Page:Mediaevalleicest00billrich.djvu/197

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The name recurs in the 14th century, when another Simon Curlevache entered the Guild in 1318–19; but he does not seem to have flourished, for his goods and chattels were assessed in 1336 at no more than 5s.

Another prominent Norman family, of which we catch glimpses in 13th century Leicester, was named de Sancto Laudo, St. Lo, or Seynlowe. Willaim de St. Lo was a contemporary of old Simon Curlevache, and, as we have seen, acted jointly with him in the chief office of the Guild Merchant until 1242 or later. About the year 1250 William de St. Lo and Peter Roger's son, "Mayors of Leicester," were the first witnesses to a deed still extant. In 1251 Peter Roger's son appears as the only Mayor. But St. Lo had not died, for he was alive in 1253, in which year his name heads the list of Jurats chosen to enquire into the origin of Gavelpence and Bridge-silver.

Another Norman family which is conspicuous in the early annals of Leicester is that of the Costeyns. Henry Costeyn, its most prominent member, was a contemporary of Simon Curlevache, and, like him, a witness to the Earl's grant of the Cowhay pasture and to other important documents, including the Earl's quit claim of his Cowhay rights in 1239. Henry Costeyn may have been rather older than Curlevache, for we find him acquiring property in the suburbs of Leicester before the 12th century had expired. He was a merchant of some note, dealing on a large scale, as we may conclude from the fact that he found it worth while to make the King a present of three palfreys in order to secure the royal protection and aid for the conveyance of his merchandise. A palfrey was then considered equal to 15 marks or £10. About 1225 he was chosen a member of the Guild's Council under Alderman Curlevache. The house in which he lived was situated in the old High Street, at the corner of what is now Peacock Lane, overlooking on its eastern side the wide-spreading grounds of the Grey Friars' Monastery, which was built in his lifetime. Two of his sons are mentioned, Ralf, who entered the Guild in 1239, and Henry, who entered in 1254. It was probably this son Henry who had some cases

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