Edward I: Lent 1300

1300 Lent

Introduction Lent 1300

London and Westminster

Lent parliament (March-April)

The continuing strain on royal finances caused by war in Scotland, coming so soon after war with France, meant that by the winter of 1299-1300 the king was in need of the money which only his subjects could provide. If the king was going to launch a successful campaign in Scotland in the summer he also needed to secure the wholehearted support of his subjects for the expedition. Both pointed to the need to summon a parliament at which the grievances of the king's subjects could be aired and met in return for a grant of taxation to the king. (fn. foot-1300l-1) On 29 December 1299, therefore, summonses were issued for a parliament to meet at London on the second Sunday in Lent (6 March 1300). (fn. foot-1300l-2)

An entry in a Peterborough register suggests that parliament was holding sessions on 12 March in the New Temple, (fn. foot-1300l-3) but one of the entries on SC 9/11 suggests that on 31 March the king and his council were holding their session in the chamber of the 'inn' of the archbishop of York at Westminster (which had previously been the location of the Easter parliament of 1293). (fn. foot-1300l-4) It seems possible that it was only the opening sessions (when representatives of the counties and towns were present) that were held in the New Temple and that when the latter went home on around 20 March, (fn. foot-1300l-5) sessions were transferred to Westminster. (fn. foot-1300l-6) This might also explain why an ordinance made in this parliament on procedures for the trial of those accused by approvers describes itself as made in the Westminster parliament, (fn. foot-1300l-7) and why two later entries made in connection with other parliaments but referring back to this parliament describe it as the parliament held at Westminster at Lent 1300. (fn. foot-1300l-8)

This was the fullest parliament to be summoned since 1296. Those summoned included not just individual magnates, bishops and abbots and official (judicial and administrative) members of the council but also representatives of the lower clergy and of counties and boroughs. (fn. foot-1300l-9) An original return survives only for the county of Yorkshire and the Yorkshire boroughs, (fn. foot-1300l-10) but a copy of the London return survives in the contemporary records of the city, (fn. foot-1300l-11) and the names of the representatives of other counties and boroughs are known from the writs de expensis recorded on the Close Roll. (fn. foot-1300l-12)

It is not entirely certain when this parliament ended. It certainly continued, as has been seen, after the departure of the representatives of the counties and boroughs on around 20 March and until the king left Westminster on 1 or 2 April. Chancery enrolments warranted by petition of Council continue till 5 April and this may mean that parliament continued in session until then. (fn. foot-1300l-13)

There is only a very fragmentary and incomplete surviving record of business done at this parliament: seven entries on membranes 1-1d of SC 9/11 . Two other entries on the same roll made at later parliaments, however, also refer back to other business done here. (fn. foot-1300l-14) It is only from other, non-official sources that we know of the list of clerical grievances presented to the king at this parliament, (fn. foot-1300l-15) and of the list of lay grievances and of the king's initial responses to them. (fn. foot-1300l-16) The Worcester annals suggest that there was also an unsuccessful royal request for a subsidy for the war against the Scots but that this was refused until the perambulation of the forests had been successfully concluded. (fn. foot-1300l-17)

Appendix Lent 1300

Evidence on business done at this parliament from chancery enrolments and elsewhere

1

Mandate for three knights or freemen of each county to be chosen by assent of the county to come to York for the morrow of Ascension before king and council to do and execute what enjoined on them by king and council for the observation of the Charters. Dated 27 March 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CCR 1296-1302, 387-8

2

Mandate for sheriffs to have Magna Carta and the Forest Charter proclaimed in county courts four times each year. Dated 28 March 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CCR 1296-1302, 396

3

Commission of sewers to William Howard and Thomas of Burnham for parts of Holland and elsewhere in Lincolnshire. By council. Dated 28 March 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 546

4

Mandate sicut alias to treasurer and chamberlains of the exchequer to search the rolls of fees of the exchequer and, if necessary, make enquiries as to whether the abbot of Leicester holds anything in chief of the king by barony and, if they find he does not, to restore the palfrey and cup taken by the late escheator, Malcolm de Harley, after the death of abbot William. By petition of council. Dated 29 March 1300 at Westminster.

Source : C 260/12, no. 6 (with return saying the writ is wrongly addressed to them as such enquiries are a matter for the treasurer and barons and the palfrey and cup were delivered into the wardrobe)

5

Restitution to Florence de la Mare of view of frankpledge and amends of assizes in manor of Isleham, recovered in 1299 Cambridgeshire eyre. By petition of council. Dated 30 March 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 501

6

Inspeximus and confirmation of liberties granted by Ranulph earl of Chester to men of Cheshire. Dated 30 March 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301, 499-501

7

Appointment of Henry Tuk, king's yeoman, to custody of body and lands of Gilbert de Iselbek, idiot. By king and council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 501

8

Pardon to Peter Wyth for a killing in self-defence. By king and record returned from the council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301, 501

9

Appointment of Thomas de Sweynefield as surveyor and controller of king's mines in Devon. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 502

10

Grant for life to Llewelyn ap Griffith ab Gogan of lands late of Kanan son of Llewlyn. By king and petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 503

11

Licence for John de Rivers to lease manor of Stanford Rivers held in chief to named London citizens for sixteen years. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 503

12

Licence for John de Rivers to lease for life to Humphrey of Walden the park of his manor of Stanford Rivers. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 506

13

Licence for fine of 100 marks which prior of Bolton made before council for James of Easton to grant priory manor of Appletreewick, notwithstanding damage to king caused thereby. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 506

14

Grant for life to Madoc ap Jereward of Penthlyn of lands in 'Pennauthylen' held hitherto during pleasure. By king and petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301, 507

15

Grant for life to Yereward Penwen of lands in Pennant Maghno hitherto held during pleasure. By king and petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 507

16

Commission of oyer and terminer to William Inge and Nicholas Fermbaud in respect of complaints of university of Oxford contained in schedule exhibited before king and council and sent to them under seal. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 547

17

Commission of oyer and terminer to William of Carleton and William Howard on complaint of burgesses of Dunwich relating to the reopening of the port at Southwold to prejudice of Dunwich. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 548

18

Association of William of Carleton with William Howard in commission of oyer and terminer on trespasses against earl of Gloucester at Southwold. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 548

19

Commission to John Boteturte, John de Lisle and Roger of Higham on offences against ordinance of Stepney in relation to pollards, crockards and false money in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Lincoln and London. By king and council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 549

20

Commission of oyer and terminer to Robert of Standon and William de Mortimer on complaint by master of Hospitallers in North Wales of trespasses by Fulk son of Fulk fitzWarin and men at Halston. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 549

21

Mandate for release of William of Guildford, imprisoned in Ludgate gaol, on mainprise. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 346

22

Mandate to deliver to William widow of William Marshal of Willitoft of lands there leased to Osbert of Spaldington and seized with his other lands. By council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 346

23

Mandate to exchequer for respite of demand against Stephen Cheynduyt for 50 marks owed by father to Adam de Stratton. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source : CPR 1292-1301 , 346

24

Mandate to Dublin exchequer to enroll king's attermination of debts of abbot of Duiske at £100 a year. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CFR 1272-1307 , 427

25

Mandate to hold enquiry relating to manor of Ulvedale, formerly held by Alexander de Bonkil. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster.

Source: CIPM, iii, 489, no. 607

26

Mandate for inquisition ad quod damnum into conversion of life grant to Roger du Lee clerk of thirty-one acres of waste in the Shropshire manor of Claverley into a permanent grant. By petition of council. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster .

Source : C 143/31, no. 16

27

Commissions for perambulation of the forests (to six groups of commissioners) and related mandates. Dated 1 April 1300 at Westminster. (No conciliar authorisation noted but certainly the outcome of discussion at parliament)

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 506

28

Licence for Robert de Montalt to lease lands and rents to value of £100 for discharge of debts. By petition of council. Dated 4 April 1300 at Stratford.

Source: CPR 1292-1301, 502

29

Mandate for release of Robert le Beel, Robert of Blyth and William of Guildford imprisoned in Newgate by exchequer for counterfeiting bulls and other letters found with Walter of Maidstone and imprisoned for three years. By petition of council. Dated 5 April 1300 at Tottenham.

Source: CCR 1296-1302 , 347

30

Mandate for inquisition ad quod damnum to the warden of the Cinque Ports for Henry Gigur, rector of St Peter Sandwich, to have permission to enclose a right of way running past his churchyard. By petition of council. Dated .. April 1300 at St Alban's.

Source : C 143/31, no. 11

31

Licence for Thomas de Verdun to erect gallows in manor of Bricklesworth, Northants, possessed by ancestors till had fallen down. The king granted it in his parliament at Westminster in the 28th. Year. Dated 12 February 1301 at Lincoln.

Source: CPR 1292-1301 , 580

32

Undated memorandum that in his parliament held at London in Lent [1300] on the information of Walter bishop of Coventry and Lichfield king granted permission to Brabazon, Berewyk and other justices appointed to make perambulations of the forests in diverse counties that may take in forests venison to own use and may carry them away and the chancellor is to make acquittances to them for this.

Source : CCR 1296-1302, 383-4

33

References back to orders given by Otto de Grandison to bailiff of Guernsey in accordance with decisions of king's council in last parliament at London [Lent 1300] which bailiff had disregarded. Dated 28 January 1301 at Nettleham.

Source : CCR 1296-1302 , 418

Legislation

1

Articuli super Cartas undated except to parliament held at Westminster in 28 Edward I.

text (taken from the Statute Roll) : SR , i, 136-41

2

Statute authorising the removal of the appellees of approvers to the gaols where the approvers were held, undated except to parliament held at Westminster in 28 Edward I.

text: SC 9/11, item 11 (printed from this text in SR , i, 141)

3

Order to sheriffs to proclaim ordinance that after the eve of Easter next no money except sterlings to be current in realm since, although king had lately caused it to be proclaimed that each penny of pollards, crockards and like to be current for a halfpenny and no-one to refuse it, king has now caused pollards, crockards and like to be wholly condemned by the counsel of his magnates because he has learned their currency not to advantage of realm, dated 26 March.

text: CCR 1296-1302, 385-6 (and see 390-1)

4

Royal inspeximus of Magna Carta and Charter of Forest, dated 28 March.

text : SR , i, Charters of liberties, 38-44 (and CChR 1257-1300 , 483).

5

Arrangements made by king and council for a recoinage, dated 29 March 1300.

text: deed printed (from the Red Book of the Exchequer) in The De Moneta of Nicholas of Oresme and English Mint Documents , ed. Charles Johnson (London, 1956), 62-5; translated in Rothwell, English Historical Documents , iii, 502-3.