History of corn milling .. - Centrostudirpinia.it

SOME FEUDAL MILLS. 69
were so impoverished by a recent great murrain and
a raid committed in the parts round about them
that they '* could not serve God or honestly live
v^ithout aid."
6. Another new lessee is here to be added to the
lists ; one, John Walsh, either a most iniquitous or a
much-maligned specimen of the millers of the Dee.
In 1397 the corporation petitioned the king for a lease
of the mills, declaring that a certain " John Walssh,
also seeking the lease, purposes to use it in order that
he might express his ill-will to this corporation by
levying excessive tolls and extortion." Their petition
was refused ;
and Walsh, who may have made a higher
bid (as, in view of his alleged contemplated extortion,
he might be able to do), duly secured the mills. The
III.
DEE MILLS.
CHESTER.
6. Alleged
Malpractices,
1397-
allegation of the corporation appears to have proved
correct; and in the same year (1397) Richard IL
was in receipt of the following humble petition from
the city for redress :—
To th exellent and o'" most redowbted sovereyne lord the Kyng. Harl. MSB.,
Youre pore leges and supplycants the meyre and comltie of yo"* 2003. 857^
-citie of Chester showe that the mylners of yo^ milnes of dee do take
from day to day divers owtragiouse partes over the right toll used
throghe all yo'" realme of ther corne and malt over the xvj greyne after
that it is grounde to the great ympoverishment and damage of yo*" said
pore supplicants.
That it mey please yo'^ most highest maiestie and of yo"" especiall
grace to graunt unto theym to have ther corne and malt grounde at
y'" milnes for the xvj greyne without any other tole parte or any thyng
over. For God sake and in love of the citie.
King Richard, Prince of Chester, lost no time in ibid., 2003. 859.
coming to the relief of the ''pore leges" ; ordering on
February 23, 1398, that no more than the accustomed
sixteenth rate of toll be taken for a period of four years;
this term probably completing the duration of Walsh's
lease. But before the termination of the period Walsh
had vacated the place, for in 1400 other keepers are
found in possession. Further, he did not settle his
accounts when leaving, possibly owing to his having