Close Rolls, Richard II: May 1390 | British History Online

Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 4, 1389-1392. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1922.

'Close Rolls, Richard II: May 1390', in Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 4, 1389-1392, (London, 1922) pp. 131-142. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/ric2/vol4/pp131-142 [accessed 20 April 2024]

May 1390



May 10. Westminster.	To Edward Bokelond escheator in Dorset. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with a messuage and two carucates of land at the Gore by Shaftysbury and 26s. 8d. of yearly rent issuing from lands there now in the tenure of William Lucy knight, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as lately the king ordered the escheator to certify the cause wherefore he took into the king's hand the lands etc. of John Gyboun and Thomas Wyse, wardens of the chantry of St. Anne of the Gore in the conventual church of Shaftesbury, and he certified that it was found by inquisition, before him taken of his office, that William Cosyn with the king's licence gave and assigned the premises, also six messuages in Shaftesbury and 40 acres of land in Tarent Loweston to two chaplains and their successors celebrating every day, one at the altar of St. Anne in the said church and the other in Gore chapel, for the souls of the kings, the grantor etc., that the chaplains are and since the foundation of the chantry have ever been joint tenants of the lands etc. aforesaid, and that for three years next before the date of that inquisition those services were withdrawn by John Gyboun now warden of the chantry of Gore, who ought daily to celebrate there, by reason whereof he seized the messuage, land and rent aforesaid; and the king reckons that seizure insufficient.
May 14. Westminster.	To William Kymberley escheator in Hertfordshire. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with three messuages or houses and 10s. of rent in Berkhampstede, delivering to John Moreton any issues thereof taken; as it is found by inquisition, before the escheator taken of his office, that in 33 Edward III Robert Shepherde of Berkhampstede without obtaining licence of the king gave the same to Richard Clay, Henry Clay and John Bladyngton chaplain to find a chaplain for ever celebrating in the church of St. Peter Berkhampstede, and that from that time until the date of the inquisition the same were occupied by the said grantees, and by William Putenham and the said John Moreton; and upon petition of John Moreton, shewing that part of the said messuages and rent is of his heritage after the death of William Putenham his cousin, and part is of his own purchase, and that he was no small time in peaceable possession thereof, without that that the said Robert made the grant aforesaid, until he was unlawfully put out by colour of the said inquisition and of letters patent of 12 July last, whereby the king granted the premises, by name of three houses and 10s. of rent in Berkhampstede, to Robert Hoddesdoun yeoman of his buttery, and praying that the grant should be revoked, the king ordered the sheriff to give the said yeoman notice to be in chancery at a day past in order to shew cause for the king or for himself wherefore that grant ought not to be revoked and livery of the premises given to the petitioner, with the issues aforesaid, and the sheriff returned that he caused Nicholas Adam bailiff of the liberty of the honour of Berkhampstede to have the return of that writ, for that without the liberty it might not be executed, who answered him not, wherefore by another writ the king ordered the sheriff not to omit by reason of the said liberty to enter the same and give the said yeoman notice to be in chancery in the octaves of St. Hilary last, and the sheriff returned that he gave him notice by John Chalfhunte and John Croudere; and on that day came the said yeoman by Henry Assheburne and John Clerk his attorneys and John Moreton by John Asplioun his attorney, and the said yeoman alleged that he held the premises by grant of the king and without the king ought not to answer, craving the king's aid, whereupon a day was given them on the morrow of Ascension day last, John Moreton being told to sue with the king meantime for licence to proceed, if he should think fit; and at that day the parties appeared as aforesaid, and John Moreton produced a writ of privy seal to proceed in the cause, and after view etc. of the said inquisition before the justices and others of the council learned in the law, it seemed to them that the cause of the seizure was insufficient.
	Membrane 11.
May 1. Westminster.	To Walter Stirkeland escheator in Northumberland. Order to give Joan late the wife of Donald de Hesilrige knight livery of a third part of the manor of Eslyngton, and a third part of moieties of the towns of Whityngham, Throuton and Barton; as it is found by inquisition, taken before John Mitford late escheator, that the said Donald at his death was seised of two thirds of the said manor and moieties, and of the reversion of one third thereof held in dower by Elizabeth who was wife of Robert de Eslyngton knight, as jointly enfeoffed with the said Joan to them and the said Donald's heirs, that the said manor is held of the king by knight service and by the service of rendering 100s. a year, the said towns by knight service and the service of one sore sparrowhawk, and that William Hesilrige is brother and heir of the deceased, and of full age; and it is after found by another inquisition, taken before the said late escheator, that Elizabeth who was wife of John Heroun knight was at her death seised of a third part of the said manor and moieties in dower by endowment of the said Robert her husband, with reversion, by virtue of a feoffment made by John de Suwardby to the said Robert and Isabel his wife and to the heirs of their bodies, to William de la Vale, being son of William de la Vale knight and Christiana his wife daughter and heir of the said Robert and Isabel, and that William de Bowes son of Elizabeth is her next heir of blood, and of full age; and it is after found by another inquisition, taken before Matthew de Redman, Ralph de Eure, Gerard Heroun, John de Lilleburne and the said John de Mitford by commission of the king, that the said Elizabeth at her death held the third part of the said manor and moieties in dower by endowment of the said Robert, who died thereof seised, that after his death the same descended to George his son and heir, that he died thereof seised, that Elizabeth and Isabel his sisters were his next heirs, that the manor and moiety were seized into the late king's hand, and Elizabeth wife of John Heroun was then dowered of a third part thereof, with reversion to Elizabeth and Isabel as sisters and heirs of the said George, that by fine levied in the late king's court the said Isabel granted to the said Donald and to his heirs a moiety of two thirds of the said manor and moieties, and the reversion of a moiety of the third part thereof then held in dower of her heritage, by virtue of which fine John Heroun and Elizabeth his wife attorned tenants to the said Donald, that he gave the moiety and reversion so granted him to Thomas Surteys knight, Hugh de Westwyk and Edmund Hesilrig, their heirs and assigns, to whom John Heroun and Elizabeth his wife attorned tenants, that the grantees by charter gave the said moiety and reversion to the said Donald and Joan and to the said Donald's heirs, to whom John Heroun and Elizabeth his wife attorned tenants, that Elizabeth the other sister of George died seised of the other moiety of the said two thirds and reversion, that after her death the same descended to Isabel as her sister and heir for that she died without issue, that by fine levied in the late king's court the said Isabel granted that moiety of the said two thirds and of the reversion likewise to the said Donald and Joan and to the said Donald's heirs, to whom John Heroun and Elizabeth his wife attorned tenants, that the said Donald is dead, that William Hesilrig is his brother and next heir, and therefore that the third part of the said manor and moiety held in dower as aforesaid ought after the death of Elizabeth wife of John Heroun to revert to the said Joan and not to William son of William de la Vale, and after her decease to William Hesilrig; and upon petition of the said Joan for livery thereof, the king ordered the sheriff to give notice to William son of William de la Vale to be in chancery at a day past in order to shew cause wherefore livery ought not to be given to her, and the sheriff returned that he is dead, wherefore by another writ the king ordered the sheriff to give like notice to his heirs and the tenants of his lands to be in chancery in the quinzaine of Easter last, and he returned that he gave notice to Henry de Eslyngton cousin and heir of the said William son of William by Hugh Hunter, William Smyth, John Turnour and John Daunt, at which day the said Henry came not.
May 16. Westminster.	To the constable of the Tower of London and to his lieutenant. Order to receive Perceval Pensax and William his son of such as shall deliver them in the king's name, and to keep them in custody in the Tower until further order of the king and council.
	By K. and C.
May 16. Westminster.	To the mayor and bailiffs of Kyngeston upon Hull, and the collectors of customs and subsidies in that port. Order, upon petition of the prior of Lewes, to suffer him to put on board a vessel to be hired for the purpose six fothers of lead which he caused to be purveyed within the realm and brought to that port, and without payment of custom or subsidy to bring the same to the city of London, Lewes, Wynchelse, Seford or Shorham; as William Wyntryngham and Gilbert Hamme have mainperned in chancery under a pain of double the value that the same shall be brought thither and not to any foreign parts.
May 6. Westminster.	To Walter Clopton and his fellows, justices appointed to hold pleas before the king. Order by writ of nisi prius to command that an inquisition which remains to be taken between the king and Edmund Basset concerning lands in Wynflyth, Salforde, Dondray, Barwe, Bacwille, Haselle, Rochel, Lutelton and Aschton co. Somerset and the advowson of Wynflyth church be taken before those justices or one of them, before one of the justices of the Common Bench or the justices of assize in Somerset.
	Membrane 10.
March 23. Westminster.	To the sheriff of Oxford for the time being. Order every year to pay 6d. a day to Thomas Mau of Oxfordshire the king's serjeant during his life, and to pay him the arrears since 10 October 9 Richard II, on which date for good service to the late king and to the king since his coronation in the estate and office of an archer of the crown the king granted him for life 6d. a day by the sheriff's hands.
	Et erat patens.
April 3. Westminster.	To Hugh Crane and Thomas Wolvelee collectors of alnage upon cloths made in the city of Winchester and county of Suthampton. Order of the subsidy of alnage to pay to the king's tenants dwelling in the said city 20l. a year for five years, and the arrears since 15 September 13 Richard II, on which date the king granted them the said subsidy to the value of 20l. a year for five years for repair of the walls about the city, by oversight and control of Richard Frye and John Blake, for that they were much impoverished by great number of plagues and calamities which many times of late have happened among them, so that answer be made to the king for any surplus.
	Et erat patens.
April 12. Westminster.	To John de Cobeham and William Rikhille and to their fellows, justices of the peace in Kent. Order, at the request of the archbishop of Canterbury, before the octaves of Trinity next to cause the indictments for extortion and trespass made against Robert Bradegare, John Hasilden and other officers and ministers of the archbishop, as the king has learned by his report, to come before the king in his Bench. By p.s. [6252.]
April 13. Westminster.	To the collectors in the port of London of the subsidy of 3s. upon every tun of wine and 6d. in the pound. Order without taking custom or subsidy to suffer John de Holand earl of Huntingdon, captain of Brest castle, by himself and his servants to lade in ships in that port and take over to the said castle 200 bows and 300 bowstrings for furnishing the same, any former command of the king to the contrary notwithstanding. By C.
April 21. Westminster.	Order to the sheriff of Salop for election of a coroner instead of William Lee of Wyl[d]erthope, who is insufficiently qualified.
April 24. Westminster.	Like order mutatis mutandis, to the sheriff of Devon for election of a coroner instead of Thomas Dabroun, who is sick and aged.
April 20. Westminster.	Like order to the sheriff of Norhampton concerning Richard de Toucestre.
April 30. Westminster.	To John Polymoud and John Thorp collectors of the subsidy upon wool, hides and woolfells in the port of Suthampton. Order of the issues of that subsidy to pay to Reynold Grille merchant of Genoa (Janua) 200l. to him assigned by a tally levied at the receipt of the exchequer, any assignment made to any other person notwithstanding.
May 6. Westminster.	To the mayor and bailiffs of Lincoln. Order by distress and otherwise, as they shall deem best, to compel the citizens of Lincoln whatsoever assessed to the building of a hall [to contribute] every man the portion for which he is assessed, sparing none; as on their behalf the king is informed that a hall called the 'Gildhalle' situate of old time athwart the street which leads through the midst of the city, and appointed for holding the city pleas and for assembly of the citizens for matters which concern the common weal, was by common assent of the citizens pulled down because of the weakness thereof and for that the ground floor (area) thereof was low and very inconvenient and a nuisance to great number of strangers coming to the city with their victuals, and that although by common assent and will of the commonalty another hall is there begun, loftier and more convenient for the citizens and for strangers flocking thither with victuals, certain citizens recking nought of the honesty and advantage of the city but with evil mind cleaving rather to their own will are refusing to contribute to the building thereof, wherefore prayer is made to the king for a helping hand; and the king is aware that the hall is begun for the advantage and credit of the city, and may not be finished without great cost. Proviso that by colour of this writ nought towards the building be levied of strangers coming to the city with victuals or other wares.
	Et erat patens.
May 3. Westminster.	To the mayor and bailiffs of Lincoln. Order, for particular causes laid before the king in the last parliament, to take of the whole commonalty of that city security under a pain of 10,000 marks that they shall make no riots or unlawful assemblies etc. (as above, p. 123).
May 7. Westminster.	To the sheriff of Lincoln. Order without delay, under a pain of 100l., to deliver to the mayor and bailiffs of Lincoln a writ to them addressed, which the king is sending by the bearer of these presents, directing them to take security etc., and order to certify in chancery the date of such delivery.
	Membrane 9.
May 7. Westminster.	To the tenants, farmers or keepers of the manors of Calestoke and Tremeton, or to other the receiver of the issues thereof for the time being. Order to pay to Henry Kirkestede the king's esquire 10l. a year for life and the arrears since 22 October 7 Richard II, on which date the king granted him for life from Michaelmas then last the keeping of Tremeton castle and park with the profits to that office pertaining, taking for the same 10l. a year of the issues aforesaid by the hands of Nigel Loreng deceased or other the tenants etc. aforesaid.
	Et erat patens.
May 10. Westminster.	To Edward Bokelond escheator in Dorset. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with a pasture called the Clyves within the borough of Shaftesbury and three crofts called the 'Ridelondes' in the hundred of Redelane, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as lately the king ordered the escheator to certify in chancery the cause wherefore the same were by him taken into the king's hand, and he certified that it was found by inquisition, before him taken of his office, that the premises were on the day of his outlawry held by Richard Coteler of Shaftesbury, who about 40 Edward III was outlawed in a plea of debt, for which he became a fugitive, by reason whereof the escheator seized the same; and the king reckons that seizure insufficient.
May 16. Westminster.	To Richard Horne escheator in the county of Suthampton. Order to pay to Thomas Barre knight a rent of 18l. 9s. 10d. and the arrears since the same was taken into the king's hand; as it is found by inquisition, taken before the escheator, Ralph Cheyne knight and John Wykynge, that Henry de Penbrigge, son and heir of Richard de Penbrigge knight, died seised of the manor of Burgate with the hundred of Fordyngbrigge after the death of his said father, and died without issue, whereby the same descended to Richard de Bureleye knight and the said Thomas as his cousins and heirs, namely Richard son and heir of Amice sister and one of the heirs of Richard de Penbrigge, and Thomas as son and heir of Hawise the other sister and heir, that the said heirs were thereof seised until by an indenture enrolled in chancery, dated Saturday after St. Martin in November 2 Richard II the said Thomas granted his purparty thereof to Richard de Bureleye and his heirs under a certain condition, at a yearly rent of 20l. 6s. 8d. with clause of distress, that by deed indented of Sunday after St. Edmund 2 Richard II Richard de Bureleye granted to Thomas and his heirs certain lands in Pykesleye, Stoke and Tadyngton co. Hertford (sic) to the value of 36s. 10d. a year in recompense for 36s. 10d. of the rent aforesaid, that Thomas was seised of 18l. 9s. 10d. remaining until the morrow of Michaelmas 11 Richard II next before the forfeiture of Simon de Bureleye, the rent being in arrear from that date to the date of the inquisition, namely 11 April last, that Thomas had no more lands by grant of Richard de Bureleye or of his heirs in recompense for the said rent, and did nought to the said Richard or any other tenant of the manor or otherwise whereby he may be barred, that Richard de Bureleye gave the manor and hundred to John Waltham clerk and others, who made a feoffment thereof to the said Richard and Beatrice his wife and to the said Richard's heirs, that he died, and the said Beatrice being thereof seised gave her estate therein to Simon de Bureleye and his heirs, whereupon William de Bureleye brother and heir of Richard made a release of the manor and hundred to Simon and his heirs, and that the same after came to the king's hands by forfeiture of the said Simon; and after deliberation in chancery with the justices and serjeants of law and with others of the council learned in the law, proclamation was there made for any who would give information wherefore the said rent and the arrears ought not to be delivered to the said Thomas, and no man appeared, wherefore it was determined that livery thereof should be given him.
May 9. Westminster.	To Edward Bokelonde escheator in Somerset and Dorset. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the manors of Boueregge, Upwynborne, Chettille, Tarent Monachorum and Burnet, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as lately the king ordered the escheator to certify in chancery the cause wherefore he took those manors into the king's hand, and he certified that it was found by divers inquisitions, before him taken of his office, that the abbot of Teukesbury at his death held the manor of Burnet by Keynesham co. Somerset, as parcel of the foundation of his church, by knight service of the heir of lord le Despenser, a minor in ward of the king, as of his honour of Gloucestre, and the manors of Tarent Monachorum, Chetelle, Upwynborne and Boueregge co. Dorset likewise of the heir of Edmund de Mortuo Mari earl of March, a minor in ward of the king, as of his manor of Craneborne, by virtue whereof he seized those manors; and the king reckons the seizure thereof insufficient.
May 17. Westminster.	To Richard Horne escheator in the county of Suthampton. Order to take the fealty of Richard Wayte, and to give him livery of the manor of Wymerynge, and the issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that by fine levied in the king's court Geoffrey Roucle at his death held that manor in chief for his life by the service of paying 1d. a year by the sheriff's hands by gift of Nicholas Stille and Thomas Walbroun, with reversion to the said Richard, son of Isabel late wife of the said Geoffrey (likewise deceased), and to the heirs of Richard's body.
May 13. Westminster.	To John Wassheburne escheator in Worcestershire. Order to give William de Gunthorp, John Bacoun of Brome and John Hermesthorp livery of the manor of Ruggehalle, taken into the king's hand by forfeiture of John Beauchamp; as it is found by inquisition, of his office taken before Richard Thurgrym late escheator, that Baldwin Frevyle knight was seised of the manors of Crowenest and Ruggehalle, and by charter indented gave them to John Hillary, son and heir of Edward Hillary, his heirs and assigns, that John Hillary, by name of John Grey son and heir of Edward Hillary, by charter gave the same to the said William, John Bacoun and John de Hermesthorp, their heirs and assigns, that they granted the manor of Ruggehalle to John Beauchamp of Holte knight as tenant at will, rendering to them 33s. 4d. a year and to the bishop of Worcester 35s. a year so long as he should be tenant thereof, and that John Beauchamp had no other estate therein; and after deliberation with the justices, serjeants at law and others of the council learned in the law, and proclamation made in chancery for any who would inform the king and council wherefore such livery ought not to be given, no man appearing, it was determined that livery of the said manor should be given as aforesaid.
	To John Keynes escheator in Cornwall. Order to give Philip Arfos livery of the manor of Prydyaux, taken into the king's hand by forfeiture of Robert Tresilian knight deceased; as it is found by inquisition, taken by William Rikhille and John Cassy, that the said Philip was thereof seised until unlawfully disseised by the said Robert, and that he after entered again and was in peaceable possession thereof before the said Robert was impeached of treasons of which he was convicted in the parliament holden at Westminster in 11 Richard II; and after deliberation etc. (as in the last).
	To John Keynes escheator in Devon. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the manor of Farwaye, delivering to Margaret who was wife of Hugh de Courtenay earl of Devon any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that William son of Robert Courtenay, being son of Joan (deceased) who was wife of Robert Courtenay, died within age in ward of the king, that at his death he held that manor of others than the king by grant of the said earl to him and the heirs of his body, with remainder to the said Margaret for her life, and that he died without issue.
	To the same. Like order, mutatis mutandis, in respect of a messuage and 60 acres of land in 'Cokkyngheghes,' which John Cobbeham of Blakeburgh knight at his death held of others than the king, being jointly enfeoffed with Katherine late his wife.
	Membrane 6. (fn. 1)
April 26. Westminster.	To William Kymberle escheator in Essex. Order to give John atte Oke, son and heir of Thomas atte Oke, seisin of his father's lands; as he has proved his age before John Rede escheator in Suffolk, and the king has taken his homage and fealty. By p.s. [6273.]
May 20. Westminster.	To the collectors of the subsidy upon wool, hides and woolfells in the port of London. Order, upon petition of William Staundoun, Geoffrey Broke, Reynold Mitton, John Toft, Henry Bokden and William Vaggescombe, without taking a second payment to suffer them to dry the wool there laded in a ship of John Levyngge to be sent over to Calais, lade it in another ship in the port of London, and take it thither; as their petition shews that William Staundoun so laded 6½ sacks 20½ cloves, Geoffrey Broke 20 sacks 20½ cloves, Reynold Mitton 13 sacks 6½ cloves, John Toft 4 sacks 17 cloves, Henry Bokden 4½ sacks 8½ cloves and William Vaggescombe 14 sacks 25 cloves of wool in sarplers, and paid the customs and subsidies thereupon due, as by letters of cocket produced in chancery may appear, that on the voyage the ship was by sudden accident split in the river Thames off Northflete, and the wool made utterly wet, and that the petitioners have drawn it out of the ship and put it ashore to dry. Proviso that no other wool by colour of this command be taken to Calais in the said ship.
May 2. Westminster.	To Thomas de Neuton escheator in Notynghamshire. Order to give Thomas son of John son of Hugh de Normanton livery of two thirds of two messuages, a toft, 132 acres of land and 20 acres of meadow in Weston and Normanton upon Trent taken into the king's hand by forfeiture of Michael de la Pole knight, saving to the king by reason of that forfeiture the reversion thereof for lack of issue of the said Thomas; as it is found by inquisition, taken before John Markham and William Crosseby, that Richard de Colyngham was seised of the said messuages etc., and by fine levied before William Herle and his fellows, justices in eyre in 3 Edward III, granted the same to the said Hugh for life with remainder to John his son and to the heirs of his body, remainder to the right heirs of Hugh, that at that time the said Richard was thereof seised in his demesne as of fee, that after the said Hugh's death John his son entered as in remainder, and had issue Hugh his firstborn son and Thomas his younger son, now suing, and died thereof seised, that after his death Hugh his firstborn son entered as his next heir by form of the said fine, and took to wife Joan Leeke, that he after aliened the premises to the said Michael, that the king has no title in the same but by forfeiture of the said Michael, that Hugh son of John is dead without issue, that after his death Joan his wife was by the said Michael dowered of the premises before they came to the king's hand, and yet holds a third part thereof in dower, that the said Thomas brother of Hugh is his next heir by virtue of the said fine, that the premises are held of William de Basset as of his manor of Fledeburgh, and that the said Thomas has no lands in fee simple by inheritance from Hugh son of John; and after deliberation in chancery with the justices, serjeants of law and others of the council learned in the law, by their advice it is determined that livery of two thirds of the premises be given as aforesaid, and that the third part held in dower shall after the said Joan's death remain to the said Thomas, saving to the king the reversion as aforesaid.
	Membrane 5.
May 18. Westminster.	To the sheriffs of London. Order to set free William Randulf citizen and armourer of London, who on 6 December 12 Richard II before Nicholas Exton mayor of the staple of Westminster, appointed to receive recognisances of debts therein, made a recognisance to William Pounfreyt citizen and armourer for 48l. 10s. payable at Midsummer then next; as the king ordered the sheriffs to take and imprison him, if a layman, until he should pay that debt, causing his lands and chattels to be extended and appraised, and seized into the king's hand for livery to William Pounfreyt until thereof contented, and giving notice in chancery at a day past how they should execute that writ, and they returned that they took the said debtor and committed him to Ludgate prison until he should pay his debt; and he has now paid it, as William Pounfreyt has borne witness in chancery.
	Membrane 4.
May 18. Westminster.	To Robert Peyton one of the guardians of the peace in Suffolk, and to the bailiffs and constable of Wodebrigge. Order to dearrest and deliver to Thomas Welforde, William Renwelle and John Warner 200 quarters of wheat of theirs arrested in three small ships at Wodebrigge; as Geoffrey Sterlynge, William Maystre of Gippewich and Robert Bekerton of London have mainperned in chancery under a pain of double the value thereof that the owners shall bring that corn to London and nowhere else.
May 24. Westminster.	To the bailiffs of Great Jernemuth and the customers in that port. Order, upon petition of the duke of Gelre, in consideration that Clays Clayessoun of Northyke in Holand an alien knew not of the deception as the king is informed, to deliver to him a little vessel of his for fishing and all his goods in that port, by them arrested as forfeit for that certain merchants of Holand put therein certain wool uncustomed. By p.s. [6339.]
	Letter of the king to the pope, reciting that former kings, princes and faithful men of the realm did build and endow churches, and set therein spiritual husbandmen who tilled the Lord's field, that the seed fell upon good land, yielding some thirtyfold, some sixtyfold, and some an hundredfold, but that in these days putting their hand to the plough they have begun to look back, and the land bears thorns and nettles, while by imposts, provisions and reservations general and special made by the papal see, not for appointment of fit shepherds but to heap up first fruits and rob the realm of treasure, false shepherds and hirelings are entering the fold, Christ's sheep are a prey of wolves, the pious alms of the kings etc. aforesaid pass to the pleasures of the unworthy, freedom of election to cathedral churches and elective dignities great and small, collation whereto at every vacancy pertained to former kings, who at the instance of the papal see granted free election by chapters provided they should first crave licence of the king to elect and his assent afterwards, which grant was by the papal see confirmed, is now of little or no effect, that if one cathedral church be void five or six bishops are translated in order that he who leaps highest may pay most abundantly and Caesar's image be brought into the house of God, that the abuse of provision and reservation has gone so far that dignities and the fattest benefices with and without cures are conferred upon aliens, sometimes upon enemies, who reside not nor may reside therein, understanding not the tongue and knowing not their sheep nor by them known, that sometimes dwellers in the realm do enter upon offices of the church contrary to the canons, not having their vocation of God like Aaron but inflamed with ambition with Simon Magus, and that men of letters manifestly fitted for the cure of souls and to profit the king and realm by their counsel public and private, having no hope of advancement, abandon their studies at the universities, the number of the clergy is diminishing, and learning is dying out, that former kings made statutes that elections should be freely made as aforesaid, that alien persons who would not or might not reside within the realm should not be admitted to benefices, and ecclesiastical persons having the right of patronage should use the same according to such ordinance, adding penalties to be executed upon such as should rebel, notwithstanding which the grievance has increased, wherefore in the parliament last holden at London grievous complaint was made by the lords and commons requiring the king, in accordance with the oath taken at his coronation that he should preserve the rights of the crown and the liberties of the realm and church, to cause the said statutes to be observed, and praying the pope as successor of the chief of the apostles, who took upon him the command of Christ to feed his sheep and not to shear them, to comfort his brethren and not to oppress them, pondering the premises and the devotion and obedience of the royal house, the clergy and people of the realm, to do away the scandals and perils above rehearsed, so that the king and his people, being desirous to reverence the person of the pope and the church of Rome, may have rest from these burdens not to be borne which oppress the shoulders of his children, and may enjoy their ancient liberty. Sealed with the privy seal, and with the seals of John duke of Aquitaine and Lancastre, Edmund duke of York, Thomas duke of Gloucestre, Edward earl of Rutland, Roger earl of March, Thomas earl of Kent, John earl of Huntyngdon, Richard earl of Arundell, Thomas earl of Warrewyk, Thomas earl of Stafford, William earl of Salisbury, Thomas earl of Notyngham marshal of England, Henry earl of Northumberland, John lord Roos, Ralph lord Neville, Thomas lord Clifforde, John lord Lovell, John lord Cobeham and John lord Beaumont barons, John Devereux steward of the household, Thomas de Percy under chamberlain, Richard Lescrope, Henry de Percy, William de Beauchamp, Lewis de Clifford, Edward Dalyngrugge, Richard Stury and Richard Abberbury knights. Dated Westminster palace, 26 May 1390, 13 Richard II.
	[Fœdera.]
	Membrane 3.
May 11. Westminster.	To William Fulborne the king's clerk and John Hadley treasurers of his wars. Order of the king's treasure in their hands to pay 300 marks to Bernard Dalem the king's esquire, otherwise called Bernard Doat; as the king granted him of the issues of the custom upon wine at the city of Bordeaux 400l. a year of black money current in the lordship of Aquitaine by the hands of the constable there for the time being, during his life or until the king should make him provision of lands or rents to that value, and for that he has given up those letters patent in chancery to be cancelled, the king's will is with assent of the council that he shall have 300 marks of the treasure aforesaid in satisfaction thereof. By p.s. [6304.]
May 24. Westminster.	Order to the sheriff of Suthampton for election of a coroner instead of Richard Aungre, who is sick and aged.