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[p. ix-240]
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[memb. 2, dorse]
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<
QUO WARRANTO PRIORIS DE COVENTR'.
>
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<
QUO WARRANTO OF THE PRIOR OF COVENTRY.
>
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[memb. 1]
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PROCESSUS SUPER QUIBUSDAM DEMONSTRACIONIBUS ET PETICIONIBUS PRIORIS DE COVENTR' ET PETICIONE DOMINE ISABELLE REGINE ANGLIE EXHIBITIS CORAM DOMINO REGE IN PARLIAMENTO SUO APUD WESTM' CONVOCATO DIE LUNE PROXIMA POST MEDIAM QUADRAGESIMAM ANNO REGNI REGIS EDWARDI TERCII A CONQUESTU DECIMO; |
THE PROCEEDINGS ON CERTAIN STATEMENTS OF CLAIM AND PETITIONS OF THE PRIOR OF COVENTRY AND THE PETITION OF LADY ISABELLA QUEEN OF ENGLAND PRESENTED BEFORE THE LORD KING IN HIS PARLIAMENT SUMMONED AT WESTMINSTER ON MONDAY NEXT AFTER MID-LENT IN THE TENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD SINCE THE CONQUEST [11 March 1336];
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et postea per preceptum domini regis coram consilio ipsius domini regis apud Norht' die Martis in crastino Sancti Johannis Baptiste tunc proximo sequentis, in presencia venerabilium patrum domini Johanni archiepiscopi Cantuar', ipsius domini regis cancellarii, et Henrici Lincoln' episcopi, ipsius domini regis thesaurarii, Stephani episcopi London', Johannis comitis Warenne, domini Thome de Wake, domini de Lidel, Willelmi de Clynton', Galfridi le Scrop', Willelmi de Herle, Ricardi de Wylughby, et aliorum justiciariorum et fidedignorum domini regis tunc ibidem presencium, recitatis, quarum quidem demonstracionum et peticionum ipsius prioris tenor sequitur in hec verba: |
and, by precept of the lord king, later read out before the council of the lord king at Northampton on Tuesday the day after St John the Baptist then next following [25 June 1336] in the presence of the venerable father John lord archbishop of Canterbury, chancellor of the lord king, and Henry bishop of Lincoln, treasurer of the lord king, Stephen bishop of London, John earl Warenne, Sir Thomas Wake, the lord of Lidel, William of Clinton, Geoffrey le Scrope, William of Herle, Richard of Willoughby, and other justices and faithful subjects of the lord king who were then present there, the tenor of which statements of claim and petitions of the prior follow in these words: |
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Fait a remembrer qe la ville de Coventre fust en aunciene temps tenuz de diverses seignurs, nomement la une partie q'est appelle Prioreshalf, q'est
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de
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la fundacion de la meire eglise de Coventre, fuist et est tenuz de la priorie de mesme la ville et l'autre partie, q'est appelle la Erleshalf, estoit tenuz de counte Randolf, qi de cele
[p. ix-241]
seignurie morust seisi sauns heir de son corps, par qi mort son heritage descendist as plusurs de ces soers come a un heir. Et la seignurie de cele partie de la ville de Coventre fust alote a la purpartie un des soers et continue des auncestre en heir tanqe en temps Roger de Mouhaut qi avoit espose un des heirs le dist counte, c'est asavoir Cecile. En qi temps un William estoit prior de Coventre, qi aparceust tresgrantz mals et grevaunces avoir sovent avenuz a sa dite eglise par plusours dubatz et conteks, nomement occisiouns des diverses gentz, entre les seignurs susditz. Par quei, a tresgrant meschief de sa mesoun, il purchacea tut le maner de Coventre, ove la dite seignurie del Erleshalf et les fraunchises a ycele maner apendauns, ove touz ces autres appurtenaunces, estre la forprise de Roger de Mohaut et Cecile sa dite femme, pour perpetuel pes faire a sa dite eglise, rendaunt de ceo a ditz Roger et Cecile et
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as
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les heirs Cecile par an cent et seat livres, come pluspleynement piert par chartre et fyn de ceo faite et leve, la ou le dit manoir, ove la seigneurie et ces appurtenaunces susditz estre la forprise, ne valut adonqes en certeyne qe .xvi. livres .iiij. s. .xi. d. par an, solom ceo qe trove est par remembraunce de ceo fait en registre. Mais pour ceo qe les ditz fraunchises au dite manoir regadauntz demorreient a sa dite eglise par le dit pourchaz, si s'aforcia il a doner grantment outre la value de la dite certeyn, entendaunt mettre sa dite mesoun en pees et en quiete a touz jours. Des queux manoir, seignurie et fraunchises, ove les appurtenaunces susditz, le dit priour William et touz ces successours ount este continuelement et peisiblement seisis par tut lour temps, c'est a savoir par .iiij.
xx
et .x. ans et plus, par vertue de dit pourchas, sauns unqes estre destourbe ou enpesche pour le dit pourchas, tanqe ore a deus ans passes qe le dit priour par les ministres ma dame mere nostre seignour le roi ad este pleyenement destourbe ses ditz fraunchises et seignuries useer, par quei il ad perdu touz les profitz et avauntages de iceles venauntz par le temps de deus ans et plus susditz.
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Be it remembered that the town of Coventry in former times was held of various lords, namely the one part which is called the Prior's Half, which is of the foundation of the mother church of Coventry, was and is held of the priory of the same town and the other part, which is called the Earl's Half, was held of earl Randolf, who died seised of this
[p. ix-241]
lordship without an heir of his body, by whose death his inheritance descended to several of his sisters as to one heir. And the lordship of this part of the town of Coventry was allotted to the portion of one of the sisters and continues from the ancestor to the heir until the time of Roger de Mohaut who had married one of the heirs of the earl, namely Cecilia. In whose time one William was prior of Coventry, who had perceived very great harm and injuries had befallen his church through numerous disputes and quarrels between the lords, in particular the killing of various people. For which reason, to the very great hardship of his house, he purchased all the manor of Coventry, with the lordship of the Earl's Half and the franchises appendant to that manor, with all other of its appurtenances, to be the exception of Roger de Mohaut and Cecilia his wife, in order for perpetual peace to come to his church, paying £107 each year to the Roger and Cecilia and to the heirs of Cecilia for this, as more fully appears by the charter and fine made and levied thereupon, when the manor, with the lordship and its appurtenances to be exception, was then valued at £16 4 s. 11 d. a year for certain, according to what is found by a record of this made in the register. But because the franchises reserved to the manor descended to his church by the purchase, he was forced to give greatly over the value of the certain sum, in order to put his house in peace and in quiet forever. Of which manor, lordship and franchises, with the appurtenances, the said Prior William and all his successors have been continuously and peaceably seised throughout their time, that is to say for 90 years and more, by virtue of the purchase, without ever being prevented or hindered on account of the purchase until two years ago when the prior was completely prevented from using his franchises and lordships by the officials of my lady the mother of our lord the king, whereby he has lost all the profits and advantages arising from them for the two year period and more.
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Fait ensement a remembrer: qe come ma dite dame par son consail eit fait sovent ses cleymes et ses chalenges devers le dit priour et sa eglise devaunt le consail nostre seignur le roi, et ceo primes au consail tenuz a Notyngham et a touz les parlementz pus tenuz, de deus choses taunsolement, c'est asavoir d'avoir la
[p. ix-242]
vewe de fraunplegg en totes les terres et tenementz qe sount del pourchas qe soi fit par le dit William, jadis priour de Coventre, des ditz Roger Mohaut et Cecile sa compaigne, auxi ben dehors la ville de Coventre come de deynz, et ensement a prendre ces estovers et palys pour son park de Chereslesmoure et le bois le dit priour a Whitemour saunz wast faire par vewe et livre de son forester, la soi sount venutz ascuns del dit consail ma dame, et nomement sire Thomas de Humpton et William Erneys, et, outre les dites cleymes et chalenges, ount attreit a ma dite dame, par force de sa seignurie par deus ans et plus, une feire qe le dit priour avoit en Coventre et ses autres courtz en mesme la ville et dehors, c'est asavoir portmonesmot en Coventre, et les courtz en mesme la ville de tener de .xv.
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en .xv. solonk les usages de icele, et ensement ses autres courtz de ces tenauntz dehors mesme la ville de Coventre a tenyr de treis symeyns en treis symeyns solonk commune usage de la terre, les queux feire, portmonesmot et courtz au dit manoir sount appourtenauntz, et les espleez et profitz de iceles courtz et feire venauntz ount touz pris et emportez a le opes ma dite dame, a ceo q'il dient, issint qe rien ny est remys de dit pourchas au dit priour et a sa eglise deynz la dite ville de Coventre ne dehors, pour le quel pourchas il rend a ma dame chescun an .cvij. livres, forsqe un petit profit qe n'amounte mye par an en touz avauntages issaunt
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dit pourchas deyntz la ville de Coventre et de hors forsqe a .lv. livres .vi. s. .viij. d. par an.
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Be it also remembered: whereas my lady has frequently made her claims and her challenges by her counsel against the prior and his church before the council of our lord the king, and this first at the council held at Nottingham and at all the parliaments held since, concerning two things only, namely to have the
[p. ix-242]
view of frankpledge in all the lands and tenements which belong to the purchase which was made by the William, late prior of Coventry, from the Roger Mohaut and Cecilia his wife, both without and within the town of Coventry, and also to take estovers and stakes from his park of Cheylesmore and the wood of the prior at Whitemoor without waste made by view and delivery of his forester, some people of my lady's council have come there, and particularly Sir Thomas of Humpton and William Erneys, and, besides the claims and challenges, have appropriated to my lady, by force of her lordship for two years and more, a fair which the prior has in Coventry and his other courts in the same town and elsewhere, that is to say, port-moot in Coventry, and the courts in the same town to be held every fifteen days according to the customs of them, and also his other courts of his tenants outside the same town of Coventry to be held for three weeks in three weeks according to the common custom of the land, which fair, port-moot and courts appertain to the manor, and the settlements and profits arising from these courts and fair have all been taken and taken away for the use of my lady, as he says, so that nothing remains of the purchase to the prior and to his church within or without the town of Coventry, for which purchase he pays £107 every year to my lady, except for a small profit of only £55 6 s. 8 d. a year, which does not amount to all the advantages issuing from the purchase within or without the town of Coventry in a year.
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Estre ceo: par la ou le priour q'orest et ses predecessours ount tenuz une place de bois peisiblement en clos et severalte q'est del pourchas fait de les avauntditz Roger et Cecile, la quele place ses ditz predecessours fesoiont planter .lxxv. ans passez et plus, et nostre seignour le roi q'orest mesme la place de bois ove autre bois et wast a ycele ajoynaunt au ditz priour et covent et lour eglise eit grante et par sa chartre conferme de avoir et tenyr en severalte come park a touz jours, la quele place contient enviroun trois lues et demy et plus, la soi sount venutz sire Thomas Humpton' et William Erneys, seneschals ma dite dame, ove autres de ses ministres, et ensement ove grant noumbre des gentz de la ville de Coventre et de pais envyroun, et les fosses et les hayes del dit park a force et as armes ount touz abatuz et estropes et emportez, et les arbres en ycel park cressauntz ount ensement touz abatuz et emportez, et tut ount fait gastyne deyntz deus ans qe eyns fust espesse bois cressaunt, par quei les gentz de Coventre et autres de pays envyroun, par comaundement
[p. ix-243]
de ditz Thomas et William, ils sount le dit park entretz et le cressauntz del arbres illeoqes coupetz et abatuz, come est susditz a force et armes par lour bestes ount touz depuis, qe mes ne pount crestre, et unqore cel malfaire en le dit park continuelment de jour en autre et
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pleyne destructioun del dit bois et perpetuel damage de la eglise, desicome ils sount les plus poures gentz de religioun feffes de bois deyntz la counte de Warrewyk, et autres bois ne que ount pour lour pestrine et bracyne mes soulement ycel.
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In addition to this: whereas the present prior and his predecessors have held an area of woodland peacefully in close and in severalty which is of the purchase made from Roger and Cecilia, which area his predecessors have caused to be planted for the last 75 years and more, and our present lord the king has granted and by his charter confirmed the same area of woodland with other woodland and waste adjoining it to the prior and convent and their church to have and to hold in severalty as parkland forever, which area contains approximately three and a half leagues and more, until Sir Thomas Humpton and William Erneys, stewards of my lady, came there with other of her officials, and together with a large number of men from the town of Coventry and the surrounding area have completely levelled, destroyed and taken away the dikes and the fences of the park with force and with arms, and they have also cut down and taken away all the trees growing in that park, and have completely laid waste in the last two years that wood which was growing densely, whereby the people of Coventry and others of the surrounding area, by the command
[p. ix-243]
of Thomas and William, have entered the park ever since and have cut down and felled the new growth of trees there with force and arms, as is aforesaid, by their beasts, so that they cannot grow, and they now do this wrong in the park continually from day to day to the complete destruction of the wood and perpetual harm of the church, as they are the most poor men of religion enfeoffed with woodland in the county of Warwick, and they have no other wood for their baking and brewing but only this.
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Estre ceo ascuns del consail ma dite dame, et nomement les ditz sire Thomas et William, par force de la seignurie ount ensement fait seiser en ses mayns .vij. les meillours tenementz qe le dit priour avoit pourchace en la ville de Coventre par conge nostre seignour le roi q'orest et de ses progenitours, qe ly soleyent rendre par an .xvi.li. ij. s., la quele rente le dit William ad pleynement resceu al oeps ma dite dame par un an et un terme, a ceo q'il dit, c'este asavoir del darreyn jour de Jenyuer l'an de nostre seignour le roi q'orest utisme jesqe a ore, a les queus tenementz le dit priour est avenutz
[memb. 1, dorse]
par bone title et suffisaunt, solonk ceo q'il ad sovent moustre au dit consail ma dame, et ensement devaunt le dit William Erneys tancom il estoit eschetour, et unqore est prest a moustrer si l'em bosoigne. Estre ceo ascuns del dit consail ma
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dame,
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nomement les ditz sire Thomas et William, ount ensement fait seisir en ses mayns deus autres tenementz deynz la ville de Coventre dount la reversioun est a William de Passenham, et ceo par malevoillaunce q'ils ount conceu devers lui, et nomement par enchesoun q'il est demoraunt devers le dit priour en soun service, les queux tenementz soleyent rendre au dit William de Passenham .v. mars par an, issint qe de ceux deus tenementz, nadgairs occupetz en la meyn le roi par le dit William Erneys, tancom il estoit eschetour, et ore en les mayns ma dame par deus ans et plus, unqes dener de sa dite rente en ses mayns ne vient jesqes encea, mes le dit William Erneys l'ad tut receu.
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In addition to this he says that some people of my lady's council, and particularly Sir Thomas and William, by force of the lordship have also caused to seize into their hands seven of the better tenements which the prior has purchased in the town of Coventry by the permission of our present lord the king and of his progenitors, for which they have customarily paid £16 2 s. to him a year, which rent the William has fully received for the use of my lady for a year and a term, namely from the last day of January in the eighth year of our present lord the king [1334] till now, to which tenements the prior has succeeded
[memb. 1, dorse]
by good and sufficient title, according to what he has often explained to the council of my lady, and also before William Erneys when he was escheator, and he is still prepared to explain if necessary. Besides this, some people of the council of my lady, and in particular Sir Thomas and William, have also caused to be seized into their hands two other tenements in the town of Coventry, the reversion of which belongs to William of Passenham, and this by malevolence which they have conceived against him, and namely because he is staying with the prior in his service, which tenements used to render 5 marks a year to William of Passenham, so that from those two tenements, recently seized into the king's hand by William Erneys, when he was escheator, and now in the hands of my lady for two years and more, not a penny of his rent has come into his hands till now, but William Erneys has received it all.
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Estre
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ascuns des tenauntz ma dite dame et autres gentz du pais, par comaundement, meyntenaunce et abbet de dit William Erneys, sount entres a force et armes les preetz et les severals pastures le dit priour et ses maners de Sowe et de Haukesbury, qe sount de la fundacion de sa eglise, et iceux preetz et pastures ount si pleynement puz et defoletz par lour bestes par deus ans et demy qe le dit priour n'ad sustenaunce pour soun bestail de ses ditz
[p. ix-244]
manoirs, et ceste outrage unqore continuent de jour en autre, a grevouse damage le dit priour et sa eglise.
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In addition to this, some of the tenants of my lady and other people of the area, by the order, maintenance and abetment of William Erneys, have entered with force and arms the meadows and several of the pastures of the prior and his manors of
Sowe
and of Hawkesbury, which are of the foundation of his church, and these meadows and pastures have been so completely trampled down and depastured by their beasts for two and a half years that the prior has had no food for his beasts of his
[p. ix-244]
manors, and this outrage still continues from day to day, to the grievous damage of the prior and his church.
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Estre ceo vyndrent gentz desconutz, par comaundement del dit William Erneys, a manoir le dit priour q'est appelle le Newelond, et illoeqes les huys d'une mesoun ou le feyn le dit priour fust enclos,
le feyn il avoit avaunt attache, a force et armes ove haches de bruserent, et mesme le feyn en countre le gree le dit priour et le baillif del dit manoir de illoeqes amenerent et
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Coventre carierent, a grevouse damage le dit priour et de sa eglise.
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In addition to this, by the order of William Erneys, unknown men come to the manor of the prior which is called the New Land, and there with force and arms they broke down with hatchets the doors of a house where the hay of the prior was enclosed, the hay he had further attached, and contrary to the will of the prior and the bailiff of the manor they took the same hay from there to Coventry, to the grievous damage of the prior and of his church. |
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Estre ceo par le temps de deus ans et demy susditz ount estetz faitz autres plusours et outrajouses duresces a dit priour et sa eglise, par comaundement le dit sire Thomas et William, c'este asavoir ses bleetz, carietz vers sa priorie pour la sustenaunce de lui et de soen covent et de sa meigne, ount este attachetz et arestutz en mye les ditz rues de Coventre par les baillifs ma dite dame, unqore sount detenutz. Et ensement ount este attachetz et arestuz en mye les dites rues .xv. de ses chivaux cariauntz ses vitailles pour la dite sustenaunce, des queux chivaux les .x. ly ount estetz mortz et alloignes. Et ensement ount este pris et emparkes plus de cent de ses autres grasses
[editorial note: MS originally 'graces'; two letters 'ss' have been written over the 'c'.]
bestailes a divers foithe a quatre de ses manoirs juxte Coventre, dount la greyndre partie ad este pris hors de ses charreues gaynauntz sa terre, le queux manoirs ne sount pas tenus de ma dite dame, des queux bestes six ount este mortz et alloignes; par mye la detenue del remenaunt le dit priour ad grantz damages resceu devaunt ceo q'il poet
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deliveraunce avoir. Pur duresce et doute des queux attachementz et prises le dit priour perdy a
a
[v]
aunt an tut le feyn qe fust cressaunt en soun pree de Fyntford qi valust vynt livres et plus, dount il deveroit avoir sustenutz ses chivaux et les chivaux des hostes a lui venauntz, kar les ditz sire Thomas et William comaunderent qe quant le dit feyn serroit carie, qe tut ifust attache et
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resteu ove les charettes et chivaux iceles cariauntz, par quei tut cel feyn gist unqore descarie et perry deyntz le bois de Willenhale, a grevouse damage le dit priour et sa eglise.
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In addition to this, throughout the period of two and a half years many other and outrageous duresses have been committed against the prior and his church by order of Sir Thomas and William, that is to say his corn, which was being carried towards his priory for the sustenance of him and of his convent and of his household, has been attached and arrested in the middle of the streets of Coventry by the bailiffs of my lady, and it is still detained. And fifteen of his horses carrying his victuals for his sustenance have also been attached and arrested in the middle of the streets, of which horses ten have been killed and removed. And more than 100 of his other fattened beasts have also been taken and impounded on a number of occasions from four of his manors near Coventry, the greater part of which have been taken from his ploughs tilling his land, which manors are not held of my lady, of which beasts six have been killed and removed; because of the detinue of the rest the prior has incurred great damages before he can have delivery. On account of the duress and fear of these attachments and prises, the prior has lost from the previous year all the hay which was growing in his meadow at
Fyntford
, which was worth £20 and more, with which he ought to have fed his horses and the horses of guests coming to him, because Sir Thomas and William ordered that when the hay was carried away that it should all be attached and arrested with the carts and horses pulling them, whereby all that hay still remains uncarted and rotting in the wood of Willenhall, to the grievous damage of the prior and his church.
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Estre ceo pleise a nostre seignour le roi et a son sage consail de ordyner et faire remedie autre foithe au dit priour endroit des autres plusours duresces et grevaunces faitz a lui et a sa mesoun nyent compris en ceste bille, sicom il lour savera veritablement moustrer quant il lour plerra.
[p. ix-245]
Sur queux grevaunces et duresces le dit priour ad sui pour remedie avoir a nostre seignour le roi et a son consail deus ans et plus saunz nul espleit prendre, a greve damage de lui et de son covent et a grant meschief de sa mesoun. Par quei il prie a nostre seignour le roi et a son consail, pour Dieux, qe pite lour preigne de lui et de son covent et de la eglise de Nostre Dame de Coventre, q'est en poynt d'estre desherite, et ovesqe ceo qe necessite chacera le dit priour de ses moignes faire despersion et les services Dieux et sa meigne abregger et la hospitalte de sa mesoun retrere, saunz ceo qe les dites choses dreiturelment et par temps soient redressetz.
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In addition to this, may it please our lord the king and his wise council to ordain and make remedy again to the prior as regards the many other duresses and grievances done to him and to his house not contained in this bill, as he will truthfully inform them when it will please them to be informed.
[p. ix-245]
Concerning which grievances and duresses the prior has sued our lord the king and his council to have remedy for two years and more without making any progress, to the great damage of him and of his convent and to the great harm of his house. For which reason he prays to our lord the king and to his council, for God, that they might take pity on him and on his convent and on the church of Our Lady of Coventry, which is on the point of being disinherited, and in addition that necessity will compel the prior to cause the dispersal of his monks and to reduce the services to God and his followers and withdraw the hospitality of his house unless the matters are lawfully redressed and soon.
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Tenor peticionis regine predicte talis est: |
The tenor of the petition of the queen is thus: |
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[editorial note: Peticio regine.] |
[editorial note: The petition of the queen.] |
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A nostre trescher fitz le roi moustre sa miere: qe come le priour de Coventre souent avaunt ces houres eit sui en parlementz et prie par ces peticiouns q'il peut avoir la lei de la terre endroit des debatz et chalenges qe sount entre lui et le dit priour tochaunt l'eritage de Mohaut en les parties de Coventre, qe mout plerreit a lui qe les ditz debatz fuissent ajuggetz et trietz en presence de son dit cher fitz le roi, en tieu manere qe le dit priour eust resonablement ceo qe apent a sa eglise et a lui solonc les faitz q'il ad des auncestres le seignour de Mohaut, et qe le remenaunt de l'eritage puise remeyndre a sa dite miere solonc la forme de son pourchas, et qe lui ne son frere counte de Cornewaille ne soient desherites des fraunchises ne des autres choses appourtenaunces au dit heritage en temps avenir, dount elle prie a soun cher fitz le roi qe lui pleise qe Robert Parveng et Symond de Trewithosa, ses serjaunz, soient demaundetz a reciter les poyntz coment ceux debatz ount demoretz tanqe encea en l'avisement de son consail, et a mostrier outre, si lui plest, en sa presence ceo qe a sa dite miere appent de mesme l'eritage solonc ley et raisoun, et qe tieux soient assignetz de ajuggier et trier ensi la verite de ditz debatz qi veullent avoir regard qe draiture ceo face en la forme avandite solonc les faitz avanditz. |
To our most dear son the king his mother explains: whereas the prior of Coventry has frequently sued in parliaments in the past and prayed by his petitions that he might have the law of the land as regards the disputes and claims which exist between her and the prior touching the inheritance of Mohaut in the area of Coventry, and it is most pleasing to her that the disputes should be judged and resolved in the presence of her dear son the king, in such a way that the prior shall have what reasonably pertains to his church and to him according to the deeds which he has of the ancestors of the lord of Mohaut, and that the rest of the inheritance might remain to his mother according to the form of her purchase, and that neither she nor his brother the earl of Cornwall should be disinherited of franchises or of other things appertaining to the inheritance in future, whereupon she prays to her dear son the king that it might please him that Robert
Parveng
and Simon of
Trewithosa
' her serjeants, should be asked to recite the points how those disputes have remained till now, with the advice of his council, and to explain in addition, if it pleases him, in her presence, what of the same inheritance pertains to his mother according to the law and reason, and that such people shall be thus assigned to judge and try the truth of the disputes who will be willing to have regard that justice shall be done thereupon in the aforesaid form according to the deeds.
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Et modo coram consilio domini regis hic venit predicta Isabella regina per Robertum Parvenk et Simonem de Trewodesa et alios de consilio suo. Et predictus prior, per fratrem Johannem de Southam et fratrem Willelmum de Sheynton' conmonachos ejusdem prioris et alios de consilio suo, similiter venit. Et predictus prior pro statu et jure suo in hac parte manutenendis protulit quandam cartam sub sigillis Rogeri de Monte Alto et Cecilie uxoris ejus, cujus carte tenor talis est: |
And now Queen Isabella came before the council of the lord king by Robert
Parveng
and Simon of
Trewithosa
and others of her council. And the prior similarly came by Brother John of Southam and Brother William of Sheynton, fellow monks of the same prior, and others of his council. And the prior in order to support his claim and right in this regard proffered a certain charter under the seals of Roger de Mohaut and Cecilia his wife, the tenor of which charter is thus:
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[p. ix-246]
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Noverint universi ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit quod ego Rogerus de Monte Alto, pro me et Cecilia uxore mea et heredibus nostris, dedi, concessi et presenti carta confirmavi domino Willelmo priori Coventrensi et ejusdem loci conventui ac successoribus eorum, totum jus et clameum quod
[habemus]
vel habere potuimus aut poterimus in toto manerio de Coventre ac in omnibus rebus et locis
[ad idem]
manerium infra et extra qualitercumque et ubicumque spectantibus, videlicet in boscis, planis,
[viis]
, pascuis, pratis, aquis, excepto tamen vivario nostro nobis et heredibus nostris quod scilicet est
[infra parcum]
nostrum, que videlicet ad nos Rogerum, Ceciliam et heredes nostros aliquo tempore vel aliqua ratione spectabant aut spectare poterunt, una cum advocacione ecclesie Sancti Michaelis
[omniumque capellarum]
ad eandem pertinencium, cum omnibus pertinenciis suis ac eciam una cum warenna
[quam dominus]
rex Anglie nobis et heredibus nostris dudum concessit, salvis tamen in eadem warenna
[nobis et]
heredibus nostris liberis cursibus cum personaliter advenerimus et moram fecerimus in manerio predicto. Quod videlicet manerium dictis priori et conventui ac successoribus suis ego Rogerus, pro
[me] [memb. 2]
et Cecilia uxore mea ac heredibus nostris, adeo libere possidendum cum omnibus pertinenciis suis, concessi sicut unquam nos aut aliqui antecessorum nostrorum illud tenuerunt et possiderunt, exceptis tamen et salvis nobis Rogero, Cecilie et heredibus nostris manso nostro apud Cheylesmore cum parco incluso et habitacione fratrum minorum juxta eundem parcum sita et inclusa ac eisdem fratribus assignata, salvis nobis et heredibus nostris homagiis et serviciis domini Gilberti de Segrave in Caloudon', Willelmi de Olneya in Asthull' et Olneya, Vitalis de Folkeshull' in Folkeshull', Walteri Deyvill' in Whitel', Stoke et Coventre, Roberti de Stoke in Stoke, Milonis Gerbold' in Whitel', Hugonis de Loges in Sowa, et heredum omnium predictorum cum releviis, escaetis et omnibus aliis ad terras et tenementa ipsorum pertinentibus, exceptis eciam et salvis nobis et heredibus nostris homagiis et serviciis Hugonis Dispensat' in Loughtburgh', Radulphi de Bracebrigg' in Kynnesbury, Willelmi le Botiller in Eccleshale et Folkeshull', heredum Roberti Tuschet in Keresleye, comitis Warrewyk' et
[p. ix-247]
Wydonis filii Roberti Jacobi de Audelegh' in Folkeshull' et Eccleshale, Walteri de Langele in Wyk', Thome le Irreys in Anesty, Thome de Nevill', Walteri de Coventre in Stoke, Gilberti de Preston' Johannis le Pouere in Tackel', Alexandri Deyvill' in Tackel', et heredum omnium predictorum cum releviis, escaetis et omnibus aliis homagiis et serviciis militaribus vel non militaribus ad terras et tenementa omnium predictorum pertinentibus salvis nobis et heredibus nostris serviciis militaribus cum releviis et escaetis et aliis pertinenciis omnium aliorum ubicumque fuerint in Anglia ad dictum manerium de Coventre spectantibus, salvis tamen dicto priori et conventui ac successoribus suis omnibus serviciis omnium burgagiorum cum pertinenciis, scilicet omnium predictorum militum et omnium aliorum ubicumque fuerint in Anglia si que habent in dicto manerio de Coventre, salvis eciam dictis priori et conventui ac successoribus suis omnibus aliis tenementis cum pertinenciis ad idem manerium pertinentibus que non sunt de feodo militari ubicumque fuerint, exceptis semper et salvis nobis et heredibus nostris homagiis et serviciis cum pertinenciis omnium prenominatorum, ut dictum est, absque omni impedimento dictorum prioris et conventus ac successorum suorum, salvis eciam nobis et heredibus nostris libere tenencium nostrorum libertatibus quas habere debent et habere consueverunt de jure in bosco et in manerio de Coventre cum pertinenciis, sine impedimento dictorum prioris et conventus ac successororum suorum, excepta et salva nobis et heredibus nostris domo leprosorum de Spanna cum pertinenciis, salvis eciam nobis Rogero, Cecilie et heredibus nostris lignis focalibus ad focum nostrum et ad carbonem faciendum sufficienter sine wasto quociens apud Coventre personaliter venerimus et ibidem moram fecerimus, et palis ad claudendum parcum nostrum cum necesse fuerit et hoc per visum et liberacionem forestariorum dictorum prioris et successorum suorum sine impedimento aliquo. Quod si forte aliqui malefactores qui de ipsius prioris et successorum suorum fuerint potestate dampnum fecerint in dicto parco et inventi fuerint, dictus prior et successores sui capient de ipsis festinas emendas ad opus nostrum et heredum nostrorum secundum quantitatem forisfacti. Preterea si aliqui qui non fuerint de potestate dicti prioris et successorum suorum forisfecerint in eodem parco et se in fugam verterint, homines dicti prioris et successorum suorum cum clamore debito ipsos insequentur et capient si fieri possit et liberabunt ipsos ballivis nostris et heredum nostrorum. Item si aliqui de hominibus prioris
[p. ix-248]
et successorum suorum forisfecerint alicui de hominibus nostris et heredum nostrorum, dictus prior et successores sui capient de eis similiter festinas emendas ad opus nostrum et heredum nostrorum. Item, quocienscumque nos et heredes nostri necesse habuerimus distringere feoda nostra infra comitatum Warrewyk', dictus prior et successores sui prestabunt nobis et heredibus nostris auxilium per ballivos et homines suos ad distringendum dicta feoda quociens ad hoc fuerint interpellati. Item, nos Rogerus, Cecilia et heredes nostri libere faciemus mutuaciones et capturas nostras in villa de Coventre usque ad terminum quadraginta dierum completum. Item, si homines de Cestria vel de aliis locis forisfecerint nobis et heredibus nostris, nos et heredes nostri liberam habebimus potestatem distringere eos in villa de Coventre per ballivos nostros et heredum nostrorum simul cum ballivis dicti prioris et successorum suorum, secundum leges et consuetudines ipsius ville. Preterea fratres hospitalis sancti Johannis de Coventre habebunt de bosco de Coventre qualibet septimana unam carecatam bosci per visum et liberacionem forestariorum dictorum prioris et conventus ac successorum suorum. Ego vero Rogerus pro me et Cecilia uxore mea ac heredibus nostris warantizabimus imperpetuum dictis priori et conventui ac successoribus suis dictum manerium cum suis pertinenciis omnibus, ut dictum est, contra omnes homines et feminas. Pro hac autem donacione et concessione solvent dicti prior et conventus ac successores sui nobis et heredibus nostris annuatim imperpetuum centum libras sterlingorum ad quatuor terminos anni, scilicet infra octabas Sancti Andree viginti quinque libras, infra octabas Sancte Marie in Marcio viginti quinque libras, infra octabas Sancti Johannis Baptiste viginti quinque libras, et infra octabas Sancti Michaelis viginti quinque libras; et preterea singulis annis monialibus de Pollesworth' decem marcas ad duos terminos, scilicet ad Pascha quinque marcas et ad festum Sancti Michaelis quinque marcas, quas videlicet decem marcas dicti prior et conventus et successores sui solvent nobis et heredibus nostris ad eosdem terminos annuatim imperpetuum, et sic per manus nostras et heredum nostrorum fiet solucio annua monialibus antedictis. Fiet autem ista solucio, scilicet tam centum librarum quam decem marcarum predictarum, in domo nostra apud Cheylesmore a dicto priore et successoribus suis nobis et heredibus nostris vel attornatis nostris litteras nostras patentes super hoc deferentibus, quod si dicti prior et conventus ac successores sui cessaverint a solucione dictarum
[p. ix-249]
centum librarum et decem marcarum aliquo termino predicto ut dictum est, scilicet infra octabas predictas, dabunt nobis et heredibus nostris infra octo dies dictas octabas proximo sequentes decem libras nomine debiti, quas si tunc non soluerint liceat nobis et heredibus nostris dictum priorem et conventum ac successores suos distringere infra dictum manerium de Coventre tam pro eisdem decem libris quam pro firma principali. Liceat eciam vicecomiti Warrewyk' qui pro tempore fuerit eosdem priorem et successores suos per terras et catalla distringere in comitatu Warrewyk' extra Coventre usque ad plenariam solucionem tam dictarum decem librarum quam firme principalis. Quicquid autem nos vel heredes nostri occasione dicte pecunie non solute expenderimus, dictus prior et successores sui nobis et heredibus nostris plenarie refundent per visum fidedignorum et legalium virorum sine omni dilacione, impedimento, dolo et fraude. Dictus vero prior de concensu sui conventus pro se et successoribus suis subjecit se jurisdictioni domini episcopi Coventrensis qui pro tempore fuerit ad compellendum ipsos ad plenariam et fidelem observacionem omnium predictorum sub pena excommunicacionis et interdicti. In quorum omnium robur et testimonium huic scripto inter dictos priorem et conventum et nos per modum cirgraphi diviso tam signa eorumdem prioris et conventus quam sigillum meum una cum sigillo predicte Cecilie uxoris mee alternatim sint appensa. Testibus Henrico de Hastyng', Gilberto de Segrave, Galfrido de Langel', Willelmo de Burmyngham, Fulcone de Orreby, Roberto de Hondesacre tunc senescallo, Roberto de Grendon', Willelmo Trussel, Hugone de Loges, Galfrido de Craft', Vitali de Folkeshull' et aliis.
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All to whom the present writing shall come are to know that I, Roger de Mohaut, for myself and Cecilia my wife and our heirs, have given, granted and by the present charter have confirmed to William lord prior of Coventry and to the convent of the same place and to their successors all right and claim which we have or have been able or will be able to have in the whole manor of Coventry and in all things and places whatsoever and wheresoever within or without pertaining to the same manor, namely in woods, fields, roads, pastures, meadows, ponds, excepting to us and our heirs however our fish-pond which is clearly in our park, which were clearly pertaining or will be able to pertain to us, Roger and Cecilia, and our heirs, at any time or for any reason, together with the advowson of the church of St Michael and all the chapels pertaining to the same, with all their appurtenances, and also with the warren which the lord king of England has recently granted to us and our heirs, saving to us and our heirs however free hunting in the same warren when we shall come there in person and stay at the manor. Which manor with all its appurtenances I Roger for myself
[memb. 2]
and Cecilia my wife and our heirs have indeed granted to the prior and convent and their successors to be possessed as freely as we or any of our ancestors have ever held and possessed it, excepting however and saving to us, Roger, Cecilia and our heirs, our house at Cheylesmore, with the enclosed park and the dwelling-house of the Friars Minor situated and enclosed beside the same park and assigned to the same Friars, saving to us and to our heirs the homages and services of Sir Gilbert of Seagrave in
Caludon
, William of Olney in Asthull and Olney, Vitalis of Foleshill in Foleshill, Walter Deyville in Whitleigh, Stoke and Coventry, Robert of Stoke in Stoke, Miles Gerbold in Whitleigh, Hugh of Loges in
Sowe
, and of all the heirs of the aforesaid with the reliefs, escheats and all the other things pertaining to the lands and tenements of the same, excepting also and saving to us and our heirs the homages and services of Hugh Despenser in Loughborough, Ralph of Bracebridge in Kingsbury, William le Botiller in Eccleshall and Foleshill, of the heirs of Robert Tuchet in Keresley, of the earl of Warwick and
[p. ix-247]
of Guy son of Robert James of Audley in Foleshill and Eccleshall, Walter of Langley in Wyken, Thomas le Irreys in Anstey, Thomas de Neville, Walter of Coventry in Stoke, Gilbert of Preston, John le Pouere in Tackley, Alexander Deyville in Tackley, and of all the heirs of the aforesaid with the reliefs, escheats and all the other homages and knights' or non-knights' services pertaining to the lands and tenements of all the aforesaid, saving to us and our heirs the knights' services with the reliefs and escheats and the other appurtenances of all other persons wheresoever they are in England pertaining to the manor of Coventry; saving however to the prior and convent and to their successors all the services of all burgage-tenants with appurtenances, namely of all the knights and of any other person wheresoever they are in England if they hold of the manor of Coventry; saving also to the prior and convent and to their successors all the other tenements with appurtenances pertaining to the same manor which are not of knight's fee wheresoever they are, excepting forever and saving to us and to our heirs the homages and services with appurtenances of the all the aforenamed, as it is said, without any prevention of the prior and convent and their successors; also freely saving to us and our heirs the liberties of our tenants which they ought lawfully to have and have customarily had in the wood and in the manor of Coventry with their appurtenances, without the prevention of the prior and convent and of their successors; excepting and saving to us and our heirs the leper hospital of
Spanna
[Spon] [
Sponne
later in MS] with its appurtenances; saving also to us Roger, Cecilia and our heirs sufficient firewood for our fire and to make charcoal without waste whenever we shall come in person to Coventry and reside there, and stakes to fence our park when it will be necessary and this by the view and delivery of the foresters of the prior and his successors without any prevention. That if any powerful malefactors who are of the jurisdiction of the prior and of his successors cause damage and are found in the park, the prior and his successors will exact from them themselves speedy fines for our use and of our heirs according to the amount of the damage. Moreover, if any persons who are not of the jurisdiction of the prior and of his successors cause damage in the same park and become fugitives, the men of the prior and of his successors will pursue them with due cry and take them if it can be done and hand them over to our bailiffs and of our heirs. Also, if any of the men of the prior
[p. ix-248]
and of his successors shall do wrong to any of our men and of our heirs, the prior and his successors will similarly exact from them speedy fines for our use and of our heirs. Also, whenever we and our heirs shall have need to distrain upon our fees within the county of Warwick, the prior and his successors will provide help to us and to our heirs by their bailiffs and men to distrain upon the fees whenever they will be asked to do this. Also, we Roger, Cecilia and our heirs shall freely make our purchases and prises in the town of Coventry up to the end of 40 complete days. Also, if the men of Chester or of other places incur forfeiture to us and to our heirs, we and our heirs shall have unrestricted authority to distrain upon them in the town of Coventry by our bailiffs and of our heirs together with the bailiffs of the prior and of his successors, according to the laws and customs of the town itself. Moreover, the brothers of the hospital of St John of Coventry shall have each week from the wood of Coventry a cart-load of wood by the view and delivery of the foresters of the prior and convent and of their successors. In truth, I Roger, for myself and Cecilia my wife and our heirs shall warrant forever to the prior and convent and to their successors the manor with all its appurtenances, as it is, against all men and women. However, for this gift and grant the prior and convent and their successors shall pay £100 sterling to us and our heirs each year forever at four terms of the year, namely £25 within the octave of St Andrew [30 November-7 December], £25 within the octave of St Mary in March [25 March-1 April], £25 within the octave of St John the Baptist [24 June-1 July], and £25 within the octave of Michaelmas [29 September-6 October]; and moreover, 10 marks every year to the nuns of Polesworth at two terms, namely 5 marks at Easter and 5 marks at Michaelmas [29 September], which ten marks the prior and convent and their successors shall pay to us and to our heirs at the same terms each year forever and thus payment will be made each year to the nuns by our hands and of our heirs. However this payment will be made, namely both the £100 and the 10 marks, by the prior and his successors in our house at Cheylesmore to us and to our heirs or to our attorneys bearing our letters patent made thereupon, and if the prior and convent and their successors cease payment of the
[p. ix-249]
£100 and 10 marks in any of the terms, namely within the aforesaid octaves, they will give £10 to us and to our heirs in the name of debt within eight days next following the octaves, which if they then do not pay it shall be lawful for us and our heirs to distrain upon the prior and convent and their successors within the manor of Coventry for both the same £10 and for the principal payment. It shall also be lawful for the sheriff of Warwick at the time to distrain upon the same prior and his successors by lands and chattels in the county of Warwick outside Coventry up to the full payment of both the £10 and the principal payment. However, whatever we or our heirs shall spend on account of the unpaid money the prior and his successors shall fully refund to us and to our heirs by view of trustworthy and honest men without any delay, hindrance, deceit and fraud. Indeed the prior with the agreement of his convent for himself and his successors shall subject himself to the jurisdiction of the lord bishop of Coventry at the time to compel themselves to observe fully and faithfully all of the aforesaid under pain of excommunication and interdict. In confirmation and witness of all of which this writing has been divided between the prior and convent and us by way of chirograph [to which] both the marks of the same prior and convent and my seal together with the seal of Cecilia my wife are attached in turn. These being witnesses: Henry of Hastings, Gilbert of Seagrave, Geoffrey of Langley, William of Birmingham, Fulk of
Orreby
, Robert of
Hondesacre
, then steward, Robert of Grendon, William Trussel, Hugh of Loges, Geoffrey of Craft, Vitalis of Foleshill and others.
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Protulit eciam partem cujusdam finis nuper in curia domini regis Henrici filii regis Johannis anno regni sui tricesimo quarto levati coram Rogero de Thurkelby et sociis suis justiciariis etc., inter Willelmum quondam priorem Coventrensem querentem et Rogerum de Monte Alto et Ceciliam uxorem ejus impedientes, de sexaginta libratis terre et redditus cum pertinenciis in Coventre, cujus finis tenor talis est: |
He also proffered part of a certain fine formerly levied in the court of the Lord King Henry son of King John in the thirty-fourth year of his reign [1249-50] before Roger of
Thurkelby
[?Thurlby]and his fellow justices etc., between William the former prior of Coventry, plaintiff, and Roger de Mohaut and Cecilia his wife, defendants, concerning £60 worth of land and rent with appurtenances in Coventry, the tenor of which fine is thus:
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Hec est finalis concordia facta in curia domini regis apud Westm' a die Sancti Michaelis in tres septimanas anno regni regis Henrici filii regis Johannis tricesimo quarto coram Rogero de Thurkelby, Johanne de Cobbeham et Alano de Wassaund', justiciariis, et aliis domini regis fidelibus tunc ibi presentibus, inter
[p. ix-250]
Willelmum priorem de Coventr' querentem et Rogerum de Monte Alto et Ceciliam uxorem ejus impedientes de sexaginta libratis terre et redditus cum pertinenciis in Coventre, unde placitum warantie carte summonitum fuit inter eos in eadem curia, scilicet quod predictus Rogerus et Cecilia recognoverunt predictam terram et predictum redditum cum pertinenciis, scilicet omnes terras et tenementa cum pertinenciis que iidem Rogerus et Cecilia prius tenuerunt in eadem villa et cum boscis, pratis, pasturis, burgagiis, villenagiis et warenna et omnibus aliis rebus ad predictas terras et tenementa pertinentibus, esse jus ipsius prioris et ecclesie sue de Coventre ut illa que idem prior et ecclesia sua predicta habent de dono predictorum Rogeri et Cecilie, exceptis capitali mesuagio quod vocatur Chetlesmore et parco ejusdem ville, et clauso fratrum minorum Coventrensium, et advocacione hospitalis de Sponne, et feodis omnium militum que sunt de pertinenciis predicte terre, et homagiis et omnibus serviciis omnium tenencium ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie et heredum ipsius Cecilie que de eis
[memb. 2, dorse]
tenent tenementa sua per servicium militare, et similiter exceptis homagiis et serviciis Gilberti de Segrave et heredum suorum de toto tenemento quod idem Gilbertus tenet de predicto Rogero in Caludone, et homagio et toto servicio Willelmi de Olneya et heredum suorum de toto tenemento quod idem Willelmus tenet de predictis Rogero et Cecilia in Asthull' et Olneya, et similiter homagiis et omnibus serviciis Vitalis de Folkeshull', Walteri de Deyvill', Roberti de Stokes, Milonis Gerbod', Hugonis de Loges et heredum suorum, et omnibus tenementis que predictus Vitalis tenet de predictis Rogero et Cecilia in Folkeshull', Walteri de Deyvill' in Stokes, Coventre et Whitel', Roberti de Stokes in Stokes, Milonis Gerbod' in Whitel', et Hugonis de Loges in Sowe, et que eisdem Rogero et Cecilie et heredibus ipsius Cecilie per istum finem remanent quieta de predicto priore et successoribus suis et ecclesia sua predicta imperpetuum, et salvis eisdem Rogero et Cecilie et heredibus ipsius Cecilie estoveriis suis capiendis in forinseco bosco de Coventre ad ardendum buscam et carbonem sine vasto per visum forestariorum ipsius prioris et successorum suorum et sine impedimento alicuius quotienscumque iidem Rogerus et Cecilia et heredes ipsius Cecilie venerint apud Coventre et quamdiu moram ibi fecerint, et similiter ad palos capiendos ad claudendum predictum parcum ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie et heredum ipsius Cecilie cum necesse fuerit. Et quod ipsi Rogerus et Cecilia et heredes ipsius Cecilie habeant prisas
[p. ix-251]
suas in Coventre usque ad quadraginta dies sine impedimento ipsius prioris et successorum suorum. Et similiter quod possint fugare in warenna de Coventre pro voluntate sua cum apud Coventre venerint vel ibi moram fecerint. Et salva fratribus hospitalis Sancti Johannis de Coventre qualibet septimana una carectata busce capienda in predicto forinseco bosco imperpetuum. Et si ita contigerit quod aliquis hominum vel tenencium ipsius Rogeri et Cecilie vel heredum ipsius Cecilie deliquerit versus predictum priorem vel successores suos vel homines suos, predicti Rogerus et Cecilia et heredes ipsius Cecilie habebunt inde curiam suam et misericordiam, si inciderit in misericordia, et prior et successores sui et homines sui versus quos deliquerint habebunt rationabiles emendas. Et si aliquis hominum vel tenencium ipsius prioris vel successorum suorum forisfecerit versus predictum Rogerum et Ceciliam et heredes ipsius Cecilie vel homines suos idem prior et successores sui habebunt inde curiam suam, sicut superius. Et si predictus Rogerus et Cecilia vel heredes ipsius Cecilie necesse habuerint ad distringendum feoda sua in comitatu Warrewyk', idem prior et successores sui invenient ei sufficiens auxilium ad districtionem illam faciendam ad custum ipsius Rogeri et Cecilie et heredum ipsius Cecilie per ballivos et homines ipsius prioris et successorum suorum ad summonicionem ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie et heredum ipsius Cecilie, ita quod si idem prior vel successores sui aliquod dampnum vel jacturam habuerint occasione alicuius districcionis quam fecerint per summonicionem ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie vel heredum ipsius Cecilie, iidem Rogerus et Cecilia vel heredes ipsius Cecilie restituent eis omnia dampna et jacturas que habuerunt occasione predicta. Et residuum tocius manerii de Coventre cum omnibus pertinenciis suis quod ipsi Rogerus et Cecilie prius tenuerunt in eodem manerio, sicut predictum est, et cum homagio et toto servicio Vitalis de Folkeshull' et heredum suorum de toto tenemento quod idem Vitalis prius tenuit de predicto Rogero et Cecilia in Styvechal, et cum homagio et toto servicio Walteri de Langel' et Alicie uxoris ejus et heredum ipsius Alicie de toto assarto quod idem Walterus et Alicia prius tenuerunt de predictis Rogero et Cecilia in Wyke et Coventre, exceptis homagio et servicio militari predictorum Walteri et Alicie et heredum ipsius Alicie, remanebit predicto priori et successoribus suis et ecclesie sue predicte tenendum de predictis Rogero et Cecilia et heredibus ipsius Cecile imperpetuum, ita quod bene licebit eidem priori et
[p. ix-252]
successoribus suis frussire, assartare, includere et excolere et proficuum suum pro voluntate sua facere de boscis, vastis et pasturis in eodem manerio que eidem priori et successoribus suis per istum finem remanent, sine contradictione vel impedimento ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie vel heredum ipsius Cecilie imperpetuum, salvis eisdem Rogero et Cecilie et heredibus ipsius Cecilie estoveriis suis predictis in eodem bosco capiendis, reddendo inde per annum centum et septem libras sterlingorum ad quatuor terminos in predicto mesuagio de Chetlesmore, scilicet infra octabas Sancti Andree viginti sex libras et quindecim solidos, infra octabas Beate Marie in Marcio viginti sex libras et quindecim solidos,
<
infra octabas Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptiste viginti sex libras et quindecim solidos
>
, et infra octabas Sancti Michaelis viginti sex libras et quindecim solidos, pro omni servicio, secta curie, consuetudinibus et exactione, ita tamen quod non licebit eisdem Rogero et Cecilie et heredibus ipsius Cecilie aliquod auxilium ad primogenitum ipsorum militem faciendum, vel primogenitam suam maritandam, nec aliquod relevium, wardam, scutagium vel aliquod servicium forinsecum exigere vel habere de predicto priore vel successoribus suis et ecclesia sua predicta, nisi tantum viginti solidos nomine relevii post mortem vel amocionem cujuslibet prioris ejusdem loci. Et iidem Rogerus et Cecilia et heredes ipsius Cecilie warantizabunt, acquietabunt et defendent eidem priori et successoribus suis et ecclesie sue predicte omnes predictas terras et tenementa, cum omnibus pertinenciis suis, que eidem priori et successoribus suis per istum finem remanent, sicut predictum est, per predictum servicium, contra omnes homines imperpetuum. Et si iidem prior vel successores sui defecerint in solucione predictorum denariorum ad aliquem terminum bene licebit eisdem Rogero et Cecilie et heredibus ipsius Cecilie distringere eos per omnia
catalla sua in omnibus terris suis infra comitatum Warrewyk' inventa, usque ad plenam solucionem denariorum qui aretro fuerint de illo termino imperpetuum. Et preterea iidem Rogerus et Cecilia remiserunt et quietum clamauerunt de se et heredibus ipsius Cecilie predicto priori et successoribus suis et ecclesie sue predicte totum jus et clameum quod habuerunt in advocacione ecclesie Sancti Michaelis, Coventrensis, cum capellis ad predictam ecclesiam pertinentibus et omnibus aliis pertinentibus suis, imperpetuum. Et pro hac recognicione, warantia, acquietancia, defensione, fine et concordia idem prior dedit predictis Rogero et Cecilie trescentas libras sterlingorum.
[p. ix-253]
Et sciendum quod idem prior venit in eadem curia et fecit homagium predicto Rogero.
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This is the final agreement made in the court of the lord king at Westminster three weeks from Michaelmas in the thirty-fourth year of the reign of King Henry son of King John [20 October 1250] before Roger of
Thurkelby
, John of Cobham and Alan of
Wassaund
, justices, and other faithful subjects of the lord king who were then present there, between
[p. ix-250]
William prior of Coventry, plaintiff, and Roger de Mohaut and Cecilia his wife, defendants, concerning £60 worth of land and rent with appurtenances in Coventry, whereof the plea to warrant the charter was summoned between them in the same court, namely that Roger and Cecilia have acknowledged the land and the rent with appurtenances, that is all the lands and tenements with their appurtenances which the same Roger and Cecilia previously held in the same town and with the woods, meadows, pastures, land held by burgage-tenure, land held by villein-tenure, and warrens and all other things pertaining to the lands and tenements to be of the right of the prior and of his church of Coventry as that which the same prior and his church have of the gift of Roger and Cecilia, excepting the chief messuage which is called Cheylesmore and the park of the same town, and the close of the Friars Minor of Coventry, and the advowson of the hospital of Spon, and the fees of all knights which are of the appurtenances of the land, and the homages and all the services of all the tenants of Roger and Cecilia and of the heirs of Cecilia
[memb. 2, dorse]
who hold their tenements of them by knight service, and similarly excepting the homages and services of Gilbert of Seagrave and his heirs for all the tenement which the same Gilbert holds of Roger in
Caludon
, and the homage and the service of William of Olney and his heirs for all the tenement which the same William holds of Roger and Cecilia in Asthull and Olney, and similarly the homages and all the services of Vitalis of Foleshill, Walter Deyville, Robert of Stokes, Miles Gerbold, Hugh of Loges and their heirs, and all the tenements which Vitalis holds of Roger and Cecilia in Foleshill, of Walter Deyville in Stoke, Coventry and Whitleigh, of Robert of Stokes in Stoke, of Miles Gerbold in Whitleigh, and of Hugh of Loges in
Sowe
, and who remain quit to the same Roger and Cecilia and to the heirs of Cecilia by this fine of the prior and his successors and his church forever, and saving to the same Roger and Cecilia and to the heirs of Cecilia their estovers to be taken in the forinsec wood of Coventry to burn wood and charcoal without waste by view of the foresters of the prior and of his successors and without the prevention of anyone whenever the same Roger and Cecilia and the heirs of Cecilia shall come to Coventry and as long as they reside there, and similarly to take stakes to fence the park of the same Roger and Cecilia and of the heirs of Cecilia when it shall be necessary. And that Roger and Cecilia and the heirs of Cecilia shall have their prises
[p. ix-251]
in Coventry up to 40 days without the prevention of the prior and of his successors. And similarly that they shall be able to hunt in the warren of Coventry at their will when they shall come to Coventry or reside there. And saving to the brothers of the hospital of St John of Coventry a cart-load of wood each week to be taken from the forinsec wood of Coventry forever. And if it happens that any of the men or tenants of Roger and Cecilia themselves or of the heirs of Cecilia trespass against the prior or his successors or his men, Roger and Cecilia and the heirs of Cecilia will hold their court and have amercement thereupon, if amercement has been incurred, and the prior and his successors and his men shall have reasonable compensation against those who have trespassed. And if any of the men or tenants of the prior or of his successors incur forfeiture to Roger and Cecilia and the heirs of Cecilia or their men the same prior and his successors will hold their court thereupon, as above. And if Roger and Cecilia or the heirs of Cecilia shall have need to distrain upon their fees in the county of Warwick, the same prior and his successors will provide sufficient help to them to carry out that distraint at the expense of Roger and Cecilia and of the heirs of Cecilia by the bailiffs and men of the prior and of his successors at the summons of Roger and Cecilia themselves and of the heirs of Cecilia, so that if the same prior or his successors shall suffer damage or loss by reason of any distraint which they have made by the summons of Roger and Cecilia or of the heirs of Cecilia, the same Roger and Cecilia or the heirs of Cecilia shall restore to them all the damage and loss which they have suffered by reason of the aforesaid. And the rest of all the manor of Coventry with all its appurtenances which Roger and Cecilia themselves formerly held in the same manor, as is aforesaid, and with all the homage and all the service of Vitalis of Foleshill and of his heirs for all the tenement which the same Vitalis formerly held of Roger and Cecilia in Stivichall, and with the homage and all the service of Walter of Langley and Alice his wife and the heirs of Alice for all the assart which the same Walter and Alice formerly held of Roger and Cecilia in Wyken and Coventry, excepting the homage and knight service of Walter and Alice and of the heirs of Alice, shall remain to the prior and to his successors and to his church to be held of Roger and Cecilia and of the heirs of Cecilia forever, so that it shall be fully lawful for the same prior and
[p. ix-252]
for his successors to break-up, assart, enclose and alienate and make his profit at his will from the woods, wastes and pastures on the same manor which shall remain to the same prior and to his successors by this fine, without the opposition or prevention of Roger and Cecilia themselves or of the heirs of Cecilia forever, saving to Roger and Cecilia and to the heirs of Cecilia their estovers to be taken in the same wood, rendering thereupon £107 sterling each year at four terms at the messuage of Cheylesmore, namely £26 15 s. within the octave of St Andrew, £26 15 s. within the octave of St Mary in March, £26 15 s. within the octave of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, and £26 15 s. within the octave of Michaelmas, for all service, suit of court, custom and exaction, so that it shall not be lawful for Roger and Cecilia and for the heirs of Cecilia to demand or to have any aid for knighting their first-born son, or for the marriage of their first-born daughter, or any relief, wardship, scutage or any other forinsec service from the prior or from his successors and from his church, except as much as 20 s. in the name of relief after the death or removal of any prior of the same place. And Roger and Cecilia and the heirs of Cecilia will warrant, acquit and defend to the same prior and to his successors and to his church all the lands and tenements, with all their appurtenances, which remain to the same prior and to his successors by this fine, as is aforesaid, by the aforesaid service, against all men forever. And if the same prior or his successors default in the payment of the money at any term it shall be fully lawful for Roger and Cecilia and for the heirs of Cecilia to distrain upon them by all their chattels found within the county of Warwick up to the full amount of money which was in arrears for that term forever. And moreover, Roger and Cecilia have released and quitclaimed for themselves and for the heirs of Cecilia to the prior and to his successors and to his church all right and claim which they have in the advowson of the church of St Michael, Coventry, with the chapels pertaining to the church and all its other appurtenances, forever. And for this recognizance, warrant, acquittance, prohibition, fine and agreement the same prior has given £300 sterling to Roger and Cecilia.
[p. ix-253]
And be it known that the same prior came into the same court and did homage to Roger.
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Profert eciam quandam litteram sub nomine predictorum Rogeri et Cecilie consignatam, que talis est: |
He also proffered a certain letter sealed in the name of Roger and Cecilia, which is thus: |
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Rogerus de Monte Alto et Cecilia uxor ejusdem omnibus libere tenentibus suis de maneriis de Coventre et aliis, salutem. Mandamus vobis quatinus de cetero sitis intendentes et respondentes Willelmo priori Coventrensi et ejusdem loci conventui ac successoribus eorundem in omnibus que ad manerium de Coventre pertinent infra et extra, secundum quod in instrumentis inter nos confectis plenius continetur. In cujus rei testimonium hiis litteris patentibus sigilla nostra appendimus. Valete. Datum apud Coventre die Dominica proxima post festum Sancti Martini anno regni regis Henrici filii regis Johannis
tricesimo quarto.
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Roger de Mohaut and Cecilia the wife of the same to all their free tenants of the manor of Coventry and others, greeting. We command you that you shall henceforth be submissive and answerable to William prior of Coventry and to the convent of the same place and to the successors of the same in all things which pertain to the manor of Coventry within and without, according to what is more fully contained in the instruments made between us. In witness of which matter we have attached our seal to these letters patent. Farewell. Given at Coventry, Sunday next after Martinmas in the thirty-fourth year of the reign of King Henry son of King John [14 November 1249]. |
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Et dicit quod predictus Willelmus quondam prior de Coventre predecessor prioris nunc, virtute donacionis, concessionis et confirmacionis predictarum in predicta carta contentarum, et eciam virtute finis predicti, seisitus fuit de predicto manerio de Coventre cum pertinenciis, tenendo sibi et successoribus suis et ecclesie sue de Coventre imperpetuum, exceptis manso de Cheilesmor et parco et omnibus aliis serviciis tenencium qui de eis tenuerunt per servicium militare, ita quod totum residuum ejusdem manerii cum pertinenciis remansit eidem priori et successoribus suis imperpetuum. Ad quod quidem manerium predictus visus franciplegii de jure pertinebat, de quo quidem visu Willelmus prior predecessor etc. et omnes successores sui semper pacifice seisiti fuerunt, scilicet per quater viginti et decem annos usque jam duobus annis elapsis quod idem prior nunc per ministros predicte regine extitit impeditus, videlicet attrahendo homines et tenentes ipsius prioris veniendos ad visum ipsius regine in eadem villa, de quo petit justiciam sibi fieri per consilium etc. |
And he says that William former prior of Coventry, the predecessor of the present prior, by virtue of the gift, grant and confirmation contained in the charter, and also by virtue of the fine, was seised of the manor of Coventry with its appurtenances, to be held to him and to his successors and to his church of Coventry forever, except for the house and park of Cheylesmore and all the other services of tenants who hold of them by knight service, so that all the rest of the manor with appurtenances remain to the prior and to his successors forever. To which manor the view of frankpledge lawfully pertains, of which view Prior William, [his] predecessor etc. and all his successors were always peacefully seised, that is for 90 years, until recently when two years ago the present prior was prevented by the officials of the queen, namely by drawing the men and tenants of the prior to come to the view of the queen in the same town, whereof he seeks justice be done to him by the council etc. |
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Et regina dicit quod bene verum est quod predictus visus pertinet ad manerium de Coventre, de quo manerio ipsa seisita est in dominico et servicio, quia dicit quod donum quod factum fuit predicto predecessori predicti prioris per predictos Rogerum et Ceciliam fuit sexaginta librata terre et redditus de dominico manerii de Coventre,
[tenenda]
sibi et successoribus suis, secundum formam carte et finis predictorum, de predictis Rogero et Cecilia
[dominis]
manerii predicti et heredibus ipsius Cecilie per servicium centum et septem
[p. ix-254]
librarum per annum, et sic servicia
[illa]
per
<
donum
>
predictum devenerunt parcella manerii predicti, loco predictarum sexaginta libratarum terre et redditus
[que]
tempore doni fuerunt dominicum ejusdem manerii. Et dicit quod manerium de Coventre extendit
[in]
quindecim villis et hamelettis, et quod capitale mesuagium illius, quod vocatur Cheilesmore,
[et parcus et servicia]
omnium tenencium per servicium militare,
[et]
certe advocaciones in villa de Coventre
[et predicta servicia]
sexaginta libratarum terre et redditus unde predictus prior est tenens ipsius regine in
[predicta] [memb. 3]
villa de Coventre, et quicquid fuit de manerio de Coventre et aliis villis et hamelettis, exceptis predictis sexaginta libratis terre et redditu, remanserunt in seisina ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie post donum predictum, que omnia faciunt manerium ita integrum in dominico et servicio sicut fuit in dominico in seisina ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie ante donum, concessiones et confirmaciones predictas, non obstante quod predicta sexaginta librate terre et redditus que transierunt per donum predictum et que tunc fuerunt parcella ejusdem manerii in dominico per donum illud facta sint parcella ejusdem manerii in servicio, et dicit quod post levacionem finis predicti Rogerus et Cecilia et post eorum decessum heredes ipsius Cecilie seisiti fuerunt de visu predicto tanquam pertinent ad manerium predictum, et eciam ipsamet regina seisita est de visu illo tanquam pertinente ad manerium illud de Coventre, quod manerium ipsa modo tenet, unde petit judicium, ex quo ipsa seisita est de manerio predicto de Coventre in forma predicta, ad quod manerium predictus prior per peticionem suam supponit visum predictum pertinere, si idem prior visum illum habere debeat etc.
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And the queen says that it is completely true that the view pertains to the manor of Coventry, of which manor she is seised in demesne and by service, because she says that the gift which was made to the predecessor of the prior by Roger and Cecilia was £60 worth of land and rent to be held to him and to his successors of the demesne manor of Coventry, according to the form of the charter and fine, of Roger and Cecilia, lords of the manor and of the heirs of Cecilia by service of £107
[p. ix-254]
a year, and thus by the aforesaid gift those services became part of the manor, in place of the £60 worth of land and rent which at the time of the gift was of the demesne of the manor. And she says that the manor of Coventry extends to fifteen towns and hamlets, and that the chief messuage of it, which is called Cheylesmore, and the park and services of all the tenants by knight service, and certain advowsons in the town of Coventry and the services of £60 worth of land and rent whereby the prior is a tenant of the queen in the
[memb. 3]
town of Coventry, and whatever was of the manor of Coventry and the other towns and hamlets, except for the £60 worth of land and rent, remained in the seisin of Roger and Cecilia after the gift, which made the whole manor in demesne and service as it was in demesne in the seisin of Roger and Cecilia before the gift, grants and confirmations, notwithstanding that the £60 worth of land and rent which was transferred by the gift and which was part of the manor in demesne was made part of the manor in service by that gift, and she says that after the levy of the fine Roger and Cecilia, and after their death the heirs of Cecilia, were seised of the view as pertaining to the manor, and also the queen is seised of that view as pertaining to that manor of Coventry, which manor she now holds, whereof he seeks judgment, since she is seised of the manor of Coventry in the aforesaid form, to which manor the prior by his petition assumes the view to pertain, if the prior ought to have that view etc.
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Et predictus prior dicit quod qualitercumque predicta regina asserit nichil transire per predictos cartam et finem nisi tantummodo sexaginta libratas terre et redditus ut parcella manerii, ad quod visus franciplegii pertinere non potest, manerium integrum simul cum visu predicto et aliis pertinenciis suis, excepto manso de Cheillesmore et aliis forprisis in predictis carta et fine contentis, virtute carte et finis predictorum transierunt prout in eisdem continetur, et tenentes ejusdem manerii, exceptis etc., eidem priori predecessori etc. attornaverunt etc. Et dicit quod tenentes de feodo militari qui in predictis carta et fine excipiuntur nunquam attornaverunt Henricum de Clive, cujus statum ipsa regina modo
[p. ix-255]
habet ibidem, unde dicit quod, ex quo manerium predictum, exceptis etc., ad quod visus franciplegii et alie libertates sunt pertinentes, transierunt in forma predicta, et predicti Rogerus et Cecilia donatores etc. limitaverunt sibi certas forprisas, prout in carta et fine predictis continetur, que forprise non possunt dici manerium, maxime cum manerium transiit per donum predictum, petit judicium si in hoc casu predicta regina aliquem visum habere possit seu debeat ibidem, ratione forprise predicte, de tenentibus ipsius prioris.
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And the prior says that howsoever the queen claims nothing was transferred by the charter and fine except only £60 worth of land and rent as part of the manor, to which the view of frankpledge cannot pertain, the whole manor together with the view and its other appurtenances, except for the house of Cheylesmore and the other exceptions contained in the charter and fine, were transferred by virtue of the charter and fine just as is contained in the same, and the tenants of the manor, except for etc., have attorned etc. to the same prior, [his] predecessor etc. And he says that the tenants by knight's fee who are excepted in the charter and fine have never acknowledged Henry of Clive, whose title the queen now
[p. ix-255]
holds in the same, whereof he says that, since the manor, except for etc., to which the view of frankpledge and other liberties pertain, was transferred in the aforesaid form, and Roger and Cecilia the donors etc. assigned to themselves certain exceptions, as is contained in the charter and fine, which exceptions cannot be called a manor, especially since the manor was transferred by the gift, he seeks judgment if in this case the queen could or ought to have any view in the same, by reason of the aforesaid exceptions, of the tenants of the prior .
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Et super hoc quesitum est per consilium domini regis a prefato priore si predicti Rogerus et Cecilia tempore suo habuerunt unum visum franciplegii vel duos visus ibidem, qui dicit quod predicti Rogerus et Cecilia habuerunt duos visus pertinentes ad manerium suum de Coventre, unum videlicet visum tentum de forinsecis apud Wolepitelideyate, alium enim visum in Coventre de hominibus et tenentibus predicti manerii de Coventre, qui quidem visus transiit virtute carte et finis predictorum, et quod ipse et predecessores sui priores etc. seisiti fuerunt de visu illo in Coventre et de omnibus tenentibus dicti manerii, exceptis tenentibus in predictis forprisis contentis, post tempus adquisicionis predicte usque idem prior nunc per ministros ipsius regine extitit impeditus, ut predictum est. Et petit judicium etc. |
And thereupon the prior is asked by the lord king's council if Roger and Cecilia in their time had one view of frankpledge or two views there, who says that Roger and Cecilia had two views pertaining to their manor of Coventry, namely one view held of outsiders at Woolpit Gate, and another view in Coventry of the men and tenants of the manor of Coventry, which particular view transferred by virtue of the charter and fine, and that he and his predecessors, priors etc., were seised of that view in Coventry and of all the tenants of the manor, except for the tenants contained in the exceptions, after the time of the acquisition until the present prior was prevented by the officials of the queen, as is aforesaid. And he seeks judgment etc. |
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Et regina dicit quod predictus prior per peticionem suam supponit tantum unum visum fuisse pertinentem ad manerium de Coventre tempore doni predicti, per quod ipsa non intelligit quod ipse modo admitti debeat dicendo duos visus adtunc pertinuisse ad illud idem manerium, et licet duo visus tunc fuissent spectantes ad manerium illud, dicit quod ipsamet seisita est de capitali mesuagio manerii illius et de parco et serviciis omnium tenencium per servicium militare in quibuscumque villis infra manerium predictum, et de certis advocacionibus et de serviciis predicti prioris in villa de Coventre tanquam spectantibus ad manerium predictum. Et ad hoc quod prior dicit quod ipse seisitus est de manerio de Coventre ad quod predictus visus pertinet per donum predictorum Rogeri et Cecilie per cartam et finem predictos predecessori suo inde factos, per quos finem et cartam iidem Rogerus et Cecilia dederunt eidem predecessori et successoribus suis manerium predictum de Coventre, reservantes sibi et heredibus predicte Cecilie capitale mesuagium ejusdem manerii quod vocatur Cheillesmore et aliis certis forprisis in predicta carta et fine expresse contentis,
[p. ix-256]
ita quod totum residuum ejusdem manerii predicto predecessori et successoribus suis remanerent imperpetuum, et sic ut dominus manerii predicti clamat visum predictum
<
ad
>
illud capitale mesuagium et alia que predictis Rogero et Cecilie reservata fuerunt, licet per nomen forprisarum sunt et faciunt manerium de Coventre, ad quod etc., et ipsi Rogerus et Cecilia post donum illud morabantur domini ejusdem manerii, ex quo predictus prior predecessor etc. per illud idem donum devenit tenens ipsorum Rogeri et Cecilie, ut dominorum illius manerii, de omnibus tenementis que per finem et cartam transierunt, prout finis predictus testatur, et per consequens, cum tenencia ipsius prioris predicta sit infra manerium predictum et ipse tenens infra idem manerium, non potest dici dominus ejusdem manerii, et ex quo ipse prior est tenens ipsius regine infra predictum manerium et ipsa seisita est de manerio illo ad quod etc., et de servicio ipsius prioris ut domina manerii predicti, petit judicium si ille qui est tenens infra manerium illud visum pertinentem ad idem manerium habere debeat, ex quo non conceditur ei per verba expressa in fine seu alio facto contenta. Et ubi predictus prior allegat quod ipse et predecessores sui seisiti fuerunt de predicto visu tanquam pertinente ad manerium suum de Coventre a tempore doni et levacionis finis predictorum, ipsa dicit quod predictus prior nichil habet infra precinctum manerii de Coventre quod fuit predictorum Rogeri et Cecilie et quod se extendit in quindecim villis et hamelettis, nisi illud quod ipse tenet in villa de Coventre per cartam et finem predictos, quod est sexaginta librate terre et redditus, et inde est ipse tenens ipsius regine ut de manerio suo de Coventre et ipsa seisita est de servicio ipsius prioris ut de parcella manerii sui predicti et de toto residuo manerii, et sic manerium integrum infra feodum ipsius regine et ipsa seisita de visu predicto tanquam pertinente ad manerium illud. Set dicit quod ipse prior habet in eadem villa quoddam feodum quod vocatur Bisshophalf, quod est medietas ejusdem ville separata a predicto feodo ipsius regine manerii sui predicti, infra quam medietatem predictus prior habuit quendam alium visum, et licet ipse prior seu predecessores sui artarunt tenentes suos, qui tenuerunt de eis infra manerium ipsius regine predictum, veniendos ad visum suum tentum extra feodum ipsius regine, hoc non potest dici esse seisina de visu in jure set potius purprisa contra legem terre occupata, nec excludit ipsam de visu suo pertinente ad manerium de Coventre predictum, prout ipse prior per peticionem suam supponit, de
[p. ix-257]
quo ipsa seisita est in dominico et servicio et ad quod manerium servicia predicti prioris predicta sunt spectancia, ut superius dictum est, unde petit judicium si idem prior visum illum habere debeat.
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And the queen says that the prior by his petition assumes only one view to have been pertaining to the manor of Coventry at the time of the gift, whereby she does not understand because he ought now to be admitted in saying that two views then pertained to that same manor, and although two views were then pertaining to that same manor, she says that she is seised of the chief messuage of that manor and of the park and services of all the tenants by knight service in any towns within the manor, and of certain advowsons and of services of the prior in the town of Coventry as pertaining to the manor. And to this the prior says that he is seised of the manor of Coventry to which the view pertains by the gift of Roger and Cecilia by the charter and fine made thereupon to his predecessor, by which fine and charter Roger and Cecilia gave the manor of Coventry to the same predecessor and to his successors, reserving to them and to the heirs of Cecilia the chief messuage of the manor which is called Cheylesmore and other particular exceptions expressly contained in the charter and fine,
[p. ix-256]
so that all the rest of the manor remained to the aforesaid predecessor and his successors forever, and just as the lord of the manor claims the view to that chief messuage and the other things which were reserved to Roger and Cecilia, although by name of exceptions they are and form the manor of Coventry, to which etc., and Roger and Cecilia after that gift remained lords of the same manor, from which the prior [his] predecessor etc. by that same gift became a tenant of Roger and Cecilia, as lords of that manor, of all the tenements which transferred by fine and charter, as the fine witnesses, and as a consequence, since the tenancy of the prior is within the manor and he is a tenant within the manor, he cannot be called lord of the manor, from which the prior is a tenant of the queen within the manor and she is seised of that manor to which etc., and of the service of the prior as lady of the manor, she seeks judgment whether he who is a tenant within that manor ought to have the view pertaining to the manor, since it is not granted to him by words expressed in the fine or contained in other deeds. And when the prior claims that he and his predecessors were seised of the view as pertaining to his manor of Coventry at the time of the gift and levy of fine, she says that the prior holds nothing within the precinct of the manor of Coventry which belonged to Roger and Cecilia and that it extends to fifteen towns and hamlets, except that which he holds in the town of Coventry by the charter and fine, that is £60 worth of land and rent, and thereby he is a tenant of the queen as of her manor of Coventry and she is seised of the service of the prior as of part of her manor and of all the rest of the manor, and thus the whole manor is within the fee of the queen and she is seised of the view as pertaining to that manor. But she says that the prior holds a certain fee in the same town which is called the Bishop's Half, which is half of the same town separated from the fee of the queen of the manor, within which half the prior has another particular view, and although the prior or his predecessors have compelled their tenants who hold of them within the manor of the queen to come to his view held outside the fee of the queen, this cannot be said to be lawful seisin of view but rather occupied encroachment against the law of the land, and does not exclude her from her view pertaining to the manor of Coventry, just as the prior claims by his petition, of
[p. ix-257]
which she is seised in demesne and by service and to that manor the services of the prior pertain, as is said above, whereof she seeks judgment whether the same prior ought to have that view.
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Et quia visum est consilio regis etc. expediens certiorari super clameis ipsorum Roberti de Monte Alto, Rogeri et Cecilie et antecessorum suorum et predicti prioris et successorum suorum appositis in itineribus
[justiciariorum]
itinerantibus in predicto comitatu Warrewyk' super visibus predictis in manerio predicto, et qualiter eos usi fuerunt et clamauerunt temporibus retroactis, antequam ulterius procedatur ad discussionem in negocio predicto, ideo etc.
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And because it seemed expedient to the king's council etc. to be informed concerning the claims of Robert de Mohaut, Roger and Cecilia and their ancestors and of the prior and of his successors claimed in the eyres of the justices itinerant in the county of Warwick on the views in the manor, and by what right those were used and claimed in past times, before proceeding further to discuss the business, therefore etc. |
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[memb. 3, dorse]
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Et quoad portmannesmot et curiam de quindena in quindenam in villa de Coventre tenendas, de quibus fit mencio supra in demonstracione predicti prioris, idem prior dicit quod ipse et omnes predecessores sui a tempore adquisicionis manerii predicti seisiti fuerunt habendi et tenendi duas curias in predicta villa de Coventre, unam videlicet de quindena in quindenam secundum consuetudinem ville predicte de omnibus tenentibus ipsius prioris in villa de Coventre ibidem conqueri volentibus, et aliam curiam tenendam ibidem de die in diem pro hominibus ibidem transeuntibus se conqueri volentibus, tanquam ad manerium suum de Coventre pertinentes, et eis pacifice usi fuerunt usque jam duobus annis elapsis quod idem prior nunc per predictos ministros ipsius regine extitit impeditus. De quibus predictus prior petit remedium per consilium etc. Ad que predicta regina dicit quod ipsa habet duas curias in predicta villa de Coventre, unam videlicet de forinsecis et aliam de tenentibus suis ibidem, cum liceat unicuique domino curiam suam de tenentibus suis propriis habere, ad quas curias predictus prior ut tenens ipsius regine et tenentes ipsius prioris qui sunt de feodo ipsius regine respondere debent per summonicionem et attachiamentum ad querelas cujuscumque versus dictum priorem et tenentes ipsius prioris infra dominium ejusdem regine se conqueri volentes, et modo predictus prior et tenentes ipsius prioris ad curiam ipsius regine venire debent. Et dicit quod si aliquis invenerit ballivis ipsius regine securitatem de prosequendo versus aliquem tenentem dicti prioris de aliquibus transgressionibus, convencionibus seu contractis factis infra jurisdictionem ipsius regine, iidem ballivi faciunt processus versus dictos tenentes per summoniciones, attachiamenta et districtiones, veniendos ad curiam ipsius regine ibidem responsuros
[p. ix-258]
etc., ita tamen quod si predictus prior vel ejus minister venerint ibidem et petierint curiam ipsius prioris de tenentibus suis predictis de aliquibus transgressionibus et contractibus infra jurisdictionem ipsius prioris factis, eis conceditur et non negatur, unde petit judicium si predictus prior aliquam injuriam versus eam in hac parte assignare poterit etc.
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And as regards the port-moot and court to be held from quinzaine to quinzaine in the town of Coventry, of which mention is made above in the statement of claim of the prior, the prior says that he and all his predecessors from the time of the acquisition of the manor were seised to have and to hold two courts in the town of Coventry, namely one from quinzaine to quinzaine according to the custom of the town for all the tenants of the prior in the town of Coventry wishing to complain there, and another court to be held there from day to day for the men going there wishing to complain themselves, as pertaining to the manor of Coventry, and which were peacefully used by them until two years ago when the present prior was prevented by the officials of the queen . For which the prior seeks remedy by the council etc. To which the queen says that she holds two courts in the town of Coventry, namely one for outsiders and another for her tenants there, since it is lawful for only one lord to hold his court for his own tenants, to which courts the prior as tenant of the queen and the tenants of the prior who are of the fee of the queen ought to be answerable by summons and attachments to the suits of any persons wishing to complain against the prior and the tenants of the prior within the lordship of the queen, and now the prior and the tenants of the prior ought to come to the court of the queen . And she says that if anyone provides security to the bailiffs of the queen to prosecute against any tenant of the prior for any trespasses, agreements or contracts made within the jurisdiction of the queen, the initiate proceedings against the tenants by summonses, attachments and distraints, to come to the court of the queen to answer there
[p. ix-258]
etc., on condition that if the prior or his official come there and claim the court of the prior for his tenants having made any trespasses and contracts within the jurisdiction of the prior, it is granted to them and not denied, whereof she seeks judgment whether the prior is able to claim any injury against her in this regard etc.
|
|
Et predictus prior dicit quod predicti Rogerus et Cecilia dederunt manerium predictum cum pertinenciis prefato Willelmo priori predecessori etc., ut superius dictum est, et quod curie predicte et portmannesmot que fuerunt dicto manerio pertinentes transierunt per donum predictum, de quibus idem prior continue seisitus fuit, ut superius dictum est etc. |
And the prior says that Roger and Cecilia gave the manor with its appurtenances to Prior William, [his] predecessor etc., as is said above, and that the court and port-moot which were pertaining to the said manor transferred by the gift, of which the same prior was continuously seised, as is said above, etc. |
|
Et regina dicit quod bene concedit quod ipse habeat curiam suam de tenentibus suis, prout de jure communi habere debet, set hoc non aufert quin ipsa regina habere debet curias suas pertinentes ad manerium suum predictum, quod manerium ipsa tenet in dominico et servicio cum suis pertinenciis, prout ipsa superius sufficienter ostendavit, unde petit judicium si predictus prior curiam pertinentem ad manerium illud clamare possit. |
And the queen says that she fully agrees that he should have his court for his tenants, as he ought to have by the common law, but this does not prevent the queen from having her courts pertaining to her manor, which with its appurtenances she holds in demesne and by service, as she has sufficiently shown above, whereof she seeks judgment if the prior can claim court pertaining to that manor. |
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Et quoad hoc quod predicta regina dicit quod ipsa habet tenentes in villa de Coventre, predictus prior dicit quod omnes tenentes in villa de Coventre virtute doni predicti integre fuerunt intendentes eidem priori, prout patet superius per predictam cartam et finem et per litteras missas tenentibus supradictis predictorum
<
Rogeri
>
et Cecilie, exceptis tenentibus, forprisis etc., et non intendentes predictis Rogero et Cecilie nec eorum heredibus post adquisicionem predictam, unde petit judicium etc. Et quo ad hoc quod predicta regina dicit quod predictus prior justiciari debet in curia ipsius regine per summoniciones et attachiamenta, idem prior dicit quod licet eadem regina habeat curiam in predicta villa de Coventre ratione forprise predicte penes predictos Rogerum et Ceciliam reservate, per hoc idem prior in curia ipsius regine ibidem justiciari non debet, eo quod predictus prior tenet grossum manerii predicti prout per predictam cartam supponitur, et ad illud quod est reservatum per predictos Rogerum et Ceciliam grossum manerii nullo modo potest esse intendens nec debet etc. Et petit judicium etc.
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And as regards what the queen says that she has tenants in the town of Coventry, the prior says that all the tenants in the town of Coventry by virtue of the gift have been wholly intendant upon the same prior, as is clear above by the charter and fine and by letters sent by the abovesaid tenants of Roger and Cecilia, except for the tenants, excepted etc., and not intendant upon Roger and Cecilia nor upon their heirs after the acquisition, whereof he seeks judgment etc. And as regards what the queen says that the prior ought to be justiciable in the court of the queen by summons and attachments, the prior says that although the queen holds a court in the said town of Coventry by reason of the exception having been reserved to Roger and Cecilia, by this the prior ought not to be justiciable in the queen's court there, because the prior holds an indivisible tenement of the manor as is supported by the charter, and because that indivisible tenement was reserved by Roger and Cecilia it can in no way and ought not to be intendant upon etc. And he seeks judgment etc. |
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Et regina dicit quod ipsa tenet illud quod est manerium de Coventre et prior non est nisi tenens ipsius regine infra dictum manerium, prout ipsa plane monstravit, unde petit judicium ut
[p. ix-259]
prius etc.
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And the queen says that she holds that which is the manor of Coventry and the prior is nothing but a tenant of the queen within the said manor, as she has plainly demonstrated, whereof she seeks judgment as
[p. ix-259]
before etc.
|
|
[editorial note: Estoveria.] |
[editorial note: Estovers.] |
|
Et quoad estoveria pro focali et carbonibus faciendis in claustura parci predicti capienda etc., predicta regina dicit quod ipsa, ratione reservacionis in predictis carta et fine contentis, cepit boscum pro hujusmodi focali et carbonibus et claustura faciendis in bosco ipsius prioris in adventu suo, cum ibidem moram fecerit, per visum forestarii predicti prioris ad hoc premuniti et sine visu forestarii si interesse noluerit, sicut ei bene licuit, sicut in fine continentur quod predicti Rogerus et Cecilia ea capere deberent. Et ubi predictus prior supponit quod ipsa destruxit boscum predictum, ipsemet prior et predecessores sui destruxerunt boscum illum, et inde edificarunt duo maneria, et fecerunt bene circa duo milia acras terre arabilis qui fuit boscus tempore levacionis finis predicti etc. |
And as regards the estovers to be taken for fuel and for making charcoal in the close of the aforesaid park etc., the queen says that she, by reason of the reservation contained in the charter and fine, takes wood for such fuel and to make charcoal and fencing in the wood of the prior on her arrival when she resides there, by view of the forester of the prior having been warned of this and without view of the forester if he does not wish to be present, as it is fully lawful for her, as is contained in the fine that Roger and Cecilia ought to take it. And when the prior supposes that she has destroyed the wood, the prior and his predecessors destroyed that wood, and built two manors thereupon, and truly created about 2,000 acres of arable land which was woodland at the time of the levy of the fine etc. |
|
Et predictus prior dicit quod boscus ubi predicta regina capere deberet estoveria predicta est quidam locus vastatus
<
et destructus
>
per communarios qui in eodem bosco housebote et hayebote habuerunt, et boscus ubi ipsa jam capit estoveria sua fuit una placea vasti que circiter decem annos post adquisicionem manerii predicti et levacionem finis predicti per predecessores prioris nunc fuit de novo plantata. In qua quidem placea ratione estoveriorum suorum predictorum, predicta regina arbores ipsius prioris succidit ad valenciam .m. marcarum, prout in predicta demonstracione sua continetur, de quo petit justiciam sibi fieri etc.
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And the prior says that the wood where the queen ought to take the estovers is a certain place wasted and destroyed by commoners who have had housebote and haybote in the same wood, and the wood where she should now take her estovers was a waste place which was newly planted by the predecessors of the present prior about ten years after the acquisition of the manor and the levy of the fine. In which place, by reason of her estovers, the queen felled the trees of the prior to the value of 1,000 marks, as is contained in her statement of claim, whereof he seeks justice be done to him etc. |
|
Et predicta regina dicit quod eadem placea bosci, quam predictus prior asserit de novo esse plantatam post adquisicionem manerii predicti, est ille idem boscus in quo eadem regina capere debet estoveria sua predicta et fuit boscus crescens diu ante confeccionem carte predicte et ante finis predicti levacionem, et hoc parata est verificare etc. Et petit judicium etc. si predictus prior aliquam injuriam in ipsam in hac parte assignare possit etc. |
And the queen says that the same piece of woodland, which the prior asserts to be newly planted after the acquisition of the manor, is that same wood in which the same queen ought to take her estovers and was woodland growing long before the making of the charter and before the levy of the fine, and this she is prepared to verify etc. And she seeks judgment etc. whether the prior can assign any injury against her in this regard etc. |
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[editorial note: Mesuagia.] |
[editorial note: Messuages.] |
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Et quoad septem mesuagia que predictus prior per peticionem suam supponit quod domina regina seisire fecit in manum ipsius regine, eadem regina dicit quod eadem tenementa sunt de feodo ipsius regine et tenentur de ipsa in capite etc., et quod predictus prior perquisivit tenementa illa ad manum mortuam sine licencia ipsius regine, per quod ipsa regina per ministros suos seisire fecit mesuagia illa ad manum suam per formam statuti etc. tanquam forisfacta, et sic ea tenet, sicut bene ei licet. Et petit judicium si predictus prior aliquam injuriam in personam ipsius regine in hac parte assignare possit vel debeat etc. |
And as regards the seven messuages which the prior supposes by his petition that the lady queen caused to be seised into the hand of the queen, the queen says that the tenements are of the fee of the queen and are held in chief of her etc., and that the prior acquired those tenements in mortmain without the licence of the queen, whereby the queen caused those messuages to be seized into her hand by her officials according to the form of the statute etc. as having been forfeited, and thus she holds them, as it is fully lawful for her. And she seeks judgment if the prior can or ought to be assigned any damages towards the person of the queen in this regard etc. |
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[p. ix-260]
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Et predictus prior dicit quod predicti Rogerus et Cecilia per cartam suam predictam concesserunt predicto priori predecessori etc. servicia tenencium predicti manerii de Coventre, exceptis etc nichil penes se reservando de dominio, in quo quidem dominio predicta regina nichil clamare potest. Et si videatur consilio regis quod non obstantibus rationibus preallegatis quod dominium dicte regine in hoc casu remaneat, tunc idem prior dicit, quod
[quo]
ad quatuor mesuagia de predictis septem mesuagiis, quod ipse ea perquisivit de licencia domini regis nunc inde optenta diu antequam predicta regina aliquid habuit in villa de Coventre. Et quoad tria mesuagia, dicit quod ea perquisivit de licencia domini regis nunc et ipse inde fuit seisitus postquam ea perquisivit tempore ipsius regine nunc. Ita quod tempus dominorum ingrediendi hujusmodi perquisita per religiosos elapsum fuit diu antequam prefata regina mesuagia illa seisire fecit in manum suam vel aliud impedimentum imposuit etc. Et petit judicium si predicta regina ratione forisfacture in statuto regis contente aliquid clamare possit in eisdem etc.
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And the prior says that Roger and Cecilia by their charter granted to the prior [his] predecessor etc. the services of tenants of the manor of Coventry, except for etc. reserving nothing from the lordship towards them, in which particular demesne the queen can claim nothing. And if it seems to the king's council that, notwithstanding the previously mentioned reasons, that demesne should remain to the said queen in this case, then the prior says, that as regards four messuages of the seven messuages, that he acquired them with the present lord king's licence obtained thereupon long before the queen held anything in the town of Coventry. And as regards three messuages, he says that he acquired them with the present lord king's licence and he was seised thereof after he acquired them in the time of the present queen . So that the time when superior lords could enter such acquisitions by the religious had elapsed long before the queen caused those messuages to be seised into her hand or imposed another impediment etc. And he seeks judgment if the queen, by reason of the penalty contained in the king's statute, can claim anything in the same etc. |
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Et super hoc datus est dies tam predicte regine quam predicto priori coram consilio domini regis in cancellaria sua ubicumque etc. die veneris in crastino festi Sancti Petri ad vincula in eodem statu quo nunc, salvis eis hinc inde eorum rationibus dicendis etc. Ad quem diem coram consilio domini regis venerunt tam predicta regina quam predictus prior, et datus est eis dies coram consilio domini regis in cancellaria sua ubicumque etc. in crastino animarum in eodem statu quo nunc, salvis eis hinc inde eorum rationibus dicendis etc.
[memb. 4]
Ad quem crastinum animarum coram consilio domini regis apud Ebor' venit predicta regina per consilium suum. Et similiter predictus prior per consilium suum coram consilio domini regis apud Ebor' venit. Et eadem regina dicit quod Johannes comes Cornub', ad quem reversio manerii ipsius regine post mortem suam fuit reservans, jam obiit, et quod ad dominum regem nunc post mortem ipsius regine spectat reversio ejusdem manerii, ita quod quicquid procedendum sit in negocio predicto est in jure ipsius regis nunc. Et pro jure regis declarando dicit quod manerium predictum, ad quod visus etc., non transivit per cartam predictam, quia dicit quod, qualitercumque in carta predicta nominatur
[p. ix-261]
manerium de Coventre, manerium de Cheilesmor in Coventre fuit capitale mansum predictorum Rogeri et Cecilie et modo est capitale mansum ipsius regine in Coventre, quod quidem manerium extendit se in quindecim villis et hamelettis ad quod visus franciplegii pertinebat et adhuc pertinet, et ipsa regina tenet integre manerium predictum in dominico et servicio, ad quod visus etc. pertinet, et tenencia predicti prioris nichil aliud est nisi sexaginta librate terre et redditus que de predicto manerio exierunt, quod non potest dici manerium set parcella manerii tenta de ipsa regina. Petit judicium si predictus prior possit affirmare quod predictum manerium transivit una cum visu etc.
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And a day is given thereupon to both the queen and to the prior before the lord king's council in his chancery wherever etc. on Friday the day after the feast of St Peter ad vincula [2 August 1336] in the same state as now, saving to them hereupon their reasons for saying etc. At which day both the queen and the prior came before the lord king's council, and a day was given to them before the lord king's council in his chancery wherever etc. the day after All Souls [3 November 1336] in the same state as now, saving to them hereupon their reasons for saying etc.
[memb. 4]
On which day after All Souls the queen came by her counsel before the lord king's council. And similarly the prior came by his counsel before the lord king's council at York. And the queen says that John earl of Cornwall, to whom reversion of the manor of the queen was reserved after her death, who is now deceased, and because the reversion of the same manor pertains to the present lord king after the death of the queen, so that whatever is proceeded with in the aforesaid business concerns the right of the present king. And for declaring the right of the king, she says that the manor, to which view etc., has not transferred by the charter, because she says that, however the manor of Coventry is named in the charter,
[p. ix-261]
the manor of Cheylesmore in Coventry was the principal house of Roger and Cecilia and is now the principal house of the queen in Coventry, which manor indeed extends to fifteen towns and hamlets to which view of frankpledge was pertaining and still pertains, and the queen holds the manor wholly in demesne and by service, to which view etc. pertains, and the tenancy of the prior is nothing other than £60 worth of land and rents which have issued from the manor, which cannot be called a manor but rather is part of the manor held of the queen . She seeks judgment whether the prior can confirm that the manor transferred together with the view etc.
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Et quoad hoc quod superius quesitum fuit a predicto priore si predicti Rogerus et Cecilia, ante predictas donacionem et concessionem factas predicto priori predecessori etc., habuerunt unum visum franciplegii in Coventre vel duos visus, et predictus prior dixit quod duos habuerunt visus pertinentes ad manerium predictum, unum scilicet de forinsecis tentum apud Wolpitlideyate alium enim visum in Coventre de hominibus et tenentibus predicti manerii de Coventre, regina dicit quod visus franciplegii est quedam libertas regia que numquam potest esse partitus seu divisus set semper esse integer ad quorumcumque manus deveniat. Et in hoc quod predictus prior cognovit quod ipse habet visum franciplegii de forinsecis tenentibus suis apud Wolpitlideyate, sicut predicti Rogerus et Cecilia habuerunt, qui forinseci nunc sunt tenentes de manerio ipsius regine de Coventre, et in uno eodem manerio non potest esse nisi unicus visus, licet in diversis locis et vicibus pro aisiamento tenencium predictorum teneatur, nisi esset ex speciale concessione domini regis, petit judicium, ex quo predictus prior cognovit ipsam reginam unum visum habere de forinsecis tenentibus suis de manerio de Coventre, si idem prior alium visum clamare possit habere in eodem manerio, maxime cum visus sit integer in uno et eodem manerio, et idem prior sit tenens ipsius regine de predictis sexaginta libratis terre et redditus que fuerunt de dominico ejusdem manerii ante donacionem predictam etc. |
And as regards what was asked above of the prior if Roger and Cecilia, before the gift and grant was made to the prior [his] predecessor etc., had one view of frankpledge in Coventry or two views, and the prior said that they had two views pertaining to the manor, namely one of outsiders held at Woolpit Gate, and another view in Coventry of the men and tenants of the manor of Coventry, the queen says that view of frankpledge is a particular royal liberty which can never be separated or divided but should be always whole in whoever's hands it comes to. And on this that the prior has acknowledged that he has view of frankpledge of his forinsec tenants at Woolpit Gate, just as Roger and Cecilia had, which forinsec persons are now tenants of the manor of Coventry of the queen, and in one and the same manor there can only be one view, although it is held in various places and on various occasions for the convenience of the tenants, unless it was by the special grant of the lord king, she seeks judgment, since the prior has acknowledged the queen to have one view of her forinsec tenants of the manor of Coventry, if the same prior can claim another view in the same manor, especially since the view is wholly in one and the same manor, and the prior is a tenant of the queen of the £60 worth of land and rents which were of the lordship of the same manor before the gift etc. |
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Dicit eciam quod alias, scilicet apud Norht', dictum fuit per consilium domini regis quod ipsi vellent certiorari super clameis factis coram justiciariis ultimo itinerantibus in comitatu Warrewyk' de visu predicto, per
<
quod
>
mandatum fuit thesaurario et camerariis suis quod regem inde certificarent etc., et thesaurarius
[p. ix-262]
et camerarii miserunt recordum et processum coram prefatis justiciariis inde habita per breve regis, cujus brevis tenor talis est:
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She says also that it was said elsewhere, namely at Northampton, by the lord king's council that it wished to be informed of the claims made concerning the view before the justices in the last eyre in the county of Warwick, whereby the treasurer and to his chamberlains were commanded that the king should be informed thereupon etc., and the treasurer
[p. ix-262]
and chamberlains sent the record and process held thereupon before the justices by the king's writ, the tenor of which writ is thus:
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Edwardus Dei gracia rex Anglie, dominus Hibernie et dux Aquitanie thesaurario et camerariis suis, salutem. Quia quibusdam certis de causis certiorari volumus super tenore
<
clameorum
>
per priorem de Coventre coram Johanne de Vallibus et sociis suis nuper justiciariis domini Edwardi quondam regis Anglie avi nostri ultimo itinerantibus in comitatu Warrewyk' factorum de quibusdam libertatibus et quietanciis in comitatu predicto, necnon recordi et processus super clameis illis inter ipsum avum nostrum et prefatum priorem in eodem itinere habitorum, ut dicitur, vobis mandamus quod, scrutatis rotulis predicti Johannis de itinere predicto qui sunt in thesauraria nostra sub custodia vestra, ut dicitur, nos de eo quod inde inveneritis reddatis in cancellaria nostra sub sigillo scaccarii nostri distincte et aperte sine dilacione certiores, hoc breve nobis remittentes. Teste me ipso apud Stryvelyn quinto die Novembris anno regni nostri decimo.
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Edward by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine to his treasurer and chamberlains, greeting. Because for certain reasons we wish to be informed concerning the tenor of claims made by the prior of Coventry before John de Vaux and his fellow former justices of the Lord Edward, sometime king of England, our grandfather, in the last eyre in the county of Warwick concerning certain liberties and acquittances in the county, and also the records and process held on those claims between our grandfather and the prior in the same eyre, as it is said, we command you that, having examined the rolls of John of the eyre which are in our treasury under your keeping, as it is said, you shall return what information you will have found thereupon in our chancery under the seal of our exchequer clearly and openly without delay, returning this writ to us. Witnessed by myself at Stirling, 5 November in the tenth year of our reign [1336]. |
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Tenor recordi et processus predictorum sequitur in hec verba: |
The tenor of the record and process follows in these words: |
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PLACITA DE QUO WARANTO DE ITINERE JOHANNIS DE VALLIBUS ANNO REGNI REGIS EDWARDI TERCIODECIMO. |
PLEAS OF QUO WARANTO OF THE EYRE OF JOHN DE VAUX IN THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING EDWARD [1284-85]. |
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Prior de Coventre summonitus fuit ad respondendum domino regi de placito quo waranto clamat habere turnum vicecomitis, furcas, et emendas assise panis et cervisie fracte, weyf, liberam warennam, mercatum et nundinum, pillorium et tumbrellum, in maneriis suis de Coventre, Honynton', Wasperton', Pakewod', Offchirch', Olughton', Merston', Herdewyk', Sutham, Franketon', Oledfilingleye et Sowe, et de hoc quod clamat habere proprium coronatorem in villa de Coventre et respondere coram justiciariis in itinere per .xij. juratores, et de hoc quod clamat quod omnes sui tenentes sint liberi et quieti de communi amerciamento et finis amerciamenti et de sectis shirarum, hundredorum, murdro, latrocinio et auxilio vicecomitis, et de hoc quod clamat quod ballivus suus simul cum ballivis domini regis debet ire ad omnes districtiones et executiones faciendas pro debitis domini regis et aliis, simul distringere et executiones facere cum predicto ballivo domini regis in predicta villa, que ad coronam etc., sine licencia etc. Et
[p. ix-263]
prior venit et dicit quod dominus Henricus rex pater domini regis nunc concessit et confirmavit ecclesie de Coventre et monachis ejusdem loci predicta maneria de Coventre, Honynton', Wasperton', Pakwod', Offchirch', Olughton', Merston', Herdewyk', Sutham, Franketon', Oledfilingleye et Sowe, cum omnibus libertatibus et liberis consuetudinibus predictis, per cartas predicti domini Henrici regis quas eisdem monachis fecit et quas iidem prior et monachi modo proferunt et hoc idem testantur. Et dicit quod a tempore confectionis predictarum cartarum usi sunt libertatibus predictis plene et sine aliqua interrupcione temporis, secundum tenorem cartarum predictarum. Et quoad quasdam predictarum libertatum que non continentur in predictis cartis, videlicet visum franciplegii, weyf, furcas et emendas assise panis et cervisie fracte, dicit quod clamat illas libertates a tempore quo non existat memoria, et dicit quod ipse et predecessores sui a predicto tempore usi sunt predictis libertatibus plene et integre et sine aliqua temporis interrupcione. Et hoc petit quod inquiratur per patriam etc.
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The prior of Coventry was summoned to answer the lord king concerning the plea by what warrant he claims to have sheriffs' tourns, gallows, and fines for breaches of the assizes of bread and ale, waif, free warren, markets and fairs, pillories and tumbrels in his manors of Coventry, Honington, Wasperton, Packwood, Offchurch, Olton, Marston, Hardwick, Southam, Frankton, Fillongley and
Sowe
, and because he claims to have his own coroner in the town of Coventry and to answer before the justices in eyre by twelve jurors, and because he claims that all of his tenants are free and quit of common amercements and of fines, amercements and of suits of shire-courts, of hundred-courts, murder, larceny and the aid of sheriffs, and because he claims that his bailiff together with the lord king's bailiffs ought to go to all distraints and executions to be made for debts of the lord king and others, also to distrain and make executions with the lord king's bailiff in the town, which to the crown etc., without licence etc. And
[p. ix-263]
the prior comes and says that the Lord King Henry father of the present lord king granted and confirmed to the church of Coventry and to the monks of the same place the manors of Coventry, Honington, Wasperton, Packwood, Offchurch, Olton, Marston, Hardwick, Southam, Frankton, Fillongley and
Sowe
, with all the aforesaid liberties and free customs, by the charters of the Lord King Henry which he made to the same monks and which the same prior and monks have now proffered and the same testify this. And he says that from the time of the making of the aforesaid charters they have fully exercised the liberties and without any interruption of time, according to the tenor of the charters. And as regards certain of the liberties which are not contained in the charters, namely view of frankpledge, waif, gallows and fines for breaches of the assizes of bread and ale, he says that he claims those liberties from time immemorial, and he says that he and his predecessors have fully and completely exercised the liberties and without any interruption of time. And this he seeks to be inquired of on the country etc.
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Et juratores dicunt super sacramentum suum quod predicti prior et monachi habent et habere debent in Coventre duas magnas curias per annum et weyf, et quod ballivus prioris vadit cum ballivis domini regis ad omnes execuciones faciendas que ad regem pertinent, et quod villa respondit per .xij., et hoc ab antiquo, warennam, infangenthef, emendas assise panis et cervisie fracte, mercatum et feriam et que ad ea pertinent, collistruxum, tumberellum et coronatorem de villata de Coventre, et quieti sunt de murdro, latrocinio, sectis shirarum, hundredorum et de auxilio vicecomitis, per cartam domini Henrici regis patris domini regis nunc, et quieti de communi amerciamento. Habent eciam in Sutham feriam et mercatum et que ad ea pertinent. Et habent furcas per cartam domini Henrici regis patris domini regis nunc, que hoc idem testatur. Habent eciam in maneriis suis de Honynton', Wasperton', Pakwod', Offchirche, Olcheton', Merston', Herdewyk', Sutham, Franketon', Sowe et Oldfilingleye in comitatu Warrewyk' et visum franciplegii et emendas assise cervisie et weyf ab antiquo etc., et in eisdem maneriis habent liberam warennam, infangenthef, et sunt quieti de murdro, latrocinio, sectis shirarum et hundredorum, et de auxilio vicecomitis per cartam domini Henrici regis predicti, et sunt quieti de communi amerciamento
[et fine]
et hoc ab antiquo in Honynton', Wasperton', Pakwod', Sutham et Offchirche,
[et habent]
ibi furcas ab antiquo a quo
[p. ix-264]
non extat etc. Et ideo predictus prior inde quietus
[etc., salvo] [etc]
.
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And the jurors say on their oath that the prior and monks have and ought to have in Coventry two major courts each year and waif, and that the prior's bailiff goes with the lord king's bailiffs to all executions to be made which pertain to the king, and that the town answers by twelve, and this is from of old, warren, infangenthief, fines for breaches of the assizes of bread and ale, markets and fairs and that they pertain to it, pillory, tumbrel and a coroner in the town of Coventry, and they are quit of murder, larceny, suits of shire-courts, of hundred-courts and of the aid of sheriffs, by the charter of the Lord King Henry the father of the present king, and quit of common amercements. They also have a fair and a market at Southam and what pertains to these. And they have gallows by charter of the Lord King Henry the father of the present lord king, which this the same testifies. They also have ?[the same] in their manors of Honington, Wasperton, Packwood, Offchurch, Olton, Marston, Hardwick, Southam, Frankton,
Sowe
and Fillongley in the county of Warwick and view of frankpledge and fines for the assize of ale and waif from of old etc., and in the same manors they have free warren, infangenthief, and they are quit of murder, larceny, suits of shire-courts and of hundred-courts, and of the aid of sheriffs by the charter of the Lord King Henry, and they are quit of common amercement and fine and this from of old in Honington, Wasperton, Packwood, Southam and Offchurch, and they have gallows there from time
[p. ix-264]
immemorial etc. And therefore the prior is quit thereupon etc., saving etc.
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Ad quod predicta regina dicit quod tempore itineris predicte Rogerus de Monte Alto fuit
[infra etatem]
et in custodia domini regis, per quod omnia placita ipsum tangencia remanserunt sine die ratione
[minoris etatis]
sue etc. Et quoad clameum tunc prioris de Coventre, dicit quod predictus tunc prior
[non habuit]
visum franciplegii in Coventre, et quod ipse et predecessores sui visum illum habuerunt a
[tempore quo] [memb. 4, dorse]
non extitit memoria, et hoc idem compertum fuit per juratam patrie in quam idem prior se posuit versus dominum regem ad placito de quo warranto, ut plenius patet in tenore predicto, videlicet quod ipse et predecessores sui ab antiquo visu illo usi fuerunt, quod quidem clameum habet relacionem ad illam partem de Coventre del Bisshopeshalf, que est de fundacione ecclesie sue de Coventre, et non potest habere relacionem ad predictas sexaginta libratas terre et redditus adquisitas infra tempus memorie. Et petit judicium etc.
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To which the queen says at the time of the eyre Roger de Mohaut was a minor and in the wardship of the lord king, whereby all pleas touching him remained without day by reason of his minority etc. And as regards the claim of the former prior of Coventry, she says that the aforesaid former prior did not have view of frankpledge in Coventry, and that she and her predecessors had that view from time
[memb. 4, dorse]
immemorial, and this same was found by jury of the country on which the same prior put himself against the lord king in a plea of quo warranto, as is completely clear in the tenor, namely that he and his predecessors were exercising that view from of old, which particular claim has relation to that part of Coventry of the Bishop's Half, which is of the foundation of his church of Coventry, and cannot have relation to the £60 worth of land and rent acquired within time of memory. And she seeks judgment etc.
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Et predictus prior dicit quod ad hoc quod predicta regina dicit quod predictum manerium ad quod etc. non transivit per cartam predictam, hoc dici non potest, eo quod manerium integrum de Coventre ut in dominico et servicio, cum omnibus aliis pertinenciis ad dictum manerium pertinentibus, fuit in seisina Rogeri et Cecilie predictorum, qui quidem Rogerus pro se et Cecilia uxore sua per predictam cartam suam dedit et concessit manerium predictum predecessori prioris qui nunc est, cum omnibus rebus ad idem manerium et infra et extra qualitercumque et ubicumque spectantibus, exceptis forprisis in predicta carta contentis, ad quod quidem manerium predictus visus pertinebat, et de quo quidem manerio et visu predictus prior qui nunc est et omnes predecessores sui priores a tempore donacionis et concessionis predictarum de omnibus tenentibus manerii predicti, exceptis tenentibus, forprisis etc., tam infra villam de Coventre quam extra seisiti fuerunt pacifice, ut predictum est, quousque
<
prior nunc
>
de visu predicto
<
impediebatur
>
, ut predictum est etc., unde petit judicium si predicta regina modo dicere possit quod predictum manerium non transivit etc.
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And the prior says that because the queen says that the manor to which etc. was not transferred by the charter, this cannot be said, because the whole manor of Coventry as in demesne and by service, with all other appurtenances pertaining to the said manor, was in the seisin of Roger and Cecilia, which Roger for himself and Cecilia his wife by their charter gave and granted the manor to a predecessor of the present prior, with all things pertaining to the same manor and within and without howsoever and wherever, except for exceptions contained in the charter, to which particular manor the view pertains, and of which particular manor and view the present prior and all his predecessors priors have been peacefully seised from the time of the gift and grant of all the tenants of the manor, except for the tenants excepted etc., both within and without the town of Coventry, as is aforesaid, until the present prior was prevented from the view, as is aforesaid etc., whereof he seeks judgment if the queen can now say that the manor did not transfer etc. |
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Dicit eciam quod ex quo ipse prior jus ecclesie sue predicte de visu predicto consilio domini regis hic ita plane monstraverit, ut superius dictum est, et ipse prior possessionem suam de visu illo
[p. ix-265]
per tantum tempus pacifice continuavit, non intendit quod ipse de visu illo sine judicio debeat ammoveri, eo quod si dominus rex visui
illo [sic: read 'illi']
clameum suum apponeret et ipsum priorem de visu illo habendo impediret, tamen, antequam ipse prior jus ecclesie sue vel titulum visus illius monstrare aut inde respondere teneretur, oporteret ipsum priorem vel ecclesiam suam ad possessionem illius visus restitui, per quod sibi videtur quod ipse prior nec ecclesia sua predicta versus dominam reginam etc. in hoc casu de statu pejori esse deberet quam esset versus dominum regem si etc., unde petit consilio domini regis quod ipse nec ecclesia sua predicta de visu illo absque judicio deprivetur, set quod ipse et ecclesia sua predicta per consilium hic in possessionem visus sui predicti reponatur, et quod predicta regina de attractu hominum et tenencium ipsius prioris ad visum ipsius regine, per quem attractionem idem prior impeditur ad visum suum tenendum, totaliter cessare precipiatur etc.
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He says also that since the prior has thus plainly explained the right of his church as regards view to the lord king's council here, as is said above, and the prior has continued his possession of that view
[p. ix-265]
peacefully for such a long time, it is not fitting that he should be removed from that view without judgment, because if the lord king was laying his claim to that view and was preventing the prior from having that view, then, before the prior is obliged to explain or answer for the right of his church or the title of that view thereupon, it would be fitting for the prior or his church to be restored to the possession of that view, whereby it seems to him that the prior nor his church against the lady queen etc., in this case he would be in a worse state than he was against the lord king if etc., whereof he petitions to the lord king's council that neither he nor his church should be deprived of that view without judgment, but that he and his church should be restored by the council here to the possession of his view, and that the queen be commanded to cease totally from the attraction of the men and tenants of the prior to the view of the queen, by which attraction the same prior is prevented from holding his view, etc.
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Et super hoc habita diligenti deliberacione per consilium domini regis hic super peticionibus et demonstracionibus predicti prioris et rationibus superius ex utraque parte super visu predicto allegatis, visum est consilio domini regis hic diversis rationibus quod ad finale judicium super visu predicto per modum quem predictus prior sequitur hic per peticiones et demonstraciones suas predictas procedi non potest, quod nec aliqua injuria in personis ministrorum predicte regine in hac parte potest adjudicari, per quod dictum est prefate regine et ministris ipsius regine, quoad visum predictum hic, quod eant inde sine die etc. Et similiter dictum est prefato priori quod sequatur inde per aliam viam si sibi viderit expedire etc. Et quoad portmannesmot et curiam de quindena in quindenam, estoveria et septem mesuagia predicta, datus est dies tam predicte regine quam predicto priori coram consilio domini regis apud Ebor' a die Sancti Hillarii in .xv. dies [27 January 1337] in eodem statu quo nunc, salvis partibus eorum rationibus inde dicendis etc. Ad quem diem venerunt tam predicta regina quam predictus prior per consilium suum, et datus est eis dies coram consilio domini regis apud Westm' die lune in prima septimana Quadragesime [10 March 1337], salvis partibus eorum rationibus hinc inde dicendis etc. |
And with diligent deliberation on this having taken place by the lord king's council here concerning the petitions and statements of claim of the prior and the reasons claimed above on behalf of both parties concerning the view, it seemed to the lord king's council here, for several reasons, that it is unable to proceed to a final judgment on the view by the way which the prior has sued here by his petitions and statements of claim, nor that any injury can be adjudged on the persons of the queen's officials in this matter, whereby it is said to the queen and to the officials of the queen, as regards the view here, that they shall go without day thereupon etc. And similarly it is said to the prior that he should sue thereupon by another method if it shall seem expedient to him etc. And as regards the port-moot and the court from quinzaine to quinzaine, estovers and the seven messuages, a day is given to both the queen and to the prior before the lord king's council at York on the quinzaine of St Hilary [27 January 1337] in the same state as now, saving to the parties then for saying their reasons etc. On which day both the queen and the prior came by their counsel, and day is given to them before the lord king's council at Westminster on Monday in the first week of Lent [10 March 1337], saving to the parties then for saying their reasons etc. |
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Ad quem diem lune apud Westm' coram consilio domini
27 January, 1337
[p. ix-266]
regis venerunt tam predicta regina quam predictus prior per consilium ipsorum, et datus est eis dies coram consilio domini regis apud Ebor' a die Pasche in tres septimanas [11 May 1337] salvis partibus rationibus suis hinc inde dicendis. Ad quas tres septimanas Pasche apud Ebor' venerunt partes predicte per consilium etc., et datus est dies partibus coram consilio domini regis apud Staunford' in crastino Ascencionis
<
Domini
>
[30 May 1337], salvis partibus rationibus suis etc. Ad quem crastinum Ascensionis Domini coram consilio domini regis apud Staunford' venit predicta regina per consilium suum predictum, et similiter predictus prior per attornatum suum, et datus est eis dies coram consilio domini regis a die Sancti Michaelis in .xv. dies [13 October 1337] ubicumque fuerit etc., salvis partibus rationibus suis.
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On which Monday at Westminster both the queen and prior came by their counsel before the council of the lord
[p. ix-266]
king, and a day was given to them before the council of the lord king at York three weeks from Easter Day [11 May 1337] saving to the parties then for saying their reasons. On which three weeks from Easter the parties came to York by [their] counsel etc., and a day is given to the parties before the lord king's council at Stamford the day after Ascension [30 May 1337], saving to the parties for saying their reasons etc. On which day after Ascension the queen came by her counsel to Stamford, and similarly the prior by his attorney, and a day is given to them before the lord king's council on the quinzaine of Michaelmas [13 October 1337] wherever it shall be etc., saving to the parties their reasons.
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