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March 8.
Kirkby. |
To the abbot of Cluny. It would be a lengthy task to explain to him
in writing how much his very poor house of Lenton, of his order, which
was founded of the alms of the king's progenitors, kings of England, is
damaged by the lack of government and by the change and contention of
the priors who have heretofore had the government of it. Among other
things, the king believes that the abbot is aware how brother Peter, late
prior of that house, after his deposition by the abbot's predecessor, and a
certain brother Reginald de Jora had been admitted prior by the king
upon presentation of the abbot's said predecessor, charged with the prior
of Crépy (de Crespeyo) the house of Lenton with 1,000 pounds of black
Tournois when he was in the court of Rome without the consent of the
convent. Since the house of Lenton is unable to pay this and the
other debts wherewith Reginald charged it in his time without incurring perpetual need, diminishing the alms aforesaid, and dispersing
the monks, who dwell there in order to pray for the souls of the
king's progenitors and of all the faithful dead, which would
redound not only to the prejudice of the king, but even more to
the manifest shame of the abbot's entire order, the king requests the
abbot, as all the houses of his order are one and are under his rule, and
the said Peter and the aforesaid prior of Crépy, who thus charged
the priory of Lenton, are now made priors of houses of the order by
the abbot that are richer than that of Lenton, as the king learns for
certain, to compel the said priors by suitable means to pay the aforesaid
1,000l. As it seems expedient to the king for the common benefit of the
abbot's entire order that in the ordination or appointment of priors
henceforth in all the houses of the order within this realm, in which
houses the like disease now lurks, as the king hears, it shall be ordained
by the abbot for ever that the goods of the houses shall not be in
any way dissipated in this manner by the want of care of such priors
dwelling therein hereafter, but that when the present priors die or resign
the houses shall remain in as good state at least as when they received it
or better. The king informs the abbot that if he fail to provide a suitable
remedy, he will be unable to refrain from putting forth his royal power
for this purpose, as is incumbent upon him. The abbot is desired to
write back to the king what he shall cause to be done in this matter.
[Prynne, Records, iii. 570.] |
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William de Scaccario acknowledges that he owes to John de Scardeburgh
and his co-executors of the will of the queen-mother, 17 marks; to be
levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. Northampton. |
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The under-written have quittance of the common summons [of the
eyre] within the liberty of Tyndale: |
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John Comyn. |
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John son of John Comyn. |
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Geoffrey son of Warin came before the king, on Saturday, the morrow
of St. Cuthbert, and sought to replevy to Ralph de Tony the latter's land
in Ughmeneth, which was taken into the king's hands for his default
against the king before the justices last in eyre in co. Stafford, which suit
was adjourned before the king because the justices could not determine it
before them. This is signified to Gilbert de Thornton and his fellows,
justices before the king. |
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Robert de Harnhull acknowledges that he owes to John de Drokenesford,
clerk, 100s.; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels
in co. Southampton. |
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John de Swyneford acknowledges that he owes to Master William de
Chiriton 8l.; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels
in co. Northampton. |
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Cancelled on payment. |
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Emma, daughter of Ralph Attelee, came before the king, on Thursday
before St. Ambrose, and sought to replevy her land in Elmedon, which
was taken into the king's hands for her default before the justices of the
Bench against Alice, daughter of Ralph Attelee, and Juliana and Amice,
her sisters. This is signified to the said justices. |
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Geoffrey son of Warin came before the king, on Wednesday after St.
Ambrose, and sought to replevy to Ralph de Tony the latter's land
in Elvoyl Ughmenyth, which was taken into the king's hands for his
default against the king before the justices last in eyre in co. Stafford,
which suit was adjourned before the king by the justices. This is signified
to Gilbert de Thorneton and his fellows, justices before the king. |
