John Carpenter, town clerk of London
Encyclopedia
John Carpenter, the younger (about 1372 – 1442), was a noted Town Clerk of London
. He was elected as Town Clerk to the City of London
during the reigns of Henry V
and Henry VI
. He was the author of the first book of English common law, called Liber Albus (the White Book). He was a member of the English Parliament from London in 1425. He is also recognized as the founder of the City of London School
for boys.
He resided in the Parish of St. Peter, Cornhill
, London, and was buried in the Abbey of St. Peter, Westminster
, where his wife Katherine was later interred.
He is frequently distinguished in historical documents as "John Carpenter, the younger," "John Carpenter, Junior," and as "John Carpenter, Jenkin
." Jenkin or Jenken is a diminutive of the name John.
John Carpenter was one of three men by that name who were prominent during the 15th century. Both others are mentioned in his will of 1442. One was his brother, John Carpenter the elder, who received much property from his younger brother.
John Carpenter was the uncle to the other John Carpenter
who was the Warden of St. Anthony's Hospital, Rector of St. Mary Magdalen's, and finally Bishop of Worcester
. Bishop John Carpenter was willed, by the subject of this article, "that book on architecture which Master William Cleve gave me." Cleve was King's Chaplain and clerk of the works, and carried out building at the Palace of Westminster and the Tower.
Genealogical efforts have revealed a baptismal date of 18 Dec 1378 Hereford Cathedral
, Hereford, England, but he was probably born earlier, with about 1372 being generally accepted. His father is listed as Richard Carpenter and his mother as Christina.
His father, Richard or Renaud Carpenter, is believed to have been born about 1335–1337 in or of Grand Pont, Cambrai
, France
. He may have been alive as late as 1412 in London. He married Christina, last name unknown, who was of London. Their known children:
His grandfather John or Jean Le Carpenter or Carpentier was born about 1303 of Le Grand Pont and died after 1345 in Dilwyne, Herefordshire, England. He married Jeanne Tabarie, who was born circa 1310 near Cambrai. His parents are disputed and are not listed in this article.
Katherine was born in or of Zeeland
(now in the Netherlands
) about 1372. Her will was written 31 Mar 1457 and proved in June 1458. She was later buried with her husband in the Abbey of St. Peter, Westminster. They had no children.
.
Proclamacio sup' judicio billor appears to be the first public document signed by John Carpenter with his surname only.
He obtained a letter of patent from Henry VI dated 3 Dec. 18 (1418?), exempting him "for the whole of his life from all military and civil duties whatsoever, which included election as a member of Parliament and receiving the Honour of Knighthood." What service he rendered the Crown is unknown, but it can be assumed he provided a great service.
John Carpenter was a member of the English Parliament from London in 1425.
John Carpenter's arms
appear to be of French or Norman heritage, "Paly of six, argent and gules, on a chevron azure, 3 cross crosslets or." This coat is often referred to as the Hereford Arms, named for the later ancestral home of the Carpenter family in Hereford
. The crest, supporters and motto apparently changed several times over the centuries. A more recent motto is Per acuta belli.
The Hereford Arms were granted in 1719 to George, Lord Carpenter (1657–1732). He was a Lt. General and commander-in-chief of all the Crown's forces in Scotland when he was elevated to the peerage of Ireland
, by patent dated 29 May 1719, as Baron Carpenter, of Killaghy, county Kilkenny. Please be aware that there is no direct male to male Carpenter descent connecting Lord Carpenter & Sir William Boyd Carpenter. The family connection is by marriage through the females in the family.
Sir William Boyd Carpenter
(1841–1918), Bishop of Ripon in the Church of England
, afterwards a Canon of Westminster and Chaplain to the reigning sovereign of England, wrote in a letter dated 7 August 1907 that his family bore the Hereford Arms. Sir Noel Paton, upon painting the Family Arms, informed him that the supporters were originally a round-handled sword, which in drawing over time became shortened, until nothing but the cross and globe were left beneath it. Those Hereford Arms were used by "John Carpenter, town clerk of London, who died 1442 A. D." His grandson John Boyd-Carpenter, Baron Boyd-Carpenter
(1908–1998) continued the Arms into the new century by passing it down to his son, Thomas Boyd-Carpenter, who was himself knighted after a military career as a Lieutenant-General and in public service.
NOTE: The Hereford Coat of Arms described above should not be confused with the Arms of Bishop Richard Carpenter (c1450s?-1503) presented in the "Visitations of the County of Oxford taken in 1566, 1574, and 1634, published in 1871, which describe the arms displayed in the buildings at the University in Oxford
- "In the Lyberarye of Baliall College." - as recorded by the officials performing the visitations in those years. The Visitations describe the arms of Richard Carpenter (theologian)
as: "Paly of nine Gu. and Az. on a chevron Arg. surmounted by a mitre Or, three cross crosslets or -- nine pales alternating red and blue, with a silver chevron bearing three gold cross-crosslets.
The following lines were hand written (probably in the 16th century) on the fly-leaf of "Liber Albus" translated from Latin:
John Carpenter's will was made in his 70th year, dated 8 March 1441 and proved 12 May 1442. This indicates he was born about 1372 and that his death may have been some time in April of 1442. He was buried in the Abbey of St. Peter, London.
Bequest for the betterment of poor children: John Stow recorded the actual bequest as, "He gave tenements to the Citye for the finding and bringing up of foure poore men's children with meate, drinke, apparell, learning at the schooles in the universities, &c., until they be preferred, and then others in their place for ever."
John Carpenter left property to the City of London (later known as the Corporation of London) to provide "Carpenter's Children" (as they became known) to assist at divine service in the choir of the Guildhall
chapel on festival days. That continued for almost 400 years until an Act of Parliament (1834) permitted the combining of several accounts to establish the City of London School. Since 1986, the school has resided on the east end of John Carpenter Street and Queen Victoria Street.
Town Clerk of London
The Town Clerk of London is an important position that has existed since the 13th century within the City of London, England. Originally the position was to take the minutes of London council meetings, but over the years the holder has gathered responsibility which requires staff and executive...
. He was elected as Town Clerk to the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
during the reigns of Henry V
Henry V of England
Henry V was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. He was the second monarch belonging to the House of Lancaster....
and Henry VI
Henry VI of England
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471, and disputed King of France from 1422 to 1453. Until 1437, his realm was governed by regents. Contemporaneous accounts described him as peaceful and pious, not suited for the violent dynastic civil wars, known as the Wars...
. He was the author of the first book of English common law, called Liber Albus (the White Book). He was a member of the English Parliament from London in 1425. He is also recognized as the founder of the City of London School
City of London School
The City of London School is a boys' independent day school on the banks of the River Thames in the City of London, England. It is the brother school of the City of London School for Girls and the co-educational City of London Freemen's School...
for boys.
He resided in the Parish of St. Peter, Cornhill
Cornhill
Cornhill is a ward, and one of the principal streets of the City of London, the historic nucleus of modern London. The hill from which it takes its name is one of the three ancient hills of London; the others are Tower Hill, site of the Tower of London, and Ludgate Hill, crowned by St Paul's...
, London, and was buried in the Abbey of St. Peter, Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, where his wife Katherine was later interred.
He is frequently distinguished in historical documents as "John Carpenter, the younger," "John Carpenter, Junior," and as "John Carpenter, Jenkin
Jenkin
Jenkin, of Franconian origin, is translated in English as "Little John" or more literally "John the little."-Forename History:Jen/Jean being a diminutive of Jehan/Jehannes* followed by kin/ken meaning little creating Jenkin or Jenken...
." Jenkin or Jenken is a diminutive of the name John.
John Carpenter was one of three men by that name who were prominent during the 15th century. Both others are mentioned in his will of 1442. One was his brother, John Carpenter the elder, who received much property from his younger brother.
John Carpenter was the uncle to the other John Carpenter
John Carpenter (bishop)
John Carpenter was an English Bishop, Provost and University Chancellor.-Early life:Bishop Carpenter's father was John Carpenter the elder, born c. 1362 to Richard or Renaud Carpenter of Cambrai and his wife Christina of London. John Carpenter the bishop was also known as John Carpenter the elder....
who was the Warden of St. Anthony's Hospital, Rector of St. Mary Magdalen's, and finally Bishop of Worcester
Bishop of Worcester
The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury...
. Bishop John Carpenter was willed, by the subject of this article, "that book on architecture which Master William Cleve gave me." Cleve was King's Chaplain and clerk of the works, and carried out building at the Palace of Westminster and the Tower.
Early life & ancestry
Thomas Brewer in his 1856 book on John Carpenter found no significant record of his life until his election as the Town Clerk or Common Clerk of the City of London on April 20, 1417, at about age 45. The exemption mentioned on page 14 suggests that John Carpenter had been in the City of London's service "from the time of his youth." It is assumed that he was apprenticed to John Marchaunt, his predecessor as Town Clerk. Based on Liber Albus (see below) and other works, he was familiar with the law.Genealogical efforts have revealed a baptismal date of 18 Dec 1378 Hereford Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral
The current Hereford Cathedral, located at Hereford in England, dates from 1079. Its most famous treasure is Mappa Mundi, a mediæval map of the world dating from the 13th century. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.-Origins:...
, Hereford, England, but he was probably born earlier, with about 1372 being generally accepted. His father is listed as Richard Carpenter and his mother as Christina.
His father, Richard or Renaud Carpenter, is believed to have been born about 1335–1337 in or of Grand Pont, Cambrai
Cambrai
Cambrai is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Cambrai is the seat of an archdiocese whose jurisdiction was immense during the Middle Ages. The territory of the Bishopric of Cambrai, roughly coinciding with the shire of Brabant, included...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He may have been alive as late as 1412 in London. He married Christina, last name unknown, who was of London. Their known children:
- John Carpenter, the elder, born circa 1362. The father of John Carpenter (bishop)John Carpenter (bishop)John Carpenter was an English Bishop, Provost and University Chancellor.-Early life:Bishop Carpenter's father was John Carpenter the elder, born c. 1362 to Richard or Renaud Carpenter of Cambrai and his wife Christina of London. John Carpenter the bishop was also known as John Carpenter the elder....
. His baptismal date of 20 Sept 1371 in BattlesdenBattlesdenBattlesden is a hamlet and civil parish in the Central Bedfordshire district of Bedfordshire, England. It is just north of the A5, between Dunstable and Milton Keynes. According to the 2001 census, it had a population of 38...
has not been confirmed and is probably wrong. His death date not known. - Robert Carpenter, born circa 1368, of London. His brother's will indicates that he had a son named Richard and two daughters named Joan and Katherine.
- John Carpenter, the younger - the subject of this article.
His grandfather John or Jean Le Carpenter or Carpentier was born about 1303 of Le Grand Pont and died after 1345 in Dilwyne, Herefordshire, England. He married Jeanne Tabarie, who was born circa 1310 near Cambrai. His parents are disputed and are not listed in this article.
Marriage
The date of John Carpenter's marriage has not been found, nor has the maiden name of his wife, Katherine.Katherine was born in or of Zeeland
Zeeland
Zeeland , also called Zealand in English, is the westernmost province of the Netherlands. The province, located in the south-west of the country, consists of a number of islands and a strip bordering Belgium. Its capital is Middelburg. With a population of about 380,000, its area is about...
(now in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) about 1372. Her will was written 31 Mar 1457 and proved in June 1458. She was later buried with her husband in the Abbey of St. Peter, Westminster. They had no children.
Political life
John Carpenter was elected the Town Clerk or Common Clerk of the City of London on April 20, 1417, two years after the Battle of AgincourtBattle of Agincourt
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a numerically superior French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 , near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France...
.
Proclamacio sup' judicio billor appears to be the first public document signed by John Carpenter with his surname only.
He obtained a letter of patent from Henry VI dated 3 Dec. 18 (1418?), exempting him "for the whole of his life from all military and civil duties whatsoever, which included election as a member of Parliament and receiving the Honour of Knighthood." What service he rendered the Crown is unknown, but it can be assumed he provided a great service.
John Carpenter was a member of the English Parliament from London in 1425.
Coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
appear to be of French or Norman heritage, "Paly of six, argent and gules, on a chevron azure, 3 cross crosslets or." This coat is often referred to as the Hereford Arms, named for the later ancestral home of the Carpenter family in Hereford
Hereford
Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
. The crest, supporters and motto apparently changed several times over the centuries. A more recent motto is Per acuta belli.
The Hereford Arms were granted in 1719 to George, Lord Carpenter (1657–1732). He was a Lt. General and commander-in-chief of all the Crown's forces in Scotland when he was elevated to the peerage of Ireland
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
, by patent dated 29 May 1719, as Baron Carpenter, of Killaghy, county Kilkenny. Please be aware that there is no direct male to male Carpenter descent connecting Lord Carpenter & Sir William Boyd Carpenter. The family connection is by marriage through the females in the family.
Sir William Boyd Carpenter
William Boyd Carpenter
William Boyd Carpenter KCVO was a Church of England clergyman who became Bishop of Ripon and court chaplain to Queen Victoria.-Family:William Boyd Carpenter was the second son of the Rev...
(1841–1918), Bishop of Ripon in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, afterwards a Canon of Westminster and Chaplain to the reigning sovereign of England, wrote in a letter dated 7 August 1907 that his family bore the Hereford Arms. Sir Noel Paton, upon painting the Family Arms, informed him that the supporters were originally a round-handled sword, which in drawing over time became shortened, until nothing but the cross and globe were left beneath it. Those Hereford Arms were used by "John Carpenter, town clerk of London, who died 1442 A. D." His grandson John Boyd-Carpenter, Baron Boyd-Carpenter
John Boyd-Carpenter, Baron Boyd-Carpenter
John Archibald Boyd-Carpenter, Baron Boyd-Carpenter PC was a British Conservative politician.-Early life:...
(1908–1998) continued the Arms into the new century by passing it down to his son, Thomas Boyd-Carpenter, who was himself knighted after a military career as a Lieutenant-General and in public service.
NOTE: The Hereford Coat of Arms described above should not be confused with the Arms of Bishop Richard Carpenter (c1450s?-1503) presented in the "Visitations of the County of Oxford taken in 1566, 1574, and 1634, published in 1871, which describe the arms displayed in the buildings at the University in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
- "In the Lyberarye of Baliall College." - as recorded by the officials performing the visitations in those years. The Visitations describe the arms of Richard Carpenter (theologian)
Richard Carpenter (theologian)
- Biography :He was probably born in Cornwall in 1575. A Richard Carpenter was baptized at Phillack, Cornwall, on 16 February 1575[/6], son of Thomas Carpenter. It is not certain, however, that he and this Richard Carpenter were the same person. He matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford, on 28 May...
as: "Paly of nine Gu. and Az. on a chevron Arg. surmounted by a mitre Or, three cross crosslets or -- nine pales alternating red and blue, with a silver chevron bearing three gold cross-crosslets.
Liber Albus
John Carpenter was the author of first book of English Common Law, called Liber Albus ("White Book"), completed in 1419. It provided a basis of legal, social and history of the law relating to the City of London. The statue of John Carpenter, now residing within the City of London School for Boys, shows him holding this book.The following lines were hand written (probably in the 16th century) on the fly-leaf of "Liber Albus" translated from Latin:
-
-
-
-
-
- The book that once was white is white no more;
- Made black with grease, and thumb'd its page o'er.
- Then, while it still exists, transcribe each page;
- Once gone, 'tis lost to every future age.
- And if so lost---some fault of ours, 'tis true--
- Ah me! thou gem of greatest price, Adieu!
-
-
-
-
Latter life
At one point, John Carpenter reportedly owned over 300 tenements. He had a fish pond, doubling as a reservoir, on top of his own house. Most of these properties he later willed to his brother. He resided in the Parish of St. Peter, Cornhill, London, England.John Carpenter's will was made in his 70th year, dated 8 March 1441 and proved 12 May 1442. This indicates he was born about 1372 and that his death may have been some time in April of 1442. He was buried in the Abbey of St. Peter, London.
Bequest for the betterment of poor children: John Stow recorded the actual bequest as, "He gave tenements to the Citye for the finding and bringing up of foure poore men's children with meate, drinke, apparell, learning at the schooles in the universities, &c., until they be preferred, and then others in their place for ever."
John Carpenter left property to the City of London (later known as the Corporation of London) to provide "Carpenter's Children" (as they became known) to assist at divine service in the choir of the Guildhall
Guildhall, London
The Guildhall is a building in the City of London, off Gresham and Basinghall streets, in the wards of Bassishaw and Cheap. It has been used as a town hall for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation...
chapel on festival days. That continued for almost 400 years until an Act of Parliament (1834) permitted the combining of several accounts to establish the City of London School. Since 1986, the school has resided on the east end of John Carpenter Street and Queen Victoria Street.
See also
- Common LawCommon lawCommon law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
- Ralph CrepynRalph CrepynRalph Crepyn also known as Radulphus de Alegate who was the first documented Town Clerk of London in 1274 and a lawyer in that city. His birth was probably circa 1245 and he was well educated for his day...
, town clerk of London - Medieval English common law: foundations for 21st century legal systems
- John Monckton (town clerk)John Monckton (town clerk)Sir John Braddick Monckton FSA was a British lawyer and civil servant, then Town Clerk of London for 30 years until his death. He was elected Town Clerk of London after the death of Frederick Woodthorpe on 17 July 1873 and served until 3 February 1902, his death date...
- John Sadler (1615-1674), town clerk of London
- Town Clerk of LondonTown Clerk of LondonThe Town Clerk of London is an important position that has existed since the 13th century within the City of London, England. Originally the position was to take the minutes of London council meetings, but over the years the holder has gathered responsibility which requires staff and executive...
External links
- City of London website
- City of London School web site
- Brief history of CLS
- John Carpenter Club (Old Citizen's Association)
- Full text of Brewer, Thomas - "Memoir of the Life and Times of John Carpenter, Town Clerk of London in the reigns of Henry Fifth and Sixth", London, 1856. See: Archive.org