By the 1400s in England all references in legal documents to foreign born, or foreign connected, Carpenters have magically disappeared. Did the Charpenters go home? Highly unlikely. They became English. Their descendants fill the pages of history with land disputes and the like, as did their foreign ancestors, excepting they were now in the time of Henry Vl, Carpenters and citizens. It is uncanny. There is literally not a Charpenter left in England by 1400. A remarkable transformation had taken place, an ethnic transformation, and a remarkable transfer of wealth. Where were the vast wealth and assets of Edward Charpenter in the 1400s? One needn t look any further than Carpenter the Town Clerk, or Carpenter the Bishop of Worcester. The usual version of history will fill your eyes with their charitable efforts and good works, while conveniently ignoring their lawsuits and landgrabbing. Oh, you might say, the ancient Carpenters couldnt be businessmen, or involved in real-estate! They must be descendants of some knight somewhere, however hideous he might really be, or perhaps real blue-collar carpenters with nails, or better yet pegs, in hand. Let us review the real historical record. In the Calendar of Close Rolls for 1427, a January 12th court case lists a group of London individuals with John Carpenter As having claim to the manor of Pembrokes and the issues thereof taken, and of the manor of Bruses, both located in Middlesex. In 1428, May 1st, John Carpenter clerk and another group, quitclaim extensive church property in Hertfordshire. The implication here is they sold the lands, which were very extensive. John had good business partners, a Sir John Newenden chaplain, being mentioned. The following I want to quote completely. Some of the names are amusing. For January 28, 1434. John Whitwell chaplain and John Tasburgh citizen and stokfisshmonger of London to John Poutrell, Henry Barton citizen and wolman and John Carpenter common clerk of London, their heirs and assigns. Charter and warranty of all lands, rents and services etc. in the towns and parishes of St. Stephen near Seynt Albons Watforde, Rykmersworth, Oxeye Richard, Oxeye Wilronde or elsewhere in Hertfordshire and Harwe co. Middlesex. Date June 12 Henry Vl Sincerely, Bruce E. Carpenter