Parliament Rolls of Medieval England. Originally published by Boydell, Woodbridge, 2005.
This premium content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'Henry IV: October 1399, Part 1', in Parliament Rolls of Medieval England, (Woodbridge, 2005) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/parliament-rolls-medieval/october-1399-pt-1 [accessed 19 April 2024]
In this section
Part 1
Text and translation
| [p. iii-415] | |
| [col. a] | |
| [memb. 21] | |
| ROTULUS PARLIAMENTI I HENRICI IV. | THE ROLL OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE FIRST YEAR OF HENRY IV. |
| ROTULUS PARLIAMENTI SUMMONITI ET TENTI APUD WESTM' DIE LUNE IN FESTO SANCTE FIDIS VIRGINIS, ANNO REGNI REGIS HENRICI QUARTI POST CONQUESTUM PRIMO. | THE ROLL OF THE PARLIAMENT SUMMONED AND HELD AT WESTMINSTER ON MONDAY, THE FEAST OF ST FAITH THE VIRGIN, IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH SINCE THE CONQUEST. |
| Pronunciacioun du parlement. | [The opening of parliament]. |
| 1. Au parlement somons et tenuz a Westm' par le Roy Henry le quart, lundy le jour de Seinte Feie la virgine, qe feust le vi me jour d'Octobre, l'an du regne mesme le Roy Henry primer; seant mesme le roy en soun see roiale [en] la Grande Sale de Westm', en presence de luy mesmes et de toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx et des communes y venuz par auctorite et somons du parlement, et des plusours autres gentils et communes esteantz a tresgrant nombre, Thomas d'Arundell' ercevesqe de Canterbirs reherceant, coment, le maresdy darrein passez qe feust lendemain de Seint Michel et le jour de Seint Jerome le doctour, a quel jour le Roy Richard second apres le conquest avoit sommonez soun parlement d'y estre tenuz; quele sommons ne feust du nulle force n'effect, a cause de l'acceptacioun de la [renunciacioun fait par] le dit Roy Richard, et de la deposicioun de mesme le Roy Richard qe feust fait le maresdy suisdit, come par le record et proces ent faitz et enrollez en cest rolle du parlement piert pluis au plein, | 1. Opening of parliament. To the parliament summoned and held at Westminster by King Henry the fourth, on Monday, the day of St Faith the virgin, which was the sixth day of October, in the first year of the reign of the same King Henry - when the same king was sitting on his throne in the Great Hall of Westminster, in his presence, and that of all the lords spiritual and temporal and that of the commons who had come there by the authority and summons of parliament, and of many other nobles and commons in great number - Thomas of Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury, rehearsing how, on the previous Tuesday, which was the morrow of Michaelmas and the day of St Jerome the doctor [30 September] (on which day King Richard, the second since the conquest, had summoned his parliament to be held there; which summons was of no force or effect, because of the acceptance of the renunciation made by the said King Richard, and of the deposition of the same King Richard, which took place on the same Tuesday, as appears more fully from the record and process of this made and enrolled on this roll of parliament) |
| 2. [et] monstra et declara, coment mesme le maresdy, en presence du dit Roy Henry et des seignours espirituelx et temporelx et les communes suisditz, le dit ercevesqe avoit [monstre, qe cest honurable] roialme d'Engleterre, q'est la pluis habundant angle de richesse parmy tout le monde, avoit estee par longe temps mesnez, reulez, et governez par enfauntz, et conseil des [vefves; par ont mesme le] roialme feust en point de perdicioun, et d'avoir este mys a tresgrande desolacion et meschief tresdolorousement, s'il ne feusse qe Dieu toutpuissant de sa [grand grace et mercy avoit mys un homme] sachant et discret pur governance de mesme le roialme, le quele par l'eide de Dieu voet estre governez et conseillez par les sages et aunciens de soun [roialme, pur aide et confort de] luy mesmes et de tout soun roialme. Et dist outre, qe homme doit especialment considerer, coment mesme ceste honurable roialme, qe si longement ad endures [ove tiele meschevouse governance,] wast, et destruccioun, s'il eust este mys en bone et jouste governance, et reulez par sage et sufficient conseil come il deust de droit: quele roialme, [d'avoir,] de richesse, habundance, [commoditees,] et pluseurs autres profitz, il vorroit avoir este entre toutz autres roialmes du monde. | 2. both explained and revealed how, on the same Tuesday, in the presence of the said King Henry and of the lords spiritual and temporal and the aforesaid commons, the said archbishop had declared that this honourable realm of England, which is the most bountiful and well-endowed corner of the whole world, had been for a long time led, ruled and governed by children, and by the advice of widows; as a result of which the same realm was on the brink of ruin, and of being most grievously and terribly destroyed and devastated, if almighty God had not through his great grace and mercy sent a wise and prudent man to govern the same realm, one who, with God's help, wishes to be ruled and advised by the wise men and elders of his realm, for his own advantage and assistance and that of all his realm. And furthermore he said, that people ought especially to consider in what state this same honourable realm, which had so long endured with such bad government, waste and ruin, would have been, if it had been placed under good and just government and ruled by wise and suitable counsel, as it should by right have been; which realm, with its goods, wealth, riches, abundance, commodities and various other advantages, he wished to see take its place among all the other realms of the world. |
| 3. Et sur ceo mesme l'ercevesqe prist a [son theame] le parole [de Machabeon] primo, endisant, 'Incumbit nobis ordinare pro regno', (fn. iii-415-9-1) c'este adire, q'il est la volunte du roy d'estre conseillez et governez par les honurables, sages et discretes persones de soun roialme, et par lour commune conseil et assent faire le meulx pur la governance de luy et de soun roialme; nient veullant estre governez de sa volunte propre, ne de soun purpos [voluntarie, singulere] opinione, mais par commune advis, conseil et assent, come desuis est dit. Et mesme l'ercevesqe [col. b] dist outre, coment il n'y ad roialme du monde q'a poy poet vivere par soy [mesmes sans aide d'autri] roialme si honurablement ne si graciousement ne plentiuousement come purra ceste honurable roialme d'Engleterre, qe Dieu saufe garde, et maintiegne. | 3. Whereupon the same archbishop took for his theme the words of 1st Macchabees, saying, 'It behoves us to ordain for the kingdom', (fn. iii-415-9-1) that is, that it is the will of the king to be advised and ruled by the honourable, wise and prudent people of his realm, and by their common advice and consent to do the best for the government of himself and of his realm; not wishing to be governed by his own will, nor by his arbitrary inclinations or personal opinions, but by common advice, counsel and consent, as has been said above. And the same archbishop [col. b] said further, how there is no realm in the world which can come close to existing on its own, without the aid of any other realm, as honourably or as graciously or as abundantly as this honourable realm of England is able to, and may God safeguard and maintain it. |
| 4. Et sur ceo [allegea certeine auctorite,] endisant, 'quod inter omnia regna hoc principatum tenet'. (fn. iii-415-11-1) Et monstra sur ceo, coment al governance de chescun roialme trois choses sont requis en especiale; [c'estassavoir, justice,] les loies de la roialme gardez, et chescune persone mesnez et governez en soun estat et degree: et allegeant sur ceo plusours causes pur queux ceste roialme doit estre graciousement [cherries et tenus] en tres grand honure et chierte especiale. Et dist outre, q'il feust la volunte du roy de garder cestes trois choses par l'aide de Dieux. Et outre ceo dist, qe la volunte du roy est en especiale, qe seint esglise eit et enjoise toutes ses libertees et franchises, et qe toutz les bons estatutz et ordinances faitz en temps de ses nobles progenitours soient fermement tenuz et gardez; et qe toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx, citees, et burghes, et toutz autres, aient et enjoient leur libertees et franchises solonc les grantes ent faitz par ses nobles progenitours suisditz: et qe par tant nul homme deust parler ne adjugger de nulle chose qe serroit affaire en cest parlement; qar il est la volunte du roy en sa foy et conscience de faire egale justice et equite de toutz partz, solonc la volunte et [aide] et grace de Dieu ent a luy donez. | 4. And then he cited a certain authority, saying, 'that among all kingdoms this one is the head'. (fn. iii-415-11-1) Whereupon he showed how, for the governance of each realm three things are especially required: that is, justice, the keeping of the laws of the realm, and that each person should be ordered and governed according to his estate and degree: whereupon he cited many reasons why this realm should be graciously cherished, and held in the highest honour and especial affection. And furthermore he said that it was the king's will to uphold these three principles, with God's help. And moreover he said that it is especially the king's will that holy church should have and enjoy all her liberties and franchises, and that all the good statutes and ordinances made in the times of his noble progenitors should be firmly kept and observed; and that all the lords spiritual and temporal, the cities, boroughs, and all others, should have and enjoy their liberties and franchises, in accordance with the grants made to them by his aforesaid noble progenitors: and that therefore no man should speak on or adjudge anything which was to be done in this parliament; because it was the king's will in his faith and conscience to do equal justice and equity on all sides, according to the will and aid and grace of God given to him concerning this matter. |
| 5. Et outre ceo, le dit ercevesqe monstra as toutz les ditz seignours et communes, coment lundy proschein avenir nostre dit seignour le Roy Henry par la grace de Dieu purposa d'estre corones a Westm', pur quele solempnite faire ycovient d'avoir advys et deliberacioun diversement en le mesne temps. Et partant mesme l'ercevesqe pria depar le dit Roy Henry as toutz les seignours et communes, de continuer ceste parlement tanqe maresdy lendemayn de la coronacioun suisdite, et qe de cele jour enavant mesme le roy ferroit sa diligence pur l'esploit de parlement. Sur quoi par commandement du dit roy il feust demandez par Henry de Percy, cont de Northumbr', et conestable d'Engleterre, de toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx, et des communes suisditz, s'ils vorroient consentir a la continuance suisdite. Les queux ent severalment examinez s'agreerent bien a mesme la continuance. Et sur ceo le [dit] ercevesqe dist, qe mesme nostre seignour le Roy Henry voillant qe droit et justice se face a chescun de ses lieges qi se vorroit compleindre en cest parlement, ad ordinez et assignez receivours et triours des peticions, en la forme q'ensuyt: | 5. And furthermore, the said archbishop explained to all the said lords and commons, how on the following Monday [13 October] our said lord King Henry, by the grace of God, proposed to be crowned at Westminster, and to carry out this ceremony it was fitting to have counsel and discussion in various ways in the meantime. And therefore the same archbishop requested all the lords and commons, on behalf of the said King Henry, to prorogue this parliament until the Tuesday after the aforesaid coronation, and that from that day onwards the same king would work hard towards the accomplishment of the business of parliament. Whereupon, by command of the said king, all the lords spiritual and temporal, and the aforesaid commons, were asked by Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, and constable of England, if they wished to agree to the aforesaid prorogation. Asked about this individually, they agreed willingly to the same prorogation. Whereupon the said archbishop said that our same lord King Henry, wishing right and justice to be done to each of his lieges who should wish to make a complaint in this parliament, had ordained and appointed receivers and triers of petitions, in the form which follows: |
| [p. iii-416] | |
| [col. a] | |
| 6. Receivours des peticions d'Engleterre, Irland, Gales, et Escoce: | 6. Receivers of petitions from England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland: |
| 7. Receivours des peticions de Gascoigne, et des autres terres et paiis depardela la meer, et des Isles: | 7. Receivers of petitions from Gascony, and the other lands and countries overseas, and from the Channel Islands: |
| Et ceux qi veullent liverer leur peticions, les baillent avant parentre cy et mesquerdy proschein apres le fest de Seint Edward proschein advenir, a pluis tard. | Those who wish to submit their petitions should deliver them between now and the Wednesday [15 October] following the coming feast of St Edward, at the latest. |
| 8. Et sont assignez triours des peticions d'Engleterre, Irland, Gales, et Escoce: | 8. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions for England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland: |
| Toutz ensemble, ou sys des prelatz et seignours avantditz au meyns; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschal, et chamberleyn, et auxint les sergeantz le roy qant y bosoignera. Et tiendrent lour place en la Chambre du Chamberleyn, pres de la Chambre Depeinte. | To act all together, or at least six of the aforesaid prelates and lords; consulting with the chancellor, treasurer, steward, and chamberlain, as well as the king's serjeants when necessary. And their session shall be held in the Chamberlain's Chamber, near the Painted Chamber. |
| 9. Et sont assignez triours de peticions de Gascoigne, et d'autres terres et paiis depar dela la meer, et des Isles: | 9. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions for Gascony and the other lands and countries overseas, and for the Channel Islands: |
| Toutz ensemble, ou sys des prelatz et seignours avauntditz; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschalle, et chamberleyn, et auxint les sergeantz le roy qant y bosoignera. Et tiendrent lour place en la Chambre Marcolf. | To act all together, or six of the aforesaid prelates and lords, consulting with the chancellor, treasurer, steward, and chamberlain, as well as the king's serjeants when necessary. And their session shall be held in the Marcolf Chamber. |
| Les record et proces del renunciacioun du Roy Richard le second apres le conquest, et de l'acceptacioun de mesme la renunciacioun; ensemblement ove la deposicion de mesme le Roy Richard, ensuent cy apres. |
[The
Record and Process]. The record and process of the renunciation of King Richard, the second since the conquest, and the acceptance of the same renunciation, together with the deposition of the same King Richard, follow here. |
| [memb. 20] | |
| 10. Memorandum, quod die lune in festo Sancti Michaelis archangeli, anno regni Regis Ricardi secundi vicesimo tertio, domini spirituales et temporales, et alie persone notabiles, videlicet Ricardus [col. b] Lescrop', archiepiscopus Eboracen', Johannes episcopus Hereforden'; Henricus comes Northumbr', et Radulphus comes Westmerlandie; Hugo dominus de Burnell', Thomas dominus de Berkeley; prior Cantuarien', et abbas Westmonasterii; Willelmus Thyrnyng, miles, et Johannes Markham, justiciarii; Thomas Stowe, et Johannes Burbache, legum doctores; Thomas de Erpyngham, et Thomas Gray, milites; Willelmus de Feriby, et Dionisius Lopham', notarii publici, de quorundam dominorum spiritualium et temporalium, ac justiciariorum, et aliorum tam in jure civili et canonico quam in regni legibus peritorum, apud Westmonasterium in loco consueto consilii congregatorum, assensu et avisamento, ad actum subscriptum primitus deputati, ad presenciam dicti Regis Ricardi, infra turrim London' existentis, circiter nonam pulsacionem horilogii accesserunt. | 10. Be it remembered, that on Monday, the feast of St Michael the archangel [29 September], in the twenty-third year of the reign of King Richard the second, the lords spiritual and temporal, and other persons of note, namely Richard [col. b] Lescrope, archbishop of York, John bishop of Hereford; Henry earl of Northumberland, and Ralph earl of Westmorland; Hugh Lord Burnell, Thomas Lord Berkeley; the prior of Canterbury and the abbot of Westminster; William Thirning, knight, and John Markham, justices; Thomas Stowe and John Burbach, doctors of law; Thomas Erpingham and Thomas Grey, knights; William Ferriby and Dennis Lopham, notaries public; who had first been appointed with the consent and advice of certain lords, spiritual and temporal, and justices, and others learned both in civil and canon law and in the laws of the realm, and who had gathered at Westminster, in the accustomed place for the council, for the act described below, came into the presence of the said King Richard, who was then in the Tower of London, at about nine o'clock. |
| 11. Et recitato coram eodem rege per predictum comitem Northumbr', vice omnium predictorum sibi ut premittitur adjunctorum, qualiter idem rex alias apud Conewey in North Wallia in sua libertate existens, promisit domino Thome archiepiscopo Cantuarien', et dicto comiti Northumbr', se velle cedere et renunciare corone Anglie et Francie et sue regie magestati, ex causis per ipsum regem ibidem de sui inhabilitate et insufficiencia confessatis, et hoc melioribus modo et forma quibus facere poterit prout peritorum consilium melius duxerit ordinandum; idem rex coram dictis dominis et aliis superius nominatis ad hoc benigne respondens, dixit, se velle cum effectu perficere quod prius in ea parte promisit: desideravit tamen habere colloquium cum Henrico duce Lancastr', et prefato archiepiscopo, consanguineis suis, antequam promissum suum hujusmodi adimpleret. Petivit tamen copiam cessionis per eum faciende sibi tradi, ut super illa posset interim deliberare; qua quidem copia sibi tradita dicti domini et alii ad sua hospicia redierunt. | 11. And when it had been explained in the presence of the same king by the aforesaid earl of Northumberland, on behalf of all the aforesaid joined with him as has been said above, how the same king previously, when he was at liberty at Conwy in North Wales, promised lord Thomas, the archbishop of Canterbury, and the said earl of Northumberland, that he was willing to resign and relinquish the crown of England and France and his royal majesty, by reason of his incapacity and insufficiency, which was admitted there by the king himself, and that he would do this in the best manner and form by which it could be done, as the advice of the learned should best consider it to be arranged; the same king, replying courteously to this before the said lords and others named above, said that he wished to put into effect what he had previously promised on this matter: he wished however to talk with Henry duke of Lancaster and the aforesaid archbishop, his kinsmen, before he fulfilled his promise in this way. He asked however, that a copy of the cession to be made by him should be given to him, so that he could consider it in the meantime; and when this copy had been handed to him, the said lords and others returned to their lodgings. |
| 12. Postea eodem die post prandium, dicto rege plurimum affectante predicti ducis Lancastr' adventum, et illum diucius prestolante, tamen [sic: read 'tandem'] idem dux Lancastr', domini et persone superius nominati, ac eciam dictus archiepiscopus Cantuarien', venerunt ad presenciam dicti regis in turri predicta, dominis de Roos, de Wiloghby, de Bergeveney, et pluribus aliis tunc ibidem presentibus. Et postquam idem rex cum dictis duce et archiepiscopo Cantuarien' colloquium habebat ad partem, vultu hillari hincinde inter eos exhibite prout circumstantibus videbatur, tandem dictus rex, accercitis ad eum omnibus ibidem presentibus, dixit publice coram illis, quod paratus erat ad renunciandum et cedendum secundum promissionem per eum ut premittitur factam. Sicque in continenti, licet potuisset ut sibi dicebatur ab aliis cessionem et renunciacionem, in quadam cedula pergameni redactam, per aliquem deputatum organum vocis sue fecisse pro labore tam prolixo lecture vitando, idem tamen rex gratanter, ut apparuit, ac hillari vultu, cedulam illam in manu sua tenens dixit semetipsum velle legere, et distincte perlegit eandem; necnon absolvit ligeos suos, renunciavit, et cessit, juravit, et alia dixit et protulit in legendo, et se subscripsit manu sua propria, prout plenius continetur in dicta cedula, cujus tenor sequitur, in hec verba: | 12. Later the same day, after dinner, when the same king was very anxiously awaiting the duke of Lancaster's arrival, and had been waiting for him for quite some time, at last the same duke of Lancaster, the lords and other people named above, and also the said archbishop of Canterbury, came into the presence of the said king in the aforesaid tower, with the lords Roos, Willoughby, Bergavenny, and several others present there at that time. And after the same king had spoken apart with the said duke and archbishop of Canterbury, with cheerful expressions shown on all sides, as it seemed to those who were standing round; at last the said king, when all who were there present had been summoned to him, said publicly before them, that he was prepared to make his resignation and renunciation in accordance with the promise made by him, as has been said above. And thus immediately - although it would have been possible, as was explained to him by others, in order to avoid the labour of reading such a long document, to have made the cession and renunciation, drawn up on a parchment schedule, through the voice of some other appointed person - nevertheless the same king willingly, as it appeared, and with a cheerful face, holding that schedule in his hand, said that he wished to read it himself, and he read it through clearly; and he also released his lieges, renounced, and yielded up, swore, and said and explained other things during the reading, and subscribed to the document with his own hand, as is more fully contained in the said schedule, the substance of which follows, in these words: |
| 13. 'In Dei nomine, amen. Ego Ricardus, Dei gratia, rex Anglie et Francie, et dominus Hibernie, omnes dictorum regnorum et dominiorum archiepiscopos, episcopos, et alios quoscumque ecclesiarum secularium vel regularium prelatos, cujuscumque dignitatis, gradus, status, seu condicionis existant, ducesque, marchiones, comites, barones, milites, vassallos, et valvassores, et ligeos homines meos quoscumque, ecclesiasticos, vel seculares, quocumque nomine cenceantur, a juramento fidelitatis et homagii, et aliis quibuscumque michi factis, omnique vinculo ligeancie et regalie ac dominii quibus michi obligati fuerant, vel sint, vel alias quomodolibet astricti, [p. iii-417][col. a] absolvo; et eos, et eorum heredes et successores imperpetuum ab eisdem obligacionibus et juramentis, et aliis quibuscumque, relaxo, libero, et quieto; solutos, quietos, et inmunes, quantum ad personam meam attinet, dimitto, ad omnem juris effectum qui ex promissis [sic: read 'premissis'] sequi poterit seu aliquo premissorum; omnique regie dignitati ac magestati et corone, necnon dominio et potestati dictorum regnorum et dominii, aliisque dominiis et possessionibus meis seu michi quomodolibet competentibus quibuscumque, quocumque nomine cenceantur, infra regna et dominia predicta vel alibi ubilibet constitutis; omnique juri et colori juris, ac titulo, possessioni, et dominio que unquam habui, habeo, seu quovismodo habere potero, in eisdem seu eorum aliquo, vel ad ea, cum suis juribus et pertinenciis universis, seu dependentibus qualitercumque ab eisdem, vel eorum aliquo; necnon regimini, gubernacioni, et administracioni regnorum et dominiorum hujusmodi, omnibusque et omnimodis mero et mixto imperio ac jurisdiccioni in eisdem regnis et dominiis michi competentibus, seu competituris, nominique et honori, ac regalie et celsitudini regiis, pure, sponte, simpliciter, et absolute, melioribus modo, via, et forma quibus poterit, in hiis scriptis renuncio, et ea in totum resigno, ac re et verbo dimitto, et in eisdem cedo, et ab eisdem recedo imperpetuum. Salvis successoribus meis regibus Anglie in regnis et dominiis, et ceteris omnibus premissis imperpetuum, juribus in eisdem seu eorum aliquo competentibus et competituris quibuscumque; meque ad regimen et gubernacionem dictorum regnorum et dominiorum cum suis pertinenciis universis fateor, recognosco, reputo, et veraciter ex certa sciencia judico, fuisse et esse insufficientem penitus et inutilem, ac propter mea demerita notoria non inmerito deponendum. Et juro ad hec sancta evangelia per me corporaliter tacta, quod numquam premissis renunciacioni, resignacioni, dimissioni, et cessioni contraveniam, seu ea quomodolibet inpugnabo, facto vel verbo, per me vel alium, seu alios, seu contraveniri vel impungnari permittam, quantum in me est, publice vel occulte, set easdem renunciacionem, resignacionem, dimissionem, et cessionem imperpetuum ratas et gratas habebo, et firmiter tenebo et observabo, in toto et in omni sui parte; sicut me Deus adjuvet, et hec sancta Dei evangelia. Ego Ricardus rex antedictus propria manu me subscribo.' | 13. 'In the name of God, amen. I, Richard, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, absolve all the archbishops, bishops, and all other prelates of secular or regular churches of the said realms and dominions, of whatever dignity, degree, estate or condition they are, and the dukes, marquises, earls, barons, knights, vassals and vavasours, and all my liege men whatsoever, ecclesiastical or secular, by whatever name they are described, from their oath of fealty and homage, and all other oaths of any kind made to me, and from all bonds of allegiance and regality and lordship by which they have been, or are, bound to me, or otherwise under obligation to me in any way; [p. iii-417][col. a] and I release, free and discharge them, and their heirs and successors in perpetuity from the same obligations and oaths, and from any others; released, discharged and free, insofar as concerns my person, I dismiss them, with regard to every legal consequence which may follow from the aforesaid or any of the aforesaid; and in these writings I renounce all royal dignity and majesty and the crown, and also dominion and authority over the said realms and dominion, and any other dominions and possessions which are mine or which pertain to me in any way, by whatever name they are described, situated within the aforesaid realms and dominions or anywhere else; and every law and colour of law, and title, possession, and authority which I ever had, have, or will in any way be able to have, in them or in any of them, or regarding them, with all their rights and appurtenances, and anything depending in any way either on them, or on any of them; and also the rule, government, and administration of these realms and dominions, and all and all kinds of pure and mixed authority and jurisdiction which pertain to me, or which will pertain to me, in the same realms and dominions, and the royal name and honour, and regality and eminence, fully, of my own will, simply, and absolutely, in the best manner, way and form possible, I resign wholly, and in word and in deed I give them up, and in them I yield my rights, and from them I withdraw perpetually. Saving to my successors kings of England, in my realms and dominions, and all the other things aforesaid, perpetually, any rights in the same or any of the same, which pertain to them or which will pertain to them; and I confess, recognise, consider, and truly and of certain knowledge judge that I was and am utterly inadequate and unequal to the rule and government of the said realms and dominions, with all their appurtenances, and, on account of my notorious faults, I deserve to be deposed from them. And I swear on these holy gospels, touched physically by me, that I shall never contravene the aforesaid renunciation, resignation, demission and cession, nor challenge them in any way, by word or by deed, on my own behalf or through another, or others, nor shall I permit them to be contravened or challenged, insofar as it is in my power, publicly or secretly, but I shall consider the same renunciation, resignation, demission and cession as perpetually ratified and accepted, and I shall firmly keep and observe them, in whole and in their every part; as God and these, God's holy gospels, may help me. I the aforesaid King Richard subscribe to this with my own hand.' |
| 14. Et statim idem rex renunciacioni et cessioni predictis verbotenus adjunxit, quod si esset in potestate sua, dictus dux Lancastr' succederet sibi in regno. Set quia hoc in potestate sua minime dependebat, ut dixit, dictos Ebor' archiepiscopum, et episcopum Hereforden', quos protunc < suos > constituit procuratores ad declarandam et intimandam cessionem et renunciacionem hujusmodi omnibus statibus dicti regni, rogavit, ut intencionem et voluntatem suam in ea parte populo nunciarent. Et in signum sue intencionis et voluntatis hujusmodi, anulum auri de signeto suo patenti de digito suo tunc ibidem extraxit, et digito dicti ducis apposuit, desiderans hoc ipsum ut asseruit omnibus regni statibus innotesci. Quo facto valefacientes hincinde omnes, turrim predictam exierunt ad sua hospicia reversuri. | 14. And immediately the same king added verbally to the aforesaid renunciation and cession, that if it was in his power, the said duke of Lancaster should succeed him in the realm. But because this was not at all in his power, as he said, he asked the said archbishop of York, and bishop of Hereford, whom he had appointed for that time as his proctors to declare and announce this cession and renunciation to all the estates of the said realm, to make his intention and will in this matter known to the people. And as a sign of this intention and will of his, he then and there took the golden ring of his patent signet from his finger, and put it on the finger of the said duke, wishing this same thing, as he declared, to be made known to all the estates of the realm. When this had been done, and all had mutually bid one another farewell, they left the aforesaid Tower to return to their lodgings. |
| 15. In crastino autem, videlicet die martis in festo Sancti Jeronimi, in Magna Aula apud Westm' in loco ad parliamentum tenendum honorifice preparato, dictis archiepiscopis Cantuarien' et Eboracen', ac duce Lancastr', aliisque ducibus ac dominis tam spiritualibus quam temporalibus, quorum nomina describuntur inferius, populoque dicti regni tunc ibidem propter factum parliamenti in maxima multitudine congregato presentibus; ac prefato duce Lancastr' locum statui suo debitum et solitum occupante, ac sede regali cum pannis auri solempniter preparata tunc vacua absque presidente quocumque, supradictus archiepiscopus Eboracen' suo et dicti Hereforden' [col. b] episcopi nomine juxta dicti regis injunctum, cessionem et renunciacionem per ipsum sic fuisse ut premittitur factam, eciam cum subscripcione regie manus, et tradicione signeti sui, publice declaravit, eandemque cessionem et renunciacionem per alium, primo in latinis verbis, et postea in anglicis, legi fecit ibidem. Et statim ut fuerat interrogatum a statibus et populo tunc ibidem presentibus, primo videlicet ab archiepiscopo Cantuarien' predicto, cui racione dignitatis et prerogative ecclesie sue Cantuarien' metropolitice in hac parte competit primam vocem habere inter ceteros prelatos et proceres regni, si pro eorum interesse, et utilitate regni, vellent renunciacionem et cessionem eandem admittere? Status iidem et populus reputantes, ex causis per ipsum regem in sua renunciacione et cessione predictis specificatis, hoc fore multum expediens, renunciacionem et cessionem hujusmodi singuli singillatim, et in communi cum populo, unanimiter et concorditer admiserunt. | 15. The next day, therefore, that is on the Tuesday, the feast of St Jerome, in the Great Hall at Westminster, in the place ceremonially prepared for the holding of parliament, in the presence of the said archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the duke of Lancaster, and the other dukes and lords, both spiritual and temporal, whose names are written below, and the people of the said realm, gathered together then and there in a great assembly for the holding of parliament; and with the aforesaid duke of Lancaster occupying the due and accustomed place for his status, and the throne, solemnly prepared with its cloths of gold, empty at that time, without any person presiding, the aforesaid archbishop of York, in his name and that of the said bishop of Hereford, [col. b] according to the injunction of the said king, publicly announced that the cession and renunciation had been made by him, as has been said above, and also that it had been signed with the royal hand, and that he had handed over his signet; and he caused the same cession and renunciation to be read there by another, first in Latin, and then in English. And as soon as it had been asked of the estates and people present there at the time, that is firstly by the aforesaid archbishop of Canterbury - to whom by reason of the dignity and prerogative of his metropolitan church of Canterbury, the right to have the first voice in this matter, among the other prelates and magnates of the realm, belonged - if in their own interests, and for the good of the realm, they wished to accept the same cession and abdication; the estates and people, since they thought, from the causes specified by the king himself in his aforesaid renunciation and cession, that this would be very expedient, unanimously and with one accord, each one individually, together with the people, accepted this renunciation and cession. |
| 16. Post quam quidem admissionem fuerat publice tunc ibidem expositum, quod ultra cessionem et renunciacionem hujusmodi, ut prefertur, admissam, valde foret expediens ac utile regno predicto, < pro > omni scrupulo et sinistra suspicione tollendis, quod plura crimina < et > defectus per dictum regem circa malum regimen regni sui frequencius perpetrata, per modum articulorum in scriptis redacta, propter que, ut idem asseruit in cessione facta per eum, esset ipse merito deponendus, publice legerentur, quodque essent populo declarata. Sicque maxima pars articulorum illorum erat publice tunc perlecta; quorum omnium articulorum tenor talis est: | 16. Following which acceptance, it was then publicly proposed there that, besides the acceptance of this cession and renunciation, as has been said, it would indeed be expedient and useful to the aforesaid realm, in order to remove every scruple and malevolent suspicion, that the many crimes and faults so frequently committed by the said king in the bad government of his realm, on account of which, as the same king admitted in his cession, he himself was worthy to be deposed, which had been put down in writing in the form of a series of articles, should be read in public, and should be made known to the people. And thus the greater part of those articles was then read through publicly; and the substance of all these articles follows. |
| Sequitur forma juramenti soliti et consueti prestari per reges Anglie in eorum coronacione, quod archiepiscopus Cantuarien' ab eisdem regibus exigere et recipere consuevit, prout in libris pontificalium archiepiscoporum et episcoporum plenius continetur. Quod quidem juramentum Ricardus rex Anglie post conquestum secundus in coronacione sua prestitit, et ab archiepiscopo Cantuarien' erat receptum: et illud idem juramentum dictus rex postmodum iteravit, prout in rotulis cancellarie plenius reperiri poterit de recordo. | Here follows the form of the accustomed and traditional oath sworn by the kings of England at their coronation, which the archbishop of Canterbury has been accustomed to demand and receive from the same kings, as is more fully contained in the pontifical books of the archbishops and bishops. Which same oath Richard, king of England, the second since the conquest, made at his coronation, and it was received by the archbishop of Canterbury: and that same oath the said king afterwards repeated, as can be more fully found on record in the rolls of chancery. |
| 17. Servabis ecclesie Dei, cleroque et populo, pacem ex integro et concordiam in Deo, secundum vires tuas. Respondebit , 'Servabo'. | 17. You will wholly preserve for the church of God, and for the clergy and people, peace and concord in God, according to your power. He will reply, 'I will do so'. |
| Facies fieri in omnibus judiciis tuis equam et rectam justiciam et discrecionem in misericordia et veritate, secundum vires tuas. Respondebit , 'Faciam'. | You will cause impartial and honest justice and discretion, with mercy and truth, to be done in all your judgments according to your power. He will reply, 'I will do so'. |
| Concedis justas leges et consuetudines esse tenendas, et promittis per te eas esse protegendas, et ad honorem Dei corroborandas, quas vulgus elegerit, secundum vires tuas. Respondebit , 'Concedo et promitto'. | You will grant that the just laws and customs which the people have chosen should be observed, and will promise that they will be protected by you, and confirmed, to the honour of God, according to your power. He will reply, 'I grant and promise this'. |
| Adicianturque predictis interrogationibus que justa fuerint. Prenunciatisque omnibus, confirmet rex se omnia servaturum sacramento super altare prestito coram cunctis. | Let other just questions be added to the aforesaid. When they have all been announced, the king will confim that he will observe them all by taking his oath on the altar before all. |
| Sequntur objectus contra regem de deposicione ejusdem. | The charges against the king, concerning his deposition, now follow. |
| 18. In primis obicitur regi, quod propter malum regimen suum, videlicet bona et possessiones ad coronam suam spectantia eciam personis indignis donando, et alias indiscrete dissipando, et ob hoc collectas et alia onera gravia et inportabilia populo sine causa imponendo; necnon alia mala innumerabilia perpetrando. Alias de assensu et mandato suis per totum parliamentum ad gubernacionem regni certi prelati et alii domini temporales erant electi et assignati, qui totis viribus suis circa justam gubernacionem regni propriis sumptibus suis fideliter [p. iii-418][col. a] laborarunt, tamen rex facto per eum conventiculo cum suis complicibus dictos dominos tam spirituales quam temporales circa regni utilitatem occupatos de alta prodicione impetere proponebat; ac justiciarios regni ad suum nefandum propositum roborandum metu mortis et cruciatus corporis violenter attraxit, dictos dominos destruere satagendo. | 18. Firstly, charges are made against the king, on account of his evil rule, namely both in giving his goods and possessions pertaining to his crown to unworthy persons, and otherwise dissipating them carelessly, and, on account of this, imposing taxes and other weighty and insupportable burdens on the people without cause; and also committing innumerable other evil deeds. On one occasion, at his consent and command, certain prelates and other temporal lords had been chosen and appointed for the government of the realm by the whole parliament, who with all their strength, at their own expense, faithfully laboured for the just government of the realm; [p. iii-418][col. a] nevertheless the king, when an agreement had been made by him with his accomplices, proposed to impeach the said lords, both spiritual and temporal, occupied with the welfare of the realm, of high treason; and, endeavouring to destroy the said lords, violently coerced the justices of the realm into supporting his evil purpose, through fear of death and of the torture of their bodies. |
| 19. Item, idem rex nuper apud Salopiam coram se et aliis sibi faventibus venire fecit quamplures et majorem partem justiciariorum cameraliter, et eos per minas et terrores varias aceciam metus qui possent cadere inconstantes, induxit, fecit, et compulit, singillatim ad respondendum certis questionibus pro parte ipsius regis factis ibidem, tangentibus leges regni sui, preter et contra voluntatem eorum, et aliter quam respondissent si fuissent in libertate sua et non coacti. Quarum responsionum colore proposuit idem rex processisse postmodum ad destruccionem ducis Glouc', et comitum Arundell' et Warrewichie, ac aliorum dominorum, contra quorum facta et gesta predictus rex erat quamplurimum indignatus, maxime quia desiderabant eundem regem esse sub bono regimine. [Set] , divino nutu obstante, resistencia et potencia dictorum dominorum rex propositum suum hujusmodi perducere non potuit ad effectum. | 19. Also, when the same king was formerly at Shrewsbury, he caused to come before him, and the others who supported him, in secret, very many people, and the greater part of the justices, and, through various threats and terrors and fears, individually induced, caused and compelled those who might become inconstant to reply to certain questions made there on behalf of the king himself, concerning the laws of his realm, against and contrary to their will, and other than they would have replied if they had been at liberty and not under compulsion. Under colour of these replies the same king proposed to proceed afterwards to the destruction of the duke of Gloucester, and the earls of Arundel and Warwick, and other lords, about whose words and deeds the aforesaid king was extremely angry, especially because they desired the same king to be under good government. But, with divine approval witheld, through the resistance and power of the said lords the king was not able to put this plan of his into effect. |
| 20. Item, cum dicti domini temporales ejus malicie et dolositati seipsos defendendo restitissent, dictusque rex diem parliamenti sui pro justicia eis et aliis regnicolis in hac parte ministranda prefixisset, dictique domini temporales in suis domibus sub spe et fiducia parliamenti predicti quiete et pacifice residissent, rex clanculo ducem Hibernie cum suis litteris et vexillo ad partes Cestrie destinavit, ibique nonnullas gentes ad arma commovit, et contra dictos dominos et magnates regni, et rei publice servitores, insurgere fecit, vexillum ejus contra pacem per eum juratam publice erigendo, unde homicidia, captivitates, dissensiones, et alia mala infinita per totum regnum secuta fuerant; quare perjurium incurrebat. | 20. Also, when the said temporal lords, defending themselves, resisted his malice and deceit, and the said king had appointed a day for his parliament, for administering justice to them and to other subjects on this matter, and the said temporal lords had retired quietly and peacefully to their houses, with the hope and faith of the aforesaid parliament, the king secretly sent the duke of Ireland with his letters and standard to Cheshire, and there called many people to arms, and caused them to rise up against the said lords and magnates of the realm, and servants of the state, publicly raising up his banner against the peace he had sworn, as a result of which homicides, imprisonments, dissensions and endless other evils followed throughout the whole realm; by which he committed perjury. |
| 21. Item, licet dictus rex omnem offensam dictis duci Gloucestrie, et comitibus Arundellie et Warrewichie, et omnibus aliis sibi in hujusmodi factis assistentibus, et aliis, in pleno parliamento de assensu ejusdem pardonasset, pacisque et amoris signa per plures annos eisdem duci et comitibus et aliis vultum hillarem et benignum exhibuisset; idem tamen rex semper et continue fel in corde gerens, tandem oportunitate captata dictum ducem Gloucestrie, ipsius regis avunculum, necnon bone memorie Edwardi nuper regis Anglie filium, et constabularium Anglie, dicto domino regi cum processione solempni humiliter occurrentem, dictosque comites Arundellie et Warrewichie capi et arestari fecit, et ipsum ducem extra regnum Anglie usque villam Calesie duci fecit, et ibidem incarcerari, et sub custodia comitis Notyngh' unius ipsum ducem appellancium detineri, et sine responsione et processu quocumque legitimo occulte suffocari, strangulari, et murdrari inhumaniter et crudeliter fecit; comitemque Arundellie, tam cartam de dicta pardonacione generali quam cartam pardonacionis postea sibi concessam allegantem, et justiciam sibi fieri petentem, in parliamento suo viris armatis et sagittariis immensis vallato per impressionem populi per eum ad hoc collecti dampnabiliter decapitari fecit; comitemque Warrewichie, et dominum de Cobeham, perpetuis carceribus mancipavit, eorum terras et tenementa tam in feodo simplici quam in feodo talliato de se et heredibus suis, contra justiciam et leges regni sui et juramentum suum expressum, nequiter confiscando, et eorum appellantibus concedendo. | 21. Also, although the said king had pardoned all the offences of the said duke of Gloucester, and the earls of Arundel and Warwick, and all others aiding them in these deeds, and others, in a full parliament, by the assent of the same, and had for many years shown a cheerful and kindly face as signs of peace and love to the same duke and earls and others; nevertheless the same king always and continuously nourished hatred in his heart, and at last, seizing his opportunity, caused the said duke of Golucester - uncle of the king himself, and also son of Edward of good memory, the former king of England, and constable of England - to be captured and arrested, when he was coming to meet thesaid lord king humbly with a solemn procession; and he also arrested the said earls of Arundel and Warwick, and caused the duke himself to be taken outside the realm of England to the town of Calais, and to be imprisoned there, and to be detained in the custody of the earl of Nottingham, one of those who had appealed the duke himself, and caused him, without any legitimate response or process whatsoever, to be secretly suffocated, strangled and murdered, inhumanly and cruelly: and the earl of Arundel, although he cited both the charter of the said general pardon and a charter of pardon afterwards granted to him, and demanded that justice be done to him, he damnably caused to be beheaded in his parliament, which was surrounded by a great number of armed men and archers, to overawe the people gathered there by him for this reason; and he consigned the earl of Warwick and lord Cobham to perpetual imprisonment, wickedly confiscating their lands and tenements, both those held in fee simple and those held in fee tail, from them and their heirs, against justice and the laws of his realm, and his express oath, and granting them to their appellants. |
| [col. b] | |
| 22. Item, tempore quo idem rex in parliamento suo fecit adjudicari ducem Glouc', et comites Arundell' et Warrewichie, ut liberius posset excercere crudelitatem in eosdem; et voluntatem suam injuriosam in aliis adimplere, sibi attraxit magnam multitudinem malefactorum < de > comitatu Cestrie, quorum quidam cum rege transeuntes per regnum, tam infra hospicium regis quam extra, ligeos regni crudeliter occiderunt, et quosdam verberaverunt, vulneraverunt, et depredarunt bona populi, et pro suis victualibus solvere recusarunt, et uxores et alias mulieres rapuerunt et violaverunt. Et licet super eorum hujusmodi excessibus graves queremonie deferebantur ad audienciam dicti regis, idem < tamen > rex super hiis justiciam seu remedium facere non curavit, set favebat eisdem gentibus in maleficiis eorundem, confidens de eis et eorum presidio contra quoscumque alios regni sui. Propter quod fideles regni sui magnam commocionis et indignacionis materiam habuerunt. | 22. Also, at the time when the same king in his parliament caused the duke of Gloucester and the earls of Arundel and Warwick to be adjudged, in order that he might more freely act with cruelty against them, and wreak his unjust will on others, he gathered to himself a great multitude of evildoers from the county of Cheshire, of whom some, going about with the king through the realm, both within the king's household and without, cruelly killed the lieges of the realm, and beat some, and wounded some, and plundered the goods of the people, and refused to pay for their provisions, and carried off and raped wives and other women. And although on account of their excesses of this kind serious complaints were brought to the attention of the said king, nevertheless the same king had no interest in seeing justice or redress done for these things, but favoured the same people in their evil deeds, trusting in them and their protection against all others of his realm. On account of which the faithful people of his realm had great cause for distress and anger. |
| 23. Item, licet dominus rex per brevia sua proclamari fecerit per totum regnum suum, quod avunculum suum ducem Glouc', ac comites Arundell' et Warr', capi fecerit et arestari, non pro aliquibus congregacionibus et equitacionibus per eos infra regnum Anglie factis, set pro quampluribus extorsionibus, oppressionibus, et aliis contra regaliam suam et regiam magestatem postmodum factis et perpetratis per eos: quodque non erat intencionis ipsius regis, quod aliquis de familia predictorum ducis Gloucestrie, ac comitum Arundell' et Warr', seu illorum qui in comitiva sua tempore congregacionis et equitacionis predictarum fuit, ea occasione molestetur aliqualiter, seu gravetur, idem tamen rex tandem in parliamento suo dictos dominos non pro extorcionibus, oppressionibus, aut aliis predictis impeciit, set pro congregacionibus et equitacionibus supradictis eos adjudicavit ad mortem, et quamplures de familia eorundem dominorum et aliorum qui in comitiva sua tempore congregacionis et equitacionis fuerant, metu mortis compulit fines et redempciones facere, utpote proditores: ad gravem destruccionem quamplurium de populo suo. Sicque dictos dominos, et eorum familiares hujusmodi, et populum regni sui callide, fraudulenter, et maliciose decepit. | 23. Also, although the lord king caused it to be proclaimed by his writs throughout his whole kingdom, that he had caused his uncle the duke of Gloucester, and the earls of Arundel and Warwick, to be captured and arrested, not for any assemblies or ridings committed by them within the realm of England, but for various extortions, acts of oppression, and other things afterwards done and perpetrated by them against his regality and royal majesty: and that it was not the intention of the king himself, that anyone of the households of the aforesaid duke of Gloucester and earls of Arundel and Warwick, or any of those who were in their company at the time of the aforesaid assemblies and ridings, should be harmed or molested in any way for that reason; nevertheless the same king, in his parliament, did not in the end impeach the said lords for the extortions, acts of oppression or other things aforesaid, but condemned them to death, for the aforesaid assemblies and ridings, and through fear of death he forced many members of the households of the same lords, and of others, who were in their company at the time of the assemblies and ridings, to make fines and redemptions, as traitors: to the great ruin of many of his people. And thus he deceived the said lords, and these members of their households, and the people of his realm, cunningly, falsely and maliciously. |
| 24. Item, postquam quamplures de personis illis facientibus fines et redempciones hujusmodi impetrarunt a rege litteras suas patentes pardonacionis plenarie in premissis, nullum comodum ex hujusmodi litteris pardonacionis poterant reportare donec novos fines et redempciones pro eorum vita conservanda fecissent: unde fuerant plurimum depauparati. Pro quo nomini et statui regio fuerat plurimum derogatum. | 24. Also, after many of those people making fines and redemptions of this sort sued to the king for his letters patent of full pardon in the aforesaid, they could get no benefit from these letters of pardon until they had paid new fines and redemptions to save their lives: through which they were very greatly impoverished. By virtue of which the royal name and estate were very much brought into disrepute. |
| [memb. 19] | |
| 25. Item, in parliamento ultimo celebrato apud Salop', idem rex proonens [sic: read 'proponens'] opprimere populum suum, procuravit subtiliter et fecit concedi, quod potestas parliamenti de consensu omnium statuum regni sui remaneret apud quasdam certas personas, ad terminandas, dissoluto parliamento, certas peticiones in eodem parliamento porrectas protunc minime expeditas. Cujus concessionis colore persone sic deputate [processerunt] ad alia generaliter parliamentum illud tangencia; et hoc de voluntate regis: in derogacionem status parliamenti, et in magnum incomodum tocius regni, et perniciosum exemplum. Et ut super factis eorum hujusmodi aliquem colorem et auctoritatem viderentur habere, rex fecit rotulos parliamenti pro voto suo mutari et deleri, contra effectum concessionis predicte. | 25. Also, in the last parliament held at Shrewsbury, the same king, aiming to oppress his people, subtly procured and caused it to be granted, that the power of parliament, with the agreement of all the estates of his realm, should remain with certain persons, in order to complete, once parliament had been dissolved, certain petitions delivered into the same parliament and at that time not dealt with. By authority of this concession, the persons thus appointed proceeded to other things touching generally upon that parliament; and this by will of the king: to the detriment of the estate of parliament, and to the great disadvantage of the whole realm, and as a pernicious example. And so that they should be seen to have some pretext and authority for their deeds of this sort, the king caused the rolls of parliament to be altered and erased, by his own will, against the intention of the aforesaid grant. |
| [p. iii-419] | |
| [col. a] | |
| 26. Item, non obstante quod dictus rex in coronacione sua juraverit, 'Quod fieri faceret in omnibus judiciis suis equam et rectam justiciam et discrecionem in misericordia et veritate, secundum vires suas', dictus tamen rex, absque omni misericordia rigorose inter cetera statuit et ordinavit sub gravibus penis, quod pro Henrico duce Lancastr' relegato pro aliqua gratia sibi facienda nullus rogaret aut intercederet apud eundem regem. In quo facto idem rex contra caritatis vinculum operabatur, juramentum predictum temere violando. | 26. Also, notwithstanding that the said king swore at his coronation that he would cause impartial and honest justice and discretion, with mercy and truth, to be done in all his judgments, according to his power, the said king, however, without any mercy, decided and ordained among other things, with great rigour, that, on pain of grave penalties, no-one should entreat or intercede with the same king for the banished Henry duke of Lancaster, in order for clemency to be shown to him. In which deed the same king acted against the bond of charity, rashly violating the aforesaid oath. |
| 27. Item, quamvis corona regni Anglie, et jura ejusdem corone, ipsumque regnum, fuerint ab omni tempore retroacto adeo libera, quod dominus summus pontifex, nec aliquis alius extra regnum ipsum, se intromittere debeat de eisdem, tamen prefatus rex ad roboracionem statutorum suorum erroneorum supplicavit domino pape, quod statuta in ultimo parliamento suo ordinata confirmaret. Super quo dictus rex litteras apostolicas impetravit, in quibus < graves > censure proferuntur contra quoscumque qui dictis statutis in aliquo contravenire presumpserint. Que omnia contra coronam et dignitatem regiam, ac contra statuta et libertates dicti regni tendere dinoscuntur. | 27. Also, although the crown of the realm of England, and the rights of the same crown, and the realm itself, have been from all time past free, in such a way that neither the lord pope, nor anyone else outside the realm itself, should involve himself with these things, nevertheless the aforesaid king, in order to strengthen his wrongful statutes, requested of the lord pope that he should confirm the statutes decreed in his last parliament. With regard to which the said king requested apostolic letters, in which severe judgments were proclaimed against anyone who should presume to contravene the said statutes in anything. All these things are recognised as tending against the crown and the royal dignity, and against the statutes and liberties of the said realm. |
| 28. Item, licet dominus Henricus nunc dux Lancastr' billam suam statum et honorem regis concernentem ad ipsius regis mandatum contra Thomam ducem Norff' proposuisset, et eandem fuisset debite prosecutus, adeo quod juxta regis ordinacionem se ad duellum in omnibus paratum exhibuisset, prefatusque rex ipsum nunc ducem Lancastr' debitum suum in hac parte honorifice quantum in ipso fuerat implevisse pronunciasset et declarasset per decretum, et hoc coram toto populo ad duellum hujusmodi congregato fuisset publice proclamatum; idem tamen rex predictum nunc ducem Lancastr', sine causa quacumque legitima, ad decennium relegari fecit et mandavit, contra omnem justiciam, et leges et consuetudines regni sui, ac jura militaria in hac parte: perjurium dampnabiliter incurrendo. | 28. Also, although lord Henry, now duke of Lancaster, had put forward his bill concerning the estate and honour of the king, against Thomas duke of Norfolk, at the command of the king himself, and had duly prosecuted it, to the extent that, in accordance with the king's decree, he had shown himself ready for a duel on all matters, and the aforesaid king had announced and declared by decree that he, now the duke of Lancaster, had fulfilled his duty in that matter honourably, insofar as it was in his power, and this had been publicly proclaimed before the whole people gathered for this duel; nevertheless the same king caused and commanded the aforesaid present duke of Lancaster to be exiled for ten years, without any legitimate cause whatsoever, against all justice, and against the laws and customs of his realm, and the law of arms on this matter: thereby damnably committing perjury. |
| 29. Item, postquam dictus rex gratiose concessit per litteras suas patentes domino Henrico nunc duci Lancastr', quod ipsius absentia, dum fuerat relegatus, generales attornati sui possent prosequi pro liberacione sibi facienda de quibuscumque hereditatibus sive successionibus ipsum extunc contingentibus; et quod homagium suum respectuari deberet pro quodam fine racionabili faciendo, litteras illas patentes injuriose revocavit, contra leges terre; perjurium incurrendo. | 29. Also, after the said king graciously granted by his letters patent to lord Henry, now the duke of Lancaster, that in his absence, when he had been exiled, his general attorneys could sue for livery to be made to him of any inheritances or successions thereafter falling to him, and that his homage ought to be respited in return for payment of a reasonable fine, he wrongfully revoked those letters patent, against the laws of the land; thereby committing perjury. |
| 30. Item, non obstante quod statutum erat, quod in singulis annis officiarii regis, cum justiciariis, et aliis de consilio regis, vicecomites per omnes comitatus regni eligantur et nominarentur domino regi, secundum quod eorum discrecioni et consciencie pro bono et utilitate regni videbitur expedire, idem rex non nominatos aut electos hujusmodi, set alios pro sue libito voluntatis, quandoque suos familiares, et quandoque tales quos scivit nolle resistere voluntati sue, in vicecomites fieri demandavit, pro suo et aliorum commodo singulari; ad magnum gravamen populi sui, et contra leges regni sui; perjurium notorie incurrendo. | 30. Also, notwithstanding that it had been decreed that each year the officers of the king, with the justices, and others of the king's council, should choose and nominate sheriffs to the lord king for all the counties of the realm, according to what would seem to their discretion and knowledge to be fitting for the good and profit of the realm, the same king demanded that people not nominated or chosen in this way, but others chosen at his will, sometimes his familiars, and sometimes such as he knew would not resist his will, should become sheriffs, solely for the convenience of him and of some others; to the great injury of his people, and against the laws of his realm; notoriously committing perjury. |
| 31. Item, tempore illo quo rex predictus petivit et habuit a quampluribus dominis, et aliis de regno, plures pecuniarum summas ex causa mutui, certo termino persolvendas, non obstante quod idem Rex per singulas [col. b] litteras suas patentes promisit bona fide singulis personis a quibus mutuo recepit pecunias illas quod eis limitato termino predicto resolveret hujusmodi pecunias mutuatas, promissionem suam hujusmodi non adimplevit, nec de pecuniis illis est hactenus satisfactum: unde creditores hujusmodi valde gravantur, et non tam illi quam plures alii de regno regem reputant infidelem. | 31. Also, at the time when the aforesaid king demanded and obtained from a great number of lords and others of the realm, various sums of money, by way of a loan, to be paid back within a certain term, notwithstanding that the same king through his individual [col. b] letters patent promised in good faith to each person from whom he had received those sums of money on loan that he would pay back to them the money lent in this way at the aforesaid appointed time, he did not fulfil this promise of his, nor until now has reparation been made in the matter of this money: as a result of which these creditors are greatly wronged, and not only they, but many others of the realm consider the king to be untrustworthy. |
| 32. Item, ubi rex Anglie de proventibus regni sui, et patrimonio ad coronam suam spectante, posset honeste vivere, absque oppressione populi sui, dummodo regnum non esset guerrarum dispendio oneratum, idem rex, quasi toto tempore suo durantibus treugis inter regnum Anglie et adversarios ejus, non solum magnam ymmo maximam partem dicti patrimonii sui donavit eciam personis indignis, verumeciam propterea tot onera concessionis subditorum imposuit quasi annis singulis in regno suo, quod valde et nimium excessive populum suum oppressit, in depauperacionem regni sui: bona sic levata non ad commodum et utilitatem regni Anglie convertendo, set ad sui nominis ostentacionem et pompam ac vanam gloriam prodige dissipando. Et pro victualibus hospicii sui, et aliis empcionibus suis, maxime summe pecuniarum in regno suo debentur, licet diviciis et thesauris plus quam aliquis progenitorum suorum, de quo recolitur, habundavit. | 32. Also, whereas the king of England could live honestly from the proceeds of his realm, and the patrimony pertaining to his crown, without the oppression of his people, provided that the kingdom was not burdened with the expense of wars, the same king, although for almost the whole of his time there were truces between the realm of England and its enemies, as well as giving not only a great but indeed the greatest part of his said patrimony to unworthy persons, also on account of this imposed so many burdens of grants on his subjects in his realm almost every year, that he oppressed his people greatly and too excessively, to the impoverishment of his realm: and he did not use the sums thus raised for the advantage and profit of the realm of England, but dissipated them prodigiously for the ostentation and pomp and vainglory of his name. And for provisions for his household, and other purchases of his, very great sums of money are owing in his realm, although he abounded in wealth and treasure more than any of his progenitors of whom there is memory. |
| 33. Item, idem rex nolens justas leges et consuetudines regni sui servare seu protegere, set secundum sue arbitrium voluntatis facere quicquid desideriis ejus occurrerit, quandoque et frequencius quando sibi expositi et declarati fuerant leges regni sui per justiciarios et alios de consilio suo, et secundum leges illas petentibus justiciam exhiberet, dixit expresse, vultu austero et protervo, quod leges sue erant in ore suo, et aliquociens in < pectore > suo: et quod ipse solus posset mutare et condere leges regni sui. Et opinione illa seductus, quampluribus de ligeis suis justiciam fieri non permisit, set per minas et terrores quamplures a prosecucione communis justicie cessare coegit. | 33. Also, the same king wishing not to observe or protect the just laws and customs of his realm, but to do whatever appealed to his desires according to the impulse of his will, at times, when the laws of his realm had been explained and declared to him by thejustices and others of his council, and when they asked that he should do justice according to those laws, he frequently said expressly, with a stern and forbidding countenance, that his laws were in his mouth, or sometimes in his breast: and that he alone could alter and create the laws of his realm. And, seduced by that opinion, he did not allow justice to be done to a great number of his lieges, but through threats and terror forced a great number to cease from the pursuit of common justice. |
| 34. Item, quod postquam in parliamento suo certa statuta erant edita, que semper ligarent donec auctoritate alicujus alterius parliamenti fuerint specialiter revocata; idem rex cupiens tanta libertate gaudere quod nulla hujusmodi statuta ipsum adeo ligarent quin posset exequi et facere secundum sue arbitrium voluntatis, prout non potuit, procuravit subtiliter talem peticionem in parliamento suo pro parte communitatis regni sui porrigi, et sibi concedi in genere, quod posset esse adeo liber sicut aliquis progenitorum suorum extitit ante eum. Quarum peticionis et concessionis colore, frequencius mandavit et fecit idem rex quamplura fieri contra statuta hujusmodi minime revocata; veniendo expresse et scienter contra juramentum suum in coronacione sua prestitum, ut prefertur, prout inferius declaratur. | 34. Also, that after certain statutes were made in his parliament, which would always be binding until they were specially revoked by the authority of some other parliament; the same king, wishing to enjoy such liberty that no statutes of this kind should bind him or prevent him from acting or behaving according to the impulse of his will, as he could not, subtly arranged for a petition to be delivered into his parliament on the part of the commons of his realm, and to be granted to him generally, to the effect that he could be as free as any of his progenitors had been before him. Under pretext of this petition and grant, the same king frequently ordered and caused very many things to be done against statutes of this kind which were not revoked; thus going expressly and knowingly against his oath made at his coronation, as is said above, and as is explained below. |
| 35. Item, licet statutum fuerit et ordinatum, quod nullus vicecomes officium suum occuparet continue ultra unum annum, set triennium laberetur antequam ad illud officium admitteretur de novo; idem rex, quandoque pro suo commodo singulari, et quandoque ad procuracionem aliorum pro eorum commodo et utilitate, quosdam vicecomites stare et remanere permisit et fecit in eorum officiis continue, aliquociens per biennium, et aliquociens per triennium, contra tenorem et effectum statuti predicti, perjurium incurrendo. Et hoc est notorium, publicum, et famosum. | 35. Also, although it was decreed and ordained that no sheriff should occupy his office continuously for longer than a year, but that three years should pass before he could be admitted again to that office; the same king, sometimes for his convenience alone, and sometimes at the instigation of others for their convenience and advantage, allowed and caused certain sheriffs to stay and remain in their offices continually, sometimes for two years, sometimes for three years, against the tenor and effect of the aforesaid statute, thereby committing perjury. And this is notorious, public and well-known. |
| [p. iii-420] | |
| [col. a] | |
| 36. Item, licet de statuto et consuetudine regni sui in convocacione cujuslibet parliamenti populus suus in singulis comitatibus regni debeat esse liber ad eligendos et deputandos milites pro hujusmodi comitatibus, ad interessendum parliamento, et ad exponenda eorum gravamina, et ad prosequendum pro remediis superinde prout eis videbitur expedire; tamen prefatus rex, ut in parliamentis suis liberius consequi valeat sue temerarie voluntatis effectum, direxit mandata sua frequencius vicecomitibus suis, ut certas personas per ipsum regem nominatas ut milites comitatuum venire faciant ad parliamenta sua; quos quidem milites eidem regi faventes inducere poterat, prout frequencius fecit, quandoque per minas varias et terrores, et quandoque per munera, ad consenciendum illis que regno prejudicialia fuerant, et populo quamplurimum onerosa, et specialiter ad concedendum eidem regi subsidium lanarum ad terminum vite sue, et aliud subsidium ad certos annos; suum populum nimium opprimendo. | 36. Also, although by the statute and custom of his realm, at the summoning of any parliament his people in the individual counties of the realm ought to be free to choose and appoint knights for those counties, to be present at parliament and to explain their grievances, and to request such remedies on that account as seem appropriate to them; nevertheless the aforesaid king, so that in his parliaments he might more freely accomplish the carrying out of his audacious will, frequently sent his commands to his sheriffs, that certain persons nominated by the king himself should be caused to come to his parliaments as knights for the counties; and indeed he could, and often did, sometimes by various threats and terrors, and sometimes by bribes, persuade these knights who favoured the same king to consent to things which were prejudicial to the realm and very burdensome to the people, especially in granting to the same king the subsidy on wools for the term of his life, and another subsidy for a number of years; oppressing his people excessively. |
| 37. Item, idem rex, ut liberius adimpleri et sequi posset in singulis sue arbitrium voluntatis, illicite fecit et mandavit, quod vicecomites per totum regnum suum ultra antiquum et solitum juramentum jurarent, quod omnibus mandatis suis sub magno et privato sigillis suis, aceciam litteris sub signeto suo, quocienscumque eis directe fuerint, obedirent. Et in casu quo iidem vicecomites scire poterunt aliquos de ballivis suis, cujuscumque condicionis fuerint, aliquod malum dicere sive loqui publice vel occulte quod cedere possit in dedecus aut scandalum persone regis, ipsos arrestarent, vel facerent arrestari, et prisone mancipari, in eadem salvo custodiendos donec aliud a rege habuerint in mandatis; prout reperiri poterit de recordo. Quod quidem factum posset verisimiliter tendere ad destruccionem quorumcumque ligeorum dicti regni. | 37. Also, the same king, in order to fulfil and accomplish the impulse of his will in individual things, illicitly caused and commanded, that the sheriffs throughout his whole realm should swear, beyond the ancient and customary oath, that they would obey all his commands under his great and privy seals, and even letters under his signet, whenever they were directed to them. And if it happened that thesame sheriffs knew of anyone in their bailiwicks, of whatever condition, who said or spoke anything evil, publicly or secretly, that could tend to the disgrace or scandal of the person of the king, they should arrest them, or cause them to be arrested, and thrown into prison, to be kept safely in the same until they had any commands from the king; as can be found on record. Which act, indeed, could in all probability tend towards the destruction of any of the lieges of the said realm. |
| 38. Item, idem rex nitens subpeditare populum suum, et bona sua subtiliter sibi adquirere, ut diviciis superfluis habundaret, induci fecit populum de .xvij. comitatibus regni ad submittendos se regi tamquam proditores, per litteras sub sigillis eorum; cujus colore, optinuit magnas summas pecuniarum sibi concedi per clerum et populum comitatuum eorundem, pro benivolencia regis captanda. Et quamvis ad placendum populo idem rex fecerat eis restitui litteras illas obligatorias, tamen procuratores ipsius populi habentes plenariam potestatem eis concessam ad obligandos se et heredes suos dicto regi, idem rex fecit obligari sibi sub sigillis eorum nomine ejusdem populi. Sicque decepit populum suum, et bona eorum subtiliter extorquebat ab eis. | 38. Also, the same king, striving to trample on his people, and cunningly to acquire their goods for himself, in order to acquire superfluous wealth, caused the people of seventeen counties of the realm to be persuaded to submit themselves to the king as traitors, by means of letters under their seals; under pretext of which, he secured great sums of money to be granted to him by the clergy and people of the same counties, in order for them to obtain the goodwill of the king. And although, in order to please the people, the same king caused those letters obligatory to be restored to him, nevertheless the same king caused proctors of the people themselves, who had full power granted to them to bind themselves and their heirs to the said king, to submit themselves to him under their seals in the name of the same people. And in this way he deceived his people, and cunningly extorted their goods from them. |
| 39. Item, quamvis idem rex in coronacione sua juraverit de servando libertates ecclesie anglicane concessas, tamen dictus rex, racione viagii sui in terram Hibernie faciendi, quampluribus viris religiosis, videlicet abbatibus, et prioribus regni sui, per litteras ejus districte precipiendo mandavit, ut eorum aliqui certos equos, et aliqui eorundem non solum equos set eciam quadrigas sive charectas, alioquin magnas pecuniarum summas eidem regi pro dicto viagio suo, transmittere, in eisdem litteris expressatas. Per quem modum scribendi plures hujusmodi religiosos metu ductos artavit ad complendam voluntatem et preceptum ipsius regis: unde graviter depauperati fuerant et oppressi, in derogacionem libertatis ecclesiastice manifestam. Cujus pretextu dictus rex perjurium incurrebat. | 39. Also, although the same king at his coronation swore to preserve the liberties granted to the English church, nevertheless the said king, by reason of his expedition to be made to the land of Ireland, commanded numerous religious men, that is, the abbots and priors of his realm, instructing them strictly by letter, that some of them should send various horses, and others of the same not only horses but also wagons or carts, or otherwise that they should send large sums of money, as specified in the same letters, to the same king for his said expedition. By writing in this way he compelled many religious of this sort, out of fear, to fulfil the will and command of the king himself: by which they were seriously impoverished and oppressed, to the clear detriment of ecclesiastical liberty. On which pretext the said king committed perjury. |
| [col. b] | |
| 40. Item, in pluribus magnis consiliis regiis, quando domini regni justiciarii, et alii, onerati fuerant ut fideliter consulerent regi in tangentibus statum suum et regni sui, iidem domini justiciarii, et alii, frequencius in dando consilium juxta discrecionem suam fuerant per regem subito et tam acriter increpati et reprobati, quod non essent ausi dicere pro statu regis et regni in consiliis suis dandis dicere [sic] veritatem. | 40. Also, in many royal great councils, when the lords of the realm, justices, and others, had been charged with faithfully counselling the king in matters touching his estate and that of the realm, the same lords, justices, and others, when giving counsel in accordance with their understanding were frequently rebuked and reprimanded, suddenly and so bitterly that they did not dare to speak the truth in giving their advice on the welfare of the king and the kingdom. |
| 41. Item, thesaurum, coronas, reliquias, et alia jocalia, videlicet bona regni, que ab antiquo dimissa fuerant in archivis regni, pro honore regis, et conservacione regni sui in omnem eventum, prefatus rex exiens regnum suum versus Hiberniam abstulit, et secum deferri fecit, sine consensu statuum regni; unde regnum illud fuisset valde depauperatum, nisi de recapcione bonorum hujusmodi contra voluntatem dicti regis Deus aliter providisset. Et preterea, rotulos recordorum statum et gubernacionem regni sui tangencium predictus rex deleri et abradi fecit, in magnum prejudicium populi, et exheredacionem corone regni predicti; et ut verisimiliter creditur, in favorem et sustentacionem sui mali regiminis. | 41. Also, the aforesaid king, on leaving his kingdom for Ireland, removed the treasure, crowns, relics, and other jewels, that is the goods of the realm, which from antiquity had been stored in the archives of the realm, for the honour of the king and the preservation of his realm in all events: and he caused them to be taken with him, without the agreement of the estates of the realm; as a result of which that realm would have been truly impoverished, had God not otherwise provided for the recapture of these goods, against the will of the said king. And furthermore, the aforesaid king caused the rolls of the records touching on the state and government of his realm to be deleted and erased, to the great prejudice of the people, and the disinheriting of the crown of the aforesaid realm; and, as is believed with some probablity, in favour and support of his evil regime. |
| 42. Item, idem rex consuevit quasi continue esse adeo variabilis et dissimilans in verbis et in scripturis suis, et omnino contrarius sibi ipsi, et specialiter in scribendo pape et regibus, et aliis dominis extra regnum et infra, aceciam et aliis subditis ejus, quod quasi nullus vivens habens noticiam sue condicionis hujusmodi poterit aut velit de eo confidere. Ymmo reputatur adeo infidelis et inconstans, quod cedit ad scandalum non solum persone sue, set eciam tocius regni, et potissime apud extraneos tocius orbis inde noticiam optinentes. | 42. Also, the same king was accustomed almost continually to be so changeable and dissembling in his words and writings, and altogether contrary to himself, especially in writing to the pope and to kings, and to other lords outside the realm and within it, and also to other subjects of his, that almost no living person who knew what sort of person he was, could or wished to trust him. Rather he was thought to be so untrustworthy and inconstant that it became a disgrace, not only to his person, but also to his whole realm, and especially among foreigners throughout the whole world who learnt of it. |
| 43. Item, licet terre et tenementa, bona et catalla cujuscumque liberi hominis, per leges regni ab omnibus retroactis temporibus usitatas, capi non debeant nisi fuerint forisfacta; nichilominus dictus rex proponens et satagens leges hujusmodi enervare, in presencia quamplurium dominorum et aliorum de communitate regni frequenter dixit et affirmavit, quod vita cujuscumque ligei sui, ac ipsius terre, tenementa, bona, et catalla sunt sua ad voluntatem suam, absque aliqua forisfactura: quod est omnino contra leges et consuetudines regni sui supradicti. | 43. Also, although the lands and tenements, goods and chattels of any free man, by the laws of the kingdom in use for all time past, should not be seized unless they are forfeit; nevertheless the said king, proposing and endeavouring to undermine the laws of this kind, in the presence of very many lords and others of the community of the realm frequently said and declared that the life of any of his lieges, and his lands, tenements, goods and chattels, were his at his will, without any forfeiture: which is utterly against the laws and customs of his aforesaid realm. |
| 44. Item, quamvis statutum fuerit et ordinatum, aceciam hactenus confirmatum, 'Quod nullus liber homo capiatur etc. nec quod aliquo modo destruatur, nec quod rex super eum ibit, nec super eum mittet, nisi per legale judicium parium suorum, vel per legem terre'; (fn. iii-415-111-1) tamen de voluntate, mandato, et ordinacione dicti regis, quamplures ligeorum suorum maliciose accusati, super eo quod debuissent aliquid dixisse publice vel occulte quod cedere poterit ad vituperium, scandalum, seu dedecus persone dicti regis, fuerant capti et imprisonati, et ducti coram constabulario et marescallo Anglie in curia militari. In qua curia dicti ligei accusati ad aliud responsum admitti non poterant nisi respondendo se in nullo fore culpabiles, et per eorum corpora et non aliter se justificarent et defenderent: non obstante quod accusatores et appellatores eorum essent juvenes fortes et sani, et illi accusati senes et impotentes, mutulati vel infirmi: unde non solum destruccio dominorum et magnatum regni, seteciam omnium et singularum personarum communitatis ejusdem regni verisimiliter sequi posset. Cum igitur rex predictus hujusmodi regni sui [p. iii-421][col. a] statuto voluntarie contravenerit, non est dubium quin proinde perjurium incurrebat. | 44. Also, although it had been decreed by statute and ordained, and also until now maintained, that no free man should be arrested etc., or in any way destroyed, nor should the king proceed, or order any process against him, unless by lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land; (fn. iii-415-111-1) nevertheless by the will, command and ordinance of the said king, a great number of his lieges, maliciously accused on the grounds of having been supposed to have said something publicly or secretly which could lead to the disparagement, scandal or disgrace of the person of the said king, were seized and imprisoned, and led before the constable and marshal of England in the court of chivalry. In which court the said accused lieges were not permitted to enter any reply except by replying that they were in no way guilty and that they would justify and defend themselves by their bodies and not otherwise: notwithstanding that their accusers and appellants were strong and healthy young men, and those accused old and feeble, maimed or infirm: from which not only the destruction of the lords and magnates of the realm, but also of each and every person of the community of the same realm could plausibly follow. When therefore the aforesaid king wilfully [p. iii-421][col. a] contravened the statute of his realm in this way, there is no doubt that he consequently committed perjury. |
| 45. Item, quamvis populus regni Anglie vigore ligeancie sue satis plene regi suo teneatur et astringatur, ipseque rex populum suum si quovis modo deliquerit per leges et consuetudines regni corrigere valeat et punire; tamen dictus rex cupiens subpeditare ac nimis opprimere populum suum, ut liberius exequi et sequi valeret sue inepte et illicite voluntatis arbitrium, per suas litteras ad omnes comitatus regni sui directas induxit eciam et mandavit, ut ligei sui quicumque tam spirituales quam temporales certa juramenta prestarent in genere que eis fuerant nimium odiosa, queque verisimiliter causare possent destruccionem finalem populi sui; et quod sub litteris et sigillis eorum juramenta hujusmodi roborarent. Cui quidem mandato regio populus regni sui paruit et obedivit, ne ipsius indignacionem incurreret aut offensam, aceciam metu mortis. | 45. Also, although the people of the realm of England are sufficiently held and bound to their king by the strength of their allegiance, and the same king has the strength to correct and punish his people through the laws and customs of the realm, if they have done wrong in any way; nevertheless the said king, desiring to subdue and severely oppress his people, so that he might more freely accomplish and pursue, foolishly and illegally, the impulse of his will, by his letters, addressed to all the counties of his realm, persuaded and even commanded that all his lieges both spiritual and temporal should take certain general oaths, which were extremely hateful to them, and which couldplausibly have caused the final destruction of his people; and that they should confirm these oaths with their letters and seals. The people of his realm submitted to and obeyed this royal command in order not to incur his anger or displeasure, and also through fear of death. |
| 46. Item, cum partes in foro ecclesiastico, in causis mere ecclesiasticis et spiritualibus litigantes, prohibiciones regias ad impediendum processum legitimum in eisdem a cancellario Anglie impetrare laborassent, et idem cancellarius ex justicia ad hoc rescribere recusasset; idem tamen rex per litteras sub signeto suo judicibus ecclesiasticis hujusmodi frequenter districte prohibuit, ne in causis hujusmodi procederent, libertates ecclesiasticas in magna carta approbatas, ad quas conservandas juratus extiterat, nequiter infringendo; perjurium et sentenciam excommunicacionis contra hujusmodi violatores a sanctis patribus latam dampnabiliter incurrendo. | 46. Also, when parties in an ecclesiastical court, litigating in cases which were purely ecclesiastical and spiritual, endeavoured to obtain royal prohibitions from the chancellor of England in order to prevent the legitimate process in these cases, and the same chancellor justly refused to comply with this; nevertheless the same king often, through letters under his signet, strictly prohibited such ecclesiastical judges from proceeding in such cases, wickedly infringing the liberties of the church approved in the Great Charter, to preserve which he had sworn; thereby committing perjury, and damnably incurring the sentence of excommunication brought by the holy fathers against such violators. |
| 47. Item, dictus rex dominum Thomam de Arundell' archiepiscopum Cantuar', tocius Anglie primatem, patrem suum spiritualem, in parliamento suo viris armatis hostili more vallato, tunc de callido consilio dicti regis se absentantem, absque causa racionabili seu legitima quacumque, seu alio juris processu, contra leges regni sui, per ipsum ut prefertur juratas, in exilium perpetuum adjudicavit. | 47. Also, the said king, in his parliament, which was surrounded in a threatening manner by armed men, adjudged lord Thomas of Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England, his spiritual father - who was at that time, through the artful scheming of the said king, absent - to perpetual exile, without any reasonable or legitimate cause whatever, or any other process of law, against the laws of his realm, sworn by himself as is said above. |
| 48. Item, per inspeccionem testamenti dicti regis, sub magno et privato sigillis suis et signeto signati, inter cetera continetur hec clausula, sive articulus: 'Item volumus, quod auri nostri residuum, solutis tamen nostrorum hospicii, camere, et garderobe veris debitis, ad que persolvenda legamus viginti milia librarum, reservatis executoribus nostris quinque vel sex milibus marcarum, quas pro uberiori sustentacione leprosorum ac capellanorum coram eis celebraturorum per nos apud Westm' et Bermondeseye ordinatorum volumus per dictos executores nostros expendi, nostro remaneat successori: dumtamen omnia et singula statuta, ordinaciones, stabilimenta, et judicia, in parliamento nostro decimo septimo die mensis Septembris, anno regni nostri vicesimo primo apud Westm' inchoato, et in eodem parliamento usque Salop' continuato et ibidem tento, facta, lata, et reddita; necnon omnia ordinaciones et judicia, ac stabilimenta, decimo sexto die Septembris anno regni nostri vicesimo secundo apud Coventre, postmodum apud Westm' decimo octavo die Martii anno predicto auctoritate ejusdem parliamenti, facta, habita, et reddita; aceciam omnia alia ordinaciones et judicia que auctoritate ejusdem parliamenti infuturo contigerit fieri, approbet, ratificet, et confirmet, teneat, et teneri faciat, ac firmiter observet. Alioquin, si predictus successor noster premissa facere noluerit, vel recusaverit, quod non credimus, volumus, quod Thomas dux Surr', Edwardus [col. b] dux d'Aumarle, Johannes dux Exon', et Willelmus Lescrope comes Wilteshirie, solutis prius debitis nostrorum hospicii, camere, et garderobe, reservatis quinque vel sex milibus marcarum, ut supra, pro hujusmodi statutorum, stabilimentorum, ordinacionum, et judiciorum, sustentacione et defensione, secundum eorum posse eciam usque ad mortem si oporteat, residuum habeant et teneant memoratum. Super quibus omnibus et singulis eorum conscientias prout in die judicii respondere voluerint oneramus.' Per quem quidem articulum satis constare poterit, evidenter, quod idem rex illa statuta et ordinaciones, que sunt erronia et iniqua, et omni juri et racioni repugnancia, pertinaciter manutenere et defendere nitebatur, non tam in vita quam in morte; nec de anime sue periculo, nec de dicti regni sui, seu ligeorum suorum ultima destruccione curando. | 48. Also, inspection of the will of the said king, sealed under his great and privy seals and his signet, reveals that it contains, among other matters, this clause, or article: 'Item, we wish that, once the true debts of our household, chamber and wardrobe have been paid, for the payment in full of which we leave twenty thousand pounds, and reserving to our executors five or six thousand marks, which we wish to be spent by our said executors for the better sustenance of the lepers and the chaplains ordained by us to celebrate before them at Westminster and Bermondsey, the residue of our gold should remain to our successor: provided that he approves, ratifies, and confirms, holds and causes to be held, and firmly observes each and every statute, ordinance, establishment and judgment, made, brought and given in our parliament begun at Westminster on the seventeenth day of the month of September, in the twenty-first year of our reign, and in the same parliament continued at Shrewsbury and held there; and also all the ordinances and judgments, and establishments, made, decreed and given on the sixteenth day of September of the twenty-second year of our reign at Coventry, and afterwards at Westminster on the eighteenth day of March of the same year by authority of the same parliament; and also all other ordinances and judgments which will be brought about in the future by authority of the same parliament. Otherwise, if our aforesaid successor does not wish or refuses to do the aforesaid, which we do not believe possible, we wish that Thomas duke of Surrey, Edward [col. b] duke of Aumale, John duke of Exeter, and William Lescrope earl of Wiltshire, once the debts of our household, chamber and wardrobe have first been paid, saving the five or six thousand marks, as above, should have and possess the aforementioned remainder, for the upholding and protection of these statutes, establishments, ordinances and judgments, to the utmost of their ability, up to death if it is necessary. Each and every one of which we charge on their consciences as they would wish to answer on the day of judgment'. Through which article it is clearly sufficiently obvious, that thesame king was stubbornly endeavouring to maintain and defend those statutes and ordinances which are erroneous and unjust, and repugnant to all law and reason, not only in life but in death: caring neither about the danger to his soul, nor about the final destruction of his said realm or of his lieges. |
| [memb. 18] | |
| 49. Item, anno undecimo dicti Regis Ricardi, idem rex, in capella manerii sui de Langeley, in presentia ducum Lancastr' et Ebor', ac aliorum quamplurium dominorum personaliter constitutus, cupiens, ut apparuit, ut avunculus ejus dux Glouc' tunc ibidem presens de ipsius regis beneplacito plene consideret, ad venerabile corporis dominici sacramentum, ibidem super altare repositum, sua sponte juravit, quod eundem ducem Gloucestrie, pro aliquibus factis ejus que contra personam ipsius regis dicebantur esse commissa, numquam extunc inferret sibi dampnum aliquod vel gravamen, set omnem offensam illius, si qua fuerat, hillariter et ex integro sibi remisit. Postea tamen, juramento hujusmodi non obstante, dictus rex prefatum ducem pro sic pretensis offensis horribiliter et crudeliter murdrari fecit, reatum perjurii dampnabiliter incurrendo. | 49. Also, in the eleventh year of the said King Richard, the same king, personally present in the chapel of his manor of Langley, in the presence of the dukes of Lancaster and York, and of very many other lords, desiring, as it appeared, that his uncle the duke of Gloucester, then present there, should fully trust the goodwill of the king himself, willingly swore on the holy sacrament of the Lord's body, placed on the altar there, that he would henceforth never condemn or harm the same duke of Gloucester for any deeds of his which he might be said to have committed against the person of the king himself, but would willingly and entirely pardon him every offence of his, if there were any. Afterwards however, notwithstanding this oath, the said king caused the aforesaid duke to be horribly and cruelly murdered for offences thus alleged, damnably incurring the guilt of perjury. |
| 50. Item, postquam unus de militibus comitatuum dicti regni vocem habens eorum in parliamento, dictum dominum Thomam archiepiscopum Cantuarien' super certis defectibus contra regiam magestatem, ut minus veraciter asserebatur, commissis, impeciit publice coram rege et omnibus statibus regni; quamquam idem archiepiscopus statim tunc ibidem optulit se paratum ad respondendum hujusmodi sibi impositis, et ad hoc pecierit se admitti per regem, satis plene confisus, ut dixit, se posse suam in ea parte innocenciam declarare; idem tamen rex machinans viis et modis quibus poterat eundem archiepiscopum Cantuarien' opprimere, et in nichilum redigere statum ejus, prout tandem rei exitus declaravit, benigno ac hillari vultu ipsum archiepiscopum alloquens in sede sua regali, consuluit et attente rogavit eundem archiepiscopum, quod illa vice taceret, tempus ad hoc magis aptum et congruum expectando. Quo die lapso, de die in diem, bene per quinque dies et amplius, rex prefatus ipsum archiepiscopum < fraudulenter > et dolose decepit, consulens et suadens quod non veniret ad parliamentum set apud hospicium suum intrepidus expectaret, quoniam ut idem rex fideliter sibi promisit, in ipsius archiepiscopi absencia nullum sibi deberet inferri dispendium vel gravamen. Verumtamen dictus rex in suo parliamento predicto ipsum archiepiscopum, ut prefertur absentem ac ad responsum suum nullo modo vocatum, absque quacumque causa racionabili adjudicavit in exilium, ad ipsius regis beneplacitum duraturum; omnia bona sua contra leges regni ac omnem justiciam voluntarie confiscando. Cujus pretextu perjurium incurrebat. Volens preterea dictus rex suam in ea parte versuciam palliare, per ipsius blanda colloquia cum dicto archiepiscopo frequencius habita tantam sibi < illatam > injuriam a se prorsus excutere nitebatur, et ad aliorum facta transferre. Unde dictus archiepiscopus habens cum eodem rege, et cum duce Norff' et aliis dominis et magnatibus dicti regni colloquium, dixit, aliqualiter lamentando, quod ipse non erat primus qui exilium pertulit, nec erit novissimus, quia [p. iii-422][col. a] putabat quod infra breve dictus dux Norff', et alii domini ipsum archiepiscopum sequerentur. Et constanter asseruit dicto regi, quod omnium premissorum asperitas in caput ipsius regis debeat finaliter retorqueri. Ad quod idem rex vultu demisso, ac si inde fuisset attonitus, incontinenti respondit, quod bene putabat illud accidere posse, quodque per ligeos suos a regno suo deberet expelli. Et ulterius dixit idem rex, quod si illud forsan accideret, vellet ad locum ubi idem archiepiscopus fuerit se conferre. Et ut dictus archiepiscopus huic assercioni fidem adhiberet indubiam, ostendit idem rex archiepiscopo memorato quoddam magnum auri monile, juxta fimbriam tunice dicti regis subtus vestem ejus exteriorem miro modo firmatum, intimans eidem archiepiscopo pro constanti, quod cum illud monile sibi pro intersigno transmitteret, non differret illo venire ubi dictus archiepiscopus moraretur. Et ut idem archiepiscopus majorem haberet materiam confidendi in eo, misit ipse rex prefato archiepiscopo, consulens sibi, quod omnia jocalia sua, et alia ad capellam suam spectancia, dicto regi secrete transmitteret pro salva custodia eorundem; ne colore dicti judicii super ipsius exilio redditi quisquam ad bona predicta manus injuriosas apponeret. Quo sub maxima confidencia facto, prefatus rex bona hujusmodi visa per eum in quibusdam coffris reponi fecit, et coffras illas serari, ac per unum de clericis ipsius archiepiscopi sigillari. Retentisque penes illum hujusmodi coffris, claves earum per eundem clericum archiepiscopo memorato remisit. Et postmodum coffras illas, dicto archiepiscopo hoc penitus ignorante, frangi mandavit, et de bonis hujusmodi mox disposuit pro sue libito voluntatis. Promisit eciam idem rex fideliter dicto archiepiscopo, quod si pararet se ad portum de Hampton' ut regnum exiret, saltem intercessione regine protinus revocaret eundem. Et si contigerit ipsum archiepiscopum regnum exire, citra Pascha proxima extunc sequens, sine fallo, rediret in Angliam, neque suum archiepiscopatum amitteret ullo modo. Et hoc fideliter promisit, jurando super crucem dudum Sancti Thome martiris Cantuarien' archiepiscopi per ipsum regem corporaliter tactam. Quibus promissionibus non obstantibus, idem rex dictum archiepiscopum regnum exire coegit, et statim ad sedem apostolicam pro ipsius translacione transmisit litteras speciales. Sicque, et alias per fraudes et dolositates dicti regis, erat idem archiepiscopus ut homo bone fidei callide circumventus. | 50. Also, after one of the knights of the shire of the said realm, who was their spokesman in parliament, publicly impeached the said lord Thomas archbishop of Canterbury, for certain offences committed against the royal majesty, as was untruthfully claimed, before the king and all the estates of the realm; although the same archbishop immediately, then and there, showed himself ready to reply to the things imputed to him in this way, and asked to be allowed to do this by the king, believing completely, as he said, that he could make clear his innocence in this matter; the same king, however, devising ways and means by which he could crush the same archbishop of Canterbury, and reduce his state to nothing, as at last the outcome of the affair made clear, speaking with a kind and cheerful face to the archbishop himself from his throne, advised and earnestly requested the same archbishop that he would be quiet at that time, awaiting a more appropriate and fitting time for this. When this day had passed, every day, for fully five days and more, the aforesaid king deceived the archbishop himself fraudulently and cunningly, advising and persuading him not to come to parliament, but to wait calmly at his lodging, for, as the same king faithfully promised him, in the absence of the archbishop himself no wrong or injury would be inflicted on him. Nevertheless the said king in his aforesaid parliament condemned the archbishop himself, absent, as is said above, and not called to make his reply, to be banished during the king's pleasure, without any reasonable cause; confiscating all his goods arbitrarily, against the laws of the realm and all justice. By reason of which he committed perjury. Furthermore, the said king, wishing to cover his deceit, endeavoured, by the placatory conversations he frequently had with the said archbishop, to deny completely any such injury inflicted upon him, and to impute it to the doing of others. As a result of which the said archbishop, in conversation with the same king, and with the duke of Norfolk and other lords and magnates of the said realm, said, lamenting somewhat, that he was not the first to suffer exile, nor would he be the last, because [p. iii-422][col. a] he thought that within a short time the said duke of Norfolk and other lords would follow the archbishop himself. And he constantly declared to the said king, that the severity of all the aforesaid should finally rebound on the head of the king. At which the same king's face fell, as if he were shocked by this, and hereplied immediately that he thought that this could well happen, and that he could be expelled from his realm by his lieges. And furthermore the same king said that if that should by chance happen, he would wish to take himself to the place where the same archbishop was. And so that the said archbishop would give undoubted credence to this assertion, the same king showed the aforementioned archbishop a certain large collar of gold, fastened in an intricate way to the border of the tunic of the said king, under his outer clothing, informing the same archbishop for certain, that when he passed that collar to him as a token, his coming to where the archbishop was would not be long after that. And so that the same archbishop would have greater reason for trusting in him, the king himself sent a message to the aforesaid archbishop, advising him to secretly pass all his jewels, and other things pertaining to his chapel, to the said king for their safekeeping; so that no-one would wrongfully lay hands on the aforesaid goods under pretext of the said judgment brought concerning his exile. When this had been done in the greatest confidence, the aforesaid king caused these goods, seen by him, to be deposited in certain chests, and those chests to be locked, and sealed by one of the clerks of the archbishop himself. While these chests were kept with him, he sent back their keys to the aforementioned archbishop by the same clerk. And afterwards, with the said archbishop entirely ignorant of this, he ordered those chests to be broken open, and he soon disposed of these goods at his own will. The same king also faithfully promised the said archbishop that if he prepared himself to leave the realm at the port of Southampton, he would at all events recall him immediately by the intercession of the queen. And if it should happen that the archbishop himself should leave the realm, he would without fail return to England before the following Easter, and would cetainly not lose his archbishopric. And he promised this faithfully, swearing on the cross once belonging to St Thomas the martyr, archbishop of Canterbury, which was physically touched by the king himself. Notwithstanding these promises, the same king forced the said archbishop to leave the kingdom, and immediately sent special letters for his translation to the apostolic see. And thus, and otherwise by the tricks and frauds of the said king, the same archbishop, like a man of good faith, was cunningly cheated. |
| < Commissarii constituti ad deponendum Regem Ricardum. > | [Deposition of King Richard]. |
| 51. Et quoniam videbatur omnibus statibus illis, superinde singillatim aceciam communiter interogatis, quod ille cause criminum et defectuum erant satis sufficientes et notorie ad deponendum eundem regem, attenta eciam sua confessione super ipsius insufficiencia et aliis in dicta renunciacione et cessione contentis patenter emissa, omnes status predicti unanimiter consenserunt, ut ex habundanti ad deposicionem dicti regis procederetur, pro majori securitate et tranquillitate populi, ac regni comodo faciendam. Unde status et communitates predicti certos commissarios, videlicet episcopum Assaven', abbatem Glaston', comitem Glouc', dominum de Berkeleye, Thomam Erpyngham et Thomam Grey, milites, et Willelmum Thirnyng, justiciarium, unanimiter et concorditer constituerunt et deputarunt publice tunc ibidem, ad ferendum sentenciam depositionis hujusmodi, et ad deponendum eundem Ricardum Regem ab omni dignitate, magestate, et honore regiis, vice, nomine, et auctoritate omnium statuum predictorum, prout in consimilibus casibus de antiqua consuetudine dicti regni fuerat observatum. Et mox iidem commissarii onus commissionis hujusmodi in se assumentes, et ante dictam sedem regalem pro tribunali sedentes, prehabita super hiis deliberacione aliquali, hujusmodi deposicionis sentenciam in scriptis redactam, vice, nomine, et auctoritate predictis tulerunt, et per dictum episcopum Assaven', concommissarium [col. b] et collegam suum, eandem sentenciam de ipsorum commissariorum voluntate et mandato legi et recitari fecerunt, in hec verba: | 51. The commissioners appointed to depose King Richard. And since it seemed to all those estates, questioned individually and also together on that account, that those examples of his crimes and faults were sufficient and well-known enough to depose the same king, bearing in mind also his clearly expressed confession concerning his own inadequacy and other things contained in the said renunciation and cession, all the aforesaid estates unanimously decided that they would thereupon proceed to the deposition of the said king, to be done for the greater peace and security of the people, and the welfare of the realm. Whereupon the aforesaid estates and communities unanimously and with one accord, then and there, publicly designated and appointed certain commissioners, that is, the bishop of St Asaph, the abbot of Glastonbury, the earl of Gloucester, lord Berkeley, Thomas Erpingham and Thomas Grey, knights, and William Thirning, justice, to carry out this sentence of deposition, and to depose the same King Richard from every royal dignity, majesty and honour, on behalf of, in the name of and by authority of all the aforesaid estates, as had been done in similar cases by the ancient custom of the said realm. Thereupon the same commissioners, taking the burden of this commission upon themselves, and sitting as a tribunal before the said throne, having had some deliberation on these matters, brought this sentence of deposition, put down in writing, on behalf of, in the name of and by authority of the aforesaid, and by the will and command of the commissioners themselves caused the same sentence [col. b] to be read and recited by the said bishop of St Asaph, their co-commissioner and colleague, in these words: |
| 52. 'In Dei nomine amen. Nos Johannes episcopus Assaven', Johannes abbas Glaston', Thomas comes Gloucestrie, Thomas dominus de Berkeleye, Thomas de Erpyngham, et Thomas Gray, milites, ac Willelmus Thirnyng, justiciarius, per pares et proceres regni Anglie spirituales et temporales, et ejusdem regni communitates omnes status ejusdem regni representantes, commissarii ad infra scripta specialiter deputati, pro tribunali sedentes, attentis perjuriis multiplicibus, ac crudelitate, aliisque quampluribus criminibus dicti Ricardi, circa regimen suum in regnis et dominio supradictis pro tempore sui regiminis commissis et perpetratis, ac coram dictis statibus palam et publice propositis, exhibitis, et recitatis; que adeo fuerunt et sunt publica, notoria, manifesta, et famosa, quod nulla poterant aut possunt tergiversacione celari; necnon confessione predicti Ricardi, recognoscentis et reputantis, ac veraciter ex certa sciencia sua indicantis, se fuisse et esse insufficientem penitus et inutilem ad regimen et gubernacionem regnorum et dominii predictorum et pertinenciarum eorundem, ac propter sua demerita notoria non inmerito deponendum, per ipsum Ricardum prius emissa, ac de voluntate et mandato suis coram dictis statibus publicata, eisque notificata et exposita in vulgari; prehabita super hiis et omnibus in ipso negocio actitatis coram statibus antedictis, et nobis deliberacione diligenti; vice, nomine, et auctoritate nobis in hac parte commissa, ipsum Ricardum ex habundanti, et ad cautelam ad regimen et gubernacionem dictorum regnorum et dominii, juriumque et pertinenciarum eorundem, fuisse et esse inutilem, inhabilem, insufficientem penitus, et indignum; ac propter premissa, et eorum pretextu, ab omni dignitate et honore regiis, si quid dignitatis et honoris hujusmodi in eo remanserit, merito deponendum pronunciamus, decernimus et declaramus, et ipsum simili cautela deponimus per nostram diffinitivam sententiam in hiis scriptis omnibus et singulis. Dominis archiepiscopis, episcopis, et prelatis, ducibus, marchionibus, comitibus, baronibus, militibus, vassallis, et valvassoribus, ac ceteris hominibus dictorum regnorum et dominii, ac aliorum locorum ad dicta regna et dominium spectancium, subditis ac ligeis suis quibuscumque, inhibentes expresse, ne quisquam ipsorum de cetero prefato Ricardo, tanquam regi vel domino regnorum aut dominii predictorum, pareat quomodolibet vel intendat.' | 52. 'In the name of God, amen. We, John, bishop of St Asaph, John, abbot of Glastonbury, Thomas earl of Gloucester, Thomas lord Berkeley, Thomas Erpingham, and Thomas Grey, knights, and William Thirning, justice, commissioners specially appointed to what is written below by the peers and nobles of the realm of England, spiritual and temporal, and the communities of the same realm representing all the estates of the same realm, sitting as a tribunal, having considered the multiple perjuries, and the cruelty, and the very many other crimes of the said Richard, committed and perpetrated during his rule in the aforesaid realms and dominion at the time of his rule, and before the aforesaid estates openly and publicly set out, displayed, and related; which were and are so public, notorious, manifest and well-known, that they could not and cannot be hidden by any evasion; and also the confession of the aforesaid Richard, acknowledging and considering, and truly of his certain knowledge indicating, that he was and is utterly incapable and useless for the rule and government of the aforesaid realms and dominion and their appurtenances, and because of his notorious faults - already acknowledged by Richard himself, and at his will and command made public before the said estates, and announced to them and explained in the vernacular - worthy to be deposed; after careful deliberation on these and all matters discussed relating to this business had been held before the aforesaid estates, and before us, by the commission, name and authority given to us on this matter, we moreover as a further precaution pronounce, decree and declare Richard himself to have been and to be useless, incapable, utterly incompetent and unworthy, for the rule and government of the said realms and dominion, and of the laws and appurtenances of the same; and on account of the aforesaid, and by reason of them, deservedly to be deposed from every royal dignity and honour, if any of this dignity and honour should remain in him, and as a similar precaution we depose him by our definitive sentence in each and every one of these writings. Expressly prohibiting any of the lord archbishops, bishops and prelates, dukes, marquises, earls, barons, knights, vassals and vavasours, and the other men of the said realms and dominion, and of other places pertaining to the said realms and dominion, or any of his subjects and lieges, from henceforth obeying or attending to the aforesaid Richard, as king or lord of the aforesaid realms or dominion.' |
| < Vendicatio regni facta per Henricum ducem Lanc'. > | [Henry of Lancaster claims the throne]. |
| 53. Volentes autem preterea dicti status, ut nichil desit quod valeat aut debeat circa premissa requiri, superinde singillatim interrogati, personas easdem prius commissarios nominatos constituerunt procuratores suos conjunctim et divisim ad resignanda et reddenda dicto Regi Ricardo homagium et fidelitatem prius sibi facta, et ad premissa omnia hujusmodi deposicionem et renunciacionem tangencia si oportuerit intimandum. Et confestim, ut constabat ex premissis et eorum occasione regnum Anglie cum pertinenciis suis vacare, prefatus Henricus dux Lancastrie de loco suo surgens, et stans adeo erectus quod satis intueri posset a populo, et muniens se humiliter signo crucis in fronte et in pectore suo, Christi nomine primitus invocato, dictum regnum Anglie, sic ut premittitur vacans, una cum corona ac omnibus membris et pertinenciis suis, vendicavit in lingua materna, sub hac forma verborum: | 53. The claiming of the realm made by Henry duke of Lancaster. Furthermore the said estates, wishing that nothing should be lacking which could or ought to be required concerning the aforesaid, and having been questioned individually on that account, appointed the same persons previously named as commissioners as their proctors, together and separately to resign and yield up to the said King Richard the homage and fealty previously performed to him, and, if appropriate, to inform him of all the aforesaid things touching on this deposition and renunciation. And immediately, since it was clear from the aforesaid and their consequences that the realm of England with its appurtenances was vacant, the aforesaid Henry duke of Lancaster, rising from his place, and standing upright so that he could be seen sufficiently by the people, and humbly covering himself with the sign of the cross on his forehead and his chest, having first invoked the name of Christ, claimed the realm of England, thus vacant as is said above, together with the crown and all its members and appurtenances, in his mother tongue, in this form of words: |
| 'In the name of Fadir, Sone, and Holy Gost, I, Henry of Lancastr' chalenge yis rewme of Yngland, [p. iii-423][col. a] and ye corone with alle ye membres and ye appurtenances, als I yt am disendit be right lyne of the blode comyng fro the gude lorde Kyng Henry therde, and thorghe yat ryght yat God of his grace hathe sent me, with helpe of my kyn and of my frendes to recover it; the whiche rewme was in poynt to be undone for defaut of governance and undoyng of the gode lawes.' | 'In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I, Henry of Lancaster claim this realm of England, [p. iii-423][col. a] and the crown with all its members and its appurtenances, inasmuch as I am descended by right line of the blood from the good lord King Henry the third, and through that right that God in his grace has sent me, with the help of my kin and of my friends in recovering it; which realm was at the point of ruin for lack of governance and destruction of the good laws.' |
|
54. Post quam quidem vendicacionem et clameum, tam domini spirituales quam temporales, et omnes status ibidem presentes, singillatim et comuniter interrogati, quid de illa vendicacione et clameo senciebant. Iidem status, cum toto populo, absque quacumque difficultate vel mora ut dux prefatus super eos regnaret unanimiter consenserunt. Et statim ut idem rex ostendit statibus regni signetum Ricardi Regis, sibi pro intersigno traditum sue voluntatis ut premittitur expressum, prefatus archiepiscopus dictum Henricum Regem per manum dexteram apprehendens, duxit eum ad sedem regalem predictam. Et postquam idem rex coram dicta sede genuflexus parumper orasset, idem archiepiscopus Cantuar', assistente sibi archiepiscopo Ebor' predicto, dictum regem posuit et sedere fecit in sede regali predicta, populo pre nimio gaudio fortiter applaudante. Et mox dictus archiepiscopus Cantuarien', vix facto silencio propter gaudium omnium circumstancium, collacionem modicam fecit et protulit in hec verba:
'Vir dominabitur populo'
. R[eges]. IX
(fn. iii-415-143-1) o[[The following text has been deleted: cap]] . |
54. After this claim and challenge, both the lords spiritual and temporal, and all the estates there present, were questioned individually and jointly as to what they felt about this claim and challenge. The same estates, with the whole people, unanimously and without any difficulty or delay agreed that the aforesaid duke should reign over them. And immediately the same king showed the estates of the realm the signet of King Richard, given to him as a token of his will as is mentioned above; and the aforesaid archbishop, taking the said King Henry by the right hand, led him to the aforesaid throne. And after the same king had prayed on bended knee before the said throne for a short while, the same archbishop of Canterbury, with the aforesaid archbishop of York assisting him, placed and seated the said king on the aforesaid throne, while the people applauded loudly in their very great joy. And soon the said archbishop of Canterbury, when silence had with difficulty been achieved because of the joy of all the bystanders, delivered and pronounced a short sermon on these words: 'A man shall reign over the people'. Kings 9. (fn. iii-415-143-1) |
|
55. Hec sunt verba summi regis loquentis ad Samuelem, et docentis eundem, qualem deberet instituere ad gubernandum populum quando petebat sibi dari regem populus ille: et non inepte de domino nostro rege moderno dici possunt. Que verba si intime considerentur prebent nobis materiam magne consolacionis. Non enim Deus nobis comminatur sicut quondam per Ysai comminabatur populo, dicens Ysai III:
'Dabo pueros principes eorum'
.
(fn. iii-415-145-1)
Set ex sua misericordia, qui cum irascitur misericordie recordatur, visitavit plebem suam; et non modo, ut prius fuerat, in regno pueri dominabuntur, set dicit dominus vobis quod
'vir dominabitur populo'
. Poterat enim de rectoribus istius regni sive eorum quolibet preteritis in persona parvuli non inconvenienter dici illud apostoli,
[[The following text has been deleted: Cor. XIII]] : 'Cum essem parvulus loquebar ut parvulus, sapiebam ut parvulus, cogitabam ut parvulus'. (fn. iii-415-145-2) [Ecce ter] dicit apostolus, loquebatur ut parvulus, sapiebat, et cogitabat. Quantum ad loquelam, certum est quod parvulus inconstans est in loquendo, faciliter vera loquitur, faciliter falsa; faciliter verbo promittit, set quod promittit cito obliviscitur. Hec enim sunt inconveniencia et nimis molesta regno, nec possibile est regnum feliciter stare ubi hee condiciones regnant. Set ab istis defectibus liberatur regnum cum vir dominatur, ad virum namque pertinet circa linguam servare custodiam. Modo autem non puer dominatur set vir, de quo spero dici potest illud, Ecc. IX, 'Beatus vir qui non est lapsus in lingua' . (fn. iii-415-145-3) Post inquid apostolus, 'sapiebam ut parvulus'. Parvulus enim non sapit nisi placencia et adulatoria, arguentem secundum veritatem non diligit, ymmo odit supra modum. [...] Quondam autem veritas fuerat subpeditata, ut nullus auderet loqui. Satis constat, et per hoc patet, quod ille qui regnabat sapiebat ut parvulus; vir enim non sapit talia, set sapienciam. Unde per Dei gratiam dici poterit de isto viro quod scribitur Eccl. IX: 'Beatus vir qui in sapiencia morabitur' . (fn. iii-415-145-4) Sicut enim puer diligit vanitatem, ita vir sapit veritatem et sapienciam. Veritas ergo intrabit, adulacio recedat, que tot mala in regno nostro fecerunt, quia 'vir dominabitur populo' , qui veritatem sapit < non qui vanitatem vel adulacionem > . Et dicitur, 'Cogitabam ut parvulus' . Parvulus enim solum studet facere omnia voluntarie, non ex racione. [col. b] Cum igitur puer regnat, voluntas sola regnat, racio exul. Ubi vero voluntas regnat et racio recessit, constancia fugata est, et ita iminet [memb. 17] magnum periculum. Ab isto periculo liberati sumus, quia 'vir dominabitur' : ille scilicet, qui dicit non sicut parvulus set sicut racione perfectus, 'Non veni facere voluntatem meam set ejus qui misit me', scilicet Dei. Et ideo de viro isto non solum dicemus, quod in sapiencia morabitur, set eciam ut vir et non < ut > puer in sensu cogitabit circumspeccionem Dei, id est circumquaque diligenter aspiciat ut Dei voluntas non sua fiat. Et ita loco pueri voluntarie lascivientis vir modo dominabitur in populo: et iste vir est talis quod dicetur, 'Regnabit rex, et sapiens erit, et faciet judicium et justiciam in terra'. (fn. iii-415-145-5) |
55. These are the words of the High King talking to Samuel, and teaching the same what sort of person he ought to choose to govern the people, when those people were asking for a king to be given to them: and they cannot be said to be inappropriate to our lord the present king. These words, if they are considered deeply, present us with material for great consolation. For God does not threaten us as he once threatened the people through Isaiah, saying, in Isaiah 3: 'And I will give children to be their princes'. (fn. iii-415-145-1) But in his mercy, he who when he is angry remembers mercy visited his people; and no longer, as was the case before, will boys rule in the realm, but the lord says to you that 'a man will rule the people'. For that saying of the apostle's in Corinthinans 13: 'When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child', (fn. iii-415-145-2) could not inappropriately be used of the past rulers of this realm of yours, or of any of them, in the person of a child. Behold, the apostle says three times, he spoke, he understood, and he thought as a child. With regard to speaking, it is certain that a child is inconstant in speaking, he easily speaks the truth, easily tells lies; he easily promises with a word, but what he promises he quickly forgets. These things are inappropriate and extremely damaging to a kingdom, nor is it possible for a kingdom where these conditions reign to stand happily. But the realm is liberated from these defects when a man rules, for it belongs to a man to keep a guard on his tongue. Now however not a boy but a man rules, of which I hope that, with Ecclesiasticus 9, it can be said, 'Blessed is the man who does not make a slip with his tongue'. (fn. iii-415-145-3) Afterwards the apostle says, 'I understood as a child'. For a child does not understand anything except what is pleasing and flattering, and does not love a person who censures him according to the truth, but hates him beyond measure. Previously, however, the truth was trampled underfoot, so that no-one dared to speak. It is sufficiently well-known, and through this it is plain, that he who ruled understood as a child: for a man does not understand such things, but wisdom. Whence through the grace of God what is written in Ecclesiasticus 9 may be said of that man: 'Blessed is he who dwells in wisdom'. (fn. iii-415-145-4) For, just as a boy loves vanity, in the same way a man understands truth and wisdom. Truth therefore will enter, let flattery draw back, which has caused so many evils in our realm, because a man will rule the people, who understands truth, not vanity or flattery. And it is said, 'I thought as a child'. For a child only desires to do everything wilfully, not through reason. [col. b] When therefore a boy reigns, will alone reigns, and reason is exiled. Where indeed will reigns and reason draws back, constancy is put to flight, and thus great danger [memb. 17] threatens. From this danger we have been freed, because a man rules: he, that is, who rules not as a child but as one perfect in reason: 'I did not come to do my will, but that of him who sent me', that is, God's. And therefore of that man we will not only say, that he will live in wisdom, but also that, as a man and not as a boy, he will reflect in his understanding on the circumspection of God, that is, let him look carefully on all sides, so that God's will, not his own, is done. And thus in the place of a boy wilfully running riot, a man will now rule over the people: and that man is such that it will be said, 'a king shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth'. (fn. iii-415-145-5) |
| 56. Qua collacione completa, dictus dominus Rex Henricus ad ponendos suorum subditorum animos in quiete, dixit publice tunc ibidem hec verba: | 56. When this sermon was finished, the said lord King Henry, to put his subjects' minds at rest, then and there publicly said these words: |
| 'Sires, I thank God and yowe spirituel and temporel and alle the astates of the lond; and do yowe to wyte, it es noght my wille that noman thynk yt be waye of conquest I wold disherit any man of his heritage, franches, or other ryghtes that hym aght to have, no put hym out of that that he has and has had by the gude lawes and custumes of the rewme; except thos persons that has ben agan the gude purpose and the commune profyt of the rewme.' | 'My lords, I thank God and you, the lords spiritual and temporal, and all the estates of the land; and know that it is not my will that anyone should think that by means of conquest I wish to disinherit any man of his inheritance, franchise or any other rights that he ought to have, or to expel him from what he has and has had by the good laws and customs of the realm; excepting those persons who have acted contrary to the good purpose and the common advantage of the realm.' |
| 57. Et protinus hoc attento, quod [...] prius vacante sede regali per cessionem et deposicionem predictis [sic: read 'predictam'] cessavit omnis potestas quorumcumque justiciariorum, vicecomitum, et aliorum officiariorum ubique per regnum, ne exhibicio justicie in gravamen populi dilacionis incomodo subjaceret, suos officiaros principales, aceciam justiciarios deputavit ibidem, juramento consueto regi prestito per singulos eorundem. Et fuit ilico de dicti regis mandato publice proclamatum ibidem, quod die lune proximo post festum Sancti Michaelis parliamentum ibidem teneri et celebrari deberet: quodque die lune proximo extunc sequente, videlicet in festo Sancti Edwardi, coronacio dicti regis fieret apud Westmonasterium: et quod omnes illi qui vendicare voluerint aliquod servicium se in dicta coronacione facturos, et eo pretextu aliquid sibi deberi, venirent ad Albam Aulam palacii, coram senescallo, constabulario, et marescallo Anglie, die sabbati proximo ante diem parliamenti predicti, quod in ea parte justum fuerit petituri, quibus plena justicia fieret in petitis. Quantum autem ad abbreviacionem assignacionis diei parliamenti predicti, fuerat pro parte dicti regis protestacio talis facta: videlicet, quod non erat intencionis sue ut statibus regni sui prejudicium afferatur exinde, nec quod hoc trahatur de cetero in exemplum; quinymmo, quod abbrevacio illa fiebat tantummodo pro commodo et utilitate regni; et specialiter, ut quorumcumque ligeorum suorum parcatur laboribus et expensis, quodque super gravaminibus populi celere possit remedium adhiberi. Quibus omnibus sic peractis, rex de sede sua regali surgens, et populum vultu hillari et benigno respiciens, abinde populo congaudente recessit, et in Alba Aula predicta communibus regni, proceribus, ac generosis illuc in multitudine maxima congregatis, eodem die solempnissime celebravit. | 57. And immediately this had been attended to, because previously with the throne vacant because of the aforesaid cession and deposition, all power of all justices, sheriffs, or other officers had ceased everywhere throughout the realm, he appointed in that very place his principal officers, and also justices, with the customary oath made to the king by each of them, lest the exercise of justice should be subject to the inconvenience of delay, to the misfortune of the people. And it was immediately publicly proclaimed there by command of the said king, that on the next Monday [6 October] after the feast of Michaelmas, parliament would be held and celebrated there: and on the next Monday after that, that is on the feast of St Edward [13 October], the coronation of the said king would take place at Westminster: and that all those who wished to claim that they should perform some service in the said coronation, or that anything was owing to them for that reason, should come to the White Hall of the palace, before the steward, constable and marshal of England, on the Saturday before the day of the aforesaid parliament, to ask for what was just in that matter, and full justice would be done to them in what they requested. With regard however, to the shortness of the time before the day designated for the aforesaid parliament, the following declaration was made on behalf of the king, namely, that it was not his intention that this should be in any way prejudicial to the estates of his realm, nor that it should henceforth be taken as as example; but rather, that that shortness was purely for the welfare and advantage of the realm; and especially, that the effort and expenses of each of his lieges should be spared, and that a remedy could swiftly be applied to the hardships of the people.When all these things had been dealt with in this way, the king, rising from his throne, and looking at the people with a cheerful and kindly face, went from there, with the people rejoicing greatly, into the aforesaid White Hall, where the commons of the realm, the magnates, and the gentlemen had gathered in an immense crowd, and on that same day celebrated most solemnly. |
| 58. Et postmodum, die mercurii proximo extunc sequente, dicti procuratores, ut premittitur, deputati, ad presenciam dicti Ricardi nuper regis infra dictam turrim existentis prout eis injunctum fuerat accesserunt, et prefatus dominus Willelmus Thirnyng, justiciarius, pro se et dictis sociis et comprocuratoribus suis nomine omnium statuum et populi predictorum, admissionem dicte renunciacionis, [p. iii-424][col. a] ac modum, causam, et formam sentencie deposicionis hujusmodi eidem Ricardo notificavit, ac plenius declaravit. Et statim homagium et fidelitatem eidem Ricardo nuper regi, ut premittitur, facta resignavit et reddidit, sub hiis verbis. | 58. And afterwards, on the next Wednesday then following [1 October], the said proctors, appointed as is said above, approached the presence of the said Richard, formerly king, who was then within the said Tower, as they had been commanded, and the aforesaid lord William Thirning, justice, speaking for himself and his said companions and co-proctors in the name of all the aforesaid estates and the people, informed the same Richard of the acceptance of the said renunciation, [p. iii-424][col. a] and the means, cause and form of this sentence of deposition, and more fully explained them. And immediately he resigned and yielded up the homage and fealty performed, as is said above, to the same Richard, the former king, in these words. |
| Les paroles qe William Thirnyng parla a Monsire Richard nadgairs Roy d'Engleterre, a le toure de Loundres, en sa chambre, le mesqerdy prochein apres le fest de Seint Michell l'archaunchelle, s'ensuent: | The words which William Thirning spoke to my lord Richard, formerly king of England, in his chamber in the Tower of London, on the Wednesday after the feast of St Michael the archangel, follow: |
| < Les paroles qe Willyam Thirning parla a Monsire Richard nadgairs roi d'Englettere. > | [King Richard is informed of his deposition]. |
| 59. Sire, it is wele knowe to yowe, that ther was a parlement somond of alle the states of the reaume for to be at Westmynstre, and to begynne on the teusday in the morue of the fest of Seint Michelle the archaungelle that was yesterday, by cause of the whiche sommons alle the states of this londe were ther gadyrd, the whiche states hole made thes same persones that ben comen here to yowe nowe her procuratours, and gafen hem fulle auctorite and power, and charged hem, for to say the wordes that we salle say to yowe in her name and on thair be halve: that is to wytten, the bysshope of Seint Assa for ersbisshoppes and bysshoppes; the abbot of Glastenbury for abbotes and priours, and alle other men of holy chirche seculers and rewelers; the erle of Gloucestre for dukes and erles; the lord of Berkeley for barones and banerettes; Sire Thomas Irpyngham, chaumberleyn, for alle the bachilers and commons of this lond be southe; Sire Thomas Grey for alle the bachilers and commons by northe; and my felawe Johan Markham and me, for to come wythe hem for alle thes states. And so, Sire, thes wordes and the doyng that we salle say to yowe is not onlyche our wordes bot the wordes and the doynges of alle the states of this lond and our charge and in her name. And he answerd and sayd, that he wyst wele that we wold noght say bot os we were charged. Sire, ye remembre yowe wele, that on moneday in the fest of Seint Michelle the archaungelle, ryght here in this chaumbre, and in what presence, ye renounsed and cessed of the state of kyng, and of lordesshipe and of alle the dignite and wirsshippe that longed ther to, and assoiled alle your lieges of her ligeance and obeisance that longed to yowe, uppe the fourme that is contened in the same renunciacioun and cessioun, whiche ye redde your self by your mouthe, and affermed it by your othe and by your owne writyng. Opon whiche ye made and ordeyned your procuratours the ersbysshoppe of York, and the bysshoppe of Hereford, for to notifie and declare in your name thes renunciacioun and cessioun at Westmynstre to alle the states and alle the poeple that was ther gadyrd by cause of the sommons forsayd; the whiche thus don yesterday by thes lordes your procuratours, and wele herde and understondene, thes renunciacioun and cessioun ware pleineliche and freliche accepted and fulliche agreed by alle the states and poeple forsayd. And over this, Sire, at the instance of alle thes states and poeple ther ware certein articles of defautes in your governance redde there: and tho wele herd and pleineliche understondene to alle the states forsaide, hem thoght hem so trewe and so notorie and knowen, that by tho causes and by mo other, os thei sayd, and havyng consideracioun to your owne wordes in your owne renunciacioun and cessioun, that ye were not worthy, no sufficeant, ne able, for to governe for your owne demerites, os it is more pleinerlyche contened ther in, hem thoght that was resonable and cause for to depose yowe, and her commissaries that thei made and ordeined, os it is of record ther, declared and decreed, and adjugged yowe for to be deposed and pryved, and in dede deposed yowe and pryved yowe of the astate of kyng, and of the lordesshipe contened in the renunciacoun [sic: read 'renunciacioun'] and cessioun forsayd, [col. b] and of alle the dignite and wyrsshippe, and of alle the administracioun that longed ther to. And we, procuratours to alle thes states and poeple forsayd, os we be charged by hem, and by hir autorite gyffen us, and in her name, yelde yowe uppe, for alle the states and poeple forsayd, homage liege and feaute, and alle ligeance, and alle other bondes, charges, and services that longe ther to. And that non of alle thes states and poeple fro this tyme forward ne bere yowe feythe, ne do yowe obeisance os to thar kyng. | 59. The words which William Thirning spoke to my lord Richard, formerly king of England. My lord, it is well known to you that a parliament of all the estates of the realm was summoned to be held at Westminster, and to begin on the Tuesday, on the morrow of the feast of St Michael the archangel, which was yesterday, because of which summons all the estates of this land were gathered there, and these estates unanimously appointed as their proctors the same people who have come here to you now, and gave them full authority and power, and charged them to say the words that we shall say to you in their name and on their behalf: namely, the bishop of St Asaph for the archbishops and bishops; the abbot of Glastonbury for the abbots and priors, and all the other men of holy church, secular and regular; the earl of Gloucester for the dukes and earls; the lord Berkeley for the barons and bannerets; Sir Thomas Erpingham, chamberlain, for all the bachelors and commons in the south of this land; lord Thomas Grey for all the bachelors and commons in the north; and my fellow John Markham and me, to come with them on behalf of all these estates. And so, my lord, these words, and the deeds that we shall tell you of, are not only our words, but the words and deeds of all the estates of this land, and it is our charge and done in their name. And he answered by saying that he knew well that we would speak only as we were charged. Lord, you will remember well, that on Monday, on the feast of St Michael the archangel, here in this chamber - and you will remember well in whose presence - you renounced and yielded up the estate of king, and the lordship, and all the dignity and worship that belong thereto, and you absolved all your lieges of their allegiance and obedience which they owed to you, according to the form which is contained in the same renunciation and cession, which you read yourself with your own mouth, and affirmed by your oath and by your own hand. Whereupon you made and ordained the archbishop of York and the bishop of Hereford your proctors, to notify and proclaim this renunciation and cession in your name at Westminster to all the estates and all the people that were gathered there because of the aforesaid summons; when this was done yesterday by these lords your proctors, and was fully heard and understood, this renunciation and cession were clearly and freely accepted and fully agreed by all the aforesaid estates and people. And furthermore, my lord, at the request of all these estates and people certain articles concerning faults in your government were read there: and when they had been fully heard and clearly understood by all the aforesaid estates, they considered that they were so true, and so notorious and well-known, that for these reasons and for many others, as they said, and considering your own words in your own renunciation and cession, that you were not worthy, or competent, or able, to govern, through your own faults, as is more clearly contained therein, and they considered that that was a reason and grounds for deposing you, and their commissioners, whom they appointed and ordained (as is on record there) declared, decreed and adjudged that you should be deposed and deprived, and they did indeed depose and deprive you of the estate of king, and of the lordship specified in the aforesaid renunciation and cession, [col. b] and of all the dignity and worship, and of all the administration that pertained to them. And we, proctors to all these aforesaid estates and people, as we are commanded by them, and by their authority given to us, and in their name, yield up to you, on behalf of all the aforesaid estates and people, liege homage and fealty, and all allegiance, and all the other bonds, obligations and services that pertain to it. And none of these estates and people will from this time forth bear you faith or do obedience to you as their king. |
| 60. And he answerd and seyd, that he loked not ther after; bot he sayde, that after alle this he hoped that is cosyn wolde be goode lord to hym. | 60. And he answered by saying that he did not look to the future; but he said that after all this he hoped that his cousin would be a good lord to him. |
| [memb. 16] | |
| Coronacioun du Roy Henry. | [The coronation of Henry IV]. |
| 61. Le lundy, qe feust le jour de Seint Edward le roy et confessour, le dit Roy Henry feust coronez a Westm', ove toute la solempnitee et honour q'affiert; et certeins seignours et autres firent severalment leur service a mesme le Roy Henry solonc lour tenures, en manere acustume a temps de tiele coronacioun. | 61. The coronation of King Henry. On the Monday, which was the day of St Edward, king and confessor [13 October], the said King Henry was crowned at Westminster, with all appropriate solemnity and honour; and certain lords and others individually performed their service to the same King Henry in accordance with their tenures, in the accustomed manner at the time of such a coronation. |
| Presentacioun du parlour. | [The presentation of the speaker]. |
| 62. Item, le maresdy ensuant, les communes du roialme presenterent au roy Monsire Johan Cheyne pur lour parlour et procuratour en parlement, a qi le roi s'agrea bien. Et puis le dit Monsire Johan fist humblement requeste au roy, q'il purroit faire protestacioun, qe s'il dirroit riens par ignorance, necligence, ou autre voie qe n'estoit assentuz par ses compaignons, ou qe serroit displesance au roy, ou encontre soun roial estat ou regalie, qe le roy luy vorroit avoir ent pur excusez; et q'il se purroit corriger et amender par ses ditz compaignons; et q'ils purroient avoir lour libertee en parlement, come ils ont ewe devant ces heures; et qe ceste protestacioun soit entrez de record en rolle du parlement. Quele requeste sembla au roy honeste et raisonable, et l'ad ottroiez. | 62. Presentation of the speaker. Also,the following Tuesday [14 October], the commons of the realm presented to the king Sir John Cheyne as their speaker and proctor in parliament, whom the king readily accepted. And then the said Sir John humbly requested of the king that he might make protestation that if he said anything through ignorance, negligence, or in any other way which his companions had not assented to, or which displeased the king, or went against his royal estate or regality, that the king should hold him excused for it; and that he could be corrected and set right by his said companions; and that they could have their liberty in parliament, as they had had previously; and that this protestation should be entered as a matter of record on the roll of parliament. This request seemed to the king to be honest and reasonable, and he agreed to it. |
| Excusacioun de parlour. | [The speaker is excused]. |
| 63. Item, mesquardy proschein ensuant viendrent les communes devaunt le roy en parlement, et illoeqes le dit Monsire Johan monstra, qe coment q'il soit ordeignez d'estre parlour pur les communes a cest foitz, tielx infirmitee et maladie luy sont advenuz a present, come il est notoirement conuz a ses compaignons, q'il ne puisse sustenir cel labour, n'aucunement entendre pur ycel. Et par tant mesmes ses compaignons veantz son grand disease, de lour commune assent ont esluz un autre de ses compaignons en soun lieu, c'estassavoir Johan Doreward; empriantz au roy, de sa grace especiale d'avoir le dit Monsire Johan Cheyne pur excusez a cause de sa dite infirmite, et graciousement accepter le dit Johan Doreward d'estre parlour pur les communes, en lieu de dit Monsire Johan Cheyne. A qi le roy s'agrea bien; et chargea le dit Johan Doreward d'estre parlour pur les communes suisditz, et ensi le roy tient le dit Monsire Johan pur excusez, par la cause suisdite. | 63. Exoneration of the speaker. Also, on the Wednesday following, the commons came before the king in parliament, and there the said Sir John explained that although he had been appointed to be speaker for the commons on this occasion, such an infirmity and illness had come to him just now, as was well known to his companions, that he could not undertake the work, nor attend to anything concerned with it. And therefore his same companions, seeing his great illness, had by their common consent chosen another of his companions in his place, that is, John Doreward; requesting of the king of his special grace to hold the said Sir John Cheyne excused because of his said illness, and graciously to accept the said John Doreward to be speaker for the commons in place of the said Sir John Cheyne. The king readily accepted him; and commanded the said John Doreward to be speaker for the aforesaid commons, and thus the king holds the said Sir John excused, for the aforesaid reason. |
| Protestacioun del parlour. | [Protestation of the speaker]. |
| 64. Item, mesme le mesquardy, le dit Johan Doreward fist sa protestacioun en manere come le dit Monsire Johan Cheyne avoit fait le maresdy suisdit; laquele le roy ad ottroiez, come desuis est dit. Et outre ceo, le dit Johan Doreward pria a mesme nostre seignour le roy, qe come il soit ensi ordeignez d'estre parlour pur les ditz communes, qe ceo q'il deust ensi parler en cest parlement pur les dites communes ne serroit pris q'il le face de soun propre motif ou voluntee singulere; ainz q'il est et serra le commune assent et accord de [p. iii-425][col. a] toutz ses compaignons suisditz. Quele requeste semble au roy raisonable, et l'ad auxint ottroiez. | 64. Protestation of the speaker. Also, on the same Wednesday, the said John Doreward made his protestation in the same way as the said Sir John Cheyne had done on the aforesaid Tuesday; which the king accepted, as has been said above. And furthermore, the said John Doreward requested of our same lord the king that, since he had thus been ordained to be speaker for the said commons, what he should thus say in this parliament for the said commons would not be regarded as something which he did of his own volition or individual will; but rather that it was and would be by the common assent and agreement of [p. iii-425][col. a] all his aforesaid companions. This request seemed reasonable to the king, and he thus granted it. |
| La grante du subside. | [The grant of the subsidy]. |
| 65. Al reverence de Dieu, et pur l'onur et bien de nostre seignour le roy, et profit du roialme, voz poverez communes de cest present parlement, par assent des seignours espirituels et temporels, et pur la grant amour et affeccioun q'ils ount soveraignement envers vous, nostre seignour soveraigne, et eiantz consideracioun a les guerres d'Escoce, et a la garde de Caleys, et a ceo qe bosoigne estre ordeigne pur la terre d'Irland, et en diverses autres parties, pur la salvacioun de vostre haute estat et de l'estat de vostre roialme d'Engleterre, et especialment pur la grande et perfit espoir qe voz ditz communes ount, qe vous nostre liege seignour soveraigne lour vuillez graunter les peticions necessaires et resonables qe voz ditz communes vous ount requis en cest present parlement, pur profit et pees de vous, tresredoute seignour, et parcialment pur la restauracioun et reformacioun de les grantz extorsions, et raunsons, et dettes, et approvitz, duez par Richard nadegaires roy; et pur la graunt joie qe voz ditz communes ount en ceo q'ils entendont et lour affiont de vous et de vostre droiturelle et resonable governance, en la garde de voz loies sibien as meindres come as greindres; grauntont a nostre dit seignour le roy la subside des leyns, quirs, et peaux lanutz, pur estre levez des denizeins pur le sak .l. solds, et des marchantz foreins pur le sak .lx. solds, de la fest de Seint Michel darrein passe en trois ans lors proschein ensuantz. Et enoutre grantont les ditz communes, par assent avantdit, sur toutz les causes susditz, ce q'est leve ou a lever de une disme et quinszisme qe nadegaires feust grante a Richard nadegaires roy. Purveuz toutfoitz, qe de une dite x e et xv e q'estoit grante a dit Richard, nadegaires roy, pur estre paie a la fest de Seint Michel darrein passe, qe de cel dite x e et xv e , coment qe ascun chose ent soit leve ou nient leve, qe de ceo les communes ne les seignours grantont nul chose a nostre seignour le roy; mais vuillent, qe si ascune chose de ceo soit leve, qe restitucioun soit fait a ceux des queux il ad este levez, par auctorite de commissions directz as certeines persones de certeins countes en les queux les levez ount este faitz. (fn. iii-415-174-1) Et qe tieux commissions soient grauntez saunz fee paier pur le seal, a ceux qe vuillent pursuir. Purveuz ensement, qe cest grant en temps avenir ne soit pris en ensample de charger les seignours ne les communes de roialme de nulle manere subside a les guerres d'Escoce, Irland, ne a la garde de Caleys, s'il ne soit par les voluntees des seignours et communes de vostre roialme: et de ceo de novelle graunt affaire en plein parlement. | 65. Grant of the subsidy. Out of reverence for God, and for the honour and good of our lord the king, and the advantage of the realm, your poor commons of this present parliament, by the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and because of the great love and affection which they have especially towards you, our sovereign lord, and considering the Scottish wars, and the keeping of Calais, and that which needs to be ordained for the land of Ireland, and various other places, for the protection of your high estate and of the estate of your realm of England, and especially for the great and perfect hope which your said commons have that you, our sovereign liege lord, will be pleased to grant to them the necessary and reasonable petition s which your said commons have requested of you in this present parliament, for your advantage and tranquillity, most dread lord, and in part for the emendation and correction of the great extortions, exactions, debts, and proceeds owed by Richard formerly king, and for the great joy which your said commons have in that they recognise and entrust themselves to you and to your just and rightful government, in the keeping of your laws both to lesser and to greater persons: grant to our said lord the king the subsidy on wools, hides and woolfells, to be levied from denizens at the rate of 50s. per sack, and from foreign merchants at 60s. per sack, from the feast of Michaelmas last for the next three years. And furthermore the said commons grant, by the aforesaid assent, for all the aforesaid reasons, what has been raised or is yet to be raised of a tenth and fifteenth which was previously granted to Richard formerly king. Provided always that from any tenth and fifteenth which was granted to the said Richard, formerly king, to be paid at the feast of Michaelmas last, from that said tenth and fifteenth, whether any part of it has been raised or not raised, that neither the commons nor the lords grant anything from that to our lord the king, but wish, that if any of it should be raised, that restitution be made to those from whom it has been raised, by authority of commissions addressed to certain persons of certain counties in which the levies have been made. (fn. iii-415-174-1) And that such commissions should be granted without a fee being paid for the seal, to those who wish to pursue the matter. Provided also that this grant is not taken as an example in time to come, in order to burden the lords or commons of the realm with any kind of subsidy for the Scottish wars, Ireland, or the protection of Calais, except by the will of the lords and commons of your realm: and for this a new grant is to be made in full parliament. |
| Repelle du parlement tenuz l'an vynt et primer. | [Repeal of the parliament of September 1397]. |
| 66. Item, mesme le mesquardy, les ditz communes monstrerent a nostre seignour le roy, qe come le lundy proschein apres le fest de l'exaltacioun del Seinte Croice, l'an du regne le dit nadgairs roy Richard vint primer, un parlement feust sommonez et tenuz a Westm', et d'illoeqes adjournez a Salopbirs: a quele ville certeine poair par auctorite du parlement feust commys as certeines persones, de proceder sur certeins articles et matirs comprises en rolle du parlement ent faitz, come par mesme le rolle y purra apparoir. En quel parlement, et auxint par l'auctorite suisdite, diverses estatutz, juggementz, ordinances, et establissementz furent faitz, ordeignez, et renduz erronousement et tresdolorousement, en grant disheritesoun, et final destruccioun et anientisement des plusours honurables seignours, et autres lieges du roialme, et de leur heirs as toutz jours. Sur qoi mesmes les communes prierent a nostre seignour le roy, et as toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx en cest present parlement, qe leur pleise par leur commune assent revoker, adnuller, casser, irriter, et repeller tout ceo et [col. b] qant q'en mesme le parlement tenuz le dit an xxi e , ou par auctorite d'icel, ad este fait; et le tenir pur nul parlement, pur pleuseurs causes notables et raisonables allegez par les communes suisdites. Sur quoi mesme nostre seignour le roy, eue deliberacioun et advis des toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx, severalment examinez en plein parlement de les matires suisdites, et par commune assent de mesmes les seignours, ad adjuggez le dit parlement tenuz le dit an xxi e , et l'auctorite ent done, come dessuis est dit, ove toutes autres circumstances et dependences d'icel, d'estre de nul force ou value: et qe mesme le parlement, ove l'auctorite suisdite, et toutes autres circumstances et dependences d'icelle, soient de tout reversez, revokez, irritez, cassez, repellez, et adnullez pur toutz jours. Et auxi les dites communes prierent a nostre dit seignour le roy, qe si aucune estatut, ordeignance, ou autre chose necessaire et profitable pur le bien et commune profit du roialme, soit comprise en ascun article fait en le dit parlement tenuz le dit an xxi e , ou par auctorite d'icel, qe mesmes les communes ent purroient avoir deliberacioun et advis, et le mettre en leur peticions; et qe ceo purra estre grantez, accordez, et refourmez en cest present parlement. Quele prier semble au roy joust et resonable, et par commune assent des ditz seignours l'ad ottroiez. (fn. iii-415-177-1) | 66. Repeal of the parliament held in the twenty-first year. Also, on the same Wednesday [15 October], the said commons explained to our lord the king, that on the Monday following the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in the twenty-first year of the reign of the said former king Richard [17 September 1397], a parliament was summoned and held at Westminster, and from there adjourned to Shrewsbury: at which town certain powers were by authority of parliament entrusted to certain persons, to proceed with regard to certain articles and matters contained in the roll made for that parliament, as can be seen on the same roll. In which parliament, and also by the aforesaid authority, various statutes, judgments, ordinances and establishments were made, ordained and given, erroneously and very regretably, to the great disinheritance, and the final ruin and destruction of many honourable lords, and other lieges of the realm, and of their heirs in perpetuity. On which matter the same commons request of our lord the king, and all the lords spiritual and temporal in this present parliament that it may please them by their common assent to revoke, annul, quash, invalidate and repeal all that, and [col. b] everything which was done in the same parliament held in the said twenty-first year, or by its authority; and to hold it as an invalid parliament, for many notable and reasonable causes alleged by the aforesaid commons. Whereupon our same lord the king, having deliberated and taken advice from all the lords spiritual and temporal, examined individually in full parliament on the aforesaid matters, and by common consent of the same lords, has adjudged the said parliament held in the said twenty-first year, and the authority given to it, as has been said above, with everything that followed or depended upon it, to be of no force or validity: and that the same parliament, by the aforesaid authority, and all its other consequences and corollaries, should be completely reversed, revoked, invalidated, quashed, repealed and annulled forever. But the said commons also request of our said lord the king, that if any statute, ordinance or anything else necessary and advantageous for the good and the common profit of the realm should be included in any article made in the said parliament held in the said twenty-first year, or made by its authority, that the same commons might have deliberation and advice on it, and include it in their petitions; and that this can be granted, agreed and corrected in this present parliament. This request seemed just and reasonable to the king, and by common consent of the said lords he has granted it. (fn. iii-415-177-1) |
| Affermance del parlement tenuz l'an unszisme. | [Confirmation of the parliament of 1388]. |
| 67. Item, mesme le mesquardy, les ditz communes prierent a nostre dit seignour le roy, qe le parlement qe feust tenuz a Westm' l'an xi e le dit Roy Richard, quel parlement feust tenuz pur grand honur et commune profit de tout le roialme, estoise en ses force et vertue entierment. A quel prier le roy, par commune assent des toutz les seignours suisditz ent severalment examinez en parlement, est bien accordez, et voet, qe le dit parlement tenuz le dit an xi e , soit tenuz et gardez en toutz pointz, solonc l'effect et purport d'icelle. Et outre ceo, les ditz communes prierent a mesme nostre seignour < le roy > , qe si ascun estatut, ordeignance, ou autre chose fait ou compris en le dit parlement tenuz le dit < [an] > xi e , qe ne soit necessaire ou profitable pur le bien et commune profit du roialme, qe mesmes les communes ent purroient avoir deliberacioun et advis, et le mettre en leur peticions, et suir pur le repelle d'icel en cest present parlement. Quele requeste semble au roy bon et raisonable, et par commune assent des ditz seignours l'ad ottroiez. (fn. iii-415-180-1) | 67. Confirmation of the parliament held in the eleventh year. Also, on the same Wednesday, the said commons requested of our said lord the king, that the parliament which was held at Westminster in the eleventh year of the said King Richard [1388], which parliament was held for the great honour and common advantage of the whole realm, should retain entirely its force and validity. To which request the king, with the common consent of all the aforesaid lords examined individually in parliament concerning it, agreed readily, and wished that the said parliament held in the said eleventh year should be held and observed in all points, in accordance with its effect and tenor. (fn. iii-415-180-1) And furthermore, the said commons requested of our same lord the king that if any statute, ordinance or other thing made or included in the said parliament held in the said eleventh year, was not necessary or advantageous for the good and common profit of the realm, the same commons could have deliberation and advice on it, and include it in their petitions, and sue for its repeal in this present parliament. This request seemed good and reasonable to the king, and by common consent of the said lords he has granted it. |
| Restititucioun [sic: read 'Restitucioun'] des seignours forsjuggez. | [Restitution of the lords convicted in 1397]. |
| 68. Item, mesme le mesquerdy, les ditz communes prierent a nostre seignour le roy, qe les seignours et autres qi feurent forjuggez en dit parlement tenuz le dit an xxi e , ou par auctorite d'icelle, q'ore sont en vie, et les heires des seignours et autres qi sont mortz, soient entierment restorez et restitutz a leur nouns, heritages et possessions, reversions, fees, advoesons, offices, libertes et franchises quelconqes, ove les issues ent prises en le mesne temps; auxi entierment come les ditz seignours et autres q'ore sont en vie, ou les seignours et autres qi sont mortz, auncestres des heires suisditz, ou les enfeoffees des dits seignours ou de les autres suisditz, ou autres enfeoffees a lour oeps, feurent al temps del juggement devers eux renduz le dit an xxi e , sanz autre pursuite ent faire, ou livere avoir d'icelx, ensemblement ove les biens et chateux qe feurent as ditz < seignours > et les autres ensi forjuggez, en quelconqes mayns esteantz. Quele prier nostre dit seignour le roy, de l'assent des toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx esteantz en cest present parlement, ad grantez et ottroiez: sauvant toutefoitz, qe de les issues ent prises et receuz ils n'aient riens. Et qant a les biens et chateux qi feurent as ditz seignours, ou les autres persones suis ditz ensi forjuggez el dit parlement tenuz le dit an xxi e , des queux le roy n'est pas responduz, et sont es mayns des visconts, eschetours, ou autres officers, [p. iii-426][col. a] ministres, ou persones quielconqes et par eaux concelez, le roy voet et grante, qe mesmes les seignours et autres q'ore sont en vie, et les executours et administratours de ceux qi sont mortz, ent aient livere et restitucioun. Et qe les viscontz, eschetours, officers, et ministres, ensi occupiantz les ditz biens et chateux par tiele concelement, soient puniz pur mesme le concelement. (fn. iii-415-183-1) | 68. Restitution of the forejudged lords. Also, on the same Wednesday, the said commons requested of our lord the king, that the lords and others who were forejudged in the said parliament held in the said twenty-first year, or by authority of it, who are now alive, and the heirs of the lords and others who are dead, should be entirely restored and reinstated to all their titles, inheritances and possessions, reversions, fees, advowsons, offices, liberties and franchises, with the profits taken from them in the meantime; as fully as the said lords and others who are now alive, or the lords and others who are dead, forebears of the aforesaid heirs, or the feoffees of the said lords or the others aforesaid, or others enfeoffed to their use, were at the time of the judgment made against them in the said twenty-first year, without making any other suit for them, or having to sue for livery of them, together with the goods and chattels which belonged to the said lords and others thus forejudged, in whosoever's hands they are. Which request our said lord the king, by the assent of all the lords spiritual and temporal assembled in this present parliament, has granted and consented to: saving always, that they do not have any of the profits taken and received from these things. (fn. iii-415-183-1) And with regard to the goods and chattels which belongedto the said lords, or to the other aforesaid persons thus forejudged in the said parliament held in the said twenty-first year, for which they have not answered to the king, but which are in the hands of sheriffs, escheators, or other officers, [p. iii-426][col. a] ministers or any other persons and are concealed by them, the king wills and grants, that the same lords and others who are now living, and the executors and administrators of those who are dead, should have delivery and restitution of them. And that the sheriffs, escheators, officers, and ministers who thus hold the said goods and chattels by such concealment, should be punished for the same concealment. |
| Adnullacioun des blankes chartres. | [Annulment of blank charters]. |
| 69. Item, mesme le mesquerdy, les ditz communes prierent a nostre dit seignour le roy, qe come la citee de Londres, et .xvij. contees d'Engleterre, pur doubte et poure q'ils avoient du dit nadgairs roy Richard, feurent constreintz d'ensealer diverses escriptz et blanches chartres, en grant derogacioun de les enhabitantz des ditz citee et contees, et encontre l'estat et liberte des mesmes les enhabitantz; qe pleise a mesme nostre seignour le roy grantir, qe celles escriptz et blanches chartres ensi enseallez soient adnullez, cancellez, et dampnez pur toutz jours, et qe jammais ils ne soient de nul record, force, ou vertue, en nul temps avenir. Quel prier le roy, par advys des seignours suisditz, ad ottroiez en toutz pointz. (fn. iii-415-186-1) | 69. Annulment of the blank charters. Also, on the same Wednesday, the said commons requested of our said lord the king, that whereas the city of London, and seventeen counties of England, because of the fear and dread which they had of the said former King Richard, were constrained to seal various documents and blank charters, to the great disadvantage of the inhabitants of the said city and counties, and against the estate and liberty of the same inhabitants, it might please our same lord the king to grant that those documents and blank charters thus sealed should be annulled, cancelled and condemned forever, and that they should never be of any record, force, or validity, in any time to come. Which request the king, with the advice of the aforesaid lords, has granted in all points. (fn. iii-415-186-1) |
| [memb. 15] | |
| L'advis du roy. | [The king's replies concerning the above]. |
| 70. Item, mesme le mesquardy, nostre dit seignour le roy, humblement requis par les seignours et communes suisditz de dire soun advys touchant les repelle et adnullacioun du parlement le dit an xxi e , et de les circumstances d'icelle, et de l'affermance du dit parlement tenuz le dit an unszisme, dist, qe par pleusours causes raisonables luy semble, qe le dit parlement tenuz le dit an xxi e de dit nadgairs roy Richard, ensemblement ove toutz les juggementz, establissementz, estatuz, et ordinances faites et renduz en ycelle, ou par auctorite d'icelle, et toutes les dependences d'icel, sont revocables: et voet q'ils soient toutoutrement revokez, repellez, et adnullez; et qe le parlement tenuz l'an xi e le dit nadgaires roy Richard, ove toutes les circumstances et dependences d'icel, estoise en ses force et vertue, solonc la fourme et effect d'icel. (fn. iii-415-189-1) Et mesme nostre seignour le roy dist outre, qe come en le dit parlement tenuz l'an xxi e , certeine poair feust commys par auctorite du parlement as certeins seignours et autres, et a certein nombre de mesmes les seignours et autres, pur respondre et terminer certeines peticions et autres choses moevez en le dit parlement, come en le rolle du parlement ent fait piert pluis au plein; quele chose feust fait en tresgrand derogacioun des toutz les estates du roialme; sa volunte est, qe nul tiele poair desoreenavant soit aucunement grantez par tiele auctorite du parlement, ne qe cel fait soit traite en ensample ou en consequence aucunement en temps advenir. Et auxint, mesme nostre seignour le roy, de son propre motif reherceant, qe come en dit parlement tenuz l'an xxi e y feurent ordeignez par estatut pleusours peines de traisoun, si qe y ne avoit ascun homme qe savoit coment il se deust avoir de faire, parler, ou dire, pur doubt des tielx peines, dist, qe sa volunte est tout outrement, qe en nul temps advenir ascun traisoun soit adjuggez autrement q'il ne feust ordeignez par estatut en temps de soun noble aiel le Roy Edward tierce, qe Dieu assoille. Dont les ditz seignours et communes feurent tresgrandement rejoisez, et molt humblement ent remercierent nostre dit seignour le roy. | 70. The king's advice. Also, on the same Wednesday, our said lord the king, humbly requested by the aforesaid lords and commons to give his advice concerning the repeal and annulment of the parliament of the said twenty-first year, and the circumstances surrounding it, and concerning the confirmation of the aforesaid parliament held in the said eleventh year, said, that for several reasonable causes it seemed to him, that the said parliament held in the said twenty-first year of the said former king Richard, together with all the judgments, establishments, statutes and ordinances made or given in it, or by its authority, and all its corrollaries, were revocable: and he wished that they should be utterly revoked, repealed and annulled; and that the parliament held in the eleventh year of the said former king Richard, with all its consequences and corollaries, should remain in its force and validity, in accordance with its form and effect. And our same lord the king said furthermore, that as in the said parliament held in the twenty-first year, certain powers were entrusted by authority of parliament to certain lords and others, and to a certain number of the same lords and others, to reply to and terminate certain petitions and other things first moved in the said parliament, as appears more fully in the roll made of this parliament; which thing was made to the very great disadvantage of all the estates of the realm; his will was, that no such power should henceforth be granted in any way by such authority of parliament, and that such a deed should not in any way be considered as an example or a lesson in time to come. And also our same lord the king, rehearsing of his own will how in the said parliament held in the twenty-first year several penalties of treason had been ordained by statute, with the result that there was no man there who knew how he ought to act, speak, or talk, for fear of such penalties, said that he wished to act in a quite different manner, and that at no time in the future would any treason be adjudged otherwise than had been ordained by statute in the time of his noble grandfather King Edward the third, whom God absolve. At this the said lords and commons rejoiced very much, and very humbly thanked our said lord the king for it. (fn. iii-415-189-1) |
| Prefeccioun del prince. | [Creation of the prince of Wales]. |
| 71. Item, mesme le mesquardy, en plein parlement monstrez feust par le dit ercevesq de Canterbirs, < coment > Dieu de sa tresgrande grace, considerant la tresgrande desolacioun et vraisemblable destructioun de ceste honurable roialme d'Engleterre, ad envoiez le roy nostre seignour q'icy est, pur le recoverer et consolacioun de [col. b] mesme le roialme; et coment, puis soun arrivail en ycel, Dieux ad purveuz de toutz partz graciousement pur mesme nostre seignour le roy; et auxi, coment toutz les estatz du roialme entierment et benignement, et d'un acord et assent, luy ont acceptez en leur droiturel roy; et auxi, coment Dieux de sa grace luy ad ottroiez molt honurable et tresbeal issue: et par tant mesme nostre seignour le roy veullant et desirant come son noble aiel le Roy Edward le tierce, et ses autres nobles progenitours devant luy ont voluz et desirez, l'onur et l'encresce de soun eisne fitz Henry de Lancastre, soit purposez de luy creer et faire en estat, honur, et dignite du prince de Gales, duc de Cornewaill' et count de Cestre. Et veullant sur ceo avoir plein advis, deliberacioun, et assent des toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx, et des toutz les communes esteantz en cest present parlement, s'ils voillent a ceo consentir: et ceo, en cas q'il aviegne qe mesme nostre seignour le roy passe de cest siecle a la volunte de Dieu, s'ils vorroient accepter le dit prince en cas q'il survive nostre dit seignour le roy son pere, come droit heriter a la roialme et la corone d'Engleterre? Quele demande severalment fait et examinez des toutz les seignours et communes suisditz, responduz est et assentuz par yceux seignours et communes, qe le dit eisne fitz Henry soit fait prince de Gales, duc de Cornewaille et cont de Cestre; et auxint, en cas qe nostre dit seignour le roi q'orest devie vivant le dit prince soun eisne fitz, ils veullent accepter le dit prince come droit heriter a les roialme et corone suisdites, et luy obeier come a leur roy et seignour liege. | 71. Appointment of the prince. Also, on the same Wednesday, it was explained in full parliament by the archbishop of Canterbury how God, of his abundant grace, considering the very great desolation and probable destruction of this honourable realm of England, had sent the king our lord who is here, for the recovery and consolation of [col. b] the same realm; and how, after his arrival there, God had provided graciously in all matters for our same lord the king; and also how all the estates of the realm fully and graciously, and with one accord and assent, had accepted him as their rightful king; and also, how God of his grace had granted him very honourable and very fine issue: and therefore, since our same lord the king wished for and desired - in the same way that his noble grandfather King Edward the third, and his other noble progenitors had formerly wished and desired it - the honour and advancement of his eldest son, Henry of Lancaster, it was proposed to create and elevate him to the estate, honour and dignity of prince of Wales, duke of Cornwall and earl of Chester. Yet he wished on this to have the full advice, deliberation and agreement of all the lords spiritual and temporal on this matter, and of all the commons assembled in this present parliament, as to whether they wished to consent to this; and, in case it happened that our same lord the king passed from this world, by God's will, if they would wish to accept the said prince, assuming that he survived our said lord the king his father, as rightful heir to the realm and crown of England. This question having been individually put to and asked of all the aforesaid lords and commons, it was replied and agreed by those lords and commons that the said eldest son Henry should be made prince of Wales, duke of Cornwall and earl of Chester; and also, should it happen that our said lord the present king died while the said prince his eldest son was alive, they wished to accept the said prince as rightful heir to the aforesaid realm and crown, and to obey him as their king and liege lord. |
| 72. Sur quoi, mesme nostre seignour le roy seant en soun see roiale en plein parlement myst un sercle sur le test le dit Henry soun eisne fitz, et luy dona un anel d'or sur soun dey, et luy bailla en sa mayne une verge d'or, et puis luy beisa, et luy dona ent sa chartre. Et ensi luy fist prince de Gales, duc de Cornewaill', et cont de Cestre, et sur ceo luy fist amesner ensi arraiez par le duc d'Everwyk, uncle a nostre dit seignour le roi, a la see a luy ordeigne et assigne en parlement a cause de la principalte suisdit. | 72. Whereupon, our same lord the king, sitting on his throne in full parliament, placed a coronet on the head of the said Henry his eldest son, and placed a golden ring on his finger, and put a golden staff into his hand, and then kissed him, and gave him his charter concerning these things. And thus he made him prince of Wales, duke of Cornwall, and earl of Chester, and then he caused him to be led, thus arrayed, by the duke of York, uncle to our said lord the king, to the seat ordained and assigned to him in parliament by reason of the aforesaid principality. |
| De saufment garder Richard nadgairs roy. | [Safe-keeping of the former King Richard]. |
| 73. Joefdy, le xxiij e jour d'Octobre, l'ercevesqe de Canterbirs chargea depar le roy toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx, et toutz autres y esteantz, sur leur ligeance, qe ceo qe lors serroit monstrez ou parlez illoeqes serroit tenuz conseil, et q'il ne serroit ascunement descoverez a nully vivant. Et puis apres demandez feust par le cont de Northumbr', pur la seurete du roy et des toutz l'estatz du roialme, coment leur semble qe serroit ordeignez de Richard nadgairs roy, pur luy mettre en saufe garde, sauvant sa vie, quele le roy voet qe luy soit sauvez en toutes maneres? Sur quoy responduz feust par toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx ent severalment examinez, dont les nouns si ensuent, qe leur semble q'il serroit mys en saufe et secre garde, et en tiel lieu ou nul concours des gentz y ad; et q'il soit gardez par seures et sufficientz persones; et qe nul q'ad este familier du dit nadgaires roy soit ascunement entour sa persone; et qe ceo soit fait en le pluis secre manere qe faire se purra. | 73. Concerning the safekeeping of Richard formerly king. On Thursday 23 October, the archbishop of Canterbury, on behalf of the king, charged all the lords spiritual and temporal, and all the others there present, on their allegiance, that what would subsequently be explained or said there must be kept secret, and should not in any way be disclosed to any living person. Following which the earl of Northumberland asked, for the security of the king and of all the estates of the realm, how it seemed to them that matters should be ordained concerning Richard the former king, and how he should be kept in safekeeping, preserving his life, which the king wished to be preserved to him in all events. Whereupon it was replied by all the lords spiritual and temporal, examined individually on the matter, whose names follow, that it seemed to them that he should be kept under safe and close guard, in some place where there was no coming and going of people; and that he should be guarded by reliable and competent people; and that no-one who had been a familiar of the said former king should be about his person in any way; and that this should be done in the most secret manner possible. |
74. Les nouns des seignours demandez et assentuz sur la questioun suisdite cy ensuent; c'estassavoir:
|
74. The
names of the lords questioned and in agreement with the aforesaid question
follow here, namely:
|
| Qe le prince porte le noun de duc d'Aquitaigne. | [Creation of Prince Henry as duke of Aquitaine]. |
| 75. Item, mesme le joefdy demandez feust de les seignours suisditz par le dit ercevesqe de Canterbirs, si Henry l'eisne fitz du roy, prince de Gales, duc de Cornewaill', et cont de Cestre, serroit nomez duc d'Aquitaigne? A quel demande toutz les ditz seignours espirituelx et temporelx feurent assentuz; et le roy mesmes s'agrea bien, et voet del assent avantdit qe desore soun dit fitz Henry soit nomez prince de Gales, duc d'Aquitaigne et de Cornewaill', et count de Cestre, et heir apparant a le roialme d'Engleterre. | 75. That the prince should bear the name of duke of Aquitaine. Also, on the same Thursday, it was asked of the aforesaid lords by the said archbishop of Canterbury if Henry the eldest son of the king, prince of Wales, duke of Cornwall, and earl of Chester, should be styled duke of Aquitaine. To which question all the said lords spiritual and temporal asssented; and the king himself readily agreed, and wished that by the aforesaid assent, henceforth his said son Henry should be named prince of Wales, duke of Aquitaine and of Cornwall, and earl of Chester, and heir apparent to the realm of England. |
| Le juggement de Richard nadgairs roy a prisone. | [Imprisonment of the former King Richard]. |
| 76. Lundy, le xxvij me jour d'Octobre, le roy vient en parlement en la Grande Sale de Westm', et illoeqes, par assent des seignours espirituelx et temporelx, Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre feust adjuggez a perpetuele prisone, a y demurer secrement en saufe garde, en manere come dessuis est dit. | 76. The condemnation of Richard, formerly king, to prison. On Monday 27 October, the king came before parliament in the Great Hall of Westminster, and there, by the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal, Richard formerly king of England was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, to remain secretly in safekeeping, in the manner explained above. |
| [col. b] | |
| Touchant le duc de Bretaigne. | [The duke of Brittany and the earldom of Richmond]. |
| 77. Item, mesme le lundy, les communes monstrerent au roy, come ils avoient fait pardevant, coment le duc de Bretaigne leur avoit envoiez, q'il feust prest de faire a nostre dit seignour le roy tout ceo q'a luy attient: empriant, qe nulles lettres patentes, n'autre grante, serroit fait a nully del contee de Richemond, quel est l'eritage du dit duc; et coment, puis leur darrein prier ensi a luy faite, certeinez lettres patentes feurent faitz au cont de Westmerland du dite contee de Richemond. Et sur ceo prierent a mesme nostre seignour le roi, qe si ascunes tieles lettres patentes feurent grantez ou issez, q'ils serroient repellez. A quoi mesme nostre seignour le roy respondi, qe nulles lettres feurent grantez n'enseallez de novel, autres qe ne feurent grantez de long temps devaunt ascune priere ensi faite a mesme nostre seignour le roy. | 77. Concerning the duke of Brittany. Also, on the same Monday, the commons explained to the king, as they had done before, how the duke of Brittany had sent word to them that he was ready to do, with regard to our said lord the king, everything that he should: requesting that no letters patent, or other grant, should be made concerning the earldom of Richmond, which is the inheritance of the said duke, to anyone; and how, after their last request thus made to him, certain letters patent had been made granting the said earldom of Richmond to the earl of Westmorland. Whereupon they requested of our same lord the king, that if any such letters patent has been granted or issued, that they should be repealed. To which our same lord the king replied that no letters had been recently granted or sealed, other than had been granted from a long time before any request had thus been made to our same lord the king. |
| Pur l'ercevesque de Canterbirs. | [On behalf of the archbishop of Canterbury]. |
| 78. Item, joefdy le xxx me jour d'Octobre, le duc d'Everwyk, le cont de Northumbr' et autres du [sank de dit] ercevesqe de Canterbirs, et pluseurs autres seignours temporelx y esteantz en parlement, engenulantz molt humblement prierent a nostre dit seignour le roi, qe mesme l'ercevesqe purra avoir droit execucioun et recoverer devers Sir Roger Walden', de les pluseurs griefs et damages, wastes et destruccions faitz sibien au dit ercevesqe come en ses temporaltees de soun erceveschie. A qoi le roi respondi graciousement, enmerciant toutz les ditz seignours, q'ilest bien tenuz de luy faire droit et favour, et pluis en especial q'as plusours autres persones vivantz; et luy voet faire justice ove favour; et voet q'il ait execucioun et recoverer devers le dit Sire Roger, en manere come desuis est dit. (fn. iii-415-218-1) | 78. On behalf of the archbishop of Canterbury. Also, on Thursday 30 October, the duke of York, the earl of Northumberland and others of the blood of the said archbishop of Canterbury, and many other temporal lords present in parliament, kneeling most humbly, requested of our said lord the king that the same archbishop could have rightful execution and recovery against Sir Roger Walden concerning the many injuries and damages, wastes and acts of destruction made both to the said archbishop and to his temporalities of his archbishopric. To which the king replied graciously, thanking all the said lords, that he was fully obliged to show him justice and favour, indeed more especially to him than to many other living persons; and he wished to do justice to him with favour; and wished him to have execution and recovery against the said Sir Roger, in the manner stated above. (fn. iii-415-218-1) |
| [memb. 14] | |
| Qe les communes ne soient parties as juggementz. | [The commons are not to be a party to judgments]. |
| 79. Lundy lendemayn des Almes, qe feust le tierce jour de Novembre, les communes firent leur protestacioun en manere come ils firent au comencement du parlement; et outre ceo monstrerent [au roy, qe] come les juggementz du parlement appartiegnent soulement au roy et as seignours, et nient as communes, si noun en cas qe s'il plest au roy de sa grace especiale lour monstrer les ditz [juggementz, pur ease] de eux, qe nul record soit fait en parlement encontre les ditz communes q'ils sont ou serront parties as ascunes juggementz donez ou a doners en apres en parlement. A qoi leur [feust responduz par] l'ercevesqe de Canterbirs, de comandement du roy, coment mesmes les communes sont peticioners et demandours, et qe le roy et les seignours de tout temps ont eues, et aueront [de droit, les jugementz] en parlement, en manere come mesmes les communes ount monstrez. Sauve q'en estatutz affaires, ou en grantes et subsides, ou tiels choses affaires pur commune profit du roialme, [le roy voet] avoir especialment leur advis et assent. Et qe cel ordre de fait soit tenuz et gardez en tout temps advenir. | 79. That the commons should not be party to judgments. On Monday the morrow of All Souls, which was the third day of November, the commons made their protestation in the same way that they had at the beginning of the parliament; and furthermore they explained to the king that since judgments of parliament belong solely to the king and the lords, and not to the commons, except in cases where it pleases the king of his special grace to bring such judgments before them, for their benefit, that no record should be kept in parliament to the prejudice of the said commons that they were or would be party to any judgments given or to be given henceforth in parliament. To which reply was made to them by the archbishop of Canterbury, on the king's command, that the same commons are petitioners and suitors, and that the king and the lords have always had, and shall have of right, the duty of judgments in parliament, in such manner as the same commons had explained. Except that in statutes to be made, or in grants and subsidies, or other such things which are done for the common profit of the realm, the king particularly wishes to have their advice and assent. And that this procedure should be maintained and observed in all time to come. |
| Touchant la viage en Escoce. | [The planning of an expedition to Scotland]. |
| 80. Item, lundy le x me jour de Novembre, le cont de Northumbr', conestable d'Engleterre, par comandement du roy monstra as toutz les seignours temporelx, qe come il leur ad este monstrez devant ces heures, coment le roy se purposa de guerroier ses enemys d'Escoce, et par tant q'il feust parlez par ascuns qe cel purpos se deust prendre par conseil et excitacioun du dit cont, et de cont de Westmerl' marchalle d'Engleterre, dont mesmes les conts s'excuserent, et prierent au roy qe luy plese monstrer sa volunte en especial touchant ceste matire. Et sur ceo, mesme nostre seignour le roy de soun bouche [propre] dist en plein parlement, coment Dieu de sa grace luy ad envoiez en ceste roialme, et luy ad mys en l'estat q'il est au present pur la salvacioun d'icel: et par tant il est purposez de [p. iii-428][col. a] tenir cel [viage] outrement en sa propre persone. Et sur ceo il comanda au dit cont de Northumbr', de faire la questioun de ceste purpos des toutz les seignours pur ent savoir lour advis; les queux ent severalment examinez se consenteront a cel purpos, qe le roy deust tenir le dit viage, en noun de Dieux, considerant la grante malice et rebellioun de les Escotes, sanz decerte de sa [partie ou offence] . Et sur ceo le roy mesmes molt graciousement esmerciant les ditz seignours de son bouche propre leur dist, qe pur despendre soun corps et soun sank en cel viage, ou en ascun autre [pur la salvacioun] de son roialme, jammeis il n'esparnera, si Dieu luy doigne la vie. | 80. Concerning the expedition to Scotland. Also, on Monday 10 November, the earl of Northumberland, constable of England, by command of the king explained to all the lords temporal that, as had been explained to them previously, the king intended to make war on his Scottish enemies, and that, since it was said by some people that this plan had been conceived on the advice and at the instigation of the said earl, and of the earl of Westmorland marshal of England, these same earls denied that this was the case, and requested of the king that it might please him to explain his own wishes concerning this matter. Whereupon, our same lord the king explained in his own words in full parliament how God in his grace had sent him to this realm, and had placed him in the estate in which he is at present for its salvation: and therefore he intended, [p. iii-428][col. a] entirely of his own volition, to mount this expedition. Whereupon he commanded the said earl of Northumberland to put the question of this plan to all the lords, to have their advice on it; they, questioned individually on it, agreed to this plan, that the king should mount the said expedition, in the name of God, considering the great wickedness and rebellion of the Scots, without provocation or offence on his part. Whereupon the king himself, most graciously thanking the said lords in his own words, said to them that he would never refrain from committing his body and his blood to this expedition, or to any other for the salvation of his realm, if God gave him life. |
| Qe le prince porte le noun de duc de Lancastre. | [Creation of Prince Henry as duke of Lancaster]. |
| 81. Item, nostre dit seignour le roy considerant, coment luy Dieu toutpuissant de sa grande grace luy ad mys en l'onurable estat du roy, et partant il ne poet mesmes pur certeine cause porter le noun de [duc de Lanc'] en soun estile; et auxi mesme nostre seignour le roy considerant, coment cel honurable noun et estat de duc ad este mesnez et governez moelt honurablement en l'onurable persone de [son pier, qi Dieu assoill'] , et des pleusours ses honurables auncestres; et veullant sur ceo qe le dit noun de duc de Lancastre soit continuez en honur come affiert; de l'advis et assent des toutz les [seignours espirituelx et] temporelx, et de les communes avauntditz, ad ordeignez, qe Henry soun eisnez fitz ait et porte le noun de duc de Lancastr', et q'il soit nomez prince de Gales, duc d'Aquitaigne, [de Lancastre, et de] Cornewaill', et count de Cestre. Et outre ceo, mesme nostre seignour le roi considerant, coment diverses libertees et franchises aient este grantez devant ces heures, sibien [a soun dit pier come] as autres ses auncestres ducs et counts de Lanc', voet et grante, de l'advys et assent avauntditz, qe mesmes les libertees et franchises [soient et demorgent] a soun [dit eisnez fitz, et ses heirs] ducs de Lanc', disseverez de la corone d'Engleterre, quitement et entierment, solonc l'effect et purport de les grantes avauntdites. Et sur ceo monstra une chartre en parlement ent faite, [et la bailla] a son eisnez fitz avauntdit. (fn. iii-415-227-1) | 81. That the prince should bear the name of duke of Lancaster. Also, when our said lord the king considered how almighty God of his great grace had put him in the honourable estate of king, and therefore that he could not himself for this reason include the title of duke of Lancaster in his style; and when our same lord the king also considered how that honourable title and estate of duke had been so honourably borne and exercised in the honourable person of his father, whom God absolve, and of his many honourable forebears; and wishing thereupon that the said title of duke of Lancaster should be continued with honour, as was appropriate; by the advice and assent of all the lords spiritual and temporal, and of the aforesaid commons, he had therefore ordained that Henry his eldest son should have and bear the title of duke of Lancaster, and that he should be named prince of Wales, duke of Aquitaine, of Lancaster and of Cornwall, and earl of Chester. And furthermore, our same lord the king, considering how various liberties and franchises had been granted previously, both to his said father and to his other forebears, the dukes and earls of Lancaster, wished and granted, by the aforesaid advice and assent, that the same liberties and franchises should belong and remain to his said eldest son, and his heirs as dukes of Lancaster, completely and entirely separated from the crown of England, in accordance with the effect and tenor of the aforesaid grants. Whereupon he exhibited a charter made in parliament concerning this, and delivered it to his aforesaid eldest son. (fn. iii-415-227-1) |
| De la novelle secte en blanche vesture. | [Proscription of a new sect in white clothing]. |
| 82. Item, pur ceo qe nostre seignour le roi ad certeinement entenduz, coment es parties depardela il est comencez une novele secte des certeins gentz vestuz de blanche vesture, et soi pretendantz [de grande seintetee] ; et pur tant qe le poeple deins le roialme d'Engleterre purroit legerement consentir et estre pervertz a tiele secte et novellerie, si les ditz gentz entrerent mesme le roialme, a [grant peril des almes] de soun dit poeple, et par cas subversion de mesme le roialme, qe Dieux defende; mesme nostre seignour le roi, de l'advys et assent des toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx y esteantz [en mesme] cest parlement, ad ordeignez, qe proclamacioun soit fait en chescun counte et port du meer deins soun roialme d'Engleterre, qe nul tiele secte soit soeffert aucunement [d'entrer le dit roialme] , et qe nul homme, de quel estat ou condicioun q'il soit, les receive, supporte, ou maintiegne en ascun manere, sur peine de forfaiture de qant il purra forfaire envers nostre dit seignour [le roy] . | 82. Concerning the new sect in white clothing. Also, because our lord the king has reliably heard that in the lands overseas a new sect has arisen, of certain people dressed in white clothing, and pretending to great sanctity; and because the people in the realm of England could easily allow themselves to be corrupted by such a sect and novelty if the said people were to enter the same realm, to the great peril of the souls of his said people, and perhaps the overthrow of the same realm, which God forbid; our same lord the king, by the advice and assent of all the lords spiritual and temporal present there in this same parliament, has ordained that proclamation be made in each county and seaport in his realm of England, that no member of this sect should be permitted in any way to enter the said realm, and that no man, of whatever estate or condition, should receive, support, or maintain them in any way, on pain of forfeiture of everything he can forfeit to our said lord the king. |
| Declaracion pur certeins seignours. | [Declaration on behalf of certain persons excepted from pardon in 1388]. |
| 83. Item, come en le parlement tenuz l'an xi me le dit nadgairs roi Richard, une generale pardoun feust faite as toutz les lieges le dit nadgairs roy, forsprises certeines persones, entre queux furent nomez en especial Richard Clifford ore gardeyn du prive seal nostre seignour le roi, Richard Metford ore evesqe de Sarisbirs, et meistre Henry Bowet; pur queux trois persones les communes d'Engleterre prierent au roi de les accepter pur ses bones et loialx lieges, nonobstant ascun empeschement ou exepcioun de [ou sur eux] ou ascun de eux [col. b] fait en le dit parlement tenuz le [dit] an xi me ; quele requeste semble au roi honest et resonable: de l'advis et assent des toutz estatz du parlement l'ad ottroiez en plein parlement, et les tient et declare pur ses bones et loialx lieges; et qe pur tielx ils soient tenuz, nomez, et reputez, nonobstant l'empeschement ou l'excepcioun suisditz. | 83. Declaration on behalf of certain lords. Also, whereas in the parliament held in the eleventh year of the said former King Richard [1388], a general pardon was granted to all the lieges of the said former king, with the exception of certain persons, among whom were named especially Richard Clifford, now keeper of the privy seal of our lord the king, Richard Metford, now bishop of Salisbury, and master Henry Bowet; for which three people the commons of England prayed to the king, that he might accept them as his good and loyal lieges, notwithstanding any impeachment or exception regarding or concerning them or any of them [col. b] made in the said parliament held in the said eleventh year; which request seemed to the king to be honest and reasonable; and therefore, by the advice and assent of all the estates of the parliament, he has granted it in full parliament, and considers and declares them to be his good and loyal lieges; and that they should be held, named and reputed to be such, notwithstanding the aforesaid impeachment or exception. |
| Des liveres des seignours. | [Concerning the liveries of lords]. |
| 84. Item, pur ouster maintenance, et norrir amour, paix, et quiete des toutz partz parmy le roialme, ordeignez est et establiz par le roi et les seignours espirituelx et temporelx et les communes suis dites en plein parlement, qe nul seignour, de quel estat ou condicioun q'il soit, use ne doigne ascune livere de signe de compaignie a nul chivaler, esquier, ne vadlet, deins le roialme suisdite. Sauvant toutesfoitz, qe nostre dit seignour le roi dorra tantsoulement soun honurable livere a les seignours temporelx queux luy plerra. Et sauvant auxi, qe mesme nostre seignour le roi dorra son dit honurable [livere a ses] chivalers et esquiers meignalx, et auxi a ses chivalers et esquiers qi sont de sa retenue et preignent de luy lour fee annuel pur terme de vie. Et outre ceo, accordez est et assentuz [par le] roi et les seignours et communes suisditz, qe les ditz chivalers et esquiers ne usent aucunement lour dites liveres en leur paix ou contees es queux ils sont resceantz ou demurantz, n'ailleurs deins le roialme hors du presence de roi. Et si ascun seignour face la contraire, et ce duement prove, q'il face fyn et ranceon a la volunte du roy. Et si ascun chivaler ou esquier face la contraire, et de ceo soit duement atteint, perde soun dit livere, et forface soun fee pur toutz jours. Et qe nul vadlet, appelle yoman, preigne ne use nule livere du roi, ne de nul autre seignour, sur peine d'emprisonement et de faire fyn et ranceon a la volunte du roy. Purveu toutesfoitz, qe les conestable et mareschal d'Engleterre pur le temps esteantz, ove leur retenue [des] chivalers et esquiers, puissent user la dite livere du roi sur les frontires et la marche du roialme en temps de guerre. Et purveux auxi, qe toutz ceaux qe veullent travailler et passent la meer as parties de delea pur quere honur, purroient user mesme la liveree celles parties, sanz ent estre ascunement grevez ou empeschez. Et outre ceo accordez est et assentuz, qe nul ercevesqe, evesqe, abbe, ne priour, ne nul autre homme de seinte esglise, ou temporel de quel estat ou condicioun q'il soit deins le dit roialme, doigne ascune liveree de drape a nully mais soulement a ses meynalx et officers, et ceaux qi sont de soun conseil sibien espirituelx come temporelx, aprises de l'un ou l'autre loie; sur peyne de faire fyn et ranceoun a la volente du roi. Et comencera cestes ordinance et estatut de tenir lieu de la feste de la Chandeleur proschen avenir. (fn. iii-415-236-1) | 84. Concerning the liveries of lords. Also, to abolish maintenance, and to nurture love, peace and tranquillity everywhere in the realm, it has been ordained and established by the king and the lords spiritual and temporal and the aforesaid commons in full parliament, that no lord, of whatever estate or condition, should use or give any livery of badge of company to any knight, esquire or valet in the aforesaid realm. Excepting always that our said lord the king, and only he, may give his honourable livery to any temporal lords he pleases. And excepting also, that our same lord the king may give his said honourable livery to his household knights and esquires, and also to his knights and esquires who are of his retinue and who take from him their annual fee for the term of their lives. And furthermore, it has been agreed and assented by the king and the aforesaid lords and commons that the said knights and esquires should not in any way use their said liveries in their countries or in the counties in which they are resident or living, nor elsewhere in the realm except in the presence of the king. And if any lord should do otherwise, and this be duly proved, he should pay a fine and redemption at the king's pleasure. And if any knight or esquire does otherwise, and is duly convicted of this, he should lose his said livery, and forfeit his fee forever. And that no valet, called a yeoman, should take or use any livery of the king, or of any other lord, on pain of imprisonment and of paying a fine and redemption at the king's pleasure. Provided always, that the constable and marshal of England at the time, with their retinues of knights and esquires, can use the said king's livery on the frontiers and the march of the realm in time of war. And provided also, that all those who wish to travel and cross the sea to lands abroad to seek honour, may use the same livery in those regions, without being molested or hindered in any way. And furthermore, it is agreed and decided, that no archbishop, bishop, abbot or prior, or any other man of holy church, or any temporal person of whatever estate or condition within the said realm, should give any livery of cloth to anyone, excepting only his servants and officers, and those who are of his council, both spiritual and temporal, learned in one law or the other; under pain of paying a fine and redemption at the king's pleasure. And this ordinance and statute will begin to take effect from the next feast of Candlemas [2 February]. (fn. iii-415-236-1) |
| Moderacioun de l'estatut des provisours. | [Confirmation of the moderation of the statute of provisors]. |
| 85. Item, come diverses estatutz et ordinances aient este faitz devant ces heures, sibien en temps du Richard nadgaires roi d'Engleterre, come des autres progenitours nostre dit seignour le roi, touchantz les provisions en la court de Rome, les communes de roialme d'Engleterre esteantz en parlement, pur la grant affiance q'ils ont en la persone de nostre seignour le roi et en soun tresexcellent seen et discrecioun, et en la grant tendresse et chierte q'il ad [devant] toutz autres a sa corone et les droitz d'icelle, et a la salvacioun de soun roial estat, soy assenterent de bon gree de leur part en plein parlement, qe nostre dit seignour le roy, par assent et [advys] de tieux sages et dignes persones queux luy plerra appeller pur conseiller en la matire, purra faire tiele soeffrance, ordenance, et moderacioun touchant le dit estatut come luy semblera meutz resonable [et] profitable, a plesance de Dieu, et salvacioun de seinte esglise; et mesme l'estatut casser, repeller, irriter, et de tout adnuller, solonc [sa] haut discrecion, [p. iii-429][col. a] et solonc ceo qe luy semblera a l'honur de Dieu, et mieulx expedient et necessaire pur l'onur et profit de soun roial estat, de soun dit roialme, et de soun people. | 85. Moderation of the statute of provisors. Also, although various statutes and ordinances have been made before now, both in the time of Richard formerly king of England, and that of the other progenitors of our said lord the king, concerning provisions in the court of Rome, the commons of the realm of England present in parliament, because of the great trust which they have in the person of our lord the king and in his most excellent sense and wisdom, and the great care and affection which he has above all others for his crown and for its rights, and for the protection of his royal estate, have willingly agreed, for their part, in full parliament, that our said lord the king, by the assent and advice of such wise and worthy persons as it may please him to call to counsel him in this matter, should be able to make any sort of relaxation, ordinance or modification of the said statute as may seem to him to be most reasonable and advantageous, for the pleasure of God and the protection of holy church; and to quash, repeal, invalidate and completely annul the same statute, according to his great wisdom, [p. iii-429][col. a] and according to what seems to him to be to the honour of God, and most expedient and necessary for the honour and profit of his royal estate, of his said realm, and of his people. |
| [memb. 13] | |
| Touchant la bullioun. | [Import of bullion by merchants]. |
| 86. Item, come en le parlement tenuz a Westm' lundy en le fest de Seint Vincent, l'an du regne le dit Richard nadgairs roi d'Engleterre vintisme, ordeignez estoit en mesme le parlement, 'Qe toutz et chescuns marchantz, sibien denzeins come aliens, qi vorront amesner hors du roialme d'Engleterre ascuns leyns, quirs, ou peaux lanutz, apporteroient une unce d'or d'estrange coigne pur chescun sak de leyne, et une tiele unce pur chescun demy last de quirs, et une tiele unce des chescuns deux centz et quarrant pealx lanutz, al bullioun du roy en le toure de Londres, deins le demy an de temps de custume et coket des mesmes les leins, quirs, et pealx, et en < et > soubz le noun de celuy de qi ils serront ensi custumez et cokettez. Et qe les ditz marchantz, s'ils n'apporteroient une tiele unce d'estrange coigne pur chescune sak de leyne, et pur chescun deux lastes [sic: read 'demy last'] des quirs, et pur chescuns deux centz < et quarant > pealx lanutz a la dite bullioun, en la fourme suisdite, paie au roi de chescun sarplere de leyne tresze solds et quatre deniers, et de chescune laste des quirs tresze solds et quatre deniers, et des chescuns quatrecentz et quatrevintz pealx lanutz tresze solds et quatre deniers, outre les subsides et custumes et autres devoirs ent duez. Et qe toutz et chescuns tielx marchantz, avaunt q'ils amesnent les ditz leynes, quirs, et pealx lanutz hors d'ascuns ports du roialme d'Engleterre, troveroient sufficiente seurete as custumers du roy en mesmes les portz, d'apporter les dites unces d'or a la dite bullioun, en la fourme avauntdite, come par la dite ordinance y purra apparoir'; (fn. iii-415-242-1) nostre seignour le roi q'orest, al especiale prier et requeste des meir et marchantz de l'estaple de Caleys, et par advis et assent des seignours esteantz en cest present parlement, ad ordeignez, qe la dite bullioun serra a Caleys, pur y demurer en assaie tanq'a proschein parlement. Et outre ceo, mesme nostre seignour le roy, de sa grace especiale, et de l'assent et advis des seignours suisditz, ad pardonez et relessez as ditz meir et marchantz, et a chescun de eux, la bullioun de l'eskippesoun des leines, quirs, et pealx lanutz, de temps del faisance de l'ordinance suisdite. Veullant outre et grantant, qe les obligaciouns receuz par les custumers, come dessuis est dit, soient cassez et adnullez, et qe mesmes les custumers ent soient quitz et deschargez, nounobstaunte l'ordinance avauntdite. | 86. Concerning bullion. Also, as in the parliament held at Westminster on Monday the feast of St Vincent, in the twentieth year of the reign of the said Richard formerly king of England [22 January 1397], it was ordained in the same parliament, that each and every merchant, whether denizen or alien, who wishes to take out of the realm of England any wools, hides or woolfells, should bring an ounce of gold in foreign coin for each sack of wool, and a similar ounce for each half last of hides, and a similar ounce for each two hundred and forty woolfells, to the king's mint in the Tower of London, within half a year of the time when the same wools, hides or woolfells are customed and cocketted, and in and under the name of the person by whom they are thus customed and cocketted.And that if the said merchants do not bring this ounce of foreign coin for each sack of wool, and for each half-last of hides, and for each two hundred and forty woolfells to the said mint, in the aforesaid form, they should pay to the king, for each sarplier of wool, thirteen shillings and four pence, and for each last of hides, thirteen shillings and four pence, and for each four hundred and eighty woolfells, thirteen shillings and four pence, in addition to the subsidies and customs and other duties due on them. And that each and every such merchant, before he takes the said wools, hides and woolfells out of any port in the realm of England, should find sufficient surety for the king's customs-officers in the same ports, that he will bring the said ounces of gold to the said mint, in the aforesaid form; as can be seen in the said ordinance; (fn. iii-415-242-1) our lord the present king, at the especial prayer and request of the mayor and merchants of the staple of Calais, and with the advice and assent of the lords present in this present parliament, has ordained that the said mint should be at Calais, to remain there for a trial period until the next parliament. And furthermore, our same lord the king, of his special grace, and by the assent and advice of the aforesaid lords, has pardoned and released the said mayor and merchants, and each one of them, from the bullion on the shipping of wools, hides and woolfells, from the time of the making of the aforesaid ordinance. Wishing and granting furthermore, that the dues to be received by the customs officers in the aforesaid manner should be quashed and annulled, and that the same customs officers should be quit and discharged from them, notwithstanding the aforesaid ordinance. |
| Touchant l'estaple. | [The staple at Calais and alien merchants]. |
| 87. Item, ordeignez est et assentuz, de l'advys et assent suisditz, qe l'estaple des leyns, quirs, pealx lanutz, plumb, et esteym, soit entierment a Caleys; sauf, qe toutz les marchantz de Jene, Venys, Cateloigne, Aragoun, et des autres roialmes, terres, et paiis vers le west, esteantz del amistee du roi, qi vorront amesner a Hamptoun, ou aillours deins le roialme, carraks, niefs, galeys, ou autres vesselx, chargez ou dischargez, y purront franchement vendre leur marchandises a qi leur plest, et illoeqes recharger leur ditz vesselx des leynes, quires, pealx lanutz, plumb, esteym, et des autres marchandises de l'estaple, et franchement les amesner en leur paiis vers le west, solonc la fourme de l'estatut ent fait l'an second du Roy Richard qi darrein feust. Et sauf auxi a les burgeys et marchantz de la ville de Berewyk sur Twede, et a les resceantz et enhabitantz en ycelle, q'ils purront achater leynes, quirs, et pealx lanutz, sibien del cresceance de Tevedale et autres lieux deins le roialme d'Escoce, et autres del cresceance d'Engleterre, c'estassavoir de tout cel lieu q'est entre les eawes de Twede et Coket, come del cresceance des autres parties deins le roialme d'Escoce; et [col. b] mesmes les leyns, pealx, et quirs tanq'al port du dite ville de Berewyk amesner, et carier as foreines parties, ou les mettre a vent en la dite ville de Berewyk, solonc la fourme et effect d'une ordinance ent faite l'an primer le dit nadgairs roy Richard. Et qant as autres marchandises comprises en le dit second article, c'estassavoir furmage, bure, mel, felparie, et seu, le roy, par advys des seignours, ad commys au chanceller d'Engleterre d'ent ordeigner et disposer come mieutz luy semblera par sa discrecioun. | 87. Concerning the staple. Also, it has been ordained and agreed, by the aforesaid advice and assent, that the staple of wools, hides, woolfells, lead and tin should remain entirely at Calais; providing that all the merchants of Genoa, Venice, Catalonia, Aragon, and of the other realms, lands and countries towards the west which enjoy friendly relations with the king, who wish to bring to Southampton, or elsewhere in the realm, carracks, ships, galleys or other vessels, loaded or unloaded, can freely sell their merchandise there to whom they please, and there reload their said vessels with wools, hides, woolfells, lead, tin and the other merchandises of the staple, and freely take them to their lands in the west, in accordance with the form of the statute made concerning this in the second year of the former King Richard. And saving also to the burgesses and merchants of the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and to those residing and dwelling there, that they should be able to buy wools, hides, and woolfells, both from the produce of Teviotdale and other places in the realm of Scotland, and also from the produce of England, that is, from all that region that is between the waters of Tweed and Cocket, as well as the produce of other regions within the realm of Scotland; and [col. b] bring the same wools, fells and hides to the port of the said town of Berwick, and either transport them to foreign parts, or put them up for sale in the said town of Berwick, in accordance with the form and effect of an ordinance made concerning this in the first year of the said former king Richard. And as for the other commodities included in the second article, that is cheese, butter, honey, skins and tallow, the king, on the advice of the lords, has entrusted the chancellor of England with ordaining and providing for this as will seem best to him in his wisdom. (fn. iii-415-245-1) |
| Des confirmarcions [sic: read 'confirmacions'] a grantiers par le chanceller. | [Confirmations of town liberties]. |
| 88. Item, les communes d'Engleterre mistrent en parlement une peticioun en les paroles q'ensuent: | 88. Concerning confirmations to be granted by the chancellor. Also, the commons of England delivered into parliament a petition in the words which follow: |
| 'Item supplient voz humbles lieges toutz voz citezeins et burgeises de voz citees et burghes de vostre roialme d'Engleterre, qe vous please de vostre grace especiale grantir, ratifier, approver, et confermer as ditz suppliantz, lour heirs et lour successours a toutz jours, toutz lour franchises, libertees, et frankes custumes, solonc la contenue, purport, et effect de les chartres de voz nobles progenitours et predecessours rois d'Engleterre, a eux faitz et grantez, ove le clause de licet, sanz fyn ent paier a vostre oeps. Et qe le chanceller d'Engleterre q'ore est, ou pur le temps serra, eit garant general souz vostre prive seal, et par auctorite du parlement, pur ceo faire et accomplir, sanz pursuer a vostre hautesse, ou a vostre honurable conseil, par celle cause: en oevre de charite.' | Item, your humble lieges, all your citizens and burgesses of your cities and boroughs of your realm of England, request that it may please you of your special grace to grant, ratify, approve and confirm to the said supplicants, their heirs and their successors for all time, all their franchises, liberties and free customs, in accordance with the content, tenor and effect of the charters of your noble progenitors and predecessors kings of England, made and granted to them, with clause 'licet', without paying a fine for this to your profit. And that the present chancellor of England, or whoever is chancellor at the time, should have a general warrant under your privy seal, and by authority of parliament, to do and accomplish this, without suing to your highness, or to your honourable council, for that reason: by way of charity. |
| Quele peticioun lue et entendue, feust responduz en la fourme q'ensuit: | When this petition had been read and heard, response was made in the following form: |
| 'Soit fait come ad este usez devant ces heures: et qe le chanceller d'Engleterre, pur le temps esteant, purra grantir tielx confirmacions ove clause de licet, paiantz les fyn et fee solonc sa discrecioun. Sauvant les fraunchises de les universitees d'Oxenford et de Cantebrigg', et des autres seignours espirituelx et temporelx.' | Let it be done as has been customary before this time: and the chancellor of England at the time will be able to grant such confirmations, with clause 'licet', on payment of a fine and fee according to his discretion. Saving the franchises of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and of the other lords spiritual and temporal. |
| Del coroner de Londres. | [Assizes in the city of London]. |
| 89. Item, les mair, aldermans, et communialte de Londres mystrent avant en parlement une peticioun, en les paroles q'ensuent: | 89. Concerning the coroner of London. Also, the mayor, aldermen and community of London submitted to parliament a petition, in the following words: |
| 'A tresexcellent, trespuissant, et tresgracious seignour nostre tresredoubte seignour le roy monstrent voz treshumbles lieges, maire, aldremans, et communialtee de vostre citee de Londres, qe come les assises en la dite citee prisez ou apprendres devant les viscontz du dite citee, et vostre coroner ou soun depute, ne puissent estre prisez sanz presence del dit coroner ou soun depute, luy quel coroner ou soun dit depute tressovent soi absentent; paront en mesmes les assises les parties tresgrandement sont delaiez, a tresgrande damage et arrerissement des pursuantz illoeqes: si please a vostre tresexcellente regalie grantir, qe les viscontes du dite citee puissent decy enavaunt en les assises proceder, et juggementz ent donir, l'absence del coroner ou de son depute non obstaunte; pur Dieux, et en oevre de charite.' | To the most excellent, most mighty, and most gracious lord, our most dread lord the king, your humble lieges, the mayor, aldermen, and community of your said city of London, request that, whereas the assizes in the said city which are, or will be, held before the sheriffs of the said city, and your coroner or his deputy, cannot be held without the presence of the said coroner or his deputy, which coroner or his said deputy frequently absent themsleves; as a result of which the parties in the same assizes are very greatly delayed, to the manifest harm and injury of those who litigate there: may it please your most excellent regality to grant that the sheriffs of the said city might henceforth have the power to proceed with the assizes, and to give judgments there, notwithstanding the absence of the coroner or his deputy: for God and by way of charity. |
| Quele peticioun lue et entendue, feust responduz en la fourme q'ensuit: | When this petition had been read and heard, response was made in the following form: |
| 'Le roi voet, qe a quele heure qe tieles assises comprisez en ceste peticioun serront tenuz en la Guyhalle de Londres, les viscontes de Londres ferront solempnement proclamer pur le coroner deinsescript, ou pur soun depute; et si mesme le coroner ou soun dit depute ne face apparance apres tiele proclamacioun faite, qe pur l'ease du partie compleignante les juges procedent avant as dites assises prendre, nonobstaunte l'absence du dit coroner ou de soun depute suisdit. Purveuz toutesfoitz, qe ceo ne soit en derogacioun de l'office de mesme le coroner.' | The king wills, that at the time when the assizes mentioned in this petition are held in the Guildhall of London, the sheriffs of London will cause a solemn proclamation to be made for the coroner mentioned therein or for his deputy; and if the same coroner or his said deputy does not appear after such a proclamation has been made, for the convenience of the plaintiff let the judges proceed to hold the said assizes, notwithstanding the absence of the said coroner or of his aforesaid deputy. Provided always, that this is not to the detriment of the office of the same coroner. (fn. iii-415-257a-1) |
| [p. iii-430] | |
| [col. a] | |
| Pur Thomas Haxey, clerk. | [Pardon of Thomas Haxey]. |
| 90. Item, fait aremembrer, qe Thomas de Haxey, clerk, bailla a nostre seignour le roy en parlement une peticioun en les paroles q'ensuent: | 90. On behalf of Thomas Haxey, clerk. Also, be it remembered that Thomas Haxey, clerk, delivered to our lord the king in parliament a petition, in the following words: |
| 'A nostre tresredoute seignour le roy et a les seignours du parlement monstre vostre povere clerk Thomas Haxey, qe come le dit Thomas, al parlement tenuz a Westm' le jour de Seint Vincent l'an le roy Richard Second vintisme, pur honur et profit du dit roy et de tout le roialme, bailla une bille as communes du dit parlement; pur quele bille, de volunte du dit roy le dit Thomas estoit adjuggez < traitour > , et forfaita toutz q'il avoit, encontre droit et la curse quel avoit este devant en parlement. | To our most dread lord the king and to the lords of parliament, your poor clerk Thomas Haxey requests that, whereas the said Thomas, at the parliament held at Westminster on St Vincent's day in the twentieth year of King Richard the second [22 January 1397], for the honour and advantage of the said king and of the whole realm, delivered a bill to the commons of the said parliament; for which bill, by the will of the said king, the said Thomas was adjudged to be a traitor, and forfeited all that he had, contrary to right and to the procedure that had previously been followed in parliament. |
| Sur qoi please a vostre tresgraciouse seignurie faire venir les record et processes de dit juggement, ovesqe les dependantz d'icelle, en cest present parlement, et ycelle juggement casser et adnuller come erronous, et restituer mesme celuy Thomas entierment a ses degree, estate, biens, chateux, fermes, annuitees, pensions, terres, tenementz, rentes, office, avowesons et possessions quielconqes, ove leurs appurtenances: et q'il purra entrer en les avantditz fermes, annuitees, pensions, terres, tenementz, rentes, office, avowesons et possessions, et eux tenir a luy et ses heires come il les tenoit le jour del fesance du dite bille; mesme le juggement, ou ascun declaracioun par celle cause fait, done, ou grante, de yceux biens, chateux, fermes, annuitees, pensions, terres, tenementz, rentes, office, avowesons et possessions, ou d'ascun d'iceux, ou [sic: read 'a'] ascune autre persone puis ycel juggement ascunement faitz, nient contresteantz: pur Dieu et en oevre de charite.' | Concerning which, may it please your most gracious lordship to cause the record and process of the said judgment, with its corollaries, to be brought before this present parliament, and that judgment to be quashed and annulled as erroneous, and that same Thomas to be restored entirely to his degree, estate, goods, chattels, farms, annuities, pensions, lands, tenements, rents, office, advowsons and possessions of any kind, with their appurtenances: and that he should be able to enter into the aforesaid farms, annuities, pensions, lands, tenements, rents, office, advowsons and possessions, and hold them for himself and for his heirs, just as he held them on the day of the making of the said bill; notwithstanding the same judgment, or any declaration made, given or granted because of it, concerning those goods, chattels, farms, annuities, pensions, lands, tenements, rents, office, advowsons or possessions, or any of them, made in any way to any other person since that judgment; for God and by way of charity. |
| Quele peticioun, ove les record et proces d'icelle, lue et entendue, mesme nostre seignour le roi, de l'advis et assent des toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx, ad ordeignez et adjuggez, qe le juggement rendue vers le dit Thomas, en parlement tenuz a Westm' le dit an xx me luy nadgairs roy Richard, soit de tout cassez, reversez, repellez, et adnullez, et tenuz pur nul force, n'effect. Et qe le dit Thomas soit restitut a ses noun et fame, et qe luy et ses heires soient hables de pursuer, demander, et avoir leur enheritance come heirs a leur auncestres, en manere come le dit Thomas feust devant le dit juggement ensi rendue devers luy. Nounobstant mesme le juggement, par quel le sank feust entrerupt parentre le dit Thomas et ses heires et auncestres quielconqes. | When this petition, with its record and process, had been read and heard, our same lord the king, by the advice and assent of all the lords spiritual and temporal, ordained and adjudged, that the judgment given against the said Thomas, in the parliament held at Westminster in the said twentieth year of that former King Richard, should be completely quashed, reversed, repealed and annulled, and held to have no force or effect. And that the said Thomas should be restored to his name and fame, and that he and his heirs should be able to sue for, claim and have their inheritance as the heirs of their forebears, in the same way that the said Thomas was before the said judgment thus brought against him; notwithstanding the same judgment, by which the blood was interrupted between the said Thomas and all his heirs and forebears. (fn. iii-415-263-1) |
| Pur William Seward. | [On behalf of William Seward, chaplain]. |
| 91. Item, fait aremembrer, qe lundy le .xvij. jour de Novembre, William Seward, autrement appelle William Cheddre, bailla a nostre seignour le roy en parlement une peticioun, en les paroles q'ensuent: | 91. On behalf of William Seward. Also, be it remembered, that on Monday, 17 November, William Seward, also called William Cheddar, delivered to our lord the king in parliament a petition, in the following words: |
| 'A nostre tresexcellent et tresgracious seignour, nostre seignour le roy, et as honurables et tressages seignours de cest present parlement, monstre vostre povere chapelleyn et oratour William Seward, autrement appelle William Cheddre, qe come il autrefoithe, el darreyn parlement tenuz a Wynchestre, mist avant en le dit parlement une bille en la fourme q'ensuit: 'A nostre tresgracious et tresredoute seignour le roy, et a les seignours en cest present parlement, monstre vostre povere chapelleyn et oratour William Seward, autrement appelle William Cheddre, qe come par le dit noun William Seward il estoit presente a l'esglise de Wotton' under Egge en le counte de Glouc' par le verray patron de mesme l'esglise, et par vertu de mesme le presentement institut et induct canonikement en ycelle: et sa possession continua peisiblement par quatre ans et pluis, tanqe nostre seignour le roy, al suggestioun nient veritable d'un Johan Dautre, clerk, presenta mesme le Johan a l'esglise de Wotton' under Heg', la ou il n'y ad nulle tiele esglise en le dit counte de Glouc'; et sur ceo suist brief de quare impedit, direct a viscont de mesme [le counte de] Glouc', vers le dit William, par noun de William Cheddre persoun de la dite esglise de Wotton' undur Heg', et processe sur ceo suy tanqe le dit William apparust, et pleda qe la dite esglise, dount le dit brief fist [mencioun] , feust nomee [col. b] Wotton' undur Egge, et nemye Wotton' undur Heg', et qe le dit William feust persoun de mesme l'esglise de Wotton' undur Egge. A quele plee celuy qe pursua pur nostre seignour le roy en celle partie respondy, qe la dite esglise, dount le dit brief fist mencioun, feust conuz par le noun contenuz en mesme le brief, et pria qe ceo serroit enquys par la paiis, et le dit William auxi. Et sur ceo certein jour feust done en le dit plee: a quel jour le dit William fist defaute, et issint nostre seignour le roy recoverast soun presentement a l'esglise de Wotton' under Heg'. Et sur ceo issist brief a l'evesqe de Wircestre pur admitter le dit Johan a l'esglise de Wotton' undur Heg'. Par colour de quel recoverir, et le institucioun et induccioun ent faitz par le dit evesqe, le dit William feust ouste de la droiturelle possessioun de sa dite esglise de Wotton' undur Egge, et ad este tenuz hors d'icelle par cynk ans et pluis, en finalle destruccioun et anientisment de soun povere estat. Sur qoi supplie mesme vostre oratour et chapelleyn, qe consideree la dite matire, please a voz sagez discreciouns restituer le dit suppliant, par assent et agard du parlement, a la possessioun de sa dite esglise de Wotton' undur Egge, le dit recoverer del dite esglise de Wotton' undur Heg' par defaut come dit est nientcontresteant: pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite.' La quelle bille feust endoce en fourme q'ensuit: 'Soit ceste bulle envoie en le chancellerie nostre seignour le roy, et illoeqes soit appelle le presente le roy, et soit le title de presentement le roy illoeqes examine. Et si trove soit, qe mesme le title ne feust pas verray, ou qe le dit suppliant feust ouste nient duement, le chanceller, par advis del tresorer, et d'autres de conseil le roy queux luy plest appeller, face le dit suppliant estre restitut, et face outre ceo qe advis luy soit bon par sa discrecioun touchantz les matiers [memb. 12] conteignuz en mesme la bille. Et ceo par auctorite du parlement, nientcontresteant le defaute qe le dit suppliant fist en le quare impedit, et le juggement sur ceo rendu.' La quele chose ne feust unqore fait; dont le dit suppliant prie remedie a luy estre ordeignez en cest present parlement: pur Dieux, et en oevre de charite.' | To our most excellent and most gracious lord, our lord the king, and to the honourable and most wise lords of this present parliament, your poor chaplain and petitioner William Seward, also called William Cheddar, explains how previously, at the parliament recently [20 January 1393] held at Winchester, he delivered into the said parliament a bill in the following form: To our most gracious and most dread lord the king, and to the lords in this present parliament, your poor chaplain and petitioner, William Seward, also called William Cheddar, explains that, whereas under the said name William Seward he was presented to the church of Wotton-under-Edge in the county of Gloucestershire by the true patron of the same church, and by virtue of the same presentation canonically instituted and and inducted into it: and his possession continued peacefully for four years and more, until our lord the king, on the untruthful suggestion of one John Dautre, clerk, presented the same John to the church of Wotton-under-Hedge, whereas there is no such church in the said county of Gloucestershire; and concerning this he sued a writ of quare impedit, addressed to the sheriff of the same county of Gloucestershire, against the said William, under the name of William Cheddar, parson of the said church of Wotton-under-Hedge, and he proceeded with this until the said William appeared, and pleaded that the said church, mentioned in the writ, was named [col. b] Wotton-under-Edge, and not Wotton-under-Hedge, and that the said William was the parson of the same church of Wotton-under-Edge. To which plea, the person who sued for our lord the king in that matter replied that the said church, mentioned in the writ, was known by the name contained in the same writ, and requested that this be ascertained before a jury, and the said William also. Whereupon a certain day was given in the said plea: on which day the said William defaulted, and thus our lord the king recovered his right of presentation to the church of Wotton-under-Hedge. Wherupon he issued a writ to the bishop of Worcester to admit the said John to the church of Wotton-under-Hedge. By authority of this recovery, and the institution and induction made pursuant to it by the said bishop, the said William was removed from the righful possession of his said church of Wotton-under-Edge, and has been kept out of it for five years and more, to the complete destruction and ruin of his poor estate. Whereupon your same petitioner and chaplain begs that, having considered the said matter, it may please your wisdom and discretion to restore the said supplicant, by the assent and agreement of parliament, to the possession of his said church of Wotton-under-Edge, notwithstanding the said recovery of the said church of Wotton-under-Hedge by default, as has been said: for God and by way of charity. This bill was endorsed in the form which follows: Let this bill be sent to the chancery of our lord the king, and there let the man presented by the king be called, and let the king's title to the presentation be examined there. And if it should be found that the same title was not valid, or that the said supplicant was wrongfully ejected, let the chancellor, with the advice of the treasurer, and of others of the king's council whom it pleases him to summon, cause the said supplicant to be restored, and let him further do what he is well advised to do according to his judgment touching the matters [memb. 12] contained in the same bill. And this by authority of the parliament, notwithstanding the default which the said supplicant made in the quare impedit, and the judgment brought concerning this. This, however, was never done; as a result of which the said supplicant requests a remedy to be ordained to him in this present parliament: for God and by way of charity. |
| Quele peticioun lue et entendue, a cause qe le dit Johan feust officer nostre dit seignour le roy en soun escheqer, comandez feust par mesme nostre seignour le roy a Johan Cassy, chief baroun du dit escheqer, de faire venir le dit Johan Dautre, ove soun conseil, en parlement, le maresdy ensuant, pur oier la dite peticioun, et resceiver ceo q'en cel cas serroit adjuggez. A quel maresdy, sibien le dit William come le dit Johan viendrent devaunt le roi et les seignours en plein parlement, et illoeqes la dite peticioun lue de novel et entendue, et les raisons oiez d'ambepartz, adjuggez est par les seignours suisditz, de l'assent nostre dit seignour le roy, qe la presentaucioun faite au dit Johan Dautre de la dite esglise, comprise en la dite peticioun, soit de tout repellez et adnullez; et qe le dit William soit restitut a sa esglise comprise en mesme la peticioun. Et qe sur ceo soit brief mandez al evesqe de Wircestre, de luy admitter, restituer, et restorer a sa possessioun de mesme l'esglise. (fn. iii-415-269-1) | When this petition had been read and heard, because the said John was an officer of our said lord the king in his exchequer, our same lord the king commanded John Cassy, chief baron of the said exchequer, to summon the said John Dautre, with his counsel, before parliament on the following Tuesday [18 November], to hear the said petition, and to hear what would be adjudged in that case. On which Tuesday, both the said William and the said John came before the king and the lords in full parliament, and there, when the said petition had been read and heard again, and the arguments heard on both sides, it was adjudged by the aforesaid lords, by the assent of our said lord the king, that the presentation made to the said John Dautre of the said church, contained in the said petition, should be completely repealed and annulled; and that the said William should be restored to his church mentioned in the same petition. And that on this a writ should be sent to the bishop of Worcester, to admit, reinstate and restore him to his possession of the same church. (fn. iii-415-269-1) |
| Pur William Rikhill'. | [On behalf of William Rickhill, justice]. |
| 92. Item, maresdy le .xviij. jour de Novembre, les communes prierent a nostre seignour le roi, qe Monsire William Rikhill' serroit a soun respons, en manere come ils avoient autreffoitz priez par lour peticioun, de quele peticioun le tenur ensuit: 'Item, come sire William Rikhill', nadgairs justice de commune bank, soit en arest pur une confessioun quele il prist del duc de Glouc', q'il purra estre a responce devant les seignours du parlement.' Et sur ceo le dit William Rikhill' vient en parlement, en presence du roy et toutz les seignours espirituelx et temporelx et les communes assemblez a cest present parlement; et Wautier Clopton', chief justice de bank le roy, par comandement du roy opposa le dit William, coment, et par quel garant, le dit William ala a [p. iii-431][col. a] Caleys a le duc de Gloucestre en un message? Et le dit William respondi et dist, qe Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre envoia soun brief par un Johan Mulso esquier a dit William, le mesqerdy proschein devaunt le feste del nativite Nostre Dame, a dimy noet, a Esesyngham en le counte de Kent, l'an le dit roy xxi, le tenur le dit brief ensuant en cestes paroles: | 92. On behalf of William Rickhill. Also, on Tuesday 18 November, the commons requested of our lord the king, that Sir William Rickhill should be brought to answer, as they had previously requested by their petition, the tenor of which petition follows: Also, as Sir William Rickhill, formerly justice of the common bench, is under arrest for a confession which he took from the duke of Gloucester, may he be brought to answer before the lords of parliament. Whereupon the said William Rickhill came before parliament, in the presence of the king and of all the lords spiritual and temporal and the commons assembled in this present parliament; and Walter Clopton, chief justice of the king's bench, at the king's command questioned the said William as to how and on what authority the said William went to [p. iii-431][col. a] Calais with a message for the duke of Gloucester. And the said William replied by saying that Richard formerly king of England had sent his writ through one John Mulsho, esquire, to the said William, at midnight on the Wednesday [5 September 1397] immediately before the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady in the twenty-first year of the said king, to Easingham in the county of Kent, the tenor of which writ follows in these words: |
| 'Ricardus, Dei gratia, rex Anglie et Francie, et dominus Hibernie, dilecto et fideli suo Willelmo Rikhyll', salutem. Quibusdam certis de causis nos specialiter moventibus vobis, in fide et ligeancia quibus nobis tenemini, et sub forisfactura omnium que nobis forisfacere poteritis, injungimus et mandamus, quod vos in propria persona vestra versus villam nostram Cales', in comitiva carissimi consanguinei nostri Thome comitis marescalli et Notyngh', capitanei ville nostre predicte, divertatis, et ibidem faciatis et expleatis omnia et singula que vobis per predictum comitem ex parte nostra injungentur. Et hoc sub forisfactura antedicta nullatenus omittatis. Teste me ipso apud Wodestok, .xvij. die Augusti, anno regni nostri vicesimo primo.' | Richard, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, to his beloved and faithful William Rickhill, greetings. From certain causes specially moving us towards you, by the faith and allegiance by which you are bound to us, and under pain of the forfeiture of everything which you can forfeit to us, we enjoin and command, that you in your own person go to our town of Calais, in the company of our dearest kinsman Thomas, earl marshal and earl of Nottingham, the captain of the aforesaid town, and there that you do and perform each and every thing which is enjoined on you by the aforesaid earl on our behalf. And you should not fail to do this, under pain of the aforesaid forfeiture. Witnessed by myself at Woodstock, 17 August, in the twenty-first year of our reign. |
| Le dit William nient sachant ceo qe deust faire a Caleys, ne d'autre covyn ne mal. Et le dit Johan Mulsho comanda le dit William depar le roy, d'estre a Dovore le joefdy lendemayn le dit mesqerdy a soer, pur encontrer le dit count mareschalle, et ceo sur les peines contenuz en le dit brief. Et le dit William vient a Dovere le dit joefdy a soer, pur ceo q'il n'osa mye de countredire ne contrarier les peines contenuz en le dit brief. Et le vendredi proschein ensuant, le dit conte mareschalle passa en une nief a Caleys parentre oept et noef de la clok; et le dit count mareschal comanda le dit Johan Mulso de mener le dit William en une autre nief; et le dit William vient a Caleys parentre unsze et dusze de la clok, en la dite vendirdy en la veile de Nostre Dame, l'an vynt et primer. Et le dit William feust mys en la maison d'un Lumbard, brokour des leynes, le dit William nient sachant tout temps de ceo q'il deust faire illoeqes, come il voleit respoundre devaunt Dieu. Et al hour de vespres de dit vendredy, le dit William estoit amesne a l'hostiel del dit counte en Caleys, et illoeqes le dit counte monstra et delivera une commissioun a dit William, en les paroles queles ensuent: | The said William did not know what he was to do at Calais, or of any other plot or scheme. And the said John Mulsho commanded the said William, on behalf of the king, and under the penalties contained in the said writ, to be at Dover on the Thursday evening following the said Wednesday, to meet the said earl marshal. So the said William came to Dover on the said Thursday evening, because he did not dare to oppose or act contrary to the penalties contained in the said writ. And the following Friday, the said earl marshal crossed in a ship to Calais between eight and nine o'clock; and the said earl marshal commanded the said John Mulsho to bring the said William in another ship; and the said William arrived at Calais between eleven and twelve o'clock, on the said Friday on the eve of Our Lady, in the twenty-first year. And the said William was sent to the house of a Lombard, a broker of wools, still quite ignorant of what he was to do there, as he will answer before God. And at the hour of vespers on the said Friday, the said William was brought to the lodging of the said earl in Calais, and there the said earl showed and delivered a commission to the said William, in the words which follow: |
| 'Ricardus, Dei gratia, rex Anglie et Francie, et dominus Hibernie, dilecto et fideli suo Willelmo Rikhyll', salutem. Sciatis, quod quibusdam certis de causis assignavimus vos, ad vos versus villam nostram Cales' divertendos, et colloquium cum Thoma Duce Gloucestr' ibidem existente habendum, ipsumque de omnibus et singulis que vobis dicere sive exponere voluerit audiendum, et nobis inde, ac de toto facto vestro in hac parte, in propria persona vestra ubicumque nos fore contigerit sub sigillo vestro distincte et aperte certificandum, una cum hoc brevi. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod circa premissa diligenter intendatis, et ea faciatis et exequamini in forma predicta. Damus autem capitaneo nostro ville predicte, necnon universis et singulis fidelibus et subditis nostris tenore presencium firmiter in mandatis, quod vobis in execucione premissorum intendentes sint, prout decet. In cujus rei testimonium has litteras nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste me ipso apud Wodestok, .xvij. die Augusti, anno regni nostri vicesimo primo.' | Richard, by the grace of God, king of England and France, and lord of Ireland, to his beloved and faithful William Rickhill, greetings. Know that for certain particular reasons we have ordered you to go to our town of Calais, and to speak with Thomas duke of Gloucester, who is living there, and to listen to each and every thing that he wishes to say or to explain to you, and to inform us, wherever we happen to be, in your own person, clearly and openly, under your seal, of this, and of all your actions in this matter, bringing with you this writ. And therefore we command you to attend to the aforesaid diligently, and to undertake and proceed with these matters in the aforesaid way. We also enjoin the captain of our aforesaid town, and each and every one of our faithful subjects, by the tenor of these present letters, firmly as a command, that they be attentive to you in the execution of the aforesaid, as is fitting. In testimony of which we have caused these our letters patent to be made. Witnessed by myself at Woodstock, 17 August, in the twenty-first year of our reign. |
| De quele commissioun, ne del matier contenuz en ycelle, le dit William n'avoit nul conisance devaunt la monstrance de ycelle, come le dit William voloit respondre devant Dieu; ne par quele cause la commissioun feust fait, ne par quelle cause il feust envoie illoeqes. Et le dit William disoit adonqes a le dit count mareschalle, qe le dit duc de Gloucestre feust mort, et luy merveilla grandement de la dite commissioun, a cause qe la mort le dit duc feust notifie a tout le poeple, sibien a Caleys come en Engleterre. Et le dit count dist a dit William, qe le dit duk feust en vie, et comanda le dit William d'estre a le chastel de Caleys le samady en le feste del nativite Nostre Dame, mesme l'an vint et primer. Et le dit William [col. b] disoit et respondi al dit count, q'il ne voleit aler al dit duk, ne ovesqe luy parler, si noun en presence des sufficeantz persones de tesmoigner la verite de ceo qe le dit William voloit dire et monstrer a le dit duk par force del dit commissioun, et auxint pur tesmoigner la verite de ceo qe le dit duk voloit dire et monstrer et deliverer touchant le message de dit William par force de dite commissioun. Et sur ceo le dit count mareschalle assigna Johan Lovetot, et Johan Lancastre, esquiers, d'estre tesmoignours ovesqe le dit William touchant tout la dite matier, pur veier et oier tout ceo qe les ditz duk et William voloient faire et dire en celle partie touchant le dit message. Et le dit William vient a le dit chastelle de Caleys, le samady en le dit fest Nostre Dame, par matyn parentre cynk et sys houres de la clok, et le gardeyn de le dit chastel lessa le dit William entrer en le dit chastelle. Et adonqes le dit William trova les ditz Johan Lovetot, et Johan Lancastre, tesmoignours assignez a luy, en le dit chastelle. Et parentre oept et noef de la clok mesme le samady, les ditz William, Johan Lovetot, et Johan Lancastre, entreront en la sale de dit chastel; et les ditz Johan Lovetot et Johan Lancastre aleront en la chambre arere la reredos la dite sale, et monstrerent au dit duc de Glouc', coment le dit William feust venuz depar le roy en un message pur parler a dit duc. Et le dit William demura en le mesne temps en la sale; et esteantz en la dite sale a mesme le temps diverses persones meignalx entour le dit duc illoeqes, c'estassavoir Thomas Whythed, et Nichol Miles, chapelleyns; Reynald Rumbold, et Robert Wade, clerks; Johan Cok, esquier, et autres diverses persones. Et le dit William feust amesne par les ditz tesmoignes a le dit duk en la dite chambre, et en lour presences le dit William disoit al dit duk, qe le roy envoia le dit William a luy, pur faire un message, la matere de quel message feust contenuz en une commissioun. Et le dit duk comanda le dit William de lisre la dite commissioun a luy; et la dite commissioun feust lue al dit duk. Et le dit duk demanda de dit William, s'il avoit autre message a luy qe ne feust contenuz en la dite commissioun? Et le dit William disoit, qe noun; et ne savoit autre message dire ne monstrer. Et adonqes le dit William pria le dit duk deux prieres en presence des ditz Johan Lovetot, et Johan Lancastre; l'un qe le dit duk ne voleit estre displese qe la dite message feust comande a la persone de dit William: l'autre qe le dit duk voleit mettre en escript ceo q'il voloit dire et monstrer a dit William, solonc la purport de mesme la commissioun, et de prendre et retenir devers luy une copie d'icelle; et qe ceo serroit fait par bone advys et deliberacioun del dit duc. Et apres le message ensi fait a le dit duk par le dit William, en le dit samady en le dit feste de Nostre Dame, parentre oept et noef de la clok par matyn le dit William departy hors de la chastel en la ville. Et apres, mesme le jour del nativite, apres manger, parentre oept et noef del clok, le dit William vient a dit duk, en presence des ditz Johan Lovetot, et Johan Lancastre, et un clerk < qe > escriva les articles deliverez a dit William par l'ordinance del dit duk; et ceo feust Johan Bakwell', Robert Wade, ou Reynold Rumbold. Et le dit duk avoit noef articles prestes escriptz en sa mayn par un de les ditz trois clerkis, et ceo par bone advisement et deliberacioun par l'espace de dusze houres. Et le dit duc les ditz articles lisa par sa bouche demesne a dit William, et les delivera a dit William par sa mayn propre, pur les enporter et deliverer a roi, en presence des ditz Johan Lovetot, Johan Lancastre, et le dit clerk; et le dit duk retient une copie de ceo devers luy. Et dissoit outre par sa bouche demesne, qe le roy parla a luy de Monsire Simond de Burley, et le dit duk respondi a roy, et disoit a luy, qe s'il voloit estre roy covient estre parfourne et fait. Et le dit duk pria < le > dit William a mesme le temps, de venir aluy lendemayn [p. iii-432][col. a] le dit samady a le dit chastelle, a l'entent qe si le dit duk luy remembroit de pluis de matier d'envoier a roy, et le dit William granta de ceo faire. Et puis, parentre oept et noef de la clok le dit William departi hors de la chastelle del dit duk en la ville, et par matyn lendemayn le dit William vient a le dit chastel devaunt la porte d'icelle, pur avoir entrer en le dit chastel, solonc ceo qe feust accorde parentre le dit duk et le dit William a soere devaunt. Et un vadlet esteant sur lez mures del dit chastel respondi et disoit a dit William, q'il ne purroit venir ne entrer en le dit chastel tanq'il avoit parle ovesqe Thomas cont mareschal. Et tost apres mesme le jour le dit William vient al dit cont mareschalle, et luy pria, q'il voloit suffrir le dit William de venir al dit duk, et deparler ovesqe luy. Et le dit cont respondy et disoit, q'il voloit envoier pur les gardeyns del dit chastelle de venir a luy, pur parler a eux pur la dite matire. Et tost apres, mesme le jour, le dit cont envoia les ditz Johan Lovetot, et Johan Lancastre, a dit William en message, et disoient, qe le dit William ne purroit venir ne parler al dit duk pluis outre. Et le dit William pria les ditz Johan Lovetot, et Johan Lancastre, come ils voloient respondre devaunt Dieu, de tesmoigner verite touchant ceste matire qant mistier serroit, qe le dit William avoit fait bien et loialment soun devoir en la dite matire: et ils disoient q'ils voillent. Et puis apres, le marsdy < proschein > ensuant, a synk del clok, parentre la mure de la ville de Caleys et le mere sur le qwarghe, qant le dit William feust prest de passer le mere il trova la le dit Johan Lovetot, et luy pria de recomander le dit William specialment al dit duk, et luy dire, qe le dit William avoit fait bien et loialment soun devoir de venir a luy, come le dit Johan purra bien tesmoigner. Et apres, quant le dit William vient en Engleterre, le dit William, le dymenge proschein devaunt le parlement tenuz a Westm', l'an vynt et primer, delivera a roi la commissioun directe a dit William, et le responce d'icelle, ensemblement ove les ditz noefs articles. Et le dit William meintenant pria a dit roy, pur l'amour de Dieu, de luy grantir une exemplificacioun desouthe soun grand seal de tout le dit message, et de tout ceo qe le dit William avoit fait en celle partie: et le dit roy luy granta. Et le dit William pursua d'avoir la dite exemplificacioun, par cause q'il soi douta qe soun message serroit change ou amenuse, ou l'escripture besile ou rase; la quele exemplificacioun le dit William monstra en cest present parlement desouthe le grand seal du roy. Et en le dit parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an vynt et primere, partie des ditz articles qe plesa au roy feust lue, et partie des ditz articles qe feurent encontre l'entent et le purpos du roi ne feurent pas luez, ne conuz. Et outre ceo, partie des ditz articles qe feuront al entent et purpos del dit roy feurent proclamez en chescun countee d'Engleterre, qe le dit duc les ditz articles ensi proclamez les avoit confessez et conuz devaunt William Rikhyll', justice. Et ceo feust grand durete fait a dit William de luy nomer justice en le cas, purceo qe le dit William par force del dite commissioun ne porta nul record, ne nul record purroit porter, eyns soulement un messager, come pleinement piert par la dite commissioun. Et tout ceo qe le dit William fesoit en le dit message en presence de le dit duk, les ditz Johan Lovetot et Johan Lancastre feurent presentz et tesmoignes; et le dit William ne fesoit rien [col. b] si noun en lour presences. Et le dit William dit outre, qe les ditz articles deliverez a luy par le dit duk, ne nul rien touchant soun message, ne feust unqes par luy amenuse ne chaunge autrement qe ne feust delivere a luy: et parle come il voloit respondre devaunt Dieu al jour de haut juggement. Et la copie la quele le dit duk retient devers luy de les ditz articles est ore en la mayn Monsire Pieres de Courtenay: et le dit William priast, qe la dite copie soit lue et examine par la dite exemplificacioun qe le dit William ad envers luy southe le grand seal de roy. | The said William had no knowledge of this commission, or of the matter contained in it, before he was shown it, as the said William would wish to answer before God; nor of why the commission was made, nor of why he was sent there. And the said William then said to the said earl marshal, that the said duke of Gloucester was dead, and that he was quite astonished at the said commission, because the death of the said duke had been announced to all the people, both in Calais and in England. But the said earl said to the said William, that the said duke was in fact alive, and he commanded the said William to be at the castle of Calais on the Saturday, the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady [8 September], in the same twenty-first year. And the said William [col. b] said in reply to the said earl, that he did not wish to go to the said duke, nor to speak with him, except in the presence of sufficient people who could bear witness to the truth of what the said William wished to say and explain to the said duke by virtue of the said commission, and also to bear witness to the truth of what the said duke wished to say and explain and hand over touching the errand of the said William by virtue of the said commission. Whereupon the said earl marshal assigned John Lovetot and John Lancaster, esquires, to be witnesses with the said William touching all the said matter, to see and hear all that the said duke and William wished to do and say on the matter described in the said message. Thus the said William came to the said castle of Calais, on the Saturday, the said feast of Our Lady, in the morning between five and six o'clock, and the warden of the said castle allowed the said William to enter the said castle. And then the said William found the said John Lovetot and John Lancaster, the witnesses assigned to him, in the said castle. And between eight and nine o'clock on the same Saturday, the said William, John Lovetot and John Lancaster entered the hall of the said castle, and the said John Lovetot and John Lancaster went into the chamber behind the screen of the said hall, and explained to the said duke of Gloucester how the said William had come on behalf of the king with a message to speak to the said duke. And the said William remained in the meantime in the hall; and there were in the said hall at the same time various menial persons who were around the said duke then, that is Thomas Whitehead and Nicholas Miles, chaplains; Reynold Rumbold and Robert Wade, clerks; JohnCook, esquire, and various other persons. And the said William was brought by the said witnesses to the said duke in the said chamber, and in their presence the said William said to the said duke, that the king had sent the said William to him to deliver a message, the subject of which message was contained in a commission. And the said duke commanded the said William to read the said commission to him; and so the said commission was read to the said duke. And the said duke asked the said William, if he had any other message for him which was not contained in the said commission. And the said William said no; and that he could not give or deliver any other message. And then the said William made two requests of the said duke, in the presence of the said John Lovetot and John Lancaster; one was that the said duke would not be displeased that the said message was entrusted to the person of the said William; the other was that the said duke would please put in writing what he wished to say or explain to the said William, in accordance with the tenor of the same commission, and to take and keep with him a copy of this; and that this would be done by the good advice and deliberation of the said duke. And after the message was thus delivered to the said duke by the said William, on the said Saturday on the said feast of Our Lady, between eight and nine o'clock in the morning, the said William left the castle and went into the town. And afterwards, on the same day of the Nativity, after dinner, between eight and nine o'clock, the said William returned to the said duke, in the presence of the said John Lovetot and John Lancaster, and a clerk who wrote the articles handed over to the said William by command of the said duke; and this was either John Bakewell, Robert Wade, or Reynold Rumbold. And the said duke had nine articles ready in his hand, written by one of the said three clerks, and this had been done with good advice and deliberation over a period of twelve hours. And the said duke read the said articles in his own words to the said William, and handed them over to the said William with his own hand, to take and deliver them to the king, in the presence of the said John Lovetot, John Lancaster, and the said clerk; and the said duke kept a copy of this with him. And furthermore he said in his own words that the king had spoken to him about Sir Simon Burley, and the said duke had replied to the king by saying to him that if he wished to be king this would have to be carried out and done. And the said duke requested of the said William, at the same time, to come to him on the day after [p. iii-432][col. a] the said Saturday to the said castle, in case the said duke remembered anything else to send to the king, and the said William agreed to do this. And then, between eight and nine o'clock, the said William left the castle and the said duke and went into the town; and the next morning the said William came to the gate of the said castle, in order to gain entry into the said castle, in accordance with what had been agreed between the said duke and the said William the previous evening. And a valet who was on the walls of the said castle replied, saying to the said William that he could not enter or come into the said castle until he had spoken with Thomas earl marshal. And soon afterwards, on the same day, the said William came to the said earl marshal, and requested of him that he would allow the said William to come to the said duke, and to speak to him. And the said earl replied by saying that he wished to send for the wardens of the said castle to come to him, to speak to them on the same subject. And soon afterwards, on the same day, the said earl sent the said John Lovetot and John Lancaster to the said William with a message, which was that the said William could not come to speak with the duke again. Whereupon the said William asked the said John Lovetot and John Lancaster, as they wished to answer before God, to bear truthful witness on this matter when it should become necessary, namely,that the said William had done his duty in this matter well and loyally: and they said that they would. And then afterwards, on the following Tuesday, at five o'clock, between the wall of the town of Calais and the sea, on the quay, when the said William was ready to cross the sea, he found there the said John Lovetot, and asked him to commend the said William specially to the said duke, and to say to him that the said William had done his duty well and loyally in coming to him, as the said John could well bear witness. And afterwards, when the said William arrived in England, on the Sunday immediately before the parliament held at Westminster, in the twenty-first year [15 September], the said William delivered to the king the commission which had been entrusted to him, and the reply to it, together with the said nine articles. And the said William immediately requested of the said king, for the love of God, to grant him an exemplification under his great seal of all the said message, and of all that the said William had done in that matter; and the said king granted him this. And the reason why the said William sued to have the said exemplification was because he was afraid that his message would be altered or abridged, or the writing falsified or erased; which exemplification, under the king's great seal, the said William has exhibited in this present parliament. And in the said parliament held at Westminster in the twenty-first year, some of the said articles, those which suited the king, were read out, and some of the said artcles, those which were contrary to the king's aim and purpose, were not read or made known. And furthermore, some of the said articles which were in accord with the aim and purpose of the said king were proclaimed in each county of England, declaring that the said duke had confessed and acknowledged the said articles thus proclaimed before William Rikhill, justice. And this was a great slander against the said William, to call him a justice in this case, because the said William did not bear any record by virtue of the said commission, nor could he bear any such record, but was simply a messenger, as is clearly apparent from the said commission. And concerning all that the said William did with regard to the said message in the presence of the said duke, the said John Lovetot and John Lancaster were present and witnesses; and the said William did nothing [col. b] except in their presence. Furthermore, the said William said that neither the said articles handed to him by the said duke, or anything at all concerning his message, were ever abridged or altered by him to any state other than that in which they were delivered to him: and this he affirmed, as he wishes to answer before God on the day of high judgment. And the copy of the said articles which the said duke kept with him is now in the hands of Sir Peter Courtenay: and the said William requested that the said copy be read and examined along with the exemplification which the said William has with him under the king's great seal. |
| Et sur ceo, chescun seignour temporel esteant en pleyn parlement examine severalment sur le responce de le dit William, et les matiers contenuz en icelle; et par le dit response et autres matiers et evidences qeux ils ount examinez, semble a chescun de eux, et disoient severalment, qe le dit William fesoit le dit message bien et loialment, et qe en la persone de dit William il n'ad coupe ne male touchant le dit message, ne rien q'il fesoit a la persone del dit duc. Sur quoi Wautier Clopton', chief justice del bank le roy, par comandement de roy ad adjugge, et agarda, qe le dit William soit pleinement excusez et acquitez touchant ceste matire perpetuelment en temps avenir. | Whereupon, all the lords temporal present in full parliament were examined individually about the reply of the said William and the matters contained in it; and, from the said reply and the other matters and records which they had examined, it seemed to each of them, and they declared individually, that the said William undertook the said message well and loyally, and that in the person of the said William there was no fault or wickedness with regard to the said message, or anything which he did with regard to the person of the said duke. Whereupon Walter Clopton, chief justice of the king's bench, at the king's command adjudged and decreed that the said William should be fully excused and acquitted touching this matter for all time to come. |
| Adnullacioun des ragemans. | [Annulment of the ragmans, or blank charters]. |
| 93. Item, mesquerdy le darrein jour du parlement, accordez est par le roy et les seignours, qe toutes les remembrances appellez raggemans, ou blanches chartres, nadgairs enseallez en la citee de Londres, et es diverses contes, citees, et burghes d'Engleterre, come il est rehercez en un autre article paramont, soient renvoiez a la dite citee de Londres, et a chescun counte, citee, et burghe dont ils viendrent; et qe briefs soient faitz et envoiez as mesmes les countees, citees, et burghes, reherceantz, qe le roi tient les resceantz et enhabitantz en icelles pur ses bones et loialx lieges, et qe nulle confessioun par eux faite, comprise en les ditz remembrances, sonne ne soit en derogacioun de l'estat d'ascunes tielx persones. Et qe mesmes les remembrances soient artz et destructz en le pluis overt lieu deins les ditz countees, citees, et burghes. Et si riens ent demourge de record en ascune court, ou place de mesme le roy, il voet q'il soit cancellez, et de tout adnullez, revokez, et repellez, et tenuz pur nulle record ne de nul force ou value en tout temps avenir. (fn. iii-415-277-1) | 93. Annulment of the ragmans. Also, on Wednesday the last day of parliament [19 November], it was agreed by the king and the lords that all the records called ragmans, or blank charters, formerly sealed in the city of London, and in the various counties, cities and boroughs of England, as has been explained above in another article, should be returned to the said city of London, and to each county, city and borough from which they came; and that writs should be made and sent to the same counties, cities and boroughs, stating that the king holds the residents and inhabitants in them to be his good and loyal lieges, and that no confession made by them, included in the said records, should redound to or be to the detriment of the estate of any such persons. And that the same records should be burned and destroyed in the most open place within the said counties, cities and boroughs. And if anything of this remains on record in any court, or tribunal of the same king, he wills it to be cancelled, and completely annulled, revoked, and repealed, and held to be of no record or effect or validity for all time to come. (fn. iii-415-277-1) |
| [memb. 11] | |
| Des chartres grantiez l'an xxi me . | [Charters of pardon granted in 1397-8]. |
| 94. Item, mesme le jour, nostre dit seignour le roy, al grant instance et prier des ditz communes, ad grantez et voet, qe toutz ceaux q'ont chartres de pardoun fait par le dit nadgaires roi Richard en soun [parlement] tenuz le dit an vynt primere, aient et enjoient le benefice de mesme la pardoun: et qe mesmes les chartres estoisent en lour force et vertue, solonc les fourme et effect d'icelles. | 94. Concerning the charters granted in the twenty-first year. Also, on the same day, our said lord the king, at the insistence and request of the said commons, has granted and wills that all those who have charters of pardon granted by the said former king Richard in his parliament held in the said twenty-first year, should have and enjoy the benefit of the same pardons: and that the same charters should remain in their effect and validity, in accordance with their form and effect. |
| Pur la duchesse d'Irland. | [On behalf of the duchess of Ireland]. |
| 95. Item, mesme le jour, les ditz communes prierent a nostre dit seignour le roy, qe luy plerroit considerer le povre estat de la duchesse d'Irland, et ordeigner en cest present parlement, q'ele purroit estre endowez des terres qe feurent a soun baron. De quel prier le roy leur remercia molt graciousement, et leur disoit q'il vorroit estre bon seignour a luy, et a ses autres cousins. | 95. On behalf of the duchess of Ireland. Also, on the same day, the said commons requested of our said lord the king that it might please him to consider the poor estate of the duchess of Ireland, and to ordain in this present parliament that she be endowed with the lands that belonged to her husband. For which request the king thanked them most graciously, and said to them that he wanted to be a good lord to her, and to his other cousins. |
| [p. iii-433] | |
| LES PETICIONS BAILLEZ PAR LES COMMUNES D'ENGLETERRE EN PARLEMENT ENSUENT CY APRES. | HERE FOLLOW THE PETITIONS SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT BY THE COMMONS OF ENGLAND. |
| [col. a] | |
| [memb. 10] | |
| A TRESEXCELLENT, TRESREDOUTE, ET TRESGRACIOUS SEIGNOUR, NOSTRE SEIGNOUR LE ROY SUPPLIENT HUMBLEMENT VOZ POVERES LIGES LES COMMUNES DE VOSTRE ROYAUME D'ENGLETERRRE, QE PLEISE, AL HONUR DE DIEU, ET PUR LA BIEN DE VOZ DITZ COMMUNES, ET QUIETE ET TRANQUILLITE DEINZ VOSTRE ROYAUME, ET SALVACIOUN DE VOUS, ET L'ESTAT ET DROITURE DE VOSTRE COROUNE, GRAUNTER A EUX LES PETICIONS Q'ENSUENT. | TO THE MOST EXCELLENT, MOST DREAD, AND MOST GRACIOUS LORD, OUR LORD THE KING, YOUR POOR LIEGES THE COMMONS OF YOUR REALM OF ENGLAND HUMBLY REQUEST THAT IT MAY PLEASE YOU, FOR THE HONOUR OF GOD, AND FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR SAID COMMONS, AND PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY WITHIN YOUR REALM, AND FOR YOUR SALVATION, AND THE ESTATE AND RIGHT OF YOUR CROWN, TO GRANT THEM THE PETITIONS WHICH FOLLOW. |
| < Chartre. > | [The Great Charter.] |
| 96. Primerement, qe seinte esglise eit et enjoise toutz ses droitures, libertees, et fraunchises entierement et sanz emblemissement, et qe la grante chartre, et la chartre de la foreste, et touz les autres bones ordenances et estatutz en temps de voz nobles progenitours faitz, nient repellez, soient fermement tenuz et gardez en toutz pointz. Et qe la pees deinz vostre dit royaume soit gardez et tenuz, issint qe touz voz loialx subgitz purront desore sauvement et peisiblement aler, venir, et demurrer, solonc les loyes et usages del royaume; et qe bone justice et owel droit soit fait a chescuny. (fn. iii-415-289-1) | 96. Charter. Firstly, that holy church should have and enjoy all its rights, liberties and franchises wholly and without impairment, and that the Great Charter, and the Charter of the Forest, and all the other good ordinances and statutes made in the time of your noble progenitors and not repealed, shouldbe firmly kept and observed in all points. And that the peace in your said realm be kept and observed, so that all your loyal subjects will henceforth be able to come, go and remain quietly and peacefully, in accordance with the laws and usages of the realm: and that true justice and equal right be done to all. (fn. iii-415-289-1) |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| < Justices. > | [Lords and Justices.] |
| 97. Item, qe les seignours espirituelx et temporelx, ne les justices, ne soient resceux en temps advenir pur lour excuser, a dire, q'ils n'oseront faire ne dire la ley, ne lour entent, pur doute de mort; ou q'ils ne sont libres de eux mesmes. Pur ceo q'ils sont plus tenuz de resoun de garder lour serment, qe de douter mort, ou ascun forfaiture. | 97. Justices. Also, that neither the lords spiritual or temporal, nor the justices should in future be permitted to excuse themselves by saying that they did not dare to do or proclaim the law, or their opinions, for fear of death; or that they are not free in themselves. Because they are more properly obliged to keep their oath than to fear death or any forfeiture. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy tient toutz ses seignours et justices pur bones, sufficientz, et loialx, et q'ils ne luy voillent doner autre conseil n'advis qi ne soit honeste et joust, et profitable pur luy et le roialme. Et si nully se voet compleindre en especial en temps advenir del contrarie, le roy le ferra refourmer et amender. | The king considers all his lords and justices to be good, capable and loyal, and that they do not wish to give him any counsel or advice other than what is honest and just, and advantageous for him and for the realm. And if anyone should in future especially wish to complain specifically to the contrary, the king will have it remedied and corrected. |
| < Douns faitz par le roy. > | [Royal grants.] |
| 98. Item, qe les outrageous douns faitz par nostre seignour le roy as persones qe ne ont deservis, ou confirmacions ou pardoun du graundes sommes de monoie, le roy nient aparceu de sa damage a temps du graunte, soient par bone deliberacioun repelles. Et qe decy il voille faire graunte par avys de soun conseil. | 98. Gifts made by the king. Also, that excessive gifts made by our lord the king to persons who have not deserved them, or confirmations, or pardons of large sums of money, in cases where the king was not aware of the harm thereby done to him at the time of the grant, should, with proper deliberation, be repealed. And that henceforth he should please to make grants with the advice of his council. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Y plest au roy d'estre conceillez par les sages de soun conseil es choses touchantz l'estat de luy et de soun roialme; sauvant toutefoitz sa libertee. Et au fyn q'il ne soit decieuz en ses grantes ou douns, annuels ou en fee, ou en aucunes offices par luy affaires, ou a grantes en temps avenir, il voet, de l'assent des seignours espirituelx et temporelx et des communes, qe toutz ceux qi demanderont du roy terres, tenementz, rentz, offices, annuitees, ou autres profitz qeconqes, facent expresse mencioun en leur peticions de la value de la chose ensi a demander, et auxi de ce q'ils ount eue du doun du roy ou des autres ses progenitours ou predecessours paravant. Et en cas q'ils ne facent tiele mencioun en lour dites peticions, et ce duement provez, soient les lettres patentes du roy ent faite nient vaillables, ne de nul force n'effect, mais de tout revokez, repellez, et adnullez pur toutz jours, au punissement de eux qi ensi ont faite tiel deceite au roy, come ceux qi ne sont pas [col. b] dignes d'enjoier l'effect et benefice des lettres patentes a eux grantees en celle partie. (fn. iii-415-304-1) | It pleases the king to be advised by the wise men of his council on matters touching his estate and that of his realm; saving always his liberty. And in order that he is not deceived in his grants or gifts, annual or in fee, or in any offices to be appointed or granted by him in time to come, he wills, by the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal and of the commons, that all those who request lands, tenements, rents, offices, annuities or other benefits of any kind from the king, should make express mention in their petitions of the value of the thing to be requested in this way, and also of what they have previously had by the king's gift or that of his other progenitors or predecessors. And if they do not mention this in their said petitions, and this is duly proved, let the king's letters patent made on this be invalid, and of no force or effect, but completely revoked, repealed and annulled forever, for the punishment of those who have thus perpetrated such deceit against the king, as people who are not [col. b] worthy to enjoy the effect and benefit of the letters patent granted to them in such cases. (fn. iii-415-304-1) |
| < Chauncelor, tresorer, clerc du prive seall, etc. > | [Royal ministers not to accept bribes] |
| 99. Item, qe chaunceller, tresorer, clerc du prive seal, ne les justices de l'un bank ne de l'auter, ne barons de l'escheqer, ne clerc de receit ne de l'escheqer, ne chamberleyn, ne south-chamberleyn le roy, ne nulle autre persone qeconqe entour la persone du roy, desore enavant soit si hardy de prendre de nully des liges nostre seignour le roy brogage, presantes, ne dounes qeconqes, mes lour teignent tantsoulement content de lour fee aprendre de nostre seignour le roy; et qe touz les suisditz soient a ce jurrez. Et qide eux apres tiel serment soit atteint en fesure la contrarie, q'il forface a roy qanqe il purra forfaire, et soun corps a prison. | 99. Chancellor, treasurer, clerk of the privy seal,etc. Also, that neither the chancellor, the treasurer, the clerk of the privy seal, nor the justices of one bench or the other, nor the barons of the exchequer, nor the clerk of the receipt, nor the clerk of the exchequer, nor the king's chamberlain, nor under-chamberlain, nor any other person whatsoever about the king's person, should henceforth be so bold as to take from any of our lord the king's lieges any commission, present or gift of any kind, but should be content with only their fee to be taken from our lord the king; and that all the aforesaid should be sworn to this. And if any of them after taking this oath should be convicted of doing the opposite, he should forfeit to the king everything than he can forfeit, and be corporally imprisoned. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, qe si aucun officer preigne dishonestement d'aucune persone, et ce duement provee a la suite de partie qi se voudra ent compleindre; qe tiel officer serra puniz pur sa mesprision. Et qant al remenant compris en cest article, y ad estatutz sufficientz en le cas, les queux le roy voet qe soient tenuz et gardez, et mys en due execucioun. | The king wills that if any officer should take anything dishonestly from any person, and this should duly be proved at the suit of the party who wishes to complain of it, that any such officer should be punished for his crime. With regard to the rest of what is comprised in this article, there are sufficient statutes on the matter, which the king wills to be kept and observed and put into due execution. |
| < Terres de la corone. > | [Reunification of lands of the crown.] |
| 100. Item, touchant terres, tenementz, et rentz, ou autres possessions qeconqes, qe furent parcelle de la corone ou des seignuries de la corone, en temps sire Edward le tierce, roy d'Engleterre, ou en temps Richard darrein roy d'Engleterre, nient donez par assent du parlement, ne en eschaunge pur autres terres ore demurantz a la corone, qe toutz y ceux soient rejointz arere a la corone. Purveu toutz foitz, qe si ascun seignour d'astate, chivaler ou esquier, pur son travaille duement disservy, eit pur terme de sa vie et nient autrement, q'il ne soit rebote d'icelx devant q'il soit autrement guerdonez. Et semblablement soit feat de la principalte de Gales, de Cornewaille, et de Cestre. Et reservez toutfoitz as citeins et burgeis parmy tout le royaume lour libertees et franchises, et a lour heirs et successours. | 100. Lands of the crown. Also, with regard to the lands, tenements and rents, or other possessions of any kind, which were part of the crown or of the lordships of the crown in the time of lord Edward the third, king of England, or in the time of Richard the former king of England, which were given not by consent of parliament, nor in exchange for other lands which now still belong to the crown, all these should be rejoined to the crown again. Provided always, that if any lord of rank, knight or esquire, who has duly earned them by his labour, has them for the term of his life and not otherwise, he should not be ejected from them until he has been otherwise rewarded. And let it be done similarly with the principality of Wales, with Cornwall, and with Chester. Reserving always to the citizens and burgesses throughout the whole realm, and to their heirs and successors, their liberties and franchises. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera, et par bone advis et discrecioun ent ferra due remede. | The king will consider this further, and with good advice and judgment will provide a suitable remedy for this. |
| < Countye de Chestre. > | [The county of Cheshire.] |
| 101. Item, la ou diverses trespassez et spoliacions ount este faitz en diverses countees en la gracious venu du roy, par colour dez liverez et autrement, encontre droit; qe les parties qe sont issint grevez, save tantsoulement le counte de Chestre, purront pursuir et avoir accioun a la commune ley. Et outreceo, qe les justices des assissez et du pees en leurs sessions eient poer, al suite des parties grevez pur les trespasses et spoliacions suisditz, d'oier et terminer, si semble a nostre seignour le roy. | 101. County of Cheshire. Also, whereas various trespasses and extortions were committed in various counties at the time of the gracious return of the king, under colour of liveries and otherwise, against right; that the parties who have been harmed by this, excepting only in the county of Cheshire, may be able to sue and have an action at common law. And furthermore, that the justices of assize and justices of the peace should have the power of oyer and terminer in their sessions, at the suit of the parties injured by the aforesaid trespasses and extortions, if it seems good to our lord the king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Qant as trespasses faitz es contees ou le roy ad chivachez ove soun host, le roy s'advisera. Et qant as autres contees es queux il ne chivachea, et ou tiel trespas ad este faite, le roy voet, qe la partie endamagez ait et pursue s'accioun a la commune loye; forspris vers ceux q'avoient commissions ou autre auctoritee sufficiente. | With regard to the trespasses committed in the counties which the king rode through with his army, the king will consider this further. With regard to the other counties where he didnot ride, and where any such trespasses were committed, the king wills that the injured party should have and pursue his action at common law; except against those who had commissions or other competent authority. |
| [p. iii-434] | |
| [col. a] | |
| < Lettres patentz. > | [Entries by letters patent.] |
| 102. Item, qe toutz entrees faitz par ascuns liges nostre seignour le roy en manoirs, terres, ou tenementz, en prejudice d'autres enheritez, ou clamantz, sibien par lettres patentz nostre seignour le roy sanz proces [du] ley, come par colour du viage le roy depuis soun arrivaile, soient de nulle value; mes les oustes des terres et tenementz, ou clamantz suisditz, mys en la degree come ils furent le jour de arrivele suisdite. Sauvant a les persones issint entrees lour suit a la commune ley. | 102. Letters patent. Also, that all entries made by any lieges of our lord the king into manors, lands, or tenements, to the prejudice of others with right of inheritance or claims, either by our lord the king's letters patent without process of law, or under pretext of the king's expedition after his arrival, should be invalid; and that those who were ejected from the lands and tenements, or the aforesaid claimants, should be reinstated to the estates which they held on the day of the aforesaid return. Saving to the persons who have thus entered their suit at common law. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Suent les parties grevez leur accioun a la commune loye, et droit leur serra fait. | Let the injured parties sue their action at common law, and justice will be done to them. |
| [memb. 9] | |
| < Henry prince de Gales [declare] heire apparaunt. > | [Henry prince of Wales declared heir apparent.] |
| 103. Item, come en cest present parlement, par nostre seignour le roy et assent des seignours espirituelx et temporelx et toutz les communes, nostre seignour sire Henry prince du Gales estoit creez et ordeignez heir apparant, a avoir et enjoir le roialme en temps advenir qant Dieu le voille: queles assent et ordinance plese a nostre seignour le roy faire entrer de record en les rolles du ceste present parlement. | 103. Henry prince of Wales declared heir apparent. Also, whereas in this present parliament, by our lord the king and the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal and all the commons, our lord, lord Henry prince of Wales has been created and ordained heir apparent, to have and enjoy the realm in time to come when God wishes it: may it please our lord the king to cause this assent and ordinance to be entered on record in the rolls of this present parliament. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| Pur Thomas Haxey. | [On behalf of Thomas Haxey.] |
| 104. Item, come al parlement tenuz a Westm' le jour de Seint Vyncent, l'an le Roy Richard vyntisme, pur honour et profit du dit roy et de tout le roialme, Thomas Haxey, clerc, bailla une bille as communes du dit parlement; pur quele bille, de volunte du dit roy, le dit Thomas estoit adjuges traitour, et forfaita tout ceo q'il avoit, en contre droit et la course quel avoit este use devant en parlement, en anientisment des custumes de lez communes. | 104. On behalf of Thomas Haxey. Also, whereas in the parliament held at Westminster on St Vincent's day, in the twentieth year of King Richard [22 January 1397], for the honour and advantage of the said king and of all the realm, Thomas Haxey, clerk, delivered a bill to the commons of the said parliament; for which bill, by the will of the said king, the said Thomas was adjudged a traitor, and forfeited all that he had, against right and the procedure which had previously been in use in parliament, to the ruin of the customs of the commons. |
| Qe plese a nostre tresgracious seignour le roy en cest present parlement y celle jugement casser, et adnuller, come erronous; et restituer mesme celui Thomas entierment a ses degree, estate, biens et chateux, fermes, annuites, pensions, terres, tenementz, rentz, office, advowesons, et possessions quielconqes, ove leurs appurtenantz, et q'il purra entrer en les avantditz fermes, annuites, pensiones, terres, tenementz, rentz, office, advowesons, et possessiones, et eux tenir come il les tenoit le jour del fesance du dit bille: mesme le juggement, ou ascun declaracioun par celle cause, doun, ou grante, de yceux biens, chateux, fermes, annuites, pensions, terres, tenementz, rentz, offices, advowesons, et possessions, ou d'ascun d'yceux, a ascun autre persone puis ycel jugement ascunement faitz, nientencontresteantz. Sibien en accomplissement de droit, come pur salvacioun des libertes de lez ditz communes. | May it please our most gracious lord the king in this present parliament to quash and annul that judgment, as erroneous; and to restore that same Thomas entirely to his degree, estate, goods and chattels, farms, annuities, pensions, lands, tenements, rents, office, advowsons, and possessions of any kind, with their appurtenances, and that he will be able to enter into the aforesaid farms, annuities, pensions, lands, tenements, rents, office, advowsons and possessions, and to hold them as he did on the day of the making of the said bill: notwithstanding the same judgment, or any declaration by reason of it, or any gift or grant of those goods, chattels, farms, annuities, pensions, lands, tenements, rents, office, advowsons and possessions, or any one of them, made in any way to any other person since that judgment was made. Both for the execution ofjustice, and for the protection of the liberties of the said commons. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, de l'advis et assent des toutz le seignours espirituelx et temporelx, qe le juggement rendu vers Thomas Haxey, clerc, en parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an xx me luy nadgairs roy Richard, soit de tout cassez, reversez, repellez, et adnullez, et tenuz de nul force n'effect; et qe le dit Thomas soit restitut a ses noun et fame, et fait et tenuz persone hable en manere come il feust devant le dit juggement ensi rendu: come en le record ent fait et enrollez pardevant en cest rolle de parlement y piert plus au pleyn. | The king wills, by the advice and assent of all the lords spiritual and temporal, that the judgment given against Thomas Haxey, clerk, in the parliament held at Westminster in the twentieth year of the former king Richard, should be entirely quashed, reversed, repealed and annulled, and held to have no force or effect; and that the said Thomas should be restored to his name and fame, and regarded as and held to be a competent person, as he was before the said judgment was thus brought: as appears more clearly in the record made and enrolled earlier in this roll of parliament. |
| < Pur la marche d'Escoce. > | [Concerning the Scottish March.] |
| 105. Item, qe le roy voille de sa benignitee considerer la graunde pestilence q'est en < lez > parties de la northe, et q'il est ore yvre, et auxi les periles dez autres roialmes environ luy, et noumement qe soun roialme d'Engleterre n'est mye uncore establiz: et par soun bon conseil ordeigner pur la marche d'Escoce autres sufficeantz persones a cest foitz, et qe nostre seignour le roy purra estre et demurrer entour la my de soun roialme, pur eschuer periles qe purront avenir. | 105. Concerning the Scottish march. Also, that the king in his benevolence should kindly consider the great pestilence which there is in the northern parts, and that it is now winter, and also the perils from the other realms around him, and especially that his realm of England is not yet in any way stable: and by his good counsel to ordain for the Scottish march other competent people at this time, and that our lord the king should remain around the middle of his realm, to avoid the dangers which might arise. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'avisera. | The king will consider this futher. |
| [col. b] | |
| < Sufficiantz capitaynes. > | [Captains of castles, etc.] |
| 106. Item, qe nostre seignour le roy, sibien pur sauftee de luy mesmes, come pur sauftee de tout soun roialme et de sez lieges, par avys de soun sage consaille ordeigne sures et sufficeantz capiteyns et gardeyn de sez chastelx et forteresces, sibien en Engleterre come en Gales, pur eschuier toutz periles. | 106. Competent captains. Also, that our lord the king, both for his own safety and for the safety of all his realm and of his lieges, with the advice of his wise council, should ordain reliable and competent captains and keepers for his castles and fortresses, both in England and in Wales, to avoid all dangers. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| < Viscountes. > | [Sheriffs' farms.] |
| 107. Item, come lez viscontz des contees deyns le roialme soient chargez ove l'ancien ferme des countees, ou graunde parcelle de lour profitz sont donez diversement a seignours et autres lieges, issint q'ils ne purront paier au roy sanz extorsioun faire en lez countees. | 107. Sheriffs. Also, whereas the sheriffs of the counties of the realm are charged with the ancient farm of the counties, where a great part of their profits are often given to lords and other lieges, so that they are not able to pay the king without committing extortion in the counties. |
| Q'il plese a nostre seignour liege grauntier, qe lez ditz viscontz purront decy accompter a l'escheqer, et avoir allowance par lours sermentz de lez issues de lez countees. Et qe celuy qe soit atteynt de ascun extorsion depuys soit ent duement punyz. | May it please our liege lord to grant that the said sheriffs can henceforth render account to the exchequer, and have allowance on their oaths for the issues of the counties. And that anyone who is afterwards convicted of any extortion should be duly punished for it. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet; et par especial qe lez viscontz des countees d'Essex et Hertford pur le temps esteantz acomptent a l'escheker, et aient allowance par lour serment < de les issues des ditz countees > , si bien puys la date de lour patentes a eux grauntez par Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre, come pur tout temps advenir. Et si aucun viscont desore enavant, face aucun extorsion au poeple, et de ceo soit atteynt, q'il soit duement puniz pur mesme l'extorsion, a la voluntee du roy. (fn. iii-415-357-1) | The king wills it; and especially that the sheriffs of the counties of Essex and Hertfordshire for the time being should render account to the exchequer, and have allowance on their oaths for the issues of the said counties, both since the date of their patents granted to them by Richard formerly king of England, and for all time to come. And if any sheriff henceforth commits any extortion against the people, and is convicted of it, he should be duly punished for the same extortion, at the king's pleasure. (fn. iii-415-357-1) |
| < Pur garder les leyes. > | [Concerning the liberty of the king.] |
| 108. Item, come al request Richard darreyn roy d'Engleterre en un parlement tenuz a Wyncestr', les communes du dit parlement luy graunteront, q'il serreit en auxi bon libertee come sez progenitours devant luy furent: pur [sic: read 'par'] quele graunte le dit roy disoit q'il purroit tourner les leyes a sa voluntee, et les fist tourner encountre soun serment, come est overtement en diverses caas bien conuz. Et ore en cest present parlement les communes d'icelle, de lour bon gree et voluntee, confiantz en les nobeley, haut discrecion, et graciouse governance le roy nostre seignour, luy ount grauntez, q'ils voillent, q'il soit en auxi graunde libertee roial come ses nobles progenitours furent devant luy: sur quoy, mesme nostre seignour, de grace roial et tendre conscience, ad graunte en pleyn parlement, qe il n'est pas soun entente ne voluntee pur tourner les leyes, estatuz, ne bones usages, ne pur prendre autre avantage par le dit graunte, mes pur garder les anciens leyes et estatuz, ordeignez et usez en temps de ses nobles progenitours, et faire droit a touz gentz, en mercy et veritee, solonc soun serment. | 108. Concerning the keeping of the laws. Also, whereas, at the request of Richard lately king of England, in a parliament held at Winchester [20 January 1393], the commons of the said parliament granted to him that he should enjoy as much liberty as his progenitors did before him: on account of which grant the said king said that he could distort the laws at his will, and he caused them to be distorted contrary to his oath, as is manifestly famous in various cases. And now, in this present parliament, the commons, by their good pleasure and will, trusting in the nobility, great wisdom, and gracious governance of the king our lord, have granted him that they wish him to enjoy as much royal liberty as his noble progenitors did before him: whereupon, our same lord, from royal grace and a thoughtful conscience, has granted in full parliament, that it is not his intention or will to twist the laws, statutes, or good usages, or to take any other advantage from the said grant, but to keep the ancient laws and statutes, ordained and used in the time of his noble progenitors, and to do justice to all people, in mercy and truth, according to his oath. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| < Pur Thomas ercevesqe de Cantorbur'. > | [On behalf of Thomas archbishop of Canterbury.] |
| 109. Item, priont les communes pur lour tresreverent piere en Dieu Thomas ercevesqe de Canterbirs, qe come il fuist adjuggez molt erronousement, en le parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an du Richard nadgaires roy vintisme primere; puys quel juggement Roger de Walden', clerc, ad occupie les temporaltees de dit ercevesqe, et ent pryz les profitz et emolumentz, sibien del temps de sa occupacion, come des rentes et autres profitz qe furent duez et arere a dit ercevesqe devant le dit juggement; ensemblement ove autres biens et chateux du dit ercevesqe qe amontent a graunde somme; tan qe a ore tarde qe le dit ercevesqe, par la grace de Dieu, et vostre tresgracious aide, est restituit et avenuz a la possessioun des temporaltees suisditz. Et enoutre, plusours des tenantz du dit ercevesqe sont liez par lour faites obligatories a dit Roger, pur paier a luy lez rentes < et > profitz dues et areres pur le temps de sa occupacioun. Quelle parlement, en quell il fuist issint adjuggez, est ore en cest present parlement pleignement repellez et [p. iii-435][col. a] adnullez. | 109. On behalf of Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury. Also, the request of the commons for their most reverend father in God, Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury: whereas he was most erroneously adjudged in the parliament held at Westminster in the twenty-first year of Richard, formerly king; after which judgment Roger Walden, clerk, occupied the temporalities of the said archbishop, and took their profits and emoluments, both from the time of his occupation, and the rents and other profits which were due and outstanding to the said archbishop before the said judgment; together with other goods and chattels of the said archbishop which amount to a great sum; until recently, when the said archbishop, by the grace of God and your most gracious help, was restored and came into possession of the aforesaid temporalities. And furthermore, many of the tenants of the said archbishop are linked by their deeds of obligation to the said Roger, to pay him rents and profits due and outstanding for the time of his occupation. The parliament in which this was adjudged is now, in this present parliament, fully repealed and [p. iii-435][col. a] annulled. |
| Qe plese a vostre hautesse, considerant lez graundes diseases et perdes qe le dit ercevesqe ad ewe et suffert par le errenouse et malveis juggement suisdit, d'ordeigner en cest present parlement remedie a dit ercevesqe, q'il puisse avoir execucioun des biens du dit Roger, en quel lieu qe soient trovez, sibien de les issues et profitz de sez temporaltees issint par le [dit] Roger prisez et occupiez, come des arrerages de les rentes, et biens et chateux suisditz. Et qe les ditz tenantz issint obliges puissent estre desliez et assoltz de les < ditz > obligaciouns par autoritee de cest parlement. Et en outre, qe touz maneres de benefices par mesme Roger donez par vertue del occupacioun des temporaltees suisditz, soient declarez pur voidez, et lour collacions tenuz pur nulles. | May it please your highness therefore, considering the great misfortunes and losses which the said archbishop has endured and suffered by the aforesaid erroneous and evil judgment, to ordain in this present parliament a remedy for the said archbishop, that he might have execution of the goods of the said Roger, wherever they are found, in relation to both the issues and profits of his temporalities thus siezed and occupied by this Roger, and the arrears of rents, and the aforesaid goods and chattels. And that the said tenants thus under obligation should be released and absolved from the said obligations by authority of this parliament. And furthermore, that all kinds of benefices given by the same Roger, by virtueof his aforesaid occupation of the temporalities, should be declared to be void, and their collations held to be null. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. (fn. iii-415-369-1) |
| < Pur Thomas fitz et heire Richard nadgairs count d'Arundell et de Surr'. > | [On behalf of the heir of the earl of Arundel.] |
| 110. Item, priont les communes, qe come Richard jadys roy d'Engleterre secound puys le conquest, le joefdy proschein apres le fest de la translacion de Seint Thomas de Canterbirs, l'a [sic: read 'l'an'] de son regne vynt et primer, a Westm' fist arester Richard nadgaires count d'Arundell' et de Surr', et luy amesner al tour de Loundres, et de la al chastielle de Caresbrok deyns l'Isle de Wyghte, illeoqes demurrant en prison tanqe le mescardy proscheyn devant le fest de Seint Mathew. Et la en pleyn parlement, par covyne et assent du dit Richard adonqes roy, et autres de soun counseille, par malice qe devant en avoient envers le < dit > counte et autres seignours du roialme, a cause de lour droiturelle justice, loial counsaille, et governance q'ils fisteront et desireront toutditz al corone, et as loialx lieges du roialme, come veritablement et notoriement est conuz, feyneront un appelle noun verray, et appelleront le dit Richard count, le vendredy avantdit, de tresoun, come du record appiert en le parlement suisdit. A quel appelle le dit Richard count fuist mys et chace par le dit Richard adonqes roy, et autres de soun counseille, a respondre. Et sur ceo le dit Richard [count] profra soy [defendre, et] mayntendre par soun corps q'il de rien estoit coupable des matiers dont il estoit appelle, eyns qe le dit appele envers luy affermez toutoutrement estoit faux, [ou de soy ent mettre et excuser] par lez loialx lieges du roialme, forsprys ses adversaries: queux profres resonables par luy tendez, en nulle manere purroient estre receux ne acceptez. Lequel Richard, [adonqes count,] veiantz lez graundes disloialtees et tortes, encontre conscience, droit et resoun, et la leye, a luy faitz et monstrez, dedisant la tresoun par les appellantz [envers luy surmys, et chescun manere] de tresoun, aleggea pur respounce, qe le dit Richard adonqes roy, par sez lettres patentes de soun eyne degree et franc voluntee luy pardona touz maneres de tresouns, [et touz autres maneres] mesprisions envers luy ou sa corone faitz ou perpetrez, come de record en chauncellerie adonqes pleignement appiert, alleggeantz, qe encountre les dites [lettres du pardon, et la tenour] d'icelle, il ne serreit chace [de] respoundre al faux appelle suisdit. Nient obstant queux profres, alleggeaunces, et respounces, le dit Richard count, nient [droiturelment, encountre la leye] du royalme de tout temps avant use, et encontre la promesse et serement fait par le dit Richard adonqes roy, en presence del [tres reverent piere en Dieu Thomas ercevesqe] [memb. 8] de Canterbirs, Monsire Johan Wiltsshire, chivaler, et plusours autres, au dit < Richard > count, a temps de soun arrest, sur sa foy et loialtee, qe nulle manere corporelle damage, ne desheritance, [a luy aviendroit; erroysement, et] sur la malice avant coincetez, fuist ajugge a mort en mesme le parlement, et qe touz sez chastiellx, seignuries, terres, tenementz, fees, avowesons, rentes, services, libertees, et reversions, [ove touz lour appurtenantz, queux] il avoit en Engleterre, Gales, Caleys, et aillours deinz le poair du roy; sibien taillez, come autres, esteantz en ses mayns propres, [col. b] come es mayns d'ascuns autres a [soun oeps, et en feffe, le dit jour de Novembre] l'an du regne le dit Richard roy disme, ou puys, ove touz ses biens et chateux, serroient forfaitz es manere et fourme come est contenuz en la record du dit parlement. [Des queux seignuries, terres] , tenementz, fees, advowesons, rentes, services, libertees, et reversions avantditz, ove touz lour appurtenantz, ascuns par juggement du dit parlement estoient annexez, corporez, [et unitez a la principalte de] Cestre; autres grauntes as diverses persones, sibien en fee come a terme de vie. Et outre, continuantz lour malice suisdit, erroinousement ordeigneront par mesme le [parlement, qe nul heir mal du] corps de ceux qe furont ajuggez en mesme le parlement engendrez, ne les heirs males de lour corps agendrez, ne approcherent au parlementz ne a conseille [du dit Richard] , ne de ses heirs. | 110. On behalf of Thomas, son and heir of Richard formerly earl of Arundel and Surrey. Also, the commons pray that, whereas Richard previously king of England, the second since the conquest, on the Thursday [12 July 1397] immediately following the feast of the Translation of St Thomas of Canterbury, in the twenty-first year of his reign, at Westminster, had Richard, formerly earl of Arundel and Surrey, arrested and taken to the Tower of London, and from there to the castle of Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight, to remain in prison there until the Wednesday [19 September] immediately before the feast of St Matthew. And there, in full parliament, by the agreement and assent of the said Richard then king and others of his council, because of the malice which he had previously harboured towards the said earl and other lords of the realm, because of their rightful justice, loyal counsel and governance which they had always exercised and desired in relation to the crown and the loyal lieges of the realm, as is truly and manifestly known, they contrived a false appeal, and appealed the said earl Richard of treason, on the aforesaid Friday [21 September], as appears on record, in the aforesaid parliament. To which appeal the said earl Richard was forced and compelled to reply, by the said Richard then king, and others of his council. Whereupon the said earl Richard offered to defend himself, and to maintain by his body that he was not guilty of the matters for which he had been appealed, but rather that what the said appeal alleged against him was completely false, or to place himself before and exonerate himself before the loyal lieges of the realm, except for his adversaries: which reasonable offers made by him were not in any way received or accepted. The said Richard, then earl, seeing the great deceits and wrongs, against conscience, right and reason, and the law, made and shown to him, denying the treason imputed to him by the appellants, and every kind of treason, declared by way of answer, that the said Richard then king, by his letters patent, by his own free will and unfettered choice had pardoned him all kinds of treasons, and all other kinds of crime committed or perpetrated against him or his crown, as appears then fully on record in chancery, stating that he would not be forced to reply to the aforesaid false appeal, contrary to the said letters of pardon, and their tenor. Notwithstanding which offers, statements, and answers - wrongfully, against the law of the realm in use for all time previously, and against the promise and oath made by the said Richard then king, made in the presence of the most reverend father in God, Thomas archbishop [memb. 8] of Canterbury, Sir John Wiltshire, knight, and several others, to the said earl Richard, at the time of his arrest, on his faith and loyalty, that no kind of bodily harm or disinheritance would come to him; erroneously, and with malice aforethought - the said earl Richard was condemned to death in the same parliament, and it was adjudged that all his castles, lordships, lands, tenements, fees, advowsons, rents, services, liberties and reversions, with all their appurtenances, which he held in England, Wales, Calais and elsewhere within the king's jurisdiction; both entailed and otherwise, which were in his own hands, [col. b] or in the hands of others for his use, and in fee, on the said [19th] day of November inthe tenth year of the reign of the said King Richard [1386], or afterwards, with all his goods and chattels, would be forfeit, in the manner and form that is contained in the record of the said parliament. Of these aforesaid lordships, lands, tenements, fees, advowsons, rents, services, liberties and reversions, with all their appurtenances, some, by judgment of the said parliament, would be annexed, incorporated and united to the principality of Chester; others granted to various persons, both in fee and for the term of their lives. And furthermore, continuing their aforesaid malice, they erroneously ordained through the same parliament, that no heir male engendered of the bodies of those who had been adjudged in the same parliament, nor any heir male to be engendered of their bodies, should come to the parliaments or the councils of the said Richard, or those of his heirs. |
| Qe plese a vostre hautesse [considerez] les graundes disceites, covetises, conjeccione, enemites, et envies, qe le dit Richard adonqes roy, les ditz appellantz, autres de lour conseill, et [a eux enherdantz] , avoient envers le dit Richard jadys counte, a cause de soun loialtee, bienvuillance, droiturel governance, q'il monstra a tout soun seeu et poair toutdiz al corone, et touz les loialx lieges [d'Engleterre] , en manere avantdite, et d'autre part, les faux appelle, touz erroignes juggementz et ordenances, queux furont faitz et renduz envers luy et ses heirs en le dit parlement sur le faux [appelle] , reverser, casser, revoker, repeller, et toutoutrement adnuller le dit faux appel, les juggementz et ordenances erroines avauntditz, en tout et en chescun partie: et restorer Thomas fitz et heir au dit Richard, nadgaires count d'Arundell' et de Surr', sibien a noun de counte, come luy et ses heirs males a lour honour, degree, et estatz, en touz parlementz et conseille, come a touz les chastielx, seignuries, terres, tenementz, fees, avowesons, rentes, services, libertees, et reversions, ove touz lour appurtenantz queleconqes, deyns Engleterre, Gales, Caleys, ou aillours, seisez es mayns du dit Richard adonqes roy par force du dit faux appel, ou erroignes juggementz avantditz, ove touz lez issues et profitz < d'icelle receux > en le mesne temps, si entierment et franchement come le dit Richard, adonqes count, les tenoit a ascun temps devant le dit < erreigne > juggement devers luy renduz. Et semblablement as feoffez du dit Richard adonqes count, et as autres enfeoffez a soun oeps, sanz plee, delay, ou pluys outre proces ent affaire envers ascuny ou ascuns, les, ou parcelle d'icelle, puis le dit erroigne juggement, tiegnantz ou occupiantz, nientcontreesteantz ascuns douns, grauntes, alienaciones, ou descentes en le mesne temps. Et les executours du dit Richard jadys count, de touz les biens, chateux, et dettes au dit count duez, q'il avoit jour de soun dit arrest, en quelconqes mayns q'ils deviendront. Nientobstant, qe les obligaciouns et autres seurtees au dit count ent faitz, sount par les officers de Richard jadys roy, et autres, alloignes. | May it please your highness - considering the great deceits, greed, conspiracy, enmities and envy, which the said Richard then king, the said appellants, others of their counsel, and their faction, had conceived against the said Richard formerly earl, because of his loyalty, goodwill and just governance, which he always displayed, with all his knowledge and ability, towards the crown, and all the loyal lieges of England, in the aforesaid manner; and, on the other hand, the false appeal, all the erroneous judgments and ordinances, which were made and given against him and his heirs in the said parliament as a result of the false appeal - to reverse, quash, revoke, repeal and utterly to annul the said false appeal, the aforesaid erroneous judgments and ordinances, in whole and in each part: and to restore Thomas, son and heir to the said Richard, formerly earl of Arundel and Surrey, both to the name of earl, and him and his heirs male to their honour, degree and estates, in all parliaments and councils, as well as to all the castles, lordships, lands, tenements, fees, advowsons, rents, services, liberties, and reversions, with all their appurtenances of any kind, in England, Wales, Calais, or elsewhere, seized into the hands of the said Richard then king by virtue of the said false appeal, or aforesaid erroneous judgments, with all the issues and profits received from them in the meantime, as fully and freely as the said Richard, then earl, held them at any time before the said erroneous judgment given against him. And similarly to the feoffees of the said Richard then earl, and to the others enfeoffed to his use, without plea, delay or any other process to be made against any person or persons holding or occupying them, or part of them, since the said erroneous judgment; notwithstanding any gifts, grants, alienations or inheritances in the meantime. And to restore to the executors of the said Richard formerly earl, all the goods, chattels and debts due to the said earl, which he had on the day of his said arrest, into whosoever's hands they have come. Notwithstanding that the obligations and other pledges made to the said earl concerning these have been alienated by the officers of Richard, formerly king, and others. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy ad fait grace au dit Thomas count d'Arundelle, et as autres, come piert de record [par amont] en cest rolle du parlement. | The king has shown his mercy to the said Thomas earl of Arundel, and to the others, as appears on record earlier in this roll of parliament. |
| < Pour le mesme Thomas, etc. > | On behalf of the same Thomas, etc. |
| 111. Item, priont les communes, qe come Thomas, filz et heir Richard darreyn counte d'Arundelle et de Surr', est enheritable, et sez auncestres devant luy enheritez, de plusours chastielx, seignuries, terres et tenementz, en plusours countees d'Engleterre, Gales, et aillours, sibien en fee simple come en fee taille, par diverses fynes et autres recordes jadys esteantz en la tresorie du roy, queux fynes et recordes, puys l'erroine juggement renduz et done envers le dit Richard counte en le darreyn parlement, sont traiez et embesceilez hors du tresorie le roy, al entente de susteindre l'erroine jugement avantdit, et disheriter le dit Thomas et sez heirs en temps avenir. | 111. Also, the commons pray that, whereas Thomas, son and heir of Richard, formerly earl of Arundel and Surrey, has right of inheritance, and his ancestors before him had right of inheritance, to many castles, lordships, lands and tenements in many counties of England, Wales and elsewhere, both in fee simple and in fee tail, through various fines and other records formerly in the king's treasury, which fines and records, after the erroneous judgment brought and given against the said earl Richard in the last parliament, were removed and made away with from the king's treasury, with the aim of upholding the aforesaid erroneous judgment, and in order to disinherit the said Thomas and his heirs in the future. |
| Qe plese a vostre [p. iii-436][col. a] treshaut droiturel justice et discrecioun, par vertue du parlement assigner discretes persones, de vere les parties des ditz fynes, et la tenure des ditz recordes, devant engrosez et recordez, et sur la veritee trove de les mettre en novelle record deyns vostre tresorie, perpetuelment a durer, en salvacioun del enheritement du dit Thomas, et de sez heirs. | May it please your [p. iii-436][col. a] most high righteous justice and wisdom, to assign, by virtue of parliament, knowledgeable persons, to view the feet of the said fines and the tenor of the said records previously engrossed and recorded, and, in accordance with the truth thus revealed, make a new record of them in your treasury, to last forever, for the preservation of the right of inheritance of the said Thomas, and of his heirs. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| < Pur la restitucioun de Thomas count du Warewik. > | [The restitution of the earl of Warwick]. |
| 112. Item, priont les communes, qe come Richard jadys roy d'Engleterre, le disme jour de Juyl, l'an du regne le dit Richard vintisme primer, en l'ostiell le tresreverent piere en Dieu l'evesqe d'Excestre adonqe chaunceller d'Engleterre hors de Templebarre, fist arester le dit Thomas count de Warrewyk, et luy amesner a le tour du Loundres, et de la al chastel de Tyntagel en le counte de Cornewaille, illeoqes demurrant en prison tanqe le venderdy en le fest de Seint Mathew l'an suisdit, et le dit Thomas, adonqe count, par commandement du dit Richard, adonqe roy, estoit maunde et amesne al parlement tenu a Westm' le venderdy adonqes proschein ensuiant, et la en plein parlement, par covyne et assent du dit Richard adonqe roy, et autres de soun conseill, Edward count de Roteland, Thomas count de Kent, Johan count de Huntyngdon, Thomas count de Notyngham, Johan count de Somers', Johan count de Sarum, Thomas sire le Despencer, et William jadys count de Wiltes', adonqe southechamberleyn d'Engleterre, par ancien rancour, enemite, et envye qe devant avoient envers le dit Thomas cont de Warr', et as autres seignours du roialme, a cause de lour droiturel justice, loial counseill et governance, q'ils fistront et desireront affaire toutditz a la corone, et as loialx lieges du roialme, come veritablement et notorialment est conuz, et a cause del soleyne covetise et singuler profit des ditz Edward, Thomas, Johan, Thomas, Johan, Johan, Thomas, et William, feyneront une fauxe appel, et appelleront le dit Thomas count de Warr', le venderdy proscheyn avantdit, du treson, come du record appiert en le parlement suisdit. A quel appel le dit Thomas count de Warr' fuist mys et chace par le dit Richard adonqe roy, et autres de soun counseille, a respoundre: a quel temps le dit Thomas sur le dit faux appel nul tresoun comyst, coment q'il hautement estoit requys par ascuns del counseille du dit nadgaires roy d'avoir comi tresoun, et touz les articles contenuz en la declaracioun de l'appel avantdit. Et sur ceo, le dit Thomas count de Warr', sur la malice avant conjectee, erroignousement estoit adjugge a mort en mesme le parlement, et qe touz ses chastellx, seignuries, terres, tenementz, fees, avowesons, rentes, services, libertees, et reversions, ove touz lour appurtenantz, queux il avoit en Engleterre, Gales, et Caleys, ou aillours deyns le poair du dit Richard adonqe roy, sibien esteantz en sez mayns propres come es mayns d'ascune autres a soun oeps enfeoffez, del disneofisme jour de Novembre l'an du regne le dit Richard disme, serroient forfaitz, ensemblement ove touz ses biens et chatelx, en manere et fourme come est contenuz en le record du dit parlement; des queux chastelx, seignuries, terres, tenementz, fees, avowesons, rentes, services, libertees, et reversions avantditz, ove lour appurtenantz, ascuns furent donez et grauntez as diverses persones sibien en fee come a terme de vie; et sez biens et chateux en mesme le manere donez et grauntez et gastez. Et outre, continuantz lour malice suisdit, erroignousement ordeigneront par mesme le parlement, qe nul heir mal de corps de ceux qi furent ajuggez en mesme le parlement engendrez, ne lez heirs mals de lour corps a engendrez, ne approcherent as parlementz ne as counseille du dit Richard alors roy, ne a ses heirs. | 112. Concerning the restitution of Thomas earl of Warwick. Also, the commons pray that, whereas Richard formerly king of England, on 10 July, in the twenty-first year of the reign of the said Richard [1397], in the house of the most reverend father in God the bishop of Exeter, then chancellor of England, outside Temple Bar, caused the said Thomas earl of Warwick to be arrested, and to be taken to the Tower of London, and from there to the castle of Tintagel in the county of Cornwall, remaining in prison there until the Friday, the feast of St Matthew [21 September], in the aforesaid year; and on the following Friday [28 September] the said Thomas, then earl, by command of the said Richard, then king, was sent and brought to the parliament held at Westminster, and there in full parliament, by the agreement and assent of the said Richard then king, and others of his council, Edward earl of Rutland, Thomas earl of Kent, John earl of Huntingdon, Thomas earl of Nottingham, John earl of Somerset, John earl of Salisbury, Thomas Lord Despenser, and William formerly earl of Wiltshire, then under-chamberlain of England, because of the long-standing hatred, enmity and envy which they previously harboured towards the said Thomas earl of Warwick and towards other lords of the realm, because of their righteous justice, loyal counsel and governance, which they always displayed and desired to show towards the crown, and to the loyal lieges of the realm, as is truly and notoriously known, and because of the great greed and singular profit of the said Edward, Thomas, John, Thomas, John, John, Thomas, and William, they contrived a false appeal, and appealed the said Thomas earl of Warwick of treason, on the aforesaid following Friday, as appears on record in the aforesaid parliament. To which appeal the said Thomas earl of Warwick was forced and compelled to make his response by the said Richard then king: at which time the said Thomas committed no treason with regard to the said false appeal, despite the fact that he was vehemently accused by some of the council of the said former king of having committed treason, and through all the articles contained in the declaration of the aforesaid appeal. Whereupon, the said Thomas earl of Warwick, because of that malice aforethought, was erroneously condemned to death in the same parliament, and it was adjudged that all his castles, lordships, lands, tenements, fees, advowsons, rents, services, liberties and reversions, with all their appurtanances, which he held in England, Wales and Calais, or elsewhere within the jurisdiction of the said Richard then king, whether in his own hands or in the hands of anyone else enfeoffed to his use, from the nineteenth day of November in the tenth year of the reign of the said Richard [1386], would be forfeit, together with all his goods and chattels, in the same manner and form as is contained in the record of the said parliament; of which aforesaid castles, lordships, lands, tenements, fees, advowsons, rents, services, liberties and reversions, with their appurtenances, some were given and granted to various persons both in fee and for the term of their lives; and his goods and chattels were given away and granted and dissipated in the same way. And furthermore, perservering with their aforesaid malice, they erroneously ordained through the same parliament that no heir male engendered of the bodies of those who had been adjudged in the same parliament, nor any heir male to be engendered of their bodies, should come to the parliaments or councils of the said Richard then king, or those of his heirs. |
|
Qe plese a vostre hautesse, considerez les doutes del horrible mort q'ils
[col. b]
avoient avant purposez, les grauntz deceites, coveytises, conjeccions, enemytes, et envies, qe le dit Richard alors roy, les ditz appellantz, et autres de
[[The following text has been deleted: soun]] lour counseille et a eux enherdantz, avoient envers le dit Thomas count de Warr'; et a cause de soun loialtee, bienvoillance, et droiturelle governance, q'il monstra a tout soun scieu et poair toutdys al corone, et touz les loialx lieges d'Engleterre, en manere avantdit; et d'autre part, les faux appel, erroignes juggementz, et ordenances, queux furent faitz et renduz envers luy et ses heirs en le dit parlement sur le faux appel avauntdit; de revercer, casser, revoker, repeller, et toutoutrement adnuller la dit faux appel, et les juggementz et ordenances erroines avantditz, en tout et en chescun partie, et restorer le dit Thomas suppliant, jadys count, < sibien a soun noun de count > , come luy et ses heirs mals a lour honour, degree, et astat en touz parlementz et counseill, come a touz sez chastelx, seignuries, terres, tenementz, fees, avowesons, rentes, services, libertees, fraunchises, offices, et reversions, ove touz lour appurtenantz qeconqes, deyns Engleterre, Gales, et Caleys, ou aillours, biens et chateux, seisez es mayns du dit Richard adonqe roy, par force du dit faux appel, ou erroignes juggementz avantditz, ove touz les issues et profitz d'icell receux, sibien des boys et mesons gastez, come autrement, en le mesne temps; et dettes a dit count dewez q'il avoit le jour de soun arrest, en qeconqes mayns q'ils deviendrent; non obstant qe les obligacions, et autres seurtees au dit count ent faitz, sont par les officers du Richard jadys roy, et autres, alloignez; si entierment et franchement come le dit Thomas adonqe count de Warr' les tenoit a ascun temps devant le dit erroigne juggement devers luy renduz: et semblablement as feoffez du dit Thomas adonqe count de Warr', et a touz autres les feoffez al oeps du dit count sanz plee, delay, ou autre pluys processe ent affaire, envers ascuny, ou ascuns, les, ou parcelles d'icelles, puis le dit erroigne juggement, tiegnauntz ou occupiantz, nientcontresteiantz ascuns douns, grauntes, alienacions, ou deceites [sic: read 'descentes'] en le mesne temps. |
May it please your highness - considering the earl's fear of the horrible death which they [col. b] had fore-planned, and the great deceits, greed, conspiracies, enmities and envy which the said Richard then king, the said appellants, and others of their counsel and their faction, had conceived against the said Thomas earl of Warwick; and because of his loyalty, goodwill, and just governance, which he always displayed, with all his knowledge and ability, towards the crown, and all the loyal lieges of England, in the aforesaid manner; and on the other hand the false appeal, erroneous judgments and ordinances, which had been made and given against him and his heirs in the said parliament as a result of the aforesaid false appeal - to reverse, quash, revoke, repeal, and utterly annul the said false appeal, and the aforesaid erroneous judgments and ordinances, in whole and in each part, and to restore the said Thomas, the supplicant, formerly earl, both to his title of earl, and him and his heirs male to their honour, degree and estate in all parliaments and councils, and to all his castles, lordships, lands, tenements, fees, advowsons, rents, services, liberties, franchises, offices amd reversions, with all their appurtenances of any kind, in England, Wales, and Calais, or elsewhere, and the goods and chattels seized into the hands of the said Richard then king, by virtue of the said false appeal, or aforesaid erroneous judgments, with all the issues and profits received from them, both from woods and houses wasted, and otherwise, in the meantime; and the debts which were owing to the said earl on the day of his arrest, into whoever's hands they have come; notwithstanding that the obligations and other pledges given to the said earl for them have been alienated by the officers of Richard formerly king and others; as fully and freely as the said Thomas then earl of Warwick held then at any time before the said erroneous judgment brought against him: and similarly to the feoffees of the said Thomas then earl of Warwick, and to all the others, feoffees to the use of the said earl; without plea, delay, or any further process to be made in this, against any person, or persons, holding or occupying them, or part of them, since the said erroneous judgment; notwithstanding any gifts, grants, alienations, or inheritances in the meantime. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le count de Warrewyk ad priez au roy de luy faire grace en ceste partie; et le roy ad fait grace a luy et as autres, come piert de record paramont en cest rolle de parlement. | The earl of Warwick has requested the king to have mercy on him in this matter; and the king has had mercy on him and on the others, as appears on record earlier in this roll of parliament. |
| < Repeale du parlement tenuz l'an vintisme primer. > | [Repeal of the parliament of September 1397] |
| 113. Item, priont les communes, qe come plusours loialx grauntz seignours de roialme, et autres plusours gentz des diverses estates, par faux appelles et accusementz sur eux faitz al parlement darreyn tenuz a Westm', et a Salobirs ajourne, furent adjuggez come traitours, et de forfaire touz lours chastelx, seignuries, manoirs, terres, tenementz, reversions, fees, avowesons, possessions, et chescun autre manere d'enheritement, sibien de fee taille come de fee simple; et auxint les autres terres et tenementz des queles autres persones furent enfeoffez a lour oeps: par force de quel juggement, ascun des ditz seignours estoit decollez, encontre la chartre du roy Richard et le generall pardoun du dit roy graunte et faite l'an de soun regne xi e ; et ascun adjugge traitour apres sa mort sanz respounce; et ascuns exilez hors du roialme sans respounce. | 113. Repeal of the parliament held in the twenty-first year. Also, the commons pray that, whereas many of the loyal great lords of the realm, and many other people of various estates, by false appeals and accusations made against them in the last parliament held at Westminster and adjourned to Shrewsbury, were condemned as traitors to forfeit all their castles, lordships, manors, lands, tenements, reversions, fees, advowsons, possessions, and any other kind of inheritance, both in fee tail and fee simple; and also the other lands and tenements with which other people were enfeoffed to their use; by virtue of which judgment, one of the said lords was beheaded, contrary to King Richard's charter and the said king's general pardon granted and issued in the eleventh year of his reign; and one was adjudged to be a traitor after his death without response; and some were exiled from the realm without responses. |
| Plese a nostre seignour le roy et as seignours de cest parlement considerer le dit faux et erroigne juggement envers eux en le dit parlement renduz, et repeller, reverser, et de tout et en touz poyntz adnuller le dit parlement, et touz les dependantz d'icell, et graunter qe plenere restitucioun soit fait as touz les ditz seignours et autres gentz de quelle estat ou condicioun q'ils soient, et a lour heirs, a lour nouns, dignitees, et estatz; et des touz lours ditz chasteaux, seignuries, manoirs, terres, tenementz, reversions, fees, avowesons, possessions, et chescun autre manere d'enheritement, sibien de fee taille come de fee simple, et des [p. iii-437][col. a] autres terres et tenementz des quelles autres persones furent enfeoffez a lour oeps, ove touz lour appurtenantz, et touz issues et profitz ent prisez puis le dit juggement renduz: a avoir si entierment et franchement as touz les ditz seignours et autres gentz, et a lour heirs, come ils avoient le jour du dit juggement renduz, ou devant, non obstant qe ascun heir des ditz seignours ou autres gentz soit dedeyns age; sanz processe, ou pursuyte par la ley, ou autrement, en ascun manere ent faire devers ascun persone. Et plese auxint a nostre dit seignour le roy, de sa grace graunter as touz les ditz seignours et autres gentz quelles sont en vie, et a les heirs et executours de ceux quels sont mortz, de quelle estat ou condicioun q'ils soient, touz lour biens et chateux par le dit juggement forfaitz, ou et en qi mayns q'ils en qeconqe manere sont devenuz. Et qe touz lez ditz seignours, et autres gentz de quele estat ou condicioun < q'ils soient, et lour heirs toutz partz, par touz jours > soient, et en touz poyntz, de sibien et franc estat et condicioun come ils furent le dit jour de dit juggement renduz: non obstant ascun estatut, juggement, ordenance, ou autre chose qeconqe au darreyns parlement fait al contraire. Et plese a nostre dit seignour le roy auxint considerer, coment, par faux covetise, plusours gentz del roialme q'estoient des counseils les tresloialx et tresnobles seignours le duc de Glouc', le count d'Arundell, le count de Warr', et autres, al parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an xi e de roy qe darrein fuist, et puis, et autres plusours et diverses persones devant et puis le dit darrein parlement, ont este arestuz, emprisonez, et manacez de perdre vie et membre. Les quelles persones, pur doute de mort et d'emprisonement, par cause q'ils estoient des counseill des ditz seignours et autres, firent et paierent grauntz et importablez fyns au dit nadgaires roy: paront les unes pur lour ditz fyns paier vendirent graunde substance de lour vivre, et sont entierment destruitz et anientiz as touz jours. Plese a nostre dit seignour le roy, de sa grace especiale considerer la graunde oppressioun, torcyonousez destruccions, de vos ditz lieges, et par voie de charitee, et en grant relevement de vos ditz lieges, graunter et commander, qe dewe restitucioun lour soit fait de lour ditz fyns. Et plese auxint a nostre dit seignour le roy, et as ditz seignours del parlement, considerer, coment parentre le temps qe le dit duc de Glouc' fuist arrestuz et la fest de Pasqe darrein passe, plusours malefaisours a faire de guerre, en horrible manere, et encontre la ley, entrerent en diverses manoirs, terres, et tenementz, des diverses voz povres lieges, et les biens et chateux illeoqes trovez pristeront, degasteront, et emporteront, a graunt anientisment et destruccions des vos ditz lieges. Plese, en mayntenance de droit, et desturbance des tielx malefaisours, et pur quiete et recoverer de vos ditz lieges, considerer le horribilitee des ditz entrees, et l'anientisment de voz ditz lieges, et graunter, qe les ditz malfaisours estoisent et respoignent solonc les leyes du roialme as parties compleignantz des ditz trespasses, sanz proteccion, prorogacion, ou autre brief qeconqe as ditz malfaisours estre allouers en ceo cas, devaunt nul de voz justices en temps avenir. Et plese a nostre dit seignour le roy, et as ditz seignours, faire et refourmer en dewe manere et par tout, le dit parlement tenuz le dit an xi e du roy qe darreyn fuist, et ycelle parlement, et touz les dependantz d'icelle en touz pointz confermer. | May it please our lord the king and the lords of this parliament to consider the said false and erroneous judgment given against them in the said parliament, and to repeal, reverse and wholly and in all points to annul the said parliament and all its corollaries, and to grant that full restitution be made to all the said lords and other people of whatever estate or condition, and to their heirs, of their titles, dignities and estates; and of all their said castles, lordships, manors, lands, tenements, reversions, fees, advowsons, possessions and any other kind of inheritance, both in fee tail and in fee simple, and of the [p. iii-437][col. a] other lands and tenements of which other people were enfeoffed to their use, with all their appurtenances, and all the issues and profits taken from them since the said judgment was given: for all the said lords and other people, and their heirs, to hold as fully and freely as they held them on the day when the said judgment was given, or before, notwithstanding any heir of the said lords or other persons being under age; without any process, or law suit, or other suit, being made to any person in any way. And may it also please our said lord the king of his grace to grant to all the said lords and other people who are alive, and to the heirs and executors of those who are dead, of whatever estate or condition, all their goods and chattels forfeited by the said judgment, wherever and into whosoever's hands they have in any way come. And that all the said lords, and other people, of whatever status or condition, and their heirs everywhere, should always, and in all points, enjoy as good and free status and condition as they did on the said day when the said judgment was made: notwithstanding any statute, judgment, ordinance or any other thing of any kind done to the contrary in the last parliament. And may it please our said lord the king also to consider how, though false greed, many people of the realm who were of the counsels of the most loyal and most noble lords the duke of Gloucester, the earl of Arundel, the earl of Warwick, and others, at the parliament held at Westminster in the eleventh year of the last king [1388], and afterwards, and many other persons before and since the said last parliament, have been arrested, imprisoned, and threatened with loss of life and limb. Which persons, through fear of death and of imprisonment, because they were of the counsel of the said lords and others, gave and paid great and insupportable fines to the said former king: because of which some, in order to pay their said fines, sold a large part of their livelihood, and are entirely destroyed and ruined forever. May it please our said lord the king of his special grace to consider the great oppression and wicked ruin of your said lieges, and, by way of charity, and to the great relief of your said lieges, to grant and command that due restitution be made to them for their said fines. And may it also please our said lord the king and the said lords of the parliament to consider how, between the time when the said duke of Gloucester was arrested and the last feast of Easter, many malefactors, in order to make war in horrible fashion, and against the law, entered into various manors, lands and tenements of various of your poor lieges, and took, laid waste and carried off the goods and chattels found there, to the great ruin and destruction of your said lieges. May it please you, in order to uphold justice, and to the detriment of such malefactors, and for the tranquillity and restoration of your said lieges, to consider the horrible nature of the said entries, and the destruction of your said lieges, and to grant that the said malefactors stand trial and respond, in accordance with the laws of the realm, to the parties complaining of the said trespasses, without protection, prorogation or any other writ whatsoever to be allowed to the said malefactors in time to come in this matter, before any of your justices. And may it please our said lord the king, and the said lords, to uphold and reinstate in due manner and in every point, the said parliament held in the said eleventh year of the last king, and to confirm that parliament and all its corollaries in all points. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy ad fait grace celle partie, come piert de record paramont en cest rolle de parlement. Et qant al remenant comprise en ceste peticioun, le roy s'advisera. | The king has shown mercy in this matter, as appears on record earlier in this roll of parliament. And with regard to the rest of what is contained in this petition, the king will consider it further. |
| [memb. 7] | |
| < Drap de Kersey. > | [Kersey and other cloths]. |
| 114. Item, suppliont les communes d'Engleterre, qe come nul drap de Kersy, Kendaleclothe, Frise de Coventree, Coggeware, ne nulle autre estreit ne remenant d'Engleterre, ne drap de Gales, ne soloient estre ensealez de nulle seal petit ne grant, ne paier nul coket [col. b] ne autre custume: et auxi nulle drap, de quelle laieure qe soit, ne soleit ensealez estre de nul seal appelle le Ferthyng Seal, tanqe Johan Waltham, jady evesqe de Salesbirs, en temps de Richard nadgaires roy fuist tresorer d'Engleterre, fist ministres en touz countees parmy le roialme, d'ensealer touz maners draps, sibien de Kersy, Kendaleclothe, Frise de Coventree, Coggeware, estreites remenantz d'Engleterre, et drap de Galys, come touz autres draps qe soleient estre ensealez de custume: c'est assavoir drap entier et demi drap de le laeure de sys quarters, ou autre drap de ray et motleghe; encontre les custumes du roialme, et grant oppression, destructioun, et anientisment des communes de dit roialme. | 114. Kersey cloth. Also, the request of the commons of England: whereas it used not to be the custom for any cloth of Kersey, Kendal cloth, frieze of Coventry, Cogware, or any other English narrow cloth or remnant, or Welsh cloth, to be sealed with any seal great or small, or for any cocket or other custom [col. b] to be paid: and it also used not to be the custom for any cloth, of whatever width, to be sealed with any seal called the 'Ferthyng Seal', until John Waltham, formerly bishop of Salisbury, who was treasurer of England in the time of Richard, formerly king, appointed officers in each county in the realm, to seal all kinds of cloth, including Kersey, Kendal cloth, frieze of Coventry, Cogware, narrow English remnants, and Welsh cloth, as well as all other cloths which were customarily sealed: that is, whole cloth and half cloth of the width of six quarters, or any other striped or motley cloth; contrary to the custom of the realm, and to the great oppression, destruction and ruin of the commons of the said realm. |
| Qe plese a nostre seignour le roy en cest present parlement ordeigner, qe de cy enavant nule drap de Kersy, Kendaleclothe, Frise de Coventree, Coggeware, ne nule autre estreit remenant d'Engleterre, ne drap de Gales, soit ensealez de nule seal, petit ne graunt, ne paier coket, ne autre custume; repellantz toutz maners estatutz ou ordenances ent faitz a contraire devant cestes heures, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please our lord the king in this present parliament to ordain that henceforth no cloth of Kersey, Kendal cloth, frieze of Coventry, Cogware, or any other narrow English remnant, or Welsh cloth, should be sealed with any seal, great or small, nor should cocket or any other custom be paid on it; thereby repealing all kinds of statutes or ordinances made to the contrary on this matter before now; for God and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, en ease et relevement del commune povre poeple, des queux il ad graunde tendresse et compassioun, et les ad molt tendrement au coer; qe nul drap de Kersey, Kendaleclothe, Frise de Coventre, Coggeware, ne nul autre drap estreit en remenant, ne drap de Gales, dont la doszeine ne passe la value de .xiij. solds .iiij. deniers ne soit ensealez de nul seal, petit ne graunt, ne nul subside ent paiez de la fest de Seint Michelle darreyn passez durantz les trois ans lors proscheins ensuantz. (fn. iii-415-399-1) | The king wills, for the comfort and assistance of the common poor people, for whom he has great care and compassion, and whom he holds most dearly to heart, that no cloth of Kersey, Kendal cloth, frieze of Coventry, Cogware, or any other remnant of narrow cloth, or Welsh cloth, the value of which does not exceed 13 s 4 d per dozen, should be sealed with any seal, small or great, nor should any subsidy be paid on it from the last feast of Michaelmas for the three years then following. (fn. iii-415-399-1) |
| < Citizens et burgesses. > | [Liberties and franchises of citizens and burgesses]. |
| 115. Item, suppliont vos humbles lieges touz vos citezeins et burgeises de vos citees et burghes de vostre roialme d'Engleterre, qe vous plese, du vostre grace especiale, graunter, ratifier, approver, et confermer as ditz suppliantz, lour heirs et lour successours a touz jours, lour franchises, libertees, et frankes custumes, solonc la contenu, purport, et effect de les chartres de vos nobles progenitours et predecessours roys d'Engleterre a eux faitz et grauntez, ove le clause de licet, sanz fyn ent paier a vostre oeps. Et qe le chaunceller d'Engleterre q'ore est, ou pur le temps serra, eit garant general souz vostre prive seal, et par auctorite du parlement, pur ceo faire et accompler, sanz pursuer a vostre hautesse ou a vostre honurable conseille par cele cause, en oevre de charitee. | 115. Citizens and burgesses. Also, your humble lieges, all your citizens and burgesses of your cities and boroughs of your realm of England, beg that it might please you, of your special grace, to grant, ratify, approve and confirm to the said supplicants, their heirs and successors forever, their franchises, liberties and free customs, in accordance with the content, tenor and effect of the charters of your noble progenitors and predecessors kings of England, made and granted to them, with clause licet, without paying a fine for this to your use. And that the chancellor of England, now or at the time, should have a general warrant under your privy seal, and by authority of parliament, to do and execute this, without suing to your highness or your honourable council for this reason; by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit fait come ad este usez devant ces heures. Et le roy voet, qe le chaunceller d'Engleterre purra graunter tielx confirmacions ove clause de licet, paiantz les fyn et fee solonc sa discrecion. Savant les franchises de les universitees d'Oxenford et de Cantebrigge, et des autres seignours espirituels et temporels. | Let it be done as has been the custom before now. And the king wills that the chancellor of England should be able to grant such confirmations, with clause licet, on payment of a fine and fee at his discretion. Saving the franchises of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and of the other lords spiritual and temporal. |
| < Pour payer diverses sumes du monoy. > | [Repayment of sums of money borrowed by King Richard]. |
| 116. Item, suppliont humblement touz vos lieges sibien espirituels et temporels de vostre roialme d'Engleterre, qe come Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre secund puys le conquest ore tarde apprompta de vos ditz lieges plusours diverses sommes d'ore et d'argent, quelles sommes le dit nadgairs roy, par ses diverses lettres patentes desouz soun graunt seal, promyst loialment et en bone foy de repaier a vos ditz lieges as certeins jours et termes passez, come en les dites lettres patentes est contenuz pluys au pleyn, les queux sommes remaignent unquore a paier. | 116. Concerning the repayment of various sums of money. Also, all your lieges, both spiritual and temporal, of your realm of England humbly beg you that whereas Richard lately king of England, the second since the conquest, recently borrowed from your said lieges many diverse sums of gold and silver, which sums the said former king, by his various letters patent under his great seal, promised loyally and in good faith to repay to your said lieges at certain days and terms now passed, as is more clearly contained in the said letters patent, which sums are still to be paid. |
| Qe plese a vostre tresgracious seignurie considerer la povertee de vos ditz lieges, et graciousement graunter, qe vostre tresorer d'Engleterre face paier as vos ditz lieges les sommes avantditz; c'estassavoir a chescuny d'eux ceo qe a luy affiert, solonc la purport et effect des lettres patentes avantdites, en reliefment de lours povres estates. | May it please your most gracious lordship to consider the poverty of your said lieges, and graciously to grant that your treasurer of England should cause the aforesaid sums to be paid to your said lieges, that is, to each of them what belongs to him, in accordance with the tenor and effect of the aforesaid letters patent, in relief of their poor estates. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera. | The king will consider this further. |
| [p. iii-438] | |
| [col. a] | |
| < Pour vitayles. > | [Victuals purveyed by King Richard]. |
| 117. Item, d'ordeigner, qe voz ditz lieges soient paiez pur vitailles et autres choses achatez pur l'oustiel et expenses du dit Richard nadgairs roy. | 117. Concerning victuals. Also, to ordain that your said lieges be paid for victuals and other things bought for the household and expenses of the said Richard formerly king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera par soun conseille, et sur ceo ferra, sauvant luy mesmes, ceo qe serra affaire resonablement. | The king will be advised by his council, and, saving himself, will do what should reasonably be done concerning this. |
| < Citizens de Nicoll. > | [Fee-farm of the city of Lincoln]. |
| 118. Item, suppliont humblement voz poveres tenantz citezeins de vostre citee de Nicol, qe come ils ount la dite cite a fee ferme de vous et de vostres tresnoblez progenitours, rendant par an en vostre [escheqer] ix xx livres; la quele citee est si grandement anientisse, sibien par pestilence qe par autres charges importablez, qe la pluys graunde partie de la dite citee est voide et nemy enhabitez, issint [qe la tierce] partie del ferme de droit ne poet estre leve, et les autres enhabitantz sont en poynt de eux retraire et voider lour biens hors de la dite citee a cause de la tresgrande ferme [importable; pur quel] tresgrant meschief, et tresgrant diseise les avantditz citezeins ount pursuez par tout le temps le roy Richard qe darrein estoit, pur avoir remedie: issi qe comande fuist, [et poer done al request] de les communes, par auctoritee du parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an vintisme, a nostre tresreverent piere en Dieu l'ercevesqe de Canterbirs, et as autres seignours a ceo assignez, come il [poet pleignement apparoir] de record par endossement de lour bille; de quelle graunt nul execucion unquore est faite, a tresgraunt desolacion a vostres poveres citezeins avantditz. | 118. Citizens of Lincoln. Also, your poor tenants, the citizens of your city of Lincoln, humbly beg that, whereas they have held the said city at fee-farm from you and your most noble progenitors, paying each year into your exchequer £180; this city is so greatly ruined, both by pestilence and by other unbearable burdens, that the greater part of the said city is empty and uninhabited, with the result that the third part of the farm cannot rightly be raised, and the remaining inhabitants are on the point of leaving and of taking their goods out of the said city because of the excessive and unbearable farm; as a result of which very great harm and misfortune, the aforesaid citizens sued to have remedy throughout the reign of Richard, who was lately king: with the result that this was ordered, and the power given at the request of the commons, by authority of the parliament held at Westminster in the twentieth year [January 1397], to our most reverend father in God the archbishop of Canterbury, and to other lords appointed for this, as can fully appear on record in the endorsement of their bill; of which grant no execution has yet been made, to the very great distress of your aforesaid poor citizens. |
| Plese a vostre treshaut et tresgracious [seignurie granter] de vostre especiale grace tiel remedie en cest present parlement, qe vostre dite citee poet estre releve de lour graunt povertee, et qe ne soit outrement destruit; pur honour de vostre [coroune, et en] oevre de charitee. | May it please your most high and most gracious lordship to grant of your special grace such a remedy in this present parliament, so that your said city can be relieved of its great poverty, and that it be not utterly destroyed; for the honour of your crown, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Suent au roy, et il lour ferra grace solonc sa discrecioun. | Let them sue to the king, and he will show grace to them in accordance with his discretion. |
| < Burgesses de Grante Jernemouth. > | [Fee-farm of the town of Great Yarmouth. |
| 119. Item, suppliont vos poveres tenantz les burgeis et communes de vostre ville de Graunt Jernemouthe en le countee de Norff', qe come la dite ville est outrageousement charge de paier a nostre seignour le roy chescun an une fee ferme de .lx. livres, et quant les dismes et quinzismes sont grantez .c. livres; par queles causes les gentz de mesme la ville en graunde partie sont partiez d'icelle, et les mesons du dite ville sont vacantz et voidez, si qe la dite ville est en poynt d'estre outrement destruit et desolat a cause de la graunde ferme et charge importablez, quel est fronture de tout le pays. Pur quel meschief les avantditz burgeis et communialtee ont pursue en temps le roy Richard darrein pur avoir remedie: issi qe commande fust, et poere done, al request de les communes, par auctoritee du parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an vyntisme, a nostre tresreverent piere en Dieu l'ercevesqe de Canterbirs, et as autres seignours a ceo assignez; de quel graunt nul execucioun unquore est faite, a tresgrante desolacioun de voz povres tenantz avantditz. | 119. Burgesses of Great Yarmouth. Also, your poor tenants the burgesses and commons of your town of Great Yarmouth in the county of Norfolk humbly beg that, whereas the said town is excessively charged with paying to our lord the king each year a fee-farm of £60, and, when tenths and fifteeenths are granted, £100; for which reasons the people of the same town have in great part left it, and the houses of the said town are deserted and empty, with the result that the said town, which is the frontier of the whole country, is on the point of being utterly ruined and deserted because of this great farm and unbearable burden. On account of which burden the aforesaid burgesses and community sued in the time of the former king Richard to have remedy: with the result that this was ordered, and power given, at the request of the commons, by authority of the parliament held at Westminster in the twentieth year [January 1397], to our most reverend father in God the archbishop of Canterbury, and to other lords appointed for this; of which grant no execution has yet been made, to the very great distress of your aforesaid poor tenants. |
| Qe plese graciousement ordeiner remedie en certein de la dite grant charge des dismes et quinzismes qant courgent, en salvacioun du dite ville, en oevre de charite. | May it please you graciously to ordain a remedy specifically for the said great burden of the tenths and fifteenths when they are incurrred, for the preservation of the said town; by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Suent au roy, et il lour ferra grace solonc sa discrecioun. | Let them sue to the king, and he will show grace to them in accordance with his discretion. |
| < De repeller certaynes grauntes, et lettres patentes. > | [Repeal of certain grants and letters patent]. |
| 120. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come plusours des lieges nostre tresredoute seignour le roy q'ore ont este seisez et possessiones des terres et tenementz par soun title et droit, tanqe ore tarde, puis le darrein venir nostre dit seignour le roy en Engleterre, et par suggestioun fait a nostre dit seignour le roy, les ditz terres et tenementz ont este grauntez as plusours des lieges nostre dit seignour le roy, et lettres patentes ent faitez; issint par colour de tielx grauntes et patentes ent faitz, les tenantz et verray [col. b] possessours en plusours countes d'Engleterre ore de novel sont disseisez, a lour grant damage, et encountre la cours de la commune ley de la terre. | 120. Concerning the repeal of certain grants and letters patent. Also, the commons pray that, whereas many of the lieges of our most dread lord the king were recently seised and possessed of lands and tenements by their title and right, until lately, following the recent coming of our said lord the king into England, when, through representations made to our said lord the king, the said lands and tenements were granted to many of the lieges of our said lord the king, and letters patent made concerning this; so that, under the pretext of such grants and letters patent made on the matter, the tenants and true [col. b] possessors in many counties of England have now been dispossessed, to their great injury, and against the procedure of the common law of the land. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit tresexcellent seignour le roy, si luy plest, touz tiels grauntes et patentes ent faitez de repeller et adnuller en cest present parlement, issint [qe les verray] possessours et tenantz susditz soient restituitz a lour franc tenement par lour reentree, come la ley de la terre demaunde, et les autres torcinous occupiours mys de suer [a la commune ley, s'ils voient qe lour] soit affaire. | May it please our said most excellent lord the king, if it pleases him, to repeal and annul in this present parliament all such grants and patents made in such cases, so that the aforesaid true possessors and tenants can be restored to their free tenements by their re-entry, as the law of the land demands, and the other wrongful occupiers put to sue at the common law if they wish to pursue this matter. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| La ou terres ou tenementz sont grauntez par patent du roy, sanz title trove par enquest ou autrement, la ou l'entree du roy n'est pas done par la ley, [aient ceux qi sont oustez] ou disseisez de lour franc tenement especiale assise du grante du chaunceller, sanz autre pursuyte faire au roy en celle partie. Et si les persones [aiantz les patentes du roi priont] en aide, soit grantez brief de procedendo par le dit chaunceller, sanz autre pursuyte faire au roy. Et en cas qe les ditz oustez ou disseisez recoverent [devers les persones aiantz tieles] patentes, qe mesmes les oustez ou disseisez recoverent lour damages au treble. Et qe cest ordinance et estatut tiegne lieu sibien puis l'arrivaill du roy [en Engleterre, come] en touz temps advenir. (fn. iii-415-435-1) | Where lands or tenements have been granted by the king's patent, without any title being found by inquest or otherwise, where the king's entry is not given by law, let those who have been expelled or dispossessed of their free tenements have a special assize of the chancellor's grant, without making any other suit to the king on this matter. And if the persons who have the king's patents pray for aid, let a writ of procedendo be granted by the said chancellor, without any other suit being made to the king. And in cases where the said expelled or dispossessed persons recover against the persons with such patents, let the same expelled or dispossessed persons recover their damages threefold. And let this ordinance and statute hold good both since the king's arrival in England, and for all time to come. (fn. iii-415-435-1) |
| < Pour l'esglise. > | [Presentation to ecclesiastical benefices]. |
| 121. Item, priont les communes, qe come al reverence de Dieu, et honour de seint esglise, est ordeigne par l'estatut fait l'an treszisme le Roy Richard secound, qe si le roy presente a ascun benefice qe soit pleyn d'ascun encumbent, qe le presente le roy ne soit resceux par l'ordinarie au tiel benefice tanqe le roy eit recovere sa presentacion par processe du ley; et si ascun presente du roy soit autrement resceux, et le encumbent oustez sanz due processe, come desuis est dit, commence le dit incumbent sa suite deins un an apres le induccion du roy a pluys tarde. (fn. iii-415-438-1) Et nientcontresteiant le dit estatut, ou prohibicions liverez as ordinaries sur mesme l'estatut, les ordinaries ont resceux, et fount de jour en autre, les presentes du roy par favour; et issint les incumbentz sont torcenousement oustez et espoilez, le title du roy nient triez par processe d'une ley ne de autre: et puis tiele espoliacione fait des ditz encumbentz par presentes du roy, les avantditz encumbentz ne oisent mye pursuer lour droit a nul juge cristiene, pur prohibicions et reconisances et lies faitz en la chauncellerie nostre seignour le roy. | 121. Concerning the church. Also, the commons pray that, whereas out of reverence for God, and the honour of holy church, it was ordained by a statute made in the thirteenth year of King Richard the second, that if the king presents to any benefice which is occupied by any incumbent, the king's presentee should not be received by the ordinary to that benefice until the king has recovered his presentation by process of law; and if any presentee of the king's is otherwise received, and the incumbent expelled without due process, as has been said above, let the said incumbent begin his suit within a year after the king's induction, at the latest. (fn. iii-415-438-1) Yet notwithstanding the said statute, or the prohibitions addressed to the ordinaries with regard to the same statute, the ordinaries have received, and still receive every day, the king's presentees, through favour; and thus the incumbents are wrongfully expelled and deprived, and the king's title is not tested by process of one law or the other: and after any such deprivation made against the said incumbents by the king's presentees, the aforesaid incumbents do not dare to pursue their right before any Christian judge, because of prohibitions and recognizances and bonds made in the chancery of our lord the king. |
| Qe plese a vostre hautesse, sur tiel meschief et disheritances, de commune droit ordeigner, qe touz tielx encumbentz en tiele manere oustez et espoillez sanz title triez par processe du loy, soient par le chaunceller nostre seignour le roy, < appellant a luy lez parties, sanz > delay restituitz a lour possessions, tanqe le roy eit recovere soun presentement par processe du ley. | May it please your highness, with regard to such injuries and disinheritances, through common justice, to ordain that all such incumbents expelled and deprived in such a manner without a title examined by process of law, should be restored without delay to their possessions by the chancellor of our lord the king, on appeal to him by the parties, until the king has recovered his right of presentation by process of law. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, qe prohibicions [soient grantez la ou] le benefice est plein, solonc la fourme del estatut ent fait. | The king wills that prohibitions should be granted where the benefice is occupied, in accordance with the form of the statute made on this matter. |
| [memb. 6] | |
| < Gortis, estankes des molyns. > | [Stanks and mill-ponds]. |
| 122. Item, priont les communes en cest present parlement, qe par la ou communes passages des niefs et bateux en les grandes rivers parmy le roialme d'Engleterre sont graundement destourbe, et auxint prees, pastures, et terres semez adjoignantz as diz ryvers, sount grandement suroundez, gastez, et destruitz par creteyn de ewe, a cause del outrajeouse enhancer et estroiter des gortes, estankes des molyns, estakes, piles, kidelx, et weres, faitz et levez en temps le Roy Edward fitz a Roy Henry, et depuis: dont graundes damages et perdez sont avenuz a poeple du dit roialme, et aviendront de jour en autre en autre [sic] si remedie ent ne soit fait. | 122. Stanks, mill-ponds. Also, the request of the commons in this present parliament: whereas the common passage of ships and boats along the great rivers throughout the realm of England is greatly disturbed, and also meadows, pastures and sown land adjoining the said rivers are greatly inundated, laid waste and spoilt by rising water, because of the excessive raising up and narrowing of stanks, mill-ponds, stakes, piles, kiddles and weirs, built and raised in the time of King Edward [I], son of King Henry [III], and since then: through which great injuries and losses have been incurred by the people of the said realm, and will continue every day if a remedy is not provided for this. |
| Qe plese a vostre tresgracious seignurie grauntier, qe les estatuz ent faitz en temps le Roy Edward vostre aiel l'an de soun regne vynt et quint, [p. iii-439][col. a] et quarant et quint, et en temps Richard qi darrein estoit < roy d'Engleterre > l'an de soun regne vynt et primer, soient tenuz et fermement gardez. (fn. iii-415-444a-1) Et enoutre ordeigner, qe les communes passages en les ditz rivers en queux gorts, estakes, [piles] , kidelx, et weres sont assiz et fichez, q'ils soient desormes en laoeure de .lx. pees al meyns, et pluys large s'i < l > embosoigne: et ceo sibien par discrecioun des justices a ceo assigners, come par enquisicion ent apprendre devant eux. Considerant, tresgracious seignour, qe par cause de tielx estreitures des gortz, et estakes, piles, kidelx, et weres en les rivers suisditz, en passage et repassage des niefs et batelx, plusours niefs et bateux, oveqe diverses lieges du dit roialme, merchaundises, et vitailles, sount ore tarde deins mesme le roialme periez et enoundez. Et qe commissions ent soient faitz as loialx gentz de chescun countee d'Engleterre, pur oier et terminer les maters suisditz, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please your most gracious lordship to grant that the statutes made on this matter in the time of King Edward your grandfather, in the twenty-fifth [p. iii-439][col. a] and forty-fifth years of his reign, and in the time of Richard who was lately king of England, in the twenty-first year of his reign, should be held and firmly kept. (fn. iii-415-444a-1) And furthermore, to ordain that the common passages in the said rivers in which stanks, stakes, piles, kiddles and weirs are situated and set, should henceforth be at least sixty feet wide, and wider if it is neccessary: and this is to be done either through the discretion of the justices appointed for this, or through inquisitions to be held before them. Considering, most gracious lord, that because of the narrowing of such stanks, stakes, piles, kiddles and weirs in the aforesaid rivers, in the passage and repassage of ships and boats, many ships and boats, with various lieges of the said realm, commodities, and victuals, have recently within the same realm been lost and sunk. And that commissions to the loyal people of each county of England should be appointed concerning this, to hear and determine the aforesaid matters; for God and by way of charity. |
| [col. b] | |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soient les anciens estatuz ent faitz tenuz et gardez, et l'estatut fait l'an .xxi. du Richard nadgaires roy soit fait de novel, quant a cest article en especiale. (fn. iii-415-447-1) | Let the ancient statutes made on this be kept and observed, and let the statute made in the twenty-first year of Richard formerly king be made anew, with regard to this article in particular. (fn. iii-415-447-1) |
| < Fraunchise de Loundres. > | [Sale of beasts in London]. |
| 123. Item, suppliont lez communes, qe come touz lez lieges parmy le roialme queux veignent deins le franchise de Loundres, pur vendre illeoqes boefs, vaches, berbys, porcs, et autres bestes qeconqes, par entre le fest de Seint Martyn et le fest del nativitee Nostre Seignour, le baillif de Smethefeld deyns la dite fraunchise prent de chescun des ditz lieges la tierce meilliour beste al oeps de viscountz de dite citee, torcinousement. | 123. The franchise of London. Also, the commons pray that, whereas lieges from throughout the realm come within the franchise of London, to sell there oxen, cows, sheep, pigs and other beasts of any kind, between the feast of St Martin [11 November] and the feast of the Nativity of Our Lord [25 December],and the bailiff of Smithfield within the said franchise takes from each of the said lieges the third best beast for the use of the sheriffs of the said city, wrongfully. |
| Qe plese de ordeiner, qe nul beste ne soit prys de nully des ditz lieges desorenant en la franchise susdit. | May it please you to ordain that no beast should henceforth be taken from any of the said lieges in the aforesaid franchise. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Accordezest par le roy et les seignours en parlement, qe les viscountz soient maundez a respoundre a cest article. | It has been agreed by the king and the lords in parliament that the sheriffs should be commanded to reply to this article. |
| ITEM PRIONT LES COMMUNES PUR LES PETICIONS DESOUZ ESCRIPTZ. | ALSO, THE COMMONS MAKE REQUEST FOR THE PETITIONS WRITTEN BELOW. |
| [col. a] | |
| < Dettes. > | [Debts and possessions of King Richard]. |
| 124. Primerement, qe les dettes qe furent duez a darrein roy, qe soient paiez a roy nostre seignour q'ore est, en qi mayns qe soient. | 124. Debts. Firstly, that the debts which were owing to the former king, in whosoever's hands they are, should be paid to our lord the present king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| 125. Item, qe touz les pardons des dettes et acomptz le roy faitz as certeins persones par le roy qe darrein feust, ou par le roy q'ore est, de grauntz sommes, qe soient revokez, pur profit de roy, en descharge et supportacioun des lieges le roy; et nomement le pardoun fait a Robert Thorley, jadys resceivour de Cornewaille. | 125. Also, that all the pardons for the king's debts and accounts for large sums granted to certain persons by the previous king, or by the present king, should be revoked, for the king's profit, in discharge and support of the king's lieges; and particularly the pardon made to Robert Thorley, formerly receiver of Cornwall. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit le pardoun fait a Robert Thorley repelle, a cause qe le roy feust deceu en soun grante ent faite au dit Robert, et qe le dit Robert soit fait venir devant les tresorer et barons de l'escheqer a soun acompt. Et sur cel acompt rendu, le tresorer ferra relacioun au roy de la somme due par le dit Robert, et sur ceo le roy luy voet faire grace solonc sa discrecioun. Et touchant lez autres pardons comprises en cest peticion, le roy s'avisera. Mais de les pardons faitz al priour de Kenelworthe, et a les deux povres merchantz de Nicole, le roy se remembre bien, et voet q'ils estoisent en lour force et vertue. | Let the pardon made to Robert Thorley be repealed, because the king was deceived in his grant of it made to the said Robert, and let the said Robert be summoned before the treasurer and barons of the exchequer to account. And concerning this account rendered, the treasurer will make a report to the king of the sum due from the said Robert, and with regard to this the king will be pleased to show him grace according to his discretion. And, touching the other pardons included in this petition, the king will consider this further. But the king remembers well the pardons made to the prior of Kenilworth, and to the two poor merchants of Lincoln, and he wishes them to retain their force and validity. |
| 126. Item, qe soit enquis en qi mayns lez biens et chateux du darrein roy, et par queux persones ils sont concelez, embesillez, et retraitez. | 126. Also, that enquiry should be made into whose hands the goods and chattels of the former king have fallen, and by whom they have been hidden, made away with, and taken. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| 127. Item, qe les graundes sommes d'ore et d'argent liverez par le darrein roy as esquiers maistres del wache de Chestreshire, qe soient repaiez a roy q'ore est. | 127. Also, that the great sums of gold and silver delivered by the former king to the esquires, masters of the watch for Cheshire, should be repaid to the present king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Purceo qe le roy entende q'ils ne purront paier la somme comprise en cest peticion, il voet q'ils luy ferront service pur un certein temps a lour costages propres. | Since the king understands that they will not be able to pay the sum specifiedin this petition, he wishes them to do him service for a certain time at their own cost. |
| [col. b] | |
| 128. Item, qe soit enquis de touz les custumers, et coillours des custumes et subsides, et de lour deputez, et de lour resceites et concelementz des ditz custumes et subsides. | 128. Also, that an enquiry should be held concerning all the customs officers and collectors of customs and subsidies, and their deputies, and their receipts and concealments of the said customs and subsidies. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| Item, d'enquere de les eschetours et viscountz parmy le roialme, et de lour concelement des eschetes, et autres profitz du roy. | Also, to enquire into the escheators and sheriffs throughout the realm, and their concealment of escheats, and other profits of the king's. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| Item, d'enquere de ceux qe ount creaunce monoie en non de roy, et noun paiez a roy; et combien les portours des lettres le roy, et clercs et sergeantz d'armes pur arrester niefs pur viage le roy, ount priz en brocage, et en douns. | Also, to enquire into those who have borrowed money in the king's name, and who have not paid the king; and how much the bearers of the king's letters, and the clerks and serjeants at arms who arrest ships for the king's expeditions, have taken in brokerage, and in gifts. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| Item, qe proclamacione soit faite parmy le roialme, qe chescuny q'ad biens, ou detient les dettes du roy, q'ils les facent paier a roy nostre seignour deins certein brief temps, sur grant peyne a limiter en la dite proclamacione. | Also, that a proclamation should be made throughout the realm that anyone who has the king's goods, or is witholding the king's debts, should arrange for them to be paid to the king our lord in the near future, on pain of a great penalty to be specified in the said proclamation. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet charger le tresorer d'ent faire processe sanz delay. | The king intends to charge the treasurer to begin a process on this without delay. |
| 129. Item, de considerer le nounresidence des custumers et countrerollours en les ports de Suthampton', Boston', Hull, et autres plusours portz deins le roiaume d'Engleterre, et la lieutenancie par eux fait en lour absence a lour clercs et vadletz, menes persones, ore tarde deins cestes quatre ans commencez et usez, par quele noun residence et lieutenancie en court nostre seignour le roy grande perde et subtraxion de sez custumes, pluys qe x mil marcs par an parmy le roialme, ou pluys; et surceo ordeigner, qe pluys sufficeantz persones es ditz ports, ou autres qe mielx conisent de faire tiel office, soient custumers et contrerollours: et q'ils facent continuel residence sur lour offices; et q'ils ne soient en ycelles offices outre un an. | 129. Also, to consider the non-residence of the customs officers and controllers in the ports of Southampton, Boston, Hull, and many other ports within the realm of England, and the lieutenancy given by them in their absence to their clerks and valets, lesser people, a state of affairs which has only begun and become common in the last four years, by which non-residence and lieutenancy our lord the king incurs great loss and diminution of his customs, amounting to more than ten thousand marks a year throughout the realm, or more; and on this to ordain, that more competent people, or others who know better how to perform such offices, should be customs officers and controllers in the said ports: and that they should be in continual residence in their offices; and that they should not be in those offices for more than a year. |
| [p. iii-440] | |
| [col. a] | |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, qe l'estatut ent fait soit tenuz et gardez: adjoustant a ycelle, qe les officers comprisez en la peticion demurgent sur lour offices en lour propres persones. (fn. iii-415-506-1) | The king wills that the statute made on this should be kept and observed: adding to this, that the officers mentioned in the petition should remain in their offices in their own persons. (fn. iii-415-506-1) |
| 130. Item, qe ordeigne soit, qe les femmes, apres la mort lour barons qe sont forjuggez ou atteintz de tresoun ou felonye, qe soient endowez des terres et tenementz queux furent a lour ditz barons, la ou les ditz femmes ne feurent en coupe de les tresons avantditz. | 130. Also, that it should be ordained that the widows of men who are forejudged or attainted of treason or felony should be endowed with the lands and tenements which belonged to their said husbands, in cases where the said wives were not guilty of the aforesaid treasons. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, qe la commune leye soit tenuz en cest cas. | The king wills the common law to be kept in such cases. |
| 131. Item, qe les heirs de ceux qe sont forjugge ou atteintz pur traisoun ou de felonie, la ou ils sont d'ancien auncestrie, apres la mort lour auncestres eient lour heritages, sibien terres de fee simple come de fee taille. | 131. Also, that the heirs of those who are forejudged or attainted of treason or felony, where they are of ancient ancestry, after the death of their forebears, should have their inheritances, both lands in fee simple and in fee tail. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soient les anciens leyes tenuz et gardez. | Let the ancient laws be kept and observed. |
| 132. Item, qe par la ou homme ad issu deux fitz, et l'eisne fitz, vivant soun piere, fait felonie pur quel il est atteint, le fitz puisne jammes ne serra enherite par la ley: qe plese a nostre dit seignour le roy ent ordeigner remedie. | 132. Also, when a man has issue of two sons, and the elder son, during his father's lifetime, commits a felony for which he is convicted, the younger son will never have a legal right of inheritance: may it please our said lord the king to ordain a remedy for this. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Courge la commune ley. | Let the common law be maintained. |
| 133. Item, qe les dettes duez par Richard darrein roy, sibien par voie de creaunce et pur vitailles come autrement, as plusours de les lieges du roy nostre seignour, soient paiez: ou autrement plusours des ditz lieges sont destruitz pur touz jours. | 133. Also, that the debts owed by Richard the former king, whether for loans or for provisions, or otherwise, to various of the king our lord's lieges, should be paid: or otherwise many of the said lieges will be ruined forever. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera. | The king will consider this further. |
| [memb. 5] | |
| < Fynes et Raunsounes. > | [Fines and redemptions]. |
| 134. Item, qe touz les raunsons et fyns torcenousement prys de ceux qe furent de retenu de duc de Gloucestre, et count d'Arundell', queux Dieu assoille, et de count de Warr', et d'autres, soient repaiez a eux, en oevre de charitee. | 134. Fines and redemptions. Also, that all the redemptions and fines wrongfully taken from those who were of the retinue of the duke of Gloucester and the earl of Arundel, whom God absolve, and of the earl of Warwick, and of others, should be repaid to them, by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera. | The king will consider this further. |
| < Pour les lieges du Chestre et Salop. > | [Disputes between persons of Cheshire and Shropshire]. |
| 135. Item, monstront et suppliont les loialx lieges du countee de Salop', qe come le countee de Cestre a dit countee de Salop' adjoint, et qe gentz de la countee de Cestre avantdit, continuelment de jour en jour, < nuyt > en nuyt, forciblement issent du dite countee de Cestre, entrant le dite countee de Salop' et autres countees adjoignantz; ascun foithe mordraunt, tuant, rubbant, ravissant, mahaymant, et batant les loialx lieges; al foithe tuant et detrenchant lour bestes, gastant lour biens et chateux, ove plusours autres orribles riotes deins la dite countee de Salop', et autres countees d'Engleterre; en manessant et purposant unquore les riotes suisditz et pluys orribles continuer et affaire, eux retreant et reentrant lour dit countee de Cestre, illeoqes demurrant sanz punissement, amendement, ou redresse ent faire a roy, ou a ses lieges, 'ut in spelunca latronum'; a cause qe le dit counte de Cestre est countee de Paleys, et qe les demurrantz et resceantz en ycelle ne soloient estre punys ne endamagez deyns la dite countee de Cestre de nul riote ou offence fait hors d'ycell, si ne soit de haut tresoun; a perpetuel damage et destruccioun de les loialx lieges du dite countee de Salop', d'autres countees adjoignantz, et par adventure a greindre partie du roialme, qe Dieu defende, come sovent avant sez heures ad este pursuez et monstrez en plusours parlementz en temps Richard le secounde jadys roy d'Engleterre, sanz ascun remedie tanqe ore [col. b] ent purveuz ou ordeignez. | 135. Concerning the lieges of Cheshire and Shropshire. Also, the loyal lieges of the county of Shropshire show and beg that, whereas the county of Cheshire adjoins the said county of Shropshire, and people from the aforesaid county of Cheshire continually, every day, every night, come in strength out of the said county of Cheshire, entering the county of Shropshire and other adjoining counties; sometimes murdering, killing, robbing, raping, wounding and beating these loyal lieges; at timeskilling and slaughtering their beasts, laying waste their goods and chattels, and committing many other horrible crimes in the said county of Shropshire, and other counties of England; and threatening and intending still to continue committing the aforesaid crimes, and others even more horrible, then withdrawing to and re-entering their said county of Cheshire, and remaining there without punishment, correction or redress being made on this account to the king, or to his lieges, as in a den of thieves; because the said county of Cheshire is a county palatine, and those dwelling and residing in it are not accustomed to being punished or harmed within the said county of Cheshire for any disturbance or offence committed outside it, except for high treason; to the perpetual harm and destruction of the loyal lieges of the said county of Shropshire, of other adjoining counties, and perhaps to the greater part of the realm, which God forbid, as has often in the past been alleged and shown in many parliaments in the time of Richard the second, formerly king of England, without any remedy until now [col. b] being provided or ordained for it. |
| Qe plese a vostre justice et tresroial discrecioun, considerer les orribles importables meschiefs avantditz qe les ditz lieges du dite countee de Salop', d'autres adjoignantz, et la greindre partie del poeple du roialme, suffrent et importent, ove le greindre damage et meschief qe, Dieu defende, purroit sourder a tout la roialme par lour ditz riotes continueles, en affiance de lour fraunchise suisdit, pursuer et aider envers nostre seignour le roy, qe le countee de Cestre soit en chief disenfraunchise, rulez et governez desouz la comune leye du roialme: ou a meyns, qe les malfaisours enditez en les countes deins queux ils offendent, par utlagarie atteintz, soient prises et puniz, sibien deins le dite countee de Cestre come aillours, par la commune ley de dit roialme, nientobstant ascunes franchises ou libertees deins lour dit countee de Cestre avant cez heures ewez ou a contraire usez; en oevre de charitee. | May it please your justice and most royal wisdom, considering the aforesaid terrible unbearable injuries which the said lieges of the said county of Shropshire, of others adjoining, and the greater part of the people of the realm suffer and bear, as well as the even greater harm and injury, which God forbid, which could arise throughout the whole realm because of their said continual disturbances, arising from their belief in their aforesaid franchise, to propose and suggest to our lord the king that the county of Cheshire be disenfranchised in chief and ruled and governed under the common law of the realm: or at least, that malefactors indicted in the counties in which they offend, and attainted through outlawry, should be taken and punished similarly within the said county of Cheshire as elsewhere, by the common law of the said realm, notwithstanding any franchises or liberties to the contrary held or used before now in their said county of Cheshire; by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant a le countee de Cestre, ordeignez est et assentuz, qe si aucune persone del countee de Cestre, receant ou demurrant deins mesme la countee, < de > quel estat ou condicion q'il soit, face murdre ou felonie paraillours hors du dit countee, soit proces fait devers luy par la commune ley tanqe al exigent, en les countees ou tielx murdre ou felonie soit fait. Et s'il fue d'illeoqes en le < dit > countee de Cestre, et soit utlagez, ou mys en exigent pur tiele murdre ou felonie, soit la utlagarie ou l'exigent certifiez a les officers et ministres de mesme le countee de Cestre, et soit cel felon prys par mesmes les officers ou ministres, et sez terres et tenementz, biens et chateux esteantz deins ycel countee de Cestre seisez come forfaitz es mayn de prince, ou de celuy qi serra seignour de dite counte de Cestre pur le temps: et ait le roy l'an, jour, et wast, en [sic: read 'et'] les autres terres et tenementz, biens et chateux de tiel feloun, esteantz hors de mesme le countee de Cestre, demurgent entierment au roy et as autres seignours aiant ent franchise, come forfaitz. Et si aucune persone de mesme le counte de Cestre, receant ou demurrant en ycelle, face aucune baterie ou autre trespasse paraillours hors du dit countee de Cestre, soit proces fait devers luy par la commune leye tanqe al exigent, en les countees ou tiel baterie ou trespas soit fait. Et s'il fue d'illeoqes en le dit countee de Cestre, et soit utlagez pur tiel baterie ou trespas, soit la utlagarie certifiez a les ditz officers et ministres de mesme le countee de Cestre, et cel persone prise par mesme les officers ou ministres, et sez biens et chateux esteantz deins le dit countee de Cestre soient seisez es mayns du prince, ou de celuy qi serra seignour du dite countee de Cestre pur le temps, et ses autres biens et chateux esteantz hors de mesme le countee de Cestre demurgent entierment au roy et as seignours suis ditz come forfaitz, en manere come desuis est dit. (fn. iii-415-540-1) | With regard to the county of Cheshire, it is ordained and agreed that, if anyone of the county of Cheshire, dwelling or residing in the same county, of whatever estate or condition, commits murder or felony anywhere else outside the said county, let a process be brought against him through the common law up to the exigent, in the counties in which such a murder or felony has been committed. And if he flees from there into the said county of Cheshire, and if he is outlawed, or put in exigent for any such murder or felony, let the outlawry or the exigent be made known to the officers and ministers of the same county of Cheshire, and let that felon be taken by the same officers or ministers, and his lands and tenements, goods and chattels within that county of Cheshire be seized as forfeit into the hands of the prince, or of whoever is lord of Cheshire at the time: and let the king have the year, day, and waste; and let the other lands and tenements, goods and chattels of any such felon, outside the same county of Cheshire, remain entirely to the king and to the other lords who hold franchises in them, as forfeit. And if any person of the same county of Cheshire, resident or dwelling in it, should commit any assault or trespass anywhere else outside the said county of Cheshire, let a process be brought against him through the common law up to the exigent, in the counties where that assault or trespass was committed. And if he flees from there to the said county of Cheshire, and if he is outlawed for that assault or trespass, let the outlawry be made known to the said officers and ministers of the same county of Cheshire, and let that person be taken by the sameofficers or ministers, and his goods and chattels within the said county of Cheshire seized into the hands of the prince, or of whoever is lord of the said county of Cheshire at the time, and let his other goods and chattels outside the same county of Cheshire remain entirely to the king and to the aforesaid lords as forfeit, in the same way as is said above. (fn. iii-415-540-1) |
| < Pour mesmes lieges. > | [On behalf of the men of Shropshire]. |
| 136. Item, suppliont les loialx lieges du mesme le countee < de Salop > , qe come a tresnecessarie et tresgracious venu et entree de lour seignour le roy a ycest roialme, les ditz lieges tresjoiousment ove tresenter lour voluntee et coer a luy attenderont a tout lour poair, luy et touz les soens supportantz et enforsantz: nientmayns, les hostes lour dit tresexcellent seignour entrantz, chivachantz, et passantz chescune partie du countee suisdite envers le countee de Cestre, sibien gasteront, destrueront les blees, biens, et chateux des ditz lieges du dit countee, come eux rufelant en lours mansions, coment q'ils et lours adonqes estoient en service et force ove lour dit seignour le roy, chivachantz a grant damage et perde de eux. | 136. Concerning the same lieges. Also, the loyal lieges of the same county of Shropshire beg that, whereas at the most necessary and most gracious coming and entry of their lord the king into this realm, the said lieges most joyously with their very whole will and heart attended him with all their ability, upholding and confirming him and all his wishes: nevertheless, the soldiers of their most excellent lord, while entering, riding and passing through each part of the aforesaid county towards the county of Cheshire, both laid waste and destroyed the corn, goods and chattels of the said lieges of the said county, and plundered them in their dwelling-places, even though they and theirs were then in service and arms with their said lord the king, riding with him to their great injury and loss. |
| Qe plese a vostre tresloial discrecion considerer lours bons voluntees et services q'ils a roy monstreront et fisteront a dit temps, et [...] d'envoier voz lettres patentes a tielx persones qe vous semble [p. iii-441][col. a] qe mielx soit affaire, de loialment enquerer, et en le chauncellerie retourner, la verite del perde et damage qe ceux esteantz en soun service du dite countee emporteront, sibien par rufle des gentz a ceux fait, come autrement: et sur < ceo > a eux faire duement restitucioun; en oevre de charitee. | May it please your most loyal wisdom to consider their good will and service which they displayed and performed towards the king at the said time, and to send your letters patent to such persons as it seems to you [p. iii-441][col. a] that it would be best, to enquire loyally and to return to the chancery the truth concerning the loss and injury which those in his service from the said county sustained, both through the plunder done to them by these people and otherwise; and for this duly to make restitution; by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera. | The king will consider this further. |
| < Pour mesmes lieges. > | Concerning the same lieges. |
| 137. Item, suppliont les loialx lieges du dite countee de Salop', qe coment qe plusours orriblez murdres, rubberies, felonies, et autres riotes soient faitz deins le dit countee de Salop', sibien par gentz du countee de Cestre, come par gents de la marche de Galys, a dit countee de Salop' adjoignantz et entrevenantz, lour seignour le roy nul prisoun ad deins le dit countee de Salop', en quele le viscount apres l'arrest des ditz malfaisours les purra mettre en garde, d'attendre punissement par la ley de la terre pur lour ditz riotes et malfaitz, sinoun le ruinous chastelle de Salop' outrement degastez; parount lez malfaisours susditz sanz punissement pur lour murdres, felonies, et riotes susditz toutdys eschapent dispuniz, nient doutant a celle cause le faire et continuer. | 137. Also, the loyal lieges of the said county of Shropshire request that, although many horrible murders, robberies, felonies and other disturbances are committed in the said county of Shropshire, both by people from the county of Cheshire and by people from the Welsh marches adjoining and abutting on the said county of Shropshire, their lord the king has no prison in the said county of Shropshire, in which the sheriff, following the arrest of the said malefactors, can keep them in custody, to await punishment by the law of the land for their said disturbances and crimes, except for the ruinous castle of Shrewsbury, which is utterly laid waste; because of which the aforesaid malefactors, without punishment for their aforesaid murders, felonies and disturbances, always escape unpunished, not fearing for this reason to commit and continue them. |
| Qe plese a vostre tresjoust discrecion, < et a vostre tresgraciouse et tresexcellente seignurie > considerer les meschiefs avantditz, par queux lez lieges du dite countee de Salop', en defaute de prisoun d'ent garder les malfaisours avantditz, de jour en autre sont oppresses, ordeigner, q'un sufficeant prisoun soit fait, ove une chaumbre desus pur le gardeyn, deins le dit chastiel, de les issues du dite countee par les mayns du viscont d'icelle annuelment a vous provenantz, en eschue des meschiefs avantditz; en oevre de charitee. | May it please your most just wisdom and your most gracious and most excellent lordship to consider the aforesaid troubles, as a result of which the lieges of the said county of Shropshire, for lack of a prison to keep the aforesaid malefactors in, are daily oppressed; and to ordain that a suitable prison be built, with a chamber above for the warden, within the said castle, from the issues of the said county, which are received annually by you through the hands of its sheriff, in order to avoid the aforesaid troubles; by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet estre ent enformez, et surceo il ordeignera garrant sufficeant a les justises d'assises et deliverance, pur ent ordeigner remedie. | The king wishes to be informed on this, whereupon he will provide a suitable warrant to the justices of assize and of gaol delivery to ordain a remedy for it. |
| < Brief de roi. > | [Inquests held by the king's writ]. |
| 138. Item, priont les communes, qe par la ou il soit trove un foithe par enquest duement pris par vertue del brief de roy, qe ascune persone tient en soun demesne come du fee, jour q'il moruist, ascune terre du roy en chief par service du chivaler, soun heir adonqes esteant deins age, paront le roy ad cause de seiser lez ditz tenementz, et ent prendre lez profitz: et apres celle temps, il soit trove par autre enquest pris par vertue del brief du roy, q'autre persone depuis le temps fust seise en son demesne come du fee, jour q'il morust, de mesmes les tenementz, soun heir esteant deins age, par cause de quele le roy ad colour de seiser les ditz tenementz. | 138. The king's writ. Also, the commons pray that, when it has once been found by an inquest duly held by virtue of the king's writ that any person holds in his demesne, as of fee, on the day on which he died, any land of the king in chief by knight service, his heir then being under age, because of which the king has reason to seize the said tenements and to take the profits from them: and after that time, it is found by another inquest held by virtue of the king's writ that another person after that time was seized in his demesne as of fee, on the day on which he died, of the same tenements, his heir being under age, because of which the king has a reason for seizing the said tenements. |
| Qe plese ordeigner par estatut en cest present parlement, qe apres ceo qe le dit primer heir < nome en le primer enqueste > ad prove soun age duement come la loye voet, et le roy ent ad pris les profitz, ou avoit title de prendre les profitz; qe d'allegger pur le roy, qe l'auncestre del primer heir n'avoit rien jour q'il morust en les tenementz susditz, eyns un autre fust seise d'icelle en mesme le temps en soun demesne come du fee, ne nulle autre alleggeaunce d'estre allegge pur le roy, ne pur le darrein heir, ne pur nul autre chose trove pur [sic: read 'par'] le darrein enqueste a contrarie de ceo qe fust trove par le primer enqueste, ne soit mye cause a destourber le dit primer heir d'avoir livere des tenementz susdites. Eyns qe le dit primer heir eit mayntenant livere des tenementz susdites sanz delay, quant il la demande en le chauncellerie le roy; nient contresteiant aucune matiere allegge depar le roy, ou aucun autre chose trove par ascun enquest pris puys le primer enqueste. Et qe cest estatut tiegne force et lieu pur temps passe sibien come pur temps avenir. | May it please him to ordain by statute in this present parliament that after the said first heir, named in the first inquest, has duly proved his age as the law requires, and the king has taken the profits from this, or has a claim to take the profits; that to claim on the king's behalf, that the forebear of the first heir held nothing in the aforesaid tenements on the day he died, but rather that another was seized of them in his demesne as of fee at the same time, or to make any other claim on the king's behalf, either for the last heir, or on account of anything else found by the last inquest contrary to what was found by the first inquest, should not be any reason to hinder the said first heir from having delivery of the aforesaid tenements. Rather, the said first heir should immediately have livery of the aforesaid tenements without delay, when he demands it in the king's chancery; notwithstanding anything claimed on behalf of the king, or anything else found by any inquest held after the first inquest. And that this statute should hold and be effective both for the past and for the future. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet avoir soun droit; et soit la commune loye tenuz. | The king wishes to have his right; and let the common law be upheld. |
| [col. b] | |
| < Pardon. > | [Pardon for those who rode with the king]. |
| 139. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come ore tarde al venue nostre dit seignour le roy q'ore est en Engleterre, diverses gentz si bien seignours et chivalers come autres communers de roialme, ount chivachez armez deins le dit roialme, si bien en la presence nostre dit seignour le roy come aillours pur accompler sez voluntee et entente. | 139. Pardon. Also, the commons pray that, whereas recently, at the coming of our said lord the present king to England, various people, both lords and knights and other commoners of the realm, rode out armed within the said realm, both in the company of our said lord the king and elsewhere to carry out his will and intention. |
| Qe plese a sa roial majestee d'ordeigner en cest present parlement, qe ceux qe ount ensi chivachez ne soient mye desore ent enpecchez, molestez, ne grevez; sinoun, qe si aucun homme sciet compleindre d'ascune persone de sez biens pris et emportez, qe chescun eit sa accioun. | May it please his royal majesty to ordain in this present parliament, that those who thus rode out should not henceforth be impeached, molested or harrassed for it; unless, if any man knows and wishes to complain of any person with regard to the taking and carrying off of his goods, let each person have his action. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet faire pardoun enmanere come feust fait l'an primer le Roy Edward tierce. (fn. iii-415-561-1) | The king wishes to issue a pardon in the way in which it was done in the first year of King Edward the third. (fn. iii-415-561-1) |
| [memb. 4] | |
| < Pour le count de Oxenford. > | [On behalf of the earl of Oxford and his wife, for the office of chamberlain of England]. |
| 140. < Item, suppliont les ditz communes a nostre dit tresredoute seignour le roy pur > le count d'Oxenford et Aleise sa compaigne, qe come le chaumberlaynrie d'Engleterre de droit, de temps dont memorie ne court, appartient al count d'Oxenford, come par anciens lettres patentes pleignement purra apparoir, et le quel chaumberlaynrie Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre par diverses manases fist le dit count relesser de luy et de ses heirs, sanz riens doner a dit count pur la dite relesse. | 140. On behalf of the earl of Oxford. Also, the request of the said commons to our said most dread lord the king for the earl of Oxford and his wife Alice: that, as the office of chamberlain of England, from time immemorial, belongs by right to the earl of Oxford, as is fully apparent from ancient letters, and Richard, formerly king of England, by various threats, made the said earl resign that office of chamberlain on behalf of himself and his heirs, without giving anything to the said earl for the said resignation. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit tresredoute seignour le roy considerer la povertee de dit count, qe ne poet susteigner luy mesmes, et les demeritz [sic: read 'meritz'] et desertz de ceux qe de ancien temps ount este countz de dite countee, et qe unqes ne fust defaute trove en nully d'yceux qe ount este countz de dite countee puis le conquest ne devant, sinoun en Robert nadgairs duc d'Irland, qe en sa infancie, par makeinent del dit Richard nadegaires roy, fist choses pur queux il sustenust un juggement, come piert de record. Et outre ceo considerer, coment le count q'or est, a temps de relesse fait, et long temps devant, et unquore continuelment demoert en tiel feblesse et maladie, par suffrance de Dieu, come celuy qe langure en palasie q'il n'ad n'avoit a temps de relesse, ne long temps devant, ne puis, seen ne discrecion, mais qe sez amys firent luy ensealer tiele relesse pur poure des manasses come devant est dit, nient sachaunt a luy quele chose il fist. Et outre ceo considerer le ablete de Richard fitz et heir de dit count, qe ad espose la file de vostre soere nostre tresredoute seignour. < Et sur ceo, de vostre grace > especiale grauntier en cest present parlement de restorer, a causes susdites, le dit Richard fitz a dit count en heritablement a dit office, solonc la purport des anciens patentes de record del dite office; pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please our said most dread lord the king to consider the poverty of the said earl, who cannot support himself, and the merits and worth of those who from ancient times have been earls of the said earldom, and that no fault was ever found in any of those who have been earls of the said earldom since the conquest or before, except in Robert formerly duke of Ireland, who in his infancy, through the machinations of the said Richard formerly king, did things for which he suffered a judgment, as appears on record. And furthermore to consider how the present earl, at the time when he made this resignation, and for a long time before that, was, and still continually remains, in such infirmity and ill-health, through God's will, like one who languishes in a palsy, that he has not, and had not at the time of the resignation, or for a long time before or after, sense or judgment, but was made by his friends to put his seal to that resignation through the power of threats, as has previously been said, not knowing what he did. And furthermore to consider the ability to inherit of Richard, son and heir of the said earl, who has married the daughter of your sister, our most dread lord. And thereupon, of your special grace, to grant in this present parliament the restoration, for the aforesaid reasons, of the said Richard son of the said earl, heritably to the said office, in accordance with the tenor of the ancient patents on the record concerning the said office; for God, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera. | The king will consider this further. |
| < Pour Henry prince de Gales. > | [On behalf of Henry prince of Wales]. |
| 141. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come il ad plu a nostre seignour le roy de sa grace especiale, par assent des seignours et communes, de faire et creer en cest present parlement le treshonure seignour Henry, eisne fitz nostre dit seignour le roy, en prince de Gales, et count de Cestre. | 141. On behalf of Henry prince of Wales. Also, the commons pray that, whereas it has pleased our lord the king of his special grace, by the assent of the lords and commons, to make and create in this present parliament the most honoured lord Henry, eldest son of our said lord the king, prince of Wales and earl of Chester. |
| Qe plese al roial majestee nostre dit seignour le roy, et as ditz seignours, de grauntier, qe les chartre et act del dite creacion soient enroullez, et mys en recorde el roulle de dit parlement, come un article assentuz et accorde par nostre dit seignour le roy et touz estatz en ycelle. Et enoutre, plese a nostre dit seignour le roy, et as ditz seignours, considerer coment si grandes, excessives, et importables douns, grauntes, alienacions, regardes, et assignementz annueles sont faitz des seignuries et profitz des ditz principalitee et countee par Richard nadgairs roy as diverses persones nient dignes, qe poy ou riens remaynt des ditz principalitee et countee, dont le dit treshonure seignour le prince puisse sustenir soun treshonure estat come affiert; si qe par celle cause lui coviendra a force d'avoir autre assignement, et vivre de les revenues de roialme; qe serreit tresgrant charge a nostre dit seignour le roy, de soun roialme, et de toute la communaltee d'icelle: et surce, pur ouster et [p. iii-442][col. a] eschuer les charges avantdites, ordeigner en cest present parlement, qe touz les douns, grantes, alienacions, regardes, et assignementz qeconqes, faitz par le dit nadgairs roy as aucunes persones, en fee, a terme de vie, ou autrement, des ditz principaltee et countee, ou d'aucunes seignuries ou revenues d'ycelles, soient tout outrement, par advys de parlement, revokez, cassez, voidez, et adnullez a touz jours: issint qe le dit treshonure seignour le prince eit et puisse avoir les ditz principaltee et countee, ove touz les seignuries, profitz, et revenues a ycelle duez et appurtenantz, franchement, pleignement, et entierment, sanz aucune embreggement ou diminucion d'icelles, en sustenance de ses treshonurables estatz avantditz. Forspris l'avowesoun de l'esglise de Seint Beblic, par le dit nadgairs roy done a la prioresse et covent de Cestre, et a lour successours, la quele esglise est a present a eux approprie, a ceo q'est dit. | May it please the royal majesty of our said lord the king, and the said lords, to grant that the charter and act of the said creation be enrolled and put on record in the roll of the said parliament, as an article assented and agreed to by our said lord the king and all the estates in it. And furthermore, may it please our said lord the king and the said lords to consider how such great, excessive and insupportable gifts, grants, alienations, rewards, and annual assignments were made from the lordships and profits of the said principality and earldom by Richard formerly king to various unworthy persons, that little or nothing remains of the said principality and earldom, from which the said most honoured prince can maintain his most honoured estate as is appropriate; with the result that for that reason it willbe proper for him, out of necessity, to have another assignment, and live off the revenues of the realm; which would be a very great burden on our said lord the king, on his realm and on all its community. Whereupon, to eschew and [p. iii-442][col. a] avoid the aforesaid burdens, to ordain in this present parliament, that all the gifts, grants, alienations, rewards and assignments of any kind made by the said former king to any persons, in fee, for the term of their lives, or otherwise, from the said principality and earldom, or from any lordships or revenues from them, should, by advice of parliament, be quite utterly revoked, quashed, made void and annulled forever: so that the said most honoured prince has and can have the said principality and earldom, with all the lordships, profits and revenues due and belonging to them, freely, fully and wholly, without any diminution or attenuation of them, in order to sustain his aforesaid most honourable estate. Excepting the advowson of the church of St Beblic, given by the said former king to the prioress and convent of Chester, and to their successors, which church is now appropriated to them, so it is said. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Quant as persones nient dignes, apres ceo q'ils soient conuz lour lettres serront repelles. | With regard to unworthy persons, when they have been identified their letters will be repealed. |
| < Pour mesme le prince. > | On behalf of the same prince. |
| 142. Item, priont les communes pur Henry vostre fitz, prince de Gales, duc de Cornewaille, et counte de Cestre; qe come, de vostre grace et puissante seignurie, il vous ad plu a luy doner et graunter toutes les debtes et arrerages de debtes, rentes, fermes, et issues quelconqes a vous, tresredoute seignour, duez et aderere devant cez heures, en les avantditz principaltee, duchee, et countee: et ascuns du conseill vostre dit fitz sont enformez, qe le darreinement roy, quant il estoit darreignement en Gales, fesoit diverses relessementz et pardons, sibien especiales come generales, as plusours des parties susdites, qe serroient a sa tresgrant damage si feurent effectueles, et esterroient en lour force. | 142. Also, the request of the commons for Henry your son, prince of Wales, duke of Cornwall and earl of Chester: whereas, of your grace and mighty lordship, it has pleased you to give and grant to him all the debts and arrears of debts, rents, farms, and issues of any kind, due and in arrears to you, most dread lord, before this time, in the aforesaid principality, duchy and earldom: and some of the council of your said son have been informed that the previous king, when he was previously in Wales, granted various discharges and pardons, both special and general, to many of the aforesaid parties, which would be to his very great harm if they were put into effect and remained in force. |
| Plese a vostre trespuissante seignurie a revoker et adnuller touz les relessementz et pardons semblables des debtes et arrerages susdites, faitez en contraire de vostre honurable doun et graunt a luy faitz en manere susdite. | May it please your most mighty lordship to revoke and annul all similar discharges and pardons of the aforesaid debts and arrears made contrary to your honourable gift and grant made to him in the aforesaid manner. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Si ascun eit pardoun ou relesse souz le grant seal, estoisent en lour force. Et touz les pardons et relesses faitz desouz le signet, ou autres tielx petites sealx, ou par bouche du dit nadgairs roy, soient repellez toutoutrement. | If anyone has a pardon or discharge under the great seal, let them remain in force. And let all pardons and discharges granted under the signet, or other such petty seals, or by the mouth of the said former king, be quite utterly repealed. |
| < Repealle de une article fait l'an unzisme. > | [Repeal of an article made in 1388]. |
| 143. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come en le parlement tenuz a Westm' lendemayn de purificacion Nostre Dame, l'an xi e du regne le roy Richard qe darrein feust, entre autres soit contenuz, qe si ascun persone, de quel condicioun q'il soit, attempte, pursue, ou presume de pursuer, en place de recorde, d'anuller, reverser, ou repeller ascun juggement, estatut, ou ordinance rendu ou fait en mesme le parlement, ou le dit parlement en < rien > a deffaire, et de ceo soit convict; q'il eit juggement come traitour a roy et a roialme, ove la forfaiture q'appent. | 143. Repeal of an article made in the eleventh year. Also, the commons pray that, whereas in the parliament held at Westminster on the morrow of the Purification of Our Lady, in the eleventh year of the reign of the former king Richard [3 February 1388], it is contained, among other things, that if any person, of whatever condition, attempts, sues or presumes to sue, in a court of record, to annul, reverse or repeal any judgment, statute or ordinance given or made in the same parliament, or in any way tries to undo the said parliament, and he is convicted of this; he should have judgment as a traitor to the king and to the realm, with the appropriate forfeiture. |
| Qe plese a lour seignour le roy, et as seignours de cest present parlement, ove l'assent des communes, adnuller et outrement repeller le dit article, come chose dishonest, et encountre l'estat de tout le roialme. Parissint qe touz les loialx lieges du roy soient francs et larges de monstrer et eux compleindre de torte, grevez, et damages a eux fait en le dit parlement, si ascuns y soient, solonc ceo qe droit et resoun demandont, come ad este fait et use en temps de vos tres nobles progenitours. | May it please their lord the king, and the lords of this present parliament, by the assent of the commons, to annul and utterly repeal the said article, as a dishonourable thing, and against the estate of the whole realm. Provided that all the king's loyal lieges should be free and at liberty to demonstrate and complain of wrongs, injuries and outrages committed against them in the said parliament, if there are any, in accordance with what right and reason demands, as has been done and in use in the time of your most noble progenitors. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| < Appell de treason. > | [Appeals of treason in parliament]. |
| 144. Item, suppliont les ditz communes, qe desorenavant nul appell de tresoun ne d'autre felonie qeconqe, soit resceu ne accepte en le parlement, eins en vos autres courtz dedeins vostre roialme, dementiers qe en voz dites courts purra estre terminez, come ad este fait et use ancienment en temps de vos ditz tresnobles [col. b] progenitours. Et qe chescun persone q'en temps avenir serra accuse ou empeche en vostre parlement, ou en ascune de voz ditz courtz, par les seignours, communes de vostre roialme, ou par ascune persone, eit defence et respounce a soun accusement ou empechement, et sur soun respounce resonable, recorde, juggement, ou triail; come d'ancien temps ad este fait et use par les bones leyes de vostre roialme. Nientobstant qe les ditz accusementz ou empeschementz soient faitz par les seignours ou communes de vostre roialme; comme qe ore tarde de novel en temps de Richard nadgairs roy ad este fait et use a contrarie, a tresgrant meschief, et tresmalveys example, de tout vostre roialme. | 144. Appeal of treason. Also, the request of the said commons: that henceforth, no appeal of treason or of any other felony of any kind should be received or accepted in parliament, but rather in your other courts within your realm, provided that it can be concluded in your said courts, as has been done and in use formerly in the time of your said most noble [col. b] progenitors. And that any person who in future is accused or impeached in your parliament, or in any of your said courts, by the lords, the commons of your realm, or by any person, should be allowed a defence and response to his accusation or impeachment, and, following his reasonable response, a record, judgment or trial; as from ancient times has been done and is the custom through the good laws of your realm. Notwithstanding that the said accusations or impeachments have been made by the lords or commons of your realm; as recently, in the time of Richard, formerly king, the contrary has been done and in use, to the very great harm of, and as a very bad precedent for, all your realm. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, qe decy enavant touz les appelles des choses faitez deins le roialme soient triez et terminez par les bones leyes faitz en temps des tresnobles progenitours nostre dit seignour le roy. Et qe touz les appelles des choses faitez hors du roialme soient triez et terminez devant les conestable et mareschalle d'Engleterre. Et qe nuls appels soient faitz en parlement desore en ascun temps avenir. (fn. iii-415-591-1) | The king wills that henceforth all appeals relating to things done within the realm should be tried and determined by the good laws made in the time of the most noble progenitors of our said lord the king. And that all appeals for things done outside the realm should be tried and determined before the constable and marshal of England. And that no appeals should henceforth be brought in parliament at any time to come. (fn. iii-415-591-1) |
| < Pour Robert Bealknap et altres justices mys in exile. > | [On behalf of Robert Bealknap and the other justices sent into exile]. |
| 145. Item, suppliont les ditz communes, qe come en le dit parlement tenuz a Westm' le jour et an susditz, Robert Bealknap', Johan Holte, Johan Cary, William Bourgh', Roger Fulthorp', et Johan Locton', adonqe justices a dit Richard alors roy, furent mys en exil et forfaiture de lour terres, tenementz, biens et chateux, a cause q'ils affermeront diverses questions estre leye, coment qe a ceo faire ils estoient chacez par compulcion, batries, manasses, et diverses autres dures, plorantes, encountre lour voluntees, par le roy adonqes et soun counseille, come la greindre partie du roialme entendent: quele matere voz ditz communes supposont une des causes de deposicion le dit Richard alors roy. | 145. On behalf of Robert Bealknap and the other justices sent into exile. Also, the commons pray that, whereas in the said parliament held at Westminster on the aforesaid day and year, Robert Bealknap, John Holt, John Cary, William Burgh, Roger Fulthorp, and John Lokton, then justices of the said Richard then king, were condemned to exile and forfeiture of their lands, tenements, goods and chattels, because they affirmed that certain questions were law, although they were driven to do this, weeping and against their will, by compulsion, beatings, threats, and various other forms of mistreatment, by the then king and his council, as the greater part of the realm understands: which matter your said commons reckon to be one of the causes of the deposition of the said Richard then king. |
| Qe plese a vostre hautesse, et tresdroiturelle discrecioun espirituelment considerer yceste matere, la veiltee, et povertee des ditz justices, et lour heirs, q'ils rien enount pur eux ent susteigner, si ne soit sur les terres et tenementz queux ils forfaiteront par le dit juggement: et de vostre benigne especiale grace grauntier a ceux q'appresent sont en vies, q'ils soient acceptez persones ables et a vous lieges come autres de vostre roialme ysont; nientobstant le juggement avantdit envers eux avant renduz: et granter a ceux a present en vie, et a les heirs de ceux qe sont mortz, en fee touz les terres et tenementz ove lour appurtenantz queux deviendront es vos mayns a cause de dit juggement, et q'il purront reavoir en heritance la remenant de touz lour terres et tenementz, en queux mayns q'ils soient; paiantz a les possessours d'ycelles atant q'ils, ou lour auncestres, renderont et paieront pur ycelles, toutdys rebatant et recoupant en les ditz paiementz le value q'ils ont resceu des ditz terres et tenementz en le mesne temps. | May it please your highness and most just discretion to reflect upon this matter, the disgrace and poverty of the said justices and their heirs, who have noth ing from which to sustain themselves, without the lands and tenements which they forfeited through the said judgment: and of your kind and special grace to grant to those who are presently alive, that they should be considered capable persons, and as loyal to you as others of your realm are; notwithstanding the aforesaid judgment previously given against them: and to grant to those who are presently alive, and to the heirs of those who are dead, all the lands and tenements with their appurtenances which came into your hands because of the said judgment, in fee, and that they should be able to have right of inheritance again of the remainder of all their lands and tenements, in whosoever's hands they are; paying to their possessors as much as they, or their forebears, gave and paid for them, but always deducting and subtracting from the said payments the issues which they have received from the said lands and tenements in the meantime. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera. | The king will consider this further. |
| [memb. 3] | |
| < Citie de Loundres. > | [Liberties of the city of London]. |
| 146. Item, priont les communes, qe come par estatut fait el temps le roy Edward aiel nostre tresredoubte seignour le roy q'ore est, l'an de soun regne vynt oeptisme, de quele la tenure s'ensuist: 'Purceo qe les [errours, defautes] , et mesprisions, qi sont notoirement usez en la citee de Loundres, pur defaute de bon governement de maire, des viscountz, et des aldermans, ne purront estre enquisez ne trovez par gentz de mesme la citee, ordeigne est et establie, qe les ditz maire, viscountz, et aldermans, q'ont la governement de la dite citee, facent redresser et corriger les defautes, errours, et mesprisions susnomez, et les duement punir de temps en temps, sur certeyne peyne: c'estassavoir au primer defaute mill marcs au roy, et a la secounde defaute deux mill marcs, et a la tierce defaute, qe la franchise de la dite citee soit prys en la mayn le roy. Et [p. iii-443][col. a] soit commence d'enquere sur eux a la Seint Michiel proschein avenir, issint q'ils ne facent dues redressementz, come desus est dit, soit enquis de lour defautes par enquestes des gents des foreins countees, c'estassavoir, Kent, Essex', Sussex', Hertford, Buk', et Berk', si bien a la suyte le roy come d'autres qi pleindre se voudront. Et si les maire, viscountz, et aldermans, soient par tielx enquestes enditez, soient faitz venir par due proces devant les justices le roy qi serront a [ceo] assignes dehors la dite citee, devant queux ils eient lour respounces sibien a roy come a la partie. Et s'il soy mettent en enquestes, soient celles enquestes prisez par gentz foreins, come desus est dit: et s'ils soient atteintz, soit la dite peyne encurru et leve des dit mair, viscountz, et aldermans, pur defaute de lour governement, et nientmayns les pleintifs recoverent lour damages au treble vers les ditz mair, viscontz, et aldermans. Et par cause qe les viscountz de Loundres sont parties a ceste bosoigne, soit le conestable de la tour, ou soun lieutenant, ministre en lieu des viscountz a resceiver les briefs, sibien originalx de la chauncellerie come judicialx souz les sealx des justices, affaire ent execucioun en la dite citee. Et soit processe fait par attachementz et par distresse, et par exigende si mestier y soit: issint qe a la suyte le roy soit l'exigende agarde apres le primer capias retourne, et a la tierce capias retourne a la suyte de partie. Et si les maire, viscountz, et aldermans eient terres ou tenementz dehors la citee, soit proces fait devers eux par attachementz et distresses en mesmes les countees ou les terres et tenementz sont. Et qe chescun des ditz maire, viscontz, et aldermans, qe viendra devant les ditz justices, respoigne singulerement pur luy mesmes, sibien a peril des autres qi sont absentz come de luy mesmes. Et cest ordinance tenuz soit ferme et estable nientcontresteiantz fraunchises, privileges, ou custumes qeconqes. Et ceste ordenance se extende as autres citees et burghes du roialme, ou tielx defautes ou mesprisions sont [uses, et] nemye duement corrigez et redressez. Sauve, qe les enquestes soient prises par gentz foreins de mesme le countee ou tielx citees et burghes sont. Et qe la peyne de ceux des citees, burghes, et villes qe de ceo serront atteintz, soit adjugge par discrecioun des justices qi a ceo serront assignez.' (fn. iii-415-600-1) | 146. The city of London. Also, the commons pray that, whereas by statute made in the time of King Edward the grandfather of our most dread lord the present king, in the twenty-eighth year of his reign, of which the tenor follows: Because the offences, faults and crimes which notoriously take place in the city of London, for lack of good government by the mayor, the sheriffs and the aldermen, cannot be investigated or uncovered by people of the same city, it has been ordained and established, that the said mayor, sheriffs and aldermen, who exercise government in the said city, should arrange for the faults, offences and crimes named above to be rectified and corrected, and appropriate punishments enforced from time to time, on pain of a certain penalty: that is, for the first offence 1000 marks to the king, and for the second offence 2000 marks, and at the third offence, that the franchise of the said city should be taken into the hand of the king. And [p. iii-443][col. a] let inquiries into them be made starting next Michaelmas, and, if they do not improve matters, as noted above, let their offences be investigated by inquests made by people of other counties, that is, Kent, Essex, Sussex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire, either at the king's suit or at that of others who wish to complain. And if the mayor, sheriffs and aldermen should be indicted by such inquests, let them by due process be made to come before the king's justices who will be assigned to this outwith the said city, before whom they will make their responses both to the king and to the party. And if they put themselves on inquests, let those inquests be taken by other people, as has been noted above: and if they are convicted, let the said penalty be incurred and levied from the said mayor, sheriffs and aldermen, because of the defects in their government, and nevertheless let the plaintiffs recover their damages threefold against the said mayor, sheriffs and aldermen. And because the sheriffs of London are a party to this business, let the constable of the Tower, or his lieutenant, act as an officer in place of the sheriffs to receive the writs, both the original ones from chancery and the judicial ones under the seals of the justices, and put them into execution in the said city. And let the process be made by attachments and by distraint, and by exigent if necessary: in such a way that at the king's suit let the exigent be imposed after the first capias has been returned, and after the third capias has been returned at the party's suit. And if the mayor, sheriffs and aldermen have lands or tenements outside the city, let the process be made against them by attachments and distraints in those counties where the lands and tenements are. And that each of the said mayor, sheriffs or aldermen who comes before the said justices should reply individually for himself, both at the peril of the others who are absent and at his own. And this ordinance should be held firm and binding, notwithstanding franchises, privileges, or customs of any kind. And this ordinance should be extended to other cities and boroughs of the realm where such faults or crimes are committed and not duly corrected and rectified. Excepting that the inquests should be taken by people foreign to that county in which any such cities and boroughs are situated. And that the penalty for those from the cities, boroughs and towns who are convicted of this should be adjudged at the discretion of the justices assigned to this. (fn. iii-415-600-1) |
| Qe plese a vostre hautesse graciousement graunter en cest present parlement, qe le dit [estatut] soit cassez, repellez, anientiz, et chescun article d'ycelle adnullez pur touz jours, par auctoritee de ceste present parlement. Considerantz, tresgracious seignour, [q'en] diverses chartres du dite citee de Loundres as maire, aldermans, viscountz, et communialtee d'ycelle, par voz nobles progenitours grauntez et confermez, entre autres articles est compris, qe pur nule personell trespas d'ascun ministre de mesme la citee, les libertees du dite citee ne soient mye prisez es mayns du roy, ne de sez heirs, ne gardeyn de la dite citee par celle cause depute, mais qe chescun ministre du dite citee serreit puniz solonc la quantitee de soun trespas. Et q'en mesmes les chartres est auxi contenuz, qe atantz de foithes qe des custumes, usages et imposicions, et auxi des purprestures, et d'autres choses qeconqes deins la fraunchise du dite citee sourdantz, a la communialtee du dite citee, ou a ascun officer d'ycelle deyns la libertee du dite citee [regardantz, doit estre] enquis par les citezeins du dite citee, et nemye par autres. Et considerantz auxi, tresgracious seignour, q'il est grant inconvenience, et encountre droit et commune leye de la [terre, qe mesprision ou] trespas fait en une countee serreit trie par gentz d'autre countee. Considerantz auxi, qe le dit estatut est expressement fait encontre la tenure et effect de la [grande chartre] . | May it please your highness graciously to grant in this present parliament that the said statute be quashed, repealed, cancelled, and each article of it annulled forever, by authority of this present parliament. Considering, most gracious lord, that in various charters of the said city of London, granted and confirmed by your noble progenitors to its mayor, aldermen, sheriffs and community, it is specified, among other articles, that for no personal trespass committed by any officer of the same city should the liberties of the said city be taken into the king's hands, or those of his heirs, nor should a warden of the said city be appointed for that reason, but that each officer of the said city should be punished in accordance with the extent of his trespass. And that in the same charters it is also stated that, as often as customs, usages and impositions, and also purprestures, and other questions of any kind arise within the franchise of the said city, which concern the community of the said city or any of its officers within the liberty of the said city, this should be enquired into by the citizens of the said city, and not by others. And considering also, most gracious lord, that it is a great misfortune, and against right and the common law of the land, that a crime or trespass made in one county should be tried by people from another county. Considering also, that the said statute is expresssly contrary to the tenor and effect of the Great Charter. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, qe les peynes sibien de les mille marcs et les deux mille marcs, come del seisine de fraunchise, ne [col. b] soient mye [limitez en certein, mes qe la peine] en cest cas soit par advis et [discrecion] des justices a ceo assigners, come autres citees et bourghes sont deins le roialme. Et qe le remenant de l'estatut, et le proces d'icelle, estoise en sa force. (fn. iii-415-603-1) | The king wills that the penalties, both of the one thousand marks and the two thousand marks, and of the seizure of franchise, should not [col. b] be specified in particular, but that the penalty in such cases should be in accordance with the advice and discretion of the justices assigned to this, as is the case in other cities and boroughs within the realm. But that the remainder of the statute, and its process, should remain in force. (fn. iii-415-603-1) |
| < Burgeses de Mellcombe. > | [Fee-farm, etc. of the town of Melcombe]. |
| 147. Item, suppliont humblement voz povers oratours et lieges, lez burgeis de vostre ville de Melcombe, qe come Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre le secound puys le conquest, considerant coment la dite ville avoit este tressovent arce et destruite par sodeignes assautes des enemys, et qe plusours hommes eiantz francz tenementz en mesme la ville, [et autres illoeqes, se] departiront hors du dite ville, ensemble ove touz lour biens et chateux, et mesme la ville outrement refuseront pur tielx damages et periles, et autres diverses [grevouses charges des quelles la] dite ville estoit chargez, mesme le nadgairs roy, le quinte jour de marcs, l'an de soun regne xvij e , de sa grace especiale, et de l'assent de soun counseille, [par ses lettres] patentes [granta as] ditz burgeis, q'ils et lour heirs et successours serroient quitez, et toutdyz annuelment deschargez, sibien de les oept marcs, les queux mesmes les burgeis [estoient tenuz de] paier annuelment pur la fee ferme de la dite ville a dit nadgairs roy, come de les dismes et quinzismes a mesme le roy et a sez heirs par la communialtee de [soun roialme] a grauntiers pur terme de dousze ans alors proscheignement ensuantz, come en les ditez lettres est contenuz pluys au pleyn. (fn. iii-415-606-1) | 147. Burgesses of Melcombe. Also, your poor petitioners and lieges, the burgesses of your town of Melcombe, humbly beg that whereas Richard, formerly king of England, the second since the conquest, considering how the said town had frequently been burnt and destroyed in sudden attacks by enemies, and that many men who held free holdings in the same town, and others elsewhere, had left the said town, taking with them all their goods and chattels, and had completely abandoned the same town, because of these damages and perils, and the other numerous and grievous burdens with which the same town was charged, the same former king, on 5 March in the seventeenth year of his reign [1394], of his special grace, and by the assent of his council, by his letters patent, granted to the said burgesses that they and their heirs and successors would be quit and discharged, each year forever, both from the eight marks which the same burgesses had been obliged to pay annually for the fee-farm of the said town to the said former king, and from the tenths and fifteenths to be granted to the same king and his heirs by the community of his realm, for a term of twelve years then following, as is more clearly specified in the said letters. (fn. iii-415-606-1) |
| Plese a vostre tresexcellent et tresgracious seignurie ratifier, approver, et confermer les dites lettres, et graunter as ditz suppliantz, qe tanqe al fyn des ditz dousze ans ils soient quitez et descharges [sibien de la dite] fee ferme, come des dismes et quinzismes en le mesne < temps > a grauntiers par le communialtee du dit roialme. Et enoutre, de vostre treshabundant grace et almoigne, graunter pur vous et pur voz heirs, [en quant] q'en vous est, as ditz suppliantz, q'ils et lour heirs et successours, apres qe les ditz .xij. ans serront plenerment accompliz, [purront] estre quitz et deschargez par sys ans adonqe proscheins ensuantz, sibien de la dite fee ferme come de les dismes et quinzismes a vous en le mesne temps a grauntiers, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please your most excellent and most gracious lordship to ratify, approve and confirm the said letters, and to grant to the said supplicants that until the end of the said twelve years they should be quit and discharged both of the said fee-farm, and of the tenths and fifteenths to be granted in the meantime by the community of the said realm. And furthermore, of your most abundant grace and alms, to grant for you and for your heirs, insofar as it lies within your power, to the said supplicants, that they and their heirs and successors, after the said twelve years have come to an end, can be quit and discharged for six years then following, both of the said fee-farm and of the tenths and fifteenths to be granted to you in the meantime; for God, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Aient confirmacion solonc la tenure du patent a eux graunte par nadgairs roy Richard. (fn. iii-415-609-1) | Let them have confirmation in accordance with the tenor of the patent granted to them by the former king Richard. (fn. iii-415-609-1) |
| < Merchauntes de Loundres. > | [Packers of cloth in London]. |
| 148. Item, suppliont et monstrent touz les merchantz [et citezeins de la citee de] Loundres, [et eux] compleignont de ceo [qe de tout] temps dont memorie [ne court, touz maner merchantz] de la dite citee ont pakkez ou faire pakker par lours proprez servantz touz lour proprez draps issantz de la dite porte de Loundres, sicome touz autres merchantz, ou touz [autres merchantz en] touz autres citees et portes du roialme d'Engleterre ount faitz, et unquore font, tanqe ore qu'entour icestes .xx. ans passes, certeins persones pur lour singuler profit [ount pursuiz et] continuez par patent du Roy Richard, qe fust l'office de pakkure, issint qe nul drap passera hors de la dite porte de Loundres avant q'il soit pakke par eux: [et dont ils] voillent [avoir pur chescun] drap i d. et de .iij. peces de Kersey i d. q'amont a grant somme par an; a grant disease et damage des ditz pleintifs. | 148. Merchants of London. Also, all the merchants and citizens of the city of London explain, and beg, and complain that always, from time immemorial, all manner of merchants of the said city have packed or made their own servants pack all their own cloth exported from the said port of London, just as all other merchants, and all other merchants in all the other cities and ports within the realm of England have done, and still do; until recently, within the last twenty years, certain persons for their own profit requested and were granted by patent of King Richard, that there should be an office of packer, so that no cloth might leave the said port of London before it was packed by them: and for this they demand for each piece of cloth 1d., and for 3 pieces of Kersey 1d., which amounts to a great sum each year; to the great distress and misfortune of the said plaintiffs |
| Qe plese a vostre hautesse d'ordeiner en ycest present parlement, [qe voz ditz patentes] ensi grauntez, et l'usage d'ycelle, soient adnullez, et qe les ditz merchantz, et touz autres merchantz decy en apres de la dite citee, soient auxi francs et quitez du dite [pakkure sicome les] esterlinges en la dite citee sont, et come touz autres merchantz en touz autres citees, villes, et portes du dit roialme d'Engleterre: pur [p. iii-444][col. a] Dieu et en oevre de [charitee, considerantz] , qe nully ne pakkera les draps des esterlings en la dite citee forsqe lours propres servantz, ou ceux q'ils voillent avoir. | May it please your highness to ordain in this present parliament that your said patents thus granted, and this custom, be annulled, and that the said merchants, and all other merchants henceforth in the said city, should be as free and quit from the demands of the said packers as the easterlings in the said city are, and as all other merchants in all the other cities, towns and ports in the said realm of England are: for [p. iii-444][col. a] God and by way of charity, considering that no-one packs the cloth of the easterlings in the said city except for their own servants, or those whom they wish to employ. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Accordez est et assentuz, qe les merchantz de Loundres desorenavant soient auxi francs de pakker lour draps, et [quittez de mesme la] pakkure, come [sont] lez autres [merchantz, ou autres] estrangers deins la dite citee, ou deins autres citees et burghes deins le roialme. Et si ascuns lettres patentes soient faites au contraire, q'eles soient tout outrement [repellez et] adnullez, et tenuz de nulle force ne vertue. (fn. iii-415-615-1) | It has been agreed and assented, that the merchants of London henceforth should be as free to pack their cloth, and quit of the aforesaid packers, as are the other merchants or other foreigners in the said city, or in other cities and boroughs in the realm. And if any letters patent have been made to the contrary, that they should be quite utterly repealed and annulled, and held to have no force or power. (fn. iii-415-615-1) |
| < Estraungers. > | [Foreigners importing fish to London]. |
| 149. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come ordenance fust faite par estatut, qe chescun estranger qe se voudra emporter ou amesner pessoun du meer ou de ewe douce a Loundres, [qe eux] viendront frankement, come ils ont fait devant cest temps, pur le commune profit du roialme, [et les vendront] en les lieus a eux assignez; [qe] mesme l'ordinance estoise en sa force, nient contresteiant une patente faite encontre par le Roy Richard, qe fuist a soun passage en Irland. | 149. Foreigners. Also, the commons pray that, whereas an ordinance has been made by statute, that any foreigner who wishes to bring in or import sea or freshwater fish to London may come freely, as they have done previously, for the common profit of the realm, and they can come to the places assigned to them; that the same ordinance should remain in force, notwithstanding a patent made to the contrary by King Richard, which was issued during his journey to Ireland. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet, qe l'estatut ent fait soit fermement tenuz et gardez, et duement execut solonc la fourme et effecte d'icelle; nientcontresteiantez lez lettres patentes nadgairs grauntez a contraire as pessoners de Loundres, par le dit nadgairs roy Richard, sur soun darrein passage vers Irland. (fn. iii-415-620-1) | The king wills that the statute made concerning this be firmly kept and observed, and duly executed in accordance with its form and effect; notwithstanding the letters patent lately granted to the contrary to the fishmongers of London, by the said former king Richard, during his recent journey to Ireland. (fn. iii-415-620-1) |
| < Suplications. > | [Replies to the commons' petitions]. |
| Item, suppliont les communes, qe come vos lieges vous baillont supplicacions solonc lour affaires, les uns en salvacioun [de] lour vies, et les autres en [salvacioun de lour estate, de] queux ne purront avoir respounce, noun sachantz de queux les demander. | Petitions. Also, the commons pray that whereas your lieges deliver petitions to you in relation to their affairs, some to protect their lives, some to protect their estates, for which they are not able to have a reply, as they do not know to whom such requests should be made. |
| Par quoy vous plese, par vostre noble discrecioun assigner tiel, qe vous purra [faire relacion, et doner respounce] a mesmes les suppliantz voz lieges, qe vous suppliont solonc lour supplicacions; a fyn qe voz lieges ne soient [anientissez ne destruitz] par defaute [de respounce, come ils] ont estez devant cest temps. | May it please you, therefore, through your noble wisdom, to assign some person who can report to you and give replies to the same supplicants your lieges who bring their requests to you, in accordance with their petitions; so that your lieges are not ruined or destroyed for lack of a reply, as they have been before now. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Suent au chaumberlayn, et au counseille. | Let them sue to the chamberlain and to the council. |
| [memb. 2] | |
| < Justices de pees. > | [Appointment of justices of the peace]. |
| 150. Item, suppliont les ditz communes en cest present parlement, qe come un estatut fuist fait l'an le Roy Edward vostre aiel, qe Dieu assoille, xxxv e , qe les pluys vaillantz hommes, et ceux qe sont de bone fame et de bone condicioun, soient faitz justices de pees en les countees ou ils sont demurrantz; (fn. iii-415-629-1) encontre quel estatut, ascuns des ditz justices sont faitz par brocage, [et] [...] et tielx qe sont maynteignours des quereles, et extorcioners, en prejudice de voz lieges. | 150. Justices of the peace. Also, the said commons in this present parliament beg that, whereas a statute was made in the thirty-fifth year of King Edward your grandfather, whom God absolve, that the most worthy men, and those of good repute and good standing, should be made justices of the peace in the counties where they live; (fn. iii-415-629-1) contrary to which statute, some of the said justices are appointed through bribery, and . . . and some who are maintainers of quarrels, and extortioners, to the prejudice of your lieges. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| L'estatut ent fait soit garde, et le chaunceller est charge par le roy de faire les pluys sufficeantz du paiis. | The statute made on this matter should be kept, and the chancellor is charged by the king with appointing the most suitable people in the country. |
| < Viscountes. > | [Sheriffs and writs of attaint]. |
| 151. Item, suppliont les communes, qe la ou diversez briefs sont maundez et directez a viscontz pur enquerer parentre partie et partie, come en cas de dowerie, [cosinage] , aiel, besaiel, redisseisin, waste, et toutez autres briefs semblables issint as ditz viscontz directez, les jurours meyns doutent pur doner et faire faux serement en les ditz cases, [pur ceo qe nul] brief [d'atteint est] done en les cases avantditez par la commune leye, ne par estatut avant cez heures fait. | 151. Sheriffs. Also, the commons pray that, whereas various writs are sent and addressed to sheriffs to inquire between party and party, in cases such as dowry, kinship, aiel, besael, re-disseisin, waste, and other similar writs thus addressed to the said sheriffs; the lesser jurors are afraid to give or make an incorrect oath in the said cases, because no writ of attaint is allowed in the aforesaid cases by the common law, nor by any statute made before now. |
| Qe plese a vostre tresgracious seignurie de graunter le dit brief d'atteint en touz les cases avantditz, [sibien come] en autres cases. | May it please your most gracious lordship to grant the said writ of attaint in all the aforesaid cases, as well as in other cases. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit la commune leye tenuz et gardez. | Let the common law be kept and observed. |
| [col. b] | |
| < Navee d'Engleterre. > | [Enlargement of the navy]. |
| 152. Item, priont lez communes, qe soit ordeigne en cest present parlement, pur encrees del navee de vostre roialme d'Engleterre, qe nul de voz lieges ne frette ne charge nul nief [aliene ove ascunes] maners merchaundises en nul port deins vostre dit roialme, pur passer vers les parties par dela, l'ou sont niefs sufficeantz d'Engleis en mesme les ports, sur peyne de forfaiture de lours biens issint frettez et chargez: et qe nul meistre ne patroun de tiele nief aliene resceive nul frette ne charge de nul homme denizein pur l'amesner vers lez parties pardela, la ou sount niefs denizeins sufficeantz; sur peyne de perdre lour niefs a vostre treshaut roialtee en ceste partie. | 152. The English navy. Also, the commons pray that it should be ordained in this present parliament, for the enlargement of the navy of your realm of England, that none of your lieges should charter or load any alien ship with any type of merchandise in any port in your said realm, to travel overseas, while there are suitable English ships in the same ports, on pain of forfeiture of their goods thus chartered and loaded: and that no master or owner of such an alien ship should receive any freight or cargo from any native man to carry it overseas, while there are suitable native ships, on pain of losing their ships to your most high royalty in this matter. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit l'estatut tenuz et gardez. | Let the statute be kept and observed. |
| < Ryvere de Thamyse. > | [Forfeitures on the Thames]. |
| 153. Item, suppliont les communes, qe par la ou ils ont ewe graunde perde de lour shoutes alantz et passantz par le ryver del Tamys, par diverses fortunes et mysaventures devant cez heures, [qe par] le rumper d'un cabel, rope, sprete, ou mast d'ascun shoute; issint q'il aveigne, qe homme, ou femme, ou enfant, soit mort ou noiez, par quele cause le dit shoute est priz tanqe a forfait, come deodaund. Par quele enchesoun les ditz communes ne osent faire shoutes, a grandes damages dez seignours et comunes de la roialme suisdit, et ceo est grande cause qe vitailles [et] diverses autres merchaundizes sont le pluys chiers sibien a Loundres come aillours en la pays, en defaute des shoutes pur cariage ent faire. | 153. The river Thames. Also, the commons pray that, whereas they have in the past incurred many losses of their flat-bottomed boats going and passing along the river Thames, through various accidents and misadventures, through the breaking of the cable, rope, sprit or mast of a flat-bottomed boat; with the result that it happens that some man, woman or child is killed or drowned, for which reason the said flat-bottomed boat is forfeited as a deodand. For which reason the said commons do not dare to make flat-bottomed boats, to the great detriment of the lords and commons of the aforesaid realm, and this is a major reason why victuals and various other commodities are dearer, both in London and elsewhere in the country, because of the lack of flat-bottomed boats to transport them. |
| Qe plese a vostre tresgracious seignurie considerer les grandes perde et meschief de vos ditz communes, et ent ordeigner et establier en cest present parlement remedie, issint qe les ditz communes puissont avoir libertee et fraunchise de la meer; c'est assavoir, si ascun tiele shoute poet sustenir luy mesmes, ou venir a terre oveqe ascun homme, femme, ou enfant vivant, qe adonqes il ne serreit tenuz pur nul forfait desorenavant. | May it please your most gracious lordship to consider the great loss and damage to your said commons, and to ordain and establish a remedy for this in this present parliament, so that the said commons can enjoy the liberty and franchise of the sea: namely, that if any such flat-bottomed boat is able to stay afloat, or come to land with any man, woman or child alive, then it should not in the future be forfeited. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit fait come ad este use pardevant. | Let it be done as has been the custom previously. |
| < Pour Thomas Stockes. > | [On behalf of Thomas Stokes]. |
| 154. Item, priont les communes pur Thomas Stokkes, qe come Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre par sez lettres patentes desouz son grant seal presenta un Thomas Stokkes soun fitz, combien par deux ans passez, a l'esglise de Middeltoun Chenduyt en la dioceise de Nicol: par vertue du quel presentement le dit Thomas le fitz fut admys, institut, et induct, sicome par les lettres de institucion, queux le dit suppliant ad prestement a monstrer, pluys pleignement appiert. Et ensi feust le dit Thomas le fitz en possible [sic: read 'pessible'] possessioun de sa dite esglise par long temps, tanqe par les instance, prier, et affeccioun du Nicole Hauberc, chivaler, faitz pur Henry Hauberc, clerc, soun friere, au dit nadgairs roy, d'avancer et faire le dit Henry persone de mesme l'esglise, encountre ley et resoun, et encontre soun graunt et soun seal, parensi qe le dit nadgairs roy, pur cest purpos et entent a parfourner, fist arester les ditz Thomas, et Thomas, par deux sergeantz d'armes, et le dit Thomas le piere feust lies en [fort feers] , et mys en garde de marchalcie, en grant duresse et distresse pluys grevousement, tanqe le dit Thomas soun fitz, pur deliverer soun dit piere de ses ditz grevouses duresses et distresses, feust comande et compelle par le dit nadgairs roy, de resigner sa dite esglise, a grant arerissement et anientissement de soun vivre, et graundes et outrages coustages et expenses importables [du] dit Thomas soun piere a touz jours. | 154. On behalf of Thomas Stokes. Also, the request of the commons for Thomas Stokes: whereas Richard, formerly king of England, by his letters patent under his great seal, presented Thomas the son of one Thomas Stokes, two years ago, to the church of Middleton Cheney in the diocese of Lincoln: by virtue of which presentation the said Thomas the son was admitted, instituted and inducted, as appears more fully in the letters of institution, which the said supplicant is willing to exhibit. And thus the said Thomas the son remained in peaceful possession of his said church for a long time, until - through the instance, prayer, and desire of Nicholas Hauberk, knight, on behalf of Henry Hauberk, clerk, his brother, to the said former king, in order to promote and make the said Henry parson of the same church, against law and reason, and against his grant and his seal - the said former king, in order to accomplish this purpose and intention, caused the said Thomas and Thomas to be arrested by two serjeants at arms, and the said Thomas the father was shackled in strong chains, and put into the keeping of the marshalsea, most grievously, to his great hardship and distress, until the said Thomas his son, in order to liberate his said father from his said grievous hardships and troubles, was commanded and compelled by the said former king to resign his said church, to the great detriment and destruction of his livelihood, and to the great and excessive cost and insupportable expense of the said Thomas his father forever. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit seignour le roy d'ordeigner duement, qe le dit Thomas le fitz purra estre restituit a sa dite esglise, si la ley de seint [esglise] le voet soffrer, en salvacioun de droit de seinte esglise, et releve et redresse de la grevouse tort de le dit Thomas, q'est outrement destruit s'il n'eit remedie en celle partie. | May it please our said lord the king duly to ordain that the said Thomas the son be restored to his said church, if the law of holy church is willing to allow it, for the salvation of the right of holy church and the relief and redress of the grievous wrong done to the said Thomas, who will be utterly ruined unless he secures a remedy in this matter. |
| [p. iii-445] | |
| [col. a] | |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy s'advisera, a cause q'il n'est mye bille du parlement, et ferra droit as toutes parties. | The king will consider this further, since it is not a bill of parliament, and will do justice to all parties. |
| < Confirmacion d'estatute l'in unzisme. > | [Confirmation of forfeitures of 1388]. |
| 155. Item, suppliont vos povers lieges de vostre roialme d'Engleterre, qe come ordeigne fust et establie par l'estatut en le parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an du Roy Richard nadgairs roy d'Engleterre unzisme, qe le dit Richard nadgairs roy deveroit avoir la forfaiture de touz les chasteux, seignuries, reversions, terres, tenementz, fees, avowesons, franchises, libertees, et touz autres possessions qe estoient Alexandre nadgairs ercevesqe de Everwyk, Robert Veer nadgairs duc d'Irland, Michel de la Pole nadgairs count de Suff', Robert Tresilian nadgairs chief justice du dit Richard nadgairs roy, forjuggez, et q'ils deveroient estre seisez es mayns du dit nadgairs roy: et qe sez grauntz officers, par advys d'autres seignours du counseille aueroient poair de vendre les ditz forfaitures par lour bone discrecioun; et qe les douns et grauntes affaire sur tiele vende serroient tenuz pur ferme et estable. | 155. Confirmation of a statute of the eleventh year. Also, your poor lieges of your realm of England request that, whereas it was ordained and established by statute in the parliament held at Westminster in the eleventh year of King Richard formerly king of England [1388], that the said former king Richard should have the forfeiture of all the castles, lordships, reversions, lands, tenements, fees, advowsons, franchises, liberties, and all other possessions which belonged to Alexander formerly archbishop of York, Robert de Vere formerly duke of Ireland, Michael de la Pole formerly earl of Suffolk, Robert Tresilian formerly chief justice of the said Richard formerly king, who were forejudged, and that they should be seized into the hands of the said former king: and that his great officers, on the advice of other lords of the council should have power to sell the said forfeitures according to their discretion; and that the gifts and grants to be made as a result of that sale would be held to be valid and binding. |
| Qe plese graunter en cest present parlement, qe touz les ditz douns et grauntes faitez sur les vendes des ditz forfaitures touchantz mesmes les persones, ensemblement ove touz autres recoveres par vertue et ordinance d'icelle parlement, par taille, joyntures, ou autre title qeconqes, soient affermez et ratifiez; nounobstantz aucuns autres recoveres, douns, ou grauntez a contraire faitz as persones qeconqes, countre l'effect del dit parlement l'an xi e . Et ceo auxi bien par vos tresgracious lettres patentes, come par estatut, sanz fyn ou fee ent paier. | May it please you to grant in this present parliament that all the said gifts and grants made as a result of the sale of the said forfeitures touching the same persons, together with all other recoveries by virtue and ordinance of that parliament, by entail, jointure or any other title whatsoever, should be confirmed and ratified; notwithstanding any other recoveries, gifts or grants made to the contrary to any persons whatsoever, against the effect of the said parliament of the eleventh year. And this should be done both by your most gracious letters patent and by statute, without payment of any fine or fee for this. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Estoise l'estatut en sa force touchantz les ventes tantsoulement. Et ceux qi voillent suer, eient confirmacion, paiant le fyn et fee. (fn. iii-415-662-1) | Let the statute remain in force with regard to the sales only. And let those who wish to sue have confirmation, paying the fine and fee. (fn. iii-415-662-1) |
| < Pardon. > | [General pardon]. |
| 156. Item, suppliont les communes, qe plese a nostre tresredoubte seignour le roy, de pardoner et relesser generalment a touz sez lieges d'Engleterre la seute de sa pees pur touz maners dez tresons et felonies faitez, et les utlagaries, [si nuls y] soient, par [yceux enchesons] en eux, ou en ascun de eux, pronunciez. Forspris murdres, rapes des femmes, communes larons enditez, ceux qe sont provours, ceux qe sont appellez de mort [de homme a seute de partie, ceux qe sont] pris ove maynovre, et ceux qe debrusont la prisoun le roy; et forspris certeins persones des queux les nouns sont compris en cest present parlement; et forspris [touz yceux qe furent a le murdre] le duc de Gloucestre; sanz suer ent chartre de pardoun. | 156. Pardon. Also, the commons pray that it might please our most dread lord the king to pardon and generally to excuse all his lieges of England the suit of his peace for all kinds of treasons and felonies committed, and the outlawries, if there are any, pronounced for those reasons against them, or against any of them. Excepting murders, rapes of women, indicted common thieves, those who are approvers, those who have been appealed for homicide at the suit of a party, those who have been caught in the act, and those who have broken the king's prison; and excepting certain persons whose names are included in this present parliament; and excepting all those who were at the murder of the duke of Gloucester; without suing a charter of pardon for this. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy [le voet] ; issint qe ceux qe voillent avoir bienfice de ceste pardoun, pursuent lour chartres en especiale parentre [cy et] le fest de [Touz Seints proschein a venir] . (fn. iii-415-667a-1) | The king wills it; on condition that those who wish to have the benefit of this pardon should sue for their individual charters between now and the feast of All Saints next [1 November]. (fn. iii-415-667a-1) |
| [memb. 1] | |
| < Pour Robert de Workysley. > | [On behalf of Robert de Workesley]. |
| 157. Item, supplie treshumblement Robert de Workysley, de countee de Lancastre, qe come un Nicolas de Workysley, par faux ymaginacion, conspiracie, et compassement, de l'assent, et par abettement de Mounsire Johan de Massy de Tatton', Thomas soun fitz, Geffrey et Richard sez frieres, pur le dit suppliant anientier et destruer, nadgairs pursuist une bille a le Roy Richard qi darrein feust, devers le dit suppliant, en ycestes paroles: 'Jeo Nicolas de Workysley appelle Robert de Workysley, de ceo qe le dit Robert disoit en le Manoir de Workysley deins le countee de Lancastre, q'il n'avoit doute de nostre seignour le roy ne de nul autre touchant le droit du dit manoir, vivant soun seignour de Lancastre. Et auxi, < de ceo > qe le dit Robert chivacha en manere de guerre ove gents d'armes et archiers encontre nostre seignour le roy et sa corone, trayterousement; c'estassavoir l'an nostre dit seignour le roy .xi., en le moys de [col. b] Decembre et Janver, a Harengey Park, et a Loundres, queles choses jeo le dit Nicolas voille prover sur le corps le dit Robert, ou autrement come la court voet agarder q'il doit faire, et protest d'amenuser et encrescer ma dite bille d'appelle.' La quele bille feust outrement faux. Par vertue de quele bille le dit roy maunda soun brief direct a Mounsire Rauf de Radclif, adonqes viscount de Lancastre, en le moys de Novembre darrein passe, de prendre le dit suppliant, et luy amesner tanqe al tour de Loundres, pur illeoqes estre emprisonez al voluntee du dit roy. Et ceo sanz respounce du dit suppliant, paront il feust pris par le dit viscount el dite counte de Lancastre, et amesne al dit tour, et illeoqes mys en prisoun. En qelle prisoun il demurra a tresgrant perile de sa vie, et ses tresgraundes costages et damages, de le < dit > moys de Novembre tanqe al moys de Juyl darrein passe, torcenousemement [sic] , et sanz proces du ley, et ne poiast venir a soun respounce, tanqe al temps qe, par la grace de Dieu, par maundement de soun tresexcellent et tresredoubte seignour le Roy Henry q'ore est, il fust deliverez hors du dite prisoun. | 157. On behalf of Robert de Workesley. Also, Robert de Workesley, of the county of Lancashire, begs most humbly that, whereas one Nicholas de Workesley, through a false scheme, conspiracy, and plot, by the assent, and at the instigation of my lord John de Massy of Tatton, Thomas his son, Geoffrey and Richard his brothers, in order to ruin and destroy the said supplicant, previously submitted a bill to the former king Richard against the said supplicant, in these words: I, Nicholas de Workesley, appeal Robert de Workesley, on the grounds that the said Robert used to declare in the manor of Workesley in the county of Lancashire that he had no fear of our lord the king or of anyone else concerning his right to the said manor while his lord of Lancaster was alive. And also, that the said Robert rode out in a warlike manner with men-at-arms and archers against our lord the king and his crown, treacherously, that is in the eleventh year of our said lord the king, in the months of [col. b] December [1387] and January [1388], to Harringay Park, and to London; which things I, the said Nicholas, am willing to prove on the body of the said Robert, or in any other way that the court wishes to decree that he should do, and I declare that I may wish either to abridge or to enlarge my said bill of appeal. Which bill was utterly false. By virtue of which bill, however, the said king sent his writ addressed to my lord Ralph de Radcliffe, then sheriff of Lancashire, in the month of November last, to seize the said supplicant and take him to the Tower of London, to be imprisoned there at the said king's pleasure. And this was done without response from the said supplicant, as a result of which he was seized by the said sheriff of the said county of Lancashire and taken to the said Tower, and there put in prison. In which prison he remained in very great peril of his life, and to his very great cost and injury, from the said month of November until the month of July last, wrongfully, and without process of law, and he was not permitted to come to make his response until the time when, by the grace of God, by command of his most excellent and most dread lord the present King Henry, he was delivered out of the said prison. |
| Plese a nostre dit [tresredoute] seignour le roy, en cest present parlement de luy ordeiner remedie devers les ditz Nicolas, Johan, Thomas, Geffrey, et Richard, de les emprisonementz, perils, damages, et costages avantditz. Considerant, qe chescun povre liege [a cell] temps purreit par tiele faux suggestioun avoir este destruit, encountre chescun ley, loialtee, et conscience; pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please our said most dread lord the king, in this present parliament to ordain for him a remedy against the said Nicholas, John, Thomas, Geoffrey, and Richard, because of the aforesaid imprisonment, peril, damages, and costs. Considering that any poor liege at that time could have been destroyed by such a false accusation, against all law, faith and conscience; for God, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soient les parties faitz venir devant le counseill du roy a certeyn jour, et droit lour serra fait. | Let the parties be summoned before the king's council on a certain day, and justice will be done to them. |
| < Destourbeurs de la pees. > | [Disturbers of the peace]. |
| 158. Item, priont les communes, qe come diversez gentz ore de novelle, queux sont overtes malfaisours et destourbours de la pees, dount ascuns rien ne ount, et ceux qe ount fount feintz [feoffamentz] de lour terres et tenementz, et dons de lour biens, pur eschuer forfaitures de ycestes par cause de lour malfaites, nientmayns de ycestes terres et biens pernont les profitz; [si] sont [assemblez] par congregacioun de companye de felons et gentz utlagez, et sount par faux confederacie entre aliez, qe chescun maynteyndra autre en chescun manere de querele, sibien [faux come] loial, et enpernont quereles en lour nouns demesne, et les nouns des gentz a eux voilliantz compleindre, et s'enfuent au boys, et de lieu en autre, et de countee en autre, refusantz de estre justifiez par le roy ou sez ministres; et gisont en agait de tuer ceux vers queux ils ount pris les quereles, issint q'ils ne osent lour housbandrie faire, ne aler a lours esglises parochieles, [ne] entour lours autres bosoignes, sanz multitude des gentz. Et ceux qe ne poont par costages tiele multitude reteigner perdont tout outrement les [profitz] de lour terres, et s'enfuent hors du [pays] , atant manasses par les ditz malfaisours [de perdre] lour vies et membres, s'ils ou ascun autre en lour noun pursue vers eux la [commune] ley. Et des tenantz, servantz, et alies de ceux vers queux ils ount prys les quereles, ascuns batount, et naufront, ascuns derobbont, et de ascouns pernont raunsons [pur] eux suffrer demurrer en lour mesons, et ascuns font jurer qe mes ne tiendront de lour seignours sur peyne de perdre lours vies. Et les gents en pays demurrantz ne osont les ditz malfaisours, esteantz a large, enditer, pur doute de mort, ou arsons de lour mesons. Et lez ditz malfaisours alont as fayres, marches, et esglises, en grantz routes, armez en manere de guerre, en [affray] de la pees; issint qe nul ministre le roy, ne nul autre qe n'est mye de lour affinitee, ne ose mye as ditz fayres, marches, n'esglises approcher, pur lour bosoignes faire, ne divine service [oier] . | 158. Disturbers of the peace. Also, the commons pray that, whereas various people, who are blatant malefactors and disturbers of the peace, some of whom have nothing, while those who do make false feoffments of their lands and tenements, and gifts of their goods, in order to avoid forfeiting them because of their misdeeds, and nevertheless take the profits from these lands and goods; have recently assembled together as a company of felons and outlaws, and have allied with each other in a false conspiracy, with the intention that they will all support one another in any kind of quarrel, whether false or true, and they take up quarrels in their own names or in the names of people wishing to complain to them, and they flee to the woods, from place to place, and from county to county, refusing to submit to the justice of the king or his ministers; and they lie in wait to kill those against whom they have taken up quarrels, with the result that those persons do not dare to perform their husbandry, nor to go to their parish churches, nor to go about their other business, except in the company of many others. And those who cannot, because of the costs, keep such a company of people lose utterly the profits of their lands, and flee from the country, because they are threatened to such an extent by the said malefactors with losing their lives and limbs if they, or any other person in their name, pursues the common law against them. And of the tenants, servants and associates of those against whom they have taken up quarrels, they assault and wound some, they rob some, and from some they take ransoms for allowing them to remain in their houses, and some they make swear that they will not take any more from their lords on pain of losing their lives. And the people living in the country do not dare to indict the said malefactors, who are at large, for fear of death or the burning of their houses. And the said malefactors go to fairs, markets, and churches, along the high roads, armed in a warlike manner, to the disturbance of the peace; so that no minister of the king, or any other who is not of their company, dares to go near the said fairs, markets or churches, to do their business or hear divine service. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit tresredoubte seignour le roy, de considerer les grandes meschiefs et grevances avantditez, et le mal exemple qe ent purra suer, si due remedie [p. iii-446][col. a] ne soit mys, et ordiner [par] advis de soun tressage conseill en cest present parlement, qe nul en temps avenir ne commence ascuns des riotes susdites, sur peyne de forfaiture de touz lour terres et tenementz, biens et chateux; et qe seignours, ove gentz apris de la leye, soient assignez justices de la pees, et chargez sur lour ligeance d'entendre entour le redressement des ditz malfaitz, al suyte de chescuny [qe soi sentera greve par] ascuns des causes avantditz, et de prendre tielx malfaisours ove fort mayn s'ils purrount estre trovez, et eux deteignir en prison tanqe ils eient trove seurtee de respoundre as parties grevez, et a eux rendre lez damages quant ils sount duement atteintz, et de lour bon port en temps avenir. Et s'ils ne poont estre trovez, qe adonqes preceptes soient faitez par les ditz justices, ou ascun de eux, as viscountz de countees ou tielx meschiefs aviendront, de faire proclamacion en les chief villes des ditz countees, qe tielx malfaisours [apergent devant] lez ditz justices, ou ascun de eux, a certein jour qe contiendra l'espace d'un moys apres la dite proclamacion, de trover seurtee en manere avantdite. Et s'ils ne voillent venir au dit jour, [qe] adonqes soient adjuggez ennemys du roy et du roialme, et les terres dont tielx feyntz feoffamentz sont faitez, ovesqe touz lour autres terres et tenementz, forfaitz as chief seignours de fees par brief d'eschete, ou autrement d'ordeigner ascun autre remedie pur ouster les meschiefs avantditz, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please our said most dread lord the king to consider the aforesaid great injuries and grievances, and the bad example that may follow from it, if due remedy [p. iii-446][col. a] is not given or ordained by advice of his most wise council in this present parliament, namely that no-one in future should begin any of the aforesaid riots, on pain of forfeiture of all their lands and tenements, goods and chattels, and that lords, with people learned in the law, should be appointed as justices of the peace, and charged on their allegiance with devoting themselves to the redress of the said crimes, at the suit of anyone who feels harmed for any of the aforesaid reasons, and to take such malefactors forcibly if they can be found, and to detain them in prison until they have found pledges that they will make response to the injured parties, and that they will pay them damages when they are duly convicted, and for their good behaviour in time to come. And if they cannot be found, warrants should be issued by the said justices, or any of them, to the sheriffs of the counties where such crimes are committed, to make proclamation in the chief towns of the said counties, that such malefactors should appear before the said justices, or one of them, on a certain day, which should be a month after the said proclamation, to find pledges in the aforesaid manner. And if they do not wish to come on the said day, then they should be adjudged enemies of the king and of the realm, and the lands for which such false feoffments have been made, with all their other lands and tenements, should be forfeited to the immediate lords of the fees by writ of escheat; or otherwise to ordain some other remedy to stop the aforesaid wrongs; for God, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Celuy qe enfourma la bille viegne au roy et soun counseill pur luy enfourmer clerement, et le roy luy ferra remedie, par advys de soun counseill. | Let he who instigated this bill come to the king and his council to inform him clearly, and the king will give him redress, with the advice of his council. |
| < Hundreds et wapentakes. > | [Hundreds and wapentakes to be rejoined to their counties]. |
| 159. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come par cause de certeyns grevousez et importablez meschiefs et diseases monstrez a tresnoble Roy Edward vostre aiel, qe Dieu assoille, en soun parlement tenuz l'an secunde de soun regne, accorde feust et establie en mesme le parlement, qe les hundredes et wapentaks bailliez par luy a terme [de vie] , ou autrement, qe ancienment furent annexez as fermes des countees, serroient rejointz as countees, et qe en apres tielx wapentaks ne hundredes ne serroient donez ne [severez] des ditez [ countees; (fn. iii-415-683-1) et nientcontresteant cel accorde et ] establissement, diverses hundredes et wapentaks ont estez grauntez et donez a diverses persones puis cell temps par le Roy Richard qe nadgairs fust, encontre la fourme du dit accord, a tresgrande [damage, prejudice, et] disheritance a plusours de voz communes de le roialme. | 159. Hundreds and wapentakes. Also, the commons pray that whereas, because of certain grievous and insupportable wrongs and misfortunes which were explained to the most noble King Edward your grandfather, whom God absolve, in his parliament held in the second year of his reign [1328], it was agreed and established in the same parliament that the hundreds and wapentakes granted by him for term of life or otherwise, which had formerly been attached to the farms of the counties, would be rejoined to the counties, and that in future such wapentakes or hundreds would not be given or separated from the said counties; (fn. iii-415-683-1) yet, notwithstanding that agreement and establishment, various hundreds and wapentakes have been granted and given to various persons since that time by the former King Richard, against the intention of the said agreement, to the very great harm, prejudice and disinheritance of many of your commons of the realm. |
| Plese a vostre tresgracious et tresnoble seignurie approver la dite accorde et establissement en cest present parlement, et surce [ordeigner] , qe touz [les hundredes] et wapentaks ensi grantez ou donez par le dit Roy Richard soient reseisez en voz mayns, et liverez as viscountz des [countees en qi] baillie eux sont, a tenir come annexez a lour countees, pur l'aise et quiete de vos povers ditz communes. Et qe nul tiel grant soit ent fait a nully desoreenavant, pur Dieu, et en oevre [de charitee] . | May it please your most gracious and most noble lordship to approve the said agreement and establishment in this present parliament, and with regard to this to ordain that all the hundreds and wapentakes thus granted or given by the said King Richard should be resumed into your hands, and handed over to the sheriffs of the counties in which they are situated, to be held as attached to their counties, for the benefit and tranquillity of your poor said commons. And that no such grant should henceforth be made to anyone; for God, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Y sont plusours estatutz faitz en le cas. | There are many statutes made on the matter. |
| < Vins. > | [Royal right of prise on wines]. |
| 160. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come d'anxien temps grante feust, qe le roy qe adonqes estoit, [col. b] et touz sez successours deussent avoir de [chescun nief] charge des vyns deux [tones de vyn en noun] del prise en chescun port d'Engleterre, solonc ceo qe feust acustume et use en chescun port, tanqe qe Johan Waltham jadys evesqe de [Salesbirs] , en temps de Richard [nadgairs roy feust] tresorer d'Engleterre, torcenousement, sanz autoritee du parlement, fist le botillere prendre en chescun port devers le southe et west de chescun .x. tones un tone, et de .xx. [tones .ij. tone pur le prise] ; encontre les usages et custumes en les ditz portz usez en temps del tresnoble Roy Edward, aiel nostre seignour le roy q'ore est, ou en temps d'ascun de sez tresnobles [progenitours, et en grant] destruccion, oppression, et anientissement del povre estat des marchantz et mariners parmy touz les parties de southe et west d'Engleterre. | 160. Wines. Also, the commons pray that, whereas it was granted from ancient times that the king at the time, [col. b] and all his successors, should have from each ship loaded with wines two tuns of wine by right of prise in each port of England, in accordance with what was accustomed and in use in each port; but then John Waltham, formerly bishop of Salisbury, who was treasurer of England in the time of the former king Richard, wrongfully, without the authority of parliament, made the butler take, in each port in the south and west, a tun for each ten tuns, and two tuns for twenty tuns, for the prise; which was contrary to the usages and customs in force in the said ports in the time of the most noble King Edward, the grandfather of our lord the present king, or in the time of any of his most noble progenitors, and to the great destruction, oppression and ruin of the poor estate of the merchants and mariners throughout all the regions of the south and west of England. |
| Qe plese a [nostre] tresredoubte seignour le roy considerer le meschef, et les importables charges des subsides et autres maveys custumes, qe les ditz marchantz ount sustenuz devant cez heures, et sur ceo ordeigner en cest [present parlement] tiel remedie, [qe] le botiller, ne soun lieutenant, decy enavant ne preigne nul prise en nul des ports avantditz, autrement qe soleient prendre [el temps del] tresnoble Roy Edward, qe Dieu assoille, ou ascun temps devant; nounobstant ascun juggement rendu en l'escheqer, ou autre ordinance faite par le dit tresorer, ou [ascun autre, el] temps del dit Richard nadgairs roy, a contraire des usages avantdites; pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please our most dread lord the king to consider the harm and the insupportable burdens of the subsidies and other wrongful customs which the said merchants have hitherto borne, and on this matter to ordain in this present parliament the following remedy: that neither the butler nor his lieutenant should henceforth take any prise in any of the aforesaid ports, other than they used to take in the time of the most noble King Edward, whom God absolve, or at any time previously; notwithstanding any judgment given in the exchequer, or any other ordinance made by the said treasurer, or anyone else, in the time of the said Richard formerly king, contrary to the aforesaid usages; for God, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit use come ad este use devant ces heures. | Let it be done as has been the custom before now. |
| < [Personelles actions.] > | [Personal actions to be tried by the common law]. |
| 161. Item, suppliont les communes, qe come en temps de Richard nadgairs roy ad este use, qe plusours personeles accions parentre partie et partie, qe puissent estre determinablez par la commune ley d'Engleterre, par mayntenance de ceux qe ount estez de counseill del dit Richard nadgairs roy, pur brocage a eux fait, ils firent venir devant eux plusours des lieges nostre seignour le roy par lettres del prive seal, al suyte de partie illeoqes, pur estre tric devant lour enemye, de personell accion determinable par la commune ley d'Engleterre; dont ascuns accions sont unquore pendantz en descussion, par mayntenance de ceux qe sont adjuggez a Bristuyt pur malveys conseillours, en graunde destruccioun dez ditz lieges nostre seignour le roy, et en derogacioun de la corone, et anientissement de la commune leye. | 161. Personal actions. Also, the commons pray that, whereas in the time of Richard, formerly king, it was the custom, that in various personal actions between party and party, which should have been determinable by the common law of England, those who were of the council of the said Richard formerly king, through maintenance, in return for bribes, summoned before them many of the lieges of our lord the king by letters under the privy seal, at the suit of a party there, so that they were cheated in the presence of their enemies in personal actions determinable by the common law of England; some of which actions are still pending trial, through the maintenance of those who were adjudged at Bristol to be evil counsellors, to the great ruin of the said lieges of our lord the king, and to the detriment of the crown and the destruction of the common law. |
| Plese a nostre tresredoubte seignour le roy, par advys de soun tressage counseill, ordeigner en cest present parlement, qe touz maneres accions personeles parentre partie et partie, dont le roy n'est partie, decy enavant soient triez par la commune leye, et nemye devant le counseill nostre seignour le roy, par nulle lettre de prive seal, ne par nulle autre faux suggestioun qeconqe al seute del partie. Et qe touz les accions personeles issint pardevant ces heures dependantz devant le counseill de Richard nadgairs roy, parentre partie et partie, et unquore sont en descusse, soient adnullez, et adjournez a la commune ley, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charitee. | May it please our most dread lord the king, on the advice of his most wise council, to ordain in this present parliament that all kinds of personal action between party and party, to which the king is not a party, should henceforth be tried by the common law, and not before the council of our lord the king, by any letter of privy seal or by any other false accusation of any kind at the suit of the party. And that all the personal actions which were previously pending before the council of Richard, formerly king, between party and party, and which are still under trial, should be annulled, and adjourned to the common law; for God, and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit l'estatut ent fait tenuz et gardez, la ou l'une partie est si graunt et riche, et l'autre partie si povre q'il ne purra autrement avoir recoverer. | Let the statute made on this matter be kept and observed, when one party is so great and rich, and the other party so poor that he is not otherwise able to have recovery. |