Note 497 — Chapter X
Reading edition
In Sandwich the “town clerk’s” salary was 40s. a year, out of which he had to find parchment, except when he wrote out the cesses, when the commonalty might give him a shilling or two for the parchment and his trouble. Other small payments fell to him when a freeman was made or a corporation letter was signed or suchlike business done. (Boys’ Sandwich, 476.) In 1390 Romney paid as much as 56s. 8d.; then the salary fell to 40s. in 1428; then to 32s. 11d.; and then to 26s. 8d., with 3s. 4d. for parchment. (Ibid. 803.) This corresponded with the decline in the fortunes of Romney.