Edward I: Michaelmas 1281

1281 Michaelmas

Introduction Michaelmas 1281

Westminster

Michaelmas parliament (October-November)

A parliament was certainly held some time after Michaelmas in 1281. No writs of summons survive for it but it may have been in session as early as the Thursday after Michaelmas (2 October), the day to which all cases brought by the king against Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester, were adjourned out of the Wiltshire eyre for determination before king and council. (fn. m1281-foot-1) It certainly seems to have been expected in July that it would be in session by three weeks after Michaelmas (the week beginning 20 October) for it was by that return-day that the escheator, Richard of Holbrook, and the sheriff of Essex, were instructed to return the findings of their enquiry into the allegedly unjustified distraints by the bailiff of the escheated honours of Boulogne and Peverel for the performance of suit of court by Robert de Valoignes junior and his wife Eva, the tenants of Tolleshunt and Bluntshall in Essex, to the court of the honour of Boulogne for Bluntshall and to the court of the honour of Peverel for Tolleshunt, in the king's name by his bailiffs. (fn. m1281-foot-2) It seems most likely that this was to allow the consideration of its findings and the giving of appropriate redress at a session of parliament. It may indeed only have opened around then for the king seems to have reached Westminster around 24 October. The only securely dated decision recorded as having been taken at this parliament was one taken sometime during the return-day of one month after Michaelmas (the week or so beginning on 27 October) on a case referred from the Lincolnshire eyre, in which king and council agreed to the quashing of a final concord involving a party who on appearance before them was clearly under age. (fn. m1281-foot-3) Parliament was probably over fairly quickly. William of Sulbesdon had been adjourned to parliament to confirm an agreement he had made with Henry son of Ralph de la Woodgate in settlement of a complaint Henry had made against him when the king was at Canterbury. When William failed to appear there orders were given to ensure his appearance in King's Bench instead and this was for an appearance before the end of Michaelmas term. (fn. m1281-foot-4) Another indication of the likely date of the ending of parliament is provided by the appointment of two commissioners on 17 November to investigate and remedy the wrongs allegedly committed against the king and the poor men of Carlisle by the mayor of the city and two others. They were to investigate grievances detailed in a roll produced at parliament before king and council and the commission is framed in terms that suggest that by the date of issue parliament was already over. (fn. m1281-foot-5) This would also fit with the dates of the associated cluster of royal charters enrolled on the Charter Roll whose dates range from 24 October to 16 November. (fn. m1281-foot-6) The justices of the Lincolnshire eyre then being held attended parliament by the king's order (fn. m1281-foot-7) but had returned to Lincoln by the morrow of Martinmas (12 November). (fn. m1281-foot-8)

There is no surviving official record of the business done at this parliament.