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Drogheda was given a grant of murage dated 20/6/1380.

This was in the form of:-

Wording
De muragio et pavagio villae de Drogheda, ex utraque parte aquae.
Ric'us dei gracis Rex Angl' & Franc' & Dominus Hibern Omnibus ad quos presentes litere pervenerint Salutem Inspeximus quasdam literas patentes magno sigillo quo Dominus E' nuper Rex Angl' avus noster utebatur in Hibern consignat' in hec verba-Edwardus dei graicia Rex Angl' & Franc' & Dominus Hibern Omnibus ad quos presentes litere prevenerint salutem inspeximus quasdam literas nostras patentes quas nuper quas nuper fieri fecimus in hec verba-Edwardus dei gracia Rex Angl' & Franc' & Dominus Hibern & Aquit' dilectis sibi majori & Ballivis ac probis hominibus ville de Drogheda ex parte Uriel salutem cum septimo die Januar' anno r' n' Angl' vicesimo nono concesserimus tam vobus quam Senescallo & Ballivis ac probis hominibus dicte ville ex parte mid' in subsidium ville vestre praedicte que per pestilenciam nuper in eadem villa tam grandem and horribilem & deperdita mercimoniorum Burgencium ejusdem ville casualiter in mari habita minus depauperata existit paviend' & muro lapideo claudend ac eciam in subsidium reparacionis turrium Kayarum & pontis praedicte ville quad a vicesimo die Junii tunc proximo futur usque ad fine sex annorum proximo sequen' plenar' complendorum capere possetis per manus illorum quos ad hoc deputar' & pro quibus respondere volueritis de rebus venalibus ad eandem villam tam per terram quam p aquam venientibus consuetudines subscriptas videlicet
de qualibet libra singlis venal' unum obolum
de qualibet libra croci unum denar'
de qualibet libra piperis ven' unum quadrantem
de qualibet libra de Galyngale ven' unum obulum
de qualibet libra de Clowys ven' unum denar'
de qualibet libra de maces ginbibes & Gremdeparys unum obulum
de omnibus allis generibus specierum ven' valorem duodecem { } unum quadrantem
de Centum libris cere ven' quatuor' den'
D' centum libris amigdalorum & Ryses ven' duos den'
D' quolibet frayello de fygys & reysines ven' unum obulum
de Centum libris de Alyme ven' duos denar'
de centum libris seminis porri ven duos den'
de duodecim libris seminis separum ven' unum denar'
D' qualibet libra cerici ven' duos den'
de quolibet capite sindonis unum denar'
D' centum ulnis de can{v}as ven' duos den'
de quolibet Bolt de Eylesham ven' unum obulum
D' qualibet pecia de card' ven' unum den'
D' quolibet gallon' vel alio coopertorio lecti ven' unum obulum
D' duodecim capell' de feltro ven' unum obolum
D' qualibet pecia de leges ven' unum den'
D' qualibet pecia panni Anglici integri ven' quatuor denar'
D' duodecim uln' panni Angl' ven' duos denar'
D' qualibet pecia panni Hibern ven' continent' duodecim virg' unum denar'
D' qualibet pecia panni linei Hibernici continent' xii uln' ven' unum obolum
de qualibet centena peciarum ferri ven' duos den'
de qualibet benda peciarum ferri ven' unum den'
de qualibet seme de slabbes ven' unum den'
de cent' petris fer' Hispanie ven' quatuor den'
de qualibet lincia stangni ven' unum den'
de quolibet fotmell' plumbi unum obulum
de cent' libr' de scrof' ven' unum den'
de omnibus generibus de averdepeys valoris duocedim den' ven' unum quadr'
de mille clavorum & Speykynges ven' unum den'
de duodecim scharrys ven' unum den'
de quolibet fraiello de Bacry ven' iiii den'
de quolibet grosso cacabo ven' unum den'
de qualibet cella praecii v s' ven' unum ob'
de quolibet dolio vini ven' iiii den'
de qualibet pipa vini ven' ii den'
de quolibet crannoco Bracey cursal & capit' ven' unum den'
de quolibet crannoco frument' ven' unum den'
de quolibet summagio bladi ven' unum ob'
de quolibet doleo buturi ven' quatuor den'
de quolibet summagio buturi ven' den'
de quolibet lestro buturi ven' unum denar'
de qualibet petra cepi ven' unum ob'
de quolibet crannoco Sal' ven' unum den'
de quolibet crannoco orbei fabarum pisarum ven unum den'
de quolibet crannoco farine aven' et aliorum bladorum ven' unum den'
de casio & Butiro valoris duodecim den' ven' unum quadr'
de quolibet sacco lani ven' quatuor den'
de qualibet petra lane ven' unum den'
de quolibet corio tannato frisco aut salito ven' unum ob'
de quibusdam coriis valoris duodecim den' ven' unum quadr'
de centenis pellibus de Schorlyng' ven' unum ob'
de quolibet centenis pellibus lanutis ven' unum ob'
de centenis pellibus de Walsell ven' duos den'
de quolibet centen' pellibus agnorum ven' unum den'
de centum pellibus cuniculorum ven' unum den'
Et D' valore duodecim den' aliarum pellium ven' unum qa
de quolibet equo valoris quadragint' solidorum & ultra ven' duos denar'
de quolibet affro equo tauro bove vel vacca ven' unum den'
de quolibet vitulo venal' unum qa
de quolibet porco ove & capra ven' unum qa
de quolibet summagio piscium ven' unum ob'
de cent' piscibus siccis ven' unum denar'
de quolibet Salmone ven' unum qa
de mille anguill' merlynges ven' unum den'
de quocumque genere maeremii necnon de bigis curriculis carris & bordis valoris duorum solidorum ven' unum ob'
et de quocumque genere mercandisorum unde hic fit {non} menc'o valoris duorum solidorum ven' unum ob'
et quod completo termino illo consuetudines praedicte penitus cessarent & delerentur Nos hujusmodi paupertati dicte ville compacient' ob fiduciam quam erga praedictos Senescallum & Ballivos ac probos hominies dicte ville ex parte mid' et vos extunc gessimus & habuimus necnon per finem quadr' solidorum quem coram nobus in Canc' nostra Hibern preadicti Senescall' Ballivi ac probi hominies dicte ville ex parte Mid' praedicte & vos tunc fecistis de quocumque computato ad Scaccarium nostram Dubl'in de consuetudinibus praedictis reddendo vos exoneram ita quod den' de consuetudinibus praedictis provenient' circa clausur' & paviment' ac eciam in reparacionem turrium Kaiarum & pontis dicte ville & non alibi fideliter expenderentur et quod in fine termini praedicti compo' inde coram duobus legalibus Burgens' dicte ville p dictos Senescallum Ballivos ac probos hominies dicte ville ex parte Mid' praedicta & vos ad hoc eligend' redderetur ut est moris prout in literis nostris patent' inde confect' plenius continetur Nos consideratis praemiss' uberiorem gratiam vobus facere volent' concessimus vobus quod consuetudines praedictas necnon consuetudinem de passagio de hujusmodi rebus venalibus infra villam praedictam a die confeccionis present' usque ad finem viginti annorum plenar' complend' capere possit' in forma praedicta ita quod den inde proven' circa praemissa non alibi fideliter expendentur & inde comp' ut praedictem est reddatur completo & autem termino illo consuetudines praedicte penitus cessent & deleantur In cujus rei testim' has literas nostras fieri fecimus patent' T' Leonello Comit' Ulton' fidelis nostro carissimo locum nostrum tenente in terra nostra Hibern apud Dubl'in xxii die marcii anno r' n' tricesimo sexto-Nos autem literas praedictas & omnia in eis content' rata habentes & grata ea pro nobus & hered' nostris quantum in nobus est usque ad finem residii dictorum viginti annorum plenar' complend' acceptamus ratificamus approbamus concedimus & confirmamus post litere preadicte ron'abiliter {testantur} ac volent' eisdem majori Sen' Ballivis ac probis hominibus ville praedicte ex utraque parte aque ob fiduciam {quam} erga eosdem gerimus & habemus gratiam facere uberiorem de gracia nostra speciali concessimus eisdem { } viginti annorum plenar' compltorum consuet' praedictas de rebus venal' supradictis ad { } venientibus in auxilium ville praedicte paviende & muro lapideo { }Et non alibi fidelicet expendantur velimus eciam easdem majorem Sen' Ballivos & probos hominies dicte ville de quocumque compot' ad scaccarium nostram Hibern de consuetudinibus praedictis tam de tempe praeterito quam de tempere futuro reddendo totaliter exonerari proviso semper quod compo' inde in fine dictorum novem annorum plenar' completorum coram duobus leg' Burgensibus ville praedicte per dictos majorem Senescallum Ballivios ac probis hominies ejusdem ville ad hoc eligend' & non ad Scaccarium nostram Hibern fidelicet redd' completo autem dicto ultimo termino consuet' praedicte penitus cessent & deleantur In cujus rei testim' has literas nostras fieri fecimus patent' T' Roberto de Assheten' Just' nostro Hibern apud Dublin vicesimo quinto die marcii anno r' n' Angl' quadragesimo septimo r' vero n' Franc' tricesimo quarto-NOS autem literas praedictas & omnia in eis content' rata habent' & grata ea pro nobus & her' nostris quantum in nobus est usque ad finem residii tam dictorum viginti annorum quam usque ad finem dictorum noven annorum plenar' complendoram accept' ratific' approbamus & confirmamus prout litere praedicte r'onabiliter testantur In cujus rei testim' has literas nostra fieri fecimus patent' T' Edwardo de Mortuo Mari Comite Marchie & Ulton' locum nostram tenent' in terr' nostra Hibern apud Cragfergus xx die Julii anno regni nostri quarto.
----
20 Jul. 1380 Carrickfergus
INSPEXIMUS of the following letters patent under the g.s. used in Ire. by Edward III, late K. of Eng., viz. letters patent dated at Dublin, 5 March 47 Edw. III, inspecting and confirming letters patent attested by Lionel, e. Ulster, the K.’s son and his Lt in Ire., dated 22 March 36 Edw. III.

'INSPEXIMUS of the following letters patent:

"To the mayor and bailiffs and worthy men of the town of Drogheda on the side of Uriel, greetings.

By letters patent dated 7 Jan. , the K. granted the following customs both to the mayor of Drogheda on the side of Uriel and also to the seneschal and bailiffs of Drogheda on the side of Meath in aid of their town—which had been impoverished both by the great and horrible pestilence and because of merchandise of the burgesses accidentally lost at sea—for the paving of that town and its enclosure with a stone wall, and also for the repair of the towers of the quays and the bridge of that town, to be levied on all articles for sale coming to that town by sea or by land, from 20 June next, and for the following 6 years, viz:
from each pound of all articles for sale, 1/2d;
from each pound of saffron for sale, 1d;
from each pound of pepper for sale, 1/4d;
from each pound of Galyngale for sale, 1/2d;
from each pound of cloves for sale, 1d;
from each pound of pound of mace, ginger and grain of Paris for sale, 1/2 d;
from all other kinds kinds of spices worth 12d for sale, 1/4d;
for one hundred pounds of wax, 4d;
for one hundred pounds of almonds and rice for sale, 2d;
from each frail of figs and raisins for sale, 1/2d;
for one hundred pounds of Alyme for sale 2d;
for one hundred pounds of leek seeds for sale 2d;
for twelve pounds of onion seeds for sale 1d;
from each pound of silk for sale, 2d;
from each muslin cap for sale, 1d;
from 100 ells of canvas for sale, 2d;
from each Bolt de Elyesham for sale, 1/2 d;
from each piece of muslin for sale, 1d;
from each blanket or other coverlet for sale, 1/2d;
for 12 felt hats for sale, 1/2 d;
from each pecia de leges for sale, 1d;
from each piece of whole English cloth for sale, 4d;
from 12 ells of English cloths for sale, 2d;
from each piece of Irish cloth for sale containing twelve yards, 1d;
from each piece of Irish linen for sale, containing twelve ells, 1/2d;
from each hundred-weight of pieces of iron for sale, 2d;
from each band of pieces of iron for sale, 1d;
from each seme de slabbes for sale, 1d;
from each hundred stone of Spanish iron, 4d;
from each linch of tin for sale, 1d;
from each fotmel of lead for sale, 1/2d;
from 100 pounds of scrof’ for sale, 1d;
from all kinds of avoirdupois worth 12d for sale, 1/4d;
from each thousand nails for sale, 1d;
for 12 plough-shares for sale, 1d;
from each frail of batry for sale, 4d;
from each large cooking pot for sale, 1d;
from each cella worth 5s for sale, 1/2 d;
from each tun of wine or sale 4d;
from each pipe of wine or sale 2d;
from each crannock of ordinary malt and first-grade malt for sale, 1d;
from each crannock of wheat-corn for sale, 1d;
from each load of wheat for sale, 1/2 d;
from each tun of butter for sale 4d;
from each sum of butter for sale, 1d;
from each last of butter for sale, 1d;
from each stone of tallow for sale,1/2 d;
from each tun of herrings for sale, 4d;
for each mease of fish for sale, 1/2d;
for each crannock of salt for sale, 1d;
for each crannock of barley, beans and peas for sale, 1d;
from each crannock of flour of oats and of other types of grain, for sale, 1d;
from cheese and butter worth 12d for sale 1/4d;
from each sack of wool for sale, 4d;
from each stone of wool for sale, 1d;
from each hide tanned, fresh or salted for sale, 1/4 d;
from all kinds of hides worth 12d for sale, 1/4 d;
from each hundred-weight of woolfells for sale, 1/2 d;
from each hundred-weight of skins of Walsellis for sale, 2d;
from each hide of lambs for sale, 1d;
from each hundred-weight of rabbit-skins for sale, 1d;
and from all other kinds of hides worth 12d for sale, 1/4d;
from each horse worth 40d or more for sale, 2d;
from each draught-horse, bull, ox or cow for sale, 1d;
from each calf for sale, 1/4 d;
from each pig, sheep or goat for sale, 1/4 d;
from each horse-load of fishes for sale, 1/2 d;
from each hundred of dried fishes for sale, 1d;
from each salmon for sale, 1/4 d;
from each hundred merlin eels for sale, 1d;
and from all kinds of timber and also from bigs, carriages, carts and boards worth 2s for sale, 1/2d;
and from all kinds of merchandise worth 2s for sale of which mention has not been made here, 1/2d.
At the end of the term of six years these customs were to cease and be removed entirely.
On account of the faith that the seneschal of Drogheda on the side of Meath and also the mayor of Drogheda on the side of Uriel bore and held towards the K., and also for a fine of 40s made by them both in the K.’s chancery of Ire., the K. exonerated them from rendering any account of those customs at his Ex. of Dublin, such that the money derived from those customs should be expended faithfully on the enclosure and paving , and the repair of the towers of its quays and its bridge, and not otherwise. And that at the end of the said term, an account for the same should be rendered by the said seneschal and mayor before two law-worthy burgesses of the said town to be chosen by them.

Considering the premises and wishing to show them more abundant grace, LICENCE to the mayor and bailiffs and worthy men of Drogheda on the side of Uriel to take the said customs from the day of the making of these presents for a term of 20 years, rendering an account for the same as said before. And at the end of that term those customs are to cease and be removed entirely.

The K.'s son, Lionel, e. Ulster, Lt in Ire., at Dublin, 22 March 36 Edw. III."

ACCEPTANCE, RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, GRANT and CONFIRMATION of the K.’s previous charter to the mayor, seneschal, bailiffs and burgesses of the town of Drogheda on both sides of the water and all its contents for remainder of the previous term of 20 years in aid of the paving of that town and its enclosure with a stone wall . The K. also exonerates them from rendering an account of moneys derived from those customs at his Ex. of Ire., always providing that at the end of that term an account is rendered before two law-worthy burgesses elected by them. And at the end of that term those customs are to cease and be removed entirely.

Robert Ashton, Jcr, at Dublin, 5 March 47 Edw. III.’

ACCEPTANCE, RATIFICATION, APPROVAL and CONFIRMATION of those letters patent for the remainder of that term of 20 years and then for a further term of 9 years.

Attested:
Edmund Mortimer, e. March, Lt

Granted by Richard II. (Regnal year 4). Granted at Carrickfergus.
Primary Sources
Commissioners on the Public Records of Ireland, 1889 (prepared 1829-30), Chartae Privilegia et Immunitates, being transcripts of charters and privileges to cities, towns, abbeys and other bodies corporated, 18 Henry II. to 18 Richard II., 1171 to 1395 (Dublin; Irish Record Commission) p. 78 (Ref. E Rot. Mem. 4 Ric. II. m. 16.) (dated 1380)
A Calendar of Irish Chancery Letters, c. 1244-1509, PR 4 Ric. II View CIRCLE record

Secondary Sources
Thomas, A., 1992, The Walled Towns of Ireland Vol. 1 (Irish Academic Press) p. 107; Vol. 2 p. 72-79
D'Alton, J., 1844, The history of Drogheda with its environs Vol. 1 (Dublin) p. 88 online copy

Comments
The late 14th century grant specify a stone wall (CPI 78, 82) (Thomas)
In 1380, the calamity of pestilence, and the superadded infliction of incessant warfare with the Scots and native septs, had so reduced the burgesses of Droghede, that King Richard the Second then conferred upon them certain customs and duties for the repair of their walls and fortifications, and for the general improvement of the town. (D'Alton)

Record created by Philip Davis. This record created 27/03/2009. Last updated on 04/06/2012. First published online 5/01/2013.

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