Parliament Rolls of Medieval England. Originally published by Boydell, Woodbridge, 2005.
This premium content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'Richard II: January 1393', in Parliament Rolls of Medieval England, (Woodbridge, 2005) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/parliament-rolls-medieval/january-1393 [accessed 19 April 2024]
In this section
1393 January
Introduction January 1393
Winchester
20 January - 10 February
(C 65/53. RP , III.300-308. SR , II.82-87)
C 65/53 is a roll of five membranes, each approximately 330mm in width, sewn together in chancery style, and numbered in a later hand. The condition of the roll is good. The text, written in the official script of several scribes, occupies the rectos of the membranes only; the dorses are blank apart from two later headings: on membrane 5, 'Parliamentum apud Winton' in octabis Sancti Hillarii anno regis Ricardi secundi xvj', and on membrane 1, 'Parliamentum de anno 16 o R. 2 di xvj pars unica', and later notes where the membranes are joined, 'Parl' 16 R. 2'. The lower halves of membranes 4 and 3 are blank. The Arabic numerals are of a later date. The marginal notes are both contemporary and of a later date. The roll appears to be complete.
At the beginning of 1392, there had been high hopes that this year would mark the conclusion of a final peace between France and England, but a combination of circumstances - the rejection by the English, at the council of Stamford in May 1392, of the terms proposed by the French, followed in August by the French king Charles VI's first attack of insanity - meant that these hopes were not realised. Nevertheless, the Anglo-French truce was extended for a further year, until September 1393, which at least meant that 1392 was a year almost entirely free from hostilities as far as the English were concerned. On the domestic front, perhaps the most significant political event of the year was the quarrel which broke out between Richard II and the city of London. This seems to have originated with a request from the king for a loan of ten thousand pounds, which the Londoners, unusually, refused. Richard angrily suspended the liberties of the city, dismissed the mayor and aldermen from office, appointed his own captain to govern London and moved the royal law courts to York - in an attempt, as the Westminster chronicler put it, 'to deal a damaging blow to the city of London'. This was in June, and it was not until September that the mayor and aldermen were restored to office, in return for a corporate fine (of ten thousand pounds); even this restoration was provisional, for not until August 1397 were the liberties of the city fully reinstated, and then only in return for a further financial inducement, a loan to the king of ten thousand marks. In the longer term, however, it may well be that it was the king who was damaged by this incident more than the city, for when, in 1399, he faced his hour of need, few of the Londoners proved willing to stand up for him. (fn. J1393int-1)
It may have been to spite the Londoners that Richard determined to hold his next parliament away from the city. On 23 July writs were issued for a parliament to be held on 14 October at York, and although this meeting was cancelled on 8 September, when a fresh set of writs for a parliament was issued on 23 November, it was once again for an assembly to meet elsewhere than in London: this time the parliament was summoned to meet at Winchester, on 20 January 1393. (fn. J1393int-2) The returns for this assembly are more or less complete, and reveal the names of 74 knights and 245 burgesses. (fn. J1393int-3) The lords spiritual summoned were exactly the same as for the previous parliament of November 1391. Among the lords temporal, the only really 'new' summons (excluding those issued to sons replacing their fathers) was that of William Beauchamp, lord of Bergavenny, a younger brother of the earl of Warwick who had inherited a substantial part of the estates of the earldom of Pembroke. The most notable absentees from the list were Thomas, earl of Stafford, whose first summons had been to the parliament of November 1391, but who had died in July 1392 at the age of approximately twenty-three; and Henry, earl of Derby, the eldest son of John of Gaunt and future King Henry IV, who had taken advantage of the lull in the French war to go on crusade, firstly to Prussia, and then to the Holy Land.
Parliament met, as planned, on Monday 20 January, but was promptly postponed until the following day, perhaps because the king himself had not yet arrived: his wardrobe account shows that the royal household spent the night of 19 January at Bishop's Sutton, some eight miles away, thus presumably not arriving at Winchester until the Monday afternoon or evening. During the parliament Richard and his household were lodged at Wolvesey palace, the main residence of the bishop of Winchester, and it was no doubt in the Great Hall of the palace, one hundred and forty feet long and twenty-nine feet wide, that the plenary sessions of the parliament were held: the triers and receivers of petitions were instructed to hold their meetings in the 'Chapel of the Middle Chamber' and the 'Chapel of the Withdrawing Chamber'. (fn. J1393int-4)
On Tuesday 21 January, Archbishop Arundel, the chancellor, made his opening speech to the assembled lords and commons. Parliament had been summoned for two reasons, he declared. Firstly, whether there was to be war, a truce, or peace, the king urgently needed more money; secondly, the Statute of Provisors of January 1390 required further discussion, in order to avoid disputes between the king and the pope. As had been the case in the previous parliament, it was probably the question of provisors which aroused most feeling, although on this occasion the chroniclers are much less informative than in November 1391. Thomas Walsingham was of the opinion that 'no profitable decisions were made at all' by the parliament, while the Westminster chronicler stated that 'the statute published against provisors was confirmed', but that, although several other topics were discussed, 'a detailed account of each of them would weary readers by its length and is consequently here omitted'. (fn. J1393int-5) In fact, while it is true that the Statute of Provisors was not repealed, it was agreed that Richard might, with the consent of the lords, and saving the rights of the crown and the 'estate and profit of the land', be allowed to modify ( modifier ) the statute and make an ordinance with respect to it. Although this 'modification' implied something rather more than the allowance ( soefferance ) with respect to the statute which the commons had been prepared to concede to the king at the previous parliament, the whole question was still to be reviewed in the next parliament. It is also worth noting that on this occasion the commons asked the king to consider sympathetically the case of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge: graduates felt that they stood a better chance of winning promotion to benefices from the pope than from the king, and that they were thus disadvantaged by the Statute of Provisors.
The most famous 'anti-papal' enactment of this parliament is, however, the so-called 'Great Statute of Praemunire'. This is a puzzling statute: for a start, although there is no doubt that it was based on a petition from the commons (for this is explicitly stated in the 'protestations' of Archbishop Courtenay of Canterbury relating to it), the text of this petition was not enrolled among the common petitions. Stranger still is the fact that, while in theory the statute provided the king with the power to prevent the pope from interfering in a wide range of matters relating to the English church, in practice hardly anyone seems to have noticed this until about forty years after its enactment - although one possible exception may have been the continuator of the Eulogium Historiarum , who briefly, and for the most part correctly, summarised its main points, pointing out the implication, in his view, that from now on 'ecclesiastical patrons should confer their benefices according to the wishes of laymen'. (fn. J1393int-6) The Eulogium is, however, a problematic chronicle, apparently composed at different times between the 1390s and the 1430s, and it may be that these remarks about the statute were inserted at a later date. There is, at any rate, no evidence that the statute was enforced, or even mentioned in any official document, until the 1430s; nor did Pope Boniface IX raise any objections to it, as he had of course - most vociferously - to the 1390 Statute of Provisors. (fn. J1393int-7)
It may be that, like the Second Statute of Praemunire of 1365, the 1393 statute was drafted in order to deal with a specific dispute between king and pope, and that once this had been resolved it was, for the moment, forgotten. (fn. J1393int-8) Its wording was, however, distinctly forceful, and its proposed penalties harsh: it stated, firstly, that cognisance of suits relating to benefices of the English church lay solely with the king's courts, not with the Roman Curia, and, secondly, that anyone who sought or obtained from the pope the translation of any English bishop to a different see, either within or outside the realm, without the king's consent, should be outlawed and suffer forfeiture of his goods. And, while it may strictly be true, as W.T. Waugh commented, that the 1393 statute 'gave the temporal authorities few powers that they would not have possessed without it', nevertheless it is rather remarkable to find that Archbishop Courtenay's 'protestations' were not against these measures, but in favour of them. If any English bishop were to be excommunicated by the pope because he had enforced a royal mandate contrary to a papal provision, Courtenay declared, 'he would consider that to be against the king'. It was not, he hastened to add, that he wished to deny the right of the pope to translate prelates 'according to the law of holy church', but he did, nevertheless, wish 'to stand with the king loyally in this case, to the support of his crown', for 'the crown of England has always been free, and has had no worldly sovereign, but has been directly subject to God and to no other in all things touching the regality of the same crown' (Item 20). Coming from an archbishop of Canterbury, and aimed unambiguously at the papacy, such words were a hostage to fortune - and so indeed they proved to be, most notably at the time of the Reformation, when Henry VIII used the statute firstly against Thomas Wolsey, and subsequently against the English clergy more generally. If there is much about the making of the Great Statute of Praemunire that remains obscure, there was little ambiguity about the way in which it was ultimately used.
With respect to the second charge laid upon them - that of making financial provision for the king - the commons proved even more obliging than they had in November 1391. In addition to renewing the wool subsidy and tunnage and poundage for three years from November 1393, they also granted three half fifteenths and tenths (Item 11). The first of these was in effect unconditional (the St Albans chronicler said that it was to pay for the expenses of the dukes of Lancaster and Gloucester to go to France to negotiate a peace treaty). (fn. J1393int-9) The second was conditional upon Richard II leading a military expedition in person to either Scotland or Ireland; the third was to be raised only if war with France broke out again, in which case it might be used to pay for a campaign by the king against either the French or their allies the Scots. Once again, then, Richard had managed to secure a grant of direct taxation in time of peace; as the commons cannot have failed to realise, there was a danger that this would become a habit.
A number of items concerning individuals also reflect the king's growing authority. Following the death in exile of the king's former favourite, Robert de Vere, his uncle Aubrey was allowed to inherit his earldom of Oxford, even though - as was carefully pointed out on the roll - there was no obligation on the king to permit him to do so (Item 15). In addition, Sir John de Lancaster, a former adherent of de Vere who had been accused of treason in the Merciless Parliament and subsequently shared his master's exile, was granted a full pardon by the king (Item 16). However, contrary to the assertion of the monk of Evesham, it was probably not until some two weeks after the parliament ended that Thomas Percy was appointed steward of the royal household and William Lescrope replaced him as the king's chamberlain, for both appointments were consequent upon the death of the former steward, John Devereux, who did not die until 22 February. (fn. J1393int-10) These moves were, nevertheless, of considerable significance, especially the appointment of Lescrope, who would emerge over the next few years as one of the chief instruments of Richard's autocracy during the final phase of the reign.
Among other matters worth noting is the case of Sir Philip Courtenay, uncle to the earl of Devon, who had been elected as a knight of the shire but had been pursued to Winchester by two of his neighbours, Nicholas Potingdon and Richard Somerset, who submitted petitions to the parliament accusing him of forcibly ejecting them from their lands in Devon. Courtenay was 'so great in his country', they protested, 'that no poor man dares to pursue the law against him, nor to tell the truth against him in the same county'. Their allegations were regarded as serious enough to warrant Courtenay's stepping down from his elected office on the first day of the parliament so as to allow them to be investigated; in the event, it was decided to appoint arbitrators to settle the disputes, and on 27 January Courtenay was restored to his place among the commons and - publicly, at any rate - to 'his good repute' (Items 6, 13 and 14).
One further item of interest is the petition from 'the commons of London' complaining that the ordinance of the previous parliament obliging butchers to slaughter their animals and dispose of the innards and carcasses at least one league outside the city had led to a great scarcity of meat in London. The king's response was to order the butchers to build, on a dunghill on the bank of the Thames, a specially-designed slaughterhouse to which all animal waste was to be taken, cut up in small pieces, loaded on to boats and 'brought to mid stream when the river is deepest and cast into the water when the tide begins to ebb' (Item 27). (fn. J1393int-11) . It was to be built by Easter.
Parliament ended on Monday 10 February (Item 35), and two days later the royal household left Winchester and moved back via Windsor to the king's favoured manor house at Sheen. Within less than a month, the dukes of Lancaster and Gloucester had crossed to France to continue the search for a lasting peace, a process that would occupy a great deal of time and political energy during the spring and summer. Indeed, Anglo-French relations largely dominated the political agenda for the rest of the year and, as will be seen, they also dominated the agenda of the next parliament to be summoned, that of January 1394.
Text and translation
| [p. iii-300] | |
| [col. a] | |
| [memb. 5] | |
| ROTULUS PARLIAMENTI TENTI APUD WYNTON', IN OCTABIS SANCTI HILLARII ANNO REGNI REGIS RICARDI SECUNDI POST CONQUESTUM SEXTODECIMO. | THE ROLL OF THE PARLIAMENT HELD AT WINCHESTER, ON THE OCTAVE OF ST HILARY IN THE SIXTEENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND SINCE THE CONQUEST [20 January 1393]. |
| 1. Fait a remembrer qe lundy en les oeptaves de Seint Hiller, l'an du regne nostre seignour le roi seszisme, q'estoit le primer jour del sommons de cest parlement, pur certeines et resonables causes moevantz nostre dit seignour le roy et son conseille, le parlement fuist adjournez tanq'al lendemayn. Et le dit lendemayn esteant le roy present en parlement, l'ercevesqe d'Everwyk, chanceller d'Engleterre, par comandement du roy, prononcea et declara la cause del sommons du dit parlement, endisant, Qe la principale cause du dit sommons si estoit pur deux choses. La primere chose si est qe soit il guerre, trieves, ou pees, y covient nostre seignour le roy necessairement faire et supporter tresgrantz charges et coustages, solonc ceo qe le temps demande, et le cas requert, sicome overtement fuist monstrez et declarez; et qe y faut par tant ordeiner et deviser coment et en quelle manere les charges et coustages susditz purront meuz estre eus et supportez, au greindre eide et profit du roi et du roialmme, et meindre charge du poeple. Et la seconde chose est d'ordeiner ascun remede touchant l'estatut de provisours, pur eschuir debatz q'ent purroient legierement avenir parentre nostre seint pier et nostre dit seignour le roy et son roialme. | 1. Be it remembered that on the Monday on the octave of St Hilary in the sixteenth year of the reign of our lord the king, which was the first day of the summons of this parliament [20 January 1393], for certain reasonable causes moving our said lord the king and his council, the parliament was adjourned until the next day. And on the said next day [21 January 1393], the king being present in parliament, the archbishop of York, chancellor of England, on the king's command, announced and declared the reason for summoning the said parliament, saying that the chief reason for the said summons lay in two matters. The first was that be it war, truce, or peace, the king must necessarily incur and sustain very great charges and costs, according to the requirements of the time and situation, as has been clearly shown and declared; and that therefore it is necessary to ordain and devise how and in what manner the aforesaid charges and costs might best be found and supported, to the greater aid and profit of the king and the kingdom and the least charge upon the people. And the second was to ordain a remedy touching the statute of provisors, to avoid disputes which could easily arise between our holy father and our said lord the king and his kingdom. |
| 2. Receivours des peticions d'Engleterre, Irland, Gales, et Escoce: | 2. Receivers of petitions from England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland: |
| 3. Receivours des peticions de Gascoign', et d'autres terres et paiis depar dela la meer, et des Isles: | 3. Receivers of petitions from Gascony and from other lands and countries overseas, and from the Channel Islands: |
| Et ceux qi vuillent liverer lour peticions, les baillent avant parentre cy et dymenge proschein. | And those who wish to submit their petitions should hand them in between now and Sunday next [26 January 1393]. |
| [col. b] | |
4. Et sont assignez triours des petitions d'Engleterre, Irland, Gales, et Escoce:
|
4. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland:
|
| - toutz ensemble, ou sys des prelatz et seignours avantditz au meyns; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschalle, et chaumberleyn, et auxint les sergeantz le roy qant y busoignera. Et tendront lour place en la chapelle de middelchambre. | - to act all together, or at least six of the aforesaid prelates and lords; consulting with the chancellor, treasurer, steward and chamberlain, and also the king's serjeants when necessary. And they shall hold their session in the chapel of the Middle Chamber. |
| 5. Et sont assignez triours des peticions de Gascoign', et d'autres terres et paiis depar dela la meer, et des Isles: | 5. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions from Gascony and from other lands and countries overseas, and from the Channel Islands: |
| - toutz ensemble, ou sys des prelatz et seignours avantditz; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschalle, chamberleyn et auxint les sergeantz le roi quant il busoignera. Et tendront lour place en la chapelle de la withdrawyngchambre. | - to act all together, or at least six of the aforesaid prelates and lords; consulting with the chancellor, treasurer, steward, chamberlain and also the king's serjeants when necessary. And they shall hold their session in the chapel of the Withdrawing Chamber. |
| < Monsire Phillip Courteney. > | Sir Philip Courtenay. |
| 6. Meskerdy ensuant, monsire Philip Courteney, q'estoit retournez par le viscont de Devenshire < un > des chivales pur la dite counte, vient devaunt le roi en plein parlement, endisant coment il avoit entenduz qe certeines gentz luy avoient accusez et esclaundrez au roi et as seignours, sibien par bille come par bouche, des heynouses maters; et surceo pria d'estre deschargez de la dit occupacioun tanqe les ditz accusementz et compleintz furent triez et trovez vrais [p. iii-301][col. a] ou nient vrais. Et a cause qe sa dite priere sembla au roi et as seignours honeste, le roi luy ottroia sa requeste et luy ent deschargea en plein parlement. Et lundy ensuant, al instance et priere de la commune, le roi granta q'il serroit restitut et remys en soun lieu solonc le retourne de dit viscont, pur communer et faire ceo q'attient a soun dit office. Et puis apres, a cause q'il avoit este bon et tretable ovesqe ceux qe firent compleintz sur luy, et condescendu a bone treite il fuist restitut en plein parlement a sa bone fame. | 6. On the following Wednesday [22 January 1393], Sir Philip Courtenay, who had been returned by the sheriff of Devon as one of the knights of the said county, came before the king in full parliament saying that he had heard that certain men had accused and slandered him to the king and lords, as well by bill as by word of mouth, of heinous matters; whereupon he prayed to be discharged of the said occupation until the said accusation and complaints had been tried and found true [p. iii-301][col. a] or false. And because his said request seemed genuine to the king and the lords, the king granted it and discharged him thereof in full parliament. And on the following Monday [27 January 1393], at the instance and prayer of the commons, the king granted that he be restored and reinstated in his position in accordance with the return of the said sheriff, to discuss and do that which pertained to his said office. And later, because he had been good and amenable to those who had made the complaint against him, and consented to a good truce, he was restored in full parliament to his good repute. |
| < Priours aliens. > | Alien priors. |
| 7. Come nostre seignour le roi, en son parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an de son regne treszisme, (fn. iii-300-27-1) par advys et assent sibien des prelatz come des seignours temporels, ordeina et voloit, Qe l'ordinance fait des priours aliens et lour possessions l'an de son regne primer serroit fermement tenuz et gardez, ajouste a ycelle qe les priours aliens qe sont instituz et inductz par l'evesqe de lieu, ou par lour abbes exemptz, devant le scisme; conventuels, ou collegialx; ou q'ont title a terme de vie; aueroient et enjoiereient lour ditz priories et resonable ferme, sanz ent estre oustez, combien qe ascuns autres vorroient pluis doner pur ycelles: et qe tielx priours aliens qe avoient patente du roi et furent oustez adonqes, serroient restitutz par agard du dit parlement; nient contresteant ascune patente faite as autres de mesmes les priories a contraire. Et qe nulle priorie, office, ou baillie alien, q'ad ascune esglise ou autre spiritualte approprie ou annexe a ycelle, serroit es mains des laies gentz n'es mayns de religiouses ou de clercs al oeps ou profit des lays gentz, einz tauntsoulement es mains des honestes persones de seinte esglise, religiouses ou seculers, a resonable ferme, pur trover divine service et faire les autres charges resonables et dues as ditz lieux, soloncz la fundacioun d'icelles, sicome en la dite ordinance est contenuz pluis au plein. (fn. iii-300-27-2) | 7. Whereas our lord the king, in his parliament held at Westminster in the thirteenth year of his reign, (fn. iii-300-27-1) by the advice and assent both of the prelates and the lords temporal, ordained and willed that the ordinance made on alien priors and their possessions in the first year of his reign be firmly upheld and kept, adding to the same that alien priors who were instituted and inducted by the bishop of the diocese, or by their exempt abbots, before the schism, and conventuals, or collegians, or those who have title for the term of life, should have and enjoy their said priories and reasonable farm without being ousted from them, even though others would give more for the same: and that those alien priors who had a patent from the king and were then ousted should be restored by the decision of the said parliament, notwithstanding any patent made to others of the same priories to the contrary. And that no alien priory, office or bailiwick which has any church or other spirituality appropriated or annexed thereto should be in the hands of laymen nor in the hands of religious or clerics to the use and profit of laymen, but only in the hands of honest persons of holy church, religious or secular, at a reasonable farm, to provide divine service and perform the other charges reasonable and due on the said places, according to the foundation of the same; as is contained more fully in the said ordinance. (fn. iii-300-27-2) |
| Et ore, plusours des ditz priours s'ont grevousement et pitousement compleintz qe puis l'ordinance et assent susditz ils sont oustez de lour priories et fermes, et lour biens et chateux pris, emportez, et degastez, encontre mesmes l'ordinance et assent, et les lettres patentes du roi a eux faitz, a tresgrant anientissement et destruccioun sibien des ditz priours come de lour dites priories. Sur quoi ordeinez est et pleinement accordez et agardez en cest present parlement qe l'ordinance et assent susditz faitz en le dit parlement l'an quatorizisme (fn. iii-300-28-1) soient fermement tenuz et gardez: et qe toutz les priours q'ont patente du roi, et sont oustez puis encea de lour priories et fermes encontre les ditz ordinance et assent, soient par agarde de cest present parlement restorez et restitutz pleinement et entierement a ycelles. Et q'ils eient aussint restitucioun de toutz lour biens et chateux susditz; nient contresteantz ascunes lettres patentes du roi faitez a ascuns autres de mesmes le priories et fermes, ou ascuns d'icelles, a contraire. Et q'ils eient surceo patentes et briefs tantz et tielx come lour busoignera en le cas. | Yet now, many of the said priors have grievously and piteously complained that since the aforesaid ordinance and assent they have been ousted from their priories and farms, and their goods and chattels taken, carried off and wasted, contrary to the same ordinance and assent, and the letters patent of the king made to them, to the very great injury and ruin of the said priors as well as of their said priories. Whereupon it is ordained and fully agreed and decided in the present parliament that the aforesaid ordinance and assent made in the said parliament in the fourteenth year (fn. iii-300-28-1) shall be firmly upheld and kept: and that all the priors who have a patent from the king and henceforth are ousted from their priories and farms contrary to the said ordinance and assent shall be by the decision of this present parliament restored and reinstated fully and entirely in the same, and that they shall also have restitution of all their goods and chattels aforesaid; notwithstanding any letters patent of the king made to any others for the same priories and farms, or any of the same, to the contrary. And that they shall have for this such and as many writs and letters patent as they shall require in each case. |
| Touchant les provisours. | Concerning provisors. |
| 8. Fait a remembrer touchant l'estatut des provisours (fn. iii-300-31-1) qe les communes, pur la grante affiance, affeccioun, et assurance q'ils ont en la noble persone nostre seignour le roi, et en son tresexcellent sen et tressage discrecioun, et aussint a la grant tendresse q'il ad a sa corone et a sa terre et a les droitz d'icelles, s'accorderent et assenterent en plein parlement qe nostre dit seignour le roi, par bone deliberacioun et assent des seignours et de son sage conseille, preigne toute la matire a luy, et q'il eit plein poair et auctorite de modifier le dit estatut, et ent ordeiner, par deliberacioun et assent susditz, en manere come luy semblera meutz al honour de Dieu et de seinte esglise, et salvacioun de les droitz de sa corone et de [col. b] l'estat et profit de sa terre: et de mettre en execucioun qanqe serra ensy ordeine. Et qe au proschein parlement toutes les choses susdites soient pleinement montrez as ditz communes, au fyn q'ils purront alors par bon avisement agreer, si Dieu plest, a ycelles. | 8. Be it remembered concerning the statute of provisors (fn. iii-300-31-1) that the commons, because of the great trust, affection, and assurance they have in the noble person of our lord the king, and his very excellent sense and very wise discretion, and also because of the care he has for his crown and his land and the rights of the same, agreed and assented in full parliament that our said lord the king, by the good deliberation and assent of the lords and his wise council, take the whole matter to himself, and that he have the power and authority to modify the said statute and ordain upon it, by the aforesaid deliberation and assent, in the manner that shall seem to him best for the honour of God and of holy church, and the salvation of the rights of his crown and of [col. b] the estate and profit of his land: and to put into effect whatever would be thus ordained. And that at the next parliament all the aforesaid matters should be fully expounded to the said commons, so that they might then, after thorough consultation, agree to the same, if it please God. |
| 9. Et puis les dites communes prierent a nostre seignour le roy, d'avoir tendrement au coer en ceste ordinance l'estat et relievement des universitees d'Oxenford' et de Cantebrigg'. | 9. And then the said commons prayed of our lord the king, that he tenderly consider in the ordinance the estate and relief of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. |
| 10. Fait a remembrer qe les prelatz, seignours temporels, et communes s'assenterent en plein parlement qe nostre seignour le roi et ses heirs et successours roys d'Engleterre purront franchement faire lour testamentz, et qe execucioun purra estre faite d'icelles. | 10. Be it remembered that the prelates, lords temporal, and commons agreed in full parliament that our lord the king and his heirs and successors, kings of England, might freely make their testaments, and that execution might be made of the same. |
| < Subsidies. > | Subsidies. |
| 11. Fait a remembrer qe les seignours et communes granterent a nostre seignour le roi en cest present parlement certeins subsides, en la manere et fourme q'ensuit. Al reverence de Dieu, et pur le bien et tranquillite du roialme, et pur la grante affiance qe les communes du roialme ont en nostre seignour le roi et < a > sa < roiale > mageste, et pur la grante chierete et tendresse qe le roi ad a sa corone et a ses dites communes, de eux descharger par la bone governance entour sa persone, en tant come purra, d'ascuns imposicions ou taillages en temps avenir, et de eux maintenir et sustenir en ses droitz loies, sibien poveres come riches; les dites communes, de lour bon gree et frank volunte, par assent des seignours espirituels et temporels, ont grantez a nostre seignour le roi, entrelessantz toutes maneres condicions, les subsides et taillages souzescriptz, en la manere q'ensuit: c'estassavoir le subside des leyns, quirs, et peaux lanutz, de la fest de Seint Andreu proschein avenir en trois ans lors proschein ensuantz, a prendre et receivre si entierement et mesme la somme, sibien de deinzeins come aliens, come il est et court a ore: et dusze deniers de la livere de chescune manere marchandise: et trois soldz de le tonel de vyn venantz deinz le roialme et passantz hors d'icelle, pur estre levez en le meliour manere par le temps susdit. [memb. 4] Et en cas qe < trieves, pees, > ou suffrance de guerre soit parentre nostre seignour le roi et son adversaire de France, et le roi nostre seignour ne voise mesme en sa propre persone en Irland, Escoce, ou autre partie [memb. 4] outre le meer pur la guerre, qe sys deniers de la livere, et dis et oept deniers de le tonelle, de le dit subside de dusze deniers de la livere, et trois souldz de tonelle, soit rebatuz par le temps susdit, et en nulle manere levez. | 11. Be it remembered that the lords and commons granted certain subsidies to our lord the king in this present parliament, in the following manner and form. In reverence of God, and for the good and tranquillity of the realm, and because of the great trust which the commons have in our lord the king and his royal majesty, and for the great charity and affection which the king has for his crown and for his said commons, to discharge them by good governance about his person, as far as he can, from any impositions or tallages in time to come, and to maintain and sustain them in his just laws, both poor and rich; the said commons, of their good grace and free will, by the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal, have granted to our lord the king, laying aside all manner of conditions, the subsidies and tallages written below, in the following manner: namely the subsidy on wool, hides and woolfells for three years from the feast of St Andrew next [30 November 1393 - 29 November 1396], to have and receive as fully and to the same amount, from denizens as well as aliens, as it is and runs at present: and twelve pence in the pound on every kind of merchandise: and three shillings per tun of wine imported into the kingdom or exported from the same, to be levied in the best manner for the aforesaid time. [memb. 4] And in case a truce, peace or armistice should be reached between our lord the king and his adversary of France, and the king our lord should not go in person to Ireland, Scotland, or another part [memb. 4] overseas for the purposes of war, that the said subsidy of twelve pence in the pound and three shillings per tun should be reduced by six pence in the pound and eighteen pence per tun for the aforesaid period, and in no manner levied. |
| Et auxint les dites communes ont grantez a nostre dit seignour le roi, par assent susdit, pur defense du roialme et pur les coustages et charges du roi et du roialme, et pur l'onurer la persone du roi nostre seignour, si trieves, pees, ou suffrance de guerre y soit, un dimy quinzisme et dimy disme, pur estre levez come ad este acustume, a le fest de Seint Johan le Baptistre proschein avenir; et auxint si trieves, pees, ou suffrance de guerre y soit parentre nostre seignour le roi et son dit adversaire de France, et le roi nostre seignour preigne ferme purpos pur aler en sa propre persone en Irland, ou en Escoce, hors du roialme, pur y guerrer et conquerre ses enemys, les dites communes, par assent susdit, ont grantez une autre dimy quinzisme et dimy disme, pur estre levez come ad este accustume, a lendemain de Toutz Seintz proschein avenir. Et si le roi soit destourbe de son dit purpos, et ne voise en propre persone de guerre en Irland ou en Escoce, q'adonqes les dites dimy quinzismes et dimy disme soient sauvement gardez par le tresorer d'Engleterre qe pur le temps serra, en le tresorie, come le tresorer susdit [p. iii-302][col. a] voudra ent respondre, et soi charger en parlement. Et auxint, si guerre soit overte parentre nostre dit seignour le roi et son dit adversaire de France, et par celle cause le roi voise mesmes en sa propre persone en France, ou autrement en Escoce, eiantz guerre overte ovesqe les Franceys, pur y guerrer et conquerre ses enemys, les dites communes, par assent susdit, grantont qe sibien mesmes les ditz dimy quinzisme et dimy disme issint levez pur Irland et Escoce, et esteantz en la tresorie, come desuis, ensemblement ovesqe une autre dimy quinzisme et dimy disme quelles mesmes les communes, par l'assent susdit, grantont pur estre levez a le fest de la Purificacioun de Nostre Dame lors proschein ensuant, soient despenduz pur la aler nostre seignour le roi en sa propre persone vers les dites parties d'Escoce ou France, < < en la manere > > come devant est dit. Et coment qe la guerre de France soit overte, et le roy ne voise mesmes en sa propre persone < as > dites parties < < de France > > ou d'Escoce, come desuis, pur y guerrer ses ditz enemys, qe les ditz darreine dimy quinzisme et dimy disme ne soient ascunement levez en temps avenir, et prient les communes qe toutes cestes condicions soient entrez en roulle de parlement de record, come officers du roy voillent respondre a proschein parlement. | And further, the said commons have granted to our said lord the king, by the aforesaid assent, for the defence of the kingdom and for the costs and charges of the king and kingdom, and to honour the person of the king our lord, if there should be a truce, peace, or armistice, a half-fifteenth and half-tenth, to be levied as has been customary, at the feast of St John the Baptist next [24 June 1393]; and also, if a truce, peace, or armistice should be made between our lord the king and his said adversary of France, and the king our lord takes a firm decision to go in person to Ireland, or to Scotland, out of the kingdom, there to fight and conquer his enemies, the said commons, by the aforesaid assent, have granted another half-fifteenth and half-tenth, to be levied as has been customary, on the day after All Saints next [2 November 1393]. And if the king should be disturbed in his said purpose, and does not go in person to fight in Ireland or in Scotland, that then the said half-fifteenths and half-tenths shall be safely kept by the treasurer of England for the time being, in the treasury, as the aforesaid treasurer [p. iii-302][col. a] would answer for it and be charged in parliament. And further, if there should be open war between our said lord the king and his said adversary of France, and for that reason the king goes in person to France, or else to Scotland, waging open war with the French, there to fight and conquer his enemies, the said commons, by the aforesaid assent, grant that both the same half-fifteenth and half-tenth thus levied for Ireland and Scotland, and being in the treasury, as said above, together with another half-fifteenth and half-tenth which the same commons, by the aforesaid assent, grant to be levied at the feast of the Purification of Our Lady then following [2 February 1394], shall be spent on the expedition of our lord the king in person to the said parts of Scotland or France, in the manner described above. And even if the war with France is open, and the king does not go in person to the said parts of France or Scotland, as was said above, to fight the said enemies, that the said last half-fifteenth and half-tenth shall not be levied in any way in time to come; and the commons pray that all these conditions be entered on the roll of parliament, as the king's officers will answer at the next parliament. |
| < Oiez et terminez. > | Oyer and terminers. |
| 2. Item, nostre seignour le roi granta en cest parlement, al priere des communes, qe null eir, ne trailbastoun, soient tenuz ne grantez tanq'al proschein parlement, ne nulle general oier et terminer, sinoun en cas de grant necessite. Nientmeyns le roi voet qe l'oier et terminer grante el counte de Norff' touchant la mort Esmon Clippesby l'eisne, et Wauter Cook, et auxint l'oier et terminer grante pur les tenantz le roi de Fekenham en le counte de Wircestre, estoisent en lour force. | 12. Also, our lord the king granted in this parliament, at the prayer of the commons, that no eyre or trailbaston should be held or granted until the next parliament, nor any general oyer and terminer, unless in case of great necessity. Nevertheless the king wills that the oyer and terminer granted in Norfolk concerning the deaths of Edmund Clippesby the elder and Walter Cook, and also the oyer and terminer granted for the king's tenants of Feckenham in the county of Worcester, remain in force. |
| < Pour Nicholas Potyngdon. > | On behalf of Nicholas Pontingdon. |
| 13. Nicholas Potyngdon' mist avant une peticioun en cest parlement en la forme: | 13. Nicholas Pontingdon submitted a petition in this parliament in the following form: |
| A nostre seignour le roi et as seignours du parlement supplie humblement Nicholas Pontyngdon', fitz et heir Thomas de Pontyngdon' del counte de Devenshire qe come le dit Thomas de Pontyngdon' fuist seisy del manoir de Bygelegh', et toutz ses auncestres devant luy de tout temps dont memorie ne court, tanqe monsire Philipp de Courtenay torciousement vient ove forte main, et le dit Thomas de le dit manoir ousta sanz cause ou title de droit, et ses biens illoeqes trovez prist, et unqore ove forte main en le dit manoir continue sa possessioun, surmettant le dit Thomas estre bastard, la ou il fuist nee et engendre deinz les esposailes come tierce enfant, et son pier et sa mier toute lour vies continueront lour esposails ensemble, sanz devorce ou ascun departir entre eux en le dit manoir. Et le dit monsire Philipp est si grant en pais, qe nulle povere homme n'ose envers luy son droit pursuer, ne nulle povere homme encontre luy verite dire en mesme le counte, issint qe le dit Nichol est en point desherite a toutz jours, pur poverte. | To our lord the king and to the lords of parliament Nicholas Pontingdon, son and heir of Thomas Pontingdon of Devon, humbly prays: whereas the said Thomas Pontingdon was seised of the manor of Bickleigh, and all his ancestors before him forever since time immemorial, until Sir Philip de Courtenay wrongfully came with a show of force and ousted the said Thomas from the said manor without reason, title, or right, and took his goods found there, and he continues his forcible possession of the said manor still, claiming the said Thomas to be a bastard, whereas he was born and engendered within marriage as the third child, and his father and mother remained married for their entire lives, without divorce or either of them leaving the said manor. And the said Sir Philip is so great in the county that no poor man dare pursue his right against him, nor speak the truth against him in the same county, so that the said Nicholas is on the point of being disinherited forever through poverty. |
| Qe please a nostre seignour le roi et as seignours du parlement de examiner la matire avantdite des pluis sufficeantz chivalers et esquiers du counte avantdit, et surce luy ordeiner remede, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite. (fn. iii-300-43-1) | May it please our lord the king and the lords of parliament to examine the aforesaid matter with the most sufficient knights and squires of the aforesaid county, and ordain a remedy thereon, for God and by way of charity. (fn. iii-300-43-1) |
| La quelle peticioun lieu en parlement, les ditz monsire Philipp' et Nichol alors presentz illoeqes soi submistrent de lour bon gree d'esteer al ordinance, arbitrement, et agarde de monsire Piers Counternay, monsire James Chuddelegh', monsire William Sturmy, monsire Thomas Broke, Johan Wadham, William Hankeford, Robert Hill, Martin Ferrers, et Thomas Melle, de toute la matire comprise en la dite peticioun, issint q'ils facent [col. b] lour arbitrement et agarde parentre cy et le fest de Pentecoste proschein avenir. Et si les ditz arbitrement et agarde ne soient faitz devant le dit fest de Pentecoste, q'adonqes les parties susdites soient a large a la commune ley. Et enoutre le dit monsire Philipp' ad grante et promys en parlement q'apres le dit fest de Pentecoste, en cas qe les ditz arbitrement et agarde ne soient faitz en le meen temps, il ne destourbera le dit Nichol par meyntenance, brogage, n'en autre manere, de pursuir la commune ley, ne d'entrer le manoir peisiblement solonc la ley. Et enoutre est assentuz qe si le dit Nichol entre en le dit manoir, et soit ouste, et porte l'assise, q'il auera brief direct al viscont de Devenshire, d'arraier la panelle du dite assise de les pluis sufficeantz et pluis indifferentz chivalers et esquiers du dit counte, pur passer su l'assise avantdite. | Which petition having been read in parliament, the said Sir Philip and Nicholas then present there submitted of their own free will to be at the ordinance, arbitration and decision of Sir Piers Courtenay, Sir James Chudleigh, Sir William Sturmy, Sir Thomas Broke, John Wadham, William Hankford, Robert Hill, Martin Ferrers, and Thomas Melle, concerning the entire matter contained in the said petition, so that they might make their [col. b] arbitration and award between now and Whitsun next [25 May 1393]. And if the said arbitration and decision be not made before the said Whitsun, that then the aforesaid parties shall be free to resort to the common law. Moreover, the said Sir Philip granted and promised in parliament that after the said Whitsun [25 May 1393], if the said arbitration and decision has not been made in the meantime, he will not hinder the said Nicholas by maintenance, brokerage, nor in any other way from pursuing the common law, nor from entering the manor peaceably according to the law. And also it was agreed that if the said Nicholas should enter the said manor and be ousted, and carry the assize, he would have a writ directed to the sheriff of Devon to array the panel of the said assize from amongst the most sufficient and most impartial knights and squires of the said county, to perform the aforesaid assize. |
| < Pour Richard Somestre. > | For Richard Somerset. |
| 14. Richard Somestre mist avant une peticioun en cest parlement en la fourme q'ensuit: | 14. Richard Somerset submitted a petition in this parliament in the following form: |
| A nostre seignour le roi et seignours du parlement supplie humblement Richard Somestre del counte de Devenshire qe come le dit Richard fuist seisi de quatre marchees de terre en Thurverton' el counte avantdit, et ceo peisiblement ans et jours, tanqe monsire Philipp' de Courtenay torciousement vient ove forte main, et le dit Richard del dite terre oustra, et unqore ove forte mayn en la dite terre continue sa possessioun, sanz cause ou title de droit. Et le dit monsire Philipp' est si grant en pais qe nulle povere homme n'ose envers luy son droit pursuir, ne nulle homme encontre luy verite dire. Pur quoi l'avantdit Richard est en poynt desherite a toutz jours pur feblesse et poverte. | To our lord the king and the lords of parliament, Richard Somerset of Devon humbly prays that whereas the said Richard was seised of four marks' worth of land in Thorverton in the aforesaid county, and that peaceably for years and days, until Sir Philip de Courtenay wrongfully came with a show of force and ousted the said Richard from the said land, and he still continues his forcible possession of the said land, without reason, title, or right. And the said Sir Philip is so great in the county that no poor man dare pursue his right or speak the truth against him. For which reason the aforesaid Richard is on the point of being disinherited forever by weakness and poverty. |
| Qe plese a voz tresgraciouses seignouries d'eider le dit Richard, q'il puisse avoir remede en cest present parlement, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite. | May it please your most gracious lordships to aid the said Richard, that he might have remedy in this present parliament, for God and by way of charity. |
| La quelle peticioun lieu en parlement, les ditz monsire Philipp et Richard, alors presentz, illoeqes soi submistrent de lour bon gree d'esteer al ordinance, arbitrement et agarde de monsire Piers Courtenay, monsire James Chuddelegh', monsire William Sturmy, monsire Thomas Broke, Johan Wadham, William Hankeford, Robert Hill', Martyn Ferrers, et Thomas Melle, de toute la matire compris en la dite peticioun, issint q'ils ent facent lour arbitrement et agarde parentre cy et le fest de Pentecoste proschein avenir. Et si les ditz arbitrement et agarde ne soient faitz devant le dit fest de Pentecoste, q'adonqes les parties susditz soient a large a la commune ley. Et enoutre le dit monsire Philipp' ad grante et promys en parlement, q'apres le dit fest de Pentecoste, en cas qe les ditz arbitrement et agarde ne soient faitz en le meen temps, il ne destourbera le dit Richard par meyntenance, brogage n'en autre manere, de pursuir le commune ley ne d'entrer le manoir peisiblement. Et enoutre est assentuz qe si le dit Richard entre en le dit manoir et soit ouste, et porte l'assise, q'il auera brief direct al viscont de Devenshire, d'arraier la panelle du dit assise de les plus sufficeantz et pluis indifferentz chivalers et esquiers du dit counte, pur passer sur l'assise avantdite. | Which petition having been read in parliament, the said Sir Philip and Richard, then present, there submitted of their own free will to be at the ordinance, arbitration and decision of Sir Piers Courtenay, Sir James Chudleigh, Sir William Sturmy, Sir Thomas Broke, John Wadham, William Hankford, Robert Hill, Martin Ferrers, and Thomas Melle, concerning the entire matter contained in the said petition, so that they might make their arbitration and award thereon between now and Whitsun next [25 May 1393]. And if the said arbitration and decision be not made before the said Whitsun, then the aforesaid parties shall be free to resort to the common law. And further, the said Philip granted and promised in parliament that after the said Whitsun [25 May 1393], if the said arbitration and award has not been made in the mean time, he will not prevent the said Richard by maintenance, brokerage, nor in any other way, from pursuing the common law nor entering the manor peaceably. And also, it was agreed that if the said Richard should enter the said manor and be ousted, and carried the assize, he would have a writ directed to the sheriff of Devon to array the panel of the said assize from the most sufficient and most impartial knights and squires of the said county, to perform the aforesaid assize. |
| < Pour le counte de Oxon'. > | Concerning the earl of Oxford. |
| 15. Fait a remembrer q'en cest parlement, purceo qe Robert de Veer, nadgairs duc d'Irland et count d'Oxenford, estoit a Dieu comandez, et nostre seignour le roi est clerement apris, qe certeins terres et tenementz qe furent a dit Robert devant le juggement envers luy rendu en le parlement tenuz a Westm' lendemain de la Purificacioun Nostre Dame l'an du regne nostre dit seignour le roi unzisme, (fn. iii-300-52-1) et les queux par force du dit juggement furent forfaitz a nostre dit seignour le roi, et seisez en sa main; [p. iii-303][col. a] furent taillez par fyn, et par force du dite taille deivont descendre a seignour Aubrey de Veer, come uncle et heir a dit Robert, si ad nostre seignour le roi grante, del assent de parlement, a dit seignour Aubrey livere de toutz les terres et tenementz a luy ensy taillez par fyn, come desuis est dit. Et enoutre, combien qe le dit seignour Aubrey n'ad riens monstre unqore en especial qe les noun et estat du count d'Oxenford sont a luy taillez, nientmayns, nostre dit seignour le roi eiant consideracioun a le bon et greable service qe le dit seignour Aubrey ad fait sibien a nostre dit seignour le roi come a son noble seignour et pier, qe Dieux assoille, et coment les auncestres du dit seignour Aubrey ont estez countz d'Oxenford d'auncien temps, et voillant qe l'estat et noun del count d'Oxenford, tout furent ils forfaitz par virtue du dit juggement, ne cessent pas outrement par l'enchesoun suisdite, einz soient continuez en temps avenir, al honour de nostre dit seignour le roy et de son roialme, si ad de sa grace especiale restitut, done et grante, par assent du parlement, al dit seignour Aubrey le noun, title, estat, et honour du count d'Oxenford; a avoir les ditz noun, title, estat, et honour a dit seignour Aubrey et ses heirs madles a toutz jours, et luy fist count d'Oxenford en plein parlement. Et mayntenant le dit count fist homage a nostre dit seignour le roy, et puis fuist mys et assis en son lieu ovesqe ses pieres en parlement, enmerciant treshumblement nostre dit seignour le roy de sa bone et graciouse seignourie suisdite. (fn. iii-300-52-2) | 15. Be it remembered that in this parliament, whereas Robert de Vere, late duke of Ireland and earl of Oxford, was called to God, and our lord the king was plainly informed that certain lands and tenements which belonged to the said Robert before the judgment rendered against him in the parliament held at Westminster on the day after the Purification of Our Lady in the eleventh year of the reign of our said lord the king, (fn. iii-300-52-1) and which by force of the said judgment were forfeited to our said lord the king, and taken into his hands; [p. iii-303][col. a] were entailed by fine, and by force of the said entail should descend to Sir Aubrey de Vere, as the uncle and heir of the said Robert; so our lord the king grants, with the assent of parliament, to the said Aubrey livery of all the lands and tenements thus entailed to him by fine, as is said above. And also, although the said Sir Aubrey had nothing specific at that time to show that the name and estate of the earl of Oxford were entailed to him, nevertheless, our said lord the king, considering the good and distinguished service which the said Sir Aubrey had done both for our said lord the king and his noble lord and father, whom God absolve, and that the ancestors of the said Lord Aubrey had been earls of Oxford since ancient times, and willing that the estate and name of the earl of Oxford, although they were wholly forfeit by virtue of the said judgment, should not entirely cease for the aforesaid reason, but should be continued in time to come, to the honour of our said lord the king and his said realm, so of his special grace he has restored, given, and granted, by the assent of parliament, to the said Sir Aubrey the name, title, estate, and honour of the earl of Oxford; to have the said name, title, estate, and honour to him the said Sir Aubrey and his heirs male forever, and he made him earl of Oxford in full parliament. And thereupon the said earl did homage to our said lord the king, and then was placed and seated amongst his peers of parliament, thanking our said lord the king very humbly for his good and gracious lordship. (fn. iii-300-52-2) |
| < Pardon pour John de Lancastre, chivaler. > | Pardon for John Lancaster, knight. |
| 16. En ycest parlement nostre seignour le roy, de sa grace especiale, pardona a Johan de Lancastre, chivaler, par assent du dit parlement, la suite de sa pees, q'a luy envers le dit Johan appartient, pur male governance et mal conseille entour la persone nostre seignour le roy, et pur toutz maners tresons < et > mesprisions faitz a nostre dit seignour le roi par le dit Johan: et auxint, de ceo qe le dit Johan estoit dela la meer ovesqe Robert de Veer nadgairs duc d'Irland toute la vie du dit Robert, apres le juggement de tresoun rendu envers le dit Robert en le parlement tenuz a Westm' lendemayn de la Purificacioun Nostre Dame, l'an du regne nostre seignour le roy unzisme, (fn. iii-300-54-1) et granta auxint a dit Johan, de l'assent susdit, plein pardoun et remission de toutes les choses suisdites, et de qan qe a luy ent appartient: nient contresteant qe le dit Johan estoit except par noun de les dites grace et pardoun, par l'estatut fait en le parlement susdit. (fn. iii-300-54-2) | 16. In this parliament our lord the king, of his special grace, pardoned John Lancaster, knight, by the assent of the said parliament, the suit of his peace, which pertained to him against the said John for evil governance and counsel about the person of our lord the king, and for all manner of treasons and offences committed against our said lord the king by the said John: and also, because the said John was overseas with Robert de Vere lately duke of Ireland for the whole life of the said Robert, after the judgment of treason rendered against the said Robert in the parliament held at Westminster on the day after the Purification of Our Lady in the eleventh year of the reign of our lord the king, (fn. iii-300-54-1) he also granted to the said John, with the aforesaid assent, full pardon and remission of all the aforesaid things, and whatsoever pertains to him therein: notwithstanding that the said John had been excepted by name from the said grace and pardon, by the statute made in the aforesaid parliament. (fn. iii-300-54-2) |
| The rest of m.4 has been left blank. | |
| [memb. 3] | |
| < Decanus et capitulum ecclesie Cedde. > | The dean and chapter of St Chad. |
| Alias, scilicet in parliamento tento apud Westm', anno regni domini nostri regis quintodecimo, decanus et capitulum ecclesie Sancti Cedde de Lichefeld exhibuerunt quandam peticionem suam in eodem parliamento in hec verba: (fn. iii-300-57-1) | At another time, namely in the parliament held at Westminster in the fifteenth year of the reign of our lord the king, the dean and chapter of the church of St Chad of Lichfield showed a certain petition in the same parliament in these words: (fn. iii-300-57-1) |
| 17. A nostre tresredoute seignour le roy, et a les nobles seignours de cest present parlement, supplient le dean et chapitre del esglise de Seint Cedde de Lichefeld: qe come en le record et proces, et en le rendre de juggement de plee qe fuist devant nostre seignour le roy en bank le roi, par brief d'errour parentre le priour de Neuport Paynel pleignant, et le nadgairs dean predecessour de dean q'orest et chapitre de mesme l'esglise, defendantz, errours y sont apertement, as griefs damages des ditz suppliantz. | 17. To our most redoubtable lord the king and to the noble lords of this present parliament, the dean and chapter of the church of St Chad pray that whereas in the record and process, and the record of the judgment of the plea which was before our lord the king in the King's Bench, by writ of error between the prior of Newport Pagnell, plaintiff, and the late dean, predecessor of the dean who now is and the chapter of the same church, defendants, there are clear errors, to the grievous injury of the said supplicants. |
| Qe plese a nostre tresredoute seignour le roy et les seignours avantditz, de faire venir devant eux les ditz record et proces, ove toutes choses touchantz et appendantz d'icelles en cest present parlement, et corriger les errours avantditz: et auxint de faire garnir le dit priour par agarde de mesme le parlement d'estre en cest present parlement a certein jour, d'oier les errours avantditz; considerantz qe les ditz nadgairs dean et chapitre ont perduz par celle juggement erroyne trescentz et vynt marcz des arrerages d'un annuite de vynt [col. b] marcz par an. Et outre de faire droit as dites parties en la matire avantdite; et ceo pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite. (fn. iii-300-59-1) | May it please our most redoubtable lord the king and the aforesaid lords to cause the said record and process to be brought before them, with all matters touching and appended to the same in this present parliament, and to correct the aforesaid errors: and also to cause the said prior to be summoned by decision of the same parliament to be in this present parliament on a certain day, to hear the aforesaid errors; considering that the said late dean and chapter have lost by this erroneous judgment three hundred and twenty marks in arrears from an annuity of twenty [col. b] marks a year. And further to do right to the said parties in the aforesaid matter; and that for God and by way of charity. (fn. iii-300-59-1) |
| Et dicta peticione in dicto parliamento lecta, consideratum fuit quod predictus decanus et capitulum haberent breve de scire facias factum et fundatum in casu suo, retornabile in proximo parliamento, ad scire faciendum < prefato > priori de Neuport Paynel essendi ad dictum proximum parliamentum in quocumque loco infra regnum Anglie teneri contingeret, ad audiendum errores quos per prefatos decanum et capitulum in recordo et processu predictis assignari sive allegari contingeret, et ad faciendum ulterius et recipiendum quod per legem terre adjudicari contingeret in hac parte. Et quod recordum et processus predicta, cum omnibus ea tangentibus, essent in dicto proximo parliamento ex causa supradicta. Ac jam in presenti parliamento brevi de scire facias quod iidem decanus et capitulum versus prefatum priorem tulerant in hac parte, retornato, et certis causis legitimis cassato, iidem decanus et capitulum pecierunt novum breve de scire facias sibi concedi de materia antedicta quod eis fuit concessum, retornabile ad proximum parliamentum. | And, the said petition having been read in the said parliament, it was decided that the aforesaid dean and chapter should have a writ of scire facias made and founded on their cause, returnable at the next parliament, to inform the aforementioned prior of Newport Pagnell that he should be at the said next parliament wheresover it may be held within the kingdom of England, to hear the errors which may be assigned to or alleged to be in the record and process by the aforementioned dean and chapter, and further to do and receive whatsoever should be adjudged by the law of the land in the matter. And that the aforesaid record and process, with all matters touching them, should be in the said next parliament for the aforesaid reason. And now in this present parliament, the writ of scire facias which the same dean and chapter brought against the aforementioned prior in the matter having been returned and cancelled for certain lawful reasons, the same dean and chapter beg that a new writ of scire facias be granted them in the aforesaid matter; which was granted to them, returnable at the next parliament. |
| < Johannes Shepeie, clericus. > | John Shepeye, cleric. |
| Alias, scilicet in parliamento < tento > apud Westm' anno regni domini regis quintodecimo, Johannes Shepeye, clericus, prebendarius prebende de Nassyngton' in ecclesia cathedrali beate Marie Lincoln', exhibuit quandam peticionem in eodem parliamento, in hec verba: (fn. iii-300-64-1) | At another time, namely in the parliament held at Westminster in the fifteenth year of the reign of our lord the king, John Shepeye, clerk, prebendary of the prebend of Nassington in the cathedral church of the blessed Mary of Lincoln, showed a certain petition in the same parliament, in these words: (fn. iii-300-64-1) |
| 18. A nostre tresredoute seignour le roi et a ses nobles seignours de cest present parlement supplie Johan Shepeye, prebender de la prebende de Nassyngton' en l'esglise cathedrale Nostre Dame de Lincoln': qe come en le record et proces et en le rendre de juggement de plee qe fuist devant nostre seignour le roi en bank le roi par brief d'errour parentre Henry priour de Huntyngdon' pleignant, et le dit Johan defendant, errour y ad apertement, as griefs damages de dit Johan. | 18. To our most redoubtable lord the king and his noble lords of this present parliament, John Shepeye, prebendary of the prebend of Nassington in the cathedral church of Our Lady of Lincoln, prays that whereas in the record and process and the rendering of the judgment of the plea which was before our lord the king in the King's Bench by a writ of error between Henry prior of Huntingdon, plaintiff, and the said John, defendant, there was clear error, to the grievous injury of the said John. |
| Qe plese a nostre tresredoute seignour le roi < et a les > seignours avantditz, de faire venir les ditz record et proces ove toutes choses touchantz et appendantz d'icelles en cest present parlement, et corriger l'errour avauntdite: et auxint de faire garnir le dit priour par agarde de mesme le parlement, d'estre en cest parlement a certein jour, d'oier l'errour avantdit et outre de faire droit as dites parties en la matire avantdite; et ceo pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite, considerant qe le dit Johan ad perdu par le dit juggement erroine une annuite de dys soldz par an, q'estoit parcelle de sa prebende avantdite. | May it please our most redoubtable lord the king and the aforesaid lords to cause the said record and process with all matters touching and appendent to the same to be brought to this present parliament, and to correct the aforesaid error: and also to cause the said prior to be summoned by decision of the same parliament, to be in that parliament on a certain day to hear the aforesaid error and to do right to the said parties in the aforesaid matter; and that for God and by way of charity, considering that the said John has by the said erroneous judgment lost an annuity of ten shillings a year, which was part of his aforesaid prebend. |
| Et dicta peticione in dicto parliamento lecta, consideratum fuit quod predictus Johannes haberet breve de scire facias factum et fundatum in suo casu, retornabile in proximo parliamento, ad scire faciendum prefato priori de Huntyngdon' essendi ad dictum proximum parliamentum, in quocumque loco infra regnum Anglie teneri contingeret, ad audiend' errores quos per prefatum Johannem in recordo et processu predictis assignari sive allegari contingeret, et ad faciendum ulterius et recipiendum quod per legem terre adjudicari contingeret in hac parte. Et quod recordum et processus predicta, cum omnibus ea tangentibus, essent in dicto proximo parliamento ex causa supradicta. Ac jam in presenti parliamento brevi de scire facias, quod idem Johannes Shepeye versus prefatum priorem tulerat in hac parte, retornato et certis causis legitimis cassato, idem Johannes peciit novum breve de scire facias sibi concedi de materia antedicta, quod ei < fuit > concessum, retornabile ad proximum parliamentum. | And, the said petition having been read in the said parliament, it was decided that the aforesaid John should have a writ of scire facias made and founded on his cause, returnable in the next parliament, to instruct the aforementioned prior of Huntingdon to be at the said next parliament, wheresoever it may to be held within the kingdom of England, to hear the errors which may be assigned or claimed to be in the said record and process by the said John, and further to do and receive whatever should happen to be adjudged in this matter by the law of the land. And that the aforesaid record and process, with all matters touching them, should be in the said next parliament for the aforesaid reason. And now in the present parliament, the writ of scire facias which the same John Shepeye brought against the aforementioned prior in that matter having been returned and cancelled for certain lawful reasons, the same John prayed that a new writ of scire facias be granted him on the aforesaid matter; which was granted, returnable at the next parliament. |
| < Pour Esmon Bassett. > | For Edmund Basset. |
| 19. Autrefoitz, c'estassavoir en le parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an du regne nostre seignour le roi [p. iii-304][col. a] quinzisme, Esmon Basset mist avant une peticioun en mesme le parlement, en les paroles q'ensuent: (fn. iii-300-70-1) | 19. At another time, namely in the parliament held at Westminster in the fifteenth year of the reign of our lord the king, [p. iii-304][col. a] Edmund Basset submitted a petition to the same parliament in the following words: (fn. iii-300-70-1) |
| A nostre tresredoute seignour le roi, et as nobles seignours de cest present parlement, supplie Esmon Basset: qe come en le record et proces et rendre du juggement de la parole qe fuist devant nostre dit seignour le roi en bank le roi, parentre mesme nostre seignour le roi demandant, et le dit Esmon deforceant, de certeines terres et tenementz ove les appurtenances en Wynflith', Salford', Dondray, Barwe, Bakwell', Hasill', Rochel et Ashton', en le conte de Somersete, et de l'advoesoun de l'esglise de Wynflith' en mesme le counte, par brief de scire facias; sur quel brief estoit agarde qe les ditz tenementz et advoesoun serroient seisez en meyns du roi; par force de quelle agarde mesmes les tenementz et advoesoun furent seisez en meyns du roi, et le dit Esmon ent oustez, errours y sont apertement, a grief damage du dit Esmon. | To our most redoubtable lord the king and to the noble lords of this present parliament, Edmund Basset prays: whereas in the record and process and rendering of the judgment in the case which was before our said lord the king in the King's Bench, between our same lord the king, demandant, and the said Edmund, deforciant, over certain lands and tenements with their appurtenances in Winford, Saltford, Dundry, Barrow, Halswell, Rochelle, Littleton and Ashton, in Somerset, and the advowson of the church of Winford in the same county, by writ of scire facias; on which writ it was decided that the said tenements and advowson should be taken into the king's hands; by force of which decision the same tenements and advowson were taken into the king's hands and the said Edmund ousted therefrom, there are clear errors, to the grievous injury of the said Edmund. |
| Qe plese a nostre tresredoute seignour le roi et as nobles seignours avantditz, de faire venir < devant > eux en cest present parlement les ditz record et proces, ove toutes choses touchantz et appendantz d'icelles, et corriger les errours avantditz, come la ley et reson demandent. Et outre de faire droit au dit suppliant, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite. (fn. iii-300-71-1) | May it please our most redoubtable lord the king and the noble lords aforesaid to cause the said record and process, with all matters touching and appendent to the same, to be brought before them in this present parliament, and to correct the aforesaid errors, as the law and reason demand, and further, to do right to the said supplicant, for God and by way of charity. (fn. iii-300-71-1) |
| La quelle peticioun lieu el dit parlement, agarde fuist qe la dite matire serroit continue en l'estat qe fuist adonqes tanq'al proschein parlement. Et ore en cest present parlement agarde est qe la dite matire soit continue en l'estat q'orest tanq'al proschein parlement. | Which petition having been read in the said parliament, it was decided that the said matter be adjourned in its present state until the next parliament. And now in this parliament it was decided that the said matter be adjourned in its present state until the next parliament. |
| Touchant les protestacions William jadys ercevesqe de Canterbirs, etc. | Touching the late protestations of William archbishop of Canterbury, etc. |
| 20. William ercevesqe de Canterbirs bailla avant une cedule en plein parlement, contenant ses responses a certeines articles de luy demandez, en le fourme et paroles q'ensuent: | 20. William, archbishop of Canterbury, lately submitted a schedule in full parliament containing his answers to certain articles posed to him, in the following form and words: |
| A nostre tresredoute seignour le roi en cest present parlement son humble chapellein William ercevesqe de Canterbirs, a la peticioun baillez en le dit parlement par les communes de roialme, en la quele peticioun sont contenuz certeines articles; c'estassavoir, primerement, par la ou nostre seignour le roi et toutz ses liges deivent du droit, et soleyent de tout temps, pursuer en la court mesme nostre seignour le roi, pur recoverer lour presentementz as esglises, provendres, et autres benefices de seinte esglise, as queux ils ount droit a presenter, la conisance de plee de quele pursute apertient soulement a court mesme nostre seignour le roi d'auncien droit de sa corone, usee et aprove en temps de toutz ses progenitours rois d'Engleterre: et qant jugement soit rendu en mesme sa court sur tiel plee et pursuite, les ercevesqes, evesqes, et autres persones espiritueles q'ont institucioun de tiel benefice deinz lour jurisdiccioun, sont tenuz et ount fait execucioun des tieux jugementz par mandement des rois de tout le temps avantdit sanz interrupcioun, qar autre lai persone ne poet tiel execucioun faire: et auxint sont tenuz de droit de faire execucioun de plusours autres mandementz noster seignour le roi, du quel droit la corone d'Engleterre ad estee pesiblement seisi, sibien en temps nostre dit seignour le roi, come en temps de [col. b] toutz ses progenitours, tanqe encea; mes ore tard diverses processes sont faitz par le seint pier le pape, et sensures d'escomengementz sur certeines evesqes d'Engleterre, pur ceo q'ils ount fait execucioun des tieux mandementz, en overte disheritance de la dite corone, et destruction de la regalie nostre dit seignour le roi, sa ley, et tout soun roialme, si remedie ne soit mys, a ceste article le dit ercevesqe fesant protestacioun q'il n'est pas sa entencioun de dire ne affermer qe nostre seint pier le pape ne poet excomenger evesqes solonc la ley de seinte esglise, respoigne, et dit, si aucuns execucions de processes soient faitz par ascuny, et censures d'escomengementz encontre ascuny evesqe d'Engleterre, ou ascun autre lige du roy, pur ceo q'ils ount fait execucioun de tieux mandementz, il tient qe ceo est contre le roy, sicome est contenuz en mesme la peticioun. Et pur tant il voet esteer ove nostre dit seignour le roi, et ove sa corone, en la cause avantdite, a soun poair. | To our most redoubtable lord the king in this present parliament, his humble chaplain William, archbishop of Canterbury, upon the petition submitted in the said parliament by the commons of the realm, in which petition are contained certain articles; that is to say, firstly, although our lord the king and all his lieges ought by right and always used to pursue in the court of our same lord the king to recover their presentments to churches, prebends, and other benefices of holy church, to which they have the right to present, cognisance of the plea of such suit pertains solely to the court of our same lord the king by ancient right, used and approved in the time of all his progenitors the kings of England: and when judgment is rendered in the same court on such a plea and suit, the archbishops, bishops, and other persons spiritual who have the institution of any such benefice within their jurisdiction are bound to and have made execution of such judgments upon the king's orders for all the aforesaid time without interruption, since another lay person cannot make such execution: and also they are bound by right to execute many other mandates of our lord the king; of which right the crown of England has been peaceably seised both in the time of our said lord the king and in the time of [col. b] all his progenitors, until now; but now, of late, various processes have been brought by the holy father the pope, and censures of excommunication on certain bishops of England, because they have executed such mandates, to the open disinheritance of the said crown, and destruction of the regality of our said lord the king, his law and his entire realm, if remedy be not provided; to which article the said archbishop, protesting that it was not his intention to say or affirm that our holy father the pope could not excommunicate bishops according to the law of holy church, answered and said that if any executions of processes were made by anyone, and censures of excommunication against any bishop of England, or any other liege of the king, because they had executed such mandates, he would consider that to be against the king, as is contained in the same petition. And therefore, he wished to stand with our said lord the king, and with his crown, in the aforesaid cause, so far as he could. |
| Et auxint, par la ou dit est et contenu en la dite peticioun qe comune clamour y ad qe le dit seint pier le pape ad ordeine et purpose de translater ascuns prelatz du mesme le roialme, ascuns hors du [...] roialme, et ascuns d'une eveschee < a > autre deinz mesme, sanz assent et conisance nostre seignour le roi, et sanz assent du prelat qe serroit ensy translate, queux prelatz sont moult profitables et necessaires a nostre dit seignour le roi et tout soun roialme: par queux translacions, s'ils feussent suffertez, les estatutz du roialme serront defaitz et anyntez, et ses sages liges de soun conseil saunz son assent et encontre sa volunte sustretz et esloines hors de soun roialme, et l'avoir et tresor du mesme le roialme serroit enporte; et ency mesme le roialme destitut sibien du conseil come d'avoir, au final destruction du mesme le roialme; et ensi la corone d'Engleterre q'ad este si frank de tout temps, qele n'ad eeu nule terrene sovereyne, mes inmediat susgit a Dieu en toutes choses touchantz regalie de mesme la corone et a nule autre, serroit submys a pape, et les leys et estatutz du roialme par luy defaitz et < anientiz > a sa volunte, en perpetuel destructioun de la sovereinte nostre seignour le roi, sa corone, et sa regalie, et tout soun roialme, qe Dieu defend. | And also, whereas it was said and contained in the said petition that there was common discontent that the said holy father the pope should have ordained and intended to translate any prelates from the same kingdom, some out of the same kingdom, and some from one bishopric to another within the same, without the assent and cognisance of our lord the king, and without the assent of the prelate thus to be translated, which prelates are most profitable and necessary to our said lord the king and all his realm: by which translations, if they were allowed, the statutes of the realm would be undone and annulled, and the wise lieges of his council without his assent and against his will withdrawn and removed from his kingdom, and the possessions and treasure of the same kingdom carried off, and the counsel and treasure of the same kingdom carried off, to the ultimate destruction of the same kingdom; and so the crown of England, which has always been free, and has had no worldly sovereign, but has been directly subject to God and to no other in all things touching the regality of the same crown, would be subject to the pope, and the laws and statutes of the kingdom undone and annulled by him at his will, to the perpetual destruction of the sovereignty of our lord the king, his crown, his regality and his entire realm, which God forbid. |
| Le dit ercevesqe fesant protestacioun q'il n'est sa entencioun de dire ne affermer qe nostre dit seint pier ne poet faire translacions des prelatz solonc la ley de seinte esglise, respoigne, et dit qe si ascuns execucions de tielx translacions soient faitz d'aucuns prelatz de mesme le roialme, queux prelatz sont meultz profitables et necessaires a nostre dit seignour le roi et a son roialme suisdit; ou qe ses sages liges de soun conseil, saunz soun assent, et encountre sa volunte, soient sustretz et esloignez hors du roialme, et le avoir et le tresor purroit < estre > destrutz, le dit ercevesqe tient, qe ceo serroit contre le roi et sa corone. Et pur tant il voet estere ovec le roi en cel cas loialment, en sustenance de sa corone; et en toutz autres cas touchantz sa corone, come il est tenuz par sa ligence. Et pria au roi qe la dite cedule soit entre de record en roulle de parlement: et le roy l'ottroia. (fn. iii-300-75a-1) | The said archbishop protesting that it was not his intention to say or affirm that our said holy father could not make translations of prelates according to the law of holy church, answered and said that if such translations of any prelates of the same realm were made, which prelates are most profitable and necessary to our said lord the king and his aforesaid realm; or if the wise lieges of his counsel, without his assent, and against his will, were withdrawn and removed from the realm, and the possessions and treasure like to be destroyed, the said archbishop would consider that to be against the king and crown. And for that reason he wished to stand with the king loyally in this case, to the support of his crown; and in all other matters concerning his crown, as he was bound by his allegiance. And he prayed of the king that the said schedule be entered on record in the roll of parliament: and the king thereto agreed. (fn. iii-300-75a-1) |
| The rest of m.3 has been left blank. | |
| [p. iii-305] | |
| [memb. 2] | |
| AL TRESEXCELLENT ET TRESPUISSANT PRINCE NOSTRE SEIGNOUR LE ROI SUPPLIENT HUMBLEMENT VOZ POVRES COMMUNES DE VOSTRE ROIALME D'ENGLETERRE, QE PLESE A VOSTRE HAUTESSE, EN EASE ET SUPPORTACIOUN DE VOSTRE POVERE COMMUNE, GRANTER LES PETICIONS SOUZESCRIPTZ. | TO THE VERY EXCELLENT AND VERY POWERFUL PRINCE OUR LORD THE KING, THE POOR COMMONS OF YOUR KINGDOM OF ENGLAND HUMBLY PRAY THAT IT MAY PLEASE YOUR HIGHNESS, TO THE EASE AND SUPPORT OF YOUR POOR COMMONS, TO GRANT THE UNDERWRITTEN PETITIONS. |
| [col. a] | |
| [Farm of the shires.] | [Farm of the shires.] |
| 21. < Hundreds, etc. > Primerement suppliont les poveres communes: qe come certeines wapentakes, hundredes, ropes, lathes, ballies, gaoles, rentz, seignouries et villes, queux furent grant parcelle del ferme des corps des countees parmy le roialme, sont par vous et voz progenitours donez, grantez et enfranchisez as diverses seignours et dames, et issint severez des corps des countees; et nient contresteant cella, voz liges viscontz des countees sont chargez sibien del entiere aunciene ferme devant les tresorer et barons del escheqer en lour accomptz, come de grantz fermes appellez de veteri incremento, la ou homme ne sciet ou un denier serra leve, a grant desheretisoun des viscontz, et anientissement de lour estatz, et grante oppressioun de toute la commune, dont en plusours parlementz vous lour grantastes remede. Sur quoy comande fuist et grante par vous en darrein parlement qe vostre conseill eit poair et auctorite de faire grace a toutz viscontz de temps en temps < solonc lour discrecioun, > sanz pursuite faire a vous mesmes; eiantz consideracioun as hundredes, wapentaks, rapes, lathes, franchises, baillies, rentz et gaoles et autres choses donez et grantez en descres de lour fermes; de quelle grant nulle execucioun unqore est fait, en grant destruccioun, disheretisoun et anientissement de voz ditz liges. | 21. Hundreds, etc. Firstly, the poor commons pray that whereas certain wapentakes, hundreds, rapes, lathes, bailiwicks, gaols, rents, lordships, and towns which were a great part of the farm of the body of the counties throughout the realm have by you and your progenitors been given, granted and enfranchised to various lords and ladies, and thus severed from the body of the counties; and, notwithstanding that, your liege sheriffs of the counties are charged for the entire ancient farm before the treasurer and barons of the exchequer in their accounts, as well as for the great farms called the ancient increment, even though it is not known how one penny can be levied, to the great disinheritance of the sheriffs and ruin of their estates, and the great oppression of all the commons, for which you have granted them remedy in many parliaments. Whereupon it was ordered and granted by you in the last parliament that your council should have the power and authority to do grace to all sheriffs from time to time at their discretion, without suit made to you yourself; considering the hundreds, wapentakes, rapes, lathes, franchises, bailiwicks, rents and gaols and other things given and granted to the decrease of their farms; for which grant no exception has ever been made, to the great destruction, disinheritance and ruin of your said lieges. |
| Qe plese granter en cest parlement a voz chanceller et tresorer q'ore sont, et pur le temps serront, plein poair de descharger les ditz viscontz, sibien ceux qe sont ore, sur lour accomptz, come autres, en l'escheqer, de la ferme des ditz countees, come affiert a la ferme de les wapentakes, ropes, lathes, hundredes, franchises, baillies, rentz et gaoles issint severez des corps des countees, et de la dite ferme appellez de veteri incremento, ou autrement lour charger par lour serement des issues et profitz provenantz des ditz countees en lour temps, issint qe voz ditz liges ne soient destruitz et desheritez par telx fermes importables. | May it please you to grant in this parliament to your present chancellor and treasurer, and those in future, full authority to discharge the said sheriffs, as well those now in office as others, on their accounts in the exchequer of the farm of the said counties, in proportion to the farm of the wapentakes, rapes, lathes, hundreds, franchises, bailiwicks, rents, and gaols thus severed from the body of the counties, and of the said farm called the ancient increment; or else to charge them by their oath for the issues and profits arising from the said counties in their time, so that your said lieges are not destroyed and disinherited by such unbearable farms. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet qe son conseille eit poair et auctorite de faire grace a tieux viscontz de temps en temps, solonc lour discrecioun, sanz pursuite faire au roi mesmes, tancome il plerra au roi; eiant consideracioun as hundredes, franchises, et autres choses donez et grantez en descrees de lour fermes, et auxint al bon port des tielx viscontz en lour offices. | The king wills that his council shall have the power and authority to do grace to such sheriffs from time to time, at their discretion, without suit being made to the king himself, as shall please the king; bearing in mind the hundreds, franchises, and other things given and granted in decrease of their farms, and also the good repute of such sheriffs in their offices. |
| [Seignorial councils.] | [Seignorial councils.] |
| 22. < De venir devaunt le counsell. > Item, priont les communes: qe come en darrein parlement ordeinez estoit et assentuz qe nulle lige du roi desore enavant soit artez, compellez ne constreint par nulle voie, de venir ne d'apparoir devant le conseille d'ascun seignour ou dame pur y respondre de son frank tenement, ne de nulle autre chose reale ou personele q'appent a la ley de la terre en ascune manere: et purce qe nulle peine est limite en mesme l'estatut, plusours suent et procurent as seignours et dames d'avoir lettres directes as plusours liges du roialme, de venir devant les ditz seignours et dames et lour conseils, pur y respondre des choses reales et personeles, et auxint plusours qe sont pursuez par la ley en court le roi pursuont as ditz seignours et dames d'avoir lour lettres directes [col. b] as parties pursuantz la commune ley, siqe pur pour des dites lettres et seignourie ils n'osent pursuir la commune ley en la court le roi, en anientissement de lour estatz, et des droitz de la corone et les loyes du roialme. | 22. Of coming before councils. Also, the commons pray: whereas in the last parliament it was ordained and agreed that no liege of the king should be forced, compelled, nor constrained henceforth by any means to come nor appear before the council of any lord or lady to answer there for his free tenement, or for any other matter real or personal which pertains to the law of the land in any way: and because no penalty was specified in the same statute, many sue and bring influence to bear on the lords and ladies to have letters directed to many lieges of the realm to come before the said lords and ladies and their councils, to answer there upon matters real and personal, and also many who have sued by the law in the king's court sue to the said lords and ladies to have their letters directed [col. b] to parties suing at common law, so that through fear of the said letters and lordship they dare not pursue the common law in the king's court, to the ruin of their estates and the rights of the crown and the laws of the realm. |
| Qe plese ordeiner en cest present parlement qe celluy qe pursue ou procure tiels lettres des ditz seignours et dames encourge la peyne de vynt livers envers le roi. | May it please you to ordain in this present parliament that anyone who pursues or procures such letters from the said lords and ladies shall incur the penalty of twenty pounds to the king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit l'estatut ent fait tenuz et gardez, et si ascun seignour ou dame, ou autre lige du roi, face a l'encontre, encourge la peine de vynt livers envers nostre seignour le roy. (fn. iii-300-89-1) | Let the statute made thereon be upheld and kept, and if any lord or lady, or other liege of the king, acts to the contrary, he shall incur the penalty of twenty pounds to our lord the king. (fn. iii-300-89-1) |
| [Murage at Bayonne.] | [Murage at Bayonne.] |
| 23. < Marchauntes. > Item, suppliont voz poveres liges marchantz Engleys: qe come vous, tresredoute seignour, a la supplicacioun des gentz de Baion', compleignantz qe lour ville estoit overte nient clos des mures, a grant peril du dite ville si remede n'ent serroit mys, vous par voz lettres patentes par sys ans a durers, grantastes as ditz gentz de Baion', en eide del reparacioun des ditz mures, de prendre quatre deniers del livere de chescune manere marchandise qe serroit amesne en la dite ville par qeconqes estranges, et quatre deniers del livere de chescune manere marchandise amesne hors du dite ville: la quelle imposicioun ad este paie par voz ditz liges par autre manere qe solonc la fourme de voz dites lettres patentes, al volunte des coillours du dit subside, a grief damage de voz ditz liges, et arierissement de lour estat; et outre ceo, ils ont arestuz diverses niefs et barges et marchantz a Copbreton' pres de Baion', pur paier la dite imposicioun, de vins, rosins, et autres marchandises chargez a Copbreton', encontre l'effect de voz ditz lettres patentes, et encontre l'effect del juggement del treshonure seignour le duc de Guyen' et de Lancastre, alors lieutenant de Guyen'. | 23. Merchants. Also, your poor lieges the English merchants pray that whereas you, very redoubtable lord, at the supplication of the people of Bayonne, complaining that their town was open and not enclosed by walls, to the great peril of the said town if remedy were not provided, by your letters patent to last for six years granted to the said people of Bayonne, to aid the repair of the said walls, to take four pence in the pound on every kind of merchandise which might be brought into the said town by any strangers, and four pence in the pound on every kind of merchandise taken out of the said town: which imposition has been paid by your said lieges in a form other than that of your said letters patent, at the will of the collectors of the said subsidy, to the grievous injury of your said lieges and ruin of their estate; and further, they have seized various ships and barges and merchants at Cap Breton near Bayonne, to pay the said imposition, on wine, raisins, and other merchandise loaded at Cap Breton, contrary to the tenor of your said letters patent, and against the judgment of the most honoured lord the duke of Guyenne and Lancaster, then lieutenant of Guyenne. |
| Qe plese considerer coment le terme de les dites lettres est bien pres finy, et qe la dite ville est pleinement ferme, et ordeiner qe les ditz suppliantz purront estre quitz de < ce > enavant de tielle imposicioun, et qe recompensacioun lour soit fait de ceo q'ad este pris de eux a tort deinz le terme de voz ditz lettres patentes: considerantz, trespuissant seignour, qe remede en ceste cas fuist ordeine al conseille tenuz a Wyndesore darrein, pur les ditz compleignantz; a quelle ordinance faite par le dit conseille les ditz gentz de Baion' ne vuillent obeier en nulle manere. | May it please you to consider that the term of the said letters is very nearly over, and that the said town is fully enclosed, and to ordain that the said supplicants may be quit from such imposition henceforth, and that they shall receive compensation for that which has been taken from them wrongfully during the term of your said letters patent: considering, most powerful lord, that remedy in this case was ordained for the said plaintiffs at the council last held at Windsor; which ordinance made by the said council the said people of Bayonne will not obey in any way. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet q'al fyn del terme limitez en les dites lettres la dite imposition cesse tout outrement. | The king wills that at the end of the term specified in the said letters the said impositions shall cease entirely. |
| [The navy.] | [The navy.] |
| 24. < Possessours de niefs. > Item, suppliont voz poveres liges les possessours des niefs parmy le roialme: qe come sibien en vostre temps come es temps des voz nobles progenitours, grantz prosperite, honours et profitz ont eschuez al roialme d'Engleterre par la navye du dit roialme; quelle navie, si remede ne soit hastivement ordeine, est a poi destruit, et les possessours d'icelle navye anientiz a toutz jours, dont dolour est et grant pite. | 24. Owners of ships. Also, your poor lieges the owners of ships throughout the realm pray that whereas, both in your own time and the time of your noble progenitors, great prosperity, honour, and profit have fallen to the kingdom of England from the navy of the said realm; which navy, unless remedy be swiftly ordained, is almost destroyed, and the owners of the same fleet ruined forever, which is a great sorrow and pity. |
| Qe plese considerer as honours et profitz, et auxi as grantz forteresse et defense du dit roialme encontre les enemys [p. iii-306][col. a] en chescune partie, si la dite navye soit bien governe et sustenu, ordeiner en cest present parlement, par advys et discrecioun des seignours, ascune remede des ditz meschiefs, en reliefment de la navye, et defens de roialme susditz. | May it please you to consider the honour and profit, and also the great fortification and defence of the said kingdom against the enemies [p. iii-306][col. a] in every part, if the said navy be well governed and sustained, and to ordain in this present parliament, by the advice and discretion of the lords, some remedy for the said troubles, in relief of the navy and defence of the aforesaid realm. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Yl y ad ent bon remede ordeine par estatutz les queux le roi voet q'ils soient tenuz et gardez. | A good remedy was ordained by statutes which the king wishes to be kept and upheld. |
| [Weights and measures.] | [Weights and measures.] |
| 25. < Measure et pois. > Item, monstront les communes de cest present parlement: qe par la ou il est ordeine devant ces hures par diverses estatutz qe une mesure et un pois serroient parmy le roialme, et ce accordant a l'estandard de vostre escheker; et nient contresteantz les ditz estatutz, il y ad une livere accordant a dit estandard de vostre escheqer, et une autre livere de la mareschalcie de vostre hostielle, qe poise pluis qe la livere de vostre escheqer deux soudz sis deniers, la quelle vostre clerc de la market use parmy le roialme, et toutz les poises et mesures q'il purra trover disacordantz a dite pois de la mareschalcie il les arde, ou il les forfist, et mist a fyn et a raunceon toutz les occupiours qe les ont occupie a sa volunte, et ascun foitz il prist grantz fyns d'ascune citees et burghes de soeffrer les estre en pees, a grant deceite et destruccioun de la commune poeple. | 25. Weights and measures. Also, the commons of this present parliament show that, whereas it was ordained in the past by various statutes that there should be one measure and one weight throughout the kingdom, and that according to the standard of your exchequer; and, notwithstanding the said statutes, there is one pound according with the standard of your exchequer, and one pound of the marshalsea of your household, which weighs two shillings six pence more than the pound of your exchequer, which your clerk of the market uses throughout the realm, and all the weights and measures which he can find which disagree with the said weight of the marshalsea he burns, or confiscates, and fines and ransoms at his will all those who have used them, and sometimes takes great fines from cities and boroughs to allow them to remain in peace, to the great deceit and destruction of the common people. |
| Qe plese ordeiner q'une poise et une mesure purront estre parmy le roialme, come devant ces hures ad este ordeine. | May it please you to ordain that one weight and one measure be used throughout the realm, as was ordained before this time. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soient toutz les poys et mesures parmy le roialme accordantz a l'estandard de l'escheker, solonc la fourme de l'estatutz ent faitz. Et en outre le roy voet qe le clerk del marche ait toutes ses mesures et poises d'aresme accordantz a l'estandard de l'escheker, et signez et merchez del signe de l'escheker a ceo ordeigne, et < mesmes les poises > et mesures issint signez et merchez carie et amesne ovesqe luy a tout le foitz q'il ferra l'assay de poises et mesures ascun part deinz le roialme. Et q'il, ne nulle autere lige du roy, use nul autere mesure ne pois, sur les peynes contenuz en l'estatutz ent faitz devant ces heures. (fn. iii-300-107-1) | Let all the weights and measures throughout the realm agree with the standard set by the exchequer, according to the form of the statutes made thereon. And further, the king wills that the clerk of the market shall have all his weights and brass measures agree with the standard of the exchequer, and signed and stamped with the mark of the exchequer ordained therefor, and that the same weights and measures thus signed and stamped he shall take and carry with him so often as he makes assay of weights and measures in any part of the kingdom. And that neither he nor any other liege of the king shall use any other measure or weight, on pain of the penalties contained in the statutes made thereon in the past. (fn. iii-300-107-1) |
| [Allegations of conspiracy to be tried locally.] | [Allegations of conspiracy to be tried locally.] |
| 26. < Justice de pees. > Item, supplie humblement la commune d'Engleterre: qe come en diverses countees d'Engleterre plusours malfesours, par enquestes d'offices prises devant justices du pes, et justices assignez par vous, nostre tresredoute seignour le roi, pur la bone governance du roialme, sont enditez par le serement de bones gentz et loialx par la ley artez et constreintz a ceo faire, de diverses felonies et trespas, et puis par enquestes procurez et favorables deliverez de mesmes les felonies et trespas; les queux malfesours apres lour deliverance pursuent sovent envers lour enditours < et autres > par briefs de conspiracie, alleggeantz les conspiracies estre faitz en autres countees la ou ils ont alliances et amys fortz, et nient en les countees ou les enditementz et deliverances des felonies et trespas susditz furent faitz, en abaudissement et comfort des ditz malfesours, et maintenance de lour malfaitz: par quoi les loialx et bones gentz n'osent dire la verite de les pointz touchantz lour charges, en tresgrant destruction de l'execucioun de la ley du roialme, et anientissement des ditz enditours. | 26. Justices of the peace. Also, the commons of England humbly pray: whereas in various counties of England many malefactors, by inquests of office held before justices of the peace and justices assigned by you, our most redoubtable lord the king, for the good governance of the kingdom, are indicted of various felonies and trespasses by the oath of good and loyal men bound and compelled by law so to do, and then delivered of the same felonies and trespasses by procured and partial inquests; which malefactors after their delivery often sue their indictors and others by writs of conspiracy, claiming the conspiracies to have been made in other counties where they have alliances and strong friends, and not in the counties where the indictments and deliveries of the aforesaid felonies and trespasses were made, to the emboldenment and comfort of the said malefactors, and maintenance of their misdeeds: wherefore the loyal and good people dare not speak the truth on matters touching their charge, to the very great destruction of the enforcement of the law of the realm, and the ruin of the said indictors. |
| Par quoi vous plese, pur le commune profit du roialme, ordeiner qe les dites conspiracies issint allegez et forgez en autres countees, soient pursuez et triez desore enavant la ou les enditementz et deliverances furent ou serront faitz, en destruccioun de les mesfesours, et maintenance de la ley, et salvacioun des ditz jurours et autres loialx gentz issint artez et constreintz as tieux enditementz faire par lour serement, solonc l'exigence de la ley. | Wherefore may it please you, for the common profit of the realm, to ordain that the said conspiracies thus claimed and forged in other counties be pursued and tried henceforth where the indictments and deliveries were or shall be made, to the destruction of the malefactors and maintenance of the law, and the salvation of the said jurors and other loyal men thus bound and compelled to make such indictments by their oath, according to the requirements of the law. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Si ascun soi sente greve, sue en especial al chaunceller, et le roy voet qe le chaunceller eit poair d'ent faire remede solonc sa bone discrecioun tanq'al proschein parlement. | If any feels aggrieved, let him sue individually to the chancellor, and the king wills that the chancellor shall have the power to ordain a remedy therefor at his good discretion until the next parliament. |
| [col. b] | |
| [Pollution of the Thames.] | [Pollution of the Thames.] |
| 27. < Communes de Londres. > Item, monstrent humblement voz communes de vostre cite de Londres: coment, a cause d'une compleint d'anusance as seignours et autres faite en le darrein parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an de vostre regne quinzisme, (fn. iii-300-115-1) sur les bochers de vostre dite cite, y estoit ordeine en mesme le parlement par paroles generales, qe nulle bocher tueroit pur vendre nulle manere des grosses bestes, veeles, berbys, ne porkes deinz la dite citee, ne certeines boundes entour ycelle, come y est pluis au plein contenuz en la dite ordinance. Par force de quelle un brief issist < hors > de vostre chancellarie, direct as mair et viscontz du dite vostre cite, de faire execucioun del dite ordinance en le dit parlement ensy faite, solonc ceo q'est contenuz en ycelle; a cause de quelle ordinance grant chierete des chares est et ad estez puis en cea, et unqore est semblable d'encresser pluis et pluis en vostre dite cite, a tresgrant et importable damage a toute la communalte d'icelle, et a toutz autres illoqes repairantz. | 27. The commons of London. Also, your commons of your city of London humbly show that upon a complaint of nuisance made to the lords and others in the last parliament held at Westminster in the fifteenth year of your reign (fn. iii-300-115-1) against the butchers of your said city, it was ordained in the same parliament in general terms that no butcher should kill to sell any manner of large beast, calf, sheep, nor pig within the said city, nor within certain bounds about the same, as is contained more fully in the said ordinance. By force whereof a writ was issued out of your chancery directing the mayor and sheriffs of your said city to execute the said ordinance thus made in the said parliament, according to the content of the same; because of which ordinance there is and has been a great scarcity of meat from then until now, and it is likely to worsen further in your said city, to the very great and unbearable injury of the entire community of the same and all others repairing there. |
| Pur quoy plese a vostre roiale mageste, en relevacioun et sustenance de voz ditz communes, granter en cest present parlement qe nient contresteant le dit estatut, les mair et aldermannes de vostre dite cite purront ordeiner et purvoier lieu covenable deinz lour franchise pur l'occisioun des bestes susditz, et pur la voidance des fimes, fetures, issues, et entrails d'icelles, en amendement del pris des chares en la dite cite, et a commune profit d'icelle et a toutz autres illoeqes declinantz, et come ils espoiront ils ferront en celle partie grant plesanse a vous, tresgracious seignour, et a toutz seignours et autres, si Dieu plest, et profit a voz communes avantdites. | Wherefore may it please your royal majesty, for the relief and support of your said commons, to grant in this present parliament that, notwithstanding the said statute, the mayor and aldermen of your said city may ordain and provide a suitable place within their franchise for the slaughter of the aforesaid beasts and the removal of the dung, waste, issues and entrails of the same, to correct the price of meat in the said city, and to the common profit of the same and of all others dependent thereon, and as they hope that they shall do in this matter great pleasure to you, most gracious lord, and to all the lords and others, if it please God, and the profit of your aforesaid commons. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet qe le fymere sur la costere de la ewe de Thamise, joust la mesoun Robert de Parys, soit outrement remuez et encariez, et q'en mesme le lieu soit faite une meson par les bochers de Londres, devant le fest de Pasqe proschein avenir; et qe les ditz bochers toutz les ordures, entrailles, et issues de bestes par eux a tuers en la dite cite carient, et amesnent a la dite mesoun, en la plus honeste manere q'ils purront, et illoeqes les detrenchent en menues pieces de la quantite auncienement use en la dite cite, et d'illoeqes les carient en bateux al my lieu del dit ewe, quant il est a pluis haut, et illoeqes les gettent en mesme l'ewe al comencement de refluer d'icelle, et en nulle autre lieu, n'en nulle autre temps; nient contresteant ascune proclamacioun ou ordinance faite devant ces hures a contraire. Et enoutre le roy voet qe toutz les fymers, ordures, mukes, et rubbouses parentre son palays de Westm' et la tour de Londres, sibien d'une partie de la dite ewe come de l'autre, soient outrement remuez, oustez et encariez devant le fest de Pentecoste proschein avenir: et qe nulle desore enavant gette ne mette, ne face gettre ne mettre ascuns fymes, ordures, mukes, rubbouses, ou lastage en la dite ewe d'une part ou d'autre entre les lieux susditz, sur peyne de qarrant livers. | The king wills that the dunghill on the bank of the Thames near the house of Robert Paris be entirely removed and taken away, and that in the same place there be built a house by the butchers of London before Easter next [6 April 1393]; and that the said butchers carry and take to the said house all the filth, issues and entrails of the beasts killed by them in the said city as thoroughly as they can, and there cut them into small pieces of the size used of old in the said city, and from there carry them in boats to the middle of the said river, when it is at its highest, and throw them into the same river as the tide begins to ebb, and in no other place, nor at any other time; notwithstanding any proclamation or ordinance made before this time to the contrary. And further, the king wills that all the dung, filth, muck and rubbish between his palace of Westminster and the Tower of London, on either side of the said river, be altogether removed, cleared and carried away before Whitsun next [25 May 1393]: and that no one henceforth throw nor put, nor cause to be thrown or put, any dung, filth, muck, rubbish or ballast into the said river from either bank between the aforesaid places, on pain of forty pounds. |
| [Clerks of the court not to act as attorneys.] | [Clerks of the court not to act as attorneys.] |
| 28. < Clerks de bank. > Item, priont les communes: qe come plusours clercs de bank le roi, commune bank et clercs d'assises, qe escrivent les recordes et plees parentre partie et partie, sont attournees ove l'une partie ou l'autre, et issint favorables en lour escrivre, a grant meschief, damage, et desheriteson de voz liges. | 28. Clerks of the Bench. Also, the commons pray that whereas many clerks of the King's Bench, Common Bench and clerks of the assizes, who write the records and pleas between parties, are attorneys with the one party or the other, and are thus biased in their writing, to the great trouble, injury, and disinheritance of your lieges. |
| Qe plese ordeiner et establir en cest present parlement qe nulle tiel clerc soit attourne ne de conseille en les ditz places et lieux, sinoun pur nostre seignour le roy. | May it please you to ordain and decree in this present parliament that no such clerk be an attorney or of counsel in the said sessions and places, unless for our lord the king. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet charger son conseill de examiner et veer les defautz en les ditz places, et ent ordeiner due remede. | The king wishes to charge his council to examine and inspect the faults in the said places and ordain a due remedy. |
| [memb. 1] | |
| [Prise of wines.] | [Prise of wines.] |
| 29. Item, monstrent les communes: coment par cause de prise de vyns venantz en le roialme, les marchantz qe paient prises sont grandement oppressez, damagez [p. iii-307][col. a] et deseasez, et petit profit ou avantage a nostre dit seignour le roi. | 29. Also, the commons show that because of the prise on wines coming into the realm, the merchants who pay the prises are greatly oppressed, injured [p. iii-307][col. a] and harmed, with little profit or advantage accruing to our said lord the king. |
| Sur quoy suppliont a vostre hautesse les marchantz susditz, pur le melliour profit et avantage nostre dit seignour le roi, et ease des ditz suppliantz, q'ils purront estre quitz de tiels prises, paiant pur chescun tonelle de vyns prisables vynt deners, et pur chescun pipe de vyn dys deniers, as portz ou ils deschargent, come les aliens paient. Sauvant toutefoitz a toutz citees, burghes, et seignours lour libertees et franchises. | Wherefore the aforesaid merchants pray your highness, for the better profit and advantage of our said lord the king and the ease of the said supplicants, that they may be quit of such prises, paying twenty pence for each tun of wine subject to prisage and ten pence for every pipe of wine at the ports where they unload, as aliens pay. Saving always to all cities, boroughs and lords their liberties and franchises. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| S'ils vuillent paier deux souldz pur chescun tonelle de vyn parmy le roialme, sibien deinz franchises come dehors, le roi voet q'ils soient quitz de sa prise. Et sinoun, soit use come devant. | If they will pay two shillings per tun of wine throughout the realm, both within franchise and without, the king wills that they be quit of his prise. And if not, let it be done as before. |
| [Tithes of coppice wood.] | [Tithes of coppice wood.] |
| 30. < Dismes de bois. > Item, prient les communes: qe come plusours plees et grevances sont moevez et pendantz parentre les parsons de seinte esglise et lour parochiens en diverses paiis pur dismes de bois, a cause qe l'exposicioun de silva cedua n'est pas declare ne mys en certein, et nomement purce q'il n'est pas limite de quelle age le boys serra dismable. Qe plese declarer en cest parlement l'age de boys qe serra dismable. | 30. Tithes of wood. Also, the commons pray that whereas many pleas and grievances are moved and pending between the parsons of holy church and their parishioners in various places over tithes of wood, because the meaning of coppice wood has not been clarified or defined, and especially because the age at which wood becomes titheable has not been stated. May it please you to declare in this parliament the age of wood which shall be titheable. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet communer de ceste matire ove les prelatz parentre cy et le proschein parlement; et alors, si Dieu plest, ent ordeiner bon remede. Et en le meen temps soit use come ad este use devant ces hures. | The king wishes to discuss the matter with the prelates between now and the next parliament, and then, if it please God, to ordain a good remedy. And in the meantime let it be done as it has been done in the past. |
| [Livery.] | [Livery.] |
| 31. < Lyverey. > Item, suppliont les communes: qe la ou fuist ordeine par vostre tressage conseille, et de l'assent de les grantz seignours de vostre roialme qe nulle porteroit livere ou signe d'ascun seignour deinz le dit roialme, s'il ne soit retenuz ove le dit seignour a terme de vie pur guerre et pur pees, ou demurant deinz son hostielle: et surce lettres de vostre prive seal furent envoiez as diverses seignours et autres du roialme. Ore, nient contresteant cella, plusours taillours, drapers, souters, tanners, pisceners, bochers, et autres artificers, et auxi menuez gentz come esquiers et vadletz q'ont poy de vivre, portont liveres et signes deinz le roialme, a cause de maintenance, et pur oppresser voz poveres communes. | 31. Livery. Also, the commons pray that whereas it was ordained by your most wise council, and with the assent of the great lords of your realm, that none should wear the livery or badge of any lord within the said kingdom if he were not retained with the said lord for the term of life, both in war and peace, or dwelling in his household: and thereupon, letters of your privy seal were sent to divers lords and others of the realm. Yet now, notwithstanding the same, many tailors, drapers, cobblers, tanners, fishmongers, butchers and other artificers, and also serving men like squires and valets who have small livelihood, wear liveries and signs within the kingdom, because of maintenance, and to oppress your poor commons. |
| Qe plese ent ordeiner remede en cest present parlement, en ease et supportacioun de voz poveres communes avantdites; et auxi qe les justices du pees et d'assises parmy le roialme eient poair d'enquerre de toutz tielx artificers, vitaillers, et autres qe portont tielx liverees ou signes, et ent certifier a vous et as seignours de queux ils portont tielx liverees ou signes, pur ent faire remede, en oevre de charite. | May it please you to ordain a remedy for this in this present parliament, in ease and support of your commons aforesaid; and also that the justices of the peace and of assises throughout the realm have power to enquire into all such artificers, victuallers, and others wearing such liveries and badges, and to notify you and the lords of those who wear such liveries and badges, for a remedy to be made, by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet qe nulle yoman, < ne nulle autere de meindre estat qe esquier, desore enavant ne > use ne port nulle tiel signe ne livere, s'il ne soit meignal et familier continuelment < demurant en l'ostelle de son seignour, et qe justices de la pees et d'assises eient poair d'enquerre > de ceux qe font a l'encontre, et de les punir solonc lour discrecioun. (fn. iii-300-142-1) | The king wills that no yeoman, nor any other of lesser estate than squire shall use or wear any such badge or livery henceforth, if he be not a household servant dwelling continually in his lord's household, and that justices of the peace and of assize shall have the power to enquire into all those who act to the contrary, and to punish them at their discretion. (fn. iii-300-142-1) |
| [Robert and Alice at Mill.] | [Robert and Alice at Mill.] |
| 32. < Peticion Robert at Mulle de Guldeford. > A tresexcellent, treshaut, et tresredoute seignour le roy suppliont voz communes de cest parlement: qe come nadgairs voz poveres liges Robert atte Mulle, de Guldeford, et Alice sa femme, par procurement de lour enemys et malvoillantz, fauxement et maliciousement estoient enditez par gentz procurez, q'ils deussent avoir trove et pris sept centz livers d'argent, mussez souz la terre a Guldeford, devant Johan Wadham et ses compaignons justices d'enquerre et d'oier et terminer de toute manere tresore mussez souz la terre et trovez, et a vous, treshaut seignour, appurtenant deinz les countees de Surr' et de Sussex'; par virtue de quelle commissioun un panelle fuist arraie, et dusze gentz d'icelle, des queux plusours [col. b] furent del vesinage la entour, et qe de resoun deussent avoir melliour conissance de tielles matires, furent jurrez a Guldeford, et adjournez d'illoeqes a dire lour verdit a Suthwerk, q'est vynt et cynk lewes de la dite ville de Guldeford, a quelle lieu la dite enqueste dist qe rien ne savoit de tielle tresore trove n'emporte. Et puis une novelle panelle des enemys du dit Robert et Alice, nient sufficeantz, et procurez par diverses gentz maliciouses de mesmes les countees et autres lour enemys susditz, fuist fait, et dusze gentz procurez, et enemys < come desuis > jurrez a la dite ville de Guldeford, d'enquerre de la matire susdite. Les queux presenteront maliciousement qe les ditz Robert et Alice avoient trovez et pris en la dite ville de Guldeford sept centz livers d'argent, d'auncien temps mussez souz la terre. Sur quelle faux presentement proces fuist fait vers les dit Robert et Alice, tanqe ils viendront devant les ditz justices, et plederont de rien coupable. | 32. The petition of Robert at Mill of Guildford. To the very excellent, very high and very redoubtable lord the king, your commons of this parliament pray that whereas lately your poor lieges Robert at Mill, of Guildford, and Alice his wife, at the procurement of their enemies and ill-wishers, were falsely and maliciously accused of having found and taken seven hundred pounds of silver, hidden underground at Guildford, by persons procured before John Wadham and his fellow justices of inquiry and of oyer and terminer of all manner of treasure hidden underground and found, and pertaining to you, most high lord, within the counties of Surrey and Sussex; by virtue of which commission a panel was arrayed, and twelve men of the same, of whom many [col. b] were from the surrounding neighbourhood, and ought for that reason to have had better knowledge of such matters, were sworn at Guildford, and adjourned from there to give their verdict at Southwark, which is twenty-five miles from the said city of Guildford, at which place the said inquest said that nothing was known of such treasure being found or removed. And then was made a new panel of the enemies of the said Robert and Alice, insufficient and procured by various malicious persons of the same counties and others of their aforesaid enemies, and twelve men procured, and the enemies, as above, sworn at the said town of Guildford, to enquire into the aforesaid matter. Which people maliciously presented that the said Robert and Alice found and took seven hundred pounds of silver in the said town of Guildford, lying hidden underground since ancient times. Upon which false presentment process was made against the said Robert and Alice, until they came before the said justices and pleaded that they were guilty of nothing. |
| Par quoi venire facias issist a viscont de Surr', de faire venir bone pais a trier l'issue susdit, et surce un panelle des gentz dont ascuns furent del vesynage et savoient la verite fuist arraiez, et dusze persons jurrez et chargez a Suthwerk susdit, a trier l'issue susdit. Et quant la dite enqueste dust avoir dit son verdit, toutz les commissioners presentz, forsqe le dit Johan Wadham, apperceivantz qe la dite enqueste voloit avoir acquite ent les dit suppliantz, et qe le dit verdit ne poast estre pris par un justice soul, de lour malice soi absenteront, lessantz le dit Johan Wadham soul. Et purce q'il n'avoit nulle autre justice, donqes illoeqes quant le dit enquest fuist accorde, et prest de dire lour verdit et vynt eyns, le dit Johan Wadham ent les deschargea. Et puis de novelle un novelle venire facias .xij., et d'attacher les ditz Robert et Alice, fuist pursuez devers les ditz Robert et Alice, pur trier le dit issue, par cause de quelle les dit Robert et Alice furent attachez, et certeins gentz sommonez d'estre devant les ditz justices le lundy proschein devant le fest d'Ascensioun darrein passe; par force de quelle ils viendront. | Whereupon a venire facias was issued to the sheriff of Surrey to gather a good jury to try the aforesaid issue, and thereupon a panel, of whom some were from the neighbourhood and knew the truth, was arrayed, and twelve persons sworn and charged at the aforesaid Southwark to try the aforesaid issue. And when the said inquest was meant to give its verdict, all the commissioners present, except the said John Wadham, perceiving that the said inquest would have acquitted the said supplicants, and that the said verdict could not be made by one justice alone, absented themselves out of malice, leaving the said John Wadham on his own. And because there was then no other justice there, when the said inquest was agreed, and ready to give their verdict and depart, the said John Wadham discharged them thereof. And then again a new 'Cause twelve to come' and writ to attach the said Robert and Alice was taken against the said Robert and Alice to try the said issue, by virtue of which the said Robert and Alice were attached and certain persons summoned to come before the said justices on the Monday next before the feast of the Ascension last past [23 May 1392]; by force of which they came. |
| A quel jour le dit venire facias fuist fauxement retourne tarde, et puis a autre jour un autre panelle des gentz entour la dite ville de Suthwerk procurez et enemys des ditz Robert et Alice, pur eux anientiser et destruire fuist arraie, et mesne a Suthwerk devant le dit viscont et ses ditz compaignons justices en la dite commissioun, et les ditz Robert et Alice devant celle temps avoient notice de nulle persone de mesme le panelle. Quelles gentz, issi procurez par lour enemys susditz, passeront maliciousement encontre Robert et Alice avantditz. Et puis brief de vostre prive seal issist a dit viscont de Surr', de mettre en execucioun toutz les terres et tenementz, biens et chateux des ditz Robert et Alice, pur les sys [sic: read 'sept'] centz livers avantdites. Sur quoi, par malevoillance certeins gentz enemys as ditz Robert et Alice furent assignez de preiser toutz les terres et tenementz, biens et chateux les ditz Robert et Alice; les queux par malice preiseront mesmes les biens et chateux a pluis meyndre pris q'ils valoient par une grant somme. Et puis, le vint et quint jour de Juil darrein passe, par voz lettres patentes vous grantastes a Thomas Camoys, chivaler, la garde de toutz les terres et tenementz, biens et chateux les ditz Robert et Alice, de queux pleine execucioun ne fuist pas faite, a avoir et tenir del jour del condempnacioun avantdite tanqe come la dite somme de sys [sic: read 'sept'] centz livers fuisse pleinement paie, rendant ent par an a vous a vostre escheqer cynqant marcz, a deuz termes del an, c'estassavoir al fest de Seint Michel et Pasqe par owels porcions. Par quoi les ditz Robert et Alice sont tout outrement anientisez et destruitz, s'ils n'eient vostre pardon del somme susdite, et vostre tresgraciouse socour et aide. | On which day the said venire facias was returned late by fraud, and then on another day another panel of people procured from about the said town of Southwark, and enemies of the said Robert and Alice, was arrayed to ruin and destroy them, and taken to Southwark before the said sheriff and his said fellow justices in the said commission, and the said Robert and Alice had no previous knowledge of anyone on the same panel. Which persons, thus procured by their aforesaid enemies, judged maliciously against the aforesaid Robert and Alice. And then a writ of your privy seal was issued to the sheriff of Surrey to put in execution all the lands and tenements, goods and chattels of the said Robert and Alice, for the aforesaid [seven] hundred pounds. Whereupon, by the malevolence of certain people, enemies of the said Robert and Alice were assigned to value all the lands and tenements, goods, and chattels of the said Robert and Alice; which enemies, through malice, valued the same goods and chattels at a lower price than they were worth by a large sum. And then, on 25 July last [1392], by your letters patent you granted to Thomas Camoys, knight, the keeping of all the lands and tenements, goods and chattels of the said Robert and Alice, full execution of which was not performed, to have and to hold from the day of the aforesaid condemnation until the said sum of [seven] hundred pounds had been fully paid, paying annually for this to you at your exchequer fifty marks, twice a year, namely at the feasts of Michaelmas [29 September] and Easter in equal portions. As a result of which the said Robert and Alice will be entirely ruined and destroyed, unless they have your pardon for the aforesaid sum and your most gracious succour and aid. |
| Plese a vostre tresexcellent et tresgraciouse seignourie, de vostre grace especiale granter as ditz Robert et Alice chartre de pardoun del somme et condempnacioun avantdites: et qe le dit Thomas Camoys et ses meynparnours [p. iii-308][col. a] soient deschargez del dit estallement, sibien del terme de Seint Michel darrein passe come de toutz autres termes ensuantz. Et outre de faire restitucioun as ditz Robert et Alice de ce q'est paiez a vous pur la cause susdite, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite, et pur les almes de voz nobles progenitours, qe Dieux assoille. Considerantz, tresgracious seignour, qe les ditz Robert et Alice ne sont pas coupables del fait avantdit en nulle manere, a ce q'ils diont; et q'ils ne purront avoir ne suir atteint, ne autre remedie avoir par la commune ley en la matire susdite. Et auxint si tiels procurementz et fauxe presentementz soient sustenuz et despuniz, plusours innocentz purront estre anientisez maliciousement sanz desert, come sont Robert et Alice avantditz. | May it please your most excellent and most gracious lordship of your special grace to grant to the said Robert and Alice a charter of pardon for the sum and condemnation aforesaid: and that the said Thomas Camoys and his mainpernors [p. iii-308][col. a] be discharged from the said instalments, both at the term of Michaelmas last [29 September 1392] and at all other terms following. And further to make restitution to the said Robert and Alice of that which has been paid to you for the aforesaid reason, for God and by way of charity, and for the souls of your noble progenitors, whom God absolve. Considering, most gracious lord, that the said Robert and Alice are not guilty of the aforesaid deed in any way, as they say; and they cannot have nor sue attaint, nor have any other remedy by the common law in the aforesaid matter. And also, if such procurements and false presentments be upheld and remain unpunished, many innocent people could be maliciously and undeservedly ruined like the aforesaid Robert and Alice. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| < Suent a > roi, purce qe ceste peticioun n'est pas peticion del parlement. | Let them sue to the king, because this petition is not a petition of parliament. |
| [Alien merchants.] | [Alien merchants.] |
| 33. < Marchaunts aliens. > Item, monstrent les communes de vostre roialme: come par un estatut fait a Everwyk en temps de tresnoble roi seignour Edward vostre aiel, qe Dieux assoille, l'an de son regne noefisme, ordeigne fuist et establi qe toutz maners marchantz, aliens et denzeins et toutz autres de quel estat ou condicioun q'ils soient, qe achater ou vendre voillont blees, vins, avoir de pois, char, pessoun, et toutz autres vivres et vitailles, leines, draps, merces, marchandises, et toutz maners autres choses vendables, de quelle part q'ils veignent, par foreins ou par denzeins, a quelle lieu qe ce soit, soit il en cite, burghe, ville, port du meer, feire, marche, ou autre lieu deinz mesme le roialme, deinz franchise et dehors, les puissent franchement et sanz destourber vendre a qi qe lour plest, sibien as foreins come denzeins, forspris les enemys nostre seignour le roi et de son roialme, sur grevouse peine ent ordeinez a ceux qe les destourbent, sicome en le dit estatut ent fait pluis pleinement appiert. (fn. iii-300-152-1) Et puis, par deux estatutz faitz as parlementz tenuz a Westm', < l'un > l'an de vostre dit aiel vynt et quint (fn. iii-300-152-2) et l'autre l'an de vostre regne unzisme, (fn. iii-300-152-3) accordez estoit qe le dit estatut fait en le dit an noefisme, en toutz pointz et articles contenuz en ycelle serroit tenuz et garde et mayntenu, souz grant peyne compris en le dit estatut; a grant arerissement et anientissement des citees, burghes, et villes de vostre roialme. | 33. Alien merchants. Also, the commons of your kingdom show that by a statute made at York in the time of the most noble lord King Edward [III] your grandfather, whom God absolve, in the ninth year of his reign, it was ordained and decreed that all manner of merchants, aliens and denizens and all others of whatsoever estate or condition, who wished to buy or sell grain, wine, merchandise sold by weight, meat, fish, and all other provisions and victuals, wool, cloth, wares, merchandise, and all manner of other commodities, from whatsoever part they come, whether foreign or native, at whatsoever place they be, be it in a city, borough, town, seaport, fair, market, or other place within the same realm, within franchise and without, might sell them freely and without hindrance to whomsoever they please, as well to foreigners as denizens, except the enemies of our lord the king and his kingdom, on pain of a grievous penalty to be ordained for those who hinder them, as appears more fully in the statute made thereon. (fn. iii-300-152-1) And later, by the two statutes made at the parliaments held at Westminster, one in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of your said grandfather (fn. iii-300-152-2) and the other in the eleventh year of your reign, (fn. iii-300-152-3) it was agreed that the said statute made in the said ninth year, in all points and articles contained in the same, should be upheld and kept and maintained, on pain of a great penalty contained in the said statute; to the great injury and ruin of the cities, boroughs, and towns of your realm. |
| Qe plese a vostre treshaute et tresgraciouse seignourie, en sustenance de voz ditz citees, burghes, et villes, et pur commune profit de tout le roialme, en cest present parlement granter et ordeiner qe nulle estrange marchant alien ne vende n'achate, ne marchant ovesqe autre estrange marchant alien, deinz les citees, burghs et villes avantditz pur revendre; ne < qe > nulle estrange marchant alien ne vende a retaille nulles maneres marchandises, vivres, vitailles, n'autres choses, deinz les ditz citees, burghes, et villes, nient contresteantz les estatutz susditz n'autres estatutz ou ordinances qeconqes faitz au contraire, pur Dieu, et en oevre de charite. | May it please your very high and very gracious lordship, in sustenance of your said cities, boroughs, and towns, and for the common profit of all the realm, in this present parliament to grant and ordain that no merchant stranger who is an alien may sell or buy, nor a merchant with another merchant stranger who is an alien, within the cities, boroughs, and towns aforesaid for resale; nor any merchant stranger who is an alien shall sell at retail any kind of merchandise, provisions, victuals, nor other things within the said cities, boroughs and towns, notwithstanding the aforesaid statutes or any other statutes or ordinances whatsoever made to the contrary, for God and by way of charity. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet qe nulle estrange marchant alien ne vende, n'achate, ne marchande deinz le roialme ovesqe autere estrange marchant alien pur revendre, ne qe nulle estrange marchant alien vende a retaile deinz le roialme, ne ne trenche a vendre nulles maners merces ne marchandises, forspris vivres et vitailes. Et qe toutz aliens [col. b] vendent auxint vins par vesselx entiers, et espicerie par vesselx et bales entiers, et nemye en autere manere. Et qe nulle manere espicerie apres q'il soit porte en le roialme soit amesne hors de mesme le roialme par alien ne par denzein, sur peyne de forfaiture d'icelle. Et enoutre le roi voet qe l'estatutz suisditz soient en toutz lour autres articles et pointz fermement tenuz et gardez. (fn. iii-300-156-1) | The king wills that no merchant stranger who is an alien shall sell nor buy, nor trade within the realm for resale with any other merchant stranger who is an alien, and that no foreign merchant who is an alien shall sell at retail within the kingdom, nor divide up in order to sell, any manner of wares or merchandise, except provisions and victuals. And that all aliens [col. b] shall also sell wine in full vessels, and spices in vessels and whole bales, and in no other way. And that after it has been brought into the realm no kind of spice shall be taken out of the same kingdom by aliens or denizens, on pain of forfeiture of the same. And further the king wills that the aforesaid statutes be firmly upheld and kept in all their other articles and points. (fn. iii-300-156-1) |
| [memb. 0] | |
| [Depredations by men of Cheshire and the march.] | [Depredations by men of Cheshire and the march.] |
| 34. < Marches de Gales. > Item, priont les communes: qe la ou plusours gentz, sibien del pais come de Cestre come del marche de Gales, de jour en autre viegnont en les countees de Glouc', Worcestre, Bristwit, Salop, Hereford', Stafford et autres countees del roialme, et font diverses homicides, robberies, et autres trespasses, et preignont boefs, vaches, chivalx, berbis, et autres biens et chateux, et les amesnont hors des ditz countees tanqe en lour paiis et marche avantdites: et nient contresteant q'ils soient utlagez en les ditz countees pur tielles felonies et trespasses, ils sont demurantz en lour paiis et marche avantdites sanz ent porter ascune peyne devers nostre seignour le roy, ou devers lour seignours propres as queux ils sont tenantz ou receintz. Et mesqe ceux qe sont issi grevez et damagez pursuent vers les ditz mesfesours en les ditz paiis ou marche, ils pount nulle remede avoir, a cause qe les ditz mesfesours ne voillent, ne sont pas tenuz, de respondre del robberie ou de les trespasses faitz hors de la jurisdiccioun de lour seignours marcheez. Et ensement destreinount toutz maners marchantz, et autres del roialme, trespassantz par lour marches ove lour biens l'ou ils ne sont pas plegges ne dettours, nient contresteant l'estatut autrefoitz ent fait a contraire, a grant destruccioun et empoverissement de les communes avantdites, surmettant a eux qe autres certeines gentz d'Engleterre les deivont certeins deniers, ou autres biens et chateux, ou autrement ont faitz a eux diverses trespasses en ascuns certeins countees deinz le roialme. | 34. The marches of Wales. Also, the commons pray that whereas many people, as well from the county of Chester as from the march of Wales, daily come to the counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Bristol, Shropshire, Hereford, Stafford and other counties of the realm, and commit various homicides, robberies and other trespasses, and take oxen, cows, horses, sheep, and other goods and chattels, and take them out of the said counties to their aforesaid county and march: and, notwithstanding that they are outlawed in the said counties for such felonies and trespasses, they dwell in their aforesaid county and march without incurring any penalty toward our lord the king, or towards their own lords of whom they are tenants or retainers. And although those who are thus aggrieved and injured sue the said malefactors in the said county or march, they cannot have a remedy, because the said malefactors will not, nor are they obliged, to answer for the robbery or for the trespasses made outside the jurisdiction of their marcher lords. And similarly they distrain all manner of merchants and others of the realm passing through their marches with their goods, even though they are not pledges or debtors, notwithstanding the statute previously made thereon to the contrary, to the great destruction and impoverishment of the aforesaid commons, alleging against them that certain other people from England owe them certain sums of money, or other goods and chattels, or else have committed various trespasses against them in certain other counties in the kingdom. |
| Qe plese a nostre tresredoute seignour le roi, et as seignours du parlement granter et ordeiner qe chescun lige homme du roi qe sur ascuns des causes avantdites soy sente < estre > grevez, et ceo covenablement puisse prover sa grevance devant le seneschal de la seignourie, ou son lieutenant, en les queux les ditz robbours ou mesfesours sont demurantz, qe puisse reavoir ses biens et chateux issint prises ou arestuz, ou la value, ove lour damages resonablement taxez par les ditz seneschal ou son lieutenant, de les ditz mesfesours. Et qe les ditz mesfesours forfacent lour chateux devers lour seignours en queux seignouries ils sont demurantz ou receantz: et outre soient puniz par fyn et raunseoun a la volunte lour seignours avantditz, ou autre remede ordeiner touchant les meschiefs susditz. Purveuz toutefoitz qe toutz yceux qe ont mestier ou aueront a pursuir pur ascuns tielles causes suisdites, puissent sauvement venir et demurer en la paiis et marche avantdites, a faire lour pursuites suisditz, et de ceo sauvement retournir sanz estre greve ou destourbe ou endamage de nully. | May it please our very redoubtable lord the king, and the lords of parliament, to grant and ordain that every liege man of the king who feels himself aggrieved for any of the aforesaid reasons and can suitably prove his injury before the steward of the lordship, or his deputy, in which the said robbers or malefactors reside, may regain his goods and chattels thus taken or seized, or their value, together with damages from the said malefactors reasonably assessed by the said steward or his deputy. And that the said malefactors shall forfeit their chattels to their lords in whose lordships they dwell or reside, and also be punished by fine and ransom at the will of the aforesaid lords; or else that another remedy be ordained for the aforesaid troubles. Provided always that all those who need or will need to sue for any such reasons aforesaid may safely come and remain in the aforesaid county and march, to bring their aforesaid suits, and safely return from there without being harmed, hindered, or injured by any. |
| [editorial note: Responsio. ] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| < Le roi s'avisera. > | The king will consider it further. |
| 35. Cest parlement finist lundy le disme jour de Feverer. | 35. This parliament finished on Monday 10 February [1393]. |
Appendix January 1393
20 January 1393
Winchester
1
Licence for the burgesses of Maldon (Essex) to be absent from parliaments for seven years, provided that they spend the money which they would have spent on coming to parliaments on the repair of the bridge at Heybridge, which has been destroyed by floods. Dated 2 October 1392.
Source : CPR 1391-96 , 187.
2
Order to the keepers of the passage in the major ports of the kingdom to ensure that no letters, bulls or instruments be allowed into or out of the realm, either openly or secretly, without them being sent to the council for scrutiny, with the exception of letters of 'known merchants'. By the council in parliament. Dated 6 February 1393.
Source : CCR 1392-96 , 43, 127.
3
Writ of supersedeas until the next parliament, by the advice of the lords in parliament, to Walter Clopton and his fellow justices to cease any process against the abbot of Chertsey in relation to his obligation to repair the high road between Egham and Staines. By petition of parliament. Dated 30 January 1393.
Source : CCR 1392-96 , 125-6.
4
Licence, with the assent of the council in parliament, to the abbot of Kirkstead (Lincolnshire) to appropriate in mortmain the church of Woodhall (Lincolnshire), without paying anything to a vicar or to the poor parishioners there, since the church is of little value. By petition in parliament. Dated 6 February 1393.
Source : CPR 1391-96 , 231.
5
Pardon to Sir Nicholas Lillyng of all felonies, trespasses, etc. of which he was impeached and accused at the last parliament held at Winchester, by bill or by word of mouth, by Sir John Russell or any other person, for failing to answer which he was adjudged by the parliament to imprisonment. Lillyng was Justice of the Peace in Worcestershire and chief steward of the earl of Warwick, and had been accused of raising a force of 500 men to threaten Russell at Defford (Worcestershire), of failing to arrest men believed to have killed one of Russell's servants at Pershore, and of other similar crimes. Dated 20 May 1393.
Source : CPR 1391-96 , 269.