Close Rolls, Richard II: December 1380

Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 1, 1377-1381. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1914.

'Close Rolls, Richard II: December 1380', in Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 1, 1377-1381, (London, 1914) pp. 415-416. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/ric2/vol1/pp415-416 [accessed 11 April 2024]

December 1380



	Membrane 29.
Dec. 8. Northampton.	To Richard Kendale escheator in Cornwall and Devon. Order to take a simple seisin within the gates of Tavystoke abbey, now void by death of Stephen the last abbot, and forthwith depart taking or carrying nought away, not abiding longer than one day and leaving no substitute in his room, and to suffer the prior and convent to have the keeping and administration of the abbey and the temporalities thereof as the abbot and convent might have if the see were filled, not meddling by reason of the vacancy in the keeping of the abbey, the cells, manors, property or goods thereto belonging, saving to the king the services of knights' fees during the vacancy to him pertaining by reason of his army, and the keeping of lands etc. acquired since 1 May 8 Edward II, so that by reason thereof the escheator enter not the abbey nor meddle therein; as on that date for a fine of 100 marks with him made by the abbot, the then king granted that at every vacancy the prior and convent should have the keeping and administration as aforesaid, saving knights' fees held of the abbey and advowsons when they should fall in, so that all rents and yearly services of such fees arising should remain to the prior and convent, and saving escheats then falling in, which at the end of the vacancy, namely after fealty of the abbot elect and confirmed or appointed, should remain to the abbot, prior and convent, rendering to the king for every vacancy whether it should endure four months or less 40l. within one month, and if for one whole year after those four months 100 marks, or for a less or greater time in proportion, with covenant that no sheriff, escheator etc. should meddle as aforesaid, except that in the beginning of every vacancy the escheator or other minister should take a simple seisin within the gates and forthwith depart etc., also that if in time of a vacancy the king should summon his army, the prior and convent should not be bound to service therein for knights' fees of their own demesne in their hands as aforesaid, but should be thereof quit, saving to the king the services to him pertaining by reason of such army for fees held of the abbey, and saving also the keeping of any lands etc. thenceforward acquired, so that by reason thereof no escheator or other minister of the king should enter or meddle as aforesaid.
Dec. 18. Westminster.	To the collectors of customs in the port of Suthampton for the time being. Order to pay to Garcius Arnaud de Salyns esquire, the king's liege man of his lordship of Aquitaine, 20l. a year and the arrears since 8 July last, according to the king's letters patent of that date granting him for good service 20l. a year of the custom of wool, hides and woolfells in that port from Easter last for life or until the king should take other order for his estate.
	Et erat patens.
Dec. 20. Westminster.	To the sheriffs of London. Order of the king's reverence for the feast of Christmas, that they may more peaceably worship therein and be better disposed to the king and realm, whereas John Hounde and great number of others in Newegate gaol are imprisoned for no cause but upon suspicion of adhering to the king's enemies and spying the secrets of the realm, and that it is said at the malicious prosecution of their enemies, to take of them security for their good behaviour if such they may find, or if not an oath for the same, and to set them free, certifying in chancery when this command shall be executed, and sending again this writ; as upon information received that the prisoners were ready to answer concerning whatsoever should be laid against them, for causes laid before him and the council the king ordered the sheriffs to make proclamation that any who would prosecute such prisoners taken before 1 November 3 Richard II should do so without delay, to take the best information as speedily as possible by inquisitions and otherwise touching their behaviour and condition and other circumstances, and send the same being openly had into chancery, on the king's behalf telling any who would prosecute to do so there before the king; and proclamation being so made, the sheriffs summoned before them all those at whose prosecution the said John, Robert Golde otherwise called Blerake, John Branketre, William Hoggestorne of Normandy, Alan Sheffeld, John Hugson 'Selander,' William Rypoun and Stephen Scot 'thresshere' were taken, and took divers inquisitions by true men of that city, and nought was proved for certain against them, but only that they were in suspicion for that they were found wandering in the city and repaired thither suddenly at the time the galleys were at sea, running hither and thither about the city like spies, as appears by the sheriff's certificate. By C.