capel.

Armurers: Simon Wynchecoumbe, John Walsyngham.

Bochers: Richard Stonham, Henry Asshelyn, John Tikhulle.

Cutlers: Simon atte Nax, Richard Godchild.

Sporiers: Roger Payn, John Dene.

Plomers: Richard atte Diche, Robert Hubert.

Wexchandelers: Roger Elys, William Hatfeld.

Shearmen: John Ternaunt, Thomas Pope.

Peyntours: Gilbert Prynce, William Larke.

Tanners: William Thomer, William atte Feld.

Pouchemakers: John Wendelyngburgh, William Manby.

Wodmongers: John Asshurst, William Schrympelmersche.

Pynneres: William Coventre, John Goman.

And be it remembered that the same day it was agreed and ordained that none of those sworn above shall be put on any inquests or juries, nor be collector or assessor of tallage during the time that he be in the aforesaid office.