Bibliothèque Nationale
THE ORIGINAL RECORDS
Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris MS. Latin 9215 (Mont St Michel, no. 7)
MS. Latin 9215 in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris is a large, composite volume of original documents, mainly charters, connected with a number of Norman religious houses. These are of various dates between the twelfth and the sixteenth century and the documents are separately mounted on individual guards within the volume. This volume seems to have been added to the collection of the Bibliothèque Nationale (then the Bibliothèque du Roi) at some time between 1744 and 1820.
(fn. bn-foot-01)
One of the sequences of documents it contains relates to the abbey of Mont St Michel and most of the documents in it look as though they probably come from the abbey's own archive. No. 7 in the Mont St Michel sequence is not, however, apparently by origin a Mont St Michel document at all. It has every appearance of being a membrane taken from a parliament roll produced for the Lent parliament of 1305. As R.L. Atkinson noted in 1921, its filing hole, writing, spacing and marginal marks fit those of the membrane 15 of Roll 12. Atkinson concluded from the fact that the membrane included much material of no interest to Mont St Michel as well as entries that were of interest to it and from the filing hole that it was more probable that it was the original membrane as detached from the roll than that it was a contemporary copy made by the same scribe for the abbey.
(fn. bn-foot-02)
Richardson and Sayles agreed with this judgment and noted that this membrane and membrane 15 came from what was originally a separate parliament roll summarising Channel Islands and Irish petitions and the responses made to them.
(fn. bn-foot-03)
It is unclear how this membrane strayed from official custody. Atkinson suggested it was detached from the roll and sent to Mont St Michel shortly after being made but there is no real evidence to support this hypothesis and it was probably lost rather more recently than that.
(fn. bn-foot-04)
The whole of the membrane was first edited by Julien Havet in 1877-8.
(fn. bn-foot-05)
All of it except for the final extended entry (item 20) relating to the plea between the king and the abbey of Mont St Michael was re-edited by Richardson and Sayles in
Rotuli Parliamentorum Hactenus Inediti
in 1935.
(fn. bn-foot-06)
The membrane has been re-examined and recollated with the text of Richardson and Sayles for this edition and this edition also includes a text of item 20. The
latter has been compared with the text of the related entry in the
Vetus Codex
which is helpful for filling out gaps caused by damage to this membrane.
Text and translation
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[p. ix-47]
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[memb. 1]
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PETICIONES ETC. INSULARUM DE JERES' ET GERNER' IN PARLIAMENTO DOMINI REGIS APUD WESTMONASTERIUM DIE DOMINICA PROXIMA POST FESTUM SANCTI MATHIE APOSTOLI ANNO REGNI REGIS EDWARDI FILII REGIS HENRICI TRICESIMO TERCIO. |
PETITIONS ETC. FROM THE ISLANDS OF JERSEY AND GUERNSEY IN THE PARLIAMENT OF THE LORD KING AT WESTMINSTER ON THE SUNDAY AFTER THE FEAST OF SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE IN THE THIRTY-THIRD YEAR OF THE REIGN OF OF KING EDWARD THE SON OF KING HENRY. |
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Geres'. |
Jersey. |
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1. Ad peticionem Gaudini Garire de parochia Sancti Martini Veteris in insula de Gereseye, cui dominus rex quandam abjuracionem ibidem perdonavit ut dicit etc., qui quidem Gaudinus
[p. ix-48]
petit terras et tenementa que Drogo de Barentyn tenet de hereditate ipsius Gaudini per foresfacturam predictam etc., dictum est predicto Gaudyno quod sequatur versus predictum Drogonem in curia domini regis in insula predicta secundum consuetudinem insularum etc. si sibi viderit expedire etc.
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1. To the petition of Gaudin Garire of the parish of St Martin le Vieux in the island of Jersey, to whom the lord king has pardoned an abjuration there, as he says etc., which same Gaudin
[p. ix-48]
claims the lands and tenements which Drew de Barentyn holds of the inheritance of the same Gaudin through the said forfeiture etc.: the said Gaudin is told to sue against the said Drew in the court of the lord king in the said island according to the custom of the islands etc. if he thinks it will benefit him etc.
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Geres'. |
Jersey. |
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2. Ad peticionem Johannis de Carteroco militis, qui dicit se tenuisse ad firmam per quatuor annos decimas spectantes ad episcopum Abbrincensem in parochiis de Sancta Trinitate et Sancti Laurencii, et quod Robertus de Haddeye ballivus Otonis de Grandissono exigit ab eo centum libras turonenses de quinto anno, cum idem Johannes non tenuisset predictam firmam nisi per quatuor annos tantum, et hoc petit inquiri etc., concessum est quod fiat breve custodi insularum vel ejus locum tenenti quod inquirat de facto predicto, et secundum inquisicionem fiat ei justicia etc. |
2. To the petition of Jean de Carteret knight who says he has held at farm for four years the tithes belonging to the bishop of Avranches in the parishes of La Trinite and and St Laurence and that Robert de Haddeye, the bailiff of Otto de Grandisson demands one hundred livres tournois for the fifth year although John did not hold the said farm for more than four years and asks for there to be an enquiry into this etc., it is conceded that a writ is to be issued to the warden of the islands or his lieutenant to enquire into this matter and to do justice to him in accordance with its findings etc. |
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Geres'. |
Jersey. |
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3. Ad peticionem Johannis de Barentyn qui asserit quod quidam Johannis Aher deforciat ei redditum unius cabotelli frumenti in parochia Sancti Salvatoris sibi venditum per quemdam Petrum Pater, dictum est ei quod sequatur in curia domini regis insularum versus predictum Johannem Aher secundum consuetudinem parcium illarum, si sibi etc. |
3. To the petition of Jean de Barentyn who asserts that one Jean Aher withholds from him the rent of one caboteau of wheat in the parish of St Sauveur sold him by one Pierre Pater: he is told to sue in the court of the lord king of the islands against the said Jean Aher in accordance with the custom of those parts if he etc. |
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Geres'. |
Jersey. |
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4. Ad peticionem Perote neptis Petri le Seyre, Matillidis que fuit uxor Guillelmi le Bas, et Nicholai Hukelyn et parcenariorum suorum, qui se dicunt perdidisse duas acras terre in parochia Sancti Eleri per quamdam inquisicionem captam coram magistro Roberto de Leysete et H. priore de Wenlok, alias justiciariis domini regis ibidem, dictum est etc. quod sequantur breve predicto Roberto de recordo et processu mittendo inquisicionis predicte ad proximum parliamentum etc. |
4. To the petition of Perote the granddaughter(or niece)of Pierre le Seyre, Maud the widow of Guillaume le Bas, et Nichole Hukelyn and their parceners who say they have lost two acres in the parish of St Helier through a certain inquisition taken before master Robert of Lesset and Henry prior of Wenlock formerly justices of the lord king there: they are told etc. to sue a writ to the said Robert to send the record and process of the said inquisition to the next parliament etc. |
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Gern'. |
Guernsey. |
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5. Ad peticionem abbatis et conventus de Blanchelaunde in qua continetur quod cum ipsi teneant quandam grangiam et quasdam decimas cum pertinenciis in parochia Sancti Martini de la Bellouse in perpetuam elemosinam de dono Ricardi quondam ducis Normannie ad celebrandum imperpetuum etc., ballivi Ottonis
[p. ix-49]
de Grandissono custodis insularum etc. distringunt ipsos abbatem et conventum ad inveniendum duos monachos celebrantes apud grangiam predictam pro animabus regum Anglie occasione cujusdam inquisicionis facte coram H. de Guldeford' et sociis suis justiciariis nuper itinerantibus ibidem, cum ipsi nusquam celebrare consuevissent alibi quam in abbacia sua Normannie, dictum est etc. quod habeant ad proximum parliamentum cartam predicti ducis quam habent de dono predicto. Et mandetur H. de Guldeford' de recordo et processu inquisicionis predicte mittendo etc.
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5. To the petition of the abbot and convent of Blanchelande in which it is contained that whereas they hold a certain grange and certain tithes with appurtenances in the parish of St Martin de la Bellouse in perpetual alms of the gift of Richard former duke of Normandy to celebrate in perpetuity etc., the bailiffs of Otto
[p. ix-49]
de Grandisson the warden of the islands etc. distrain the same abbot and convent to provide two monks to celebrate at the said grange for the souls of the kings of England by reason of a certain inquisition made before Henry of Guildford and his colleagues recently justices itinerant there, although they were never accustomed to celebrate anywhere other than in the abbey in Normandy: they are told etc. to produce at the next parliament the charter of the said duke which they have on the said gift. And Henry of Guildford is ordered to send the record and process of the said inquisition etc.
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Gers'. |
Jersey. |
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6. Ad peticionem Reginaldi de Cartrec' qui dicit quod abbas et conventus de Monte Sancti Michaelis minati sunt ei de implacitando ipsum Reginaldum in curia christianitatis occasione quod idem
[editorial note: Altered from 'ipsum']
Reginaldus cepit in manum domini regis prioratum Sancti Clementis per judicium inde redditum coram
justiciario [sic: read 'justiciariis']
ultimo
itinerante [sic: read 'itinerantibus']
ibidem etc., responsum est quod, quia non fit mencio in peticione predicta de aliqua injuria sibi facta,
quod [sic]
nichil inde fieri potest ad presens etc.
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6. To the petition of Reginald de Carteret who says that the abbot and convent of Mont Saint Michel threaten to implead the same Reginald in court christian because the same Reginald took into the hand of the lord king the priory of St Clement by a judgment rendered on this matter before the justices late itinerant there, the answer is given that because there is no mention in the said petition of any wrong done to him that nothing can be done on it at present etc. |
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7. Ad peticionem Johannis de Cartrec' qui dicit quod cum ipse tempore guerre inter dominum regem Anglie et regem Francie tenuisset quedam tenementa et terras alienigenarum que sunt de feodo ipsius Johannis, ac idem Johannes postmodo per formam pacis inter dictos reges inite reddidisset predictis alienigenis predicta tenementa sua et terras cum exitibus inde medio tempore perceptis, et hoc per preceptum ballivorum Ottonis de Grandissono custodis insularum etc., ballivi ipsius Ottonis nichilominus distringunt eum
<
pro
>
predictis exitibus eidem Ottoni solvendis, responsum est quod, quia videtur quod peticio ipsius Johannis est racionabilis etc., fiat breve predicto Ottoni vel ejus locum tenenti pro predicto Johanne secundum formam peticionis etc.
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7. To the petition of Jean de Carteret who says that whereas during the period of the war between the lord king of England and the king of France he held certain tenements and lands of aliens which belong to the fee of the said Jean and the same Jean subsequently, under the terms of the peace made between the said kings, returned the said tenements and lands to the said aliens with the issues received in the interim, and this by the order of the bailiffs of Otto de Grandisson, the warden of the islands etc., the bailiffs of the same Otto nonetheless distrain him to pay the said issues to the same Otto, it is answered that, because it seems that the petition of the same Jean is a reasonable one etc., a writ is to be issued to the same Otto or his lieutenant for the said Jean in accordance with the terms of his petition etc. |
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Gernes'. |
Guernsey. |
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8. Ad peticionem Radulfi Esterling' qui dicit quod
[p. ix-50]
cum ipse ad querelam cujusdam Willelmi le Marchant dudum arestatus fuisset in insula de Gernereye et supervenisset tunc statim quidam Willelmus de Culeford et, suborta contencione inter ipsos Willelmum et Willelmum, uterque ipsorum Willelmi et Willelmi interfecisset alium, presente ipso Radulfo Esterling', et idem Radulfus ob timorem confugisset ad ecclesiam etc., et ibi abjurasset insulas etc., unde idem Radulfus petit graciam de domino rege de abjuracione predicta et catallis suis etc., responsum est quod mandetur custodibus placitorum corone parcium illarum etc. quod certificent regem de causa, forma et modo abjuracionis etc. ad proximum parliamentum etc.
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8. To the petition of Ralph Esterling' who says that
[p. ix-50]
whereas he was long ago arrested at the suit of one Guillaume le Marchant in the island of Guernsey and one William of Culford immediately came up and a quarrel arose between Guillaume and William and each killed the other in the presence of the said Ralph Esterling and Ralph fled to a church etc. out of fear and there abjured the islands etc. and so Ralph asks for grace from the lord king on the said abjuration and his chattels etc. the answer is given that the coroners of those parts are to be written to etc. to give the king information on the cause, terms and manner of the abjuration etc. at the next parliament etc.
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Jeres'. |
Jersey. |
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9. Ad primam peticionem Willelmi filii Radulfi Payn de quodam tenemento cum pertinenciis etc. quod vocatur Rosel quod Drogo de Barentyn tenet, responsum est quod quia Henricus de Guldeford et Johannes de Ditton' nuper justiciarii itinerantes ibidem recordantur quod predictus Drogo sumonitus fuit ad respondendum predicto Willelmo de predicto manerio in itinere predicto et quod idem Willelmus non fuit prosecutus, per quod consideratum fuit quod predictus Drogo iret inde sine die etc., dictum est ei quod sequatur alias in curia domini regis ibidem versus predictum Drogonem si sibi viderit expedire. |
9. To the first petition of Guillaume son of Ralph Payn concerning a certain tenement with appurtenances etc. called Rosel which Drew de Barentyn holds, the answer is given that because Henry of Guildford and John of Ditton' lately justices itinerant there record that the said Drew was summoned to answer the said Guillaume on the said manor in the said eyre and that the said Guillaume was non-suited and so it was adjudged that the said Drew should go without day on this etc.: he is told to sue again in the court of the lord king there against the said Drew if he think it will benefit him. |
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10. Ad secundam peticionem ipsius Willelmi in qua continetur quod H. de Guldeford et socii sui justiciarii
<
nuper
>
itinerantes etc. liberaverunt seysinam de omnibus rebus, terris et catallis ipsius Willelmi in parochia Sancti Salvatoris, occasione cujusdam
[p. ix-51]
processus inter eos habiti de quodam placito transgressionis etc. ad querelam ipsius Drogonis et cujusdam alterius placiti consimilis coram magistro Roberto de Leysete nuper justiciario etc. inter ipsum Willelmum filium Pagani querentem et predictum Drogonem, responsum est quod mandetur predicto Roberto et eciam predicto H. de recordo mittendo ad proximum parliamentum etc.
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10. To the second petition of the same Guillaume in which it is contained that Henry of Guildford and his colleagues, lately justices itinerant etc., have handed over seisin of all property, both lands and chattels, of the same Guillaume in the parish of St Sauveur by reason of a certain
[p. ix-51]
process between them on a certain plea of trespass etc. at the complaint of the same Drew and of a certain other like plea before master Robert of Lesset late justice etc. between the same Guillaume son of Pain complainant and the said Drew it is answered that Robert and also Henry are to be ordered to send the record to the next parliament etc..
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Jeres'. |
Jersey. |
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11. Ad peticionem Johannis de Cartroco
[et]
Lucie uxoris ejus, qui clamant wreccum maris racione libertatis qua ipsa Lucia et antecessores sui usi sunt a tempore quo non exstat memoria etc., responsum est quod quia H. de Guldeford et Johannes de Ditton' justiciarii nuper itinerantes ibidem testantur quod predicti Johannes et Lucia venerunt coram ipsis et allegaverunt prescripcionem predictam et super hoc sunt ibidem ad judicium sine inquisicione etc. et judicium nondum inde redditum, et similiter testatum est per eosdem justiciarios quod placita de insulis etc. pendencia in judicium debent terminari in proximo itinere subsequente etc., quod predicti Johannes et Lucia exspectent usque adventum justiciariorum proximo ad partes illas etc.
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11. To the petition of Jean de Carteret and his wife Lucy, who claim wreck of the sea by reason of a franchise which the same Lucy and her ancestors have exercised time out of mind etc.it is answered that because Henry of Guildford and John of Ditton, recently justices itinerant there, attest that the said John and Lucy appeared before them and alleged the said prescription and are awaiting judgment on this without any inquisition etc. and the judgment has not yet been rendered on this and it is also attested by the same justices that pleas from the islands etc. adjourned for judgment ought to be determined in the next eyre following etc., that the said Jean and Lucy are to await the arrival of the next justices sent to those parts etc. |
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Jeres'. |
Jersey. |
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12. Ad peticionem Roberti le Galicien qui dicit quod quedam tenementa in parochiis Sancti Martini de Grovilla et Sancti Laurencii que fuerunt jus et maritagium cujusdam Johanne matris ipsius
[editorial note: Altered from 'predicti'.]
Roberti qui sequitur pro se et parcenariis suis, cujus heredes ipsi sunt,
sesita [sic: read 'seisita']
fuerunt et occupata sunt per quemdam Petrum de Arcis ballivum et firmarium Ottonis de Grandissono, qui quidem Petrus ipsos inde ejecit, responsum est quod mandetur predicto Otoni vel ejus locum tenenti quod inquirat de jure et
sesina [sic: read 'seisina']
predicti Roberti et aliorum et omnibus articulis et circumstanciis factum predictum tangentibus, et inquisicionem etc. scire faciat sine dilacione domino regi etc., et secundum inquisicionem fiat eis justicia etc.
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12. To the petition of Robert le Galicien who says that certain tenements in the parishes of St. Martin de Groville and St. Laurence which were the right and marriage-portion of one Joan the mother of the same Robert, who sues for himself and his parceners, whose heirs they are, were seised and occupied by a certain Pierre de Arcis, the bailiff and farmer of Otto de Grandisson, which Pierre ejected them from them it is answered that Otto or his lieutenant are to be ordered to enquire into the right and seisin of the said Robert and others and on all articles and circumstances touching the said matter and to communicate the result of that enquiry without delay to the lord king etc. and justice is to be done to them in accordance with the enquiry etc. |
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[p. ix-52]
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13. Ad peticionem episcoporum et abbatum tenencium terras et tenementa in insulis, qui clamant dilaciones habere diversas in somonicionibus placitorum et ad quod non potest responderi nisi scrutatis prius rotulis de diversis itineribus insularum predictarum, dictum est quod predicti rotuli scrutentur etc. et de articulis inventis in rotulis predictis certificetur dominus rex per Otonem de Grandissono etc. ad proximum parliamentum etc., et tunc fiat quod de jure etc. |
13. To the petition of the bishops and abbots holding lands and tenements in the islands, who claim to have various delays in the summoning of pleas and to which no answer can be given until there has been a prior search of the rolls of various eyres of the said islands it is said that the said rolls are to be are to be searched and the lord king is to be informed as to the points found in the said rolls by Otto de Grandisson etc. at the next parliament etc., and then what is rightfully to be done is to be done etc. |
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Gernes'. |
Guernsey. |
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14. Ad peticionem Thome le Tayllur de Londoniis qui petit .xxij. solidos et .iiij.
or
denarios de vadiis suis in servicio domini regis
[in insula de]
Gerneseye tempore quo Nicholaus de Cheyny fuit custos insularum etc., et asserit quod ipse alias habuit breve de cancellaria ad distringendum predictum Nicholaum ad solvendum predicta vadia et quod nichil inde est actum etc., dictum est quod si constaret per cancellarium quod predictus Thomas alias habuit inde breve etc. tunc habeat inde breve de novo ut prius etc.
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14. To the petition of Thomas Taylor of London who claims thirty-two shillings and four pence of his wages while in the service of the lord king in the island of Guernsey during the period when Nicholas de Cheyny was warden of the islands etc., and asserts that on a previous occasion he had a writ of chancery to distrain the said Nicholas to pay him the said wages and that nothing was done on this etc. it is said that, if it is found by the chancery that the said Thomas previously had a writ on this etc., then he is again to have a writ on this as he did before etc. |
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[editorial note: Alibi.] |
[editorial note: Elsewhere.] |
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The following entry has been deleted because its substance is reproduced with much more related material at item 20 |
14A.
[[The following text has been deleted:
Abbas et conventus de Monte Sancti Michaelis in Periculo Maris de manerio quod vocatur prioratus Sancti Clementis etc. unde
rex recuperavit
seisinam suam versus eos coram Henrico de Gildeford et sociis justiciariis itinerantibus ibidem die lune proxima post festum
Advincule
anno .xxxij. eo quod predicti abbas et conventus noluerunt inde coram prefatis justiciariis respondere, responsum est quod unde abbas et conventus habeant jus in predicto manerio ut de jure ecclesie sue etc., quod ostendant cartas et scripta sua et doceant de jure ecclesie sue in hac parte, et sequantur inde alias graciam domini regis quando sibi viderint expedire etc.
]]
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14A. The abbot and convent of Mont Saint Michel relating to the manor which is called the priory of St Clement etc. of which the king recovered his seisin against them before Henry of Guildford and his colleagues, justices itinerant there, on the Monday after the Advinculation in the thirty-second year as the said abbot and convent refused to answer for it before the said justices it is answered: that since the abbot and convent have right in the said manor as of the right of their church etc., that they are to show their charters and writings and demonstrate the right of their church on this matter and are to sue the grace of the lord king on this when it seems suitable to them etc. |
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[p. ix-53]
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15. Ad peticionem abbatis et conventus de Meremoster qui dicunt quod eorum possessiones in insula de Gerneseye capte sunt
[in manum domini regis per Henricum de]
Guldeford et socios suos justiciarios ultimo itinerantes ibidem, eo quod predictus abbas non venit personaliter coram eisdem justiciariis etc., responsum est quod sequantur breve de cancellaria prefato Henrico de recordo mittendo coram
[rege]
etc., et tunc fiat justicia etc.
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15. To the petition of the abbot and covent of Marmoutier who say that their possessions in the island of Guernsey were taken into the hands of the lord king by Henry of Guildford and his colleagues, the last justices itinerant there, because the said abbot did not appear in person before the said justices, it is answered that they are to sue a writ of chancery to the said Henry to send the record before the king and then justice is to be done etc. |
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16. Ad peticionem Otonis de Grandissono custodis insularum de Gernereye et Gerseye in qua continetur quod episcopus de Costances et officiales sui fatigant et fatigare faciunt homines domini regis predictarum insularum, trahendo eos ad diversa loca
[p. ix-54]
in Normanniam
[...]
per somoniciones in placitis de transgressionibus, contractibus et debitis, que
[non sunt]
de testamento vel matrimonio, contra
[formam privilegii]
a domino papa concessi domino regi etc., responsum est quod fiat prohibicio regia in generali etc.
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16. To the petition of Otto de Grandisson the warden of the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, in which it is contained that the bishop of Coutances and his officials are burdening and have budened the men of the lord king from the said islands by evoking them to various places
[p. ix-54]
in Normandy
[...]
through summonses in pleas of trespasses, contracts and debts which do not relate to testaments or marriages against the terms of the privilege granted by the lord pope to the lord king, it is answered that there is to be made a general royal prohibition etc.
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[memb. 1, dorse]
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Geres'. |
Jersey. |
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17. Ad peticionem abbatis de Sancto Salvatore etc. de generali atornato faciendo etc. in omnibus placitis motis et movendis etc., responsum est quod habeat hujusmodi attornatum duraturum per duos annos et habeat breve ballivo insule Gereseye de attornato recipiendo etc. |
17. To the petition of the abbot of St Sauveur for the appointment of a general attorney etc. in all pleas moved and to be moved etc. it is answered that he is to have such an attorney to last for two years and is to have a writ to the bailiff of the island of Jersey to receive the attorney etc. |
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Geres'. |
Jersey. |
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18. Ad peticionem Giloti Tongart qui petit graciam domini regis de quadam abjuracione facta ad ecclesiam de Seynt Eler etc., responsum est quod mandetur ballivis et custodibus placit
<
orum
>
corone ibidem quod certificent dominum regem de modo et causa abjuracionis etc.
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18. To the petition of Gilot Tongart who seeks the grace of the lord king in respect of a certain abjuration made at the church of St Helier etc., it is answered that the bailiffs and coroners are to be instructed to inform the lord king as to the form of and reason for the abjuration etc. |
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Gernes'. |
Guernsey. |
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19. Ad peticionem Ricardi de Catello qui petit .xiiij. s. .iiij. d. de vadiis suis tempore Nicholai de Cheyny custodis etc., predictus Nicholaus sic inde allocutus dicit quod ipse inde nondum conputavit. Et ideo predictus Ricardus audiatur in reddicione predicti conpoti, et ibi fiat ei justicia. |
19. To the petition of Richard de Catello who claims fourteen shillings and four pence of his wages from the period when Nicholas de Cheyny was warden etc. the said Nicholas is questioned on this and says that he has not yet accounted on that. And so the said Richard is to be heard when the said account is rendered and justice is to be done to him there. |
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Geres'. |
Jersey. |
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20. Dominus rex mandavit breve suum
[editorial note:
The remaining text is not printed by Richardson and Sayles, who refer to the alternative text of the entry reproduced in the Vetus Codex which is printed in
RP
, I, I80-I (no. I4)
]
in hec verba:
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20. The lord king sent his writ to Henry of Guildford in these words: |
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Edwardus dei gracia rex Anglie, dominus Hibernie et dux Aquitanie dilecto et fideli suo Henrico de Gildeford' salutem. Quia quibusdam certis de causis cerciorari volumus super modo et causa capcionis manerii abbatis de Monte Sancti Michaelis in Periculo Maris de Sancto Clemente in insula de Jereseye per vos et socios vestros nuper justiciarios nostros itinerantes ad communia placita in insula predicta, ut dicitur, in manum nostram, vobis mandamus quod nos super modo et causa predictis distincte et aperte sub sigillo vestro reddatis sine dilacione aliqua cerciores, remittentes nobis hoc breve. Teste me ipso apud Brustwyk' vj die Novembris anno regni nostri tricesimo secundo. |
'Edward by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine to his beloved and faithful Henry of Guildford greetings. Since for certain reasons we wish to be informed about the manner and the cause of the seizure into our hands of the manor of the abbot of Mont St Michel of St Clement in the island of Jersey by you and your colleagues late our justices itinerant for common pleas in the said island, as it is said, we order you that without delay you provide us with information on the said manner and cause clearly and openly under your seal, returning this writ to us. Witness myself at Burstwick on 6 November in the thirty-second year of our reign.' |
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Et predictus Henricus super hoc misit recordum et processum in hec verba:
[editorial note: the last three words are repeated]
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In response to this the said Henry sent a record and process in these words: |
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Placita coram Henrico de Gildef' et sociis suis justiciariis itinerantibus in insula de Jereseye die lune proxima post festum sancti Petri Advincula anno regni regis Edwardi tricesimo secundo. |
Pleas before Henry of Guildford and his colleagues justices itinerant in the island of Jersey on the Monday after the feast of the Advinculation of Saint Peter in the thirty-second year of the reign of king Edward. |
|
Dominus Rex per Galfridum de Meingrant, qui sequitur pro eo etc., petit versus abbatem de Monte Sancti Michaelis in Periculo Maris et ejusdem loci conventum manerium Sancti Clementis cum terris et redditibus et pertinenciis suis, de quo dominus Johannes rex avus suus fuit in seysina ut de feodo et jure tempore pacis etc. et illud dedit cuidam Petro de Pereville
[editorial note: 'Peverill' in the Vetus Codex text]
ad terminum vite ipsius Petri, post cujus mortem predecessores ipsius abbatis intruserunt se in eodem et semper postea sic illud detinuerunt etc.
|
The lord King, through Geoffrey de Meingrant, who sues for him etc., makes claim against the abbot of Mont St. Michel and the convent of the same place to the manor of St Clement with its lands and rents and appurtenances of which the lord king John, his grandfather, was in seisin as of fee and right in time of peace etc. and gave it to one Peter de Pereville for the term of the life of the same Peter, after whose death the predecessors of the same abbot intruded themselved into the same and have ever since so kept it etc. |
|
Et predictus abbas
<
personaliter
>
et conventus suus per sufficientem procuratorem veniunt et dicunt quod ipsi et predecessores sui a tempore quo non exstat memoria
[videlic]
et a tempore Ricardi ducis Normannie antecessoris Willelmi conquestoris Anglie predictum manerium tenuerunt sine aliqua interrupcione, istud tamen non dicendo pro aliqua responsione coram justiciariis hic facienda, et quod justiciarii per commissionem suam potestatem non habent ea que dominum regem versus quos contingere possent petendi, prosequendi seu revocandi nec in commissione sua predicta hujusmodi clausula nec potestas
continere [sic: read 'continetur']
.
|
And the said abbot in person and his convent though a sufficient proctor appear and say that they and their predecessors from time out of mind, namely since the time of Richard duke of Normandy, the ancestor of William the conqueror of England, have held the said manor without any interruption, but they say this not by way of any response before the justices here, and they say that the justices through their commission do not have any power to prosecute or revoke those things which the lord king may claim against anyone
nor is such a clause or power contained in their said commission.
|
|
Et predictus Galfridus qui sequitur pro rege etc. dicit quod justiciarii hic per commissionem suam predictam personam domini regis in sede judiciali representant et potestatem habent petendi, prosequendi et revocandi ea que super dominum regem vel antecessores suos fuerunt quoquomodo per quoscumque occupata et injuriose detenta. Preterea dicit quod dominus Johannes rex predictus, avus domini regis nunc, fuit in seysina de predicto manerio ut de feodo et jure tempore pacis etc. et illud dedit predicto Petro de Perevylle
[editorial note: 'Peveryll' in the Vetus Codex text]
ad terminum vite sue, ut predictum est; unde petit quod predictus abbas et conventus respondeant predicto domino regi ad accionem et peticionem suam etc., illas concedendo vel negando; quas si negare voluerint paratus est verificare secundum quod predictum est qualitercumque juratores regis et curia consideraverint etc.
|
And the said Geoffrey who sues for the king etc. says that the justices of this court through their commission represent the person of the lord king in the seat of judgment and have the power to seek, prosecute and revoke those things which have been occupied and wrongfully detained by anyone in whatever way against the lord king or his ancestors. He says, moreover, that the said lord king John, the grandfather of the present lord king, was in seisin of the said manor as of fee and right in time of peace etc. and gave it to the said Peter de Pereville for the term of his life, as has been said; and so he asks that the said abbot and convent respond to the action and claim of the said lord king by conceding it or denying it and, if they wish to deny it, he is ready to prove it, according to what has been said, however the jurats of the king and the court should adjudge etc. |
|
Et predicti abbas et conventus precise dicunt quod nolunt coram justiciariis hic de predicto manerio suo respondere eo quod ipsi justiciarii per commissionem suam nullam habent potestatem predictum manerium versus eos petendi eo modo quo illud petunt nec eos ea racione trahendi in placitum. Parati tamen erant ob reverenciam domini regis extra judicium justiciariis super hoc evidenciis informare
[editorial note: 'evidencias monstrare' in Vetus Codex]
.
|
And the said abbot and convent insist that they are unwilling to answer before the justices of this court for their said manor because the same justices have by their commission no power to claim the said manor against them in the way they are claiming it nor of impleading them for that reason. Nonetheless they are prepared out of reverence for the lord king to inform the justices by evidences about this out of court. |
|
Et predictus Galfridus, qui sequitur pro domino rege etc., petit judicium de predictis abbati et conventu tanquam indefensis. |
And the said Geoffrey who is suing for the lord king etc. asks for judgment against the said abbot and convent as being undefended. |
|
Postea super hoc habito colloquio cum juratoribus domini regis, militibus et aliis libere tenentibus consideratum fuit quod justiciarii sufficientem habuerunt potestatem secundum consuetudinem patrie jura domini regis petendi et prosequendi et occupata revocandi et quod dominus rex recuperare debuit manerium predictum versus predictos abbatem et conventum eo quod iidem abbas et conventus seisinam domini Johannis regis avi etc. ut de feodo et jure non dedixerunt nec ad accionem domini regis nunc aliquid responderunt nec aliquid aliud ostenderunt quare predictum manerium eis remanere debuit. Ideo preceptum est vicecomiti quod capiat predictum manerium in manum domini regis et illud salvo custodiat, ita quod respondeat de exitibus etc. Postea predictum manerium extendebatur ad quaterviginti et decem libras turronenses et traditur Philippo le Eveske, Laurencio de Sevenok' et magistro Willelmo Lengynnur ad respondendum domino regi de extenta predicta. |
Subsequently after a discussion about this with the jurats of the lord king, knights and other free tenants it was adjudged that the justices do have sufficient power in accordance with local custom to seek and prosecute the rights of the lord king and to recover those which have been usurped and that the lord king is entitled to recover the said manor against the said abbot and convent as the same abbot and convent did not deny the seisin of the lord king John, the king's grandfather etc., as of fee and right and did not make answer to the action of the present lord king and did not show any other reason why the said manor ought to remain to them. The sheriff is therefore ordered to seize the said manor into the hand of the lord king and is to keep it safely, so that he is answerable for the profits etc. Subsequently the said manor is valued at ninety livres tournois and is handed over to Phillip Bishop, Lawrence of Sevenoaks and master William the Engineer with responsibility to answer for the said valuation to the king.' |
|
Et modo ad parliamentum istud
sequitur [sic: read 'sequentur']
predictus abbas et conventus per peticionem per quendam nuncium suum etc. ad petendum remedium. Ad quam quidem peticionem responsum est per dominum regem etc. quod si predicti abbas et conventus habeant jus in predicto manerio ut de jure ecclesie sue predicte sancti Michaelis ostendant cartas et scripta que inde habent etc. et doceant de jure ecclesie sue in hac parte et sequantur inde alias graciam domini regis quando sibi viderint expedire.
|
And now at this parliament the said abbot and convent sue by petition through a certain messenger etc. for a remedy. To this petition the response given by the lord king etc. is that if the said abbot and convent are entitled to the said manor as of the right of their said church of St Michael they are to show their charters and the writings they have on that etc. and demonstrate the right of their church on this matter etc. and sue again for the grace of the lord king when they deem expedient. |
|
Postea ad parliamentum regis apud Westm' in octabis Nativitatis Beate Marie anno predicto venit predictus abbas et petit quod audiatur ad docendum de jure ecclesie sue predicte etc. Et unde idem abbas dicit quod predictum manerium ab antiquo vocabatur Terra Petri le Moyne et quam terram cum pertinenciis Ricardus
<
quondam
>
dux et princeps Normannorum, avus domini Willelmi quondam regis Anglie conquestoris etc., dedit loco
[Beati]
Archangeli Michaelis sito in Monte qui dicitur Tumba fratribusque ibidem deo monastice famulantibus, videlicet terram Petri Monachi que est in insula Gersoi. Et profert quandam cartam antiquam sine sigillo sub nomine predicti ducis que hoc testatur. Profert eciam quandam cartam domini Henrici quondam regis Anglie secundi, per quam idem rex concessit et confirmavit abbacie de Monte Sancti Michaelis in Periculo Maris et monachis ibidem deo servientibus omnes donaciones quas eis racionabiliter fecerunt antecessores sui, scilicet comes Ricardus secundus et Gunnora comitissa mater ejus et comes Robertus filius predicti Ricardi et Willelmus rex Anglie filius ejusdem Roberti et rex Henricus filius ejus, in terris et ecclesiis et decimis et redditibus et in omnibus aliis rebus, presertim in hiis omnibus de quibus tunc seisiti fuerunt, sicut carte donatorum testantur, et omnia que eis ab aliis racionabiliter data fuerunt, et quoddam scriptum sub nomine Philippi de Abbyneys quondam ballivi domini Henrici regis Anglie in insulis ad assisas tenendas de mandato ipsius regis per juramentum virorum patrie legitimorum in plenaria assisa reddidit abbacie predicte et ejusdem loci conventui firmiter et quiete omnia jura sua in insula Geresey in terra et in mari. Et dicit quod ipse et omnes antecessores sui quondam abbates loci predicti continue fuerunt in seisina de manerio predicto cum pertinenciis a tempore donacionis predicte, ita quod manerium illud nunquam postmodum fuit in seisina predicti domini Johannis regis et absque hoc quod idem Johannes rex predictum manerium alicui dedit. Et hoc paratus est verificare per patriam et qualitercumque curia domini regis consideraverit etc. Et quod predictum manerium est illa eadem terra contenta in carta predicti Ricardi quondam ducis etc.
|
Subsequently at the king's parliament at Westminster at the octaves of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary the same year the said abbot appears and asks that he be given a hearing in showing the right of his said church etc. The abbot says on this that the said manor was anciently called the land of Peter Monk and Richard once duke and prince of the Normans, the grandfather of the former lord king William the conqueror of England, gave that land with its appurtenances to the place of the Blessed Archangel Michael located on the hill called 'Tumba' and to the brethren serving God there monastically, that is the land of Peter Monk which is in the island of Jersey. He produces an ancient charter without a seal in the name of the said duke which attests this. He also produces a charter of the lord king Henry II, the former king of England, by which the same king granted and confirmed to the abbey of Mont St Michel and the monks serving God there all the gifts which his predecessors had properly made, namely count Richard II and the countess Gunnora his mother and count Robert the son of the said Richard and William king of England the son of the same Robert and king Henry his son, of lands and churches and tithes and rents and all other things, especially of all those things of which they were then seised, as the charters of the donors attested, and all things which were properly given to them by others; and a writing in the name of Phillip de Abbyneys once bailiff of the lord Henry king of England in the islands to hold assizes by order of the same king by the oath of lawful men of those parts by which at a full session he surrendered to the same abbey and the convent of the same place firmly and quietly all their rights in the island of Jersey by land and by sea. And he says that he and all his predecessors formerly abbots of the said place had been continuously in seisin of the said manor with its appurtenances from the time of the said gift, so that the said manor had never subsequently been in the seisin of the said lord king John and without it being the case the said king John had given the said manor to anyone. He is ready to prove this by a jury and however the court of the lord king adjudges etc. and that the said manor is that same land contained in the charter of Richard once duke etc. |
|
Et postmodum recitatis predictis racionibus prefati abbatis coram venerabili patri domino Waltero Cov' et Lich' episcopo, Henrico comiti Linc', Rogero le Brabazon et aliis justiciariis et fidelibus de consilio etc. videtur consilio quod inquirendum est super articulos quos predictus abbas verificare pretendit, videlicet si predictum manerium sit illa eadem contenta in carta predicta sicut
[predictum est.]
Et si predictum manerium fuit in seisina predicti domini Johannis regis et qualiter et quo modo manerium illud devenit in seisinam ipsius Johannis regis et si predictus Johannes rex dedit idem manerium predicto Petro et de forma donacionis ejusdem etc. vel si predictus abbas et predecessores sui continue fuerunt in seisina de predicto manerio cum pertinenciis a tempore donacionis ducis predicti etc.
[...] [sicut predictus abbas asserit.]
Et similiter petit quod inquiratur. Ideo preceptum est custodi insule predicte vel ejus locum tenenti quod venire faciat coram Nicholao de Chegny et Johanne de Dytton et Johanne de Cartrok' assignatis ad inquirendum super articulis predictis ad certos diem et locum quos predicti Nicholaus, Johannes et Johannes prefato custodi vel ejus locum tenenti scire faciant tot et tales tam milites quam alios liberos et legales homines de visneto predicto, et qui predictum abbatem nulla affinitate attingant etc., per quos veritas in premissis melius sciri poterit et inquiri; et quod predicti Nicholaus, Johannes et Johannes inquisicionem illam distincte et aperte factam scire faciant domino regi sub sigillis suis et sigillis eorum per quos inquisicio facta fuerit etc.
|
Subsequently after the said arguments of the said abbot had been recited before the venerable father Walter bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, Henry earl of Lincoln, Roger le Brabazon and other justices and lieges belonging to the council etc. it seems to the council that an enquiry should be made respecting those matters which the abbot is offering to prove, that is as to whether the said manor is the same as that mentioned in the said charter as is aforesaid; and whether the said manor was in the seisin of the said lord king John and how and in what way that manor came into the seisin of the same king John and whether the said king John gave the same manor to the said Peter and as to the terms of the same gift etc. or whether the said abbot and his predecessors had been continuously in seisin of the said manor with appurtenances from the time of the said donation of the said duke ... as the aforesaid abbaot asserts and similarly asks for an enquiry. The warden of the said island or his lieutenant is therefore ordered to produce before Nicholas de Cheney and John of Ditton and John de Carteret who have been assigned to enquire on those matters on the certain day and at the certain place of which the said Nicholas, John and John will notify the said warden or his lieutenant so many and such knights and other free men of the said neighbourhood and who are not connected by any ties with the said abbot by whom the truth of the matter can best be known and discovered; and that the said Nicholas, John and John are to communicate the outcome of the enquiry clearly and openly to the lord king under their seals and the seals of those by whom the enquiry has been made etc. |
|
Responsiones facte ad peticiones Hibernie et insularum Geres' et Gernes' exhibitas coram J. de Berewyk, H. de Staunton', Willelmo de Dene, Willelmo de Mortimer et Rogero Beaufou quos rex assignavit ad hujusmodi peticiones recipiendas etc. |
The answers made to the petitions of Ireland and of the islands of Jersey and Guernsey shown before John of Berwick, Hervey of Staunton, William of Dene, William de Mortimer et Roger Beaufou whom the king assigned to receive such petitions etc.. |
Appendix: Additional Information and Related Material for the BN MS. (Lent
1305 Channel Islands membrane)
1-7
[nothing found]
8
original petition: SC 8/272, no. 13553
A nostre seigneur le rey prie Rauf Esterling qe come il eust este demorant en le idle de Gerner' grant tens e par la pleinte un Robert Lyhot, persone del eglise de seint Perre Port, Gillame le Marchant, adonqes provost de la ville avantdite, le eust arrestu menant vers la prisone nostre seignour le rey, e a ceo qil fust enalant vers la prisone survint un Willame de Coleford coustemer de la dite ville e defendi le dit Gillame le Marchant qil ne faist nule despite a le avantdit Rauf Esterling. E a ces paroles sourderent entre les ditz Gillame le Marchant e Willame de Colford qil sentretueront. Le dit Esterling veant cest countec entre eus mew, pur doute des parens le dit Gillame le Marchant e pur peril qi li pout estre avenu, senfuy a mouster e forjura les idles. Pur qei le dit Rauf Esterling prie la grace nostre seignour le rey del abjuracion avantdite e qe ses bons e ses chateux feussent restorez qil ilessa, qar pur autre chose ne feseit il la abjuracion, e de ceo est il prest de atendre bone enqueste.
Endorsement
Scribatur custodibus placitorum corone insularum de forma et causa abjuracionis mittendis ad proximum parliamentum.
[editorial note: This has been altered from 'Scribatur Ottoni de Grandisono custodi insularum vel ejus locum tenenti etc.]
12
original petition: SC 8/266, no.13264
A nostre seignour le roy e a son conseil crie merci Robert le Galicien filz Rauf le Galicien e ses parcheners de Jers', pur Deu e pur lalme de son pere, en qui roules il estoit trove qe areste feust le mariage Johane lor mere en vostre main par voz enquerours par derere eux qe veindrent en ceo pais, ceast a savoir sire Johan Wiger e Rauf de Brompton', a les quex il feust acuse derer li net savoit coment. Apres vint monsire Otes de Granson e vint lavantdit Rauf e demanda le mariage sa femme, par quele reson il estoit en la main le roy ne unqes riens ne avoit este
<
leve
>
en la main le roy. E sire Otes li demanda ceo qil avoit pur li e il dit qil avoit tenu en pes .l. auns e pluis come en leal mariage sa femme e voucha garant les roules le roy Henri. E monsire Ote li mist terme de venir as roules e feust trove en les roules ensi come il dist sicome il apert par le bref le roy dount il la copie e furent seisez par comaundement le roy e sire Otes e puis morust la mere seisie e les enfaunz demoeurent en [seisine] du mariage lor mere. Dount nous vous priouns qe vous voillez prendre enqueste du paroche seint Martin de Groville e de seint Laurenz ...la chose son mere, deci come eux furent seisiz par Philippe Levesqe chivaler par vostre comandement adunqe ...la dite idle de Jers'. E apres la mort du dit baillif Peres Darcys novel baillif fermer sire Otes de Granson en la dite idle le des... la dite reine atort e contre custume. Pur quei il prie la grace nostre seignur le roy qe sil est ensi trove par bone enqueste qe la dite mere morust en possession si come il dient qe restitucion lor soit faite si come la ley e la custume de ces parties demande e si come il ount autre foiz porte le comandement le roy e rien ne unt ... creye au roles le rey Henri.
Endorsement
Peticiones hominum de insula de Gerneseye
[[The following text has been deleted:
Quia attornatus predicti Otonis allocatus super peticione... quod dominus rex fuit seisitus de predicto redditu tempore quo ...predictas insulas predicto Otoni ideo etc. coram rege.]]
Mandetur Otoni de Grandisono vel ejus locum teneti quod inquirat etc. de omnibus articulis in peticione contentis. Et inquisicionem scire faciat domino regi sine dilacione etc. et secundum inquisicionem etc. fiat justicia querenti
13
original petition: SC 8/265, no. 13241
A nostre segnor le rey e a son consel sonplyent les evesques e abbes qi ont terres e tenemens en lyle de Gersye come yl seyt acostume en la dyte ylle de tens de memorye ne court qe toutes feys que les dys evesques e abbes sont semons devant le ballyf nostre segnor le rey en la dite ylle ount .xl. jors de dylacion apres la semonse anceys quil seyent mys en defaute e deyvent aver e unt tous jors enca .x. jors en tens dassises e syre Henry de Gildeford, sire Renaud de Cartret e Johan de Dytton ... justisses en la dyte ylle en dens daoust on quel dens nul pley ne deyt estre tenu en la dyte ylle les ont mys en defaute de tyer jor en tyer jor contre la costume avant dyte e ont pris les possessyons des dys evesqes e abbes por defautes faytes en tel tens e en teils manere e veulent que yl facent fyn des amercyemens a lor volunte pur feyte que nul nest tenu fayre fyn que requert jugement des jures de la court nostre segnor le rey en la dyte ylle; por quey yl prient la grace nostre segnor le rey que remedye lor seyt fayt segom la ley e la custume desusdite e ce qui a este fait contre la dyte costume seyt rapele
Endorsement
Quia responderi recte non potest ad istam peticionem quousque rotuli de itineribus precedentibus videantur ideo scrutentur rotuli de eisdem itineribus citra proximum parliamentum et tunc fiat justicia etc. Et scribatur magistro Roberto de Leset qui fuit primus justiciarius nominatus in itinere illo
14
original petition: SC 8/125, no. 6203
A nostre seygnur le rey e a sen counseyl mostre le procuratour le abbe e le covent de Meremoster ke cum lour possessiouns en le idle de Gernereye appendaunt a eus, par la cause des eglises ke eus tenent illeukes en propres us, seyent seysi en la meyn le rey par sire Henry de Guldeforde e ses cumpaynouns justices illeukes dreyn herraunz, pur ce ke le dit abbe ne fut pas
<
a
>
cel heyre en propre persone mes par procuratour ke ne pout estre alouwe, par quey requerent le diz abbe e le covent de Meremoster ke les dites possessiouns lour seyent restabli en fourme de dreyt, kar eus serrunt prez dester a dreyt solum la ley e les usages del dit idle.
Endorsement
Justicarii recordantur quod quidam Willelmus le Jeofne et alii questi fuerunt de predicto abbate in itinere suo ubi secundum consuetudinem patrie nullus debet per procuratorem respondere, et ideo coram rege.
Sequatur breve ad faciendum venire coram rege et fiat ibi justicia.
Coram rege.
Gerneseye.
15
[nothing found]
16
original petition: SC 8/114, no. 5662
A nostre seignour le rey e a son conseil prient les attornes Ottes de Graunson del idle de Gernereye e de Jerseye qe pur ceo qe le evesqe de Costaunces e ses officiaus travaillent e funt travailler les gentz nostre seignour le rey de memes les idles en divers leus en Normaundye par lour somonces, ausi bien pur tote manere de trespas, contracz de dette, come pur testament e pur matrimonie, en grant destruccion des poures gentz du pays e en damage nostre seignour le rey, e encountre la tenour de une bulle qe le pape Honore lor graunta qe il ne feussent point treit hors des idles en pleitz nient plus qe les gentz de Engleterre hors du reaume de Engleterre, qe il voille maunder ses prohibicions a le avantdit evesqe e a ses officiaus e a ses autres ministres, e defendre qe ses gentz des idles avantditz ne facent travailler par lor somonces hors des idles, encountre la forme de la bulle avantdite, ne dedens les idles, si ceo ne fust par cause de testament ou de matrimonie.
Tenor bulle patet in dorso.
Endorsement
Coram rege.
Fiat prohibicio regia in generali.
17
[nothing found]
18
original petition: SC 8/272, no. 13556
<
A nostre seygnur le rey moustre
>
Gylot Tongart del ille de Gerresye e prie
<
le dit
>
nostre seygnur le rey ke il de sa charite e de amoyne voyle pardoner sa sewte e graunter ly sa pees de un trespas qe il fyst denz la chastel de mesmes la ille, cest asaver del debruser de une cofre, de queu cofre il prist e asporta un espeye e une peyre de gaunz de quyr dount il fust pris seysi e apres ceo mys en garde en la mesoun Willame le Petit de la paroche de Seyntelers e de ilokes eschapa par pour de mort al eglise e puys forsjura la terre; dount il prie la grace nostre seygnur le rey sicome est avauntdit qe pur lamur deu e sa douce mere e pur les almes touz crestiens qe il eyt pite de ly, issint qe il ly doyne sa pees e de ceo ly graunta sa chartre.
Endorsement:
Non potest petenti in cancellaria subveniri eo quod petit perdonacionem domini regis de quadam abjuracione quam idem petens fecit pro latrocinio, ideo coram rege.
Mandetur ballivis insule quod certificent regem de modo et causa
[[The following text has been deleted:
uthlagarie]]
abjuracionis.
Coram rege.
Appendix: Original Petitions and Related Material [in Translation] for the BN MS. (Lent 1305 Channel Islands membrane)
1-7
[nothing found]
8
original petition: SC 8/272, no. 13553
Ralph Esterling prays our lord the king that, whereas he has been resident on the isle of Guernsey and on the complaint of one Robert Lyhot, the parson of the church of Saint Peter Port Guillaume le Marchant, then provost of the aforesaid town, arrested him and lead him towards the prison of our lord king and while he was going towards the prison one William of Colford, the customs official of the said town, came up and ordered the said Guillaume le Marchant not to show any disrespect to the aforesaid Ralph le Esterling. Then words arose between the said Guillaume le Marchant and William of Colford which ended with them killing each other. The said Esterling, seeing this contention between them and for fear of the kinsmen of the said Guillaume le Merchant and for the danger which could come to him, fled to the church and abjured the islands. So the said Ralph Esterling prays the grace of our lord the king on the aforesaid abjuration and that his goods and chattels be restored to him which he left there because he did not make the abjuration for any other reason and he is ready to await a good inquest on this.
Endorsement
The coroners of the islands are to be asked in writing to send the form and reason for the abjuration to the next parliament
[editorial note: This has been altered from 'Otto de Grandison the warden of the islands or his lieutenant is to be written to etc.]
12
original petition: SC 8/266, no.13264
Robert le Galicien, the son of Ralph le Galicien, and his coheirs of Jersey cry mercy for God's sake and for the soul of his father, in whose rolls it was found that the marriage-portion of their mother Joan was taken into your hands by your inquisitors after those who came into this country, that is to say sir John Wiger and Ralph of Brompton, to whom he was accused behind his back and does not know how. Afterwards sir Otto de Grandison came and the aforesaid Ralph came and requested the marriage-portion of his wife, because it was in the hands of his wife and and nothing had ever been taken into the hands of the king. Sir Otto asked him what he had to show for himself and he said that he had held it in peace for fifty years and more as the lawful marriage-portion of his wife and vouched to warranty the roll of king Henry. Sir Otto appointed him a term to come to the rolls and it was found in the rolls as he said as appears by the writ of the king of which he has a copy and they were seised by the order of the king and sir Otto and then the mother died seised and the children remained in seisin of the marriage-portion of their mother. So we pray that you will take an inquest of the parish of Saint Martin de Groville and of saint Laurence ... the property of their mother, as they were put in seisin by Philippe Levesqe knight by your order who was then ... of the said island of Jersey. And after the death of the said bailiff Peter Darcy, the new bailiff, the farmer of sir Otto de Grandison in the said island of the ... the said queen wrongfully and contrary to custom. So he prays the grace of our lord the king that if it be thus found by good inquest that the said mother died in possession, as they say, that restitution be made to them as the law and custom of these parties requires and as they have previously brought the order of the king and they have ... nothing .. give credence to the rolls of king Henry.
Endorsement
The petitions of the men of the island of Guernsey.
[[The following text has been deleted:
Because the attorney of the said Otto, when questioned on the petition ... the lord king was seised of the said rent at the tiem when ... the said islands to the said Otto therefore etc. before the king.]]
Otto de Grandison or his lieutenant are to be instructed to enquire etc. into all the articles contained in the petition and he is to communicate the result of the enquiry to the lord king without delay etc. and justice is to be done to the complainant in accordance with the enquiry.
13
original petition: SC 8/265, no. 13241
The bishops and abbots who have lands and tenements in the isley of Jersey complain to our lord the king and his council that, whereas it has been the custom in the said island from time out of mind that whenever the said bishops and abbots are summoned before the bailiff of our lord the king in the said island they have forty days delay after the summons before they are placed in default and they are entitled to have, and have had at all times until now, ten days at the time of assizes and sir Henry of Guildford, sir Reginald Carteret and John of Ditton ... justices in the said island in harvest time, at which time no plea ought to be held in the said island, have put them in default from third day to third day contrary to the aforesaid custom and have taken the possessions of the said bishops and abbots for defaults made at such time and in such manner and wish them to make fine for the amercements at their will pur feyte which is not held a fair fine which requires a judgment of the jurats of the court of our lord the king in the said island. So they pray the grace of our lord the king that a remedy be made to them according to the law and custom abovesaid and what has been done contrary to the said custom be revoked.
Endorsement
Because no proper answer can be given to this petition until the rolls of the preceding eyres have been seen. the rolls of the same eyres are to be searched for the next parliament and justice is then to be done etc. Master Robert of Lesset who was the first justice named in that eyre is to be written to.
14
original petition: SC 8/125, no. 6203
The proctor of the abbot and convent of Marmoutier shows our lord the king and his council that, whereas their possessions in the isle of Guernsey which belong to them by reason of the churches which they hold there to their own use have been seised into the hands of the king by sir Henry of Guildford and his colleagues, the last justices itinerant there, because the said abbot was not at this eyre in person but only by a proctor which could not be allowed, the said abbot and convent of Marmoutier request that the said possessions be restored to them in form of law, for they are ready to stand to law according to the law and usages of the said isle.
Endorsement
The justices record that William le Jeofne and others complained of the said abbot in their eyre where according to the custom of the country no one ought answer by proctor; so before the king.
He is to sue a writ to produce [the record] before the king and justice is to be done there.
Before the king.
Guernsey.
15
[nothing found]
16
original petition: SC 8/114, no. 5662
The attorneys of Otto de Grandison of the isle of Guernsey and Jersey pray our lord the king and his council that, whereas the bishop of Coutances and his officials harass and have harassed the men of our lord the king of the same isles in various places in Normandy by their summonses as well for all kinds of trespass and contracts of debt as for testaments or matrimony to the great destruction of the poor men of the country and the damage of our lord the king and contrary to the terms of a bull which pope Honorius granted them that they were not to be drawn outside the isles for pleas any more than the men of England outside the realm of England, that he will send his prohibitions to the aforesaid bishop and his officials and other ministers and forbid that they have the men of the aforesaid isles harassed by their summonses outside the isles contrary to the terms of the aforesaid bull or within the isles unless this is by reason of testament or matrimony.
The terms of the bull are given on the dorse.
Endorsement
Before the king.
There is to be a royal prohibition in general terms.
17
[nothing found]
18
original petition: SC 8/272, no. 13556
Gylot Tongart of the isle of Jersey shows our lord the king and prays the said our lord the king that he will as of his charity and alms pardon his suit and grant him his peace for an offence that he committed within the castle of the same isle, that is to say the breaking open of a coffer from which he took and carried off a sword and a pair of gloves of leather of which he was arrested in seisin and after that put in custody in the house of William le Petit of the parish of Saint Helier and he escaped from there for fear of death to the church and then abjured the land. So he prays the grace of our lord the king, as is said before, for the love of God and his sweet mother and for the souls of all christians that he will have pity on him, so that he give him his peace and grant him his charter on this.
Endorsement
The petitioner cannot be helped in chancery for he seeks the pardon of the lord king for an abjuration which the petitioner made for theft, so this is to go before the king.
The bailiffs of the isle are instructed to inform the king of the manner and cause of the
[[The following text has been deleted:
outlawry]]
abjuration.
Before the king.
