Close Rolls, Henry VI: 1457-1458 | British History Online

Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry VI: Volume 6, 1454-1461. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1947.

'Close Rolls, Henry VI: 1457-1458', in Calendar of Close Rolls, Henry VI: Volume 6, 1454-1461, (London, 1947) pp. 235-246. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/hen6/vol6/pp235-246 [accessed 23 April 2024]

1457-1458


	1458.

	Membrane 28. (fn. 1)
Nov. 18. Westminster.	To the sheriff of Lincoln for the time being. Order to pay to John Hardyng 20l. a year for life and the arrears; as the king has granted him for life a yearly rent of 20l. of the rents, farms, issues, profits and revenues of that county.
	Et erat patens.
	Membrane 27.
Feb. 16. Westminster.	To the sheriffs of London and Middlesex for the time being. Order every year to pay to Thomas Osberne 12d. a day during his life, and to pay him the arrears since Michaelmas day last; as by letters patent of 2 November last, the king granted to him for life from Michaelmas day aforesaid the office of one of his serjeants at arms, with wages of 12d. a day of the farms of London and Middlesex, and of the issues, profits, farms, revenues and money in those counties arising.
	Et erat patens.
	Membrane 24. (fn. 2)
March 25. Westminster.	To the keeper of the great wardrobe for the time being. Order every year towards Christmas to give John Stanley the son livery of gowns for himself, a yeoman and a groom during his life, and the arrears thereof for Christmas last; as by letters patent of 9 July last the king granted to John Stanley his esquire and the said John his son for their lives and the life of the longest liver the office of serjeant of the armoury for his body, or his armourer within the Tower of London and elsewhere, to be occupied by themselves or by deputy with wages of 12d. a day for themselves, 6d. a day for a yeoman and 3d. a day for a groom, to be taken of the farms, issues, profits and revenues of Surrey and Sussex, and other the profits etc. to that office pertaining of old time, and gowns for John the younger, the yeoman and groom every year towards Christmas, such as the serjeant etc. took in time of the king's forefathers.
April 26. Westminster.	To the receivers, bailiffs, farmers or other the occupiers for the time being of the lordships of Merk and Oye in the march of Calais. Order to pay to Lewis Galet the elder a yearly rent of 40l. during his life, and the arrears since Christmas last; as by advice and assent of the council the king has granted to him for life from that day a yearly rent of 40l. of the issues, revenues, farms, rents, profits etc. of those lordships.
May 6. Westminster.	To the escheator in Leicestershire. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with seven virgates of land and four crofts in Carleton Curlye, delivering to John Dansey and Margery his wife any issues thereof taken; as it is found by inquisition, taken before John Hubawde late escheator, that Anne Chesilden at her death held the same in dower after the death of Theobald Warde her husband, of the heritage of the said Margery daughter and heir of the said Theobald, and that they are held in chief as of the duchy of Lancastre as of the honour of Leycestre.
	1457.
	Membrane 22. (fn. 3)
Oct. 12.	To the sheriff of Somerset for the time being. Order to pay to the now duke of Somerset 20l. a year for life and the arrears for Easter and Michaelmas terms last; as upon the finding of an inquisition, taken before William Brounyng the younger late escheator, that Edmund late duke of Somerset at his death held in fee tail to him and the heirs male of his body the style, title and honour of earl of Somerset by gift of King Henry VI to John earl of Somerset his father, whose heir male he was, and to the heirs male of his body, and 20l. a year of the issues of that county, and that Henry now duke is his son and heir male of his body, by letters patent of 1 March last, for 100 marks paid in his jewel house, the king of his mere motion did grant the said Henry licence, being then nearly of full age, to enter without proof of his age all castles, towns, lordships, lands, rents etc., annuities payable as well in the exchequer as of the petty custom in the port of London and other possessions in England, Wales, the march of Wales, Ireland and Calais held by the late duke in fee simple, fee tail or otherwise which ought to remain or descend to him, and to hold and occupy the same without suing livery out of the king's hand, and that such entry and seisin should be of the same force in law as if he were of age and had sued livery as aforesaid although the premises were held in chief or otherwise of the king, or were in the king's hands, any inquisition taken by virtue of an escheator's office or of a writ or command of the king notwithstanding, and notwithstanding that no inquisition was taken, further granting that he would remove his hands and restore the premises to the said Henry, so that the king and his heirs should have no claim nor interest therein, and granting to the said Henry of his gift all profits, issues and revenues of the same from Michaelmas then last without accounting or rendering aught save the said 100 marks, pardoning him all that might pertain to the king, and his marriage or refusal of any suitable marriage proposed to him by the king or in his name, and granting to him his marriage without rendering aught save as aforesaid.
	Et erat patens.
	To the sheriff of Somerset and Dorset for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, upon the finding of an inquisition that the said Edmund held likewise in fee tail the style, title and honour of duke of Somerset by gift of the king, by letters patent dated Wyndesore castle, 31 March, 26 Henry VI, to him and the heirs male of his body, and 40l. a year of the farms, issues, revenues, profits etc. of those counties.
	Et erat patens.
Nov. 12. Westminster.	To the sheriff of Southampton for the time being. Order every year to pay to John Roger the younger esquire during his life the wages and fees to his office due and accustomed, and to pay him the arrears for Easter and Michaelmas terms last; as by letters patent of 28 November, 35 Henry VI, the king granted to him for life the office of constable of Winchester castle, to be occupied by himself or by deputy, with the wages and fees aforesaid to be taken of the issues, profits, farms and revenues of the county.
	Et erat patens.
	1458.
April 12. Westminster.	To the farmers, receivers or other the occupiers for the time being of the lordship of Shene. Order every year to pay to Thomas Barton the king's esquire, serjeant of his pantry, the wages and fees for the office of gardener of Shene, and to pay him the arrears since 8 June last, on which date for good and unpaid service the king granted to him for life the office of gardener there, to be occupied by himself or by deputy, with the wages and fees of old time due and accustomed, to be taken of the issues, profits and revenues of the lordships or manors of Sheen, Petreshame and Hamme.
	Et erat patens.
April 12. Westminster.	To the farmers, bailiffs or other the occupiers for the time being of the lordship of Sheen. Order every year to pay to John Bury and Thomas Barton 6d. a day during their lives and the life of the longest liver, and to pay them the arrears since Michaelmas, 30 Henry VI; as in consideration of good and unpaid services of John Bury esquire one of the serjeants at arms, by name of yeoman of the king's hall, and of Thomas Barton one of the yeomen of the crown, the king granted to them for their lives etc. from Michaelmas then last the office of keeper of the manor of Sheen and of the wardrobe of his vessels and victuals there, to be occupied by themselves or by deputy, with wages of 6d. a day of the issues, profits, farms and revenues of that lordship, the keeping of two small lands called Naytes, and all profits and advantages due to the said office.
	Et erat patens.
March 24. Westminster.	To the customers or collectors for the time being of the great custom and the subsidy upon wool, hides and woolfells in the port of London. Order to suffer Roger Gentyle and his executors, their deputies, factors or attorneys native or alien in the port of London in the king's name once or divers times as they please to ship in one or more galleys, caracks, ships or vessels 130 sacks of wool for the first of three years and 245 sacks for the second year, and carry the same beyond the mountains or through the straits of Marrok, reckoning and answering to the king at the rate of 4 marks only a sack for all customs, subsidies and duties, and by indentures keeping those 4 marks in their own hands to be applied as hereinafter mentioned, without let or impeachment of the king, his officers or ministers or of any other person, and without rendering other account at the exchequer; as by advice and assent of the council the king appointed that during three years 2,000 sacks a year of wool of Cotteswold, the marches and Lempster, which used of old time to be made into cloth beyond the mountains, should in his name be carried thither, as appears by an act made in council, and he is indebted in divers sums to Henry Percy now earl of Northumberland, elder son of Henry late earl, for keeping the castle and town of Berwick upon Tweed and the Estmarch towards Scotland, and for part payment thereof by letters patent of 23 March last, the king granted licence to Roger Gentyle, his executors etc. as aforesaid in the ports of London and Cicestre so to ship 130 of those 2,000 sacks for the first year, beginning 16 July last, and 240 sacks for the second year, and to carry the same beyond the mountains or through the said straits, reckoning etc. at the rate aforesaid, and keeping the money in their own hands to be applied in part payment of the said sums by indentures made with the customers or collectors witnessing such shipment, by one part whereof, the said letters, and by writs to them addressed the customers or collectors shall have their discharge at the exchequer, any statutes, ordinances, acts or provisions heretofore made, any assignments, restrictions or commands to the contrary notwithstanding, and notwithstanding that the wool was not the king's or their own, or that in the said letters was no mention of the value thereof, or any other matter or cause whatsoever; and the said Roger has found security in chancery that within one year after shipment he shall bring into chancery letters testimonial under seal of the city of Milan or Cumae witnessing that the wool was unladed beyond the mountains or the said straits.
	Membrane 21.
June 13. Westminster.	To the constable of Wyndesore castle or his lieutenant for the time being. Order every year to pay to Richard Ludlowe serjeant of the king's cellar and Richard Ludlowe his son during their lives and the life of the longest liver the wages for their office, and to pay them the arrears since 25 October, 26 Henry VI, on which date the king granted to them for their lives etc. the office of parker of Henley upon the 'Hethe' and keeper of his manor within that park, to be occupied by themselves or by deputy, with wages, fees etc. to the same due and accustomed.
	Membrane 20.
Jan. 5. Westminster.	To the sheriffs of London and Middlesex for the time being. Order every year to pay to Thomas Kirkeby 12d. a day during his life, and to pay him the arrears since 1 September last; as by letters patent of 13 December, 35 Henry VI, the king granted to him to be for life one of his serjeants at arms as soon as one of them should die or his office should be void, with wages of 12d. a day of the fee farm of those counties and of the issues, profits and revenues thereof; and John Bridde one of the serjeants at arms died on 1 September last, as the sheriff of Oxford has certified in chancery.
	Erat patens.
Jan. 5. Westminster.	To the keeper of the great wardrobe for the time being. Order every year towards Christmas to give Thomas Kirkeby livery of a gown of the king's livery at the suit of other serjeants at arms; as by letters patent etc. (as above) the king granted etc. with (the said) wages and a gown as aforesaid yearly at the great wardrobe; and John Bridde etc. (as above).
	Erat patens.
	1457.
Dec. 27. Westminster.	To the collectors for the time being of the subsidy of 3s. the tun and 12d. in the pound in the port of Great Jernemuth. Order to pay by indentures made with him, his factors or attorneys, to Richard earl of Warrewyk all subsidies of tunnage and poundage in that port arising from Michaelmas day last for three years, any statute, act, ordinance or assignment to the contrary notwithstanding; as by indentures of 26 November last, trusting in the fidelity, probity and circumspection of the earl, by advice and assent of the council the king did retain him to sail in his service at sea upon the safe guard thereof and defence from his enemies there, and for that cause did assign to him among other things for three years from Michaelmas last all subsidies called 'tonnage and poundage'; and willing that he shall have due payment of the same, by letters patent with advice and assent of the council the king has given him for three years for guard of the sea those subsidies in all ports of the realm, Suthampton and Sandewich only excepted, according to the grant thereof made to the king by the commons in the parliament holden at Redynge, 6 March, 31 Henry VI, without rendering account or aught else to the king.
	Erat patens.
	Like writs to the collectors for the time being of the said subsidy in the following ports:
	Briggewater.
	Dertmouth and singular the ports and places adjacent.
	Gippewich.
	Pole and singular etc. (as above).
	Bristol and singular etc.
	London.
	Bishops Lenn.
	Cicestre.
	Plymmouth and singular etc.
	Newcastle upon Tyne.
	Berwick upon Tweed.
	Kyngeston upon Hull.
	St. Botolph's town.
1458.	Membrane 17. (fn. 4)
April 12. Westminster.	To the citizens of the city or town of Rochester for the time being. Order every year to pay to John Bere the king's servant 2d. a day during his life, and to pay him the arrears since Michaelmas, 34 Henry VI; as by letters patent of 3 November last, the king appointed him for life from Michaelmas aforesaid janitor of Rouchestre castle and keeper of the king's court (place) within it, to be occupied by himself or by deputy, with wages of 2d. a day of the fee farm of that city or town by the hands of the citizens, or of the issues and profits of the county of Kent by the sheriff's hands.
	Et erat patens.
	1457.
	Membrane 12. (fn. 5)
Nov. 26. Westminster.	To the sheriffs of London and Middlesex for the time being. Order to pay to James earl of Douglas 30l. a year until by matter of record in the exchequer the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer shall be assured that he has recovered or been restored to his possessions, or the greater part thereof, taken by one who calls himself king of Scots, and to pay him the arrears since Michaelmas last; as with advice and assent of the council by letters patent of 22 July, 34 Henry VI, the king granted to the earl among other things from 7 August then last, 400l. a year at the receipt of the exchequer until restored as aforesaid, and if restored to half his possessions half the said sum, but for that he might not obtain ready payment of the whole, the earl was of a mind to give up those letters in chancery to be cancelled in respect of 200l. thereof, to the end that the king should make him another grant of that sum; and by letters patent of 23 November last, with advice and assent of the council, and for that he did give up those letters as aforesaid, the king did grant him 200l., namely 30l. a year of the farm of London and Middlesex and of all other the issues and profits of those counties, and of all debts and money due from the sheriffs and levied to the king's use, from Michaelmas last until the treasurer and the barons shall be assured as aforesaid.
	To the sheriff of Stafford for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 30l. a year of the farms, fines, issues, amercements, profits, rents, revenues etc. of that county.
	To the sheriff of Nottingham and Derby for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 13l. a year.
	To the sheriff of Oxford and Berkshire for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 13l. a year.
	To the sheriff of Salop for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 16l. 6s. 8d. a year.
	To the sheriff of Warwick and Leicester for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 12l. a year.
	To the sheriff of Kent for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 13l. 6s. 8d. a year.
	To the sheriff of Surrey and Sussex for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 10l. a year.
	To the sheriff of Northampton for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 10l. a year.
	To the sheriff of Lincolnshire for the time being. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 9l. 6s. 8d. a year.
	To the farmers, receivers or other the occupiers for the time being of the manor of Sutton otherwise Beauregard by Cheswyk co. Middlesex. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 60s. a year of the issues and profits of that manor.
	To the farmers, occupiers, receivers or approvers for the time being of the subsidy and alnage upon cloth for sale in Somerset. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 20l. a year of the farm thereof.
	To the farmers etc. for the time being of the said subsidy and alnage in Wiltshire and the city of New Sarum. Like order, mutatis mutandis, for payment of 20l. a year.
	1458.
	Membrane 11.
April 26. Westminster.	To all bailiffs and ministers within the realm. Order to suffer the men of the town of Thyndene, which is of the ancient demesne of the crown as appears by a certificate sent into chancery by the treasurer and the chamberlains of the exchequer by command of King Richard II, to be quit of payment of toll upon their goods and property, releasing any distress upon them made; as according to a custom heretofore observed and approved within the realm men of the ancient demesne are and ought to be thereof quit throughout the realm.
	Membrane 10.
June 28. Westminster.	To the escheator in Buckinghamshire. Order to take the fealty of William Lucy the elder esquire, and to give him seisin of the manor of Amersham, saving the dower of Beatrice who was wife of Richard Strikeland; as it is found by inquisition, taken before the escheator, that a fine thereof levied at Westminster in the quinzaine of St. Hilary, 7 Henry VI, between Walter Strikeland esquire and Isabel his wife plaintiffs, and John Barton the younger, John Longvyll, Thomas Payn, William Thommes clerk and Gilbert Bury clerk deforciants, whereby the deforciants granted the same to the plaintiffs and the heirs of Isabel's body, to hold of the deforciants and of the heirs of the said Gilbert, rendering to them one rose a year at Midsummer for all service, custom and demand, with remainder for lack of her issue to the heirs of the body of Alice daughter of Margery daughter of James son of John de Pabenham, and reversion to the deforciants and the said Gilbert's heirs quit of other the heirs of the said Isabel and Alice, that the said Walter and Isabel had issue Richard Strikeland and died, that the manor did descend to the said Richard as son and heir of Isabel, that he entered and died thereof seised without issue, that after his death the manor ought to remain to William Lucy as son and heir of the said Alice, who is of full age, and that it is held of the king as of the honour of 'Peverell fee' by the service of one knight's fee; and by another inquisition, taken before the escheator, it is found that the said Alice died at Burneham co. Bukingham, on Wednesday after Palm Sunday, 8 Henry VI; and by letters patent of 25 April last, among other things the king pardoned the said William, son and heir of Alice daughter of Margery daughter of James son of John de Pabenham, otherwise son and heir of Thomas Lucy knight, for all gifts, alienations and purchases of lands held in chief to 7 December then last, and for half a mark paid in the hanaper respited his homage until Midsummer day next.
	To the escheator in Leicestershire. Order upon a like finding, mutatis mutandis, saving dower of the said Beatrice, to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the residue of two thirds of the manor of Claybroke called 'the Lady Clynton maner,' held of another than the king.
	To the escheator in Wiltshire. Like order, mutatis mutandis, concerning one carucate of land and 4 acres of meadow in Bereford, a moiety of the manor of Compton Chamburleyn called 'the Lady Clynton maner,' and the advowson of Bereford church.
	1457.
Nov. 12. Westminster.	To the escheator in Gloucestershire. Order to take of Elizabeth who was wife of William Beauchamp de Sancto Amando knight an oath etc., and in presence of the next friends of Richard son and heir of the said William, a minor in ward of the king, or of their attorneys, to assign her dower.
June 12. Westminster.	To the escheator in Devon. Order to take of Joan who was wife of John Dynham knight an oath etc., and in presence of John Dynham esquire, son and heir of the said John, or of his attorneys, to assign her dower.
	To the escheator in the county of Southampton. Like order to assign dower to the said Joan, of whom the king has commanded the escheator in Devon to take an oath etc.
	Like writs to the escheators in Somerset, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Aug. 4. Westminster.	To the escheator in Salop and the march of Wales adjacent. Order to take the fealty of Richard Gray, son and heir of Henry Gray knight, and to give him seisin of the lands held by his father in fee and fee tail; as he has proved his age before the escheator, and for 10s. paid in the hanaper the king has respited his homage until Midsummer day next.
	To the escheator in Lincolnshire. Like order to give the said Richard seisin; as he has proved his age before the escheator in Salop etc., and for a fine paid in the hanaper the king has respited his homage until a day yet to come, and commanded the said escheator to take his fealty.
	Like writs to the escheators in Suffolk, Yorkshire and the county of Southampton.
	Membrane 7. (fn. 6)
June 13. Westminster.	To the merchants for the time being of the island of Guernesey. Order to suffer John Nanfan the king's esquire or his deputies from time to time for ten years from 24 September last to take all customs, subsidies and duties which do not pertain to the staple of Calais arising from merchandise whatsoever by them imported into England and all taken over thence to the islands of Gersey and Guernesey; as for particular causes and considerations him moving, the king has appointed John Nanfan keeper and governor of those islands, and of the castles and other places there, and he has at his peril taken upon him the keeping thereof for the term aforesaid according to indentures made with the king; and by letters patent of 8 October last, the king gave him all the said customs etc. during that term to keep in his hands, rendering no account or aught else to the king, and further appointed him collector and receiver of the same within the realm, giving him for greater security power and authority to search and arrest all goods and merchandise shipped within those islands and within the realm in ships, vessels and boats, so imported into the realm by the inhabitants of the said islands and put ashore by way of traffic, and taken over thence to the islands, if not customed or cocketted or not agreed with him or his deputies, and to confiscate the same as forfeit to the king's use according to the statutes, so that he shall answer to the king and render account at the exchequer of such forfeitures, and any other person who shall take of the inhabitants such customs etc. within the said term shall give the same up to him or his deputies, and it is the king's will that no collectors of customs and subsidies due upon goods etc. of the said inhabitants save the said John shall during that term meddle therein, but shall be thereof discharged toward the king.
Feb. 4. Westminster.	To the escheator in Yorkshire. Order to take the fealty of Joan wife of John Darcy knight, and to give her livery of a third part of two thirds of the manors of Templehyrst and Temple Newsom, and the issues and profits thereof taken; as it is found by inquisition, taken before John Wombewell late escheator, that John lord Darcy (sic) was seised of those manors, a third part of two thirds excepted which was held in dower of his heritage by Eleanor who was wife of Philip Darcy knight with reversion to him and his heirs, that by charter dated 12 January, 24 Henry VI, he gave that reversion to Thomas Nevyle and Robert Eure, their heirs and assigns, and the said Eleanor attorned tenant to them; that by charter dated 30 January, 34 Henry VI, (fn. 7) the said Thomas and Robert gave the same to the said John Darcy and Joan and to the heirs male of the body of John Darcy, and the said Eleanor attorned tenant to them, that she continued in possession to the day of her death, the reversion being in the said Joan, that by letters patent of 1 November, 34 Henry VI, among other things the king pardoned the said Joan, by name of Joan who was wife of John Darcy knight, or any other name, for all gifts, alienations and purchases of lands held in chief, and that the said manors are held in chief by the service of the tenth part of one knight's fee.
	Membrane 2. (fn. 8)
July 7. Westminster.	To the customers or collectors for the time being of the customs and subsidies upon wool, hides and woolfells in the port of London. Order to suffer Thomas Fyndern knight, lieutenant of Guysnes castle in Picardy, his deputies, factors or attorneys native or alien in the king's name once or divers times as they please to ship in one or more galleys, carracks, ships or vessels in the ports of London and Cicestre and carry beyond the mountains or through the straits of Marrok 375 sacks of wool of 2,000 sacks for the second year, reckoning and answering to the king at the rate of 4 marks only a sack for all customs, subsidies and duties, and by indentures with them made to keep those 4 marks in their own hands in part of sums due as hereinafter mentioned; as with advice and assent of the council, the king has appointed 2,000 sacks a year of wool of Cotteswolde, the 'marches' and Lempster, or such as of old time used to be made into cloth beyond the mountains, to be carried thither in his name during three years, as appears by an act in council, and certain sums are due for wages to hired soldiers of the said castle, and willing to provide for payment thereof he has given the said Thomas licence of the 2,000 sacks of wool for the second year to ship as aforesaid 375 sacks in the said ports and carry them beyond the mountains or through the said straits, reckoning and answering for 4 marks only a sack, and by indentures made with the customers or collectors to keep those 4 marks in his own hands in part of the said sums without let or impeachment of the king, his officers or ministers or of any other, and without rendering other account at the exchequer, any statutes, ordinances, acts or provisions heretofore made, any assignments, restrictions or commands to the contrary notwithstanding, and notwithstanding that the wool was or was not the king's or their own, or any other matter or cause whatsoever.
	Erat patens.