Gifts and reward

York's guildhall was a relatively new building during Richard III's reign, having been completed by 1459
© Carolyn Donahue

Associated people

• Edward IV
• Edward of Middleham
• Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland
• Mayor of York
• Richard III

Associated places

• York
• York Minster Chapter House

Associated institutions

• York City Council

Description

The relationship between a monarch and his cities was enacted through the giving of gifts. Citizens contributed money towards presents as a way of persuading a local lord to act in their favour, or in gratitude for doing so. As a key noble figure in the north during the 1470s and later as king, Richard received numerous gifts from the citizens of York.

He was not alone in this, as presents were also sent to other great northern lords including Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, and Richard's son, Edward of Middleham. This was both a way of establishing a relationship between the city and local nobility and keeping in favour, so that their concerns and requests would be looked on sympathetically. As duke, Richard was presented on several occasions with food and wine, including wine, eels, pheasants, rabbits, partridges and bread. In return he acted on behalf of the city, including interceding with Edward IV, his brother, in persuading the king not to withdraw city's liberties. For this he was rewarded with six swans and six pikes on 31 December 1476.

The cultivation of this relationship really paid dividends for the city when Richard became king, as the stakes were much higher. For his visit to York in 1483 citizens noted on 28 August the collection of £448 towards gifts for the king and queen, including 500 marks in a cup of gold for Richard and £100 of gold in rich plate for his wife. This was a magnificent presentation, much more spectacular than victuals, and the rewards were also far greater.

During his visit to York, Richard III called leading citizens to an audience at the Minster chapter house on 17 September 1483 to declare a substantial reduction in the city's annual fee farm. This was money, collected locally as taxes, which was paid as a yearly lump sum to the royal exchequer. The king reduced the amount due from £160 to £100, and bestowed further civic honour by appointing the mayor as his chief sergeant at arms.

Although in practice the reduction in the fee farm led to years of financial confusion between the city and exchequer, it was a dramatic statement of Richard's relationship with York. In announcing the reduction the king emphasised that the city's claims of poverty had been heeded and declared that the remission was due to the loyalty demonstrated by citizens both through their service to him in the Scottish campaigns of 1480-82 and at his coronation in London on 6 July 1483 (see York's military role).