Close Rolls, Edward III: January 1340 | British History Online

Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III: Volume 5, 1339-1341. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1901.

'Close Rolls, Edward III: January 1340', in Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III: Volume 5, 1339-1341, (London, 1901) pp. 342. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/edw3/vol5/p342a [accessed 23 April 2024]

January 1340



Jan. 20. Kennington.	To the sheriff of Middlesex. Roger, bishop of Coventry and Lichfield has shown the king that although he ought not to scour (inundare), repair or raise a ditch called 'le Mershdich' between Haneworth and Kennyngton and le Hull, except according to his yokes of oxen (pro averiis spannatis), and he has scoured it etc. so far as he ought; and he ought not to repair a foot-bridge in Haneworth near the mill of Eldeford, yet the sheriff has amerced the bishop, though he was not called or warned, in 30s. 8d., by reason of certain presentments made before the sheriff in his tourn of Spelethorn that the ditch was not duly scoured etc. to the injury of the neighbouring men, and that the bishop ought to scour it for all cattle, and also because he did not repair the bridge, wherefore the king has been besought to order the error to be corrected; the king therefore orders the sheriff to send the record and process of the said presentments with all the things touching them and this writ, so that the king may have them on the octaves of the Purification, and that these being inspected, he may further cause justice to be done. The sheriff is also ordered to release the bishop from any distraint made upon him for the amercements until Midsummer next, so that he may be able to prosecute for justice in the said affair. By C.
	[Year Book, 14 Edward III., page 295.]