Lyalton vs. Norreys, 1453

31 Hen. VI. 1452-3.

11th May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Memorandum, stating that on this day, in a Court holden at Whitehall by the lieutenant of the Constable of England, John Lyalton appealed Robert Norreys of high treason; that the 25th of the same month was appointed for them to do battle in Smithfield; that they should fight with glaive, short sword, dagger, and axe, instead of long sword; that council, who are named, were assigned to them; that it was therefore necessary that the sheriffs of London should be directed to gravel and sand the place, to erect a scaffold for the King, and to make lists and barriers for the battle; and that the serjeant of the King's armoury should be commanded to provide armour and weapons for the combatants - - - - - - p. 129

Between the l1th and 25th May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from John Lyalton, who had appealed Robert Norreys of treason, praying that letters of privy seal might be issued for carrying into effect the ordinances which had been made in the Court of the Constable of England :—( Vide the memorandum of the 11th May) p. 132

On or about 23rd May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453—Minutes of the Council. The sheriffs of London to be directed to make a scaffold for the King, and lists and barriers, and to gravel and sand the ground in Smithfield; armour and weapons to be delivered by the Serjeant of the King's arms to John Lyalton, the appellant; and Thomas Bee, painter, to be one of his council - - - p. 133

23rd May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453—Letter from the King to Sir John Asteley, knight, and Thomas Montgomery, esquire, appointing them to be of council to John Lyalton, the appellant - - - p. 134

24th May, 31 Hen, VI. 1453.—Letter of similar import from the King to Thomas Bee, painter - - - - p. 134

Ibid.—Letter from the King to Jenkyn Stanley, Serjeant of arms, commanding him to deliver arms and weapons to the appellant p. 135

Ibid.—Writ to the Sheriffs of London, commanding them to prepare barriers and lists in West Smithfield, to have the same well gravelled and sanded, and also to erect a scaffold - . p. 135

29th May, 31 Hen.VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from John Lyalton, the appellant, praying for a grant of money to enable him to purchase necessaries for the ensuing battle, and that Clampard the smith might be commanded to deliver weapons to him :—Five marks were granted to him - - - - - p. 136

22nd June, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from Robert Norreys, the defendant, to the same effect (mutatis mutandis) as that from Lyalton, the appellant, dated between the 11th and 25th of May - - - - - p. 137

Ibid.—Letter from the King to Sir Hugh John and others, appointing them to be of council to Robert Norreys, the defendant - p. 138

Ibid.—Memorandum containing the names of those who were appointed to be of council to the appellant and defendant in the abovementioned appeal - - - - - p. 139

23rd June, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from John Lyalton, the appellant, praying for a tent or pavilion for the day of battle, and that Clampard the smith might be commanded to deliver to him such weapons as were necessary - - - p. 139

England, and Nicholas Harris Nicolas. 1834. Proceedings and ordinances of the Privy Council of England. London: Printed by G. Eyre and A. Spottiswoode. pp. xviii-xix

Both appellant and defendant were assigned an armorer and painter at royal expense for "such things for the said battaille as belangeth to his craft"

For the Astley-Boyle combat of 1442, a painter was directed to provide the following:

The Paynter.
Also one Trappowr of his armes,
Also one Trappoure of his device,
Also iij coates of Armes,
Also vj scochens of his Armes,
Also one phane of his armes for his coate,
Also one pencell beten, to bere in his hande,
Also one pencell beaten of his devise,
Also one castinge speare paynted.