Parliament Rolls of Medieval England. Originally published by Boydell, Woodbridge, 2005.
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'Richard II: October 1377', in Parliament Rolls of Medieval England, (Woodbridge, 2005) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/parliament-rolls-medieval/october-1377 [accessed 24 April 2024]
In this section
1377 October
Introduction October 1377
Westminster
13 October - 28 November
(C 65/32. RP , III.3-29. SR , II.1-5)
Richard II's first parliament met at Westminster on 13 October 1377, four months after his accession, at the age of ten, and three after his coronation. It ended formally six weeks later, on 28 November 1377, although the lords continued to sit well into December. Its proceedings are recorded on PRO C 65/32, a roll of 18 membranes, 340 mm (13 inches) wide, and sewn together in chancery style, head to tail. A membrane more than a foot wide is a skin of good quality: the clerks' supplies were not stinted. The script of the roll, in a number of chancery hands, covers only the recto, or face, of the membranes, leaving the dorse blank. That again, with the writing confined to the flesh side, the whiter face of the parchment, is a mark of comparative affluence. The roll appears to be complete, and includes an additional membrane which has been stitched to the face of m. 8 recto, a schedule of special requests by the commons, the text of which is in a hand different from though contemporary with that of m. 8. The roll is generally in good condition, though it is stained in places with gallic acid, especially on mm. 1, 12, 16, and 18. The dorse of m. 6 has been repaired with a piece of parchment bearing a fragment of text in a late medieval book-hand. It reads '... pi .. elassipi .. et melassipi. Qui cum essent uiginti annorum ... et cum aua sua Leonilla et Ionilla et Neone mater ... tihio coronati sunt.' The dorse of each membrane is inscribed 'Parliamentum anno primo Ricardi secundi pars unica'. The marginal headings on the face of the roll are of various dates, some original and others later. The arabic numerals on the face have all been added to facilitate reference since the roll was completed.
Writs of summons were sent on 4 August 1377 to the archbishops of Canterbury and York, the bishop of London, and nineteen other bishops, and to the abbot of St Augustine's, Canterbury, twenty-one other abbots, and the priors of the hospital of St John, Clerkenwell, and of St Mary's, Coventry. Summonses were addressed on the same day to John of Gaunt, titular king of Castile and Leon and duke of Lancaster, the king's younger uncles, Edmund earl of Cambridge and Thomas, earl of Buckingham, ten other earls, and forty-six tenants in chief, including James Audley of Helegh and Michael de la Pole, then admiral towards the north. Three of the peers were styled knight. John Cavendish, the lord chief justice, was summoned together with eleven other judges and clerks, of whom John Barnett and Nicholas Chaddesden were styled master. (fn. o1377-intfoot-1)
The opening of parliament was formally postponed for one day to allow more of the members to assemble. The inaugural address by archbishop Simon Sudbury was therefore delivered on Wednesday 14 October. Sudbury was not then, though he later became, chancellor, and he may have intruded himself into the proceedings, whether to mark an historic occasion or to promote political concord. The clerk noted that the discourse was divided into three parts as though it were a sermon. There are not many casual remarks in the record, and the observation may have been intended to register, if not actual disapproval, at least a sense of something exceptional in the event. Although Richard's assembled subjects were bidden by Sudbury to rejoice in the young king's advent, the occasion was fraught with apprehension. To the external crisis of an unsuccessful war, which had soured domestic politics in the last years of Edward III's reign, there were now added the uncertainties of a minority. The reversal of English successes in France, the old king's incapacity, the early death of Prince Edward, in 1376, and John of Gaunt's uncompromising defence of what he saw as the interests of the crown had made the mid-1370s a deeply troubled period. The fact of Richard's accession and his mother's tact in effecting or accepting a concordat with Gaunt had brought something of a respite. As the princess also contrived a reconciliation between Gaunt and the citizens of London there was even some outward show of harmony. (fn. o1377-intfoot-2) It was, however, a precarious peace. The Londoners were Gaunt's most vociferous but by no means his only enemies. Though the suspicion that he might subvert the succession was abated, there was still much discontent over the conduct of public affairs, and his own part in them, real or supposed. A minority put an exceptional strain on a system that depended upon the king's authority. From the very beginning of the reign the anxious adjustment of interests in what came to be called the continual council did nothing to promote decisive or particularly enightened government. The most urgent political bargains had been struck in the summer, but there were still important adjustments to be made when parliament met. The effect of the manoeuvring had been to strengthen the numbers and influence of the deceased Black Prince's followers in Richard's household, and therefore at the heart of government.
Both the conduct of parliament and the form of its record on the parliament roll were well established by this time. The first business was a declaration of the purpose of the meeting, which almost invariably entailed taxation, whatever else might be at issue, then the arrangements to receive and consider petitions, and then the transaction of the fiscal, judicial, and administrative business of the session. The meetings brought a substantial number of people together from all parts of the kingdom for a wide variety of transactions, and they could only work effectively under a settled procedure. Nevertheless new categories of business, often the product of political crisis, such as the impeachments in the Good Parliament of 1376, might be introduced at any time and had to be assimilated. It was then the clerks' business to conceal, or rather not to reveal, the fact that anything unusual or untoward was going on. There was no serious eruption in 1377, but the circumstances were exceptional, and all were on their mettle. The first of the company who assembled at Westminster on 13 October had to wait through the morning until it proved, as it not infrequently did, that many of those summoned were still travelling. The term used of the commons was that not all the sheriffs had yet returned answers to their writs, but it seems as likely that there were knights and burgesses still on the road as that most were present but unrecognizable until they were formally enumerated. In any event the subsequent proceedings show that the commons were not an insignificant or inarticulate body. In the mean time the king's appearance and the opening ceremonies were postponed to the next day, when those present heard archbishop Sudbury enlarge upon Matthew xxi.5, 'Thy king has come unto thee'. He spoke in French, the language of business as of polite society, and translated the Latin of the Vulgate text explicitly for the benefit of the lords and the knights, but apparently not into English. (fn. o1377-intfoot-3)
The discourse was designed to served a double purpose, being in part an exhortation to loyalty, gratitude, and obedience to the king and partly a statement of the government's necessity and its urgent hopes of parliamentary subsidies. It may not have served either cause adequately; certainly the urgency of taxation had to be reiterated the next day, and eventually both king and primate met death at the hands of those who owed them obedience. In the meantime the archbishop observed that parliament had been postponed only to the harvest and to the pressing need to defend the coasts against incursions of enemies, referring thus to the kingdom's resources and to its besetting dangers. He urged the company to find the means to overcome the peril, and ended conventionally by announcing the names of those appointed to receive and to try or adjudicate petitions. There was nothing unusual about the total of eight receivers in two panels of four, recruited from amongst the chancellor's senior clerks, and headed at this time by William Burstall, the keeper of the rolls of chancery. On the other hand, twenty-nine triers of petitions from England, Wales, and Scotland and twenty-four for those from Gascony, other lordships in France, and the Channel Islands was well above the average provision for the reign. Those numbers were only closely matched in 1378 (twenty-five and twenty-three respectively), and were presumably a sign that the council expected a substantial volume of business. The customary provision that the triers should maintain a quorum of six lords and bishops, in consultation with the principal officers, would have allowed not only for necessary absence, but also for up to three or four committees in either group.
The proceedings continued the next day, Thursday 15 October, with an address by Richard le Scrope, an experienced Lancastrian captain and now the steward of the king's household, who enlarged upon the archbishop's warnings. The kingdom was threatened on all sides with enemies, and parliament was charged with weighing the dangers and proposing not merely remedies but the means of paying for them. As the commons were still not fully assembled in the morning, Scrope spoke yet again to them separately, later in the day, in their customary meeting-place, the chapter-house of the abbey. What followed had elements both of spontaneity and contrivance about it. The commons returned to say that the matters put before them were so weighty that they required the assistance of a group of thirteen peers and bishops, whom they named, beginning with the duke of Lancaster. Such appeals for counsel (or 'inter-communing') went back to 1373, but this was the first time that the panel was precisely defined. The request was readily granted, but Lancaster immediately rose and said that he could not discharge the commission unless the commons renounced the slanderous and disgraceful accusations that they had made against him. The peers were clamorous in his support, the commons said that their request showed their confidence in him, and congruity of a kind was restored.
That the commons had a programme of their own is shown in what followed. They came before the king again to present their speaker, Peter de la Mare, who had led the assault upon Edward III's ministers in 1376, and had incurred Gaunt's particular resentment. He now made what became the speaker's regular protestation that he spoke explicitly and impersonally for the commons as a whole, and went on to express two substantial complaints. The first was that knighthood, the traditional strength of the country, was slighted and the knightly virtues unrewarded, and the second that the kingdom's shipping was decayed, and its power at sea threatened. Those were conventionally the respective concerns of the knights of the shires on the one hand and the citizens and burgesses on the other. They were also matters of vital importance to the community at large. The reference to the neglect of knighthood is not merely a nostalgic invocation of former English victories in France, but a reflection of deep resentment of maladminstration in the shires, and a leitmotiv of the reign. The decay of the kingdom's naval power was manifest in the recent French and Castilian raids on the south coast, and a cause of general fear and resentment. The commons' hope was that those and other evils could be prevented by more competent government. They accordingly asked for the addition of eight suitably qualified persons of diverse degrees to the continual council, the naming of officers and ministers in parliament, with the expenditure of the household carefully limited to its traditional income, and the due maintenance and enforcement of the law, in such wise that laws made in parliament should not be undone except by parliament. They were told that their requests would be considered, but an answer would be postponed for a week while the bishops and lords debated the matter and the commons discussed their own business.
The reference to the interval is interesting, as the rolls ordinarily indicate the initiation and conclusion of business but not its conduct and timing. When the commons returned on 22 October they were told in effect that their requests had been granted, with some reservations over the power of the great officers to discharge their duties without the interposition of the councillors, and the king's freedom to appoint and remove his own servants and officers. There were to be nine new members of the council, and Lord Latimer, who was unacceptable to the commons, was discreetly dropped. (fn. o1377-intfoot-4) There were also provisions to curb administrative abuses which went beyond the letter of the commons' proposals, which may at least have been gratifying to them in prospect. The third request, for the maintenance of the common law, was less surprisingly also approved. In return for those assurances the lords and commons together granted the king a substantial subsidy of two tenths and two fifteenths. The intervening week must therefore have been given in part to discussions between the two houses, as well as to consideration of their respective business. It may also be to this interval that the estimate of revenues which the commons 'demanded' from the 'realm of England' should be ascribed, although this was not included on or with the roll (Appendix, Item 1); as this makes clear, they were keen to ensure that every possible source of revenue was spent on the war, so it is not surprising that the announcement of the subsidy was accompanied by a further request, immediately granted, that the king would appoint special treasurers to ensure that the money was entirely and exclusively applied to the war. The readiness, or at least the celerity, with which the arrangements were made testify both to the general sense of urgency and also to the efficiency with which lords and commons, but especially the commons, had conducted their negotiations.
Parliament then proceeded with its ordinary business, in so far as any of its concerns can be described as ordinary. Two claims by tenants-in-chief, the earl of Salisbury and Sir John Cobham, were considered, the first being referred to the king's bench and the second, after a long review of the accumulated evidence, being determined in favour of the crown. Salisbury's suit, for the lordship of Denbigh and other estates in north Wales, was a matter of the greatest sensitivity, as it led back to the fall of Roger Mortimer, earl of March, at the beginning of Edward III's reign, and the subsequent distribution of his estates amongst the young king's closest associates. Other matters reviewed included a dispute in the city of London, the duke of Brittany's relations with the crown, the obduracy of Robert Hauley and John Shakell over a ransom, which later had a bloody outcome, trade and staples, and the condemnation of Sir John Gommegnies for the surrender of castles in the marches of Calais. That was a cause which revived the recriminations of the previous reign, as did the confirmation, after a long hearing, of the sentence of banishment on Alice Perrers, Edward III's predatory mistress. During these judicial proceedings the commons presented a further series of requests, written on the schedule which is stitched to the roll and is now numbered membrane 8. Both that fact, that the clerk chose to preserve the text rather than engross it, and the nature of the petition are highly interesting. The schedule is a prosaic document, but if it is not the parchment that the commons delivered to the clerk it is difficult to see why it should have been copied again. The requests are a refinement of the points which the commons had already made and which in a broad sense they had achieved. They refer to them as matters which ought to be determined, for the good both of the king and the kingdom, while the present parliament is sitting, and pray the aid of the lords to that end. They ask that all appointments should be made on the the grounds of personal qualities and fitness. They also ask that the nine additional lords of the council and the officers of state should receive their charge in the presence of the commons, that justices and others should be sworn in the same manner, and charged to do right and equity to all, that petitions made in the general interest, some of which may be declared orally, should be discussed in a constructive manner and determined in good faith and the light of reason, that the unauthorised surrender to foreign enemies of castles and towns should be condignly punished, that Alice Perrers should have her just deserts, and that monies intended for the defence of the realm should be honestly and effectively applied to that end and their receivers held accountable for their outlay. The implication is that the business of parliament was still in hand, and even that Gommegnies and Alice Perrers were yet to be heard, but that the commons were likely to take no further part in it. In answer to their requests it was announced that Alice Perrers would be summoned to answer the accusations against her (see the Appendix, Item 2), that some of their wishes had been met by the undertakings already given, and that others would be dealt with in the common petitions. That was an imprecise, if it was not an evasive answer, but at least the commons' concerns had not been brushed aside. The common petitions are enrolled immediately after the exchange, and we know that Alice Perrers did appear before the lords in December, when the sentence against her was upheld. It is not clear whether that was upon a first or a second summons, but it seems most likely that the schedule was delivered immediately before or early during Gommegnies' trial, and before Alice Perrers' cause began. It is also possible that the common petitions were not formally answered until after the commons had left or had begun to leave.
What is certain is that the commons dispersed, or began to disperse, while the lords were still sitting. The sixty-nine common petitions enrolled, with a further fourteen presented by the clergy and nine from the city of London, are exceptional in number. Together they issued in fifteen statutes. They begin conventionally by urging the maintenance of the peace and observance of the provisions of the great charter, and ask also, in the face of the uncertainties of a new reign, that the charters confirming the liberties of cities and boroughs should be renewed without charge. Those were uncontentious matters, but other petitions demonstrate a wide range of discontents, and include a number of themes that recur for the rest of the reign. Complaints of the misuse of powers by the purveyors of the royal household and the officials of the forest are amongst them. The formal confirmation of the charters, maintenance of the peace, and the regulation of purveyance became the subject of statutes, as did exception to actions concerning tithe in response to one of the clergy's petitions, but the loss of the sheriffs' income in the counties by the extenson of seignorial liberties and other processes remained a grievance to the end of the reign and beyond. A more unusual complaint was that tenants in bondage were seeking exemplifications of entries in Domesday Book in order to escape their obligations - a foretaste of the great revolt which would erupt less than four years later. It is also remarkable that the king's response was not that they should not be allowed to have such documents, but that they would not be allowed to argue from them that the conditions of their tenure should be changed. Those matters settled, the knights and burgesses were free to leave. Writs for expenses were issued on 6 December (more than a week after the formal dissolution) for the knights of thirty-six counties for periods varying between 70 and 54 days. Writs for the representatives of eleven cities and boroughs (Bath, Bedford, Devizes, Grimsby, Hereford, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northampton, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Wallingford and Worcester) were made out on the same day, for attendance varying from 70 to 58 days. (fn. o1377-intfoot-5) The parliament roll is a clerkly document, set out without unnecessary emphases, and without any notable provision to facilitate reference to its contents, beyond its adherence to a broadly established form. It may be, however, that the naming of Geoffrey Martin as clerk of the parliament, and of his colleague Edmund Brudenell as the clerk of the crown to whom the completed roll was delivered, were gestures to mark the beginning of a new reign. If there were some such consciousnes of change, it can hardly have extended to any apprehension of the storms that were to come.
Text and translation
| [p. iii-3] | |
| [col. a] | |
| [memb. 1] | |
| ROTULUS PARLIAMENTI TENTI APUD WESTM', IN QUINDENA SANCTI MICHAELIS, ANNO REGNI REGIS RICARDI SECUNDI POST CONQUESTUM ANGLIE PRIMO. | THE ROLL OF THE PARLIAMENT HELD AT WESTMINSTER, ON THE QUINDENE OF MICHAELMAS, IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING RICHARD, THE SECOND SINCE THE CONQUEST [13 October 1377]. |
| Adjournement de pronunciacion. | The adjournment of the opening. |
| 1. A la quinszime de Saint Michel, qe fust le mardy le .xiij. e jour d'Octobre, l'an du regne nostre seignour le roi Richard, le secounde puis le conquest d'Engleterre, primer, et le primere jour de ce present parlement, s'assemblerent en la palays de Westm' en la chambre blanke, aucuns prelatz et seignours du roialme, q'avoient sommonce de venir a cest parlement, attendantz illoeqes longement la venue d'autres prelatz et seignours queux encores a celle temps estoient absentz. Et puis apres, bien entour l'eure de noune, pur tant qe fust tesmoigne qe plusours prelatz et seignours < n'estoient > encores venuz a la ville, n'auxint aucuns des viscontz n'y avoient mye retournez lours briefs de parlement, nostre dit seignour le roy, luy quel estoit venuz a Westm' le lundy devant, et illoeqes estoit demurrez pur y attendre la venue des prelatz, seignours et autres, voloit et fist comander qe l'en sursist et lessast de faire la pronunciacion des causes del sommonce de ce present parlement tanqe al lendemain < proschein, > Issint qe mesme le parlement feust continuez tanqe a mesme le lendemain. Et sur ce, les prelatz, seignours, et les communes qe y furent venuz, s'assemblerent en la chambre depeinte, et illoeqes l'ercevesqe de Canterbirs, reherceant [les] causes dessusdites devant eulx touz, depar le roy adjornast mesme le parlement tanqe al dit lendemain; lour comandant q'ils y feusent touz le dit lendemain bien matin pur y oier les causes del sommonce de ce parlement. Et puis se ent departirent sanz pluis faire a celle jour. | 1. On the quindene of Michaelmas, which was Tuesday 13 October, in the first year of the reign of our lord King Richard, the second since the conquest of England [1377], and the first day of this present parliament, there assembled in the palace of Westminster in the white chamber certain prelates and lords of the kingdom, who had been summoned to attend the parliament, and who were long awaiting there the arrival of other prelates and lords who were still absent at that time. Subsequently, around noon, because it was reported that many lords and prelates had not yet arrived in town, and also that some of the sheriffs had still to return their writs to parliament, our said lord the king, who had arrived in Westminster on the previous Monday [12 October 1377], and was staying there to await the arrival of the prelates, lords, and others, willed and commanded that the announcement of the reasons for summoning this present parliament be delayed and prorogued until the next day, and hence that the same parliament should be adjourned until the same day. Whereupon, the prelates, lords, and the commons who had gathered there assembled in the painted chamber, and there the archbishop of Canterbury, recounting the aforesaid reasons before them all, adjourned the same parliament on behalf of the king until the next day, ordering that they should all be there early in the morning of that day to hear the reasons for summoning this parliament. Then they departed without attending to anything else on that day. |
| Pronunciacion en parlement. | The opening of parliament. |
| 2. Au quiel lendemain, si venoient en parlement en la dite chambre depeinte sibien nostre seignour le roy mesmes come les deux arcevesqes de Canterbirs et d'Everwyk, monseignour d'Espaigne, duc de Lancastre, et a poy toutz les autres prelatz et seignours du roialme, et auxint justices, sergeantz, et autres qi poaient travailler, et q'avoient la dite sommonce; et auxint les chivalers des contees, citezeins des citees, et burgeys des burghes, et illoeqes, le dit ercevesqe de Canterbirs, par commandement nostre dit seignour le roi, si avoit les paroles de la dite pronunciacioun, et lour dist issint, Rex tuus venit tibi, et puis dist, Seignours et sires, ces paroles qe j'ay dist sont tant a dire en Franceys, Vostre roy vient a toy. (fn. iii-3-10-1) | 2. The next day, our lord the king as well as the two archbishops of Canterbury and York, our lord of Spain, duke of Lancaster, and almost all the other prelates and lords of the kingdom, together with the justices, serjeants, and others who had business there, and who had received the said summons, and also the knights of the counties, citizens of the cities, and burgesses of the boroughs arrived in parliament in the said painted chamber and there the said archbishop of Canterbury, by command of our said lord the king, announced the said opening in the following words, 'Your king comes to you'; and then he said, 'Lords and sirs, those words which I have spoken are, in French, 'Vostre roy vient a toy''. (fn. iii-3-10-1) |
| 3. Et sur ce le dit arcevesqe y dist plusours bones resons accordantz a sa theme, et devisa sa dite theme en trois parties par manere come [ce fust] une predication, et dist en especial, et voirs est qe par reson chescun bon amy doit estre bien venuz a autre amy, qar si tielle venue < soit, > q'est pur une des trois causes q'ensuent, c'est assavoir, ou ce est pur rejoier et solacer ensemble d'aucune grace et prosperitee y avenue, sicome nostre dame Sainte Marie et Elizabeth firent ensemble par < manere > come l'escripture dit; Et exultavit infans in utero ejus, etc.; (fn. iii-3-12-1) ou autrement, tielle venue est pur visiter et conforter son amy en adversitee et tribulacion pur [lour] ent conseiller a mieltz q'il purra, come est [col. b] compris en le livre Job etc. (fn. iii-3-12-2) Ou celle venue est pur assaier son amy en temps de necessitee, come l'escripture dit, In necessitate probabitur amicus. (fn. iii-3-12-3) | 3. Whereupon, the said archbishop cited many examples according with his theme, and divided his said theme into three parts as though it were a sermon, and he said in particular (and it is true) that every good friend should rightly visit his friends, for if such a visit should come about, it would be for one of the three following reasons, namely, to rejoice and celebrate together any grace and prosperity which had arisen, as our lady St Mary and Elizabeth did together in the manner described in the scriptures; 'And the child leapt in her womb, et cetera.'; (fn. iii-3-12-1) or else, such an appearance is for the purpose of visiting and comforting one's friend in adversity and tribulation and giving him advice as best one can, as [col. b] in the book of Job, etc. (fn. iii-3-12-2) Or this appearance is to turn to one's friend in time of need, as scripture says, 'In times of need the friend shall be proved'. (fn. iii-3-12-3) |
| 4. Et ore est il einsi qe nostre seignour le roy cy present, qi Dieu salve, si est il ores venuz ycy en vostre presence come vostre droiturel seignour lige, et vostre bon et entier amy, nemye soulement pur une < des > dites causes, einz pur toutes les dites trois causes ensemble. C'estassavoir, pur soy rejoier avec vous de la noble grace qe Dieu vous ad donez en sa persone, la quelle vous est naturel et droiturel seignour lige, come dit est, nemye par election ne par autre tielle collaterale voie, einz par droite succession de heritage: de quoy vous luy estez de nature moelt le pluis tenuz de luy amer perfitement, et humblement obbeir; et en oultre de regracier Dieu, de qi toute grace et bien procede, de ce par especial q'il vous ad donez tiel noble seignour a vostre roy et governour. Et veritablement ent deverez vous moelt le pluis rejoier [en voz coers,] a cause qe toutdys depuis son coronement son perfit desir ad este de vous veer et parler, et se rejoier de vous, et de vous mercier de voz bons portz envers luy depuis q'il ad occupiez < aucun > estat deinz le roialme apres la mort son noble pere le prince, qe Dieu assoille. Et en verite par celles causes eust il pluis tost fait somondre ceste son primer parlement, si ne fust q'il ne vous volloit destourber de voz affaires et grantz occupacions en cest derain augst, quant vous aviez euz grant occupacion en le roialme, sibien entour l'encres des fruitz de la terre, come autrement sur la coustee de meer pur faire resistence a les enemys qui s'afforcerent adonqes de faire grant damage et vilanie a tout le roialme. | 4. And so it is now that our lord the king here present, whom God preserve, comes before you as your rightful liege lord, and your good and whole-hearted friend, not merely for one of the said reasons, but for all the said three reasons together. Namely, to rejoice with you over the noble grace which God has granted you in the person who is your natural and rightful liege-lord, as has been said, not by election nor by other such a way, but solely by rightful succession to an inheritance: wherefore you are by nature the more fully obliged to love him completely, and obey him humbly; and also to thank God, from whom all grace and good proceeds, in particular because he has given you so noble a lord as your king and governor. And truly, you ought to rejoice the more fully in your hearts because ever since his coronation his earnest wish has been to see and speak to you, and rejoice with you, and thank you for your good bearing towards him since he occupied a special place in the realm after the death of his noble father the prince, whom God absolve. And it is truly for those reasons that he would the sooner have summoned this parliament, if it had not been that he did not wish to disturb you in your affairs and important occupations this last autumn, when you have had important business in the kingdom, as well in harvesting the fruits of the earth as in keeping the coasts of the sea against the enemies who then threatened to inflict great harm and villainy on all the realm. |
| 5. Et auxint vous vint ore nostre dit seignour le roy pur vous visiter et conforter en voz grantz ennoys, perdes, et adversitees, quelles vous avez ja novellement soeffertz, sibien par la mort de noble roy Edward et de son eisnez fitz le prince pere nostre seignour le roi qe ore est, queux Deux assoille, come autrement par le grant triboille et damage q'ont este faitz en plusours costeres de meer deinz le dit roialme, par la venue de enemys avantditz. Et par tant soy mesmes vous profre il ores en socours et aide en tant come il poet, et est tenuz de faire, en lieu de ses ditz nobles aiel et pere, qi sont a Dieu comandez: et [vous] Voelt il et se profre de tenir, sibien a sainte esglise come a vous touz, seignours et pieres et commune de soun dit roialme, en toute voz bones franchises et libertees, et de vous faire garder et maintenir en bone paix, et vous governer par les bones loys et custumes de la terre, par manere come aucun de ses auncestres y ont mieltz fait devaunt luy, et de faire amender ce qe demande amendement entant come en luy est. Et par tant vous ent deverez auxint grantement rejoier et reconforter de si noble et gracious seignour. Et auxint vous vint il ore come vostre droit seignour et entier amy, pur se conseiller a vous de ce qe mieltz soit affaire pur resistence de la [p. iii-4][col. a] grant malice et multitude de ses enemys et des vostres, qe vous sont tout entour environez a chescune part a jour de huy, et s'afforcent a destruire le roy, le roialme, et vous touz, qe Dieu ne veullie. | 5. And also, our said lord the king comes to visit and comfort you in the great troubles, losses, and adversities which you have recently suffered, both on account of the death of the noble King Edward [III] and of his only son the prince, father of our lord the present king, whom God absolve, and in the great disruption and damage which there has been on many coasts of the sea within the said kingdom, through the coming of the aforesaid enemies. And therefore, he now offers himself to you, to help and aid you as far as he is able and is obliged to do, in place of his noble grandfather and father, who are commended to God: and he wills and offers to keep you, holy church, as well as all the lords, peers, and commons of his said realm, in all your lawful franchises and liberties, and to protect and maintain you in a state of peace, and to govern you through the good laws and customs of the land, as well as any of his ancestors before him, and to amend anything which needs amendment as far as he is able. Wherefore ought you greatly to rejoice and seek comfort in so noble and gracious a lord. And moreover, he now comes before you as your rightful lord and whole-hearted friend, to be advised by you as to the best means of resisting the [p. iii-4][col. a] great malice and multitude of his enemies and yours, by which you are, at present, encompassed on every side, and who threaten to destroy the king, the kingdom, and you, all together, yet may God not so wish it. |
| 6. Et par tant si ad nostre dit seignour le roy grant busoigne de voz nobles conseilx et aides (qar pur cause qe la roialme si est ore en greindre peril qe n'estoit unqes devant) si l'en faut ore mettre greinours despenses en defens d'ycelle, qe l'en ne soloit unqes faire avant ceste heure; et nul roi Cristien purroit suffre n'endurer a sustenir tieux despenses mettre sanz l'aide de sa commune. Et pur ce en sa presente grante necessitee, qe ne touche soulement luy mesmes einz vous touz, serrez vous provez ses bons et vrais subgits et amys. Et par cestes trois causes semble chose resonable qe nostre seignour le roy vous doit estre moltz bien venuz, < et par sa dite venue doviez bien rejoier. > Et depuis q'il est issint venuz a vous en tielle guyse, < si devez vous de pure reson remonstrer a luy perfitz > < amour, naturesce, et vrai obeissance, > en aide et socour de vous mesmes, sibien par voz conseilx come par voz corps et autres aides. Et par tant qe nostre seignour le roi ne voloit longement tenir cest son parlement en vein sanz fruit et profit, il vous prie moelt entierement qe vous vous veulliez conseiller ensemble coment et par quelle manere l'en purra mieltz resister la malice des enemys avantditz, et coment l'en purra mieltz avenir a les despenses qe l'en y faut mettre de pure necessitee, a meins desaise de poeple, et greindre honour et profit au roy et de son roialme avantdit. Et si tost come vous soiez accordez d'aucun certain purpos, le veulliez declarrer a nostre seignour le roy dessusdit et a son conseil, au fin q'il soit advisez. Et ces sont les causes de la somonce de ce present parlement. Et nostre seignour le roy desirant moelt la paix estre maintenuz en son roialme d'Engleterre, et les tortz y faitz estre redressez et amendez, et les malfaisours justicez, si ad il fait assigner certains clercz resceivours, et certains persones, prelatz, seignours, et autres, triours des peticions qe serront baillees en ce parlement, par la manere qe s'ensuit: | 6. And because our said lord the king has so great a need for your noble counsel and aid, for that the kingdom is in greater peril than it has ever been before, so now it is necessary to make great investments in the defence of the same, such as have never been made in the past; and no Christian king can support or endure the levying of such expenses without the aid of his commons. Thus, in his present state of great need, which touches not only himself but you all, you shall prove his good and true subjects and friends. And for those three reasons it seems fitting that our lord the king should be well received by you, and his coming much rejoiced. And since he has thus appeared before you in such a guise, so you ought, out of pure reason, to show him perfect love, kindness, and true obedience, in the aid and assistance which you give him, both through your counsels as well as in your bodies and in other ways. And because our lord the king does not wish vainly to prolong his parliament without fruit and profit, he desires you most earnestly to consult with one another as to how and in what manner the malice of the aforesaid enemies might be best resisted, and how it might be best to raise the money necessary for the purpose, with the least injury to the people, and to the great honour and profit of the king and his aforesaid kingdom. And as soon as you are agreed on a certain plan, that you inform our aforesaid lord the king and his counsel, so that he may seek advice. And those are the reasons for summoning the present parliament. Furthermore, our lord the king, greatly desiring that peace be preserved in his kingdom of England, and that wrongs done therein be redressed and amended, and malefactors brought to justice, has caused certain clerks to be appointed as receivers, and other persons, prelates, lords, and others, as triers of petitions which are to be submitted in this parliament, in the following manner: |
| 7. Resceivours des peticions d'Engleterre, Irlande, Gales, et Escoce: | 7. Receivers of petitions from England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland: |
| 8. Resceivours des peticions de Gascoigne, et d'autres terres et paiis depar dela, et des Isles: | 8. Receivers of petitions from Gascony, and other lands and countries overseas, and from the Channel Islands: |
| Et ceux qi verront bailler lours petitions les baillent avant parentre cy et vendredy proschein venant, le dit jour accomptee. Et apres mesme le jour nul peticion soit aucunement resceuz. | And those who wish to submit their petitions should deliver them between now and Friday next [16 October], the day allotted to them. And after that day no petition will be accepted for any reason. |
| [col. b] | |
9. Et sont assignez triours des petitions d'Engleterre, Gales, et Escoce:
|
9. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions from England, Wales, and Scotland:
|
| - touz ensemble, ove .vi. des prelatz et seignours avantditz au meins; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschal et chamberlein, quant il busoignera, et auxint les sergeantz le roy, quant il busoignera. Et tendront lour place en la chambre de chamberleyn, pres de la chambre depeinte. | - to act all together, with at least six of the aforesaid lords and prelates; calling upon the chancellor, treasurer, steward, and chamberlain, as well as the king's serjeants, when necessary. And they shall hold their session in the chamberlain's room, by the painted chamber. |
| [memb. 2] | |
10. Et sont assignez triours des peticions de Gascoigne, et d'autres terres et paiis de la la meer, et des Isles:
|
10. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions from Gascony, and from other lands and countries overseas, and from the Channel Islands:
|
| - touz ensemble, ou six des ditz prelatz et seignours au meins; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschal et chamberlein, sergeantz le roi, quant y busoignera. Et tendront lour place en la chambre marcolf. | - to act all together, or at least six of the said prelates and lords; calling upon the chancellor, treasurer, steward, chamberlain, and the king's serjeants, when necessary. And they shall hold their session in the Marcolf chamber. |
| Et puis apres le dit arcevesqe y dist depar le roy qe nostre seignour le roy voloit qe ce parlement feust [p. iii-5][col. a] continuez de jour en autre tanqe les chargeantes busoignes du roialme feussent esploitez, et q'ils y eussent congie de luy a departir: enpriant a touz q'ils y preissent ceste lour charge tendrement a coer, et si avant come ils desiront la salvacion del roialme et de eulx mesmes; et q'ils retournassent lendemain par temps pur oier autre foitz lour charge. | And the said archbishop said, on behalf of the king, that our lord the king willed that this parliament should be [p. iii-5][col. a] adjourned day by day until the important business of the kingdom was discharged, and they had his permission to depart: desiring of them that all hold their duties close to their heart, as they desired the security of the kingdom and with it their own; and to return early the next day to hear again their business. |
| Richard Scrop'. | Richard Scrope. |
| 11. Item, le lendemain proschein qe feust joefdy, si vint arriere en dit parlement en la chambre blanke sibien le roi mesmes, et les prelatz et grante partie des communes, et illoeqes en lour presence et audience monsire Richard le Scrop', seneschal del hostiel nostre dit seignour le roy, par comandement du roi mesmes, y fist aussint autre foitz rehercer lour charge donez a eulx le jour devant; c'estassavoir, de conseiller coment et par quelle manere l'en purroit mieltz resister les ditz enemys, et coment a mains desaise du poeple, et greindre profit et honour du roialme, l'en purroit avoir et lever les despenses q'ome y faut mettre entour le defens et rescous del roialme avauntdit, et de eux touz. Et puis apres autre foitz, a mesme le jour, ceste matire < estoit exposee > a toute la dite commune ensemble en lour place ou ils s'estoient assemblez par comandement del roi en le chapitre de l'abbeye de Westm', a cause qe toute la dite commune n'estoit mye devant ensemble en presence del roy. Et sur ce, les communes prierent a nostre seignour le roy qe pur l'arduite de lour charge, et le feoblesce de lours poairs et sens, qe pleust au roi nostre seignour de lour granter d'avoir les prelatz, seignours, dessouz escritz, en lour eide et efforcement pur communer especialment avec eux en lour affaires, pur pluis hastive et bone esploit de la busoigne dont ils estoient chargez. | 11. Also, the next day [15 October], which was a Thursday, the king himself, as well as the prelates and a large number of the commons, returned to the said parliament in the white chamber, and there in their presence and hearing Sir Richard le Scrope, steward of our said lord the king's household, by order of the king himself once again caused the charge given them the day before to be rehearsed; namely, to advise on how and in what manner the said enemies might best be resisted, and how, with the least injury to the people, and to the greater profit and honour of the kingdom, the money might be obtained and raised which would be needed for the defence and security of the aforesaid realm, and of them all. And later the same day, the matter was laid before all the said commons gathered in the place where they were assembled by order of the king, in the chapter-house of the abbey of Westminster, because the said commons as a whole had not yet assembled in the king's presence. Whereupon, the commons prayed of our lord the king that because of the arduous nature of their business, and the feebleness of their knowledge and abilities, it might please him to grant them the assistance and support of the prelates and lords named below, to consult with them in particular on their affairs, for the swifter and better despatch of the business with which they were charged. |
| Le duc de Lanc'. | The duke of Lancaster. |
| 12. C'estassavoir, le roy de Castelle et de Leon, duc de Lancastre, l'evesqe de Londres, l'evesqe d'Ely, l'evesqe de Roucestre, l'evesqe Kardoill, le conte de la Marche, le conte d'Arondell', le conte de Warrewyk, le conte d'Angos, et le seignour de Nevill', monsire Henry le Scrop, monsire Richard le Scrop, et monsire Richard de Stafford; et ce lour estoit grantez depar le roy en parlement. | 12. Namely, the king of Castile and of Leon, duke of Lancaster, the bishop of London, the bishop of Ely, the bishop of Rochester, the bishop of Carlisle, the earl of March, the earl of Arundel, the earl of Warwick, the earl of Angus, and Lord Neville, Sir Henry le Scrope, Sir Richard le Scrope, and Sir Richard Stafford; which was granted to them on behalf of the king in parliament. |
| 13. Mais tantost le dit duc se levast sus en esteiant en parlement, et < apres > engenulant a nostre dit seignour le roy, luy priast molt humblement qe < il > Luy voloit escouter un poy, pur chargeance cause qe touchoit luy mesmes et sa persone propre. Et dist qe coment qe les communes luy avoient issint esluz pur un des seignours de communer avec eulx des ditz choses, toutes voies il nel ferront ja si pleust au roy devant q'il feust excusez de ce qe la commune avoit malement parlez de luy. Qar il y dist qe coment q'il ne soit dignes, il estoit filz au roi, et un des pluis grantz seignours del roialme apres le roi: et l'en avoit parlez si malveisement de sa persone, chose qe droitement serroit entenduz apperte traisoun, si ce fust voir, qe Dieu defende, qe jamais n'auroit il cure de faire aucune chose tanqe la verite ent fust notablement < conue. > Et oultre il dist qe nul de ses auncestres, del une parte ne del autre, ne fust unqes traitour, mais bons et loialx. Et merveillouse chose serroit, s'il vorroit forveier hors del lyne de ses auncestres, sibien a cause de nature come autrement: qar il ad pluis a perdre qe nul autre auroit deinz mesme le roialme. Et pluis y dist qe si nul homme, de quiel estat ou condicion q'il feust, estoit si hardy q'il verroit affermer treisoun, ou autre disloialtee sur luy, ou autre chose faite par luy qe feust prejudicele al roialme, il y fust prest pur luy defendre par son corps ou autrement, par agard < du roi > et des seignours, si avant come le pluis povre bacheler del roialme. | 13. However, the said duke immediately rose in parliament, and kneeling before our said lord the king, requested most humbly that he listen to him a while, concerning an important matter which touched the king himself and his own person. And he said that although the commons had thus elected him as one of the lords to consult with them over the said matters, he would not by any means so act, if it pleased the king, until he had been exonerated of that which the commons had wickedly said of him. For he said that although he was unworthy, he was a king's son, and one of the great lords of the realm after the king: and his person had been spoken of so malevolently, and accused of something which should rightfully be considered open treason, if it were true, which God forbid, that he had no desire to do anything until the truth was made publicly known. And further, he said that none of his ancestors, on either side, had ever been a traitor, but true and loyal. And a marvellous thing it would have been, if he were to have strayed from the tradition of his ancestors, as well by nature as for other reason; for he had more to lose than anyone else within the kingdom. Furthermore, he said that if any man, or whatever estate or condition, were so bold as to accuse him of treason, or other disloyalty, or any other deed prejudicial to the kingdom, he would be ready to defend himself by his body or otherwise, at the decision of the king and the lords, like the poorest gentleman of the kingdom. |
| Excusacion del dit duc. | The exoneration of the said duke. |
| 14. Et sur, les prelatz et seignours trestouz se leveront et excuseront a une voice, empriant al dit duc de cesser [col. b] des tielles paroles; qar ils pensoient qe nul vivant les vorroit dire. Et sur ce les communes y disrent qe apparisante chose feust et notoire q'ils avoient le dit duc excusez de toute blasme et diffame, quant ils luy avoient issint esluz d'estre lour principal aide, confortour, et conseillour en ce parlement; empriantz touz a une voice, de lour avoir touz pur excusez. Et puis le dit duc, [sic: read 'duc dit'] qe coment qe tielles paroles avoient longement volez parmy le roialme fauxement, il se merveillast coment aucun homme purroit ou vorroit pur hounte et pur peril qe ent purroit sourdre < comencer ou > continuer tiel fait. Qar celluy qi feust trovour de tielles paroles, par quelles l'en moeveroit legerement debat parentre les seignours du roialme, < si fust appert > et verroi traitour, qar tieux debatz purroient tournir en destruccion de mesme le roialme a touz jours. Et y priast le dit duc qe bone ordinance et jouste punissement et redde feust ordenez sur tieux parlours < et trovours des mesonges > en ce parlement, pur eschuir les meschiefs avantditz pur le temps a venir: mais de temps passez tout soit pardonez quant a sa propre persone. | 14. Whereupon, all the prelates and lords stood and exonerated him with one voice, begging the said duke to refrain [col. b] from such words, for they could not believe that any man living would utter them. Whereupon, the commons there said that it had been plain and apparent that they had exonerated the said duke of all blame and defamation, when they had thus elected him to be their chief aid, comforter, and counsellor in this parliament; all requesting in one voice that he might hold them all excused. Then the duke said that although such words had long been falsely circulated throughout the realm, he had personally marvelled that any man could or would utter or pass on such a rumour because of the shame and peril which would ensue. For whosoever was the originator of such words, which might easily have caused conflict between the lords of the kingdom, was himself the obvious and real traitor, for such conflict might have brought about the destruction of the same kingdom for ever. And the said duke prayed that an effective ordinance and just and rightful punishment be devised in this parliament for such rumour-mongers and promoters of lies, in order that the aforesaid troubles might be avoided in time to come: but in relation to things past everything should be pardoned with regard to himself. |
| Requeste des communes. | The request of the commons. |
| 15. Et puis apres les communes y vindrent en parlement devant le roi, et illoeqes monsire Peres de la Mare, chivaler, q'avoit les paroles depar la commune, faisant sa protestacion, qe ce q'il y avoit a dire nel dirroit del soen propre moevement, einz del mocion, assent, et voluntee expres de toute la commune illoeqes esteante: et s'il avenist q'il y forveiast de rienz, ou par cas y deist chose qe ne fust del assent de ses compaignons, q'il ent fust par mesmes ses compaignons tantost amendez illoeqes, et devant q'il y partissent de la place. | 15. Later, the commons came before the king in parliament, and there Sir Peter de la Mare, knight, who was to speak on the commons' behalf, made protestation that if there was anything to say he would say it not of his own accord, but by the will, consent, and express wish of all the commons there present: and if he should depart from their intent, or if he should say anything which had not been agreed by his companions, that he might be corrected by his same companions there as soon as possible, and before they had left that place. |
| 16. Y dist, en compleignant qe tant come le noble chivalrie del roialme estoit bien nurriz, encherriz, honores, et noblement guerdonez pur lours grantz bienfaitz, si estoit celle chivalrie molt urgerouse, et ardantment desirouse afaire grantz emprises et grantz faitz d'armes, chescun devant < autre, > paront le roialme fust grantement enrichez et pleintinouse de toute bien, et les habitantz en ycelle doutez de lours enemys, dont toutes nacions a poy en parlerent d'onour et de nobleye; et qe pluis est, lour fame de nobleye estoit espandue parmy le monde. Mais ore, depuis qe celle chivalrie ad este rebuquiz et tenuz en viletee, et qe pluis est, lours biens noblement gaignez de lours enemys de guerre lour tolluz sanz jouste cause, et auxint celle chivalrie et toute autre vertu mys a derire, et vice preisee, avancee, et honouree, et nullement puniz ou chasticee, si est mesme la chivalrie et les coers des bones et vertuouses persones grantement abeissez, paront nul homme ad talent al jour de huy, a ce qe semble par experience de fait, de bien faire: de qoy le roialme ad ore novellement suffert grantz < damages et outrage > de lours ditz enemys des plusours partz, et est a douter qe pluis soeffrera, si Dieu n'y mette remede au gouvernaille d'ycelle. | 16. He spoke there, in complaint that whereas the illustrious knighthood of the kingdom had long been well nurtured, cherished, honoured, and nobly rewarded for their many good deeds, so had their knighthood been most keen and ardently willing to undertake great enterprises and deeds of arms, every one competing with the other, whereby the kingdom had been greatly enriched and filled with all that was good, and the inhabitants of the same feared by their enemies, almost all nations speaking of their honour and nobility; and what is more, the fame of their nobility spread throughout the whole world. Now, however, since their knighthood had been rebutted and scorned, and furthermore, their goods, nobly won from their enemies in war, taken from them without just cause, and also their knighthood and all other virtue scorned, and vice prized, promoted, and honoured, and not punished or chastised at all, so had their same knighthood and the hearts of good and virtuous persons been greatly cast down, wherefore no man has any inclination these days, from what his past experience taught him, to do good: and so the kingdom has lately suffered great injuries and outrages from the said enemies from many parts, and it is to be feared that more will be suffered unless God provide remedy for the governance of the same. |
| 17. Et auxint < d'autre part, > quant les marchantz du roialme furent seignours et maistres, et avoient la disposicion et ordinance de lours propres niefs, si estoit la navye du roialme grande et pleintinouse, et estoit < graindre > < nombre > des bones niefs appurtenantes a une ville del roialme qe ore sont en tout le roialme avantdit. Et pur ce qe nostre seignour le roi, qi Dieu salve, si est a present innocent et de tendre age, la dite commune, pur amendement des meschiefs avauntditz < et autres, > et pur salvacion du roialme qe maintenant est en grant peril, et pluis qe unqes n'estoit devant, priont < au roi nostre seignour et > as seignours du parlement des trois choses en especial: | 17. And moreover, whereas once the merchants of the kingdom were lords and masters of the use and governance of their own ships, so was the kingdom's navy great and abundant, and as many good ships pertained to a single town as now there are in the aforesaid kingdom as a whole. And because our said lord the king, whom God preserve, is at present so innocent and tender in age, the said commons, for the ending of the aforesaid troubles as well as of others and for the security of the kingdom which is now in greater danger than it has ever known before, pray of our said lord the king and the lords in parliament three things in particular: |
| 18. Primerent, qe lour pleust ordeiner et lour nomer ore en ce present parlement oept suffisantz persones de diverses estatz, d'estre continuelment residentz [p. iii-6][col. a] du conseil sur les busoignes du roy et del roialme avec les officers du roi, des tieux persones qi mieltz scievent et pluis diligeaument vorront et purront travailler sur l'amendement des meschiefs avantditz, et le bone governement et salvacion del dit roialme; issint qe la commune purra estre clerement acertee des nouns d'yceux conseillers, qe serroient expendours et ordeinours de ce q'ils verront granter pur les guerres, et par tant avoir la greindre corage de faire a nostre seignour le roy ce q'ils ont de luy en charge, come dessus est dit. | 18. First, that it please him to ordain and name for them in this present parliament eight worthy persons of divers estates, to be continually at hand [p. iii-6][col. a] to advise on matters concerning the king and kingdom with the king's officers, from amongst such persons who know best, and who wish and are able to work most diligently towards amending the aforesaid troubles, and the good governance and security of the said kingdom; so that the commons might be fully informed of the names of those councillors, who will spend and manage the money which is granted them for the wars, and therefore have greater heart to perform for our lord the king that with which he has charged them, as is said above. |
| 19. Item, qe lour pleust ordener et nommer en ce parlement les persones qe serront delees la persone nostre seignour le roy mesmes, q'est issint de tendre age. Et qe celles persones fussent des pluis vertuouses, honestes, et suffisantz del roialme, issint qe mesme nostre seignour, q'est persone sacree et enoint, feust noblement et en bones vertuz governez et nurriz au plesance de Dieu, paront tout le roialme y purra estre salvez et amendez. Et qe feust auxint ordeine qe mesme nostre seignour le roy et sa maisoun fust governez a bone moderacion en despenses affaire, tantsoulement de les revenues du roialme et de les autres droitz de sa corone et seignouries. Et qe tout ce qe est ou serra grantez a nostre seignour le roi en maintenance de ses guerres, fust appliez et despenduz en les guerres et nulle part aillours, en aide et descharge de sa commune avantdite. | 19. Also, that it might please him to ordain and name in this parliament those who will accompany the person of our same lord the king, who is of so tender an age. And that those people might be the most virtuous, honest, and worthy of the kingdom, so that our same lord the king, who is a sacred and anointed person, might be nobly governed and imbued with all virtues to be pleasing to God, whereby the whole realm might be saved and preserved. And that it might also be ordained that our same lord the king and his house be governed with decent moderation, and especially its expenditure to be made solely from the revenues of the kingdom and from the other rights of his crown and lordships. And that everything which is or shall be granted to our lord the king for the maintenance of his wars, might be allocated to and spent on those wars and upon nothing else, to the support and relief of his aforesaid commons. |
| 20. Item, qe la commune loy, et auxint les especialx loys, estatutz, et ordinances de la terre faitz < devant ces heures, > pur commune profit et bone governance du roialme, lour feussent entierement tenuz, ratifiez, et confermez, et qe par ycelles ils fussent droiturelement governez: qar la commune soy ent ad sentuz moeltz grevez cea en ariere, qe ce ne lour ad my este fait toutes partz, einz qe par maistrie et singulertees d'aucuns entour le roy, qi Dieux assoille, ont este plusours de la dite commune malmesnez. Mais toutes voies la dite commune ny requert mye ore pur vengeance avoir de nully qi ait mesfait devant ceste heure, einz qe en temps avenir, quant plest au roy nostre seignour et son conseil, chastiement soit duement fait des tieux malfaisours: et qe y soit pris al oeps du roi ce q'il purra prendre par loy et reson, en donant bone ensample as autres de lour abstiner pur le temps avenir de semblablement malfaire. Requerante as seignours du parlement qe quanqe y feust ordenez en ce parlement ne fust repellez sanz parlement. Et qe aiantz due consideracion coment les jours sont courtz a present, et le temps se passe fortment, et l'en faut hastivement travailler entour l'ordinance du roialme et des guerres avantditz, ou autrement, qe Dieu ne veullie, le roialme est destruit, ils lour ent advisent, et sur ce lour donent hastive et bone responce. Salvant en toutes choses la regalie et dignitee nostre seignour le roi avauntdit; a la quelle les communes ne veullient qe par lours demandes chose prejudiciele y fust faite par aucune voie. Et sur ce fust responduz qe les prelatz et seignours y vorroit ent conseiller ensemble, comandant as communes de retournir a lour place, et treter de lours autres charges a eulx donez parentre cy et joefdy proschein: a quiel jour ils furent comandez a retournir en parlement pur oier la responce de lours requestes avant dites. | 20. Also, that the common law, and also the particular laws, statutes, and ordinances of the land made in the past, for the general benefit and good governance of the kingdom, should be fully upheld, ratified, and confirmed, and that they should be lawfully governed by the same: for the commons had felt themselves much grieved in the past, because it had not applied to them in all instances, but by the tricks and singular conniving of some about the king, whom God absolve, many of the said commons had been misgoverned. Nevertheless, the said commons did not now request vengeance for any who had suffered wrong in the past, but only that in future, whensoever it pleased our lord the king and his counsel, punishment should be duly visited upon such malefactors: and that whatsoever could be taken by the king in accordance with law and reason, kept for the king's use, to set a good example to others, and encourage them to abstain in future from such misdeeds. They begged of the lords of parliament that whatsoever was ordained in this parliament should not be repealed without parliament, and that having due consideration for the shortness of the days at present, and the rapid passing of time, and the need to progress swiftly towards the ordinance of the aforesaid kingdom and the aforesaid wars, for otherwise, God forbid, the kingdom would be destroyed, they would consult hereon themselves, and subsequently give a speedy and considered response. Saving in all matters the regality and dignity of our aforesaid lord the king; to which the commons did not wish that through their demands anything prejudicial should be done in any maner. Whereupon, answer was made that the prelates and lords would consult there together, ordering the commons to return to their place, and deal with the other business which had been assigned them, between now and Thursday next [22 October]: on which day they were ordered to return to parliament to hear the reply to their aforesaid requests. |
| [memb. 3] | |
| Conseillers et lour poair, etc.. | Counsellors and their powers, etc. |
| 21. < Quant a la primere requeste qe les dites communes monstrent a nostre seignour le roy et as seignours > du parlement, < c'estassavoir, > qe serroit honour al roi, et profit a toute le roialme - q'est maintenant grevez en diverse manere par plusours adversites, sibien par les guerres de France, d'Espaigne, d'Irlande, Guyenne, de Bretaigne, et tout plain d'autres parties par terre et par meer come autrement, paront le dit roialme est ores en greindre peril qe n'estoit unqes devant, et les officers del roialme ne suffisont mye sanz autre aide a si grande governaille, - qe [col. b] le conseille nostre dit seignour le roy fust enlargez par le nombre de oept suffisantz persones de diverses estatz et degrees, pur estre continuelment residentz du conseil avec les officers dessusditz sur les busoignes du roi et del roialme, meement tantcome nostre dit seignour soit issint de tendre age; par manere tielle qe nul grosse ou chargeante busoigne y passe ou soit deliverez sanz l'assent et advis de touz, et autres meindres busoignes par l'assent et advis de quatre au meins, selonc ce qe le cas requiert, issint qe quatre de ceux soient continuelment residentz du conseil le roy: empriantz humblement qe lour pleust ore en ce parlement mesmes les oept conseillers eslire de pluis suffisantz persones del roialme, et des tieux qi mieltz scievent, et pluis diligeaument purroient et vorroient travailler et mettre lours peines sur l'amendement des meschiefs et perils avantditz; et sur ce notifier lours nouns a mesme la commune en ce parlement, en grant confort de eux et de tout le roialme avauntdit. Et qe ceux conseillers ne soient desore purveuz, faitz, ou esluz forsqe en parlement, si ne soit qe aucun de eux moerge ou feust remuez par cause resonable entre parlement et parlement, en quiel cas le roy, par advis de son conseil, y face et ordeigne a sa plesance d'autres suffisantz en lours lieux. | 21. With regard to the first request which the said commons made of our lord the king and the lords in parliament, namely that it would be to the honour of the king and the profit of all the kingdom - which is now being injured in many ways by divers adversities, both by the wars of France, Spain, Ireland, Guyenne, Brittany, and in all other parts by land and sea and other means, wherefoe the kingdom is now in greater danger than ever before, and the officers of the kingdom can no longer manage without assistance in such burdensome governance - if [col. b] the council of our said lord the king were to be increased by eight worthy persons of divers estates and degrees, who would be continually at hand to consult with the aforementioned officers on matters concerning the king and kingdom, the more so because our said lord the king was of so tender an age; in such a way that no serious and important matter of business should pass or be discharged without the assent and advice of all, and other lesser matters by the assent and advice of at least four, as the case requires, so that four of them shall be continually resident in the king's council: humbly desiring that it might please him now in this parliament to elect the same eight councillors from amongst the most able persons of the kingdom, and from amongst those who knew best, and could and would most diligently work and apply themselves to remedying the aforesaid troubles and dangers; and thereupon to notify the same commons of their names in this parliament, to the great comfort of them and all the aforesaid kingdom. And that those councillors should not henceforth be provided, appointed, or elected except in parliament, unless one of them were to die or be removed for good reason between parliaments, when the king, with the advice of his council, would appoint and ordain someone at his pleasure from amongst others worthy in their place. |
| Responce a la primere requeste. | The reply to the first request. |
| 22. Nostre seignour le roy entendant la dite requeste estre honurables et bien profitables, sibien a luy mesmes come a son roialme avantdit, l'ad ottroiez, purveuz toutes voies qe chanceller, tresorer, gardein du prive seal, justices del un bank et del autre, et touz les autres officers du roi, purront faire et esploiter les busoignes qe touchent lours offices sanz la presence de tieux conseillers. Et nostre seignour le roy, pur certains causes qe luy moevent a present, par l'advis des seignours de parlement y voet avoir ceste present anee tantsoulement neof persones ses tieux conseillers, et les ad fait eslire en dit parlement; c'estassavoir, les evesqes de Londres, de Kardoill' et de Salesbirs, les contes de la March' et de Staff', meseignours Richard de Stafford et Henry le Scrop, baneretz, et messires Johan Deverose, et Hugh Segrave, bachilers. Et est ordenez qe les ditz neof conseillers issint esluz, et auxint les oept conseillers qe pur le temps serront, ne demurront en dit office forsqe soulement un an entier. Et celle an fini ne deveront mye celles mesmes persones estre re-esluz a celle office par deux ans proschein ensuantz. | 22. Our lord the king, considering the said request to be honourable and wholly profitable, both for himself as well as his aforesaid kingdom, agreed, providing under all circumstances that the chancellor, treasurer, keeper of the privy seal, justices of either Bench, and all other officers of the king, might conduct and carry out the business pertaining to their offices without the presence of such councillors. And our lord the king, for certain considerations which moved him at the time, by the advice of the lords in parliament wished to have in this present year only nine persons as his counsellors, and he elected them in the said parliament; namely, the bishops of London, Carlisle, and Salisbury, the earls of March and Stafford, and lords Richard Stafford and Henry le Scrope, bannerets, and messires John Devereux and Sir Hugh Segrave, gentlemen. And it was ordained that the said nine counsellors thus elected and also the eight counsellors of the future would not remain in office longer than one whole year. And at the end of this year those same persons ought not to be re-elected to this office within the space of two years. |
| 23. Et auxint est ordene qe nul doun d'eschete, de garde, mariage, rente, ne d'autre rienz appurteigne al roy, ne < se > face a nully des ditz conseillers durant le terme del dit an, si ne soit par commune assent de touz les ditz conseillers, ou la greindre partie d'iceulx: ne q'ils preignent rienz de nulle partie par promesse, n'autrement, s'il ne soit mangier et boire de petite value, ou autre chose qe ne purra resonablement estre dit louer, pur nulle busoigne qe serra mesnee ou tretee devant eux, sur peyne de rendre a la partie le double de ce q'ils einsi prendront, avec les damages et despenses par tant suffertz, et a nostre seignour le roi six foitz atant come ils y averont pris. Et auxint est ordenez qe nul tiel conseiller n'empreigne ou sustiene aucune querelle par maintenance en paiis, n'aillours, sur tielle grevouse payne qe serra ordenez par nostre seignour le roy, del advis des seignours du roialme; la conissance et jurisdiction des quelles choses serra au roi mesmes, et a ses uncles d'Espaigne, de Cantebrigge et de Bukyngham, pris a eux aucuns prelatz et seignours a la suite de partie donante, et nemye devant autres persones, ne en autre manere. Et si nully se pleigne de tieu conseiller, et ne purra prover sa entente, encourge la peine darreinerement ordene par estatut en temps le roi Edward aiel nostre seignour le roy q'ore est, des accusours qi font pleinte au roi mesmes. (fn. iii-3-72-1) | 23. It is also ordained that no gift of escheat, wardship, marriage, rent, nor anything else pertaining to the king shall be made to any of the said counsellors during the course of the said year, unless it be by the common consent of all the said councillors, or the majority of them: nor shall they take anything from any party by promise, or otherwise, unless it be to eat and drink and of small value, or anything else which cannot reasonably be said to be a bribe, for any matter which shall be considered or decided before them, on pain of rendering to the party double that which they have thus accepted, together with the damages and expenses incurred as a result, and to our lord the king six times as much as they have received. And it is also ordained that no such counsellor sustain any dispute by maintenance in the country or elsewhere, on pain of a grievous penalty which shall be ordained by our lord the king with the advice of the lords of the kingdom; the cognizance and jurisdiction over which matters shall belong to the king himself, and his uncles of Spain, Cambridge, and Buckingham, calling upon certain prelates and lords at the suit of the donor party, and not before others, nor in any other way. And if anyone should complain of such a counsellor, and is unable to prove his accusation, let him incur the penalty lately ordained by statute in the time of King Edward [III], grandfather of our lord the present king, concerning accusers who complain to the king himself. (fn. iii-3-72-1) |
| [p. iii-7] | |
| [col. a] | |
| 24. Et auxint est ordenez qe les ditz conseillers qe ore sont ou qi pur le temps serront esluz, ordenez, et assignez, soient serementz en presence du roi mesmes, de garder ceste ordinance et bien et loialment conseiller le roy en toutes choses qe serront moevez ou tretez devant eux selonc lours sen et poairs: et qe toute chose qe y doit estre tenuz en secret sanz descovrir, < ne descovriront a aucun estrange, > autrement qe nel doivent faire par reson. | 24. It is ordained, furthermore, that the said counsellors now in office or those who shall be elected, ordained, and appointed in time to come, shall be sworn in the presence of the same king, to keep this ordinance and advise the king well and loyally in all matters which are raised or discussed before them in accordance with their knowledge and abilities: and that all which ought to be kept secret without disclosure, should be disclosed to no other person without good reason. |
| 25. Et fait a remembrer qe puis apres les neof prelatz, contes, et autres dessusditz, issint esluz en conseil pur cest an, si furent devant le roy mesmes < jurrez et sermentez a ce faire, > en presence des plusours seignours du parlement, en la forme avantdite. | 25. Moreover, be it remembered that later the aforementioned nine prelates, earls, and others thus elected to the counsel for this year were so sworn before the king himself, in the presence of many lords of parliament, in the aforesaid manner. |
| Responce a les autres deux requestes. | The reply to the other two requests. |
| 26. Et quant a la secounde requeste de la commune, c'estassavoir, de nommer ou assigner en certain les persones quelles serront entour la persone du roy nostre seignour, les seignours du parlement < y > respoignent et diont qe ce lour semble estre trope chargeante et dure requeste de mettre aucune persone entour < lour seignour > Le roi autre qe ne plust bien a luy par plusours causes, ou de remuer aucun son officer ou servant si ne fust par la volentee < du dit roi > expresse, et encores pur notable defaute en tieux officers ou servantz trovez ou provez; paront les seignours ne vorroient volunters de ce entremettre. Mais lour sembloit chose bien resonable, necessarie, et profitable au roi et al roialme, qe les chivalers, esquiers, et toutz autres entour le roi, feussent defenduz sur griefs peines, qe tantcome nostre seignour le roy soit issint de tendre age, ils ne feissent nulles pursuites devers le roi pur eulx mesmes, ne pur autres, de chose qe feust aucunement chargeant au roy ou al roialme, n'autrement, sinoun soulement pur benefices, baillies, ou autres offices, les queux nul damage purra avenir au roi ou al roialme avantditz. Qar y fust dit qe bien fust qe des gardes, mariages, eschetes, et autres tieux profitz, les ditz conseillers et officers se medleroient al profit du roi et del roialme. Et quant a la moderacion de la meignee le roi, et ses despenses en sa maisoun, sur les revenues del roialme tantsoulement en descharge de la commune, estoit auxint responduz qe les seignours ent verroient communer a bone deliberacion avec les grantz officers du dit hostiel: et si par lour advis ce purroit estre fait, salvant < l'estat et > L'onour du roi, ceste lour < autre > requeste serroit ensement perfourme. Et quant a la tierce requeste et darreine, sembloit resonable chose a touz les seignours quant au present qe ce lour soit ottroiez et grantez. | 26. And as for the second request of the commons, that is to name or appoint precisely the persons who would be about the person of the king our lord, the lords of parliament replied saying that it seemed to them too burdensome and difficult to place anyone about their lord the king who did not wholly please him for various reasons, or to remove any of his officers or servants unless it was by the express wish of the said king, or because some notable failing had been found or proven in such officers of servants; under which circumstances the lords would not willingly intervene therein. But it seemed to them wholly reasonable, necessary, and profitable to the king and kingdom that the knights, squires, and all about the king, should be restrained on pain of grievous penalties, inasmuch as our lord the king was at so tender an age, from seeking anything from the king on their own behalf, or on behalf of others, which could in any way be charged to the king or kingdom, nor otherwise, except only for benefices, bailiwicks, or other offices from which no injury could result to the aforesaid king or kingdom. For it was said that it was much to the profit of the king and kingdom that the said counsellors and officers should not concern themselves with wardships, marriages, escheats, and other such profits. And as for the moderation of the king's retinue, and the expenses of his household, in relation to the revenues of the realm so far as they were at the charge of the commons, it was also replied that the lords would discuss that in detail with the chief officers of the said household: and so, with their advice let that be done, saving the estate and honour of the king, and that their other request might be thus carried out. And with regard to the third and last request, it seemed reasonable to all the lords for the present that it should be agreed and granted. |
| La graunt fait par la commune de .x. me et .xv. me . | The grant of a tenth and fifteenth made by the commons. |
| 27. Item, les seignours et communes du roialme d'Engleterre apperceivantz clerement le grant peril du roialme, q'est en point d'estre perduz (si Dieu n'y mette remede le pluis en haste), parmy les grandes guerres queux y sont moevez a l'encontre, et assez overtz chescune part, sibien par terre come par meer, dont il y est ore pluis a douter q unqes n'estoit devant. Et partant en aide de les despenses qe l'en faut mettre entour la governance de la guerre < du roialme, > en resistence de tantz des enemys, et en socour et rescous del roialme avantdit, al aide nostre seignour ils grantent ore de lour liberale volentee a mesme nostre seignour le roi deux quinszimes par dehors citees et burghs, et deux dismes deinz mesmes les citees et burghs, a lever de lour biens, sibien c'estassavoir des seignours des villes come des religious, pur leurs biens provenantz de lours terres et tenementz purchacez ou appropriez puis l'an vintisme le roi Edward filz le roi Henry, et d'autres seculers gentz quelconqes, nully esperniant en celle partie, parentre cy et la chandeleure proschein venant, par autielles sommes de deniers et nemye greignours ne meindres come ont este acustumez estre levez des villes parmy le roialme < quant > tielles dismes et quinszismes < ont este > grantez, a une foitz ou a diverses foitz pur deux ans. [col. b] Empriantz humblement a lour seignour lige, et les autres seignours du parlement, qe sibien de ceux deniers, come des deniers de les dismes ore a granters par la clergie d'Engleterre, et auxint de les deniers provenantes de les subsides de leynes, feussent certains persones suffisantz assignez depar le roi d'estre tresoriers ou gardeins, au tiel effect qe celles deniers feussent tout entierment appliez a les despenses de la guerre, et nemye autre part par aucune voie. Et fait a remembrer qe celle requeste lour estoit ottroiez par le roi, salvant au roi entierment la < due > anciene custume de demi marc des denszeins, et < dis > soldz des foreins, due de chescun saak de leyne a passer hors du roialme, etc.. Et sur ce nostre seignour le roi fist assigner William Walworth et Johan Philypot, marchantz de Londres, d'estre gardeins des dites sommes, al oeps avantdit, et de faire loial accompte de lours resceites et issues par manere come serroit ordene par nostre seignour le roy et son dit grant conseil en resonable manere. | 27. Also, the lords and commons of the kingdom of England, clearly perceiving the great danger to the kingdom, which was on the point of being lost, unless God supplied a remedy with utmost haste, on account of the great wars which were being waged against it from all sides, both by land and sea, the likes of which it is doubted had ever been seen before. And therefore, in support of the expenses which shall need to be invested in the conduct of the war, in resisting such enemies, and for the succour and rescue of the aforesaid kingdom, and to help our lord, they grant now of their own free will to our same lord the king two fifteenths from outside the cities and boroughs, and two tenths from within the same cities and boroughs, to be levied on their goods, namely, from the lords of the land as well as from religious, for their goods arising from their lands and tenements purchased or appropriated since the twentieth year of King Edward [I], son of King Henry [III] [1291-2], and from other secular persons whatsoever, none being spared in the matter, between now and Candlemas next [2 February 1378], for such sums of money, neither more nor less, as have customarily been levied from towns throughout the kingdom when such tenths and fifteenths have been granted, at some one time or on occasion for two years. [col. b] They pray most humbly of their liege lord, and the other lords of parliament, that from that money, as well as from money arising out of the tenths now to be granted by the clergy of England, and also from the money raised from the subsidies on wool, certain worthy persons might be appointed on behalf of the king to be treasurers or wardens, to the end that such money might be wholly devoted to the costs of the war, and not put to any other use. And be it remembered that this request was granted them by the king, saving to the king entirely the ancient custom of half a mark from denizens, and ten shillings from aliens, due on each sack of wool to be exported from the kingdom, et cetera. Whereupon, our lord the king caused William Walworth and John Philpot, merchants of London, to be appointed as keepers of the said sums, to the use aforesaid, and to render faithful account of their receipts and issues in the manner which shall be ordained by our lord the king and his said great counsel in a reasonable way. |
| Tresoriers pur la guerre. .xv. milleli. du roi. | War treasurers. £15,000 for the king. |
| < Et sur ce, par comandement nostre dit seignour le roi, les ditz William et Johan, pristrent lour charge, > < et a ce faire loialment furent ils > sermentez et jurrez devant le roy mesmes en plein parlement. Sauvez toutes foitz au roi q'il soit repaiez primerement de la somme par luy chevee et paiee a ceste darreine viage sur la meer, q'amonte pluis qe < a > .xv. mille livres d'esterlings, dont le < roi > est encores dettour as creditours. | And thereupon, by order of our said lord the king, the said William and John accepted their charge and were sworn and took oath before the king in full parliament to perform it loyally. Saving at all times to the king, that he be repaid first of all for the sum procured and paid by him for that last expedition at sea, which amounted to more than fifteen thousand pounds sterling, for which the king is still a debtor to the creditors. |
| Touchant les contes de March' et de Sarum. | Concerning the earls of March and Salisbury. |
| 28. Item, William de Montagu, conte de Salesbirs, mist avant en parlement une sa peticion, en la forme qe s'ensuit: | 28. Also, William Montagu, earl of Salisbury, laid a petition before parliament, in the following form: |
| A nostre seignour le roi monstre son lige William de Montagu, conte de Salesbirs, come mon tresredoute seignour le roi, vostre aiel, qe Dieux assoille, dona et granta a mon piere William de Montagu, nadgaires conte de Salesbirs, et a ses heires de son corps issantz, ove clause de garrantie, le chastell, ville et honor < de Dynbeygh, > et les cantredes de Roos, Roweynok' et Kaiemer, et la commot de Dymnael, ove les appurtenances, en Gales, salvant ent la revercion a luy et a ses heirs, come pluis pleinement piert par ses chartres a mon dit piere ent faitz; (fn. iii-3-88-1) les queux chastiel, ville, honor, cantredes et commot, ove les appartenances, Roger de Mortimer, piere Esmon contee q'ore est, come cousin et heir Roger de Mortimer, nadgairs conte de la March', demanda devers moy, par noun de la terre de Dynbeygh ove les appurtenances en Gales, par brief de scire facias devant mon dit seignour le roi, vostre aiel, en sa courte en bank le roi, de ent avoir execucioun. En quele plee jeo pria aide de mon dit seignour le roi, vostre aiel, par la cause avantdite. Et apres brief de procedendo sur ce grante, le dit Roger, le piere Esmon, recoveri devers moy par juggement les ditz chastiel, ville, [sic: read 'vielle'] honour, cantredes, et commot, ove les appurtenances, par noun de la terre de Dynbeigh ove les appurtenances en Gales, come en le record et proces sur ce faitz pleinement appiert. En quelles record et proces, et auxint en juggement sur ceo renduz, il y ad errour: et le quiel juggement estoit execut, et moi ouste de ma possession, l'an de son regne .xxxviij. me , dont jeo n'avoie unqes rien en value, coment qe mon dit seignour le roy, vostre aiel, par sa chartre avoit grante a ceo faire, come dessus est dit. Puis quele perte j'ay suy de parlement en parlement par diverses peticions de ent avoir remedie, et entre autres au parlement tenuz a Westm' le .viij. me jour de Novembrer l'an de son regne .xlvi. me , une ma peticion sur ceste matiere estoit endosse en ceux paroles, Le roi ne voet mye qe l'eir qi est deinz age, et en sa garde, ne pierde rienz pur le temps q'il est en sa garde; mais quant il vient a son pleine age, sue, et droit serra fait al une partie et a l'autre. (fn. iii-3-88-1) Et ore le dit heir, c'estassavoir Esmon de Mortimer ore conte de la Marche, filz et heir mesme celuy Roger le cousin, est avenuz a son plein age. | To our lord the king, his liege William Montagu, earl of Salisbury shows that whereas my most redoubtable lord, the king, your grandfather, whom God absolve, gave and granted to my father William Montagu, late earl of Salisbury, and to the heirs of his body, with a clause of warranty, the castle, town and honour of Denbigh, and the cantreds of Rhos, Rhyfiniog, and Chymeirch, and the commote of Dinmael with their appurtenances in Wales, saving the reversion thereof to him and his heirs, as appears more fully in his charters made thereon to my said father (fn. iii-3-88-1) ; which castle, town, honour, cantreds, and commote, with their appurtenances, Roger Mortimer, father of Edmund, the present earl, as cousin and heir of Roger Mortimer, late earl of March, demanded of me, in the name of the land of Denbigh with appurtenances in Wales, by writ of scire facias, before my said lord the king, your grandfather, in the court of the king's bench, to have execution thereof. In which plea I prayed aid of my said lord the king, your grandfather, in the aforesaid cause. And after a writ of procedendo upon the grant, the said Roger, father of Edmund, recovered from me by judgment the said castle, town, honour, cantreds, and commote, with appurtenances, by name of the land of Denbigh with appurtenances, in Wales, as appears more fully in the record and process thereon. In which record and process, and also in the judgment thereon rendered, there was error: which judgment was executed, and in the thirty-eighth year of his reign [1364] I was ousted from my title, of which I still have nothing of value, although my said lord the king, your grandfather, by his charter had granted as said above. Since which loss I have sued from parliament to parliament in various petitions to receive remedy therefor, and at the parliament held at Westminster on 8 November in the forty-sixth year of his reign [1372], amongst other petitions, my petition on this matter was endorsed with these words, 'The king does not wish the heir, who is under age and in his wardship, to lose anything for the time during which he is a ward; but when he comes of age let him sue and right shall be done to one party or the other'. (fn. iii-3-88-1) And now the heir, namely Edmund Mortimer, now earl of March, son and heir of the same Roger the cousin, has come of age. |
| Qe plese a vostre tresgraciouse seignourie commander de faire venir le dit [p. iii-8][col. a] record et proces devant vous et vostre tressage conseil en ceste present parlement, et appellez le dit Esmon, et ceux qe sont en celles parties et appellers, et vewes et examinez les ditz record et proces, de moi ordener ent remedie selonc droit et resoun. Et si errour y puisse estre trovez, qe le dit juggement soit reversez et adnulliz, et moi restitut a ma possession ove les issues d'icelle, come la loy demande. | May it please your most gracious lordship to order the said [p. iii-8][col. a] record and process to be brought before you and your most wise council in this present parliament, and having summoned the said Edmund, and those who are parties to be summoned in the matter, and having viewed and examined the said record and process, to ordain remedy for me therein in accordance with right and reason. And if error be found there, that the said judgment shall be reversed and annulled, and myself restored to possession with the issues of the same, as the law demands. |
| 29. Quele peticion lue en mesme le parlement et entendue, dist fust et comandez en cest parlement, par les prelatz et seignours pierres du < parlement > Lors esteantz en mesme le parlement, a monsire Johan de Cavendisshe, chivaler, chief justice nostre seignour le roy, q'ad les record et proces dont la dite peticion fait mencion en garde, q'il ferroit venir mesmes les record et proces en cest parlement sanz delay. (fn. iii-3-90-1) Luy quiel monsire Johan apporta en dit parlement mesmes les record et proces < entre > diverses autres recordz et proces comprises en certaines roulles tachez ou consutz ensemble. Et sur ce le dit conte de Salesbirs assigna en parlement par especial et par bouche diverses errours estre contenuz en ycelles record et proces, empriant qe par celles errours et par autres quelles en ycelles record et proces purront estre trovez, le juggement y renduz soit reversez, et qe le dit Esmon de Mortymer, filz et heir le dit Roger le cousin, ore conte de la March', y fust garniz par brief de scire facias d'estre a proschein parlement d'oier les ditz record et proces, et de faire et resceivre ce < q'adonqes > en celle partie serra agardez. Et celle brief luy estoit grantez illoeqes, et comandez estre fait retournable en dit proschein parlement. Et puis apres sur le fin du dit parlement, le dit monsire Johan de Cavendish, par comandement des prelatz et seignours du parlement ent a luy fait, portast mesmes les record et proces en le bank le roi pur y demurer come en garde tanqe au dit proschein parlement. Et est ordenez et accordez qe mesmes les record et proces soient en dit proschein parlement par la cause avant dite. (fn. iii-3-90-2) | 29. The which petition having been read in the same parliament and understood, the prelates and lords the peers then present in the parliament instructed and ordered Sir John Cavendish, knight, chief justice of our lord the king, who had in his keeping the record and process of which the said petition made mention, to bring the same record and process before this parliament without delay. (fn. iii-3-90-1) The which Sir John brought to the said parliament the same record and process along with various other records and processes contained in certain rolls attached or sewn together. Whereupon the said earl of Salisbury spoke in parliament, and particularly of divers errors in the record and process, praying that on account of those errors and others which might be found in the record and process, the judgment thereon rendered should be reversed, and that the said Edmund Mortimer, son and heir of the said Roger the cousin, now earl of March, be warned by writ of scire facias to be at the next parliament to hear the said record and process, and to hear and receive whatsoever would then be decided in this matter. And the writ was issued to him there, and made returnable in the said next parliament. And at the end of the said parliament the said John Cavendish, by order of the prelates and lords of parliament, carried the same record and process to the king's bench so that it might be kept there until the said next parliament. And it was ordained and agreed that the same record and process should be brought to the next parliament for the aforesaid reason. (fn. iii-3-90-2) |
| [memb. 4] | |
| Touchant les terres monsire Johan de Cobham. | Concerning the lands of Sir John Cobham. |
| 30. Item, monsire Johan de Cobham, fitz la contesse mareschal, chivaler, mist avant en parlement une sa peticion, en la fourme qe s'ensuit: | 30. Also, Sir John Cobham, son of the countess marshal, knight, laid a petition before parliament in the following form: |
| A nostre tresredote et tresexcellent seignour le roi et soun sage counseille supplie le soun lige Johan de Cobham, filtz la countesse mareschalle, qe Dieux assoille, qe en oevre de charitee lour plese < de > prendre regard et consideracion, qe le dit Johan fist nostre seignour le roi son heir, qe Dieu assoille, ove entente qe soun dite heritage deust avoir demorez a nostre dit seignour, qe Dieu assoille, et a ses heirs a la corone, et le dit Johan aver le meuthe este maintenuz et le plus honurablement, et ses dites terres avoir rejoye a terme de sa vie. Dount le dit Johan prie a nostre dit seignour le roi et a soun counseille q'ils voleient en tiele manere ordeigner qe le purpos et la volente du dit Johan puisse estre acomplie, en descharge de l'alme nostre dit seignour, qe Dieu assoille, et la reversion de son dite heritage demorer a la corone, et q'il puisse rejoyer son dite heritage a terme de sa vie, come parlez feust. La declaracioun de quelle bille suisdite est qe le dit Johan de Cobham dona, par la seisine de un anel, a noble roi Edward qe darrayn morust, qe Dieux assoille, al Thorne pres Sandewiche, < sur > La passage du dit roi as parties de Fraunce, la reversion des manoirs de Wedonhull, Padenore, Chelwoldesbury, Haukesherde, Holt, Wedon' in Yevale, Drayton Beauchamp, Messeworth, Saundresdon, Helpesthrop, Rolvesham en counte de Buk; Colston en le counte de Northff'; et le bon manoir de Ardyngton en le counte de Berk'; Rolleston en le counte de Leyc'; a avoir et tener au dit roi et a ses heirs les ditz manoirs, demurantz a la corone pur touz jours, en presence le count de la Marche, monsire Richard [col. b] de la Vache, mestre Johan Branketre, notorie, queux sont a Dieux comaundez; sire Johan de Bukyngham evesque de Nichol, monsire Gy Bryan, qe sont en playne vie. | To our most redoubtable and most excellent lord the king and his wise council, his liege John Cobham, son of the countess marshal, whom God absolve, prays that as a charitable deed it might please them to bear in mind and consider that the said John made our lord the king, whom God absolve, his heir, to the intent that his inheritance might remain with our said lord the king, whom God absolve, and with his heirs and the crown, and the said John might be the better and more honourably maintained, and have the enjoyment of his said lands for life. Whereupon, the said John prayed of our said lord the king and his counsel that they would ordain in such manner that the said John's purpose and wish might be accomplished, in discharge of the soul of our said lord, whom God absolve, and that the reversion of his said inheritance might remain with the crown, and that he might enjoy the said inheritance for the term of his life, as was said. The declaration of which aforesaid bill was that the said John Cobham gave, by sesin of a ring, to the noble King Edward [III] who lately died and whom God absolve, at Thorney near Sandwich, on the said king's departure to the parts of France, the reversion of the manors of Weedon Hill, Pednor, Cholesbury, Hawkeshead, Holt, Weedon-in-the-Vale, Drayton Beauchamp, Marsworth, Saunderton, Helsthorpe, Rowsham, in the county of Buckingham, Colston in Norfolk, and the rich manor of Ardington in Berkshire, Rolleston in the county of Leicester; the said manors to have and to hold to the said king and his heirs, and remain with the crown forever, in the presence of the earl of March, Sir Richard [col. b] de la Vache, Master John Braintree, notary, who are now commended to God, and Sir John Buckingham, bishop of Lincoln, and Sir Guy Bryan, still living. |
| 31. Et fait a remembrer qe le dit mestre Johan Banktre fuist requis par les parties suisdites de faire sur le doun suisdit un instrument, et ensi fist, q'est demurant par devers la court. La quele peticion fust respondue et endosse en ces paroles, c'estassaver, le roi voet qe les ditz evesqe de Nichole et monsire Gy de Bryan, et autres si aucuns y soient aiantz notice sur cest fait, soient diligeaument examinez, et auxint qe le dit monsire Johan de Cobham soit sermentiz, et chargez en peril de s'alme, a dire, c'estassavoir chescun de eulx la pleine verite sur la matere comprise en ceste peticion. Et sur ceo, le dit evesqe de Nichole, present en ceo parlement, examinez et apposez par le conseil nostre seignour le roi illeoqes, dist et confessast expressement qe voirs estoit q'il estoit un des secretz d'encoste le dit roi l'aiel, qi Dieux assoille, et present avec mesme le roi pres de Sandwiz, le dit roi lors esteant illeoqes sur soun passage vers France, et oiast illeoqes, coment le dit monsire Johan de Cobham y donast et grantast a mesme le roi les manoirs, terres, et tenementz comprisez en sa dite peticion, pur demurer au dit roi et a ses heirs rois d'Engleterre perpetuelment. Et sur ceo le dit monsire Johan, al entente qe soun dit doun ent fust effectuel, y donast a mesme le roi un anel d'or, en lieu de seisine et plenere possessioun d'yceulx. Item, le dit monsire Guy de Bryan, present en parlement, et semblablement examinez de mesme la matire, y confessast et dist q'il estoit avec le dit roi l'aiel, qe Dieux assoille, a Thoern' pres de Sandewiz, quant le dit roi estoit en celles marches sur soun dit passage vers France, et illeoqes le dit roi luy monstrat un anel d'or, endisant a luy cestes paroles, Monsire Guy, ne conoissez vous mye cest anelle? Qi dist qe noun. Et adonqes le dit roi luy dist qe avec mesme le anelle le dit monsire Johan de Cobham avoit fait le dit roi soun heir des ditz manoirs, terres, et tenementz. Et enoutre le dit monsire Guy y dist q'il < ne > savoit mye dire en certayn si le dit monsire Johan donast et grantast issint al dit roi les ditz manoirs, terres et tenementz au dit roi, pur demurer a la dite coroune, ou nemye. Mes s'il ent fust tant constraint qe luy covenist jurer en peril de s'arme, et sur sa conscience, l'un ou l'autre, pluis tost et pluis volenters jurreroit qe la volente et l'entente le dit monsire Johan estoit sur le dit doun par luy ent fait au dit roi, qe celles manoirs demurreient a la dite coroune qe autrement. | 31. And be it remembered that the said Master John Braintree was required by the aforesaid parties to draw up a document upon the aforesaid gift, and so it was made, and remains in the court. The which petition was answered and endorsed in these words, namely, 'The king wills that the said bishop of Lincoln and Sir Guy Bryan, and others if there be any who have any knowledge of the matter, shall be closely questioned, and also that the said Sir John Cobham be sworn and charged, on peril of his soul, to say, and indeed each of them shall say, the whole truth on the matter dealt with in this petition'. Whereupon the said bishop of Lincoln, present in parliament, being questioned and examined there by the counsel of our lord the king, said and openly confessed that it was true that he was one of the privy counsellors to the said king, the grandfather, whom God absolve, and had been present with the same king near Sandwich, the said king being on his way to France, and he heard there how the said Sir John Cobham had given and granted to the same king the manors, lands, and tenements mentioned in the said petition, to remain with the said king and his royal heirs of England in perpetuity. And thereupon, the said Sir John, with the intent that his said gift should be effectual, gave the same king a gold ring, by way of seisin and full possession of the same. Also, the said Sir Guy Bryan, present in parliament, and similarly examined upon the same matter, there confessed and stated that he was with the said king the grandfather, whom God absolve, at Thorney near Sandwich, when the said king was in those parts on his said journey to France, and there the said king showed him a gold ring, saying to him these words, 'Sir Guy, do you know what ring this is?' To which he replied that he did not. And then the said king told him that with that same ring the said Sir John Cobham had made the said king his heir to the said manors, lands, and tenements. And further, the said Sir Guy confessed that he could not say for certain whether the said Sir John had thus given and granted to the said king the manors, lands, and tenements to remain with the said crown or not. But that if he were forced to swear to one or the other on peril of his soul, and on his conscience, then he would swear most readily and most willingly that the wish and intent of the said Sir John upon the said gift which he made to the said king had been that those manors should remain with the said crown and not otherwise. |
| Item, Helmyn Leget, esquier, present en dit parlement, examinez sur ceste matire, dist q'il estoit avec le dit roi pres de Sandwiz, mesme le roi lors esteant sur son dit passage vers Fraunce, quant le dit monsire Johan de Cobham donast et grantast touz ses terres al dit roi, a aver a luy et a ses heirs a touz jours; et sur ceo, par un anel d'or quiel le dit monsire Johan y donast au dit roi en lieu de seisine, il suisrendi a mesme le roi celles terres pur touz jours. Et enoultre le dit Johan jura et afferma illeoqes qe toutes voies sa entente estoit qe celles terres demurassent au dit roi et a ses < heirs > de la coroune perpetuelment, et nulle parte ailours. Item, sire Richard de Ravensere, archidiakne de Nichole, examinez illeoqes dist q'il estoit present en la sale de Westm', en la place de la chauncellerie le dit roi illeoqes, avec sire Davy de Wollore, lors clerk des roules de mesme la chauncellerie, seignour Wauter Power, clerk et autres, a un certain temps grantement passez, quant le dit monsire Johan y vint, et lour dist en appert q'il avoit fait le dit roi soun heir de touz ses terres, pur demurer perpetuelment a la coroune d'Engleterre. | Also, Helmyn Leget, squire, present in the said parliament, examined on the matter, said that he was with the said king near Sandwich, the said king then being on his aforementioned journey to France, when the said Sir John Cobham gave and granted all his lands to the said king, to have to him and his heirs in perpetuity; whereupon, by a gold ring which the said John gave to the said king symbolizing seisin, he surrendered those lands to the same king for ever. Furthermore, the said John swore and affirmed there that his full intention was that those lands should remain with the said king and his heirs to the crown in perpetuity, and with no one else. Also, Sir Richard Ravenser, archdeacon of Lincoln, said there on questioning that he had been present in the hall at Westminster, in the chancery of the said king, with Sir David Wooler, then clerk of the rolls in the same chancery, Sir Walter Power, clerk, and others, at some time long past, when the said Sir John appeared there and publicly announced that he had made the said king heir to all his lands, to remain for ever with the crown of England. |
| Item, monsire William de Montagu, count de Salesbirs, present en dit parlement, examinez si scieust rienz de cest fait, y dist et confessast q'il feust avec le dit roi a Sandewiz en soun hostiel illeoqes, [p. iii-9][col. a] al dit temps, ou estoient alors avec le dit roi, le dit monsire Johan de Cobham et monsire Rauff de Spigurnell'; et oiast coment le dit monsire Rauf y dist au roi ces paroles, c'estassaver, Sire, vous estez grantment tenuz a monsire Johan de Cobham cy present, a cause q'il vous ad fait soun heir. Et mesme le roi y respondist, et dist qe ensy fust il, et promist d'estre a dit monsire Johan bone heir et bone seignour. Mais le dit count dist q'il ne savoit deposer ou dire en certain si le doun se fist einsy a la coroune, ou autrement. Item, puis apres le dit monsire Johan de Cobham estoit chargez en peril de s'arme, et jurrez sur les saintz evangles, devant certaines persones a ce assignez en parlement, a dire et conter la plaine verite sur ceste matire. Le quiel dist expressement par le serement q'il y avoit fait qe voirs est q'il donast et grantast a mesme le roi al dit lieu de Thoern' les manoirs, terres, et tenementz issint comprisez en sa dite peticion, a avoir et tenir au dit roi, et a ses heirs rois d'Engleterre pur touz jours; et en lieu de chartre et seisyne sur le dit doun fait, il donast au dit roi un soun anel d'or. Et cest doun fist il, il dist, especialment pur cause de grant amour et bone affeccion q'il portoit et avoit devers monseignour le prince, qi Dieux assoille, lors filz eisnez du dit roi; qar le dit monsire Johan amoit le dit prince souvrainement et sur toute rienz, a ce q'il dist. Et auxint il le fist, pur ceo qe le dit roi et son dit filz luy aideroient d'autre part, et maintendroient le mieltz pur le temps lors avenir, sanz ceo q'il fist unqes bargaigne ou autre covenant avec le dit roi, ou nul des soens, par voie d'achat ou autrement, forsqe soulement d'encrestre par son dit doun pur les causes dessusdites la coroune d'Engleterre, dont le < dit > prince lors estoit heir apparant. Et enoultre il dist par son dit serement qe lendemayn proschein apres le dit doun issint fait au dit roi - dont mesme le roi y < se > Loiast grantement, et promist par tant de aider le dit Johan et luy maintener en tout droit et bien - si donast mesme le roi au dit Johan touz les ditz manoirs, terres, et tenementz avec leurs appurtenaunces, a avoir et tenir au dit Johan pur terme de sa vie tantsoulement, salvant ent la reversion a dit roi et ses heirs rois d'Engleterre. Et sur ce le dit monsire Johan resceut le dit doun le roi, et se atturnast illeoqes tantost au dit roi des ditz manoirs par un florein d'or de vint deniers. Queux attornement et florein monsire Rauf Spigurnell, lors un des chivalers le roi, y resceut en noun del dit roi: et issint ent fust le dit roi seisiz de la reversion entour six ans, sanz autre fait ou escript entre eux ent fait. Et oultre il dist qe coment qe apres < il > estoit constreint par aucunes lors privez entour le dit roi de ent faire sa chartre de feoffement au dit roi, a aver a luy et a ces heirs en fee simple (disantz a luy qe ce fust la volente du dit roi, et sur ceo mesme la chartre conoistre en place de record) toutes voies, il ent fist sa protestation qe en veritee ses purpos et voluntee estoient toutdys un, c'estassavoir, qe celles manoirs demurroient a la coroune d'Engleterre perpetuelment come sa dite peticion pleinement purporte. Et puis apres toutes cestes choses mises en escript par manere qe dessus est dit, et celle escripture, et les dites depositions oiez, veuez, et examinez par les justices, serjeantz le roi, et autres sages en dit parlement, si fust dit et recordez en parlement par mesmes les justices qe un susrendre de terre par un tiel anel, gaunt, corn, ou autre semblable chose donee a aucune persone, sanz autre fait ou escript, si fust assez valable et forcible en la ley: et moement quant tiel susrendre se fist a la persone du roi mesmes, de qi deinz le roialme toute temporaltee procede, et par mature toute chose legerement si retourne a sa droite mature dont il vint, et pluis tost qe autre part. Et enoultre y fust dit en parlement qe bone et diligente enquerre fust fait sur ceste matire et les dependences d'ycelles pur nostre seignour le roi en counte de Kent, ou le dit doun se fist, come dessus est dit, par bones et suffisantz gentz, et celle enqeste retourne [col. b] en la chauncellerie, et les parties appellez illeoqes, feust fait droit, si bien pur le roi, come pur mesmes les parties. (fn. iii-3-98b-1) | Also, Sir William Montagu, earl of Salisbury, present in the said parliament, being asked whether he knew anything of the deed, stated and confessed there that he had been with the king at Sandwich in his household there, [p. iii-9][col. a] at the said time, where the said Sir John Cobham and Sir Ralph Spigurnell were with the said king; and they heard how the said Sir Ralph had spoken these words to the king, namely, 'Sire, you are greatly beholden to Sir John Cobham here present, because he has made you his heir'. And the same king replied, saying that so he was, and he promised to be a good heir and lord to the said Sir John. But the said earl confessed that he could neither affirm nor say for certain whether the gift had thus been made to the crown or otherwise. Also, when the said Sir John Cobham was charged on peril of his soul, and sworn on the Holy Gospels, before certain persons thereto assigned in parliament, to tell and report the whole truth in this matter, he said clearly by oath that he had made that it was true that he had given and granted to the same king at the said place called Thorney the manors, lands, and tenements thus mentioned in the said petition, to have and to hold to the said king, and his royal heirs of England for ever; and in place of a charter and seisin made on the said act, he gave to the said king his gold ring. And he made this gift, he said, especially because of the great love and affection he felt and bore towards my lord the prince, whom God absolve, then the said king's oldest son; because the said Sir John loved the said prince in the highest degree and above all else, as he said. Moreover he did it, because the said king and his said son would help him for their part, and support him well in time to come, without his having to make any other bargain or covenant with the king, or any of his men, by way of purchase or otherwise, except only to increase by his said gift and for the aforementioned reasons the crown of England, to which the said prince was then heir apparent. And further, he said on his oath that the day after the said gift was thus made to the king - with which the same king was greatly pleased, and promised on account of it to help the said John and well maintain him in all respects - so the king himself gave the said John all the said manors, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances, for the said John to have and hold for the term of his life only, saving the reversion of them to the said king and his royal heirs of England. Whereupon, the said John recovered the said gift from the king, and himself attorned there to the said king for the said manors by one gold florin worth twenty pence. Which attornment and florin Sir Ralph Spigurnell, then one of the king's knights, received in the name of the said king: and thus the said king was seised of the reversion for about six years, without any other act or writing being made between them thereon. Furthermore, he said that although he was subsequently compelled by certain of the king's close advisers to make a charter of enfeoffment thereon to the said king, for him and his heirs to hold it in fee-simple, saying to him that this was the wish of the said king, and furthermore that the same charter would stand by way of a record, nevertheless, he made protestation thereon that his true purpose and wish had always been one, namely that these manors should fall to the crown of England in perpetuity as his said petition plainly shows. Then all these matters, having been written down in the aforesaid manner, and that writing and the said depositions having been heard, seen and examined by the justices, the king's serjeants, and other wise men of the said parliament, so it was declared and recorded in parliament by the same justices that a surrender of land by such a ring, glove, horn, or other such object being given to any one, without any other act or writing, was entirely valid and enforceable in law: and the more so when surrender is made to the person of the king himself, from whom all temporalities in the realm proceed, thus everything naturally returns in its own time to the origin from which it came, and the sooner to him. Moreover, it was said in parliament that a good and diligent inquest had been made into the matter and issues related to the same on behalf of our lord the king in Kent, where the said gift was made, as said above, by good and worthy men, and the inquest was returned [col. b] to the chancery, and the parties having been summoned there, right was done, both for the king and for the same parties. (fn. iii-3-98b-1) |
| [memb. 5] | |
| Fitz Hugh et Chichestre. | Fitz Hugh and Chichester. |
| 32. Item, William filz Hugh, orfevre de Londres, mist avant en parlement une bille en la forme qe s'ensuit: a tresexcellent et tresnoble seignour le roy et a son treshonure et tressage conseil monstrent les poveres communes de la mistier d'orfeverye en la citee de Londres, coment Johan Chichestre, Johan Botesham, et plusours autres grantz et riches orefevres de mesme la mystier en mesme la citee, par lour compassement et sotille engyne, deceyvablement firont plusours gentz de les ditz communes ensealler severalment diverses obligaciouns: et ceux qi refuserent de ce faire furent pris et emprisonez, et en peril de mort par grevouse manace des ditz grantz et riches orfevres, tanq'ils avoient ensellez severalment diverses obligaciouns come lours poveres compaignons avoient fait devant, a cause qe les ditz poveres orefevres ne deussent overer, achater, ne vendre a nulle mercer, coteller, jualer, uphalder, ne a nul autre denszein ne forein, nul rienz de lour overeigne sinoun q'ils le vendissent a treble value; ne qe nul de eux deust porter vessell, ceynture, n'autre chose d'or ne d'argent, a nul seignour, dame, ne a nul autre, pur lour profit faire. Et s'ils firent, qe la payne compris deinz les obligacions encurreroit sur eux come devant le mair, viscontz, et aldermans de la dite citee, par la confessioun des ditz riches orfevres feust prove. Sur quel debat, non resonablement issint moeve, par bon mediacioun et advis de dit mair, et des plusours aldermans de la citee, les ditz riches et poveres orefevres soy mistrent en arbitrement des trois bones hommes, pur final acord des touz les debatz et querelle entre eux moevez. Les queux arbitrours assenterent sur certeins pointz rehercez a les parties susditz, et ordeignerent mesmes les pointz estre affermez et enrollez en la Guyhalle de Londres, pur final acord tenir sanz contredit as touz jours: et sur ce les parties susdites s'enterbaiserent. Mais ore a celle acord les ditz riches orefevres ne voillent assenter, ne suffrer qe les ditz pointz soient enrollez et tenuz come les ditz arbitrours ordeignerent. Et outre ce, par lour procurement plusours mesfeisours ont de jour en autre plusours de les ditz poveres communers en agait de tuer, qe Dieu defende; et auxi purchacer un novelle chartre, encountre le dit acord, et en defesance et annyntissement des ditz communers. | 32. Also, William fitz Hugh, goldsmith of London, laid a bill before parliament in the following form: To the most excellent and most noble lord the king and to his most honoured and most wise counsel, the poor commons of the mistery of goldsmithery in the city of London that whereas John Chichester, John Botesham, and many other great and rich goldsmiths of the same mistery in the same city through their machinations and subtle ingenuity, deceitfully incited many of the said commons severally to seal divers bonds: and those who refused to do so were seized and imprisoned, and put in fear of their lives by the threats of the said rich and important goldsmiths, until they had severally sealed divers bonds as their poor companions had in the past, with the result that the said poor goldsmiths are unable to work, buy, or sell to any mercer, cutler, jeweller, upholsterer, or any other denizen or foreigner any of their work unless they can sell it on at triple its value; nor dare any one of them take a vessel, belt, or other gold or silver object to any lord, lady, or anyone else to make a profit. And if they do so they incur the penalty contained in the bonds which are enforced by the rich goldsmiths as though they had been proved before the mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen. Upon which quarrel, unjustly moved, by the good intervention and advice of the said mayor and many aldermen of the said city, the said rich and poor goldsmiths submitted themselves to the arbitration of three good men, for the final settlement of all the disputes and contentions arising between them. Which arbitrators agreed on certain points set out by the aforesaid parties, and ordained that the same points be confirmed and enrolled in the Guildhall in London, as a final agreement to be preserved forever without contravention: upon which the aforesaid parties embraced each other. Yet to this agreement the said rich goldsmiths will not now assent, nor suffer the said points to be enrolled and upheld as the said arbitrators ordained. And beyond that, by their procurement, many malefactors have, from one day to the next, sought to kill many of the poor commons, which God forbid; and also to purchase a new charter, contradicting the said agreement, and to the destruction and ruin of the said commons. |
| Plese a vostre tresgraciouse seignourie ordeigner et comander qe la dite acord pust estre afferme et tenuz finalment. Et qe chartre, ne nulle autre chose, soit grante a eux, en prejudice et annyntissement de les ditz poveres orfevres, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please your most gracious lordship to ordain and command that the said agreement shall be conclusively confirmed and upheld. And that no charter, nor anything else, shall be granted to them, which is prejudicial or harmful to the said poor goldsmiths, for God and by way of charity. |
| 33. Et sur ce les ditz Johan Chichestre et Johan Botesham, et plusours autres orfevres de Londres vindrent en parlement, et avoient oie de la dite bille. Et tantost estoit demandez en parlement del dit William filz Hugh, s'il vorroit maintenir la dite bille, et trover plegge de y faire et resceivre ce qe la loy demande. Qi dist qe si voloit il; et puis apres, pur ce q'il ne poait trover les plegges, einz guerpist outrement la dite bille, si fust le dit William filtz Hugh comandez a la tour, par agard des seignours du parlement. | 33. Whereupon, the said John Chichester, and John Botesham, and many other goldsmiths of London came to parliament, and heard the said bill. And it was immediately asked in parliament of the said William fitz Hugh, whether he wished to maintain the said bill, and find a pledge to do and accept what law required. He said that he so wished; yet later, because he could not find the pledges, and entirely abandoned the said bill, the said William fitz Hugh was sent to the Tower, by the decision of the lords of parliament. |
| Brest en Bretaigne. | Brest in Brittany. |
| 34. Item, fait a remembrer qe un petit roulle, contenante .xiiii. articles faitz sur certains covenances taillez et parles parentre nostre seignour le roy et son trescher frere Johan duc de Bretaigne, touchant les chastiel et seignourie de Brest en Bretaigne, estoit lue en parlement devant les seignours. Et les seignours s'accorderent bien a toutes choses y comprises, excepte tantsoulement qe y fust dit qe l'en vorroit aviser del .xij. me article, touchant les alliances, etc., et qe bon fust qe celles alliances feussent veues et examinez [p. iii-10][col. a] devant le grant conseil a bone deliberation. La quelle roulle demoert en filace avec les petitions de parlement. (fn. iii-3-107-1) | 34. Also, be it remembered that a small roll, containing fourteen articles concerning certain covenants debated and discussed between our lord the king and his most beloved brother John, duke of Brittany, touching the castle and lordship of Brest in Brittany, was read in parliament before the lords. And the lords readily agreed to all items contained in it, except only that it was said that they wished to discuss the twelfth article, touching alliances, etc., and that it would be well that those alliances were reviewed and examined [p. iii-10][col. a] before the great counsel and thoroughly discussed. Which roll remains in the file containing the petitions of parliament. (fn. iii-3-107-1) |
| Hauleye et Shakell. | Hauley and Shakell. |
| 35. Item, fait a remembrer qe pur ce qe < Robert > Hauleye et < Johan > Shakell', esquiers, qi avoient en garde le fitz del conte de Dene, Espaignard, et prisoner pris a la bataille de Nazare (en quiel prisoner certains persones clayment envers eux droit et part, come pluis au plein appiert par certains plees ent pendantz devant conestable et mareschalle, encores nient discusez) avoient fait esloigner mesme le prisoner pendantz celles plees, par tielle manere, qe le roy nostre seignour qi y ad grant interesse par plusours causes, n'auxint aucun autre aiant droit en dit prisoner, si juggement y passast encontre les ditz Hauleye et Shakell', purront savoir ou mesme le prisoner est devenuz, refusent en parlement a faire venir le dit prisoner a nostre seignour le roy, < de > L'avoir come en garde al oeps de celluy ou de ceux qi y ad le meillour droit a mesme le prisoner, sont comandez a le tour de Londres, etc.. | 35. Also, be it remembered that whereas Robert Hauley and John Shakell, esquires, who have in their keeping the son of the count of Denia, a Spaniard, and prisoner captured at the battle of Najera (to which prisoner certain persons lay claim to a right and share, as fully appears in certain pleas thereon pending before the constable and marshal, and not yet heard) have caused the same prisoner to be removed during those pleas, in such a way that neither the king our lord who has a great interest in the matter for many reasons, nor indeed any other having any right to the said prisoner, if judgment were to be passed against the said Hauley and Shakell, know where the same prisoner is kept; and refusing in parliament to bring the said prisoner to our lord the king, so that he might be kept under guard for the king's purpose or that of whomsoever had most right to the same prisoner, they were ordered to the Tower of London, etc. |
| Gascoigns. | Gascons. |
| 36. Item, est assentuz et accordez qe touz marchantz, Gascoigns et Engleys, purront franchement faire et mesner hors du roialme en Gascoigne, et au Brest, as amys du roy nostre seignour illoeqes, lour furmage, et touz autres vivres et vitailles; et auxint < ceyntures, bonises > et cappes de leyne, pointz, lanyers, sue, cornes, et toutz autres tielles menuez marchandises, pur ent y achater et amesner deinz le roialme, nientcontresteant aucune ordinance de l'estaple de Caleys fait a contraire. Purveuz toutes voies qe, sur payne de forfaiture d'ycelles marchandies, ils ne les facent amesner aillours hors del dit roialme vers le est ou le northe qe au dit estaple de Caleys, par aucune voie. | 36. Also, it was assented and agreed that all merchants, Gascon and English, might freely make and carry outside the kingdom to Gascony, and to Brest, to the friends of our lord the king there, their cheese, and all other provisions and victuals; as well as belts, bonnets and caps of wool, points, lanyards, towels, horn, and all other such small items of merchandise, to be bought there and carried into the kingdom, notwithstanding any ordinance concerning the staple of Calais made to the contrary. Provided at all times that, on pain of forfeiture of the same merchandise, they do not cause them to be carried anywhere else outside the said kingdom towards the east or north except to the said staple of Calais, by any means. |
| L'estaple de Quenesburgh'. | The staple of Queenborough. |
| 37. Item, est assentuz qe l'estaple des leynes, etc., q'estoit tenuz a Quenesburgh' soit tenuz a la ville de Sandewiz; et qe l'estaple avantdite soit de tout oustez et remuez de mesme la ville de Quenesburgh'. | 37. Also, it was agreed that the staple of wools, etc., which was held at Queenborough should be held at the town of Sandwich; and that the aforesaid staple should be utterly ousted and removed from the same town of Queenborough. |
| [editorial note: The rest of membrane 5 has been left blank.] | |
| [memb. 6] | |
| Gomeniz, Weston'. | Gommegnies, Weston. |
| 38. Item, par la ou supplie est par les communes qe touz ceux q'ont renduz et perduz chastelx ou villes par dela par verray defaute des capitains puissent estre a response a ceste parlement, et solonc lour desert fortement punis par agard des seignours et baronage, eschievant le malvoise ensample q'ils ount donez as autres qe sont gardeins des villes et chastelx; comande est a sire Alein de Buxhull', conestable del tour de Loundres, qe y face venir devant les seignours en parlement a Westm', le vendredy le .xxvij. jour de Novembre, l'an suisdit, Johan Sire de Gomenys et William de Weston', pris et detenuz en la dite tour a comandement nostre seignour le roi, par cause q'ils avoient perduz et renduz tielx chastelx et villes as enemys nostre seignour le roi, pur y respondre sur les articles qe lour serront surmys par la dite cause depart nostre seignour le roi. A quel jour de vendredy, les ditz Johan et William amesnes par le dit conestable devant les seignours avantditz, en plein parlement seantz en la blaunke chambre, ils sont severalment aresonez a comandement des ditz seignours par Sire Richard le Scrop', chivaler, seneschal del hostel nostre seignour le roi, en manere com s'ensuyt: William de Weston', vous empristez de lui trespuissant prince, qe Dieux assoille, sire Edward, jadys roi d'Engleterre, aiel nostre seignour le roi q'ore est, de sauvement garder a lui et a ses heirs rois d'Engleterre le chastel de Outhrewyk, sanz le susrendre a ascuny sinon au dit aiel ou a ses ditz heirs, ou par comandement de lui ou de ses ditz heirs; l'avez vous, William, q'estes homme liege nostre seignour le roi, en temps de mesme nostre seignour le roi q'ore est, verray heir au dit aiel, delivers et susrenduz as enemys nostre seignour le roi, sanz comandement de lui, en arrerisement de lui [col. b] et de sa corone, et del estat de soun roialme d'Engleterre, encontre vostre ligeance et emprise suisdiz: qe veullez a ceo dire? | 38. Also, whereas it was requested by the commons that all those who had surrendered and lost castles or towns overseas through their failings as captains should be brought to answer in this parliament, and according to their desert be strictly punished by the decision of the lords and barons, to avoid the evil example they have set for others who are keepers of towns and castles; it was ordered of Sir Alan Buxhill, constable of the Tower of London, that he cause to be brought before the lords in parliament at Westminster, on Friday 27 November in the aforesaid year [1377], John, lord of Gommegnies, and William Weston, taken and detained in the said Tower at the command of our lord the king, because they had lost and surrendered such castles and towns to the enemies of our lord the king, there to answer to the articles which would be charged against them for that said reason on behalf of our lord the king. On which Friday, the said John and William, led by the said constable before the aforesaid lords in full parliament seated in the white chamber, were individually questioned on the orders of the said lords by Sir Richard le Scrope, knight, steward of the household of our lord the king, in the following manner: 'William Weston, you were appointed by the most high prince, whom God absolve, the lord Edward [III], lately king of England, grandfather of our lord the present king, safely to keep for him and his royal heirs of England the castle of Audruicq, and to yield it to none unless to the said grandfather or his said heirs, or by order of him or his said heirs; yet you, William, a liegeman of our lord the king, in the time of our same lord the present king, true heir of the said grandfather, delivered and surrendered it to the enemies of our lord the king, without his orders, to the injury of the king [col. b] and his crown, and of the estate of his kingdom of England, contrary to your allegiance and aforesaid undertaking: what have you to say thereto?' |
| 39. Sur quoi le dit William disast q'il avoit mys ses responsez en escript, et myst avant une cedule contenauntz plusours choses contenuz deinz ycelle. Et veuez et lieuz la dite cedule en plein parlement, surce lui fuist demande par le dit seneschal, si y myst avant ceste cedule pur final respons en cel partie, ou noun. Et sur ceo le dit William priast la dite cedule lui estre rebaille, et le mettroit einz sa respons finale: < quele > cedule par la dite cause lui estoit rebaille. Et puis apres le dit William myst avant la dite cedule, ove un addicion mys en ycelle, en plein parlement pur finale respons en celle partie; le tenour de quel cedule est tiel come s'ensuyt. | 39. To which the said William replied that he had submitted his answers in writing, and delivered a schedule containing many things included therein. And the said schedule having been seen and read in full parliament, it was asked of him by the said steward, whether he had submitted that schedule as his final reply in the matter or not. Whereupon the said William asked that the said schedule be returned to him, that he might add to it his final reply: whereupon the schedule was returned to him. And later the said William submitted the said schedule to parliament with an addition inserted in the same, as his final reply in the matter; the tenor of which schedule is as follows: |
| A tressage conseil nostre seignour le roi, et as autres nobles et communes du parlement, supplie et monstre William de Weston' qe com il soit accuse de ceo qe leu deust malvoisement aver rendu le chastel de Outhrewyk, le quel il avoit en gard du baille et assignement nostre seignour le roi, plese a vostre sage et just discrecion avoir de ceo le dit William excuse, pur les causes q'ensuent: primerement, vous plese remembrer qe com le dit William estoit nadgairs garni par un espye qe un grant poair des enemys vindroit sur lui pur le dit chastel asseger, ove tresgraundes et tresgrevouses ordinances; sur quoi le dit William maintenaunt par son attourne et par ses lettres requist au dit conseil q'il lour pluist de forcer le dit chastel du pluis des gentz pur la defense et la sauve garde d'ycelle, eiant regard qe la garnisoun du dit chastel q'adunqe estoit ne fuist my suffisant de la moyte pur la multitude de si grande force en si < large > place resister, mays au finale nepurtant il n'en poiat du dit conseil ascun socour avoir. Et ensi le dit William, non pas en sa defaute, estoit lesse sanz suffisancz des gentz pur le dit chastel long temps garder et defendre: dont ils vous supplie qe prendre envuillez juste et benigne consideracion. | 'To the most wise council of our lord the king, and to the other lords and commons of parliament, William Weston prays and shows that whereas he is accused of having wickedly surrendered the castle of Audruicq, which he had in his keeping upon the authority and appointment of our lord the king, may it please your wise and just discretion to hold the said William excused for the following reasons: first, may it please you to remember that whereas the said William was lately warned by a spy that a great enemy force was descending on him to besiege the said castle, with great and formidable ordnance; on hearing which the said William immediately prayed the said council through his attorney and by letters that it should please them to reinforce the said castle with more men for the defence and safeguard of the same, bearing in mind that the garrison of the said castle then in place was not enough by half to resist the number of so great a force in so large a place, but ultimately, he was unable to gain any help from the said council. And so the said William, not through his own fault, was left without a sufficient number of men to guard and defend the said castle for any length of time: wherefore he prays you to take that into just and kindly consideration. |
| Item, plese vous savoir, coment par un lundy, houre de prime, viendront les enemys pur le dit chastel asseger, a la nombre entour .ii m. et .vi c. hommez d'armez, et .vii c. arblasters de Genevoys, ovesqe .v m. de la commune du pays eiantz .ix. grosses cannons, un grant engyn, et un trebuchet outre ascun mesure qe l'en avoit unqes veeu par devaunt en celles marches; et mesme l'oure maintenaunt grande partie des gentz d'armes et arblasters avauntditz vindront devaunt les portez pur le dit chastel assailler, et a ceo point estoit un chivaler de lour tuez, lui quel fuit cosyn au seignour de Clisson', a ce qe l'endisoit, et plusours autres auci feuront adonqes qe tuez qe naufrez: et deins brief temps apres ils comenceront a traire et getter de lour canons et engyns, et ensi continueront de jour en autre lour assalt, c'esteassaver marsdy, meskerdy, jeody, et feuront adonqes les murs et les mesons du dit chastel routez et partusez en plusours lieux, et ils avoient auci par force trenche les fosses du dit chastel en troys lieux siqe l'eaue s'estoit del tout issue, et en cel nuyt vynt une grande partie d'eaux, et par force firont soier et abatre les barrers, si qe lendemain qe feuist vendredy ils vindront au point de jour ove tout lour effors pur le dit chastel assailler, mays ove l'aide de Dieu ils feurent encore hostez par force de lour assalt, et d'un part et d'autre y avoit des mortz et des blesces. Et mesme le jour le maresschal de Burgoyne parla au dit William et as autres del dit chastel rendre: sur qoi eantz consideracion a ceo qe le dit chastel ne se poiat tenir, qoi pur la petitesse des gentz, qoi pur ce qe les murs en plusours lieux feurent enfeblez par lour mervaillouses ordinances, trete fuist ovesqe les seignours au fyn qe le dit William ovesqe ses compaignons s'aviseroient contre lendimain, et ensi alours se departiront. Item, mesme celui nuyt les enemys firont attrere toutez lours ordinances des engins, trebuchett, et canons, et des fagotz et eschielx, [p. iii-11][col. a] ove tout plain des autres, jusqes pres de fosse du chastel avauntdit, et lendemain, qe feust samady, ils se firont tout plainement ordiner d'assailler la place, et < lors > primerement ils manderont un herald au dit William, pur savoir si le dit chastel lour serroit rendu ou noun. | Also, may it please you to know that on a certain Monday, at the hour of prime, the enemies arrived to besiege the said castle, to the number of some 2,600 men-at-arms, and 700 Genoese crossbowmen, along with 5,000 of the commons of the country having nine great guns, a great siege-engine, and a trebuchet beyond anything which had been seen before in those parts; and at the same time a large number of the aforesaid men-at-arms and crossbowmen appeared before the gates to besiege the said castle, and at that point a knight of theirs was killed, who was said to be a cousin of the lord of Clisson, and many others were likewise killed or wounded: and shortly after they began to train and fire their guns, and so continued their attack from one day to the next, namely on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and thereupon the walls and buildings of the said castle were broken and breached in many places, and they had also dug into the castle's ditches in three places so that all the water drained away, and that night a great party of them came, and forcefully hacked and battered the gates, and on the next day, which was a Friday they came at daybreak with their entire force to attack the said castle, but with God's aid they were again forcibly thwarted in their assault, and there were dead and wounded on all sides. On the same day the marshal of Burgundy called upon the said William and the others in the said castle to surrender: whereupon, considering that the said castle could not hold out, because of its small garrison, and because the walls had been weakened in many places by their wondrous artillery, an agreement was reached with the lords that the said William would discuss matters with his companions before the next day, and then they left. Also, on that same night the enemies caused all their siege-engines, trebuchets, and guns to be dragged, and their faggots and ladders [p. iii-11][col. a] with everything else, close to the ditch of the aforesaid castle, and the next day, which was a Saturday, they drew up everything to assault the place, but first they sent a herald to the said William, to see whether the said castle would be surrendered to them or not. |
| Sur quoi le dit William, par l'avys des plussages de ses compaignons, eiant consideration coment la dit place estoit de lour ordinances destruyt et enfebli, et auci q'ils feuront poi de gent pur la defense, a ceo qe .xii. de lour compaignons feurent a celle temps qe mortz qe naufrez qe malades, siqe il ne remyst des toutz gentz de la garnisoun en saunte pur soi defendre forsqe soulement .xxxviij. et pur ceo, par commune assent le dit chastel, qe pluis ne se poet tenir, fuist par force renduz, pur les vies d'ommes et lours biens salver. Et qe toutez cestez choses avantditz sont verraiez le dit William se mettra a soun proeve solonc voz discretz ordinances. Item, fait a remembrer qe quant le dit chastel fuist ensi renduz, come par desuis est dit, certeins gentz de Franceys bargaineront ovesqe le dit William pur ses vitailles illoeqes achater, ensemblement ovesqe certeignes prisoners queux le dit William tenoit deins le dit chastel emprisonez; pur queux choses il rescut de lour pur soun paiement .m. et cynk centz francs, des queux il paia a ses compaignons, pur partie de lour gages qe lour fuist a derere d'un quarter del an et demi, .vi. c .lxxviij. francs. Item, puis fuist paie a Caloys pur vitailles du dit chastel avaunt ceo temps dues, .iiij. c et .xlij. francs. Item, pur la passage du dit William et de ses compaignons tanq'en Engleterre auxi, et pur les despenses du dit William esteant a Caloys, .cxxxv. francs. Et pur ce supplie le dit William q'eiant regard de justice et benignite, coment par enviouse suggestion il ad estee contre toutz reisoun accuse, dont de soun estate et de soun noun par grant pecche des mesdisantz il est trope arieriz; eiant auci consideracion, coment de ses propres biens il ad pur greynour partie paie ses compaygnons pur lours feedz qe lour fuit due, come est desusdit; et auxi des grandes costages q'il ad eeu devaunt ceo temps pur le dit chastel vitailler, dont il ad baille ses obligacions en plusours lieux, et doit graundes sommes, si q'il est des toutz partz deffait si vostre juste benignitee ne lui socour. Vous plese, pur Dieu, et pur peti, d'ordeigner ensi pur lui, si q'il purra parmy vostre discrete noblesce recoverir soun estat et ses biens. Item, le dit William Weston' monstre, coment le primer jour quant les enemys vindront devaunt Arde, il s'en ala en haste a Caloys devers le capitaine, et lui pria de pluis de socour et aide des gentz pur meutz garder soun fort de Outhewyk, et deffendre si les enemys y venissent; et le capitaigne lui respondist brefment q'il ne lui deliverast ne baillerast socour ne aide a dit temps, pur ceo q'il soi doutoit mesmes qe les enemys venissent devaunt la ville de Caloys. | Whereupon, the said William, on the advice of his wisest companions, considering that the said place had been damaged and weakened by their machines, and also that there were very few to defend it, for twelve of their companions were at that time either dead, wounded, or sick, so that of all the men in the garrison he had only thirty-eight fit to defend it, by common consent decided that the said castle, which could no longer be held, should necessarily be surrendered, to save the lives of the men and their goods. And to prove that all these aforesaid matters were true the said William offered himself for trial as your discretion sees fit. Also, be it remembered that when the said castle was thus surrendered, as was said above, certain Frenchmen bargained with the said William to buy his victuals, together with certain prisoners which the said William had held imprisoned within the said castle; for which things he received a payment of 1,500 francs, from which he paid 678 francs to his companions as their wages which had fallen into arrears by a quarter of a year and a half. Also, he then paid 442 francs at Calais for the victuals of the said castle previously owed. Also, for the journey of the said William and his companions to England, and for the expenses incurred by the said William whilst remaining in Calais, 135 francs. Wherefore the said William pleaded that having due regard for justice and mercy, and that by jealous suggestion he had been accused against all reason, because of which he had been greatly injured in estate and name by the great fault of the slanderers; and considering that from his own goods he had for the most part paid his companions for the fees due to them, as said above; and also for the great costs he had borne in the past to provision the said castle, for which he has placed himself in debt in many places, and owes great sums, so that he will be entirely ruined if he is not aided by your gracious goodwill. May it please you, for love of God and for mercy, so to ordain for him, so that he might through your wise nobility, recover his estate and his goods. Also, the said William Weston explained that on the first day when the enemies arrived at Ardres, he hastened to Calais to find the captain, and prayed of him more aid and more men the better to keep his fort of Audruicq, and defend it if the enemy came there; and the captain replied briefly that he would neither lend nor send him aid or support at the said time, because he similarly feared that the enemies would head for Calais.' |
| 40. Et veuez et lieuz la dit cedule en plein parlement, meintenaunt apres estoit le dit Johan aresonez illoeqes par le dit seneschal en la manere qe s'ensuyt: Johan sire de Gomenys, vous empristes de lui trespuissant prince, qe Dieux assoille, sire Edward jadys roi d'Engleterre, aiel nostre seignour le roi q'ore est, de sauvement garder a lui et a ses heirs rois d'Engleterre, les ville et chastel de Arde, sanz les susrendre a ascuny sinoun au dit aiel, ou a ses ditz heirs, ou par comandement de lui ou de ses ditz heirs; les avetz vous, sire de Gomenys, en temps de nostre seignour le roi q'ore est, verray heir au dit aiel, delivers et susrenduz as enemys nostre seignour le roi, sanz comandement de lui, en arrerisement de lui et de sa corone et del estate de soun roialme d'Engleterre, encontre vostre emprise suisdit: qe veullez a ceo dire? Sur qoi disast le dit Johan qe les ditz ville et chastel de Arde estoisent si febles, q'il ne les poast bien garder contre si grant poiar des enemys q'estoit illoeqes prest d'assailler mesme les ville et chastel. Et pur ceo y fist [col. b] assembler toutz les chivalers, esquiers, et autres esteantz en la dit ville, et lour disast les periles du dit ville, et la force des ditz enemys: et de commune conseil et assent des ditz chivalers, esquiers, et autres il s'en issa hors a les enemys pur traiter ovesqe eux, pur saver les lieges vostre seignour le roi esteantz deinz les ditz ville et chastel de Arde, sanz ceo q'il unqes riens prist pur la susrendre des ditz ville et chastel de Arde. | 40. The said schedule having been seen and read in full parliament, the said John was then addressed there by the said steward in the following manner: 'John, lord of Gommegnies, you undertook on behalf of the most mighty prince, whom God absolve, the lord Edward [III], lately king of England, grandfather of our lord the present king, safely to keep for him and his royal heirs of England the town and castle of Ardres, without yielding them to anyone except the said grandfather, or his said heirs, or by command of him or his said heirs; yet you, lord of Gommegnies, in the time of our lord the present king, true heir of the said grandfather, delivered and surrendered them to the enemies of our lord the king, without his orders, to the injury of him and his crown and the estate of his kingdom of England, contrary to your aforesaid undertaking: what have you to say thereto?' Whereupon, the said John replied that the said town and castle of Ardres had been in so weak a state that he had not been able effectively to keep them against so great an enemy force as had been ready at that time to attack the same town and castle. And therefore he had [col. b] assembled all the knights, squires, and others then in the said town, and told them of the dangers facing the said town, and the power of the said enemies: and with the common advice and consent of the said knights, squires, and others he went to meet the enemies to negotiate with them and save the lieges of your lord the king then in the said town and castle of Ardres, without wishing to accept anything for the surrender of the said town and castle of Ardres. |
| Sur quoi un Geffrey d'Argentein, chivaler, disast en plein parlement au dit Johan qe le dit Geffrey estoit a celle temps en la dit ville, en compaigne ove le dit Johan, et qe les ville et chastel de Arde ne feurent unqes delivers ne susrenduz par soun conseil ne assent; mes q'il estoit tutdys prest de morer et viver sur la sauve garde d'ycelles: et ceo offrit le dit Geffrey a prover qi qe le vodroit dedire. Et outre fuit demande au dit Johan, si y vodroit riens autre chose dire. Et il dist qe noun. Sur quoi le dit conestable estoit charge sur la sauve gard des ditz Johan et William tanqe a lendemeyn la samady proschyn ensuant, et de les sauvement remesner devant les ditz seignours en le dit parlement, as lieu et jour susditz. A quele jour de samady, c'esteassavoir le .xxviii. jour de Novembre, l'an susdit, estoient les ditz Johan et William remesnez en dit parlement al lieu susdit; et lour estoit monstre severalment par le dit seneschal a mesme le jour, a comandement des seignours avauntditz, coment sur les responsez qe les ditz Johan et William avoient donez en le dit parlement, come desus est dit, les seignours du dit parlement, c'esteassavoir le roi de Chastel et de Leon et duc de Lanc', Esmond counte de Cantebr', Esmond counte de la March, Richard counte d'Arundell', Thomas counte de Warr', Hugh' counte de Staff', William counte de Suff', William counte de Salesbris, Henry counte de Northumbr', Johan sire de Nevill', Roger sire de Clifford et plusours autres seignours, barons, et banerettes esteantz au dit parlement, s'avoient assemblez et avisez de temps qe les ditz responses feurent donez en parlement le vendredy, tanqe yce samady, al houre de tiercz, des choses touchantz les responses avauntditz: et veuez et examinez diligentement les ditz responses, et autres articles touchantz celles matirs, et eue sur ceo bone et meure deliberacion, et deue informacion des pluis vaillantz, et pluis discretz chivalers et autres esteantz en le dit parlement, estoit dit a deprimes en manere com s'ensuyt au dit William par le seneschal, recitant les chosez avauntditz touchantz le dit William: Y semble a les seignours avauntditz qe vous, William, qe avoistez empris de sauvement garder le chastel de Outhrewyk, com desus est dit, l'avetz vous, William, sanz nulle duresse, ou defaute de vitaillez, malement delivers et susrenduz as enemys nostre seignour le roi, par vostre defaute demesme, contre tout plain de droit ou de reisoun, et encontre voz liegeance et empris suisditz. Et eue par deue informacion en tieu cas qe par la ou nadgairs le baroun de Greystok, q'estoit seignour et un des piers du roialme, avoit empris de sauvement garder al avauntdit aiel la ville de Berewyk, le dit baron apparcevaunt apres, le dit aiel soi adresser a chivacher el roialme de France, le dit baroun sanz mandement du dit aiel remist la dit ville de Berewyk a un vaillant esquier Robert de Ogle, com lieu tenaunt au dit baroun, pur sauvement garder la dit ville de Berewyk au dit aiel, et le dit baroun s'en ala com chivaltrous homme as partiez de France au dit aiel, et illoeqes demura en sa compaignie; survient qe un assaut de guerre estoit fait a la dite ville de Berewyk par les Escotz, et le dit Robert com lieutenaunt du dit baron la defendi forciblement, et a darrain par tieux fortz assautz mesme ville estoit pris fur le dit Robert, et deux des filz le dit Robert illoeqes tuez sur la defense d'ycelle. Nientmains, a cause qe le dit baroun avoit mesmes empris de sauvement garder mesme la ville au dit aiel, et s'en deptist d'elleqes sanz mandement de mesme l'aiel, et la dite ville de Berewyk estoit perduz en absence du dit baroun, lui esteant en la companie [p. iii-12][col. b] du dit aiel es partiez de France, come dit est, estoit ajugge par l'advis du dit aiel, le roi de chastel qe si est, les nobles duc, et countes, queux Dieux assoille, Henri jadys duc de Lancastre, les countes jadys de Northt' et Staff', et sire Wauter de Mauny, qe la dite ville estoit perduz en defaut du dit baroun; et par celle cause il averoit juggement de vie et de membre, et qe y deusse forfaire quant il avoit: et a celle juggement rendre avoit le dit seignour Wauter les paroles par comandement du dit aiel. Queux choses consideretz, et ceo auxint, qe vous, William, susrendistez le dit chastel de Outhrewyk as enemys nostre seignour le roi avauntditz, sanz nulle duresce, ou defaute des vitailles, contre voz liegeance et emprise suisditez, les seignours avauntnomez seantz cy en plein parlement vous ajuggent a la mort, et qe vous soiez trainez et penduz. Mes pur ceo qe nostre seignour le roi n'est unqore enforme del manere de ceste juggement, l'execution ent serra mys en respit tanqe le roi ent soit enforme. Sur quoi comande est a dit conestable, de sauvement garder le dit William, tanqe il eit autre mandement de nostre seignour le roi. | Whereupon, one Geoffrey Argentine, knight, said in full parliament to the said John that he the said Geoffrey had been at that time in the said town, in the company of the said John, and that the town and castle of Ardres had not at any stage been surrendered or handed over by his advice or consent; but that he had always been ready to live or die for the safe-keeping of the same: and this the said Geoffrey offered to prove against whomsoever wished to deny it. And the said John was asked if he had anything further to say. And he said that he had not. Whereupon the said constable was charged with the safe-keeping of the said John and William until the next day, a Saturday, and with bringing them safely back before the said lords in the said parliament, at the aforesaid time and place. On the which Saturday, that is to say, 28 November, in the aforesaid year [1377], the said John and William were brought back to the said parliament at the aforesaid place; and it was explained to them individually by the said steward on that day, by order of the aforesaid lords, that upon the answers which the said John and William had given in the said parliament, as is said above, the lords of the said parliament, namely the king of Castile and Leon and duke of Lancaster, Edmund, earl of Cambridge, Edmund, earl of March, Richard, earl of Arundel, Thomas, earl of Warwick, Hugh, earl of Stafford, William, earl of Suffolk, William, earl of Salisbury, Henry, earl of Northumberland, John, lord Neville, Roger, lord Clifford and many other lords, barons, and bannerets, present in the said parliament, had assembled and discussed, from the time when the said answers had been given in parliament on the Friday, until Saturday at the hour of tierce, the matters touching the aforesaid responses: and having seen and diligently examined the said responses, and other articles concerning these matters, and having held a full and thorough discussion thereof and had due testimony of the most worthy and most experienced knights and others present in the said parliament, the following was said, firstly to the said William by the steward, reciting the aforesaid things concerning the said William: 'It seems to the aforesaid lords that you, William, who had undertaken to keep safely the castle of Audruicq, as mentioned above, under no duress, and suffering no lack of victuals, wickedly delivered and surrendered to the enemies of our lord the king, by your own fault, contrary to all right and reason, and contrary to your aforesaid allegiance and undertaking. And having learnt through reliable testimony thereon that, in former times, the baron of Greystoke, who was a lord and one of the peers of the realm, undertook to keep safely for the aforesaid grandfather the town of Berwick, and the said baron learning later that the said grandfather was preparing to ride through the kingdom of France, without orders from the said grandfather delivered the said town of Berwick to a valiant squire Robert Ogle, as lieutenant of the said baron, to keep safely the said town of Berwick for the said grandfather, and the said baron, as a chivalrous man, left for France with the said king, and there remained in his company; it happened that a warlike attack was made on the said town of Berwick by the Scots, and the said Robert as the said baron's lieutenant strongly defended it, and at length, because of those violent attacks the same town was captured from the said Robert, and two of Robert's sons were killed there defending the same. Nevertheless, because the said baron had himself undertaken to keep safely the same town for the said grandfather, and had left it without the permission of the same grandfather, and the said town of Berwick was lost in the absence of the said baron, the latter being in the company [p. iii-12][col. b] of the said grandfather in the parts of France, as was said, it was adjudged by the advice of the said grandfather, as king of that castle, the noble duke and earls, whom God absolve, Henry, late duke of Lancaster, the former earls of Northampton and Stafford, and Sir Walter de Mauny, that the said town had been lost through the fault of the said baron; and for that reason he received judgment of life and limb, and forfeiture of whatsoever he owned: and judgment was pronounced by the said Sir Walter by order of the said grandfather. Which things considered, and this also that you, William, surrendered the said castle of Audruicq to the enemies of our aforesaid lord the king, when suffering no hardship or lack of victuals, contrary to your aforesaid allegiance and undertaking, the aforenamed lords seated here in full parliament adjudge you to death, and that you shall be hanged and drawn. But because our lord the king has not been informed of the nature of this judgment, execution thereof will be put in respite until the king has been informed.' Whereupon, the said constable was ordered to guard safely the said William, until he received some other order from our lord the king. |
| Et quant au dit Johan sire de Gomenys touchant ses responsez avauntditz, lui estoit monstre par le dit seneschal, coment les ditz seignours s'avoient assemblez et avisez des ditz responsez, come desus est dit. Et outre lui estoit monstre, coment qe au temps qe sire Rauf de Ferrers, chivaler, avoit la gard des ditz ville et chastel de Arde, la dite ville de Arde n'estoit si fort par la moyte q'ele n'estoit au temps qe le dit Johan la susrendist; et le dit Rauf avoit en mandement du dit aiel de les susrendre, pur la feblesse d'ycelle, avaunt ceo qe le dit Rauf soi mettroit a tresgrant peril pur la sauve gard d'ycelles: nientmains, le dit Rauf les tenoit et defendist forciblement contre un tresgrant et fort assaut de guerre. Et eue sur ceo et les chosez avauntditz et autres evidences touchant les responsez du dit Johan en celle partie, estoit dit en manere come s'ensuyt au dit Johan, esteant en parlement, par le dit seneschal, recitant toutz les chosez avaunt ditz touchantz le avauntdit Johan, et auxint l'avantdit juggement du dit baroun et la cause d'ycelle, en manere come desus: Y semble a les seignours avauntnomez, seantz cy en plein parlement, considerantz vous responses en celle partie, et les examinementz et enformacions sur ce euez, come desus; et eiant regard auxint a ce qe nadgairs, outre le nombre des gentz par queux aviestes autrefoithe empris de sauvement garder les ditz ville et chastel, .xx. hommez d'armes, et .xx. archers vous feurent envoiez as ditz ville et chastel de Arde, en afforcement d'ycelles, solonc vostre request ent fait as certeins seignours nadgairs esteantz en message a Caleys depar le dit aiel: et a ceo auxint qe au temps q'il estoit a vous dist par le roi de chastel, qe si est qe si vous ne les purroitz bien garder, vous ne les deussez en nulle manere prendre a garder, et un autre les averoit a garder, qe les vodroit emprendre de sauvement garder au dit aiel et a ses heirs avauntditz; et vous empristez de les sauvement garder sans les susrendre a nully sinoun par manere come desus est dit. Et ore vous, Johan, sanz nulle duresse, ou defaute de vitaillez ou de artillerie, ou d'autres choses necessaries pur la defense des ditz ville et chastel de Arde, sanz comandement nostre seignour le roi malement l'avetz delivers et susrenduz as enemys nostre seignour le roi, par vostre defaute demesme, contre tout plain de droit ou de reison, et encontre voz emprises suisditz. Par quoi les seignours avantditz, cy en plein parlement, vous ajuggent a la mort. Et pur ceo q'estes gentil homme et baneret, et avetz servy au dit aiel en ses guerres, et n'estes liege homme nostre seignour le roi, vous serrez decolle sanz autre juyse avoir. Et pur ceo auxint qe nostre seignour le roi n'est unqore enforme del manere de ceste juggement, l'execucion ent serra mys en respit tanqe nostre seignour le roi ent soit enforme. Sur quoi comandez est a l'avauntdit conestable de sauvement garder le [col. b] dit Johan tanqe il eit autre mandement de nostre seignour le roi. | And as for the said John, lord Gommegnies, touching his aforesaid answer, it was explained to him by the said steward that the said lords had assembled and discussed the said answer, mentioned above. Furthermore, it was explained to him that, at the time when Sir Ralph Ferrers, knight, had had the guard of the said town and castle of Ardres, the said town of Ardres was not half as strong as it was when the said John surrendered it; and the said Ralph was ordered by the said grandfather to surrender them, because of the defenceless state of the same, before the said Ralph should put himself in very great danger in safeguarding the same: nevertheless, the said Ralph held and defended them vigorously against a great and violent warlike assault. And having considered that and the aforesaid matters and other evidence touching the responses of the said John in that matter, it was said to the aforementioned John, present in parliament, by the said steward, reciting all the aforesaid matters concerning the aforesaid John, and also the aforesaid judgment upon the said baron and the reason for the same, as mentioned above. 'It seems to the above-named lords, seated here in full parliament, considering your replies in this matter, and the examination made of them and evidence about them, as mentioned above; and bearing in mind also that formerly, in addition to the number of men with whom you once undertook safely to guard the said town and castle, twenty men-at-arms and twenty archers were sent to you at the said town and castle of Ardres, to reinforce the same, in response to the request made by you of certain lords then charged with business in Calais on behalf of the said grandfather: and bearing in mind also that at the time, you were told by the king of that castle that if you could not guard them well, you ought not to accept the keeping of them under any circumstances, and another person should have the guard, who wished to undertake their keeping for the said grandfather and his aforesaid heirs; yet you undertook to keep them safely without surrendering them to anyone unless under the circumstances described above. And now, you, John, suffering no hardship, nor lack of victuals or weaponry, or other things necessary for the defence of the said town and castle of Ardres, without orders from our lord the king did wickedly deliver and surrender them to the enemies of our lord the king, by your own fault, against all right and reason, and contrary to your aforesaid undertakings. Wherefore the aforesaid lords, here in full parliament, adjudge you to death. And because you are a gentleman and banneret, and have served the said grandfather in his wars, and are not a liege man of our lord the king, you shall be beheaded without suffering other pains. Furthermore, because our lord the king has not been informed of the nature of this judgment, its execution shall be put in respite until our lord the king has been informed of it. Whereupon, the aforesaid constable was ordered to guard safely the [col. b] said John until he should receive some other order from our lord the king. |
| [editorial note: Memorandum.] | [editorial note: Memorandum.] |
| Et fait a remembrer qe Geffrey Martin, clerc de la coroune, fist mesmes ces record, et le delivrast issint escrit en ce present roulle par sa main propre. | And be it remembered that Geoffrey Martin, clerk of the crown, made this same record, and submitted it as it is written in this present roll in his own hand. |
| [memb. 7] | |
| Perrers. | Perrers. |
| 41. Item, le .xxii. jour de Decembre durant encore ce present parlement, Alice Perrers fuist fait venir en mesme le parlement, devant les prelates et seignours, pur y respondre sur certeins choses quelles pur lors serroient surmises < envers elle > depar le roi. Et sur ceo, par comandement des prelatz < et > seignours du dit parlement, monsire Richard le Scrop', chivaler, seneschal del hostel nostre seignour le roi, y rehercea en parlement, en presence de la dite Alice, une ordinance fait au parlement tenuz a Westm' le lundy prochein apres le feste de seint George, l'an du regne le roi Edward, aiel a nostre seignour le roi q'orest, cynquantisme, en cestes paroles: Pur ceo qe pleinte est fait au roi qe ascuns femmes ont pursuyz en les courtz du roi diverses bosoigns et quereles, par voie de meyntenance, et pur lower et part avoir; quele chose desplest au roi, et le roi defende qe desormes nulle femme le face, et par especial Alice Perres, sur peine de quanqe la dite Alice purra forfaire, et d'estre bannyz hors du roialme. Et celle reherceaille faite, le dit seneschal surmist a dite Alice qe sembloit as seignours du parlement q'ele avoit encurru la paine compris en la dite ordinance, et auxi forfait encontre la dite ordinance en certeinz pointz, et par especial en deux; c'estassavoir, qe par la ou monsire < Nicholas > Dagworth, chivaler, fuist ordeinez par le conseil du dit aiel d'aler en Irland, pur certeins chargeantz bosoigns qe serroient profitables au dit aiel et a soun roialme, la dite Alice, puis la dite ordinance faite, come est dit, tant pursuast a dit aiel en sa court a Haveryng qe a sa singuler pursuyte et procurement le dit Nicholas fuist contermande, et son viage de tout lesse, a grant damage du dit aiel, et de son dit roialme. Item, qe par la ou Richard Lyons, pur certeins mesprisions desqueux il fuist convict al dit parlement tenuz le dit an cynquantisme, se submist en dit parlement en la grace du dit aiel, c'estassavoir son corps, toutz ses terres et tenementz, biens, et chateulx, et toutz ses autres possessions, par qoi le dit Richard fuist mys a prisone, et toutz ses terres et tenementz, biens, et chateux, et ses autres possessions avantditz, seisez en mayn du dit aiel; des queux terres et tenementz il dona ascuns al counte de Cantebrugge, et ascuns a monsire Thomas de Wodestok, ore counte de Bukyngham, a terme de lours vies. Le quiel aiel puis eiant pite du dit Richard, lui voillant par l'assent de son conseil faire grace, lui pardonast l'emprisonement de son corps, et lui fist restorer as certeins de ses terres et tenementz, biens, et chateulx avantditz: le quele pardon semblast a dit aiel et a son dit conseil estre grace assietz. Nyentmeyns, la dite Alice pursuast tant a dit aiel, en sa court a Shene, qe par sa singuler pursuyte et procurement le dit aiel granta au dit Richard toutz ses terres et tenementz, biens, et chateux avantditz, ensemblement ove les ditz tenementz lesqueux le dit aiel avoit done as ditz countes a terme de lours vies, come desuz est dit: et outre ceo, pardona a dit Richard .ccc.li. de certeins arrerages dues par le dit Richard en l'escheqer, et auxi lui granta mille marcz de son tresor, a avoir de doun, la quele pursuyte et procurement feurent contre l'ordinance avantdite. | 41. Also, on 22 December during this present parliament, Alice Perrers was brought in to the same parliament, before the prelates and lords, to make answer there to certain matters which were to be alleged against her on behalf of the king. Whereupon, by order of the prelates and lords of the said parliament, Sir Richard le Scrope, knight, steward of the household of our lord the king, rehearsed in parliament, in the presence of the said Alice, an ordinance made at a parliament lately held at Westminster on the Monday following the feast of St George, in the fiftieth year of the reign of King Edward [III], grandfather of our lord the present king [28 April 1376], in these words: Inasmuch as plaint has been made to the king that certain women have pursued in the king's courts divers matters and disputes to gain their ends by way of maintenance and barratry, which displeases the king, the king prohibits any woman from so doing henceforth, and especially Alice Perrers, on pain of forfeiting whatsoever she is able to forfeit and being banished from the realm. And that recital made, the said steward told the said Alice that it seemed to the lords of parliament that she had incurred the penalty set out in the said ordinance, and the forfeit which it prescribed in various ways, and in two especially; namely, that whereas Sir Nicholas Dagworth, knight, had been appointed by the counsel of the said grandfather to go to Ireland, to deal with certain important matters of business which would benefit the said grandfather and his kingdom, the said Alice, after the said ordinance had been made, it was said, so importuned the said grandfather in his court at Havering, that by her singular pursuit and procurement the said Nicholas was countermanded, and his journey entirely abandoned, to the great damage of the said grandfather, and his said realm. Also, whereas Richard Lyons, for certain misprisions of which he was convicted at the said parliament held in the said fiftieth year [1376], submitted himself to the grace of the said grandfather in the said parliament, namely his person, all his lands, tenements, goods, and chattels, and all his other possessions, wherefore the said Richard was committed to prison, and all his lands, tenements, goods, and chattels, and his other aforesaid possessions were taken into the hands of the said grandfather; of which lands and tenements he gave some to the earl of Cambridge, and some to Sir Thomas Woodstock, now earl of Buckingham, for the terms of their lives. The said grandfather, then taking pity on the said Richard, and wishing, by the assent of his council to do him grace, revoked his imprisonment, and caused certain of his aforesaid lands, tenements, goods, and chattels to be restored to him: which pardon seemed to the said grandfather and his said council to be grace enough. Nevertheless, the said Alice so importuned the said grandfather, in his court at Sheen, that by her singular pursuit and procurement the said grandfather granted the said Richard all his aforesaid lands, tenements, goods, and chattels, together with the said tenements which the said grandfather had given to the said earls for the terms of their lives, as was mentioned above: and in addition, he pardoned the said Richard £300 of certain arrears owed by the said Richard in the exchequer, and he also granted him a thousand marks of his treasure, to have as a gift, which pursuit and procurement were contrary to the aforesaid ordinance. |
| 42. Et le dit seneschal demanda la dite Alice, coment ele se voudroit de cestes articles escuser. La quele Alice respondist et dist qe de cestes articles ele n'est pas coupable, et ce ele est prest d'averer et prover par la tesmoignance de monsire Johan de Ipre, alors seneschal del hostel du dit aiel, et William Strete, [p. iii-13][col. a] adonqes counterollour du dit hostel, monsire Alein Buxhull', chivaler, et Nicholas Carreu adonqes gardein du prive seal du dit aiel, et d'autres qe feurrent entour le dit aiel et pres de lui al temps qe suppose est q'ele ensy deust avoir forfait, et qi mieltz y scievent < ent > La verite. Et sur ceo est jour done a dite Alice tanqe al mekerdy prochein enseuant; et en la mene temps par l'assent des prelates et des seignours du dit parlement ordeine fuist et assentuz qe cestes articles serroient triez par tesmoigns, ou par enqueste de ceux qe feurent del hostel du dit aiel, par queux la verite purroit estre conuz et enquis. Et sur ceo y feurent certeins persones jurrez et examinez devant le duc de Lanc', le counte de Cantebr', le counte de la March, le counte d'Arundell' et le counte de Warr'; c'estassavoir primerement monsire Roger Beauchamp, nadgaris chamberleyn du dit aiel, jurrez sur les seintz ewangiles, et diligealment examinez sur le article touchant le contremandement monsire Nicholas Dagworth, et sur le autre article touchant le pardoun et grace faitz a Richard Lyons, dist par son serement qe en presence de dame Alice Perrers une bille lui fuist baille a Haveryng pur bailler au < dit > roi < et aiel, > quele bille il prist, et puis quant il avoit entendu q'ele contenoit le revocation de monsire Nicholas Dagworth d'Irland, pur ceo q'il estoit enemy a monsire William de Wyndesore a ce qe la bille supposoit, il respondist q'il n'oosa ceo bailler au roi, pur ceo qe le conseil avoit ordeine la contrarie. Et la dite Alice lui requist, et dist qe hardiment le bailleroit au roi; et meyntenant le roi les demanda de quele chose ils parlerent. Et monsire Roger lui respondist, d'une bille qe contient tiel matiere. Et meyntenant quant le roi avoit entendu la bille, il respondist qe la peticion fuist resonable. Et quant monsire Roger repplia qe le conseil avoit ordeine ensy la contrarie, le roi respondist q'il mesmes fuist sovereyn juge, et lui sembloit qe la bille fuist resonable, et lui comanda q'il ferroit revener le dit monsire Nicholas, et ensi fuist fait: mais quiel jour ou mois ce fuist fait il ne soi recorde point. Et quant a la matiere de Richard Lyons le dit monsire Roger dist q'il ne fuist pas chamberleyn al heure, et pur ceo il n'ent sciet rienz sinoun par oy dire. | 42. And the said steward asked of the said Alice, how she wished to defend herself against those accusations. Alice replied, saying that she was not guilty of those articles of accusation, and that she was ready to vouch for and prove this by the testimony of Sir John Ypres, then steward of the household of the said grandfather, and William Street, [p. iii-13][col. a] then controller of the said household, Sir Alan Buxhill, knight, and Nicholas Carew then keeper of the privy seal of the said grandfather, and others who had been in the said grandfather's entourage and with him at the time when she was supposed to have committed the offence, and who best knew the truth of the matter. After which, a day was set for the said Alice which was the following Wednesday; and in the mean time, by the assent of the prelates and lords of the said parliament it was ordained and agreed that the articles should be tested by witnesses, or by enquiry made of those who had belonged to the household of the said grandfather, whereby the truth might be sought and discovered. Whereupon, certain persons were sworn and questioned before the duke of Lancaster, the earl of Cambridge, the earl of March, the earl of Arundel, and the earl of Warwick; that is to say, firstly Sir Roger Beauchamp, late chamberlain of the said grandfather, having sworn on the Holy Gospels, and having been closely questioned on the article concerning the countermanding of Sir Nicholas Dagworth, and on the other article touching the pardon and grace granted to Richard Lyons, he said on oath that in the presence of Lady Alice Perrers a bill had been submitted to him at Havering to be delivered to the said king and grandfather, which bill he took, and then when he realised that it contained the recall of Sir Nicholas Dagworth from Ireland, because he was an enemy of Sir William Windsor or so the bill claimed, he replied that he dared not deliver it to the king, because the council had decreed the contrary. And the said Alice asked of him and said that he should boldly deliver it to the king; and then the king asked them of what they spoke. And Sir Roger replied that it was of a bill which contained such and such a matter. And when he heard the bill the king at once said that the petition was reasonable. And when Sir Roger replied that the council had ordained to the contrary, the king replied that he was the sovereign judge, and it seemed to him that the bill was reasonable. And he ordered him to cause the said Sir Nicholas to be recalled, and so it was done: but on which day or in which month it happened he had no record. And as for the matter of Richard Lyons the said Sir Roger said that he was not chamberlain at that time, and so he knew nothing except by hearsay. |
| Item, monsire de Lanc' diligealment examynez devant les ditz countes, dist q'il vient un jour a Haveryng, et trova dame Alice Perrers illoqes, et tantost monsire Roger Beauchamp lui monstra une bille contenante la matiere susdite; et bientost apres, quant il parla au roi, et la matire fuist touche, le roi dist qe ne lui sembla mye resoun q'un enemy deust estre juge d'autre. Et le duc respondist qe tiel enemistee parentre eulx ny estoit encores provez; mais voirs estoit qe le dit monsire Nicholas y estoit envoiez pur profit de la terre et de tout le roialme. Et sur ceo estoit ordeinez < devant > Le roi qe les ditz monsire Nicholas et monsire William vendroient < devant > Le conseil, et si le dit monsire William purroit prover ascune cause verroie de enemyte parentre eulx, q'adonqes le dit monsire Nicholas n'y irroit mye: et s'il ny purroit prover tiel enemistee, q'adonqes l'ordinance de conseil ent fait avant esterroit en sa force. A quele chose le roi s'assenty bien pur le heure. Mais tantost assailler de la chambre, la dite dame Alice vient au duc, et lui priast cherement q'il ne suffrist par aucune manere le dit monsire Nicholas aler illoeqes. Qi respondist q'il ne ferroit rienz autrement qe desuz n'estoit ordeinez devant le roi. Et quant ele y veoit q'autre grace ny purroit avoir de lui, se en passa. Et lendemain matin, quant le dit duc prist conge du roi en son lyt, mesme le roi lui comanda sur sa benison q'il ne suffrist en aucune manere qe le dit monsire Nicholas irroit vers Irland, l'ordinance ent fatte le jour devant au contrarie nient contresteant; et ensy fuist le dit monsire Nicholas contremandez. Et quant a l'article de Richard Lyons, il dist en sa consience qe la dite Alice si fuist principale promotrice du dit bosoigne; mais il ne fuist pas present quant ce estoit faite. | Also, my lord of Lancaster being diligently questioned before the said earls, stated that he arrived one day in Havering, and found Lady Alice Perrers there, and Sir Roger Beauchamp at once showed him a bill setting out the aforesaid matter; and soon after, when he spoke with the king, and the matter was raised, the king said that it did not seem fair to him that an enemy should be the judge of another. And the duke replied that such enmity between them had still not been proven; but the truth was that the said Sir Nicholas had been sent there for the benefit of the land and all the kingdom. Whereupon, it was ordained before the king that the said Sir Nicholas and Sir William should appear before the council, and if the said Sir William were to prove any cause of real enmity between them, that then the said Sir Nicholas should go no further: and if he could not prove such enmity, then the ordinance of the council previously made thereon would remain in force. To which proposition the king wholly agreed at that time. But immediately upon his leaving the room, the said Lady Alice appeared before the duke, and earnestly besought him that he would not allow the said Sir Nicholas to go there in any way. He replied that he would do nothing other than that which had been previously ordained before the king. And when she realised that she would gain no other grace from him, she left. The next morning, when the said duke took leave of the king in his bed, the king himself ordered him, upon his blessing that he should by no means allow the said Sir Nicholas to go to Ireland, notwithstanding the ordinance to the contrary made the day before; and so the said Sir Nicholas was countermanded. And as for the article about Richard Lyons, he said that as far as he knew, the said Alice had been the principal instigator of the said matter; but that he had not been present when it was done. |
| Item, monsire Phelip de la Vache jurrez come desuz, et diligialment examinez, [col. b] dist, quant al article de monsire Nicholas Dagworth, q'il n'oyast unqes la dite dame Alice parler au roi de mesme la matire; mais il oyast en l'ostel le roi la dite dame Alice faire grant murmur, et dire qe n'estoit pas reson ne ley qe le dit monsire Nicholas, q'estoit enemy al avant dit monsire William, deust aler en Irland pur enquere et faire justice encontre lui, et pluis ne sciet il parler de ceste matire. Mais quant al article de Richard Lyons, il dist q'il fuist un jour a Shene quant le dit Richard fuist amesnez devant le roi, et q'il fuist appellez a la chambre le roi, pur oyer ceo q'ent deust estre fait: et quant il entendoit la matire, il ne voudroit demurer, einz issist la chambre. Et outre il dist qe feurent alors dedeinz la chambre du roi la dite dame Alice, Nicholas Carreu, monsire Alein Buxhull', Waulter Walsshe et plusours autres: et dist outre qe comme parlance fuist en la court qe la dite dame Alice fuist grant aideur et amye en celle bosoigne. | Also, Sir Philip de la Vache, sworn as above and carefully examined, [col. b] said to the article concerning Sir Nicholas Dagworth, that he had never heard the said Lady Alice speak with the king himself on the matter; but that he had heard the said Lady Alice creating a great stir in the king's household, by saying that it was neither right nor reasonable that the said Sir Nicholas, who was an enemy of the aforesaid Sir William, should go to Ireland to enquire of and do justice upon him, and that he knew nothing more to tell in this matter. But as for the article concerning Richard Lyons, he said that he had been present at Sheen one day when the said Richard was brought before the king, and that he had been summoned to the king's chamber, to hear what was to be done thereon: and when he had heard the matter, he did not wish to remain, but left the chamber. Furthermore, he said that within the king's chamber at that time were the said Lady Alice, Nicholas Carew, Sir Alan Buxhill, Walter Walsh, and many others: and he also said that as word went in the court, the said Lady Alice had been the great abettor and instigator of the matter. |
| Item, Nicholas Carreu jurrez come dessus, et diligealment examinez, dist q'il fuist comandez depar le roi de venir a Shene au roi, et la il trovast Richard Lyons; le quiel Richard et Nicholas feurent comandez < de venir > devant le roi a soun lyt, ou ils troverent dame Alice Perrers seant al chief du lyt. Et la fuist monstree, et qe le roi vorroit pardoner a dit Richard .ccc.li.. en quelx il estoit encores tenuz au roi, come des arrerages de son acompte en l'escheker: et auxi qe le roi vorroit doner a dit Richard mille marcz de son tresor, et outre de faire pleine restitution de les tenementz queux il avoit done devant a ses filz de Cantebrugg, et Wodestok, < come dissus est dit. Et sur ceo le roi comanda > le dit Nicholas de dire depar lui as ses ditz filz sa volunte. Mais il dist q'il ne se remembrast si ceste matire fuist monstre a celle heure devant le roi par relacion d'aucune autre persone, ou par la bille du dit Richard illoeqes lieue, ou autrement par le dit Richard mesmes, ou par le dit Nicholas. Mais le dit Nicholas soy remembrast asse bien q'il requist au roi q'il vorroit faire venir dedeinz les curtyns monsire Alein de Buxhull', et autres chivalers, et esquiers qe feurent adonqes dehors, pur tesmoignir ceo qe le roi avoit dist a dit Nicholas en les ditz comandementz, et ensy fuist fait; et adonqes toutz les comandementz le roi feurent reherceez en presence de toutz yceulx. Et quant al matire de monsire Nicholas Dagworth, il dist q'il n'ent savoit rienz devant ceo qe monsire Roger Beauchamp lui envoia q'il deust faire contremander le dit monsire Nicholas. | Also, Nicholas Carew, sworn as above and diligently examined, said that he had been ordered on behalf of the king to come to him at Sheen, and there he found Richard Lyons; the which Richard and Nicholas had been ordered to appear before the king at his bedside, where they found Lady Alice Perrers seated at the head of the bed. And it was explained to him that the king wished to pardon the said Richard £300 for which he was still bound to the king, as arrears on his account at the exchequer: and also that the king wished to give the said Richard a thousand marks of his treasure, and also to restore fully the tenements which he had previously granted to his sons of Cambridge and Woodstock, as said above. Whereupon, the king ordered the said Nicholas, on his behalf, to inform his said sons of his will. But he said that he could not remember whether the matter had been set out before the king at that time by someone else, or by the said Richard's bill having been read there, or else by the said Richard himself, or by the said Nicholas. But the said Nicholas remembered clearly that he had requested of the king that he call Sir Alan Buxhill inside the curtains, and other knights and squires who were then outside, to witness that which the king was about to say to the said Nicholas of the said orders, and so it was done; and then all the king's orders were repeated in the presence of them all. And regarding the matter of Sir Nicholas Dagworth, he said that he knew nothing beyond the fact that Sir Richard Beauchamp had sent him word that he must countermand the said Sir Nicholas. |
| Item, monsire Alein Buxhull', jurrez semblablement, et diligealment examinez, dist q'un jour, a Shene apres la darrein parlement, il fuist appellez au roi, ou il trovast dame Alice Perrers, Nicholas Carreu, et plusours autres chivalers et esquiers qe viendrent ovesqe lui, et illoeqes fuist rehercez par le dit Nicholas, coment le roi avoit fait grace a Richard Lyons de ses tenementz, queux estoient tenuz par le counte de Cantebrugg, et monsire Thomas de Wodestok, et lui avoit pardonez .ccc.li. de ses arrerages de son acompte en l'escheker, et lui avoit donez mille marcz de son tresor. Et quant ceo fuist fait, la dite dame Alice pria le dit monsire Alein q'il vorroit dire as ditz countes la volente du roi, et les charger sur la benison de lour piere de lour lesser et ouster des ditz tenementz. Et monsire Alein respondist qe ce ferroit il volenters si le roi lui comandast ceo faire. Et maintenant al instance de dite Alice le roi lui comanda d'ensy faire. Et quant al article de monsire Nicholas Dagworth, il dist q'il ne sciet rienz, sinoun q'il oiast la dite dame Alice dire plusours foitz qe n'est pas resoun ne ley qe le dit monsire Nicholas, qe fuist enemy a monsire William Wyndesore, deust estre envoie en Irland, pur faire inquisicion de lui, ou encontre lui. | Also, Sir Alan Buxhill, similarly sworn and diligently examined, said that one day, at Sheen, after the last parliament, he had been summoned to the king, where he found Lady Alice Perrers, Nicholas Carew, and many other knights and squires who had come with him, and there the said Nicholas described how the king had bestowed his grace upon Richard Lyons in his tenements, which had been held by the earl of Cambridge and Sir Thomas Woodstock, and had pardoned him £300 in arrears on his account at the exchequer, and had given him a thousand marks from his treasure. And when this had been done, the said Lady Alice requested of the said Sir Alan that he communicate the king's will to the said earls, and instruct them upon their father's blessing to leave and vacate the said tenements. And Sir Alan replied that he would willingly do so if the king so ordered him. And then at the instance of the said Alice the king ordered him to do it at once. And as for the article concerning Sir Nicholas Dagworth, he said that he knew nothing, except that he had heard the said Lady Alice say on many occasions that it was neither reasonable nor lawful that the said Sir Nicholas, who was an enemy of Sir William Windsor, should be sent to Ireland to inquire into his actions. |
| Item, William Strete, nadgairs counterrollour del hostel du dit roi et aiel, jurrez en mesme la manere, et diligealment examinez, dist q'il estoit un jour a Haveryng quant William de York parlast au roi pur monsire William de Wyndesore, en presence de dame Alice Perrers, pur destorber la passage monsire [p. iii-14][col. a] Nicholas Dagworth; et la dite Dame Alice disoit qe ne fuist pas resoun q'un enemy serroit juge d'autere. Et outre le dit William Strete dist en sa consience qe la dite Dame Alice fuist principale promotrice de la dite bosoigne, a ceo q'il creit. Et quant al article de Richard Lyons, il n'ent savoit rienz devant ceo qe tout fuist esploite. | Also, William Street, late controller of the household of the said king and grandfather, having been similarly sworn and diligently examined, said that he was at Havering one day when William of York had spoken to the king on behalf of Sir William Windsor, in the presence of Lady Alice Perrers, to prevent the journey of Sir [p. iii-14][col. a] Nicholas Dagworth; and the said Lady Alice said that it was unreasonable that one enemy should be the judge of another. Furthermore, the said William Street said that, according to his knowledge, the said Lady Alice had been the principal instigator of the said matter, or so he believed. And as for the article concerning Richard Lyons, he had nothing to say beyond what had been heard. |
| Item, Johan Beverle jurrez en < mesme le manere, > et diligealment examinez, dist q'il n'oiast unqes la dite dame Alice parler au roi del un article, ne del autre; qar ele soi gardast bien de lui q'ele ne parla rienz en sa presence. Mais il cryet en sa consience q'ele fuist promotrice en la dite bosoigne, qar il ne conoist nul autre qe purroit avoir pursuez celle matire: et pluis ne sciet il dire de ceste matire. Et nyentmeins feurent fait venir devant le dit duc, et les ditz countes, monsire Roger Beauchamp, monsire Alein Buxhull', monsire Johan de Burle, monsire Richard Stury, monsire Phelip de Vage, monsire Johan de Foxle, et monsire Thomas Garre, chivalers; Nicholas Carreu, Johan Beauchamp de Holt, Johan Beverle, George Felbrugge, Johan Salesbury, William Strete, Piers Cornewayle, Thomas Loveden, Helmyn Leget, esquiers, del hostel de dit aiel; les queux feurent jurrez et chargez a dire la plaine verite, sy la dite Alice fuist coupable de les articles avantditz, ou noun. Les queux diont sur lours serements qe la dite Alice pur lower fuist principale promotrice a dit aiele en sa court a Haveryng, entour le feste de Toutz Seintz, l'an du regne du dit aiel cynquantisme, del article touchant le revocacion du dit monsire Nicholas Dagworth, et pur [ele] fait a lours escientz. Item, quant al article touchant Richard Lyons, ils sachent bien qe la dite Alice fuist bien voillante, et a lours escientz conseillante et eidante al dit bosoigne devers le dit aiel, a Shene, en le mois de May darrein passe. | Also, John Beverley, sworn in the same way, and diligently examined, said that he had never heard the said Alice speak with the king concerning either matter; because she was wary of him, and never spoke of anything in his presence. Yet he believed in his own mind that she was the instigator of the said business, because he knew of no other who could have pursued it: and beyond that he had nothing to say. Nevertheless, Sir Roger Beauchamp, Sir Alan Buxhill, Sir John Burley, Sir Richard Stury, Sir Philip Vache, Sir John Foxle, and Sir Thomas Garre, knights; Nicholas Carew, John Beauchamp of Holt, John Beverley, George Felbridge, John Salisbury, William Street, Piers Cornwall, Thomas Loveden, and Helmyng Leget, squires, of the said grandfather's household, were brought before the said duke and the said earls; and were sworn and charged to tell the whole truth as to whether the said Alice was guilty on the aforesaid articles or not. And they said on their oaths that the said Alice was, for gain, the principal instigator about the said grandfather in his court at Havering, around the feast of All Saints, in the fiftieth year of the said grandfather's reign [1 November 1376], of the article touching the revocation of the said Sir Nicholas Dagworth, and to their knowledge she did it. Also, as for the article touching Richard Lyons, they knew well that the said Alice was wholly willing to advise and promote the said business before the said grandfather, at Sheen, in the month of May last past [1377]. |
| 43. Et pur ceo qe trove est q'ele est coupable des articles contenuz en mesme l'empechement, et les seignours du parlement, qe feurent au parlement quant la dite ordinance fuist faite, recordont qe lours entencion fuist qe mesme l'ordinance serroit estatut, et porteroit force du statut, et qe les generals paroles, Quanque la dite Alice purra forfaire, se tendroient sybien al forfaiture des terres et tenementz come biens et chateulx, et toutes autres possessions, considerez les damages et vilenyes par ele faitz au roi et au roialme, pur quele cause la dite ordinance ce fist en punycement de restrendre et punyr la dite Alice solement. Par qoi est agarde en ceste present parlement qe la dite ordinance tyne force et effect solonc l'entente avantdite, et q'ele soit bannyz hors du roialme, et ses terres et chateulx, tenementz, et ses possessions sybien en demeine come en reversion, soient forfaitz au roi, et seisez en sa mayn. Et est l'entencion du roi et des seignours, et ore ordeignez et assentuz en mesme le parlement qe toutz les terres des queux autres sont enfeffez, purchaces a son eups, et des queux ele prist les profites, ou fist la bargain a son profist demeine, soient forfaitz, a cause de la fraude et disseite qe poet estre presume, de ceo q'ele estoit pluis enbaude par celle cause des mesfaire, soient forfaitz au roi, et seisez come les autres. Et n'est pas l'entencion du roi, ne des seignours, qe ceste ordinance ne agarde faitz pur cy odiose chose en se cas especial, s'etendont a nulle autre persone, ne en nul autre cas soient pris en ensample. Item, ordeine est et assentuz qe nyentcontresteante la dite forfaiture, si ele purchasa ascuns terres ou possessions par force ou duresse, soit y par fyn, ou par fait, en pays, ou fait, enrollez ou autrement, qe ce purchase soit tenuz pur nulle; et eient les parties qe se sentent grevez lour recovrir par processe en la chauncellerie, et par avis des grandes du conseil soit droit fait as parties, et restitucion fait solonc ce qe la cas demande, issint qe les purchaces faitz en bone foy ne soient pas aniuntiz ou adnullez par aucune voie. | 43. And therefore it was found that she was guilty of the matters contained in the same impeachment, and the lords of parliament, who were present in parliament when the said ordinance was made, recorded that their intention was that the same ordinance should be a statute, and carry the force of a statute, and that the general words, 'whatsoever the said Alice can forfeit,' should apply both to the forfeiture of lands and tenements as well as goods and chattels, and all other possessions, considering the injuries and villainies committed by her against the king and kingdom, for which reason the said ordinance was made penal to restrain and punish the said Alice alone. On account of which it was decided in this present parliament that the said ordinance should accordingly keep its force and effect as aforesaid, and that she should be banished from the realm, and her lands, property, tenements and possessions, as well in demesne as in reversion, should be forfeit to the king, and taken into his hands. And it is the intention of the king and the lords, and has now been ordained and agreed in the same parliament that all the lands with which others are enfeoffed, purchased to her use, and from which she took the profits, or made the bargain for her own profit, shall be forfeit, because of the fraud and deceit which can be presumed, in which she was the more emboldened to act wrongfully, shall be forfeit to the king, and seized like the others. And it is neither the king's nor the lords' intention that this ordinance or decision made for so odious a crime in this particular case should apply to any other person, or be taken as an example in any other case. Also, it was ordained and agreed that, notwithstanding the said forfeiture, if she purchased any lands or possessions by force or duress, be it by fine, or by deed, at large, or made, enrolled, or otherwise, that that purchase shall be held at naught; and let the parties who feel aggrieved recover them by process in chancery, and by the advice of the great men of the counsel right shall be done to all parties, and restitution made as the cause demands, so that purchases made in good faith shall not be cancelled or annulled in any way. |
| [col. b] | |
| [editorial note: Memorandum.] | [editorial note: Memorandum.] |
| Et istum rotulum sic factum et scriptum tradidit et liberavit Edmundus Brudenell, clericus de corona, etc., ad hoc in parliamento assignando, clerico parliamenti, etc.. | And Edmund Brudenell, clerk of the crown, etc., appointed to this parliament, compiled and wrote this roll, and delivered and gave it to the clerk of the parliament. |
| [memb. 8] | |
| The following, as far as 'et partie serra fait en les communes peticions' is written in a different hand on a loose-leaf of parchment stitched to m.8. | |
| Cest cedule firent les communes bailler en parlement, empriantz as seignours de l'esploite et mettre en execucion. | The commons caused this schedule to be submitted in parliament, requesting of the lords that they further it and put it into effect. |
| Ceux sont les bosoignes nient unqore determinez, qe coviegnent estre terminez al honour du roi, et profit du poeple, deinz ceste parlement. | The following are the matters of business still to be completed, which call to be settled for the honour of the king, and the profit of the people in this parliament. |
| Primerement, qe les persones qe serront entour le corps de nostre dit seignour soient nomez de le plus sufficientz du roialme, sanz affeccioun, et devaunt le seignours et commune avoir lour charge pur governer nostre seignour suisdit sibien en vertue en manere come en honour; et qe son tynel et ceo q'appurtient a icelle soit mys en tiel ordeignaunce, qe les droites revenues de roialme purrent a ceo suffire, ou dedeinz si homme poet, en supportacioun du poeple. | Firstly, those who are about the person of our said lord shall be chosen from amongst the most worthy of the kingdom, without partiality, and shall receive their charge before the lords and commons to guide our aforesaid lord as well in virtue in manner as in honour; and that his household and all that pertains to the same shall be so ordered that the normal revenues of the kingdom shall suffice, or more than suffice for it, if it be possible, to the relief of the people. |
| Secundement, qe les .ix. seignoures ore essuz du graunt conseil, ensemble ove les grauntz officers du roialme et de l'hostell, puissent avoir lour charge en audience des communes, et lour poair declareez devaunt la commune, ensy qe chescun persone de la ligeance puisse se affier d'avoir bone governaille, si bien deinz la roialme come pur la defence d'icelle a lour poair. | Secondly, that the nine lords now appointed to the great council, together with the great officers of the kingdom and the household, shall receive their charge before the commons, and have their authority declared before the commons, so that every person of the allegiance might swear to effect good governance, both within the kingdom as well as for the defence of the same, to the best of his ability. |
| Item, coviegnent estre ordeigne par les seignours du parlement qe les justices, et autres qe governent et governeront les leyes, soient devaunt la commune chargez par serement, de governer le poeple en droit justice, solom les leyes et les bones usages du roialme, fesantz equitee sibien as poveres come as riches, sanz affeccioun de nulle part, sur certein peyne ent ordeigner a present, si ascun juge soit atteint de la contraire de ceo paramont escript, issint qe chescun lige qeconqe persone qe ceo soit puisse sentir qe droit et reson lui serra fait desore en apres, sibien en la commune leye come en especiale, sanz custages de achatier son droit juggement, come ad estee usez par avaunt. | Also, they wish it to be ordained by the lords in parliament that the justices, and others who administer and will administer the law, shall be charged before the commons on oath to govern the people with true justice, in accordance with the laws and good usages of the kingdom, treating poor and rich equitably, without bias for any party on pain of a certain penalty to be ordained at this time, if any judge should be convicted of contravening that which is written above, so that every liege may henceforth feel that right and justice will be done to him, as well under common law as in special causes, without cost in securing his lawful judgment, as used to happen in the past. |
| Item, qe les petitions requiz par la commune pur bien et profit du roialme, des queux ascuns i covient desclarier par bouche, puissent estre devaunt les seignours et commune rehercez, et par amyable manere debatuz, et solom bone foi et reson q'ils puissent estre terminez, en honour du roi nostre seignour, et tranquillite du poeple. | Also, that the petitions submitted by the commons for the good and benefit of the kingdom, some of which they desire to declare there orally, might be recited before the lords and commons, and debated in an amicable manner, and in accordance with faith and reason that they may be determined to the honour of our lord the king, and for the tranquillity of the people. |
| Item, qe touz ceux qe ount perduz ou renduz sanz encheson chastelle, ville, ou forteresse a deshonour de nostre seignour, et damage du poeple, puissent estre a lour respounce devaunt les seignours et commune deinz ceste parlement, et qe chescun de eux atteint du coupe soit puny solonc lour dessert, sanz nul espernir, pur eschuer la malveys ensample q'ils ont donez as totes autres. | Also, that all those who have lost or surrendered a castle, town, or fortress without reason, to the dishonour of our lord and the injury of the people, may be brought to answer before the lords and commons within this parliament, and that every one of them so convicted shall be punished as they deserve, without any being spared, to avoid the bad example they have set for all others. |
|
Item, qe droit execucion soit fait de Alice le Perrers solom sa dessert, sanz affeccion monstrer en la dite execution, considerant la graunt damage q'ele ad fait al roialme par diverses voies; et q'ele et touz autres puissent estre garnys des tielx extorsions faire et grevances, come ele ad fait, en temps avenir: et qe la forfaiture de ele puisse lieu tenir al supportacioun du poeple, a quele ele ad fait la outrage.
[[The following text has been deleted: Cet qe celui ou ceux qe ount fait le la second parlement a contraire del des seigneurs et commune puisse estre conuz et puny pur la disserte pur ensaumple des autres et pur la meschief infinit qe pur tiel voie purroit avenir a toute la roialme. ]] |
Also, that lawful execution shall be done upon Alice Perrers as she deserves, without bias being shown in the said execution, considering the great harm she has inflicted on the realm in various ways; that she and all others may be warned against such extortion and injuries as she has done in the past: and that her forfeiture might be used to the relief of the people, upon whom she has visited that outrage. And that the person or persons who have done [...] the second parliament against [...] lords and commons may be discovered and punished according to their deserts and as an example to others, and for the infinite harm which could in that manner be done to the kingdom. |
| [p. iii-15] | |
| [col. a] | |
| Item, qe de les deniers graunteez pur la guerre, sibien de subside de priours aliens, come de les grotez, puisse estre fait verroie [...] soit malement despenduz par defaute de les ministres qe les deniers ministreront, et solom lour defaute q'ils puissent estre punys de lour biens, en eaise de la poeple, qe ount en defaute de bone garde del dit avoir pris toute la damage, qe au tan ad estee fait par les enemys. | Also, that of the money granted for the war, both from the subsidy from alien priors, as well as from the groats, it might indeed be ... [...] is ill spent through the fault of ministers who administered the money, and that according to their delict they might be punished by loss of their goods, for the ease of the people, who have, for want of adequate protection, sustained all the injury which has thus been inflicted by the enemies. |
| Et pur tiel meschief q'est a venuz au roi et au roialme par tielx ministres nient covenables ne profitables, puisse ore estre ordeigne, par assent des seignours et commune, bones et loialx persones a garder les deniers qe ore serront graunteez pur la guerre, eiantz en charge par apart, qe des ditz deniers ensi ore graunteez rien en soit despenduz, meas soulement pur la defence du roialme: et qe de cele forme ils soient acomptables. | And because of the harm that has come to the king and the kingdom from such unsuitable and inefficient ministers, that there should now be appointed, by the assent of the lords and commons, good and loyal persons to keep the money now to be granted for the war, having their charge apart, that the said money thus now granted shall be spent on nothing but the defence of the kingdom: and that they shall be accountable therefor. |
| [col. b] | |
| Cestes choses termynez en jouste manere, ove la bone eaide de Dieu, la grant qe enbosoigne pur la defence du roialme serra amyablement tretez par les seignours et commune, et en brief temps assentuz, al honour et plesance de Dieu, et profit du roi et toute la poeple. | Those matters having been settled in a just manner, with God's good aid, the grant which is needed for the defence of the kingdom shall be amicably considered by the lords and commons, and agreed upon in a short time, to the honour and pleasure of God, and the benefit of the king and all the people. |
| Et fait a remembrer qe al clamour et instance des communes estoit ordeignez en parlement qe la dite Alice serroit envoiez, pur y ent respondre en parlement, et resceivre ce qe ent serroit ordeignez vers elle. | And be it remembered that at the appeal and request of the commons it was ordained in parliament that the said Alice should be sent for, to answer in parliament, and receive that which would be decreed against her. |
| Et quant al remenant de cestes articles, responce est faite < en partie > en lours autres requestes, et < partie > serra fait en les communes peticions. | And with regard to the remainder of these articles, reply was made in part in their other requests, and shall be made in part in the common petitions. |
| CY ENAPRES S'ENSUENT LES PETICIONS BAILLEES AVANT EN PARLEMENT PAR LES COMMUNES, AVEC LES RESPONCES Y ENT FAITES ET DONEES A YCELLES. | HERE FOLLOW THE PETITIONS SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT BY THE COMMONS, TOGETHER WITH THE ANSWERS MADE AND GIVEN TO THE SAME. |
| [col. a] | |
| I. | I. [Confirmation of the liberties of the church.] |
| 44. Primes, al honour de Dieu et de seinte esglise soit requys qe toutes les franchises et libertees grantez a seinte esglise soient affermez si avant come ele les doit avoir. | 44. First, to the honour of God and holy church it is requested that all the franchises and liberties granted to holy church shall be confirmed, as they ought to be. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. (fn. iii-3-176-1) | The king wills it. (fn. iii-3-176-1) |
| II. | II. [Preservation of the peace.] |
| 45. Item, qe la paix nostre seignour le roy soit fortment garde par tout le roialme, issint qe chescun puisse salvement aler et venir et demorer, selonc les loyes et l'usage del roialme; et qe bone justice, et owele droit soit fait en chescun person selonc les bones loyes et usages du roialme, en ease et tranquillitee de tout le poeple. | 45. Also, that the peace of our lord the king shall be firmly preserved throughout the realm, so that every man may come and go and dwell in safety, in accordance with the laws and usage of the kingdom; and that good and impartial right and justice shall be done to all in accordance with the good laws and usages of the kingdom, to the ease and tranquillity of all the people. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. (fn. iii-3-182-1) | The king wills it. (fn. iii-3-182-1) |
| III. | III. [Magna carta.] |
| Item, soit requys qe la graunte chartre soit confermez, et fortement tenuz en touz pointz; et qe touz les pointz de ycelles soient un jour luz en cest present parlement devant les prelats, seignours et toute la baronage, et commune; et si aucun point soit obscure, qe elle point eu pointz y purront estre declarrez, parentre cy et le parlement prochein, par ceux qi serront ordenez d'estre de le continuel conseil, ensemble ovesqe l'advys des toutz les justices et serjantz, et des autres tielx qe ceux de conseil veullient a eux appeller quant ils verront temps et heure deinz le terme avantdit: eiant regarde a la grante nobley et la sage descressioun q'estoit en le roialme quant la dite grande chartre estoit ordene et establiz. Et qe ceux pointz declarrez et amendez par le dit conseil, et des autres avant nommez, puissent estre monstrez as seignours et communes au prochein parlement, et adonqes estre encresceez et affermez pur estatut s'il semble a eux q'il soit affaire; eiant regarde coment le < roi est > chargee a son coronement de tenir et garder la dite chartre en touz ses pointz. | Also, be it required that the great charter be confirmed, and firmly upheld in all points; and that it shall be read in full on a particular day in this present parliament before the prelates, lords, and all the baronage and commons; and if any point be obscure, that such point or points be clarified, between now and the next parliament, by those who shall be ordained to be of the continual council, together with the advice of all the justices and serjeants, and others whom the council wishes to summon when they have time and occasion in the aforesaid term: having regard to the great nobility and wise discretion which was to be found in the kingdom when the said great charter was ordained and established. And that those points clarified and interpreted by the said council, and by the others aforenamed, be shown to the lords and commons at the next parliament, and then be enlarged and confirmed in a statute if it seems to them that that should be done; bearing in mind that the king was charged at his coronation with upholding and preserving the said charter in all its detail. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| La dite chartre < si > ad este lue en ce parlement devant les seignours et communes, et le roi voet qe ce soit tenuz et fermement gardez. | The said charter was read in this parliament before the lords and commons, and the king wills that it be firmly kept and upheld. |
| [col. b] | |
| IIII. | IIII. [The charter of the forest and other statutes.] |
| Item, qe la chartre du forest, et toutes les autres estatutz eyns ces heures faitz, et nient repelles, soient tenuz et fermement gardez, et duement executez. | Also, that the charter of the forest, and all other statutes made before this time, and not repealed, shall be upheld, carefully preserved, and duly executed. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi le voet. (fn. iii-3-194-1) | The king wills it. (fn. iii-3-194-1) |
| V. | V. [Purveyance] |
| 46. Item, qe les estatutz des purveiours en toutes choses soient confermez, et duement executez, et qe nul achatour des seignours ne dames del roialme riens ne preigne de nully encontre son gree et voluntee, sanz le verroy pris et prest paiement faire maintenant, avaunt q'il eit les biens et chateux queux il ad achate, sur mesme la payne ordeigne en le dit estatut de purveiours. | 46. Also, that the statutes of purveyors shall be confirmed in all respects, and duly executed, and that no purchaser for the lords and ladies of the kingdom shall take anything from anyone against their will and wish, without a fair price paid at once, before he receives the goods and chattels which he has bought, on pain of the same penalty ordained in the said statute of purveyors. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet qe l'estatutz ent faitz soient tenuz et gardez. (fn. iii-3-197-1) | The king wills that the statutes made thereon shall be kept and upheld. (fn. iii-3-197-1) |
| VI. | VI. [Restraint on royal grants.] |
| 47. Item, soit requis, pur l'estat nostre seignour le roi relever, et le pluis honurablement son estat maintenir, qe nulle doune de terre, ne de rente, ne d'eschete, ne de garde, ne de mariage se face as nulles des conseillours durant lour terme ore ordeigne, ne a nulle autre sanz conseil et assent des ditz conseillers, ou de la greindre partie de eux; mes toutes les choses des queux profit purra sourdre, appurtenantz al roy en aucune manere, soient enprowez al profit du roy pur son vivre jesqes son estat soit avenantement relevez, et autre chose sur ce ordene, al honour et profit de luy, et alleggeance des prises, et autres grevances faitz avaunt ces heures al poeple; et qe semblables sont avenirs, si tieux profitz ne soient approwez et gardez pur nostre dit seignour. Et qe l'estat et poair des ditz conseillers puisse estre enrollez en le roulle de parlement, et les estatutz qe feuront faitz en le second parlement prochein passe sur conseillers puissent estre a ore confermez sur les conseillers q'ore sont de novelle ordenez si plusours enbusoigne. Et qe lour estat et poair ore confermez ne soit repellable si noun par parlement. | 47. Also, be it required, to relieve the state of our lord the king, and maintain his estate more honourably, that no gift of land, nor rent, nor escheat, nor wardship, nor marriage be made to any of the councillors during their term now ordained, nor to any other without the advice and assent of the said councillors, or the majority of them; but that all things from which profit might arise, pertaining to the king in any way, be used to benefit the king for his life until his condition has been appropriately relieved, and other ordinances made thereon, for his honour and profit, and the alleviation of the prises and other injuries inflicted in the past on the people, and such others as will come if such profits be not set aside and preserved for our said lord. And that the status and authority of the said councillors be enrolled in the roll of parliament, and the statutes made in the second parliament last past concerning councillors now be confirmed in respect of councillors who have been recently ordained, if it be necessary. And that their status and authority now confirmed shall not be repealed unless by parliament. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi le voet bien a cause de son tendre age, salvant toutdys sa regalie en toutes choses. | The king earnestly wills it because of his tender age, saving always his regality in all respects. |
| [p. iii-16] | |
| [col. a] | |
| VII. | VII. [Scrutiny of past grants.] |
| 48. Item, ils prient, purceo qe la corone est moult abeisse et demembre par diverses douns donez en temps de nostre seignour, qe Dieux assoille, es queux douns il estoit malement deceux, et en plusours persones malement emploiez, come homme le poet declarrer, a grande damage de luy et de nostre seignour le roy q'ore est, sibien des chateux, villes, terres, tenementz, baillies, gardes, mariages, eschetes, et releves, auxibien en Gascoigne, l'Irlande, come en Engleterre. | 48. Also, they pray that whereas the crown has been much abased and dismembered by various gifts given in the time of our lord, whom God absolve, in which gifts he was wickedly deceived, and improperly used by many people, as one can tell from the great injury done to him and to our lord the present king, in goods and chattels, towns, lands, tenements, bailiwicks, wardships, marriages, escheats, and reliefs, as well in Gascony and Ireland as in England. |
| Qe plese a nostre seignour le roi et son conseil faire examiner par les rolles de chancellerie du temps nostre seignour le roy, qi Dieux assoille, queux dounes, et as queux, et quele somme ils amountent, qe aviendront a trope haut somme sanz doute; et qe surceo ils soient sagement examinez as queux ils estoient donez notablement et profitablement pur le roy et le roialme, et es queux nostre dit seignour estoit deceux, et ses dounes malement emploiez, et queux touz ceux es queux nostre dit seignour estoit deceux, et qe sont malement emploiez, y puissent estre de tut repellez sanz estre redonez as mesmes ceux, ou a nulle autre, tanqe ses dettes soient acquitez, et l'estat de noz treshonures seignours les fitz de nostre seignour, qi Dieux assoille, qi sont povres a lour estat, y purra avenantment par ascuns des ditz douns estre relevez. Et soit le parnour q'ensy ad nostre dit seignour deceux puniz en cest present parlement, selonc son desert, par agarde de baronage, en supportacioun du charge qe le commune poeple y covient porter. Ratifiantz et confermantz as ceux qi ount deservi les dounes en manere come nostre dit seignour, qi Dieux assoille, lour avoit grauntez. Considerant a chescun soun longe service et son desert, et regardant, s'il pleast a nostre seignour, as touz ceux qe servierent a nostre dit seignour soun aiel, qe sont sanz rewarde pur lour service. | May it please our lord the king and his council to cause the chancery rolls to be examined from the time of our lord the king, whom God absolve, to see what the gifts then were, to whom they were made, and of what amounts - and they undoubtedly amount to a great deal - and furthermore, that they be well examined to determine which gifts were granted chiefly for the benefit of the king and kingdom, and which gifts were granted in deceit of our lord the king, his gifts being abused, and all those in which our said king was deceived, and which were improperly used, and let them be entirely repealed without being regranted to the same people, or to anyone else, until his debts have been met, and the estate of our most honoured lords the sons of our lord, whom God absolve, who are of poor standing, have been suitably relieved by some of the said gifts. And let the paramour who thus deceived our said lord the king be punished in this present parliament, as she deserves, by the decision of the baronage, to the relief of the charge which the common people have had to bear. Ratifying and confirming to those who have deserved them their gifts on the same terms as our lord the king, whom God absolve, granted them, and considering with every one his long service and his just deserts, and keeping in mind, if it please our lord, all those who served our said lord his grandfather, and who remain without reward for their service. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Les seignours de continuel conseil serront charges de veer et examiner les ditz douns, et les condicions, estatz et desertz des persones; et enoultre faire ce qe resoun demande. | The lords of the continual council will be charged to inspect and examine the said gifts, and the conditions, estates, and deserts of individuals; and further to do that which reason demands. |
| VIII. | VIII. [Maintenance.] |
| 49. Item, les prient, pur ceo qe nostre seignour le roi, qe Dieux assoille, estoit giez et conseillez par ascuns conseillers nient covenables, qe touz les ditz tieux conseillers q'ont estez avaunt ces heures atteintz de reprove autentikement soient oustez et remuez de touz conseilles du roy, issint qe eux ne autres tieux ne soient mes pres de roy, n'en office ove le roy; et qe autres gentz covenables soient mys en lours lieux. Et q'en mesme le manere puisse estre fait des mesmes gentz et officers qe sont en l'ostiel du roy qe ne sont pas covenables, empriantz qe toutz les ditz officers sibien les grandes come les petitz el hostiel nostre seignour le roy puissent estre chargez, sibien les officers come les autres pres du roi, qe nully desormes face pursuite ne maintenance en courte n'en paiis, ne qe nulle de eux soy medle par colour de son office de nulle busoigne forsqe de ce qe a soun office appurtient: et ce sur peyne q'ent serra ordene par les seignours du parlement. Par quelle request, affermement et certeignement usez, aviendra grant honour a nostre seignour le roy, grande ease as touz ceux qi serront del grant conseil, et quiete et prosperitee de tout le roialme. | 49. Also, they pray that because our lord the king, whom God absolve, was guided and advised by certain unsuitable councillors, that all such said councillors who have been convicted in the past on good evidence shall be ousted and removed from all the king's councils, so that neither they nor other such persons shall remain about the king, or in office with the king; and that other suitable persons be put in their place. And in the same manner let it be done in respect of similarly unsuitable persons and officers in the king's household, praying that all the said officers of greater or lesser standing in the household of our lord the king be charged, as well the officers as others about the king, that henceforth, none shall bring a suit or maintenance in the king's court nor in the shires, and that none shall interfere by colour of his office in any matter of business except that which pertains to his office: and this on pain of the penalty which shall be ordained by the lords in parliament. Through which request, firmly and consistently imposed, great honour will accrue to our lord the king, and great comfort to all those who shall be of the great council, and peace and prosperity to all the kingdom. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a la primer requeste, le roi le voet bien. Et quant a la secounde requeste touchant maintenance, le roi defende estreitement qe nul conseiller, officer, ou servant, n'autre ovesque luy, n'aucune autre persone del roialme, de quiel estat ou condicion q'ils soient, n'empreignent ne susteignent aucune querelle par maintenance en paiis, n'aillours, sur grevouse peine: c'estassavoir, les ditz conseillours et grantz officers du < roy, < sur > paine qe serra ordeigne par le roy de l'advys des seignours du roialme. Et les autres maindres officers et servantz > Le roi, sibien en l'escheqier et en toutes ses autres courtz, come de meisnee, sur payne de perdre lour offices et services, et d'estre emprisonez, et d'illoeqes estre reintz a la voluntee le roy, chescun de eux selonc [col. b] ses degree, estat et desert; et toutes autres persones parmy le roialme sur la dite payne d'emprisonement, et d'estre reintz come les autres dessusditz. (fn. iii-3-218-1) | As for the first request, the king wholeheartedly wills it. And for the second request, touching maintenance, the king strictly forbids any councillor, officer, or servant, or any other with him, or anyone else in the kingdom, of whatsoever status or condition he be, to undertake or sustain any quarrel by maintenance in the king's court or in the shires, on pain of grievous penalty: namely, the said councillors and great officers of the king, on pain of a penalty which shall be ordained by the king with the advice of the lords of the kingdom. And other lesser officers and servants of the king, as well in the exchequer and in all his other courts, as in the household, on pain of losing their office and service, and being imprisoned, and held at the king's will, each in accordance [col. b] with his degree, status, and desert; and all other persons throughout the kingdom on the said pain of imprisonment, and being held like the others mentioned above. (fn. iii-3-218-1) |
| IX. | IX. [Appointment of the chief officers] |
| 50. Item, ils prient, pur ceo qe moultz des malx et damages sont avenuz par tieux conseillers et tieux ministres avantnommez, sibien au roy come al roialme, qe plese ore a sa hautesse, par advys de touz les seignours du parlement, qe tanqe il soit au plein age a conustre les bons et les malx, granter qe touz les conseillers et officers apres escriptz puissent estre faitz et purveieuz par parlement; c'estassavoir, chanceller, haut tresorier, chief justices del un bank et del autre, et chief baron de l'escheqier, seneschal, et tresorier de son hostiel, chief chaumberlein, clerc de prive seal, un chief gardein de ses forestes decea Trent, et un autre dela. Et s'il aviegne par aucune aventure qe y covient a mettre aucuns des ditz ministres parentre un parlement et autre, q'en tiel cas y plese au roy nostre dit seignour granter qe tiel ministre puisse estre mys par son grant conseil, tanqe le parlement proschein ensuant. | 50. Also, they pray that because many of the evils and injuries have been committed by such councillors and ministers aforenamed, as well against the king as the kingdom, that it might now please his highness, by the advice of all the lords of parliament, that until he reaches the age to distinguish good from evil, to grant that all the councillors and officers listed below might be appointed and provided by parliament; namely the chancellor, high treasurer, the chief justice of either Bench, and chief baron of the exchequer, steward, and treasurer of his household, chief chamberlain, clerk of the privy seal, a chief keeper of his forests on this side of Trent, and another beyond. And if it should happen that for any reason he would appoint any of the said ministers between parliaments, that in such a case it might please the king, our said lord, to grant that such minister might be appointed by his great council, until the next parliament. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a cest article, il est assentuz qe tantcome nostre seignour le roi soit issint de tendre age, qe les ditz conseillers, et aussint les chanceller, tresorier, seneschal de son hostiel et chaumberlein, soient esluz par les seignours en parlement: salvez toutdys l'estat et l'eritage du conte d'Oxenford del dit office de chaumberlein. Mais s'il avenist issint qe aucun de eux morust, ou feust par cause resonable remuez, entre parlement et parlement, adonqes le roi par l'advys des seignours de son continuel conseil les ferra en le moiene temps. Et quant as autres officers dessusnomez, le roy les ferra par l'assent des seignours du son dit conseil. | With regard to this article, it is agreed that as long as our lord the king is of so tender an age, the said councillors, and also the chancellor, treasurer, steward of his household, and chamberlain, shall be chosen by the lords in parliament: saving always the estate and inheritance of the earl of Oxford in the said office of chamberlain. But if it should so happen that one of them die, or be removed for a good reason between parliaments, then the king would appoint others in the meantime by the advice of the lords of his continual council. And with regard to the other aforementioned officers, the king will appoint them by the assent of lords of his said council. |
| X. | X. [Officials and commanders overseas and in the marches.] |
| 51. Item, pur ce qe les terres de Gascoigne, d'Irlande, la seignourie en Artoys, et la marche d'Escoce sont en peril d'estre perduz par defaute des bons ministres, qe plese a nostre dit seignour par mesme le manere el proschein article, bons et suffisantz ministres y puissent estre mys, pur la governement faire en ses dites terres, en le pluis hastyfe manere qe homme poet, pur le grant busoigne qe requirt. Et qe touz les chiefs gardeins des portz et chastelx sur la meer, come Dovre, et Baumburgh', Carlell', et autres marches, puissent estre mys en la forme susdit, et qe ceux gardeins des chastelx et cliefs del roialme soient suffisantz, qe poont forfaire lour heritages si meschief aviegne a cause de eux, come Dieux ne veullie. Et qe en touz les autres de voz chastelx soient mys autres suffisantz de voz lieges, qe poont forfaire en mesme le manere, pur salvacion del roialme. | 51. Also, because the lands of Gascony, Ireland, the lordship of Artois, and the marches of Scotland are in danger of being lost for want of good ministers, may it please our said lord the king, in the same fashion as the last article, to appoint with the utmost speed good and worthy ministers to govern in the said lands, because of the great need there is. And that all the chief keepers of ports and castles on the coast, such as Dover, Bamburgh, Carlisle, and other marches be appointed in the aforesaid manner, and that those keepers of the castles and keys of the realm shall be men of worth, who would forfeit their inheritance if trouble arises by their fault, which God forbid. And that in all your other castles worthy men from amongst your lieges shall be appointed, who might forfeit in the same way, for the security of the kingdom. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet, et ent ferra ceo qe a luy appurtendra, par l'advis des seignours de son continuel conseil. | The king wills it, and will do that which pertains to him, by the advice of the lords of his continual council. |
| XI. | XI. [Chartered franchises and liberties.] |
| 52. Item, supplient les dites communes au roy lour seignour qe toutes les franchises et libertees grantez par voz nobles progenitours as seignours du roialme, citeszeins des citees, burgeises de burghes, et autres de voz lieges. | 52. Also, the commons pray their lord the king with regard to the franchises and liberties granted by your noble progenitors to the lords of the kingdom, citizens of the cities, burgesses of the boroughs, and other your lieges. |
| Qe vous plese de vostre treshaute et trespuissante seignourie a eux ratefier, graunter, et confermer lours franchises et libertees susdites, issint qe par ycelle grante a present lours dites franchises et libertees ent viewes devant chescun de voz juges lour soient allouez. Et si aucun de eux y veullie pursuer qe lours dites franchises et libertees lour soient ratifiez et confermez et eseallez de vostre grante seal, q'ils les eient sanz fyn faire, ove le clause de licet, etc. Considerantz la grante discressioun et bountee de voz nobles progenitours et de lour sage conseil, qe ceo ont grantez pur grante encresce et profit du roialme. Et qe la citee de Londres puisse entierment et pesiblement rejoier toutes lours franchises et usages qe les nobles roys voz progenitours lour ont grantez devaunt ces heures. Et si aucune citee ou [p. iii-17][col. a] autre ville du roialme eit aucune franchise grantee a eux pluis qe le dite citee de Londres en ad enseallez, qe plese ore a nostre dit seignour a eux granter mesmes les franchises par nostre requeste qe les autres citees ou villes lours ont grantez par voz progenitours; considerant, coment la dite citee si est la principale du roialme, et toutdys ad este chargez pluis qe nul autre cite ou ville du roialme: et semblable est q'ensi y sera en temps avenir. | May it please your most high and most mighty lordship to ratify, grant, and confirm to them their aforesaid franchises and liberties, so that by such present grant their said franchises and liberties when viewed by your several judges may be allowed them. And if any wish to seek ratification and confirmation of their said franchises and liberties, and have them sealed by your great seal, that they shall receive them without paying a fine, with the clause 'de licet et cetera'; considering the great discretion and goodness of your noble progenitors and of their wise counsel, who granted that for the great benefit and profit of the kingdom. And that the city of London might fully and peacefully enjoy all the franchises and usages which your noble progenitors granted it in the past. And if any city or [p. iii-17][col. a] other town of the kingdom have any franchise granted to it over and above those which the said city of London has sealed, that it may now please our said lord to grant the the same franchises at our request which the other cities and towns have been granted by your progenitors; considering that the said city is the capital of the kingdom, and has always been at greater charge than any other city or town of the kingdom: and is likely so to be in time to come. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a les confirmacions de libertees et franchises, le roi lour confermera les chartres a eux ent faitz par ses progenitours par manere come ses progenitours les ont confermez devant luy: et sur ce ils ent averont briefs et autres mandementz en la chancellarie, tantz et tieux come appurtint pur les faire duement estre allouez. Et quant a la citee de Londres, ils ent ont bailles de novel une lour autre bille continante ceste article et plusours autres, la quelle nostre seignour le roi ad fait examiner, et graciousement estre responduz. Et enoultre, le roi voet et grante qe les citees, burghes et autres villes quelles serront ore chargez de faire vesseux pur la guerre appellez balyngers en defens du roialme, aient par tant lours dites confirmacions quites de fyn ent paier en la dite chancellerie. | With regard to the confirmation of liberties and franchises, the king will confirm the charters issued to them by his progenitors just as his progenitors confirmed them before him: and further, they shall have as many and such writs and other mandates on them in the chancery as shall be necessary. And with regard to the city of London, they have recently submitted another bill containing that article and many others, which our lord the king has ordered to be examined and to which he has made gracious reply. And further, the king wills and grants that the cities, boroughs, and other towns which shall now be charged with making warships called balingers for the defence of the kingdom, shall through their said confirmations be quit of fines to be paid in the said chancery. |
| [memb. 9] | |
| XII. | XII. [Castles and towns surrendered to the enemy.] |
| 53. Item, ils prient qe touz ceuz qe ont renduz et perduz chastelx ou villes pardela par verroie defaute des capitayns, puissent estre a cest parlement a responce, et selonc lour desert estre fortement puniz par agarde des seignours et baronage, eschievant les malvois ensample q'ils ont donez as autres qi sont gardeins de villes et chastelx, a grante vilanie et damage du roi nostre dit seignour, et de toute la lange; et qe pys n'aviegne, come Dieux ne le veullie, par defaute de loure nounpunissement. Et ensement ils prient qe touz ceux qe ont euz la garde des chastelx, villes, et forteresces pardela en temps de triwe, en lour prosperitee, et a lour profit, et coustages du roy, q'ils soient a present constreintz par bone et suffisante seuretee pur aler mesmes illoeqes, et estoffer competentement mesmes les chastelx, villes, et forteresces esteant a present es mayns nostre dit seignour, de toutes estoffures busoignables, a lour coustages propres, outre ce qe devant costerent au roy. Ou autrement s'ils refusent d'ensy faire, q'ils soient constreintz a rebailler au profit du roy ceo q'ils ont pris d'avauntage en temps de prosperitee, outre ceo q'ils paieront a lour garnisons. | 53. Also they pray that all those who have surrendered and lost castles or towns overseas by some real fault of the captains, shall be brought to answer in this parliament and be strictly punished in accordance with their desert by the decision of the lords and baronage, annulling the evil example they have set to others who are wardens of towns and castles, to the great harm and injury of the king our said lord, and all the people; that worse may not happen, which God forbid, by their escaping punishment. They further pray that all those who have had the keeping of castles, towns, and fortresses overseas in times of truce, enjoying prosperity and profit at the expense of the king, shall now be obliged by good and effective surety to repair to those places, and adequately garrison the same castles, towns, and fortresses, at present in the hands of our said lord, with all necessary things, at their own expense, even though this was previously charged to the king. Or else, if they refuse to do so that they be forced to repay for the king's benefit that of which they took advantage in times of prosperity, beyond what they pay their garrisons. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a la primer requeste, le roi par l'advis des seignours, y ferra tieu punissement come mieltz luy semblera affaire pur son honour et profit du roialme. Et quant a la secounde requeste, les seignours de continuel conseil ent ordeineront due remede. | With regard to the first request, the king, by the advice of the lords, shall inflict such punishment as shall seem best to him for his honour and the benefit of the kingdom. And with regard to the second request, the lords of the continual council shall ordain a due remedy. |
| XIII. | XIII. [Labourers' wages.] |
| 54. Item, purceo qe les communes de vostre roialme d'Engleterre sont trope greefment enpoverez par les grevouses et outragiouses lowers des laborers, les queux sont trope sustenuz en lour mal fait; pur qoy suppliont voz ditz communes, en grante relevacioun de eux, qe voz descretz justices qe sont ou serront assignez pur tiel cause, facent enquere deux foitz par an al meins de lour outrageousez prises: et quantqe serra trove en excesse, q'ils facent estretz endenteez, et livrer l'une partie as viscontz des countees, et l'autre partie endentee de les estreatez face deliverer a vostre escheqier, pur lever en aide de la guerre; et qe nulle fyn pur lour excesse ne soit pris par nul de voz justices. Et qe les conestables de chescune ville eient poair d'arester tielx laborers par lour corps tanqe ils aient trovez suffisante seurtee de lour excesse; et s'ils ne veullient ceo faire, q'ils respoignent come plegge du dit excesse. Et qe mesme le manere soit fait des artificers et vitaillers. Et si aucun laborer y soit qe soy escuse de servir pur cause d'un petit tenure q'il tient, ou par cause q'il voet estre artificer, q'ils ne soient soeffert a ce faire si aucun en paiis eit meister de [col. b] son labour; mes les conestables eux teignent en seps tanqe se veullie justifier, sur peyne q'est ordene en autre estatut. Et qe les justices qi serront assignez soient de pluis sages et pluis descretz des countes; et q'ils eient gages pur lour travailles, et d'estre paiez de voz viscontz, queux de ceo puissent avoir allouance en vostre escheqier. Et qe les mendivantz wakerantz qe sont suffisantz de corps de servir, et ne veullient ce faire, q'ils soient pris et mandez al proschein gaoele, illoeqes a demorer un quarter del an, sanz estre lesse a maynprise. | 54. Also, whereas the commons of your kingdom of England have been most grievously impoverished by the large and outrageous wages of labourers, who are well supported in their wicked deeds; wherefore your said commons request, for their own great relief, that your learned justices who are or shall be appointed for such a cause, make enquiry at least twice a year into their outrageous demands: and when they find them to be excessive, that they issue indented estreats, and deliver one part to the sheriffs of the counties, and cause the other indented part of the estreats to be delivered to your exchequer, to be levied in support of the war; and that no fine for their excess shall be taken by any of your justices. And that the constables of every town have the power to detain such labourers by their bodies until they have found sufficient surety for their excess; and if they will not that they answer as pledge for the said excess. And that artificers and victuallers shall be dealt with in like wise. And if any labourer excuse himself from serving because of some tenure that he holds, or because he wishes to be an artificer, that he shall not be allowed to do so if anyone in the country has claim to [col. b] his labour; but the constables shall keep him in the stocks until he will justify himself, on pain of the penalty ordained in another statute. And that the justices who are assigned be selected from amongst the most wise and most discreet men of the counties; and that they shall receive payment for their labours, and be paid by your sheriffs, who shall have allowance therefor in your exchequer. And that the destitute vagabonds who are physically able to serve, and yet will not, be seized and sent to the nearest gaol, to remain there for a quarter of a year, without being released on bail. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| L'estatutz et ordinances avant ces heures en faites se tiegnent en touz pointz, et duement soient mises en execution par bones et suffisantz justices a ce assigners en chescune countee d'Engleterre. | Let the statutes and ordinances made in the past be upheld in all respects, and duly put into execution by good and worthy justices assigned thereto in every county of England. |
| XIIII. | XIIII. [Payment for holy days.] |
| 55. Item, prient les communes qe nul mason, carpenter, ne nul autre artificer ne laborer, ne preigne nul lower pur les jours de festes quant ils n'averont point, mais q'ils preignent resonable lower pur les jours overables, et pur nulle autre; sur grevouse peyne sibien pur le donour come pur le receyvour. | 55. Also, the commons pray that no mason, carpenter, nor any other artificer nor labourer shall take any fee for feast days when they have no work but that they shall take a reasonable fee on working days, and on no other; on pain of a grievous penalty both for the giver as well as for the receiver. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit l'estatut autre foitz ent faitz tenuz et gardez. | Let the statute made at another time be kept and upheld. |
| XV. | XV. [Acts of the Parliament of 1376] |
| 56. Item, prient voz ditz lieges: qe la bone voluntee du roi vostre aiel, qi Dieux assoille, de peticions a luy monstre pur profit de son poeple al secound parlement ja passe, soit monstre as voz ditz communes, et qe ceo qe fust respoundu come a dire en parlement 'Le roi le voet,' soit afferme pur estatut: ce q'est dit as communes touchant partie des dites petitions qe ce ne fuist qe ordenenance et nemie estatut, qe ceo puisse estre viewe et rehercee as communes, et ceo qe resonable est qe y soit ordene pur estatut. Qar le subside des leynes pur trois ans par celle causes et pur la sustenance de la guerre fuist grantee. Et touz les jugementz et diffinicions faitz en mesme le parlement, q'ils soient pleinement demandez, et mys en execucion selonc lour force, si l'en ne puisse assigner cause pur quoi noun. | 56. Also, your said lieges pray that the good will of the king, your grandfather, whom God absolve, in respect of the petitions shown him for the benefit of his people at the second parliament last past, shall be shown to your said commons, and that that which was answered in parliament, 'The king wills it', be confirmed by statute: for it was said to the commons of some of the said petitions that they were neither ordinance nor statute, and that they should be shown and rehearsed to the commons, and that which was reasonable ordained as statute. For the subsidy on wool was granted for three years for those reasons and for the maintenance of the war. And that all the judgements and definitions made in the same parliament be fully addressed and put into effect according to their tenor, unless cause be shown why they should not be. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il est fait en partie; et ce qe ent rement affaire, le roy par advys de son grande conseil ferra ce qe luy semble ent estre affaire de reson. | It is done in part; and as regards that which remains to be done, the king shall do whatever seems reasonable to him by the advice of his great counsel. |
| XVI. | XVI. [Accounts of subsidies paid.] |
| 57. Item, priont les communes: qe les tresoriers q'ont receux les subsides de leyns al secound parlement devant ore grauntez, et les profitz des terres alienez, et la taillage de grotes et autres revenues a cause de la guerre, puissent ore declarrer lour resceites et lours despenses d'ycelle as peres et baronage du roialme qy sont ore en parlement, issint qe droit et conissance de veritee puisse ent estre conceux as seignours et al poeple, pur la suspecioun q'ent ad este supposee devaunt ore, donant talent et voluntee as vos dites communes le pluis voluntierment estre eidantz a la necessite de voz guerres. | 57. Also, the commons pray that the treasurers who received the wool subsidies granted before now at the second parliament, and the profits from aliens' lands, and the tallage of groats and other revenues for the war, now declare to the peers and baronage of the kingdom who are present in parliament their receipts and their expenses of the same, so that right and knowledge of the truth might be revealed to the lords and the people, because of the suspicion that has arisen before, giving your said commons the wish and desire the more willingly to come to your aid in your wars. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Certains prelatz et autres sont assignez de veer et examiner les resceites et issues des ditz subsides et taillages, et les faire traire hors des pealx de la resceite, et mettre en escrit, au fin qe celles soient monstrez as seignours du continuel conseil. | Certain prelates and others have been assigned to inspect and examine the receipts and issues of the said subsidies and tallages, and cause them to be copied from the pells of the receipt, and put in writing so that they may be shown to the lords of the continual council. |
| XVII. | XVII. [Aliens and goods of aliens.] |
| 58. Item, prient les communes: qe nul alien ne soit herberger ne tiegne hostiel par soy deinz la roialme, pur pluis eschuer la venue et l'espiall de noz enemys. Et qe les biens des enemys arestuz en Engleterre pur biens robbez et prises sur la meer en temps de triewe, puissent estre deliverez a ceux qi lours biens ensi ont perduz, a chescun selonc l'afferant de son perde, tanqe due reparement suit fait parentre les deux roialmes. | 58. Also the commons pray that no alien shall be an inn-keeper or keep a household of his own within the kingdom, the better to counter the influx of our enemies and their espionage. And that the goods of enemies arrested in England for theft and seizure of goods at sea during times of truce shall be delivered to those who have thus lost their goods, to each in accordance with the degree of his loss, until due reparation be made between the two kingdoms. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant al primere requeste, le roi le voet bien, horspris ses liges. Et quant a la secounde, le roi le voet auxint, parissint toutes voies qe ceux qi averont tieux biens en garde par vertu de cest grant, < troefsent > suffisante suretee de respondre au roi de toute lour resceite d'yceulx biens, ou autrement a la partie [q'ent] deust [p. iii-18][col. a] avoir restitucion, si restitucion ou reparement par cas fust ordene d'une partie et d'autre. | With regard to the first request, the king wholeheartedly wills it, excepting his lieges. And for the second, the king also wills it, provided always that those who have such goods in their keeping by virtue of this grant shall find sufficient surety to answer to the king for their receipt of such goods, or else to the party which ought [p. iii-18][col. a] to receive restitution, if restitution or reparation in such case be ordained for one party or the other. |
| XVIII. | XVIII. [Swainmoots] |
| 59. Item, supplient les ditz communes: qe par la ou fuist ordene par estatut de forest qe les swanesmotes deussent estre tenuz certeins temps de an, et en le dit estatut est compris qe nulle franke homme serroit destreint ne sommons de venir as ditz swanesmotes, forspris foresters, verderers, rewardours, et agistours; et nientcontreesteant cela, les gentz sont sommons de venir la, et par lour defaute amerciez. Dont ils prient remedie. | 59. Also, the said commons pray that whereas it was ordained by a statute of the forest that the swainmoots ought to be held at certain times of the year, and in the said statute it is stated that no free man shall be distrained or summoned to appear at the said swainmoots, except foresters, verderers, regarders and agistors; yet notwithstanding that, people are summoned to appear there, and are fined for default. For which they seek remedy. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Les estatutz ent faitz se teignent en toutz pointz. Et enoultre, le roi defende qe desormes nully soit distreint par sommons de venir as ditz swanmotz, encontre la forme de les estatutz et l'assise de forest. (fn. iii-3-279-1) | The statutes made thereon shall be upheld in all respects. In addition, the king forbids that henceforth anyone shall be distrained by summons to appear at the said swainmoots, contrary to the form of the statutes and the assize of the forest. (fn. iii-3-279-1) |
| XIX. | XIX. [Vert and venison.] |
| 60. Item, supplient les ditz communes qe nul homme ne soit emprisonez ne amerciez pur vert, ne venison, ne de rienz faitz encontre l'assise de la forest, s'il ne soit pur chose fait encontre ascuns des articles continuez en la chartre du forest. Et si autrement soit fait, q'il soit adjuggiz pur errour, et qe chescun homme puisse chacer en la porale sanz empeschement. | 60. Also, the said commons pray that no man shall be imprisoned or fined for vert or venison, nor for anything contrary to the assize of the forest, unless it be for something done contrary to one of the articles contained in the charter of the forest. And that if anything else be done, it shall be judged an error, and that every man may be able to hunt within the bounds of the forest without impeachment. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| La chartre et les autres estatutz de la forest y soient tenuz et fermement gardez en touz lours pointz. | Let the charter and the other statutes of the forest be upheld and strictly kept in all respects. |
| XX. | XX. [Bounds of the forest.] |
| 61. Item, supplient les ditz communes qe les bondes de toutes forestes d'Engleterre einz ces heures aboundez, chivachez, et affermez par chartre de voz progenitours, ne soient pluis largement enlargez, ne hors d'icelle boundes nul minister des forestes soi mellent de riens faites hors de la forest par colour de lour office; sur peine de perdre lour office, et gree faire a celluy qi soi pleignent, s'il le puisse prover pur verroy. | 61. Also, the said commons pray that the boundaries of all the forests of England determined, perambulated, and confirmed in the past by the charter of your progenitors, be not further enlarged, nor that any minister of the forests, outside the forest boundaries, interfere by colour of his office in anything done outside the forest; on pain of losing his office and compensating whomsoever complains if he prove to be telling the truth. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Les perambulations faites devant ces heures se teignent fortement. Et le roi defende qe nul forester, n'autre minister de forest, se medle dehors forsqe selonc ceo qe l'assise du forest demande. | The perambulations made before this time shall be strictly upheld. And the king forbids any forester or other minister of the forest to meddle outside the forest except when the assize of the forest requires it. |
| XXI. | XXI. [(Forest officials] |
| 62. Item, ils prient qe purceo qe commune fame ad estee, et avec ceo mayntz demonstrantz ont este faitz, qe diverses oppressions et moltz maneres des grevances qe gardeins, baillifs, ministres des forestes, et autres, ont faitz par colour de lours baillies et offices, des queux grevances le poeple qe tant est greve ne osent overtement compleindre, ne lour pleintz suir en la court tanqe come ils sont en lour office. | 62. Also, they pray that whereas it is has long been common knowledge, and often demonstrated that divers oppressions and a great many injuries have been inflicted by wardens, bailiffs, ministers of the forest, and others, by colour of their offices and positions, of which grievances the people, being so greatly disturbed, dare not openly complain or pursue their complaints through the courts while they remain in office. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit seignour ordener qe des toutz gardeins, ballifs, ministres des forestes qe avant le temps du roy q'ore est soloient estre remuables, soient lours offices seisiz es mayns du roy, et bones gentz et loialx assignez justices, d'enquere sur lour grevances avauntditz, et d'oier et terminer touz qe devers tieux baillifs ou ministres suire vouldrent, pur le roi, ou pur eux mesmes, et de punisser les mesfesours solonc la ley et lour desert. Et ceux qi ont bien et loialment portez en lour office eient lours baillies reliverez, s'il plest a nostre dit seignour, et si aucun tiel ministre eit aucune baillie a terme de vie par fait du roi, qe un moys en l'an puisse estre assigne en quele il poet estre respondant al poeple, si aucun homme luy voet pleindre sur luy, eiant mesme l'issue come avant est dit de les autres. | May it please our said lord the king to ordain that all the wardens, bailiffs, and ministers of the forests who used to be removable before the time of the present king have their offices taken into the king's hands, and that good and loyal people shall be appointed as justices, to enquire into their aforesaid grievances, and hear and determine the cases of all those who wish to sue such bailiffs or ministers, on behalf of the king or for themselves, and to punish the malefactors according to the law and their deserts. And those who have performed their office well and loyally shall receive their offices again, if it please our said lord the king, and if such a minister has an office for the term of life by grant of the king, that one month in the year shall be set aside in which he answers the people, if anyone wishes to complain of him, to the same effect as is said above of the others. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy ferra enquere du temps en temps, et quant il busoignera, des touz tieux gardeins, et les autres ministres de la forest; et ceux qe y serront trovez en defaute serront puniz selonc lours desertz. Et enoultre, si nully se vodra pleindre en especial d'aucun ministre de forest, il serra bien oiez, et enoultre droit serra fait. | The king will make enquiries from time to time, whenever necessary, concerning all such wardens and the other ministers of the forest; and those who are found to be at fault shall be punished as they deserve. Furthermore, if anyone wishes to complain of any particular minister of the forest, he shall be given a good hearing, and further, right shall be done. |
| XXII. | XXII. [No process upon debts cleared in the exchequer .] |
| 63. Item, supplient voz ditz communes: qe come diverses estatutz et observances ont este faitz, pur amender les leyes et les usages de l'escheqier, et nul estatut les poet amender mes endroit d'un article, qe par la ou releves [col. b] et autres dettez duez a nostre seignour le roi en l'escheqier sont paiez, et les tailles ent faites en la resceit, et reliverez a l'escheqier; et nientmains les clercs du dit escheqir mandont briefs et sommons a viscontz pur lever ce q'est paie, en destruccioun du poeple. | 63. Also, your said commons pray that whereas various statutes and decrees have been made to amend the laws and usages of the exchequer, yet no statute has been able to amend them with respect to one particular article of accusation, that although reliefs [col. b] and other debts owed to our lord the king in the exchequer are paid, and the tallies made on them in the office of receipt, and returned to the exchequer; yet, nevertheless the clerks of the said exchequer send writs and summonses to the sheriffs to levy that which has been paid, to the injury of the people. |
| Qe plese ordener et affermer par estatut qe chescun remembrancer, clerc, ou autre ministre del escheqier qe maunde briefs ou sommons al viscont pur lever relief ou autre dette, la ou il est paie, q'il rende a celluy qi est greve par le dit brief dys foitz a tant, et ent avoir la suite par brief original a la chauncellerie, en manere come avera envers jurour qi prent pur dire son verdit. | May it please you to ordain and confirm by statute that any remembrancer, clerk, or other minister of the exchequer who sends writs or summons to the sheriff to levy relief or another debt, when it has been paid, shall pay to whoever has been grieved by the said writ ten times as much, and have the suit thereon by original writ at the chancery, as with the juror who accepts anything for giving his verdict. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a le primer point, les estatutz et ordinances ent faitz soient tenuz et fermement gardez. Et quant a le seconde point de ceste article, le roi voet qe quant tieux dettes soient un foitz paiez, et les tailles ent faitz rejointz, et allouez en l'escheqier, qe celle dette ny courge jamais en demande. Et si aviegne einsi qe apres tielle allouance aucun clerc du dit escheqier face brief ou proces pur lever mesme le dette de novel, et ce provez; qe mesme le clerc perde soun office, et ait la prisone tanqe il avera fait gree a la partie par tant endamagee, par la discrecioun du tresorier et barons de l'escheqier nostre dit seignour le roy. (fn. iii-3-303-1) | With regard to the first point, the statutes and ordinances made thereon shall be upheld and strictly kept. And with regard to the second point of this article, the king wills that when such debts have been once paid, and the tallies made thereon rejoined, and allowed in the exchequer, that that debt shall never be demanded again. And if it should happen that after such an allowance a clerk of the said exchequer issues a writ or process to levy the same debt again, and that is proved; that the same clerk shall lose his office, and be imprisoned until he has compensated the injured party, at the discretion of the treasurer and barons of the exchequer of our said lord the king. (fn. iii-3-303-1) |
| XXIII. | XXIII. [Personal suits by exchequer officers.] |
| 64. Item, supplient les dites communes: qe nulle officer en l'escheqier le roi ne maintiegne querele en paiis, sur peine de perdre son office a touz jours, et de gree faire a treble a celluy qe soy sente greve par tielle cause; qar les ditz viscontz n'osent faire encontre eux. Et mesme la payne soit ordene sur toutes les autres officers le roy, sibien de son hostiel come des autres. Et pur cause qe aucuns marchantz, et autres plusours du poeple, sont receux de pledeer al escheqier plees de dettes et trespas, a cause q'ils sont avowez par les ministres de la place plus avant qe estre ne deveroient, a grande grevance du poeple. | 64. Also, the said commons pray that no officer of the king's exchequer shall maintain a suit in the shires, on pain of losing his office forever and paying treble compensation to whomsoever feels himself aggrieved in the matter; because the said sheriffs dare not act against them. And the same penalty shall be ordained for all the king's officers, both of his household as well as others. And because certain merchants, and many other people, are received to plead pleas of debts and trespass at the exchequer, as a result of which they are called by the ministers of that place sooner than they ought to be, to the great injury of the people. |
| Qe plese a cest present parlement qe ceo puisse estre declarrez par bone deliberacioun, en queu cas les ditz ministres averont tiele privilege, en queu cas ou noun. | May it please this present parliament, to announce, after thorough deliberation, the causes in which the said ministers have such a privilege, and those in which they do not. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant al maintenance faire, il y a ordinance faite paramont. Et quant a la declaracioun affaire, il y a este usez en dit escheqier qe des actions personeles les officers et ministres du dit escheqier, et lours servantz demurantz ovesqe eux en courte ou l'escheqier est, y deurent pleder et estre pledez, et nemy aillours. | With regard to maintenance, there is an ordinance made above. And regarding the declaration to be made, it has been the custom in the said exchequer that the personal actions of officers and ministers of the said exchequer, and their servants accompanying them in the court where the exchequer is, ought and are to be pleaded there and nowhere else. |
| XXIIII. | XXIIII. [The court of the marshalsea.] |
| 65. Item, supplient les dites communes: qe la court de marchalsie soit ordene pluis resonable, et lour jurisdiccion pluis mys en certein, et les errours et abusions faites en la courte soient de tout adnullez; entendantz qe les estatutz qe furent faites del hostiel du roi sont voides et nient affermez en parlement. Qar, d'auncien temps lour jurisdiccion ne fust autre, ne ne deust estre, mes de felonie, trespas fait deinz la verge, et puis lour venue, et de contract, covenant, et dette due, ou fait outre le menee le roy, et ceux qe pursuyent la court. Et qe seignours et autres q'ont franchises puissent avoir lour franchises allouez, sibien deinz la verge come dehors, queux eux, lours auncestres, et ceux queux estat ils ont euz et use de temps dount memorie ne court, par adurement sibien devaunt eux de la marchalsie, come devaunt autres juges. Et qe nulle court d'ancien demesne ne soit < destourbe > par cause de dit marchalsie, depuis q'ils sont coutz [sic: read 'courtz'] q'ont conissance sibien de plee de terre come d'autres plees. | 65. Also, the said commons pray that the court of the marshalsea shall be the subject of a more reasonable ordinance, and its jurisdiction placed on a more certain footing, and that the errors and abuses which occur in the court shall be entirely abolished; bearing in mind that the statutes which were made on the king's household are void and have not been confirmed in parliament. Since, from ancient times their jurisdiction has not been and never ought to be over anything other than felony, trespass committed within the verge, and then their venue, and contract, covenant, and debts owed, or made beyond the king's household, and by those who follow the court. And that lords and others who have franchises shall have them allowed, as well within the verge as without, which they and their predecessors have had and used from time immemorial, by long use as well before those of the marshalsea as before other judges. And that no court of ancient demesne shall be harmed by the said marshalsea, since they are courts which have cognizance both of pleas of land as well as others. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Eit la marchalsie tielle jurisdiccion come devant ces heures y ad este resonablement usee. Et si aucun se vorra pleindre en especial, se pleigne a seneschal del hostiel le roy, et droit luy ent serra fait. | Let the marshalsea have such jurisdiction as it has had and reasonably exercised in the past. And if anyone wishes to make a particular complaint, let him complain to the steward of the king's household, and right shall be done him. |
| [memb. 10] | |
| XXV. | XXV. [First fruits from provisions.] |
| 66. Item, priount les communes: qe come le collectour de nostre seint piere le pape fait lever de toutes les provisours [p. iii-19][col. a] voz lieges, de grace especial a eux fait par nostre seint piere q'orest, les primers frutz de touz les benefices par voz ditz < lieges > acceptez, par vertue de lour dite grace, soit le benefice plus soit il meyns, come due a la chaumbre nostre dit seint piere par celle cause; des queux voz lieges plusours pur doute de censure luy ount paiez grandes sommes, et plusours se ount obligez appaier; quele chose n'ad mye estee viewe ne use en vostre dit roialme avant ces heures, eins est novel charge de voz ditz lieges, en tresgraund damage, et enpovrissement de vostre dit roialme par le temps avenir, si remedie ne soit mys; et auxi encontre la purpot de la < tretee > a piece purparle parentre nostre seignour le roi, qe Dieux pardoint, et nostre dit seint piere. | 66. Also, the commons pray that whereas the collector of our holy father the pope levied from all the provisors [p. iii-19][col. a] your lieges, for the special grace shown them by our present holy father, the first fruits of all the benefices accepted by your said lieges, by virtue of their said grace, be the benefice large or small, as a payment owed to the chamber of our said holy father therefor; and many of your lieges have paid him great sums through fear of censure, and many have bound themselves to pay; something neither seen nor practised in your said kingdom in the past, and a new burden upon your said lieges, to the very great injury and impoverishment of your said kingdom in time to come, unless remedy be provided; and also contrary to the purport of the treaty negotiated between our lord the king, whom God pardon, and our said holy father. |
| Qe vous plese sur ceo purvoire de remedie covenable, al honour de vous, et profit de vostre dit roialme, et comander al dit collectour, qe de tielx novelleries ja par luy comencez il ceesse d'ore enavant, sibien devers ceux qe ceo sount ensy obligez a luy pur les ditz primers frutz, come d'autres: et auxint comaunder a voz lieges en tieux guyses esploitez qe nulle ne luy paie riens pur la cause susdit, sur quanqe ils purront forfaire devers vostre treshaute seignourie. | May it please you to provide a suitable remedy for it, for your own honour, and the benefit of your said kingdom, and order the said collector to desist at once from practising the innovations already begun by him, as well towards those who are thus obliged to him for the said first fruits as to others: and also order your lieges involved in the affair to pay him nothing on the aforesaid account, on pain of forfeiting whatsoever they have to forfeit to your most high lordship. |
| XXVI. | XXVI. [Papal reservations.] |
| 67. Item, suppliont les dites communes: qe come nostre tresseint piere le pape doune benefices vacantz deins vostre dit roialme par voie de reservacioun, auxi bien dignetees et provendes come autres benefices, encontre la purport de la tretee susdit, et encontre la ley escript: et par consequence si ceste chose soit supporte il purra donir touz les benefices de vostre dit roialme par reservacioun, pur les queux il voet auxi avoir le primer frut, a tresgraunde damage et destruccion du roialme. | 67. Also, the said commons pray that whereas our most holy father the pope grants vacant benefices within your said kingdom by way of reservation, as well dignities and prebends as other benefices, contrary to the tenor of the aforesaid treaty, and contrary to written law: and in consequence, if that be allowed, he will be able to grant all the benefices of your said kingdom by reservation, from which he will also wish to have first fruits, to the great injury and ruin of the kingdom. |
| Qe vous plese a cest parlement ordeigner par bone < deliberation, > qe nulle liege ne pursuye ne receyve nulles benefices deins la roialme du doune ne provisioun de l'apostoile, sur peyne de perdre sa liegeance, et d'estre hors la proteccion le roi. | May it please you, in this present parliament, to ordain after thorough deliberation that no liege shall pursue or receive any benefices within the kingdom by papal gift or provision, on pain of forfeiting his allegiance and the king's protection. |
| XXVII. | XXVII. [Benefices held by aliens.] |
| 68. Item, suppliont les ditz communes: qe come alienes soient graundement beneficez en vostre dit roialme, et se taillent du temps en temps y estre plus avancez, tant par voie de reservacions come autrement; les queux alienes pur la plus graunde partie sont aliez a la partie de voz adversairs du Fraunce, et ount amys et lynage entre eux, queux ils refreshent et eident a mayntenir la guerre encontre vous, enpaiantz lour raunsons s'ils soient pris entre voz lieges, et en les remountantz et arayantz a la dite guerre: et par consequence susteignent tresgraunde partie a voz ditz adversairs encontre vous ovesqe lour benefices q'ils ount en vostre dit roialme, q'amountent a dys mille livres par an, ou plus. | 68. Also, the said commons pray that whereas aliens are widely beneficed in your said kingdom, and strive from time to time to be advanced even further, both by way of reservation and otherwise; those aliens for the most part are allied to the party of your French enemies, and share with them friends and kin, whom they relieve and aid to support the war against you, paying their ransoms if they are captured by your lieges, and re-establishing them and equipping them for the said war: and in consequence, they support a very large number of your said adversaries against you with the benefices which they have in your realm, amounting to £10,000 a year or more. |
| Qe vous plese sur ceo purvoire de remedie, et comaunder as touz voz lieges qe nulle ne soit si hardys de tenir a ferme les benefices des ditz alienes, ne eux servir sur quanqe q'ils poont forfaire devers vostre treshaute seignourie et corps et biens. Et qe les peticions liverez par les communes a les deux darreins parlementz touchantz cestes matiers soient viewes et lieuz a ore, et covenable remedie ordeigne. | May it please you to provide remedy for this, and order all your lieges that none be so bold as to hold the said benefices of the said aliens at farm or serve them, on pain of forfeiting whatsoever they have in their persons and their goods to your most high lordship. And that the petitions delivered by the commons at the last two parliaments touching those matters be seen and read now, and a suitable remedy ordained. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Les seignours du grant conseil ordeigneront due remede sur la matire comprise en cestes trois billes proschein precedentz. (fn. iii-3-328-1) | The lords of the great council will ordain a fitting remedy for the matter dealt with in the preceding three bills. (fn. iii-3-328-1) |
| XXVIII. | XXVIII. [Feoffments to use by religious.] |
| 69. Item, pur ceo qe les religiouses purchacent terre, et fount autres de ceo estre enfeffez, et les ditz religiouses pernantz les profitz; et auxi terre lour est done et autres persones enfeffez d'icelles, et les ditz religiouses de ce pernont les profites: q'en celle cas, et en touz autres qe purront estre ymagynez, q'ils puissent estre ajugez en cas d'estatutz de religiouse ent faitz, et qe le roi et autres seignours eient l'avantage en celle cas, come est ordeigne en le dit estatut. (fn. iii-3-331-1) | 69. Also, whereas the religious buy land, and cause others to be enfeoffed with it, with the said religious taking the profits; and also land is given to them and other persons enfeoffed with the same, and the said religious take the profits: in that and all other foreseeable instances, let them be judged by the statutes of the religious made thereon, and the king and other lords shall have the advantage thereof, as is ordained in the statute. (fn. iii-3-331-1) |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Les seignours ne sont mye advisez de chaunger la ley devant usee. | The lords have not considered it necessary to amend the law followed in the past. |
| [col. b] | |
| XXIX. | XXIX. [Courts leet and the marshalsea] |
| 70. Item, suppliont les ditz communes: qe les seignours qe ount letees et viewe de frank plegge q'ils facent due punissement as taverners de vyns, si avant come des autres vitailles, et q'ils ne soient destourbez pur cause qe lour leetes sont aucunz foiz dedeinz la verge de la marchalsie, depuis qe tieux leetes et viwes de frank plegge sont courtes realx, et ne poiont estre delaiez s'il ne soit a graunde damage sibien du roi come de soun people. | 70. Also, the said commons pray that the lords who have leets and view of frankpledge may duly punish tavern-keepers for wines, as for other victuals as in the past, and they shall not be hindered because their leets are sometimes within the verge of the marshalsea, since such leets and views of frankpledge are royal courts, and cannot be delayed without causing great injury to the king as to his people. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il n'est mye article de veue de frank plegge, mais ent soit usee come ad estee fait resonablement devant ces heures. | There is no further article on view of frankpledge, but let it be performed as has been reasonably done in time past. |
| XXX. | XXX. [Southwark.] |
| 71. < Item, supplient sibien les communes de la terre come ses lieges mair, aldermans, et communes de la citee de Loundres: par cause qe plusours pistours, et autres vitaillers, et faux overours, communes mesfesours, et felons qe eschieuent les punissementz de la citee, soy retreiont et tapisont en la ville de Suthwerk, ou les ministres de la citee nules poont arester ne punir, nomement pur la court de la marchalsie qe sovent est illoeqes, queux ne soeffrent qe les ditz ministres de la citee facent ascuns execusions ne punissementz illoeqes, taunt come lour boundes soy extendent a ycelle ville; nient contreesteant qe voz progenitours par lour chartre eient donez la dite ville > a voz citezeins de Loundres, paiantz annuelment pur ycelle certein ferme a vostre escheker; dount avient sovent trope graunde meschief sibien as repeirantz de la < dite citee, > come a eux mesmes. | 71. Also, as well the commons of the land as his lieges, the mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, do pray that whereas many bakers and other victuallers, and dishonest workers, common criminals and felons who escape the punishments of the city, withdraw to and hide in the town of Southwark, where the ministers of the city cannot arrest or punish them, particularly because the court of the marshalsea is often there, and does not suffer the said ministers of the city to carry out executions or punishments there, although their boundaries extend over that same town; notwithstanding that your progenitors, by their charter, gave the said town to your citizens of London, they paying annually for the same a certain farm to your exchequer; wherefore great trouble often arises both for those who come to the said city as well as for themselves. |
| Qe plese a vostre treshaute < et > trespuissante seignourie, pur Dieu, et pur meyntenance de vostre pees, et pur destruyre graunde multitude de facines, de faire renoveler mesme celle chartre, ajustant a ycelle par expresses paroles, qe les ministres de la citee puissent faire dues execucions et punissementz sur les mesfesours deins cest ville, solonc les leyes et usages de la citee, si avaunt come ils fount deins la citee et les suburbes d'iceles. Et qe nulle ministre de marchalsie, ne autre vostre ministre quecunqe de queu condicioun q'il soit, fors voz ministres de la citee, facent en la dite ville, c'estassaver en celle partie q'est apelle gildable, ascuns atachementz oue autres execucions qecunqes, mes qe celle partie de la ville demoerge perpetuelment annexe al jurisdiccioun de la citee, en manere come sont autres suburbes de mesme la citee. Savant a touz autres seignours lour dites franchises en mesme la ville. | May it please your most high and exalted lordship, for the love of God and the keeping of your peace, and to end a multitude of frauds, to renew the same charter, expressly adding to the same that the ministers of the city might carry out due executions and punishments of the malefactors within that town, in accordance with the laws and usages of the city, as they have done in the past in the city and suburbs of the same. And that no minister of the marshalsea, nor any other minister, of whatsoever status he may be, except your ministers of the city, shall make in the said town, namely in that part which is termed the geldable, any attachments or other executions whatsoever, but that that part of the town shall remain perpetually annexed to the jurisdiction of the city, like the other suburbs of the same. Saving to all the lords their said franchises in the same town. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il est prejudiciel a roi, et a les esglises de Canterbirs et de Wync', et d'autres seignours. Mais les seignours y serront chargez q'ils y facent garder l'assise par due punissement deins lour franchises. | It is prejudicial to the king, and to the churches of Canterbury and Winchester, and to other lords. But the lords there shall be charged with causing the assize to be kept by due punishment within their franchises. |
| XXXI. | XXXI. [The coroner's jurisdiction in London.] |
| 72. Item, supplient les dites communes, maire, et aldermans, et commune de la citee de Loundres, au roi lour seignour: qe pur diverses meschiefs qe aviegnent en la dite citee, par cause qe le coroner n'est pas justisable par maire, aldermans, ne par autres ministres d'icels; q'ils puissent eslire coroner de eux mesmes, et remoever quaunt lour plest, come plusours citees et villes deins la terre respoignent au roi, en manere come appent a celle office. | 72. Also, the said commons, mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London pray of the king their lord that because of various troubles which arise in the said city, because the coroner is not subject to the mayor, aldermen, nor any other ministers of the same; that they may elect the coroner from amongst themselves, and remove him from office when it pleases them, since many cities and towns within the land answer to the king, in such manner as pertains to this office. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy n'y voet mye departir de soun ancien droit. | The king does not wish to relinquish his ancient right. |
| XXXII. | XXXII. [The farms of Essex and Hertfordshire.] |
| 73. Item, suppliont les dites communes au roy lour seignour, pur les communes des countees d'Essex et de Hertford: qe come le viscount des dites countees soit charge annuelment de lever .cclvij.li. .xvij. s. de fermes de serjanties, et de menues fermes des dites countees, come piert en la pipe del escheker, dount chescun viscount perdy devant la darrein pestilence .c.li. par an; et ore par cause del darrein pestilence est la perde plus grande, pur ceo qe les ditz profitz des ditz countees ne puissent en nulle manere estre levez: et coment qe nostre seignour le roy qe mort est, qe Dieux assoille, lour pardona ascun foiz .c. marcz par an, voz ditz ministres sont anientiz et destruytz. | 73. Also, the said commons pray the king, their lord, on behalf of the commons of the counties of Essex and Hertford that whereas the sheriff of the said counties is charged annually to levy £257 17s. from the farms of serjeanties, and from the petty farms of the said counties, as can be seen in the pipe roll of the exchequer, of which each sheriff lost before the last pestilence £100 a year; and now, because of the last pestilence the loss is even greater, because the said profits of the said counties can by no means be levied: and although our lord the king who is dead, whom God absolve, once pardoned them £100 a year, your said ministers are now injured and ruined. |
| [p. iii-20] | |
| [col. a] | |
| Par qoy vous plese, en honour de charite, et pur les almes des voz progenitours, mettre la dite pardoun a certein, a durer perpetuelment, ou d'abregger la somme des dites fermes de taunt ou voz ditz viscontz soient approuwours, et de ceo repoignantz al escheker; et illoeqes soient chargez de ce sur lour acompt de quantque q'ils ount de ceo resceu, par lour serement, et de nient plus; nient contreesteant ascun cource de l'escheker en ceo cas eyns ces heures autrement usez. | Wherefore may it please you, in honour and charity, and for the souls of your progenitors, to put the said pardon on a firmer footing, that it may last forever, or reduce the sum of the said farms by an amount of which your said sheriffs be approvers, answering therefor at the exchequer; and let them be charged thereon in their account for so much as they have received, on their oaths, and for no more; notwithstanding any other course of the exchequer customary in the past. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi s'advisera par son graunt conseil, et y ferra sa grace quaunt luy plerra. | The king will discuss this further with his great council, and bestow his grace when it pleases him. |
| XXXIII. | XXXIII. [The farms of the shires of Bedford, Buckingham, Northumberland, and others.] |
| 74. Item, les viscontz de Bed' et Buk', Northumbr', et plusours autres viscontz del roialme, sont [en] tieux meschiefs; de queux prient remedie. | 74. Also, the sheriffs of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northumberland, and many other sheriffs of the realm suffer great losses; for which they pray a remedy. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi s'advisera par semblable manere. | The king will consider that in a similar manner. |
| XXXIIII. | XXXIIII. [Officers of the household and borough franchises.] |
| 75. Item, supplient les dites communes: qe la ou le roy qe mort est, qe Dieux assoille, et ses progenitours, ount grauntez par lour chartres, et confermez qe diverses citees et burghes tenuz du roi a fee ferme eient celles fraunchises par expresses paroles, Qe nulle seneschalle, mareschalle, ne clerc de market soy entremettent de nulles choses faites dedeins les fraunchises susdites; et nient contreesteant tieux franchises, les avauntditz officers soy entremellent des choses faites dedeins les dites citees et burghes, encountre la tenure de lour ditz chartres, par cause qe n'est pas expressement parlee en les chartres: tam in presencia nostra quam alibi. Pur qoy ils priount q'il soit ordeigne et comaunde en cest present parlement, sur grevouse peyne ordeigne par avys de tressage conseil nostre tresredoute seignour le roi, qe les avauntditz officers, ne nulle de tieux, ne soy desoreenavaunt plus entremellent encontre la dite tenure de lour chartres avantditz, ou autrement ils ne poont paier lour ferme. | 75. Also the said commons pray that whereas the king now dead, whom God absolve, and his progenitors granted by their charters and confirmed that various cities and boroughs held of the king at fee-farm might have these franchises by expressed words, 'That no steward, marshal, nor clerk of the market, shall meddle in anything done within the aforesaid franchises'; and, notwithstanding such franchises, the aforesaid officers do meddle in the things done within the said cities and boroughs, contrary to the tenor of their said charters, because it is not clearly stated in the charters, 'as well in our presence as elsewhere', wherefore they pray that it might be ordained and ordered in this present parliament, on pain of a grievous penalty determined by the advice of the most wise council of our most redoubtable lord the king, that neither the aforesaid officers, nor any of them, shall henceforth meddle contrary to the tenor of the aforesaid charters, for otherwise they will not be able to pay their farm. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soient tielles chartres allowes come devant ceste heure ount estez; et si nulle y se vorra pleindre en especial, il serra oie, et droit luy serra fait. (fn. iii-3-370-1) | Let such charters be allowed their force as they have been in the past; and if any wish to make a particular complaint, he shall be heard, and right shall be done by him. (fn. iii-3-370-1) |
| XXXV. | XXXV. [Murage] |
| 76. Item, supplient les communes de citees et burghes d'Engleterre: qe come les dites citees et burghes, quelles d'ancien temps estoient afforcez ove mures, fosses, et autres choses defensables, bosoignent tresgraundes reparacions et hastiefs, en cest present necessitee de guerre, sibien pur la salvacioun de eux come de tout le roialme; queux reparacions volont demaunder si graundes costages et hastiefs, queles les ditz communes ne purront susteiner sanz eide de ceux q'ount tenementz, possessions, ou rentes en les ditz citees et burghes, sibien de religiouses come d'autres, qe avaunt ces heures n'ount porte nulle charge pur la sustenance susdit. | 76. Also, the commons of the cities and boroughs of England request that whereas the said cities and boroughs, which were fortified long ago with walls, ditches, and other defensive structures, are in urgent need of repair, in this present time of war, as well for their own safety as for that of all the kingdom; the which repairs require so great and immediate expenditure that the said commons cannot undertake them without the aid of those who have tenements, possessions, or rents in the said cities and boroughs, both religious and others, who in the past have borne no charge for the aforesaid upkeep. |
| Qe plese a cest present parlement graunter qe touz les ditz possessioners, sibien come les autres q'ount possessioun en les ditz citees et burghes, soient resonablement agistez pur lour tenementz et rentz ove les marchantz de les ditz citees et burghes de toutes lour marchandises, pur la forcement et defense susdit. | May it please this present parliament to grant that all the said possessors, like the others who have possessions in the said cities and boroughs, shall be reasonably assessed on their tenements and rents, and the merchants of the said cities and boroughs on all their merchandise, for the aforesaid fortification and defence. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet qe touz yceulx q'ount terres, tenementz, oue rentes deins tieux citees et burghes soient constreintz de faire contribucioun a tielles charges, solonc l'afferant de lour tenure, come y ad estee usee devant cest heure; salvant a chescun son privilege. | The king wills that all those who have lands, tenements, or rents within such cities and boroughs shall be obliged to contribute to such expenses, in accordance with the value of their holdings, as has been the practice in the past; saving to each his privilege. |
| XXXVI. | XXXVI. [Provisors] |
| 77. Item, supplient ses lieges et subgitz q'entre les autres pointz touchez en la tretee parentre nostre < seint > piere le pape et nostre seignour le roi l'aiel, qe Dieux assoille, sur touz benefices touchant sa regalie, acorde fuist depar nostre dit seint piere, et sur espoire de bon pees final sur toutes choses tretez par les ambassatours d'un part et d'autre part en Flaundres, le seint piere ottroia et graunta, de soy abstiner de toutes maneres [col. b] provisions par voie de reservacion des benefices en Engleterre, et specialment des dignetees electives, issint qe le roi feisse ensy durant la dite tretee en droit des benefices touchantz sa regalite par antiqe voidance; les queux pointz entre les autres si estoient les ditz ambassatours le roi l'aiel chargez a pursuier diligentement a tout lour poair. Et come bien qe nostre dit seignour l'aiel avoit escript a l'apostoille pur ascunes eleccions confermer des benefices electivez, q'estoient faitz depuis le dit graunte, cessant la reservacion susdit come graunte fuist, ascuns des ditz messagers du roy noun eiantz regard de lour dit charge, ne de la priere du roi, ount depuis impetrez en la court de Rome auxi bien dignetees electives, pur queles l'aiel avoit issint escript, come plusours autres benefices, contre l'effect du dit tretee, et la graunt et l'acorde susditz, en graunde prejudice nostre dit seignour le roi, et de ses subgitz avauntditz. Par qoy supplient a nostre dit seignour le roi et a son treshonurable conseil de remedie. | 77. Also, his lieges and subjects request that amongst other matters touched upon in the treaty between our holy father the pope and our lord king, the grandfather, whom God absolve, concerning all benefices connected with his regality, and in the expectation of ultimate peace with regard to all matters considered by the ambassadors on either side in Flanders, the holy father agreed and granted that he would abstain from all manner of [col. b] provisions by means of reservation of benefices in England, and especially of elective dignities, so that the king was able during the said treaty to procure his right to the said benefices touching his regality by ancient voidance; which matters amongst others the said ambassadors of the king, the grandfather, were charged diligently to pursue to the best of their power. And although our said lord the grandfather wrote to the pope to confirm certain elections to elective benefices, which were made since the said grant, ending the aforesaid reservation as if it had been granted, some of the said king's messengers not having any regard for their said instruction or the king's wishes, later themselves obtained elective dignities in the court of Rome, for which the grandfather had also written, as well as many other benefices, contrary to the effect of the said treaty, and the aforesaid grant and agreement, greatly prejudicing our said lord the king and his aforesaid subjects. In consequence of which they request remedy of our said lord the king and his most honourable council. |
| [memb. 11] | |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le chaunceller, appellez a luy des tieux qe luy plerra, et veue l'accord fait, ent ferra et ordeignera ce qe luy mieltz semblera affaire de resoun, sibien pur le roi come pur la partie, si nulle se vorra pleindre en especial. | The chancellor, having summoned whomsoever he will, and having inspected the said agreement, shall do and ordain on this matter whatsoever seem best and most reasonable to him, both on behalf of the king and on behalf of the party concerned, if any wish to raise a complaint. |
| XXXVII. | XXXVII. [Chirographers' fees.] |
| 78. Item, suppliont les dites communes: qe come ordeigne est en estatut de Westm' secund, 'Qe cirographers ne lour clerkes preignent pur lour fees pur fyns engrosser mes .iiij. s. pur chescun fyn'; la quele ordeignance fuist assetz covenable: les queux cirographers et lour clerkes ne voillent celle estatut tenir, et plus graunde somme parnount, a graunde damage del poeple. | 78. Also, the said commons pray that whereas it was ordained in the second statute of Westminster, 'That neither chirographers nor their clerks shall take as their fee for engrossing, more than 4s. for each fine'; which ordinance was reasonable enough: yet the chirographers and their clerks will not abide by the statute, and take a larger sum, to the great harm of the people. |
| Par qoy plese au roi d'ordeignir qe si lour ditz cirographers ou clerkes plus y preignent q'ils facent gree al partie qe se vouldra pleindre de dys foiz atant, en le manere come est en l'estatut de jurours. | Wherefore may it please the king to ordain that if the said chirographers or clerks take more, they shall compensate the party who wishes to complain for ten times as much, as in the statute of jurors. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il y < ad > estatut ent fait, lequel soit tenuz et gardez. (fn. iii-3-387-1) | There is a statute made thereon which shall be kept and upheld. (fn. iii-3-387-1) |
| XXXVIII. | XXXVIII. [Farms of minors' lands.] |
| 79. Item, pur diverses causes eyns ces heures estatut fuist fait qe les parentz as heirs esteantz deinz age en la garde du roi, a qi la heritage ne purra descendre, deussent avoir les terres des ditz heirs a ferme durant le nounage, devaunt nulle autre; quel estatut n'est pas tenuz. | 79. Also, for divers reasons a statute was made in the past that the kinsmen of heirs under age, being wards of the king, to whom the inheritance could not pass, might have the lands of the said heirs at farm during the minority, before anyone else; which statute is not observed. |
| Par qoy vous plese affermer q'il soit tenuz, et si ascuns autres y soient q'ount maners ou terres d'ascun des ditz heirs, et les parentz ceo voillent avoir ferme, et tant donir pur ycelle come autres y voillent, q'ils les eient tanqe al age du dit heir; nient contreesteant ascun patent fait ou affaire as ascuns autres q'as ditz parentz. | Wherefore, may it please you to affirm that it shall be observed, and if there be any others who hold manors or lands of any such heirs, and the kinsmen wish to hold them at farm, and will pay as much for the same as others would, that they shall have them until the said heir comes of age; notwithstanding any letters patent made or to be made to persons other than the said kinsmen. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet qe mesme l'estatut soit fermement tenuz et gardez. (fn. iii-3-394-1) | The king wills that the same statute be firmly kept and upheld. (fn. iii-3-394-1) |
| XXXIX. | XXXIX. [Assizes.] |
| 80. Item, supplie la commune qe les assises qe sont purchaces el temps le roi l'aiel puissent estre en lour force, et qe brief soit graunte as justices d'assises de les prendre: qar autrement plusours gentz serroient desheritez par alienacion fait puis les dites assises purchacez, qe serroit graunde meschief as plusours. | 80. Also, the commons request that the assizes which were negotiated in the time of the king the grandfather shall remain in force, and that a writ be granted to justices of assizes to take them: since otherwise many people will be disinherited by alienations made since the said assizes were purchased, which would bring great trouble to many. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il y a remedie ordeigne devaunt ceste heure. | A remedy was ordained before this time. |
| XL. | XL. [Place-names.] |
| 81. Item, qe chescun manere brief soit auxi bien mayntenable en hamel ou maynauntie qe porte certein noun, par quel le lieu est bien conue, come en ville. | 81. Also, that every writ have force in a hamlet or a places with a certain name by which it is well known, as in towns. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Courge la ley devant usee. | Let the law continue in its established course. |
| XLI. | XLI. [Writs of purparty.] |
| 82. Item, qe brief de particione facienda, de faire purpartie des terres et tenementz, soit auxi bien meyntenable parentre estranges purchaceours, come entre parceners, et privez de sank. | 82. Also, that the writ of purparty, to make a division of lands and tenements, shall be as maintainable between other purchasers as between parceners and blood relations. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Ent courge l'auncien ley usee. | Let the ancient law continue in its established course. |
| [p. iii-21] | |
| [col. a] | |
| XLII. | XLII. [Enfeoffments for maintenance.] |
| 83. Item, supplont les dites communes: qe la ou plusours gentz del roialme, sibien graundes gentz come menues gentz, q'ount accions verroies as terres et tenementz come autres accions personels, qe les defendantz en ycelle accions par meyntenance avoir donont les terres et tenementz en debate, et auxint lour biens et chateux as seignours et as graundes gentz, pur estre sustenuz et mayntenuz en lour tort; les queux issint feffez maundont a les ditz actours, barectours, et autres gentz qe sont debautz, et les manacent par lour seignours et mestres, et diont qe s'ils soient si hardys de riens pursuier encontre les gentz de lour seignours, q'ils serront batuz ou occys s'ils ne voillent lesser lour actions et cleymes: issint qe par cause de tieux manaces plusours gentz n'osont lour droit pursuier, pur doute d'estre maymez ou occyz. | 83. Also,the said commons pray that whereas many of the kingdom, both greater and lesser, who have real actions on lands and tenements as well as other, personal actions, the defendants in such actions have by maintenance granted the lands and tenements in contention, and also their goods and chattels, to lords and great men, to be aided and maintained in their wrongdoing; and they, thus enfeoffed, tell the said plaintiffs, advocates, and others that they are defeated, and threaten them for their lords and masters, and say that if they are so bold as to pursue any claim against their lords' followers, that they will be beaten and slain if they do not cease their actions and claims: so that because of such threats many do not dare to pursue their right, through fear being maimed or killed. |
| Par qoy suppliont qe tieux douns < desore > soient defenduz, et qe bon et hastief remedie sur cest meschief soit ordeigne, pur salvacion de la leye de la terre, quele le roi est tenuz de sustiner et mayntenir. Qar autrement deins brief temps le roialme d'Engleterre serra sanz ley, qe serroit deshonour au roi, et cause de destruccion de son roialme. | Wherefore they pray that such gifts shall henceforth be forbidden, and that a swift and effective remedy shall be ordained for this trouble, to preserve the law of the land, which the king is obliged to uphold and maintain. For otherwise, within a short time the kingdom of England will be without law, which would be dishonourable to the king, and cause the destruction of his kingdom. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi le voet; et en outre, pur ce qe pleinte est faite al roi qe plusours disseisont meintesfoitz autres de lour tenementz, et maintenant apres la disseisine faite font diverses alienacions et feffementz aucun foitz as seignours et grauntz du roialme pur maintenance, et aucun foitz as plusours diverses persones, des queux les disseisiz ne poent avoir conissance de lour nouns, au fyn d'aloigner les ditz disseisez et lour heirs par tielx fraudes de lour recoverir, ordene est et establiz qe desore tieux alienacions par fraudes ne soient faitz; et si aucuns soient faitz, soient tenuz pur nulles. Et qe les ditz disseisez eient lour recoverir vers les primeres disseisours, sibien des ditz terres et tenementz come des double damages, sanz avoir regarde de tieux alienacions, par issint qe les ditz disseisiz comencent lour suites deins l'an prochein apres la disseisine faite. Et est ordeignez qe mesme l'estatut tiegne auxi bien en chescun autre accion de terre, ou tieux feffementz sont faitz par fraude, d'avoir lour recoverir vers le primer occupiour, ent parnant le profit. (fn. iii-3-418-1) | The king wills it; and further, because complaint is made to the king that many often disseise others of their tenements, and immediately after the disseisin, make various alienations and enfeoffments, sometimes to lords and great men of the kingdom for maintenance, and sometimes to many other people, of whose names the disseised have no knowledge, with the intention of denying by such frauds the said disseised and their heirs their recovery, it is ordained and established that henceforth there shall be no such fraudulent alienations; and if any are made, they shall be deemed null. And that the said disseised shall have their recovery from the principal disseisors, both of the said lands and tenements as well as double damages, without regard to such alienations, provided that the said disseised begin their suits within a year of the disseisin made. And it is ordained that the same statute should apply as well in every other action of land, where such enfeoffments are made by fraud, for the disseised to recover from the principal occupant, taking the profit from it. (fn. iii-3-418-1) |
| XLIII. | XLIII. [Peter's pence.] |
| 84. Item, supplient qe y puisse estre declaree en cest present parlement, si la charge de le denier seint piere, appelle Rome-peny, serra leve des dites communes, et paie al collectour nostre seint piere le pape, ou noun. | 84. Also, they pray that it be announced in this parliament whether the burden of Peter's Pence, called Rome-penny, is to be levied from the said commons, and paid to the collector of our holy father the pope, or not. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit fait come devant ad este usee. | Let it be done as has reasonably been done in the past. |
| XLIIII. | XLIIII. [Nisi prius.] |
| 85. Item, supplient les dites communes: qe justices assignez en paiis de prendre assises, poient prendre nisi prius des mises et issues prises entre le roi et autres persones de l'escheker, come ils poont des issues en le bank du roi, et commune bank. | 85. Also, the said commons pray that the justices appointed in the counties to hold assizes, take nisi prius for expenses and issues taken between the king and other persons from the exchequer, as they are able to do from issues in the king's bench and common bench. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| En soit fait come devaunt ad este resonablement usee. | Let it be done as has reasonably been done in the past. |
| XLV. | XLV. [Mort d'homme.] |
| 86. Item, supplient les dites communes: qe come les viscountz en lour tournes ont pris plusours enditementz du mort de homme, par cause des queux les ditz enditez sount pris et enprisonez, et mys as graundes raunsons, et ne purront avoir nulle deliverance devant justices assignez as gaoles deliverer, a cause qe aucuns des justices teignent en lour opinions qe les ditz viscountz en lour dites tournes n'ount mye poiar de prendre tielx enditementz. | 86. Also, the said commons pray that whereas the sheriffs on their tourns have received many indictments of mort de homme, whereupon those indicted are taken and imprisoned, and held for great ransoms, and can have no deliverance before the justices assigned to gaol-delivery, because some of the justices hold the opinion that the said sheriffs on their said tourns have no authority to accept such indictments. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit seignour le roy et a son bon conseil ent ordeigner remedie, pur Dieux, et en eovre de charite. | May it please our said lord the king and his good council to provide remedy therefor, for God and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Es countees de Northumbr', Cumbr' et Westmerl' soit fait come devant ent y ad este usez; (fn. iii-3-436-1) et es autres parties del roialme, se < tiegnent > Les ancienes leyes. | In the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland let it be done as has been done in the past; (fn. iii-3-436-1) and let the ancient laws be kept in other parts of the kingdom. |
| XLVI. | XLVI. [Actions before the officers or councillors.] |
| 87. Item, qe querele entre parties ne soit attemptez terminez devant seignours ne officers du [col. b] conseil, mes qe la commune ley courge sanz estre tarie par eux es lieux ou y soloient d'ancien temps estre terminez, s'il ne soit tiele querele, et encontre si graunde persone, qe homme ne suppose aillours d'avoir droit. | 87. Also, that no attempt should be made to settle a dispute between parties before lords or officers of the [col. b] council, but that the common law should take its course without being delayed by them in places where it used to be determined, unless the suit is of such a nature, and against so great a person, that one might not expect to have justice elsewhere. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| XLVII. | XLVII. [Exemplifications of Domesday Book.] |
| 88. A nostre seignour le roi et a consail du parlement monstrent la commune du roialme, q'en plusours parties de roialme d'Engleterre les villeyns, et terre-tenauntz en villenage, qi deivont services et custumes as seignours par quelconqe cause deins diverses seignouries, sibien de seint esglise come des laies seignouries, ount par conseil, procurement, meyntenance, et abettement de certeines persones pur profit pris des villeyns et terre-tenauntz sus ditz, purchacent en court le roi exemplificacions de le livre de Domesday, des manoirs et villes deins queux les ditz villeyns et terre-tenauntz sont demourantz; par colour des queux exemplificacions, par mal entendement de ycels, et par mavoise interpretacioun faites par les ditz consaillers, procurours, maintenours, et abettours ils ount retret et retreount lour custumes et services dues a lours seignours, entendauntz q'ils sont quitement deschargeez de toute manere servage due sibien de lour corps come de lour tenures susditz: et ount denoie as ministres des ditz seignours de les destreindre pur les custumes et services susditz, et sont confedres et entrealies de countrestere lour ditz seignours et lour ministres a fortmayn: et qe chescun serra aidant a autre a quele heure q'ils soient destreinez par celle cause; et manacent les ministres lour ditz seignours de les tuer si les destreinount pur les custumes et services susditz, issint qe les seignours et lour ministres ne les destreinent pas pur lour custumes et services, pur doute de mort de homme qe de leger purroit avener par lour rebellion et recistence. Et issint les ditz seignours perdount et ount perdu graunt profit de lour seignories, a tresgraunde dishereticion et anientisement de lour estat, et les blees des plusours parties du roialme demurount nient scies, et sont peris pur touz jours a la cause susdit, a graunt damage de toute la comune; issint qe l'ein doute, qe si hastive remedie ne soit mis, qe de leger < gere > purroit sourder deins mesme le roialme a cause de lour rebellion susdit, ou q'ils soy aherderont as enemys de delaa pur soy venger de lours seignours, si sodeyne venue des ditz enemys y fuist. Et pur sustenaunce des queux errours et rebellions y ount coilles entre eux grauntz sumez de deniers, pur mettre costages et despences. Et sont venuz si a court ore a present plusours d'eux, pur avoir counfort de lour purpos susdit. | 88. To our lord the king and to the council of parliament the commons of the realm show: that in many parts of the kingdom of England the villeins and those holding lands in villeinage, who owe services and customary dues to lords for whatever reason within various lordships, as well of holy church as of lay lordships, have by counsel, procurement, maintenance and manipulation of certain persons, for money received from the aforesaid villeins and tenants, purchased in the king's court exemplifications from Domesday Book, concerning the manors and lands in which the said villeins and tenants reside; by colour of which copies, through the evil intention of the same, and through wicked interpretations provided by the said counsellors, procurers, maintainers, and abettors, they have withdrawn and do withdraw the customs and services they owe from their lords, claiming that they are entirely released from all manner of service as well of their bodies as for their aforesaid holdings: and have prevented the ministers of the said lords from distraining them to perform the aforesaid customs and services, and have formed leagues and confederacies forcibly to oppose their said lords and ministers: and each is supported by the others when they are distrained for that reason; and they threaten to kill the ministers of their said lords if they distrain them for the aforesaid customs and services, so that the lords and their ministers do not distrain them for their customs and services, through fear of death which might arise from their rebellion and resistance. And therefore the said lords lose and have lost large profits from their lordships, bringing about their disinheritance and injury to their estate, and the crops of many in the realm remain unreaped, and have perished forever for that reason, to the great injury of all the community; so it is feared, if remedy be not swiftly provided, that war might arise within the same kingdom because of their aforesaid rebellion, or that they might ally themselves to the enemies from overseas to seek vengeance on their lords, if the said enemies make some inroad. And for the support of such misdeeds they have collected amongst themselves large sums of money, to meet costs and expenses. And many of them have now come to court to gain support for their aforesaid purpose. |
| Par qoy plese a nostre dit seignour le roi et au conseil, de ent ordeigner due et hastive remedie, auxi bien devers les ditz conseillers, procurours, meyntenours, et abettours come devers les < ditz > Villeins et terre-tenauntz, et nomement devers eux qi sont venuz a present, come dit est, issint qe les demourantz al hostel puissent avoir conissance de lour chastmement et pur eschuere tiel peril come nadgairs sourdy en la roialme de Fraunce par tiel rebellioun et entre alliaunce des villeins encontre lour seignours. | Wherefore may it please our said lord the king and the council to ordain a swift and fitting remedy for this, against the said counsellors, procurers, maintainers, and abettors, as well as against the said villeins and tenants, and especially against those who have appeared here now, as has been said, in order that those staying in the household might have knowledge of their punishment and to avert the kind of peril which has previously arisen in the kingdom of France through such rebellions and alliances of villeins against their lords. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant as exemplifications grauntez et faites en la chauncellerie, est declaree en parlement qe celles ne lour poent ou doivent valer ou lieu tenir quant a la fraunchise de lour corps, ne a chaunger la condicion de lour tenure et custumes ancienement dues, ne faire prejudice as seignours, d'avoir lour services et custumes come ils soloient d'ancien temps: et ent aient les seignours patentes sonz le graunt seal faites sur < ceste declaration, > s'ils < les > Verront avoir. Et quant al remenant del dit article, eient les seignours qe se sentent grevez commissions especialx souz le graunt seal as justices de la paiis, ou a autres persones suffisantz, d'enquerre de touz tieles rebelx, et de lour conseillours, procurours, meyntenours, et abettours: et de ceux qi ent serront enditez [p. iii-22][col. a] devaunt eux, sibien pur le temps passez come avenir, emprisoner, sanz estre deliverez hors de prisoun par maynprise, bail, n'autrement, sanz assent de lour seignours, tanqe ils soient atteintez ou acquitez. Et s'ils soient de ceo atteintz, ne soient aucunement deliverez les ditz tenantz rebelx, tanqe ils aient fait fyn au roi, et aient l'assent de lour ditz seignours: sauvant tutdys quant as ditz fyns les fraunchises et libertees des seignours q'ount fyns et amerciamentz de lour tenauntz. Et quant as conseillours, procurours, meyntenours et abettours, soit au tiel proces, et semblablement fait, et q'ils ne soient nullement deliverez tanqe ils eient fait fyn au roi et gree as seignours ensi grevez solonc lour estatz, et la quantite de lour trespas, si mesmes les seignours veullent suire envers eux par brief ou par bille. Sauvant les fraunchises et libertees des seignours, come desus est dit. (fn. iii-3-448-1) | As for the copies granted and made in the chancery, it was declared in parliament that these could not nor should not have value or force in respect of the franchise of their persons, nor change the condition of their tenure and customs due of old, nor work to the prejudice of the lords enjoying their services and customs as they used to long ago: and let the lords have letters patent made under the great seal on this declaration, if they wish to have them. And as for the rest of the article, let the lords who feel aggrieved have special commissions under the great seal to the justices in the counties, or to other worthy persons, to enquire about all such rebels, and their counsellors, procurers, maintainers, and abettors: and those who shall be indicted [p. iii-22][col. a] before them, both in time past as well as time to come, let them be imprisoned and not released without the assent of their lords by mainprise, bail, or any other means, until they be attainted or acquitted. And if they be attainted thereof, the said rebellious tenants shall not be freed in any way until they have paid the king a fine, and have the assent of their said lords: saving always with regard to the said fines the franchises and liberties of the lords who have the fines and amercements of their tenants. And as for the counsellors, procurers, maintainers, and abettors let there again be such a process, similarly carried out, and they shall never be freed until they have paid the king a fine and compensated the lords thus aggrieved in accordance with their estates, and the degree of their wrongdoing, if the same lords wish to proceed against them by writ or by bill. Saving the franchises and liberties of the lords, as said above. (fn. iii-3-448-1) |
| XLVIII. | XLVIII. [Exemptions from office.] |
| 89. Item, supplient sibien voz povres bachilers et esquiers de vostre roialme queux ceo sont travaillez en voz diverses guerres, et auxint ceux qe sount a travaillers, come voz autres lieges qe soient passez l'age de cessant anz, qe vous plese de vostre bone grace a eux graunter q'ils ne soient mis en office de viscont, eschetour, coroner, couillour; ne mis en jures, n'en nulles autres offices portantz chargez ou travailles, encountre lour gree: et qe si nulle qe soit passe l'age susdit soit greve par amercimentes, issues, fyns, ou peynes, absent ou present, contre la tenure de vostre dite graunte, q'ils de ceo soient en toutes voz courtes deschargez, siqe partie de lour vie puissent Dieux et eux mesmes servir. | 89. Also, the poor gentlemen and squires of your kingdom, both those who have served in your various wars, as well as those who are to serve, and your other lieges who are aged sixty or over, request that it might please you in your good grace to grant them that they shall not be appointed to the office of sheriff, escheator, coroner, collector nor placed on a jury, nor in any other burdensome or costly offices, contrary to their will: and if anyone who has passed the aforesaid age, absent or present, be injured by amercements, issues, fines or penalties, absent or present, contrary to the tenor of your said grant, that they be released from your courts, so that they may be free to serve God and themselves. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy, par advis de son conseil, ferra desporter tielles persones travaillez en la guerre la ou < luy > semble qe soit affaire. Et quant a ceux qi sont issint enveillez et impotentz, il y a estatut en le cas quel le roi voet qe soit fermement tenuz et gardez en touz pointz. (fn. iii-3-454-1) | The king, by the advice of his council, will deploy such persons serving in the wars wheresoever it seems to him that they are needed. And with regard to those who are old and weak, there is a statute on the matter which the king wishes to be firmly kept and upheld in all detail. (fn. iii-3-454-1) |
| [memb. 12] | |
| XLIX. | XLIX. [Bigamy.] |
| 90. Item, supplient les dites communes qe excepcion de bigamye ne soit allowe devaunt nulle de voz justices en cas de felonie, mes q'il eit privilege de sa clergie, nient contreesteaunt la bigamye. | 90. Also, the said commons pray that exception of bigamy should not be allowed before any of your justices in a case of felony, but that he may have privilege of clergy, notwithstanding the bigamy. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Courgee la leye devant usee. | Let the law take its established course. |
| L. | L. [Expulsion of aliens.] |
| 91. Item, supplient les dites communes: qe come diverses profites sourdantz de la terre mesme, a graunde somme par an, sont resceuz par les mayns des enemys en la terre, sibien en sustenaunce de eux qe sont deins le roialme demurantz, come en sustenaunce et confort des enemys par dehors, a graunde damage du roi nostre seignour par moult des voies, come l'en purra declarer, et en la soeffrance graunde simplesse. | 91. Also, the said commons pray that whereas various profits arising from the land, amounting to a great sum each year, are received into the hands of the enemy in the land, both in supporting those who live within the kingdom, as well as provisioning and supporting enemies without, greatly injuring the king in divers ways, which could be revealed, and which it would be foolish to tolerate. |
| Qe plese ore ordeigner qe touz maners des aliens enemys, sibien religiouses come autres, puissent estre voidez hors de le roialme parentre cy et la chaundeleure, pur touz jours durant la guerre: et qe touz les profitz prises ore par eux purront entierment estre approwez en eide de la guerre, en supportacion du people, parensi qe les seignours qe sont lour fundours et patrones purrent avoir touz lour possessions en lour ordeignaunce, paiantz au roi a tant come aucun autre durant la guerre; ordeignantz en chescun lieu divine service estre fait, de resonable nombre des Engleis la ou les ditz enemys a ore fount colour pur lour demure par divine service. En quele chose fesant une graunde somme ent serra approwez a la guerre par mye le roialme, et moult des choses de noz ordinaunces nient conuz a noz enemys, q'ore sont descovertez et espies par les persones avaunt nomez, en graunde arerissement et desceit de chescun bon purpos. Considerantz ovesqe ceo qe nulle de nostre lange, de quel condicion q'il soit, ne poet estre soeffert, ne graunde temps ad estee, deins la terre de noz enemys, pur nulle rien de mounde, sur peril de sa vie. (fn. iii-3-464a-1) | May it please you now to ordain that all manner of alien enemies, both religious and others, be banished from the realm between now and Candlemas [2 February 1378], for the duration of the war: and that all the profits now received by them be spent entirely on the said war, in support of the people, so that the lords who are founders and patrons may have all their possessions under their sway, paying to the king as much as any other for the duration of the war; ordaining divine service to be performed in every place by a suitable number of Englishmen; for the said enemies at present excuse their stay by maintaining divine service. And thereby a large sum can be set aside for the war throughout the kingdom, and many things in our ordinances concealed from our enemies, which have now been discovered and spied upon by the aforenamed persons, to the great injury and frustration of every good purpose; also considering that no one of our mother tongue, of whatever condition he be, would be allowed to so spend any length of time in the land of our enemies, for any purpose whatsoever, on danger of his life. (fn. iii-3-464a-1) |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a ceo q'ils prient qe touz maneres des aliens des nacions enemys, sibien religieux come autres, [col. b] soient fait voider hors du roiaume parentre cy et la chaundeleure proschein, sanz revenir durantes les guerres, le roi le voet, horspris les priours conventuelle, et autres persones q'ount title a terme de vie en lour benefices ou offices, et conuz pur bones persones et loiaulx, et nyent suspectes d'espiaille ne d'autre prejudice au roi ne au roialme. Et horspris auxi les seculers, queux sont mariez, ou enheritez, ou autrement demurez avec les seignours dedeins le roialme, et sont conuz bons et loiaulx a nostre dit seignour le roi et a son roialme, et nient suspectez, et poent trover suffisaunte seourtee de lour loiaultee et bon port devers nostre dit seignour le roi et son dit roiaume. Et voet nostre dit seignour le roi qe ceux priours conventuelle, et autres persones exceptez, come dit est, demoergent continuelment pardecea, sanz passer ne envoier hors du roialme, ne recevoir lettre ne message de dela, durantes les guerres ou trewes parentre nostre seignour le roi et ses enemys, si celles lettres et messages ne soient primerement monstrez au roi ou a son conseil, sur peyne de forfaiture de quanqe ils purront [forfaire a nostre] dit seignour le roi en corps et < en biens. > | As for what they request, that all kinds of aliens from enemy nations, both religious as well as others, [col. b] should be banished from the kingdom between now and next Candlemas [2 February 1378], without returning during the wars, the king wills it, except for conventual priors and others who hold a title for life in their benefices or offices, and who are known by good and loyal people, and are not suspected of espionage or any other injury against the king or kingdom. And excepting also lay people, who are married, or heirs, or otherwise dwell with the lords in the realm, and are known to be good and loyal to our said lord the king and his kingdom, and are not suspected, and can find sufficient surety for their loyalty and good bearing towards our said lord the king and his said kingdom. And our said lord the king wills that those conventual priors, and the other people excepted, as has been said, shall dwell continually on this side of the sea, without leaving or sending anyone outside the kingdom, or receiving letters or messages from overseas, during the wars or truces between our lord the king and his enemies, unless such letters and messages have been first shown to the king or his council, on pain of forfeiting whatsoever they have to forfeit to our said lord the king in their persons and goods. |
| Et sur ce soit fait proclamacion en touz les lieux notables en chescun countee qe touz les autres aliens enemys nient [exceptez par desus,] sibien freres mendinantz come autres persones religieux et seculers qeconqes, voident le roialme dedeins le dit jour de la chaundeleure, sur la peine avantdite, [et q'ils] passent touz au port de Dovorre par brief du roi, et nemye aillours, et d'illoqes au port de Caleys. Et qe illoqes soient deputes certeins suffisantz serchours [pur les sercher] q'ils n'apportent or, n'argent, < en plate ne en vesselle, n'autre chose, forsqe les deniers > pur lour despenses necessaires. Et qe par nulle paiement, ne par eschaunge, en or, argent, plate, vesselle, ne marchandise qeconqes, riens pluis ne soit tret, apportes, n'envoiez hors du roialme desore en avant par nulle de touz les aliens dessus ditz, ne a lour profit auxi poy par ceux qe demurrerent pardecea come dit est, come par les autres qeconqes, sur peyne de quanqe purra estre forfait a nostre dit seignour le roi, sibien par les eschangeours come par les ditz aliens mesmes. Et ceux qi serront trovez deins le roialme apres le dit jour encontre ceste ordinaunce, soient pris et raunsonez, et ceux qe les prendront averont la tierce partie de lour raunson, et le roi le remanant. Et a quele heure qe les dites priories conventuelle et autres benefices et offices issint eues par le title qe dessuz est dit voident par le ces ou deces des ditz priours et autres occupiours, qe ore sont [...] autre manere durantes les guerres, qe honestes persones Engleys y soient mys en lieux de eux, pur acomplir le divine service, et nul des enemys susditz. Et [au] fyn qe le divin service soit sustenuz en les ditz priores aliens, est ordenez qe chescun esvesqe en sa diocise, a la presentacion des patrones fundours de mesmes les priories, ferra accepter et mettre en ycelles autres honestes persones religieux mesons Engloys, ou bons et honestes chapellains seculers, pur demurrer et avoir covenable sustenaunce en les dites priories, affaire le divin service en ycelles durantes les guerres, jusqes a nombre q'est a present en chescun des dites priories. < Et qe de ce qe purra estre levez des profites > des dites priories outre les charges susditz le roi soit responduz, en eide de soun estat, en descharge pur tant de son people. Et si aucunes priories y soient qe sont droitement funduz de spiritualtee, ou autrement esglises parochieles appropriez as tieux maisons aliens, et les priours, ou autres possessours de ycelles qi demurront deins le roialme par cest accord ne vorront ou ne purront les prendre a resonable ferme de nostre seignour le roi, adonqes soient celles priories et esglises durant la guerre lessez a ferme as autres suffisantz gentz de seint esglise, troefsantz seurtee suffisante d'y sustenir le divin service acustume, et sustenir et garder les priories, esglises, maisons, boys, et autres appurtenir sanz gast, exil, ou destruccion, et a les ditz priours ou autres tielx possessours, et lour moignes ou chapeleins, lour sustenaunces [p. iii-23][col. a] et vesture covenablement. Et quant as baillies, et autres lour possessions qi sont de temporaltee, soit proclamacion faite parmye les contees qe quelconqe persone suffisant les vorra prendre a ferme de nostre seignour le roi a pluis haut pris, il les avera durant la guerre, troefsant suertee suffisante de les salver de tout gast et exil, et de trover les divins services, almoigns, es manoirs et baillies issint de lay fee; salvaunt au roi qe par l'advis en son graunt conseil puisse despenser avec eulx qe lui semblera mieltz affaire. | Whereupon, let proclamation be made in all the chief places in each county that all other alien enemies not excepted as above, as well mendicant friars as other religious and lay persons of any kind, are to leave the realm before the said day of Candlemas [2 February 1378], on pain of the aforesaid penalty, and that they shall all journey to the port of Dover by the king's writ, and nowhere else, and from there to the port of Calais. And that there certain worthy searchers shall be appointed to search them to ensure that they are not carrying gold nor silver, in plate nor in vessel, nor anything else, except money for their necessary expenses. And that by no payment, nor exchange, in gold, silver, plate, vessel, nor merchandise of any sort, should anything else be taken, carried, or sent outside the kingdom henceforth by any of the aforesaid aliens, nor by those remaining here as was said, for their own profit, nor by any others, on pain of the said exchangers as well as the said aliens themselves forfeiting whatever they have to forfeit to our said lord the king. And those who shall be found within the kingdom after the said day contrary to this ordinance, shall be taken and held to ransom, and those who take them shall have a third of their ransom, and the king the remainder. And when the said conventual priories, and other benefices and offices thus held by the title mentioned above, fall vacant by the resignation or death of the said priors and other occupants, now in office [...] in other manner during the wars, that honest Englishmen shall be appointed in their place, to perform divine service, and none of the aforesaid enemies. And so that divine service may be maintained in the said alien priories, it is ordained that each bishop in his diocese, at the presentation of the patron founders of the same priories, shall cause to be accepted and appointed there other honest religious persons from English houses, or good and honest secular chaplains, to remain and receive suitable sustenance in the said priories, to perform divine service in the same during the wars, up to the number now in each of the said priories. And as for that which can be levied from the profits of the said priories in addition to the aforesaid charges, the king will answer, aiding his estate and relieving his people. And if there be any priories which have been duly founded by a spirituality, or parochial churches appropriated to such alien houses, and the priors, or other owners of the same who dwell within the kingdom under this agreement do not wish or are unable to take them at a reasonable farm from our lord the king, then those priories and churches shall, during the war, be leased at farm to other worthy persons of holy church, upon their giving an adequate guarantee of their ability to maintain the customary divine service, and support and protect the priories, churches, houses, woods, and other things pertaining to them without waste, ruin or destruction, and supplying the said priors and other such owners, and their monks or chaplains, with fitting sustenance [p. iii-23][col. a] and clothing. And as for bailiwicks and other their temporal possessions, proclamation shall be made throughout the counties that whatsoever worthy person wishes to take them at farm from our lord the king at the highest price, shall have them for the duration of the war, on giving adequate reassurance of being able to save them from all waste and ruin, and of providing divine service and alms in the manors and bailliwicks of lay fee; saving to the king that by the advice of his great council he might except any who seem useful to him. |
| LI. | LI. [Maintenance and livery.] |
| 92. Item, supplient la commune: pur ceo q'en plusours lieux du roialme est usee qe diverses gentz de petitz garisons de terre ou de rent facent graunde mayntenance de quereles, et retenues des gentz sibien des esquiers come des autres, donant a eux lour [liverees,] et pernantz la value d'icelle, ou la double, pur eux mayntenir en quereles, et auxi par alliaunce et affinitees faites par tieux gentz pur eux vestier sont entreseureez chescun a maintener autre querel resonable, et noun resonable, a graunde meschief du people: si priont qe sufficient remedie par bone chasticement du corps et de biens en ceo cas soit ordeigne. | 92. Also, the commons pray that whereas in many places in the kingdom it is customary for many people with small holdings of land or rent to perform great maintenance in lawsuits, and keep retinues of men, as well of squires as of others, giving them liveries, and taking the value of the same or double, to support them in disputes, and also because by alliances and affinities made by such people to give their livery, they are there bound to support both reasonable and unreasonable suits, to the great injury of the people: therefore they pray that adequate remedy be ordained in the matter to punish them in their persons and their possessions. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il y a estatutz et ordeinaunces en le cas, et auxint la commune loye y seit, les queux le roi voet qe soient mys en execucion. Et oultre ce soit crie faite parmie le roialme qe nulle liveree de chaperons, n'autrement, soit desormes donee, pur maintenance des quereles, n'autre confederacie, sur peyne d'emprisonement et grevouse forfaiture. Et enquergent les justices des assises en lour sessions diligeaument de touz ceux qi se coillent ensemble en fraternitee par tiele liveree affaire maintenance, et ceux qi serront trovez coupables soient duement puniz chescun solonc la quantitee de sa desert. (fn. iii-3-473-1) | There are statutes and ordinances thereon, and there is also the common law, which the king wills to be enforced. Furthermore, let it be proclaimed throughout the kingdom that no livery of hoods, nor any other, shall henceforth be given for the maintenance of lawsuits, or any other confederacy, on pain of imprisonment and heavy forfeiture. And let the justices of the assizes make thorough enquiries in their sessions concerning all those who have banded themselves together in such fraternities through such livery to effect maintenance, and those who are found guilty shall be duly punished, according to their deserts. (fn. iii-3-473-1) |
| LII. | LII. [Purgation of notorious criminals.] |
| 93. Item, priont la comune: qe si ascun robbour ou tuour des gentz soit atteint et convicte a prisoun de evesqe, defamez pur commune tuour ou commune robbour, qe plese as evesqes meux estre avisez de lour purgacion qe devant ces heures n'ad este usee, en eschieuant graunde damage del people. | 93. Also, the commons pray that if any robber or murderer be attainted and convicted to the bishop's prison, defamed as a common murderer or robber, that it shall please the bishops to be better advised upon their purgation than they have lately been, to avoid great injury to the people. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi ad chargez les prelatz q'ils se abstiennent mieltz de faire tielles [purgacions, et especialment des communes] et notoirs felons; et s'ils ne le facent, le roi ent ordeignera par advis des seignours d'autre remedie covenable. | The king has charged the prelates that they should rather abstain from making such purgations, and especially in respect of common and notorious criminals; and if they do not, the king will ordain some remedy by the advice of the lords. |
| LIII. | LIII. [Escheators.] |
| 94. Item, prient la commune: qe nulle eschetour face seisir terres ne tenementz de frank homme pur ascune [enqueste de office] trove pur le roi tanqe brief de scire facias hors del chauncellerie soit issis al terre-tenaunt; et qe par due processe il soit adjugge et descusse qe le dite [terre ou tenement soit de] droit appartenant a nostre dit seignour par voie d'eschete. | 94. Also, the commons pray that no escheator shall cause the lands or tenements of a free man to be seized for any ex officio inquest held for the king until a writ of scire facias has been issued from the chancery to the tenant; and that it shall be adjudged and discussed by due process whether the said land or tenement rightfully pertains to our said lord the king by way of escheat. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Ent soit usez come devant y ad este faite. | Let it be done as is accustomed. |
| LIIII. | LIIII. [Pleas referred to parliament.] |
| 95. Item, pur ce qe mayntz gentz sont delaiez en la court du roi de lour demandes, partaunt qe ascun foitz la partie allegge qe les demaundantz ne doyvent estre responduz sanz le roi, et ascun foitz la partie pleintif allegge en mesme la manere, et auxint [moult des gentz grevez] par les ministres du roi, encountre droiture: des queux grevances homme ne purra avoir recoverir sanz commune parlement. | 95. Also, whereas the pleas of many are delayed in the king's court, sometimes because the other party alleges that the claimants ought not to be answered without the king, and sometimes the plaintiffs allege the same, and also many are oppressed by the king's ministers, contrary to right: which grievances cannot be redressed without common parliament. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit seignour de tenir [parlement] un foitz par an au meynz, et ceo en lieu covenable: et q'en mesmes les parlementz soient les plees qe en la dite forme delaiez, et les plees la ou les justices [sont en diverses] opinions recordez et terminez: et q'en mesme la manere purrent les billes estre terminez qe serront [liverez] en parlement si avaunt come raison et ley demaunde. | May it please our said lord the king to hold a parliament at least once a year, and that in a convenient place: and that in the same parliaments the pleas which are delayed in the said manner, and the pleas in which the justices differ in their opinions shall be recorded and determined: and that in a similar manner bills shall be settled which are submitted in parliament as aforesaid, as reason and law require. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a ceo qe parlement serroit tenuz chescun an, soient les estatutz ent faitz tenuz et gardez; mais [quant] [col. b] al lieu ou [le] parlement se tendra, le roi ent ferra sa volentee. Et quant as plees des quelles les justices serroient en diverses opinions, il y a estatutz ent faitz, queux le roi voet qe soient tardez et fermement tenuz. (fn. iii-3-491-1) | In respect of the request that parliament be held once a year, let the statutes made thereon be kept and upheld; but as [col. b] to the place where parliament shall be held, the king will act as he chooses. And with regard to pleas in which the justices are of differing opinions, there are statutes made thereon, which the king wishes to remain in force and be firmly upheld. (fn. iii-3-491-1) |
| LV. | LV. [Pleas delayed by privy seal and signet letters.] |
| 96. Item, purceo qe < la ley de la terre et commune droit ont estez > sovent delaiez par lettres issues sibien desouz prive seal le roi come de secret signet, a graunde grevaunce du people. | 96. Also, whereas the law of the land and common right have often been delayed by letters issued both under the privy seal of the king as well as the secret signet, to the great injury of the people. |
| Qe plese a nostre seignour qe desoremes la ley de la terre ne commune droit ne soient delaiez ne destourbez par lettres des ditz sealx; et si rien soit fait en nulle place de la court nostre seignour le roi, ou aillours, par tielx lettres issues desouthe les ditz sealx encountre droiture et ley de la terre, rien ne vaille, et [pur] nient soit tenuz. | May it please our lord that henceforth neither the law of the land nor common right shall be delayed or disrupted by letters under the said seals; and if anything is done in any part of the court of our said lord the king, or elsewhere, by such letters issued under the said seals, contrary to right and the law of the land, it shall be invalid and held at naught. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Se tiegnent les estatutz ent faitz en touz pointz. (fn. iii-3-497-1) | Let the statutes concerning this remain in force in all respects. (fn. iii-3-497-1) |
| LVI. | LVI. [Misuse of protections.] |
| 97. Item, pur ceo qe moult des gentz sont delaiez de lour suyte en courtees par proteccions grauntez as gentz qe soy feignent d'aler en service du roy, et ne sont mye, mes qe pur delaier la suyte le pleintiff auxi bien en plee de terre, come des dettes, ou trespas. Et pur tiel malice restreindre y plese a nostre dit seignour qe si le tenaunt en plee de terre use la proteccioun nostre seignour le roi apres apparance, et le demaundant puisse < averrer > qe le tenaunt ne fuist mie en service le roi le jour qe la plee demurra saunz jour par la proteccion, soit l'absence du tenaunt journee defaute. Et si le tenaunt use proteccion avant apparance, qe bien list al demaundant, s'il entent son profit affaire, de prendre brief en chauncellerie sur le tenaunt d'averrer q'il ne fuist mie en service du roi le jour qe la suite fuist delaie par la proteccion. Et si le tenaunt de ceo soit atteint, soient agardez al demandant ses damages par descressioun des justices, eiant regard a son purchas, costages, mises et perdes; et soit le tenant jugge a prisoun. | 97. Also, whereas many are delayed in their suits in courts by protections granted to persons who pretend to be in the service of the king when they are not, merely to delay the plaintiff's suit, as well in pleas of land as in debt and trespass, to curb such wrongdoing may it please our said lord that if the tenant in a plea of land produce the protection of our lord the king after appearing in court, and the claimant is able to prove that the tenant was not indeed in the king's service on the day when the plea was delayed sine die by the protection, let the absence of the tenant count as default. And if the tenant claim protection before appearing, then it shall be lawful for the claimant, if he choose to take advantage of it, to take a writ in the chancery averring that the tenant was not in the king's service on the day when the suit was delayed by the protection. And if the tenant be thus attainted, let the claimant be awarded damages at the discretion of the justices, with due regard given for his purchase, expenses, outlay, and losses; and let the tenant be adjudged to prison. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Adverement ne gist mye en le cas. Et quant al remenant de la peticion la commune ley y sert assez bien. Et si aucun ait proteccioun, et la courte le roi soit acertee de cause resonable pur qoy ce doit estre repellee, en tieu cas serra la proteccion repellee. Et est assentuz qe nulle proteccion soit alloue devant aucune juge pur vitailles achatez ou prises sur le viage ou service dont la proteccion fait mencion, ne auxint pur trespas ou contract faitz [puis] La date de mesme la proteccion fait. (fn. iii-3-503-1) | Averment does not lie in such an action. And for the rest of the petition the common law will serve well enough. And if anyone has protection, and the king's court has sufficient grounds for believing that it should be repealed, then let the protection be repealed. And it is agreed that no protection shall be allowed before any judge merely for victuals bought or taken in the course of the journey or service of which the protection makes mention, or for trespass or contracts made since the date when the said protection was granted. (fn. iii-3-503-1) |
| [memb. 13] | |
| LVII. | LVII. [The staple.] |
| 98. Item, priont les communes, pur le bien du roi, des seignours, et toute le roialme: qe la ou les leynes et autres marchaundises del roialme repeiront al estaple, puisse a present estre ordeigne par bone descrecion meillour et plus seure garde qe n'ad estee fait devaunt la guerre: considerant sibien q'en les ditz leynes et marchaundises illoeqes repeirables la substance de toute la tresore du roialme si est contenuz, come pur le desir du dit richesse les enemys lour enforcent pur ceo atteindre, come Dieux defende. Et si tiel cas aviegne parentre un parlement et un autre, qe la poiar des enemys fuisse si graunde en la course des marchantz sur la meer, ou environ la ville ou l'estaple est, qe les marchantz sibien vendours come achatours ne purront ne n'oseront illoeqes repoirer, sibien pur doute de lour vies come de lour biens. | 98. Also, the commons, for the good of the king, the lords and all the kingdom pray that whereas wool and other merchandise of the kingdom goes to the staple, there might now be ordained, with wise discretion, a better and greater safeguard than that in place before the war: considering that the substance of all the kingdom's treasure lies in the said wool and merchandise returnable there, and that out of lust for the said riches the enemies would attack them to secure it, which God forbid. And so it has come about, between one parliament and the next, that the power of the enemy is so great in the routes of the merchants on the sea, or about the town where the staple is, that the merchants, as well sellers as buyers, cannot and dare not repair there, for fear both of their lives and their goods. |
| Qe ore plese a nostre seignour, et les seignours du parlement d'ordeigner pur tiel cas, ou pur semblable, ou et en quel lieu les marchaundises susditz purront mieux au profit du roialme repeirir, issint qe le roi, seignours, ne poeple ne soient endamagez par cause de deliverance ne issue des marchaundises avantdites. Et durant la guerre, qe les marchantz entre eux par lour commune assent puissent fraunchement lever de lour biens ceo qe lour bosoigne pur sauf-conduyt de lour biens, sibien par meer come par terre, entre Gravenyng et Caleis: et ce a tant et tant de foitz come bosoigne lour requirt, saunz offense du roi ou de ley. Purveux qe les deniers entre [p. iii-24][col. a] eux levez pur la dite cause ne soient despenduz n'enprowez a nulle autre bosoigne du roi nostre seignour, ne a l'avantage de nulle singler persone ne persones des ditz marchantz, mes soulement a commune bosoigne de salvacioun de lour ditz biens en commune, par la manere come entre eux mesmes serra assentuz. | May it now please our lord, and the lords of parliament, to ordain for such a cause or for the like, where and in what place the aforesaid merchandise might be taken for the benefit of the kingdom, so that neither the king, lords, nor people shall be injured by the deliverance or issue of the aforesaid merchandise. And for the duration of the war, that the merchants amongst themselves by their common assent might freely levy from their goods that which they need for the safe-conduct of their goods, both by sea and by land, between Gravelines and Calais: and this as much and so often as need be, without offence to the king or to the law. It being understood that the money [p. iii-24][col. a] raised amongst themselves for the said cause should be not spent or devoted to any other need of our lord the king, nor for the advantage of any individual of individuals from amongst the said merchants, but only for the general need to protect their said goods as a whole, in a manner which shall be decided amongst themselves. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant al lieu ou l'estaple de leynes serroit tenuz, si tiel cas avenoit, le roi voet qe endementiers mesme l'estaple soit tenuz deins le roialme d'Engleterre, es portz esluz ou ce fust tenuz quant estoit darreinement tenuz deins la roialme. Et quant as dites imposisions, si le cas aveigne q'ils eient busoigne de sauf-conduit pur mesmes les leynes sur le meer, et par tant lour covendra despender de lour avoir, le facent assavoir a graunt conseil, et reson lour ent serra fait. | As for the place where the staple of wool shall be held, if need be, the king wills that the same staple shall, for the present, be held in the kingdom of England, in the designated ports where it was held when it was last in the kingdom. And as for the said impositions, if it should happen that they need safe-conduct for the same wool on the sea, and for that reason they have to spend their own money, they shall make it known to the great council, and right shall be done them. |
| LVIII. | LVIII. [The bishop of Winchester.] |
| 99. Item, supplient les communes en cest present parlement assembles: qe come en le parlement tenuz a Westm' en la quinzeine de Seint Hiller darrein passe, general grace, pardoun, et remission estoit graunte par vostre aiel a touz ses subgitz et liges de son roialme d'Engleterre, de chescun manere de gree, estat, et condicion come piert en les roules de dit parlement; en la quele generale grace, pardoun, et remission le dit evesqe estoit except et forpris: et puis de vostre roiale magestee grauntastes au dit evesqe q'il averoit et enjoiereit plenement et entierment en touz pointz mesmes les graces, pardouns, et remissions faites as autres ses liges en le dit parlement par vostre dit aiel, nient contreestantz la exception et forsprise susdites. Et outre ce lui pardonastes plusours diverses articles et empeschementz a lui surmises en temps de vostre dit aiel, et autres diverses graces, pardouns, et remissions lui feistes, et des toutes les articles, empeschementz, et choses avantdites lui grauntastes et feistes faire voz graciouses < chartres > assetz pleneres, come plus plenement piert en ycelles. | 99. Also, the commons assembled in this present parliament pray that whereas in the parliament held at Westminster at the quindene of St Hilary last [27 January 1377], general grace, pardon, and remission were granted by your grandfather to all his subjects and lieges of his kingdom of England, of every degree, estate and standing, as appears in the rolls of the said parliament; from which general grace, pardon, and remission the said bishop was excepted and excluded: and subsequently your royal majesty granted to the said bishop that he might have and fully and completely enjoy in all respects the same graces, pardons, and remissions granted to his other lieges in the said parliament by your said grandfather, notwithstanding the aforesaid exception and exclusion. And further, you pardoned him on many different articles and impeachments levelled against him in the time of your said grandfather, and you granted him various other graces, pardons, and remissions, and for all those articles, accusations, and aforesaid things you granted and caused to be issued your gracious charters, as appears more fully therein. |
| Qe plese a vostre noble hautesse, de l'avys et commune assent des prelatz, duc, countes, barons et autres grauntz et communes, affermer, approver, ratifier, et confermer en cest present parlement voz dites chartres, ove touz les articles, pardons, graces, remissions, et cercumstances qecunqes en ycelles comprises, al honour de Dieu, et pur la salvacioun et seuretee de l'estat du dit evesqe, et de sa esglise de Wyncestre. | May it please your noble highness, with the advice and common assent of the prelates, dukes, earls, barons, and other great men and commons, to affirm, approve, ratify, and confirm in the present parliament your said charters, with all the articles, pardons, graces, remissions, and circumstances contained in the same, to the honour of God, and for the salvation and security of the estate of the said bishop, and of his church at Winchester. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi en sa propre persone de sa bouche demesne de commune assent et avys des prelatz, duc, countes, barons, et autres grauntz en plein parlement assemblez, ad graunte ceste peticion pleinement et en touz pointz, et quanqe en ycelle est compris. Et voet et graunte del commune assent et advis avantditz qe les chartres ou lettres des queles ceste peticion fait mencion, et les quelles feurent par bone deliberacion veues, luez, et pleinement entenduz en dit parlement, et soient ore affermez, approvez, ratifiez, et confirmez souz son grant seal, solonc le purport de mesme la peticion, et l'effect, tenour, et fourme de chartres ou lettres avantdites. (fn. iii-3-516-1) | The king in person, by his own voice and with the common assent and advice of prelates, dukes, earls, barons, and other great men assembled in full parliament, has granted this petition in its entirety and in all detail, and whatsoever is contained in the same. And he wills and grants with the aforesaid common assent and advice that the charters or letters of which this petition makes mention, and which were, with thorough deliberation viewed, read, and plainly heard in the said parliament, shall now be affirmed, approved, ratified, and confirmed under his great seal, in accordance with the purport of the same petition, and the effect, tenor, and form of the aforesaid charters or letters. (fn. iii-3-516-1) |
| [memb. 14] | |
| LIX. | LIX. [Possessory asssizes in franchise courts.].] |
| 100. Item, qe come les progenitours nostre seignour le roy ont grantez as diverses seignours, citeins, et burgeises, connyssance de touz maneres des plees de terre; et purce qe par plees d'assises de no' dis' et mort d'auncestre expresse mencion n'est pas fait en les chartres les ditz progenitours, les ditz seignours, citeins, et burgeoys n'ont eut conissance de tieux assises. | 100. Also, whereas the progenitors of our lord the king have granted to various lords, citizens and burgesses cognizance of all manner of pleas of land; and because express mention is not made of pleas of assizes of novel disseisin and mort d'ancestor in the charters of the said progenitors, the said lords, citizens and burgesses have not had cognizance of such assizes. |
| Qe plese a nostre seignour le roy q'ils qe ont tiels chartres de touz maneres plees du terre, q'ils purront par tiel parole general avoir conissance d'assises de novel disseisin, et mort d'ancestre. | May it please our said lord the king that those who have charters for all manner of pleas of land, might through such general words have cognizance of assizes of novel disseisin and mort d'ancestor. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Eient or allouance selonc la forme de leur ancienes chartres, et les allouances ent faitz devant ces heures. | Let them now have such an allowance in accordance with the form of their ancient charters, and the allowances made thereon in the past. |
| LX. | LX. [Eyres and trailbaston.] |
| 101. Item, ils prient qe nul manere de eyre, ne traillebastoun, courge el royaume durant la guerre, ou par l'espace de vynt anz. | 101. Also, they pray that no manner of eyre or trailbaston shall run in the kingdom during the war, or for a period of twenty years. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy soi avisera. | The king will consider it further. |
| [col. b] | |
| [Lords and prelates to contribute to subsidies.] | |
| 102. Item, supplie la dicte commune: qe par la ou aucune taillage ou subside est grantez a nostre dit seignour le roy, en eide de lui et de son royaume, as queux subsides et taillages chescun de ses liges serra charge selonc leur possessions et lour avoir, et les grantz seignours du roiaume, aussi bien religiouses come autres, ont plusours terres et tenementz en leur mayns, aucuns par purchace, aucuns par voidance et par eschete, queux terres et tenementz furent contributoires a les taillages et subsides et subsides avantditz: et les seignours qe ore les tiegnent et ont nulles contribucions faire ou paier ne voillent pur eux, a grande pitee et charge de voz liges avantditz. | 102. Also, the said commons pray that when a tallage or subsidy is granted to our said lord the king, in support of him and his kingdom, to which subsidies and tallages everyone of his lieges would be obliged to contribute in accordance with their possessions and property, the great lords of the kingdom, as well the religious as others, have many lands and tenements in their hands, some by purchase, some by voidance and by escheat, which lands and tenements were liable to contribute towards the aforesaid tallages and subsidies: and the lords who hold them now have not made or paid any contributions for them and will not do so, to the great sorrow and oppression of your aforesaid lieges. |
| Par quoi plese a nostre dit seignour le roy et a son bon conseil, de remede ordener pur ses liges de les grevances et charges avantditz, en eovre de charite. | Wherefore may it please our said lord the king and his good council to ordain remedy for his lieges upon the aforesaid grievances and burdens, by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Paient les gentz de seinte eglise leur afferant entre les lays gentz pur touz leur possessions qe sont devenuz a lour mayns, ou queles ils ont purchacez puis l'an .xx. e Le roy Edward filz le roy Henry. | Let those of holy church pay their share along with the laity for all the possessions which have fallen into their hands, or which they have purchased since the twentieth year of King Edward [I], son of King Henry [III] [1291-2]. |
| LXI. | LXI. [Edward III's general pardon] |
| 103. Item, purce qe le bon roy vostre ael, qi Dieu assoille, en eide de s'alme, et de la bone voillance q'il avoit a son poeple, au darein parlement, qe fust son an jubile, fist grace et pardon a son poeple, supposant en sa dite grace qe sa entente de ce en toutes choses lour deveroit valoir, ne qe subtilitee de cource de l'escheqer, ne juggement de eux ne d'autre, deveroit defaire sa dite grace en nul point qe purra estre ymagine au contraire, en especial, ne en generale. Et ore, voz ditz liges se sentent grandement greve de subtilite et ymaginacions faites au contraire l'entente de sa dite grace par ministres et juges de l'escheqer, disantz expressement au poeple qe les pointz especialx nient declarez deveront estre parcelles de son pardon, q'est vrayment le contraire de l'entente de la grace nostre bon roy, qe Dieux assoille, en especial nient expressement declarez purra valoir a vostre poeple, et l'entente de sa bone grace si avant come il eust estee declaree de point en point, et nemye estre defait par ymaginacion et subtilite de tieux ministres et juges. | 103. Also, whereas the good king, your grandfather, whom God absolve, for the salvation of his soul, and for the good will he bore towards his people, at the last parliament, which was in his jubilee year, bestowed grace and pardon on his people, in the belief that his good intent in all things would give it value, and not that cunning in the workings of the exchequer, nor their judgements nor those of others, would annul his said grace in any way which could be devised to the contrary, in particular or in general. Yet now your said lieges feel themselves greatly oppressed by the plots and devices carried out contrary to the intentions of his said grace by ministers and judges of the exchequer, who plainly inform the people that particular matters not specified ought not to be covered by his pardon, which is truly contrary to the intention of the grace of our good king, whom God absolve, and in particular, what is expressly declared might be of great value to your people, and the intention of his good grace was as though it were specified point by point, and not to be undone by the plotting and scheming of such ministers and judges. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Eient touz gentz comprises en dite pardoun allouance de toutes choses comprises deinz meisme la pardoun, si bien c'estassavoir des niefs, vitailles, artillerie, et nient expressez especialment en ycelle, come de toutz dettes et acontes en generaltee expressez en la pardoun avantdite. | Let all those included in the said pardon have allowance for all things mentioned in the same pardon, namely for ships, victuals, and artillery not given particular mention in the same, as well as all debts and accounts generally included in the aforesaid pardon. |
| LXII. | LXII. [Sheriffs and escheators.] |
| 104. Item, qe celui q'ad estee visconte du contee un an, ou eschetour du roy, ne soit deinz trois anz apres fait visconte ne eschetour, si autre en dit contee soit suffissant de possession de biens et chateux a respondre au roy et al poeple. | 104. Also, that anyone who has been sheriff of a county for a year, or the king's escheator, shall not be appointed sheriff or escheator within the next three years, if there be any in the said county sufficient in goods and chattels to answer to the king and people. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet des viscontes tantsoulement. (fn. iii-3-545-1) | The king wills it with regard to sheriffs only. (fn. iii-3-545-1) |
| LXIII. | LXIII. [Error in the exchequer.] |
| 105. Item, qe errour fait en l'escheqer puisse estre adresse en bank le roy, ou en parlement. | 105. Also, that error made in the exchequer might be amended in the king's bench, or in parliament. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il [y] ad un estatut fait en le cas, quel le roy voet qe soit tenuz. (fn. iii-3-551-1) | There is a statute made on the matter, which the king wills shall be upheld. (fn. iii-3-551-1) |
| LXIIII. | LXIIII. [Ships as deodands.] |
| 106. Item, monstrent les communes et liges du royaume q'ils sont grandement anientiz, et pluseurs de eux destruitz, par cause qe leur niefs et bateux ont estees sovent foiz devant ces heures forfaites au roy et as autres seignours de franchises, quant homme, femme, ou garceon par infortune ou mesaventure fust mort, ou par eschier des niefs, bateux, ou autre vesseux encontre la volunte de eux as queux les dites niefs, bateux, ou autres vesseux furent; et par cause de quele forfaiture les dites liges ne ont talent des niefs faire, ne leur avoir sur fesure ou reparacion d'ycelle mettre, come soleient faire en temps passe, au grande anientisement de lour [p. iii-25][col. a] navie, et damage de la terre. | 106. Also, the commons and lieges of the kingdom show that they have been greatly injured, and many of them ruined, because their ships and boats have many times in the past been forfeited to the king and to other lords of franchises, whensoever a man, woman, or boy has been killed by accident, or misadventure, or when escaping from ships, boats or other vessels against the wish of those to whom the said ships, boats, or other vessels belong; and because of that forfeiture the said lieges have no means to keep ships, or invest their money in the making or repair of the same, as they did in the past, to the great reduction of their [p. iii-25][col. a] fleet and harm to the land. |
| Dont ils prient qe plese a nostre tresredoute seignour le roy et son conseil ordener par estatut qe nulle nief ne bateu, ne nulles autres vesseux, ne soit de ore en avant forfait par cause de mort d'aucune persone en la forme sus dite, pur Dieux, et equite, et en eovre de charite, et encrese de la navye, confort de ses communes et liges, et grant profit de toute la terre en temps avenir. | Wherefore they pray that it might please our most redoubtable lord the king and his council to ordain by statute that no ship or boat, nor any other vessels, shall henceforth be forfeit for the death of anyone in the aforesaid way, for the love of God, and in equity, and by way of charity, and to strengthen the fleet to the comfort of his commons and lieges, and the great benefit of all the land in time to come. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy y ferra en eise manere a touz ceux queux ent vorront pleindre < en > especial, sauvant toutdys sa regalye. | The king will readily do that for all who wish to plead thereon in particular, saving always his regality. |
| LXV. | LXV. [Debtors.] |
| 107. Item, supplient les povres communes de la terre qe come plusours gentz a la suite des parties sont ajugez a la prisone de Flete par plee de dette en le commune bank nostre seignour le roy, et aillours, pur avoir leur recoverir, et ils sont ajugez a la prisone de Flete, le gardeyn de la dite prisone de Flete suffre plusours de les persones aler a large, et faire leur marchandisez, et vendent et achatent en paiis, en villes, et en citees, et sont les jours et les nuytz hors de prisoun a leur volunte; et par tiel colour et suffrance homme ne poet avoir lour recoverir devers eux, a grant tort et meschief et anientisment des plusours gentz. | 107. Also, the poor commons of the land pray that whereas many at the suit of parties in the common bench of our lord the king, or elsewhere, are adjudged to the prison of Fleet by plea of debt to secure recovery, the warden of the said prison of Fleet allows many such persons to wander at large, and deal in merchandise, and sell and buy in the country, in the towns, and in the cities, and they spend their days and nights outside the prison as they choose; by which colour and tolerance their creditors cannot recover against them, to the great wrong, trouble, and injury of many. |
| Par quoi plese a nostre tresredoute seignour le roy et son bon conseil, en eovre de charire, ordener remede, et outre ce comander, charger et defende qe nulle gardeyn de Flete desore ne soeffre nul prisoner, apres ce q'il soit ajugge a la prisone, aler hors du prisone, par maynprise, ne par baille, ne par bastoun, sanz gree faire as parties pleintiefs qe ont par juggement recoveriz lour dettes, s'il ne soit par briefs nostre seignur le roy, sur forfaiture de perdre son office et la garde du dite persone: et outre qe les ditz pleintiefs eient lour dettes issint ajuggez du dite gardeyn ou gardeyns du prison par briefe du roy, selonc la matire d'estatut marchant, en qi mains qe lour terres et tenementz ove leur appurtenances deviegnent, en cas qe ce poet estre prove par bones gentz, pur Dieu, et en eovre de charite, et en avantage et profit du dit povre commune. | Wherefore, may it please our most redoubtable lord the king and his good council, by way of charity, to ordain remedy, and in addition to order, charge, and forbid any warden of the Fleet henceforth to allow any prisoner, after he has been adjudged to prison, to leave prison by mainprise, bail, or pledge, without compensating the plaintiffs who by judgment have recovery of their debts, unless it be by writ of our lord the king; on pain of forfeiting their office and the keeping of the said person: and moreover, that the said plaintiffs shall have their debts thus adjudged, by the king's writ, in accordance with the provisions of the statute merchant, from the said keeper or keepers of the prison, into whose hands their lands and tenements with appurtenances have fallen, where that can be proven by good people, for God and by way of charity, and to the advantage and profit of the said poor commons. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il plest au roy, adjoustant a ycelle qe si nullui a suite de partie adjuggez a autre prisone pur dette, trespas, ou autre querele se voile conistre en l'escheqer voluntrivement, et par feynte cause dettour au roy, et par tant estre ajuggez a Flete pur greindre suite y avoir de prisone qe aillours, et issint delaier la partie de son recoverir, soit celle reconissance resceuz illoeqes; et s'il ne soit autre part dettour au roy de record, soit son corps tantost remandez a la prisone ou il estoit devant, a y demurrer tanqe il avera fait gree a la dite partie. Et tiel gree fait, soit immediat remandez a Flete, pur y demurrer tanqe il avera fait gree au roy de sa reconissance avantdite. (fn. iii-3-563-1) | It pleases the king, adding thereto that if anyone at the suit of a party for debt, trespass, or other plea be adjudged to another prison, and wilfully and on false grounds has resort to the exchequer as a debtor of the king, and for that reason is sentenced to the Fleet as having a greater suit there than elsewhere, thus to delay the plaintiffs in their recovery, let the recognizance be received there; and if there be no such debtor to the king on record elsewhere, his person shall be immediately remanded to the prison where he was before, there to remain until he has satisfied the said party. And such compensation having been made, he shall at once be remanded to the Fleet, to remain there until he has satisfied the king for his aforesaid recognizance. (fn. iii-3-563-1) |
| LXVI. | LXVI. [Mulcts levied in penance.] |
| 108. Item, ils prient, en honour de Dieu, et profit del poeple, qe desore nul dean, official, archideaken, [col. b] ne autres < curatours > de seinte eglise, preignent del poeple pur coreccion de pesche sommes pecuniels plus ne meyns, mes doigne a chescun en coreccion penance espirituel, qe plus assez sera plesante a Dieu, et profit al alme du peccheour, pur eschuiant les grandes ransons prises del petit poeple par les coreccions des peyns pecuniels: entendantz, treshonures seignours qe pur syngulir avantage des ditz curatours il y ad des pluseurs cures lessez a ferme par encrese d'an en an, come sont terres et tenementz de lay fee, a grande esclandre de seinte eglise, et grande districcion del povre poeple. | 108. Also, they pray, in honour of God, and for the benefit of the people, that henceforth no dean, official, archdeacon, [col. b] nor other curate of holy church, shall take from the people for the punishment of sins pecuniary sums large or small, but shall give to each as a punishment a spiritual penance, which will be more than pleasing to God, and of benefit to the soul of the sinner, that great sums of money be not taken in pecuniary penalties from lesser people for such corrections: bearing in mind, most honoured lords, that for the singular advantage of the said curates, many cures are leased at farm increasing from year to year, as though they were lands and tenements of the lay fee, to the great slander of holy church, and great injury of the poor people. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy chargera les prelatz, et autres ordinairs d'ent faire due punissement selonc les loys de seinte eglise, et nemye autrement. | The king will instruct the prelates and other ordinaries to administer due correction in accordance with the laws of holy church, and not otherwise. |
| LXVII. | LXVII. [Probate fees.] |
| 109. Item, qe y puisse estre declare en cest parlement de certein, combien les curatours prendront pur proeve de chescun testament, et pur l'acquitance d'ycels: car ils preignent au present tresgrantz fyns et extorcions pur ycels, a grant damage du poeple. | 109. Also, that it be declared in this parliament for certain how much curates should take for proving a testament, and for the acquittance of the same: because at present they take very great fines and extortionate sums for the same, to the great injury of the people. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy chargera les prelatz et autres ordenairs q'ils ne preignent pur tieux proeves des testamentz et acquitances, si noun qe resonablement, et en eisee manere. | The king will charge the prelates and other ordinaries to take only reasonable sums in a fair manner for proof and acquittance of wills . |
| LXVIII. | LXVIII. [The navy.] |
| 110. Item, prient la commune: qe come la grande meschief est avenuz a toute la navye del royaume par diverses causes; qe plese a present faire examiner ceux qe sont sachantz de la dite matire, par queles causes la dite meschief est avenuz, et par quele manere remede ent poet estre ordeigne. | 110. Also, the commons pray: whereas great trouble has befallen the entire fleet of the kingdom for various reasons; may it please you now to question those who have knowledge of the matter, as to the manner in which the said trouble has arisen, and how remedy might be ordained. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy ent ferra par l'avys de son grant conseil ce qe mieulz lui semblera affaire. | The king will act with the advice of his great council in the way which seems best to him. |
| [memb. 15] | |
| LXIX. | LXIX. [Members of the commons.] |
| 111. Item, ils prient: qe nulle persone travaillez vers cest parlement pur leur contee, burghe, ou citee soit constreynt d'estre coillour de la grant ore grantez pur la guerre, etc.; et leur gages, custumables de ancien temps, puisse estre levez de chescune manere de persone, dedeinz franchise et dehors, eiante lay fee dedeinz le contee: et qe nullui, de quele condicion q'il soit, eiant de lay fee en le contee soit esperniz; mes selonc l'afferant de sa tenure q'il soit contributoire as ditz gages, et aussi au taxe ore grantez, issint qe les poveres gentz du poeple puissent ore estre supportez par les seignours et autres qe unqes ne paierent as taxes avant ces heures. | 111. Also they pray that no one who has laboured in this parliament on behalf of his county, borough, or city shall be compelled to be a collector of the grant lately made for the war, et cetera.; and their wages, which are customary dues from ancient times, shall be levied from all manner of persons, within franchise and without, having a lay fee within the county: and that no one, of whatsoever condition he be, having a lay fee in the county shall be spared; but according to the worth of his tenure he shall contribute to the said wages, and also to the tax now granted, so that the poorest amongst the people may be supported by the lords and others who have never paid taxes before this time. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a la primere demande, le roy le voet bien. Et quant a la secunde, les seignours du royaume ne vorront mye departir de leur anciene libertee et franchise. | As for the first demand, the king wills it. And for the second, the lords of the kingdom do not wish to depart from their ancient liberty and franchise. |
| S'ENSUONT LES PETICIONS DE LA CLERGIE. | THERE FOLLOW THE PETITIONS OF THE CLERGY. |
| [col. a] | |
| Peticions pur le clergie. | Petitions on behalf of the clergy. |
| A nostre tresexcellent seignour le roy supplient humblement ses devoutes oratours, les prelatz et la clergie de la province de Canterbirs et d'Evewyk, qe plese a vostre reale hautesse benignement et gracieusement oyer et escuter les grevouses pleintes des diverses injuries et grevances faites a Dieu, seinte eglise, et a les avantditz prelatz, clergie, lour justes peticions, [col. b] a la reverence de Dieu et de seinte eglise, gracieusement et effectuelement granter. La forme des queles peticions ensuit es cestes paroles: | To our most excellent lord the king his devout bedesmen, the prelates and clergy of the provinces of Canterbury and of York humbly pray that it might please your royal highness kindly and graciously to hear and listen to the grievous complaints of divers injuries and wrongs committed against God and holy church, and the aforesaid prelates and clergy, and graciously and effectively grant their just petitions, [col. b] to the reverence of God and holy church. The form of which petitions follows in these words: |
| I. | I. [Retrenchment of expenditure.] |
| 112. Primerement supplient les avantditz prelatz et clergie qe plese a nostre dit seignour le roy prendre et retenir a sa presence, ses conseils, et ses services [p. te-iii-26][col. a] prodes hommes, voillantz, sachantz, esprovez, et nient covettous; et si sagement et resonablement modifier sibien le nombre de ses familiers, come les despenses cotidiens de son houstel, qe par tant l'eglise d'Engleterre, mesme nostre seignour le roy, ses liges, et tout son royaume soient par meyndres subsidies et autres charges extraordinaries des ses liges le plus justement, seintement, profitablement, et a greindre eise de lui et de son poeple, reulez et governez; et qe par tant lour estat soit en Dieu et en felicite le mieultz gardez et encreuez. (fn. iii-3-585-1) | 112. Firstly, the aforesaid prelates and clergy request that it might please our said lord the king to take and retain in his presence, his council and his service [p. tr-iii-26][col. a] worthy men, willing, knowledgeable, proven, and not covetous; and so wisely and reasonably moderate both the number of his household, and the daily expenses thereof, that the church of England, our same lord the king, his lieges, and all his kingdom shall be the more justly, reverently, and profitably ruled and governed, with smaller subsidies and other extraordinary expenses from his lieges, for the greater comfort of himself and his people; in order that their estate shall be the better protected and enriched in God and in felicity. (fn. iii-3-585-1) |
| II. | II. [Confirmation of liberties.] |
| 113. Item, qe plese a nostre dit seignour le roy gracieusement et sufficeaument ratifier et confermer, pur lui et pur ses heirs, touz les privileges, libertes, et droitures avant ces heures grantez et confermez par les nobles progenitours nostre dit seignour le roy < a > les avantditz prelatz et clergie, et a lour precessours predecessours, esglises, benefices de seinte eglise, et lour universitees. Et qe sur ce lui plese granter ses lettres patentes tantes et tieles come leur busoignera, gracieusement et sanz fyn. | 113. Also, that it might please our said lord the king graciously and fittingly to ratify and confirm, on behalf of himself and his heirs, all the privileges, liberties, and rights granted and confirmed before this time by the noble progenitors of our said lord the king to the aforesaid prelates and clergy, and to their predecessors, churches, benefices of holy church, and their corporations. And thereupon, that it might please him to grant as many and such letters patent as they may need, graciously and without fine. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy chargera son chanceller d'y faire aussi gracieusement come il purra bonement. (fn. iii-3-591-1) | The king will charge his chancellor so to do as graciously as it can be done. (fn. iii-3-591-1) |
| III. | III. [Ecclesiastical mandates.] |
| 114. Item, se pleinent les avantditz prelatz et clergie qe coment qe les hommes de seinte eglise soient artez en vertue d'obedience, et de droit tenuz, d'obeier a les mandementz de leur ordenaires et sovereignes es choses congeables par la ley de seinte eglise, nient meyns les issint obeiantz et fesantz execucions de tieux mandementz sont enditez, et en molt des maneres torcenousement et ledement tretez par lays gentz, a cause de tieles execusions. | 114. Also, the aforesaid prelates and clergy protest that although the men of holy church are obliged by virtue of their obedience, and bound by right, to obey the mandates of their ordinaries and superiors in matters ruled by the law of holy church, nevertheless the executions thus obeyed and performed upon such orders are indicted, and treated wrongfully and wickedly in many ways by lay people, on account of such executions. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet bien qe les execucions de mandementz de gentz de seinte eglise soient desore duement faites, sanz empeschement ou destourbance de nullui; issint qe riens n'y soit fait en prejudice du roy, de sa corone, ne de la ley du terre. | The king earnestly wills that henceforth the executions of mandates by those of holy church shall be duly performed without accusation or disruption from anyone; so that nothing be done to prejudice the king, his crown or the law of the land. |
| IIII. | IIII. [The marshalsea] |
| 115. Item, qe les hommes de seinte eglise a la simple suggestion de qeconqe, coment qe la suggestion soit ja si fause, sont pris < par les ministres de la mareschalcie > del houstel nostre dit seignour le roy, toutes les foiz qe aucune tiele suggestion soit faite, et a chescun foiz q'ils soient ensi pris ils sont compuls de paier demy marc en noun de fee, la ou les leys gentz ne paient en tiel cas fors tantsoulement un gros: et qe les fesantz tieles suggestions sont suffert a lesser franchement lour dites suggestions, et mesmes les suggestions issint lessez repeter et recomencer tantz de foiz come ils voudront sanz peyne. | 115. Also, that the men of holy church, at the mere assertion of anyone, even if the assertion is false, are taken by the ministers of the marshalsea of the household of our said lord the king, whensoever such an assertion is made, and each time they are thus seized they are compelled to pay half a mark in the name of a fee, whereas laymen in like case pay no more than a groat: and the instigators of such rumours are allowed freely to circulate their accusations, and to repeat and reiterate the same as often as they will without penalty. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Celui qi se sente grevez en especial face sa pleinte au seneschalle del houstel nostre seignour le roy, et il ent avera bone et due remede. | Let whosoever feels himself particularly aggrieved bring his complaint before the steward of the household of our lord the king, and he shall have a proper and effective remedy. |
| V. | V. [Purveyors.] |
| 116. Item, qe les purveours, ministres, et achatours deputez pur l'oustel nostre dit seignour le roy, des autres nobles et seignours du royaume, entrent et occupient benefices et lieux de seinte eglise, encontre la volunte sibien de ceux as queux les ditz benefices et lieux appurtenent, come de lour lieu-tenantz, et les enhabitantz en yceux deboutent et enchacent, et les biens qeconqes illoeqes trovez parnont, degastent, enportont, et amesnont, et cariages et autres biens des ditz hommes de seinte eglise trovez en chemyn ou aillours parnont aussint, et amesnont, a lour grande damage, et prejudice de la franchise de seinte eglise. | 116. Also, that the purveyors, ministers, and buyers appointed by the household of our said lord the king and of other nobles and lords of the kingdom enter upon and occupy benefices and property of holy church, contrary to the will of those to whom the said benefices and properties pertain, as well as of their tenants, and drive out and expel the inhabitants of the same, and whatsoever goods they find there they appropriate, waste, carry off, and lead away, and they also seize and take away carriages with other goods belonging to the said men of holy church, found on the road or elsewhere, to the great injury and prejudice of the franchise of holy church. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soient les estatutz et ordenances avant ces heures ent faitz tenuz et fermement gardez en touz pointz; adjoustant a ycelles qe pur ce qe clercs ne poent ent faire lour suites envers nullui par voie de cryme, come l'estatut des purveours demande, q'ils y poent avoir leur accions envers toutz tieux purveiours par voie de [col. b] trespas, et recoverir vers eux leur damages a treble, par manere come le dit estatut des purveiours en partie fait mencions. (fn. iii-3-609-1) | Let the statutes and ordinances already made thereon in the past be upheld and strictly enforced in all respects; adding to the same that because the clerks are unable to bring suits hereon against anyone by criminal process, as the statute of purveyors requires, they may have their actions against all such purveyors by way of [col. b] trespass, and recover from them triple damages, as the said statute of purveyors in part prescribes. (fn. iii-3-609-1) |
| VI. | VI. [Exactions by sheriffs and escheators.] |
| 117. Item, qe les viscontes et eschetours nostre dit seignour le roy venantz ove lour femmes et autre excessif nombre de gentz, sibien a chival come a pee, as abbeys, priories, et autres mesons de religion, tout soient < els > foundez en pure et perpetuele asmoigne par les roys et les autres nobles du royaume, trop chargent et grevent les avantdites abbeys et priories en despenses et autrement, et jadumeyns demandent et afforcent grandes sommes des deniers a eux non-duement estre paiez. | 117. Also, that the sheriffs and escheators of our said lord the king coming with their wives and excessive numbers of other people, as well on horse as on foot, to abbeys, priories, and other religious houses which were all founded in pure and perpetual alms by the kings and other nobles of the kingdom, overburden and trouble the aforesaid abbeys and priories with expenses and other charges, and even demand and extort from them payment of great sums of money which are not owed. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Les estatutz ent faitz soient tenuz et gardez fermement en touz pointz. (fn. iii-3-615-1) | Let the statutes made thereon be kept and firmly enforced in all respects. (fn. iii-3-615-1) |
| VII. | VII. [Malicious indictments of churchmen.] |
| 118. Item, qe hommes de seinte eglise, et autres pursuantz duement causes des dismes et autres causes de seinte eglise en court Cristien, a la quele tieles causes appurtignont, deyvont, et soloient appurtiner, et les juges de seinte eglise conissantz en tieles causes, et autres soi ent entremetrantz selonc la ley, sont maliciousement et noun-duement par celle cause enditez, enprisonez, et par seculer poair < horriblement > oppressez, et aussint afforcez ove violence par serementz et grevouses obligacions, et molt d'autres maneres, noun-duement compuls a desister et cesser outrement es choses susdites. | 118. Also, that men of holy church and others, duly pursuing causes of tithes and other concerns of holy church in the court Christian, to which such matters do, should, and customarily pertain, and the judges of holy church possessing knowledge of such matters and others intervening in accordance with the law, are maliciously and improperly indicted for that reason, imprisoned, and horribly oppressed by the secular power, and also are compelled by violence to take oaths and enter into damaging obligations, and in many other ways are improperly compelled entirely to cease and desist from the aforesaid actions. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il est assentuz < qe tieles obligations > et autres liens faites ou affaire par duretee et violence ne soient d'aucune value. Et quant a ceux qi procuront par malice tieux enditementz et d'estre mesmes des enditours, apres ce qe les enditez en soient acquitez, eient et encourgent tieux procurours et enditours mesme la peine q'est contenue en l'estatut de Westm' secund, de ceux qi procurent faus appels estre faitz. Et enquergent les justices des assises, ou autres justices devant queux tieux enditez seront acquitez, poair des tieux procurours et editours, et de les punir duement chescun selonc son desert. (fn. iii-3-621-1) | It is agreed that such obligations and other bonds made or to be made by extortion or violence must be invalid. And as for those who procure such indictments by malice and act as indictors, after the indicted have been acquitted, those procurers and indictors shall suffer and incur the penalty contained in the second statute of Westminster concerning those who cause false appeals to be made. And let the justices of the assizes, or other justices before whom those indicted are acquitted, enquire into the authority of those procurers and indictors, and punish them duly, each according to his just deserts. (fn. iii-3-621-1) |
| VIII. | VIII. [Prohibitions in ecclesiastical causes.] |
| 119. Item, suppliont les avantditz prelatz et clergie: qe la ou plee est mew devant juge de seinte eglise de pension due d'une eglise ou benefice de seinte eglise a autre eglise ou benefice, qe en tieu cas nulle prohibicion roiale soit grantez; et si aucune prohibicion passe, par plenere consultacion en ce cas soit franchement grantez. Et qe la conissance et decision de celle cause soit a juge de seinte eglise, et nemye a seculer, nomement come ensi deuez de droit, et d'ancien temps soleit estre fait. | 119. Also, the aforesaid prelates and clergy pray that when a plea is moved before a judge of holy church concerning rent due from a church, or a benefice of holy church in another church or benefice, that in such a case no royal prohibition should be granted; and if any prohibition be made, let it be granted freely after full consultation on the matter. And that the cognizance and decision in the matter shall lie with the judge of holy church, and not with a secular person, especially since it ought by right and has been customary since ancient times. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy chargera ses justices de ent faire sercher les anciens recordz, et come y ad este usee d'ancientee soit usee pur le temps avenir. | The king will order his justices to search the ancient records, and whatsoever has been practised of old shall continue thus in future. |
| IX. | IX. [Cognizance of ecclesiastical courts.] |
| 120. Item, qe come juges de seinte eglise et parties soient sovent foiz dampnablement destourbez par prohibicions roiales, es causes et busoignes regardantz sibien de droit come de custume a la conissance de seinte eglise et la court Cristien, qe desore nulle prohibicion roiale soit grantez au juge, partie, ne a nul autre a destourber la conissance ou pursuite en tieu cas, sanz ce qe libel citatorie ou autre muniment sealees, signees, ou autrement provez, soit avant-mayn vew et discusse en la chancellerie du roy, par quel appierge sufficeantment, qe la conissance de tiele cause deuez appurtenir a la court seculer, et nemye a la court Cristien, nomement come issint deveroit et soleit in effect estre fait en temps passez. | 120. Also, whereas judges of holy church and litigants have often been seriously impeded by royal prohibitions in matters and concerns relating as well by right as by custom to the cognizance of holy church and the court Christian, that henceforth no royal prohibition shall be made to the judge, party, nor any other, hindering the cognizance or pursuit of such an action, without a citatory bill or other muniment sealed, signed, or otherwise authenticated being shown and discussed in advance in the king's chancery, by which it is sufficiently clear that the cognizance of such a case ought to pertain to the secular court, and not to the court Christian, especially as that was customarily done in the past. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Nulle prohibicion issera dehors forsqe en manere q'ad este usee devant cest temps. Et en outre, quanqe ent [p. iii-27][col. a] feust ordenez ou grantez en darein parlement estoise en sa force. | No prohibition shall be issued except where that has been done in the past. And in addition, whatsoever [p. iii-27][col. a] was ordained or granted in connection herewith in the last parliament shall remain in force. |
| [memb. 16] | |
| X. | X. [Pleas of tithe.] |
| 121. Item, supplient qe a toutes les foiz a quele heure aucun soit tret en plee de dismes devant juge seculer, souz le noun des biens et chateux de celui ensi tret face excepcion, ou allegge, qe la matire, substance, et sourse de la busoigne soit soulement sur dismes duz de droit et possession a sa eglise, et nemye autrement des biens et chateux; qe tiel juge seculer soit tenuz a receivre tiele excepcion allegeance, et la receive en fait, et q'il ne procede dampnablement en la busoigne, a injurie de Dieu, de seinte eglise, et de la partie, la dite excepcion et allegeance nient discusse, mes ent soit la discussion remys a juge de seinte eglise, sicome en busoigne de bastardie et autres cas semblables est acustumez. | 121. Also, they pray that so often as anyone is brought before a secular judge in a plea of tithes, in the name of goods and chattels of him thus treated, and makes exception, or claims that the matter, substance, and origin of the business is solely concerned with the tithes due by right and possession to his church, and not with his goods and chattels; that such a secular judge shall be obliged to receive such an exception offered, and accept it, and shall not proceed harmfully in the matter, to the injury of God, holy church, and the party himself, the said exception and allegiance not being discussed, but the discussion thereof shall be assigned to the judges of holy church, as is customary in cases of bastardy and other similar matters. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| General adverrement ne soit pris en tieu cas, sanz monstrer matire especiale coment ce feust lay chatelle. (fn. iii-3-640-1) | General averment ought not to lie in such a case, without special proof being given that these are lay chattels. (fn. iii-3-640-1) |
| XI. | XI. [Abatement of prohibitions.] |
| 122. Item, qe si en aucune cause pendante devant juge de seinte eglise, en quele la prohibicion du roy soit mys avant, et aussint consultacion du roy sur certeine manere, forme, et condicion ove tiele clause Ita tamen, ou Dum tamen, ou autre clause semblable soit sur ce grantez; qe bien lice sanz empeschement au juge et as parties proceder outre franchement en la cause. Et si tiel juge troeve par proeves legales ministres judicielment tiel manere, forme, ou condicion estre acompliz, il puisse franchement mesme la cause discuter, et a fyn droiturel terminer. | 122. Also, that if any case pending before a judge of holy church, in which the king's prohibition has been submitted in advance, and also consultation with the king in a certain manner, form, and condition with the clause 'Ita tamen', or 'Dum tamen', or some similar clause has been granted thereon; it shall be fully lawful for the judge and parties without hindrance to proceed freely in the cause. And if such a judge finds by worthy testimony offered that such manner, form, and condition have been judicially effected, he may freely discuss the same case, and lawfully determine it. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit fait come ad este fait devant ces heures. | Let it be done as it has previously been done in the past. |
| XII. | XII. [Tithes of coppice woods.] |
| 123. Item, qe toute manere disme de boys appellez silva cedua, due a Dieu et seinte eglise, soit loialment paiez. Et en cas qe prohibition du roy soit mys avant au juge ou a partie en cause de tiele disme, qe pleine et plenere consultacion, sanz aucune novelle ou noun-due restitucion celle partie soit hastivement grantez: et qe les juges procedantz, et les parties pursuantz, [col. b] et autres qeconqes fesant lour devoir celle partie, ne soient par celle cause par enditementz, enpresonementz, condempnementz, ou en autre manere qeconqe enpeschez ne grevez. | 123. Also, that all manner of tithes on woodland called coppice woods, owed to God and holy church, shall be faithfully paid. And when a prohibition of the king is submitted to a judge or party over such a tithe, then full and thorough consultation, without any novel or improper restitution, shall be swiftly granted to the party: and that the judges proceeding and the parties pursuing, [col. b] and any others doing their duty in the matter, should not for that reason be hindered or harmed by indictments, imprisonment, condemnation, or in any other way. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit fait en ce cas come ent ad este usee devant ces heures. | Let it be done in such cases as has been done in the past. |
| XIII. | XIII. [Sanctuary.] |
| 124. Item, qe la imunite de seinte eglise, tant endroit des persones fuantz as esglises ou lieux a Dieu dediez, come endroit de tielx lieux a queux ils fuent, soit en toutes choses conservez et gardez. Nomement, qe dedeinz les lieux de tiele imunite nulle garde soit mys par ley poair, qe tieux futifs ne soient en nulle manere non-duement constreintz dedeinz les bondes et termes de tieles franchises et immunite: et qe les violantz tieles franchises soient selonc les censures de seinte eglise reddement puniz. | 124. Also, that the immunity of holy church, with respect to persons fleeing to churches or places dedicated to God, as also to the places to which they flee, shall be entirely preserved and respected. And in particular, that within the places covered by such an immunity no guard shall be mounted by the lay power, and that such fugitives shall in no way be improperly restrained within the boundaries and limits of such franchises and immunity: and the violators of such franchises shall be severely punished in accordance with the censures of holy church. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Ceux qi sont chargeables de tieles gardes les gardent bien et salvement, mes ent facent leur garde hors del saintewaire, et nemye dedeinz en aucune manere. | Let those who are responsible for such custody keep them securely and well, but let them keep guard outside the sanctuary and not within it in any way. |
| XIIII. | XIIII. [Arrests made on clerics.] |
| 125. Item, se pleinont qe gentz de seinte eglise, benefices et autres, sont arestuz et horstrez des eglises cathedrales, et d'autres eglises, et de lour simiters tant come y sont aucune foiz entendantz a divine service, et aussint en autres lieux tant soient ils portantz le corps nostre seignours as malades meement, par colour d'une cry appelle outhees fait sur eux par malice de lour accusours; et issint forstrez et arestuz sont liez, mesnez a prison, encontre la franchise de seinte eglise. | 125. Also, they complain that whereas men of holy church, both beneficed and others, are arrested and dragged from cathedral churches, and other churches, and from their churchyards, sometimes as they are hearing divine service, and sometimes in other places, even as they carry the body of our Lord to the sick, by colour of a cry called 'Outhees' raised against them by malicious accusers; and having been thus dragged out and arrested are bound and led to prison, contrary to the franchise of holy church. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet qe si nullui face arester aucune tiele persone de seinte eglise par tiele manere, et ent soit duement convict, soit emprisonez, et ent reint a la volunte de roy, et face gree a partie issint arestuz. (fn. iii-3-664-1) | The king wills that if anyone arrests any person of holy church in such a way, and is duly convicted of it, he shall be imprisoned and placed at the king's mercy, and shall compensate the party thus arrested. (fn. iii-3-664-1) |
| Sur queux peintes et peticions et chescun d'eux supplient devoutement les prelatz et clergie susditz, qe droiture et favour lour soient faitz, et gracieusement. | Concerning each of which complaints and petitions the aforesaid prelates and clergy devoutly pray that right and favour be graciously shown them. |
| LES PETICIONS PUR LA CITEE DE LONDRES. | THE PETITIONS FOR THE CITY OF LONDON. |
| [col. a] | |
| Pur la citee de Londres. | For the city of London. |
| Plese a nostre seignour le roy de sa grace ore en cest present parlement granter a ses citeins de Londres les peticions desouz escrites: | May it please our lord the king by his grace to grant now in the present parliament to the citizens of London the petitions written below: |
| I. | I. [Confirmation of liberties.] |
| En primes, ils demandent qe les chartres et confirmacions a eux faites de leur franchises par nostre seignour le roy Edward vostre ael, et voz autres progenitours, soient as ditz citeins par vous et vostre conseil du parlement confermes, ovesqe la clause Licet, et nient contreesteantz aucuns estatuz, privileges, chartres, ou juggementz faitz ou affaire au contraire. | First, they ask that the charters and confirmations of their franchises granted to them by our lord the king Edward [III] your grandfather and your other progenitors, be confirmed to the said citizens by you and your council in parliament, with the clause 'Licet', and notwithstanding any statutes, privileges, charters, or judgements made or to be made to the contrary. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a la confirmacion ove clause de licet, soit fait. Et quant a ce q'ils demandent, non obstant estatutz, privileges, chartres, ou juggementz, soient les estatutz, privileges, chartres, et juggementz faitz au contraire veuez et examinez devant le conseil, et sur ce le roy en ferra ce q'il purra bonement. | With regard to the confirmation containing the clause 'Licet', let it be done. And with regard to that which they ask notwithstanding statutes, privileges, charters or judgements, let the statutes, privileges, charters, and judgements made to the contrary be reviewed and examined before the council, and thereupon the king will do what he is well able to do. |
| [col. b] | |
| II. | II. [Merchant strangers.] |
| 127. Item, demandent les ditz citeins qe come d'ancien temps encea ils eient usez quatre franches custumes dedeinz escrites, tanqe poi des anz passez ils furent restreintz meyns justement d'ycelles, sicome evidentement purra apparoir, c'estassavoir, qe nul estrange de la franchise de la dite citee vende ou achate d'autre estrange aucunes marchandises deinz la franchise de meisme la citee, sur forfaiture d'ycelles: nientmains, les ditz citeins demandent, a les controversies ent desore apesez et tollir, qe ce leur soit expressez par chartre nostre seignour le roy. | 127. Also, the said citizens pray that whereas from ancient times until now they have enjoyed the four free customs written herein, some years since they were unjustly hindered in the same, as is plainly apparent, namely that no stranger to the franchise of the said city should sell or buy from another stranger any merchandise within the franchise of the same city, on pain of forfeiting the same: nevertheless, the said citizens ask, to settle and lay aside controversy henceforth, that it be set out for them in a charter of our lord the king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet parentre marchant et marchant tantsoulement; sauvant toudys les privileges des liges nostre seignour le roy d'Aquitaigne. | The king wills it as between merchant and merchant alone; saving always the privileges of the lieges of our lord the king from Aquitaine. |
| [p. iii-28] | |
| [col. a] | |
| III. | III. [Exemptions from jurisdiction.] |
| 128. Item, come les ditz citeins tienent sanz moien de nostre seignour le roy, et d'ancienete n'estoient tenuz ne ne soleient estre entendantz as comandementz ou mandementz d'aucun seignour, ne conestable, seneschal, ne d'aucun mareschal, admiral, clerc du marchee, ne d'autre officer ou ministre du roy, et ses progenitours qeconqe, sinon tantsoulement a les mandementz et comandemantz du roy et ses progenitours, sealez de leur sealx publik ou prive de leur nouns et titles, forspris les mandementz des justices selonc la forme de leur chartres sur eux a assigner; demandent nientmains les ditz citeins, a controversies ent desore apeser et tollir, qe ce leur soit expressez par chartre nostre seignour le roy. | 128. Also, whereas the said citizens hold immediately of our lord the king without a mesne lord, and since ancient times have not been obliged nor accustomed to obey the commands or mandates of any lord, nor constable, steward, nor of any marshal, admiral, clerk of the market, nor any other officer or minister of the king, nor of any of his progenitors, except and only at the command and order of the king and his progenitors sealed with the public or privy seals of their names and titles, excepting the mandates of justices in accordance with the form of their charters thereto assigned; nevertheless the said citizens request, to settle and lay aside controversy henceforth, that it should be set out for them in a charter of our lord the king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit use come ad este d'ancien temps. | Let it be done as it was done in ancient times. |
| IIII. | IIII. [Inquests.] |
| 129. Item, come de tresanciene franche custume de la dite citee deust et soleit estre enquis par les ditz citeins, et non pas par autres, de toutes custumes, consuetudines, imposicions, marches, et bondous de la franchise de meisme la citee; et aussi de purprestures et autres choses qeconqes avenantz deinz la franchise de la citee avantdite, ou regardantz a la cominaltee de meisme la citee, ou a aucun office d'ycelle; demandent nientmains les ditz citeins, a controversies ent desore apeser et tollir, qe ce leur soit expressez par chartre nostre seignour le roy, nient contreesteantz aucuns estatutz ou juggementz faitz au contraire. | 129. Also, whereas in accordance with the most ancient free custom of the said city inquests ought and are accustomed to be made by the said citizens, and not by others, into all the customs, usages, impositions, marches, and bounds of the franchise of the same city; and also into purprestures and any other matters arising within the franchise of the aforesaid city, or relating to the community of the same, or to any office of the same; nevertheless the said citizens request, to settle and end controversy thereon henceforth, that it be set out for them in a charter of our lord the king, notwithstanding any statutes or judgements made to the contrary. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a lour custumes, imposicions, consuetudines, et purprestures avenantz deinz la franchise de la dite citee, soit enquys par eux mesmes. Et quant as boundes et marches, soient declarez en especial, si aucun doute < y > soit. | With regard to their customs, impositions, usages, and purprestures arising within the franchise of the said city, let inquest be made by themselves. And as for the boundaries and limits, they should be declared in detail, if there be any doubt. |
| V. | V. [Care of orphans.] |
| 130. Item, come de tresanciene franche custume de la dite citee, les gardes des orfanyns de meisme la citee deinz la citee avantdite, et aussi de leur [terres, tenements, et] chateux deinz la franchise de meisme la citee esteantz, deivent de droit appurtenir a les maire et chamberlein qi pur le temps serroient de la dite citee, et non [pas aucun] autre: rendant as ditz orphanyns come ils vendroient a leur age resonable aconte des profitz et issues de meismes les terres et tenementz et de leur chateux, [solonc] L'anciene custume de la dite citee; demandent nientmains les ditz citeins, a controversies ent desore apeser et tollir, qe ce leur soit expressez par chartre nostre seignour [le roy,] nonobstantz aucuns estatutz ou juggementz qeconqes renduz au contraire, ou proces novellement comencez. | 130. Also, whereas in accordance with the most ancient free custom of the said city, the wardship of orphans of the same city within the aforesaid city, and also of their lands, tenements, and chattels being within the franchise of the same city, ought by right to pertain to the mayor and chamberlain for the time being in the said city, and to no one else: rendering to the said orphans when they come of age reasonable account of the profits and issues of the same land and tenements and from their chattels, in accordance with the ancient custom of the said city; nevertheless the said citizens ask, to settle and lay aside controversy henceforth, that it be set out for them by charter of our lord the king, notwithstanding any statutes or judgements rendered to the contrary, or process recently commenced. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Des toutes choses queux tieux orfanyns des citeins illoeqes ont deinz meisme la citee, eient ils la garde: sauvant au roy et a touz autres seignours lour droit de ceux qi tiegnent de eux aillours pardehors la franchise de meisme la citee. | Let them have the keeping of all things which such orphans amongst the citizens have in the same city: saving to the king and to all other lords their right over those who hold from them elsewhere outside the franchise of the same city. |
| VI. | VI. [Interpretation of charters.] |
| 131. Item, demandent les ditz citeins de la grace especiale nostre seignour le roy, en eslargissement de la franchise de la dite citee, qe si aucun article es chartres par nostre seignour le roy ou par ses progenitours faites, ou par lui ou par ses heirs affaire, as ditz citeins soit tant difficultuous ou doutous q'il puisse estre pris a diverses ententes, adonqes l'entente quel les ditz citeins clameront pur eux, leur soit allouez, et qe ce leur soit expressez par chartre nostre seignour le roy. | 131. Also, the said citizens ask of the special grace of our lord the king, to the augmentation of the franchise of the said city, that if any article in the charters issued by our lord the king or by his progenitors, or to be issued by him or his heirs, to the said citizens be so complex or uncertain that it might be interpreted in various ways, then the interpretation which the said citizens choose to place on it for themselves shall be allowed them, and that that shall be set out for them in a charter of our lord the king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| L'ynterpretacions des chartres des roys appurtiegnent au roy. Et si nul doute y sourde, le roy par l'avys de son conseil ent ferra tiel interpretacion come serra plus acordante a reson et bone foy. | Interpretation of the king's charters pertains to the king. And if any doubt arise, the king by the advice of his council shall make such interpretation as seems to him best in accordance with reason and good faith. |
| VII. | VII. [Liberties by emulation.] |
| 132. Item, demandent les ditz citeins qe si aucune citee ou burghe en Engleterre eit aucunes franchises [col. b] du grant nostre seignur le roy ou de ses progenitours, les queles ne sont eues es chartres des citeins avantditz, nientmains la citee de Londres joyse < et > use desore de meismes les franchises si aucunes y soient, si avant come si es chartres de mesmes les citeins se ferroit de mesmes les franchises mencion especiale. | 132. Also, the said citizens ask that if any city or borough in England has any franchises [col. b] by grant of our lord the king or his progenitors which are not included in the charters of the aforesaid citizens, the city of London shall nevertheless henceforth enjoy and practise the same franchises if any there be, as though those same franchises had been expressly mentioned in the charters of the same citizens. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Declarent ce qe le roy purra bonement faire par l'avys de son conseil il y ferra. | Let them explain what the king should by right do by the advice of his council, and it will be done. |
| [memb. 17] | |
| VIII. | VIII. [Protections.] |
| 133. Item, come en la grande chartre des franchises d'Engleterre soit contenuz qe nostre seignour le roy ne vendra, ne deniera, ne delaiera a nullui droit ou justice, demandent les ditz citeins qe proteccions roiales donees ou a doner a qeconqes persones, ne soient desore allouees devant les justices du roy qeconqes, en plee de dette, aconte, ou trespas, la ou la partie pleintif sera franche homme de la dite citee. (fn. iii-3-717-1) | 133. Also, whereas in the great charter of liberties of England it states that our lord the king will not sell, deny, nor delay right nor justice to anyone, the said citizens ask that royal protections given or to be given to any shall not henceforth be allowed before any of the king's justices in pleas of debt, account, or trespass, where the plaintiff is a free man of the said city. (fn. iii-3-717-1) |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant as proteccions, le roy voet qe pur vitailles achatez sur le viage ou service dont la proteccion faite mencion, qe la proteccion n'y tiegne pas lieu; n'auxint pur trespas ou contracts fait apres la date de tiele proteccion purchace. (fn. iii-3-720-1) | With regard to protections, the king wills that for victuals bought for the journey or the service of which the protection makes mention, that the protection shall not be valid; nor yet for trespass nor contracts made after the date when such protection was bought. (fn. iii-3-720-1) |
| IX. | IX. [Debtors.] |
| 134. Item, qe les emprisonez en la gaole nostre seignour le roy de Neugate ou aillours deinz la franchise de la dite citee pur dettes ou damages adjuggez as ditz citeins, en aucunes accions ne soient desore remuez de celle prisone a la prisone du roy de Flete, ne aillours, pur dettes du roy, ou par colour de officers ovesqes aucun de l'escheqer du roy, avant qe gree soit fait as ditz citeins pleintifs de leur justes demandes pleinement; si non qe as ditz citeins puisse vrayement apparoir, qe avant qe tieux furent emprisonez a leur suyte ils feurent a nostre seignur le roy vrais et non pas feintz dettours. | 134. Also, that those imprisoned in the gaol of our lord the king at Newgate or elsewhere within the franchise of the said city for debts or injuries adjudged to the said citizens, in no actions shall be removed henceforth from that prison to the king's prison at Fleet, or elsewhere, for debts to the king, or on the authority of any in the king's exchequer, before full compensation has been made to the said plaintiff citizens for their just demands; unless it is truly apparent to the said citizens that before such people were imprisoned at their suit they were truly and not feigned debtors to our lord the king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy chargera ses barons et ses ministres de l'escheqer qe nul brief issera de faire venir le corps qe est ycy condempnez a respondre en l'escheqer pur nul dette due a roy ou a autre ministre du dit escheqer, s'ils ne troeffent par examinement qe le dette soit verraie et nemye dette feynt, et due avant qe l'enprisone fust condempne. (fn. iii-3-726-1) | The king will instruct the barons and ministers of his exchequer that no writ is to be issued which causes a person thus condemned to be brought to answer in the exchequer for any debt owed to the king or a minister of the said exchequer, if they do not find upon examination that the debt is genuine and not a false debt, and owed before the prisoner was condemned. (fn. iii-3-726-1) |
| 135. [Fait] a remembrer qe en outre nostre seignour le roy ad grantez as ditz citeins en son parlement q'il ne voet my, ne n'est pas sa entencion, qe par vertu d'aucuns [...] response par lui face en son parlement a lour petitions come desus est dit, mesmes les citeins, ou leur successours, soient aucunement [...] aucuns leur libertees ou ancienes custumes approvez de mesme la citee. | 135. Be it remembered that, further, our lord the king has granted to the citizens in his parliament that it is not his will, and neither is it his intention that by virtue of any response made by him in his parliament to their petitions as set out above, the same citizens or their successors should in any way [...] any of their liberties or ancient customs approved for the same city. |
| [memb. 18] | |
| Requeste des communes. | The commons' requests. |
| 136. Item, al darrein jour de ce parlement, les dites communes firent lour autres requestes par bouche par la manere qe s'ensuent: | 136. Also, on the last day of this parliament, the said commons made their other requests by word of mouth, the tenor of which follows: |
| Primerement, ils priont as seignours du parlement q'ils preignent tendrement au coer de veer qe nostre seignour le roi puisse avoir en aide de sa sustenance les terres purchacez par son dit aielle, en descharge par tant de sa commune avantdite. | First, they pray to the lords of parliament that they take it to heart to ensure that our lord the king has the lands purchased by his said grandfather for his support to himself, thus relieving to that extent his aforesaid commons. |
| Item, q'ils preignent aussint garde qe mesme nostre seignour le roy ne soit oustez par subtiletee n'autrement de ce qe a luy appurtient d'avoir des biens et joiaulx qe furent [p. iii-29][col. a] au dit aielle, aiant regard a ce qe ent ad este fait en temps d'autres rois en cas semblable pur le temps passez; mais nulle responce en certain estoit done n'escrite, ne faite en le parlement avantdit, einz qe les seignours y distrent qe volenters vorroient qe bien ent feust, sibien pur nostre seignour le roi q'ore est, come pur le roi mort, qi Dieux assoille. | Also that they also take care that our same lord the king is not deprived by cunning or any other means of those things which pertain to him in terms of goods and jewels which belonged [p. iii-29][col. a] to his said grandfather, bearing in mind that which has been done in like case in time past during the reigns of former kings; yet no certain answer has been given, written, or made in the aforesaid parliament, only that the lords have said that they wish that to be done, both for the sake of the present king, as well as of the king dead, whom God absolve. |
| Le fin de parlement. | The end of parliament. |
| 137. [Et fait a] remembrer qe cest parlement estoit continuez [de jour en] autre, [del] dit primer jour de parlement qe fust le .xiij. me jour [d'Octobre,] L'an present, tanqe al .xxviij. me jour de Novembre en mesme [col. b] l'an; c'estassavoir, par .xlvii. jours, les ditz [primer et] darrein jours [accomptez.] Au quiel .xxviii. jour de Novembre les [dites peticions] avec les dites responces faites [et escrites furent] Lues devant nostre seignour le roi en plein parlement. Et sur [ce les autres] requestes faites par la commune, et respondues [come dessus est dit,] nostre seignour le roi fist bonement enmercier les prelatz, seignours, et communes de lours bones et grandes diligences faitz [entour l'esploit des] dites busoignes et requestes y faites, pur commune [profit, et de] Lour beau et liberal doun ore a luy grantez en [defence de tout] Le roialme; comandantz [as chivalers] des contees, citezeins des citees, et burgeys de burghs q'ils facent lours pursuites pur briefs avoir pur lours gaiges de parlement en manere acustumee, et lour donast congie a departir. Et issint finist ce present parlement. | 137. And be it remembered that this parliament continued from day to day, from the said first day of parliament which was 13 October in the present year until 28 November in the same [col. b] year [1377]; that is to say, for forty-seven days, including the said first and last days. On which 28 November [1377] the said petitions with the said answers given and written were read before our lord the king in full parliament. And thereupon, other requests having been made by the commons and answers given as above, our lord the king heartily thanked the prelates, lords, and commons for their great and good endeavours in discharging the said needs and requests made there for the common good, and for the handsome and generous sum granted to himself for the defence of the entire kingdom; ordering the knights of the counties, citizens of the cities and burgesses of the boroughs to make their suit for writs to have their parliamentary wages in the customary manner, and he gave them permission to leave. And so ended this present parliament. |
Appendix October 1377
13 October 1377
Westminster
1
Estimate of Revenues put forward by the Commons (Text and Translation)
Ceux sont les sommes qe les communes demandount del re' du roialme d'Engleterre.
Primes, de la subside des leynes, pealx, quirs, plumbe, e esteyne pur le roialme d'Engleterre mountent par an .liij. m. li.
Item, des terres renti des priours aliens, .viij. m. li.
Item, des benefices de aliens, .x. m. li.
Item, del collectour du pape, .x. m. li.
Item, de ceo qe remeynt unqore rien compte des subsides e des grotes.
Item, de remanent des grotes qe ne sount unquore levez.
Item, des gardes des terres e mariages duez a roy qui Dieux assoille.
Item, del dette duez pur les ercevesqes de Rauen e de Roian.
Item, d'argent duez pur les enfants de Bretaigne.
Item, de raunceon counte Seynt Paule e de ceo qe apartient a roy del counte de Deane, si nul y soit .
Item, de ceo qe homme avera de Alice Perrys.
Item, qe toutez chosez adquises de guere qe appartient a roy, soient despenduz por la sustenance de la defense del dit roialme d'Engleterre.
Item, qe tout qe poet estre appowe qe ne soit parcelle de la corone soit assigne por la sustenance de la dite defense.
These are the sums for which the commons asked from the [?receipt of the exchequer] of the kingdom of England.
First, from the subsidies on wool, woolfells, hides, lead, and tin for the kingdom of England, there amounts £53,000 a year.
Also, from lands rented to alien priors, £8,000.
Also, from the benefices of aliens, £10,000.
Also, from the papal collector, £10,000.
Also, from that which still remains unaccounted for from the subsidies and the groats.
Also, from the arrears of the groats which have still not been levied.
Also, from the wardships of lands and marriages owed to the king, whom God absolve.
Also, from the debt due for the archbishops of Ravenna and Rouen.
Also, from the silver due for the children of Brittany.
Also, from the ransom of the count of St Pol and from that to which the king is entitled from the count of Denia, if anything.
Also, from that which is to be had from Alice Perrers.
Also, that all gains made from war which pertain to the king shall be spent on maintaining the defence of the said realm of England.
Item, that everything which can be shown not to be part of the crown's patrimony shall be assigned for maintaining the said defence.
Source : Durham, Dean and Chapter Muniments, Locellus 20, no.7; previously published in Michael Prestwich, 'An estimate by the commons of royal revenue in England under Richard II', Parliamentary History , 3 (1984), 147-55.
2
Order to the mayor and sheriffs of London to make proclamation that all those who wish to sue Alice Perrers for offences against the king and people shall present their petitions to the council before next Saturday [21 November]. By king and council. Dated 19 November 1377.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 112.
3
Grant to Isabella, the king's aunt, daughter of Edward III, following her petition in parliament, of the profits from various lands in order to maintain her estate, following the defection of her husband, Ingelram de Coucy, former earl of Bedford, to the French allegiance; provided that she does not leave the realm or make these revenues available to her husband. Dated 27 November 1377.
Source : CPR 1377-81 , 174.
4
Grant to the shoemakers or cordwainers of London that they may choose four good men of their trade to regulate their trade within the suburbs of the city until the next parliament. By petition of parliament. Dated 3 February 1378.
Source : CPR 1377-81 , 132.
5
Grant to the abbot and convent of Shrewsbury of the wood called 'Lythewode' in Shropshire, following their petition in parliament that it be restored to them. Dated 2 June 1378.
Source : CPR 1377-81 , 224-5.
6
Order to the collectors of customs in the port of Hull to pay 400 marks a year to Michael de la Pole, with arrears. By petition in parliament. Dated 17 October 1377.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 25.
7
Order to the mayor and bailiffs of Lincoln to pay to the dean and chapter of Lincoln cathedral sixty pounds a year from the farm of the city, formerly granted to them, with the king's licence, by Bartholomew de Burghersh. By petition of parliament. Dated 26 October 1377.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 32.
8
Order to the mayor and bailiffs of various towns to arrange for balingers to be made and delivered to the admiral for the defence of the seas, as ordained by the king and council in the last parliament. Dated 30 November 1377.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 32-3.
9
Order to all whom it may concern, by petition of the 'commons of England', not to allow Master John Sheppey to take possession of the deanery of Lincoln, to which he has craftily gained papal provision despite the wishes of parliament concerning such provisions. By petition of parliament. Dated 8 December 1377.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 35.
10
Order to Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, to do justice to William de Wele of Grimsby, who has submitted a petition requesting redress for the capture of his crayer, plundered by men of Scotland. By the council in parliament. Dated 24 November 1377.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 39.
11
Order to the king's justices to proceed to execution of a judgment in favour of Maud, daughter of Thomas Charnels, who has petitioned in this parliament for restitution of two manors in Leicestershire and Warwickshire which were seized into the king's hand following the death of the Prince of Wales. By petition in parliament. Dated 6 November 1377.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 40.
12
Order to the sheriff of Cornwall, following a petition in the last parliament from the collectors of tenths and fifteenths in Cornwall, to assess the taxable capacity of the borough of Truro, the inhabitants of which are pleading poverty. Dated 4 March 1378.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 54-5.
13
Order to John king of Castile and Leon and duke of Lancaster to stop the officials of his exchequer from distressing Henry de Chatherton of Lancashire, who submitted a petition to the last parliament in relation to a charge of harbouring the killers of Richard de Molyneux. Since the duke has been granted all forfeitures in Lancashire, his minister are demanding one hundred pounds from Chatherton. Dated 4 March 1378.
Source : CCR 1377-81 , 125.
14
Petition to the king from the counties of Cumberland, Northumberland and Westmorland to provide for their effective defence against the king's enemies of Scotland, and for the repair of Carlisle, Newcastle, Roxburgh and Berwick.
Endorsed : The present ordinance on this subject is to be enforced.
Source : Printed in full in RP , III.30.
15
Petition to the king and the noble lords of parliament from Margaret Marshal, countess of Norfolk, that the tenants of the towns of Emerton and Fen Stanton, which she holds, should not be distrained by the king's ministers to contribute to the repair of the bridge at Huntingdon, from which they have in the past been exempted.
Endorsed : This bill is to be sent into the chancery, where right will be done to the countess; in the meantime the process of distraint will cease.
Source : Printed in full in RP , III.30.
16
Petition to the king and the noble lords of parliament from Joan, countess of Hereford, that the tenants of the manor of Kinbanton and one third of the manor of Worsley, which she holds, should not be distrained by the king's ministers to contribute to the repair of the bridge at Huntingdon, from which they have in the past been exempted.
Endorsed : This bill is to be sent into the chancery, where right will be done to the countess; in the meantime the process of distraint will cease.
Source : Printed in full in RP , III.30.
17
Petition to the king and council from the constable and marshal of England complaining that they have been prevented from exercising their offices by the mayor and sheriffs of London, and asking the king to summon the mayor, sheriffs and other officers of the city into his presence to explain their behaviour.
No endorsement .
Source : Printed in full in RP , III.30.
18
Petition to the king and council in parliament from William de Burstall, keeper of the rolls of chancery and guardian of the House of Converts in London, that the king might confirm the grant of his predecessor, Edward III, to the effect that, in return for Burstall paying for the repair of the chapel and other buildings of the House of Converts, it would remain for ever in the custody of successive keepers of the rolls of chancery.
Endorsed : the king wills and grants it.
Source : Printed in full in RP , III.31.