> From: Bruce E. Carpenter <carp@whidbey.com> > To: CARPENTER-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Richard 'Chaundeler' > Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 15:47:49 -0700 > I happened upon an additional reference > to Candlemaker Richard, a candidate for the > father of Town Clerk John. I have never seen > chapter and verse for the usual reference to > him. My reference to him is from the > Calandar of the Close Rolls (King Richard ll, > 1396-1399), p. 389. The date cited for the > quotation is July 19, 1398. It reads, > "To the sheriffs of London. Writ of "supersedeas" > and order by mainprise of ..... Richard > Carpenter 'chaundeler' to set free John Essex, > if taken at suit of William Vernegn for > tresspass." > What is striking in this court disposition is the date > 1399. The Town Clerk's father has an estimated > birth at about 1335, Which for the Middle Ages, > would make the Candlemaker a better candidate > for Town Clerk's grandfather. The main problem > I have with Richard is that there are two or three > others in London at the time more worthy of the honor. > More about them later. A secondary objection > to the Candlemaker is that, it strains my > credulity to imagine a candlemaker's son stepping > into an extremely influential position in the > finances of the crown and realm. This was not > how the Middle Ages worked. Power and influence > were a trade for other power and influence. The > Town Clerk must have had family wealth and backing, > because any public position would naturally be used > to further private interests. That is a given > for the Middle Ages. > Sincerely, > Bruce E. Carpenter The problem is with the word "chandler." While usually translated as "candlemaker", it more often was used to denote any retailer. The term could be used to describe a fishmonger with a pushcart, or someone with a contract to supply the whole English navy with provisions. --