Close Rolls, Richard II: May 1385

Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 2, 1381-1385. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1920.

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'Close Rolls, Richard II: May 1385', in Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 2, 1381-1385, (London, 1920) pp. 542-549. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/ric2/vol2/pp542-549 [accessed 28 March 2024]

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May 1385

May 15.
Reading.
To the collectors of customs in the port of Kyngeston upon Hull for the time being. Order to pay to Michael de la Pole and to his heirs 50l. a year of those customs, which the late king granted to John de Wold (now deceased) and Tydman de Lymbergh merchants of Almain and to their heirs, and whereof they were in possession many years; as a great while past the said Tydman, overliving the said John, granted his estate therein to the said Michael and his heirs, and the said Michael took the same without first obtaining the king's licence; and for that the said Tydman has given up those letters patent in chancery to be cancelled, the king has nevertheless confirmed his grant, willing that the said Michael and his heirs shall take the said yearly sum by the hands of the collectors until the king shall make provision to him or his heirs of 50l. a year of land or rent.
Et erat patens.
June 8.
To the abbot of Bury. Order upon his allegiance and under pain of forfeiture, as he loves the king and desires the safety of the realm, in consideration of the imminent peril to leave all else and ceasing every excuse to draw as speedily as may be to the sea coasts in Suffolk, there to abide until Michaelmas next with sufficient men at arms, hobblers and archers according to his estate, well armed and furnished, as heretofore used to be done by him and his predecessors in time of war; as the king is informed that the enemy have gathered a great fleet of ships and galleys, and are making ready for an invasion this summer with all their might.
[Fœdera.]
Membrane 7.
March 28.
Westminster.
To the warden of the Flete prison or his lieutenant. Order, of the king's reverence for Easter, to deliver in bail to John Hereford serjeant at arms until the quinzaine of Easter John Ray who is there imprisoned for certain misprisions. The king has commanded the said serjeant to receive him, and to deliver him to the warden at the quinzaine aforesaid, to abide in that prison until further order.
To John Hereford serjeant at arms. Order to receive from the warden of the Flete prison or from his lieutenant John Ray (as above), to hold in bail until the quinzaine of Easter, and then to deliver him to the warden or his lieutenant. The king has commanded etc.
April 9.
Westminster.
To Baldwin de Berford lieutenant of the keeper of the king's forest this side Trent. Order to deliver to Simon de Bureley constable of Wyndesore castle or to his lieutenant Richard Clerke of Staffordshire, by the said Baldwin arrested for trespasses and misdeeds committed in Coventre park and elsewhere in divers forests. It is the king's will to discharge the said Baldwin of his custody, and he has commanded the constable etc. to receive him in the castle prison.
To Simon de Burley constable of Wyndesore castle, or to his lieutenant. Order to receive Richard Clerke (as above) from Baldwin de Bereford, and to keep him in safe custody in the castle prison until further order.
March 21.
Westminster.
To John Rokele escheator in Essex. Order to give Peter son of Peter de Boxstede and of Isabel his wife seisin of the manor of Boxstede and divers other lands; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by Henry Helyoun late escheator, that the said Isabel at her death held the same as jointly enfeoffed with her husband in fee tail to them and the heirs male of their bodies, the said manor in chief as of the honour of Boulogne by knight service, and the other lands of others than the king, that she overlived her husband, and that Peter their son, then within age, is their next heir; and he has now proved his age before the escheator, and the king has taken his homage and fealty. By p.s. [3573.]
March 28.
Westminster.
To the collectors of customs and of the subsidy in the port of London. Order, under pain of the king's wrath, as they desire the safety of the realm, to cease every excuse and leaving all else to be in person before the king and council at Westminster in the quinzaine of Easter next, bringing with them all moneys now in their hands or such as they may get in the mean time both of the customs and of the subsidy, and all their evidences whereby they may make clear the view of their accounts from Michaelmas last. By bill of the treasurer.
The like to the collectors in the following ports:
The town of St. Botolph.
Kyngeston upon Hull.
Great Jernemuth.
Lenne.
Gippewich.
Suthampton.
The city of Cicestre.
May 12.
Westminster.
To Robert Bekerton serjeant at arms. Order with all speed to deliver to John Harpedene or his attorney a ship or barge called the 'Seint Jake' of Seynt Andreu of Spain, lately arrested by the serjeant in the port of Suthampton by command of the king, the gear and freight, to make his advantage thereof as he shall see best; as it is by the council determined that he shall have the same in part of his damages by being taken at sea by the king's enemies of Spain in the said ship contrary to a safe conduct of the king of Spain, which was shewn to them it is said. By C.
May 28.
Westminster.
To all sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, ministers and lieges of the king within liberties and without to whom etc. Order to suffer the men and tenants whatsoever of Torp co. Norhampton, now called Kyngesthorp it is said, which is of the ancient demesne of the crown as the king is assured by certificate of the treasurer and the chamberlains sent into chancery at his command, to be quit of payment of toll upon their goods, property and wares, according to the custom heretofore used and approved in England, that men and tenants of the said demesne time out of mind used to be quit thereof throughout the realm, as they and other men and tenants have ever heretofore been, releasing any distress upon them made.
Et erat patens.
Membrane 6.
May 5.
Westminster.
To the mayor and bailiffs of Suthampton. Order, at the petition of the master of the order of St. James of Portugal, averring that a ship of Portugal laded with wine now in that port has long been unlawfully detained by Thomas Daniel of Bristol merchant, to dearrest the ship, the wine and goods therein, putting the same until further order in safe keeping for which they will answer, and telling the said Thomas and any others who claim a right therein to sue in chancery for dearrest of the same if they shall think fit, where the king will summon the said master, and do them justice, after hearing them and other parties.
May 4.
Westminster.
To John Dent escheator in Yorkshire. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with a messuage and five bovates of land in Northdalton, delivering to the prior of Watton any issues thereof taken; as the king ordered Thomas Graa late escheator to certify in chancery the cause wherefore he took the prior's lands there into the king's hand, and he certified that he so took the premises by virtue of an inquisition before him taken at Wyghton, whereby it was found that Queen Maud gave the same to the then prior and convent and to their successors to find a chaplain to celebrate divine service every day and year in Northdalton church for her soul and the souls of King Henry and of former kings, and that such services are altogether withdrawn by the prior and convent, and have been for sixteen years past; and after deliberation with his justices and serjeants and others of the council learned in the law, the king is aware that the premises ought not to have been seized, although the prior and convent ought to have found a chaplain and ceased so to do.
To Thomas Graa late escheator in Yorkshire. Like order, mutatis mutandis, and order for delivery to the now prior of all issues taken of the premises.
May 6.
Westminster.
To William Cursoun of Billyngford escheator in Norffolk. Order to give Thomas de Lyng and Mary his wife livery of her purparty of the lands of Thomas Neel, certifying his action in chancery under seal; as upon the finding of an inquisition, taken by John de Rokewode the late king's escheator, that Thomas Neel at his death held a messuage, 80 acres of land and 5s. of yearly rent in Holkham of the heirs of the earl of Atholl, then within age and in that king's wardship, by the service of half a knight's fee and 4s. of rent a year, and divers other lands of others than the said king, and that Margaret one of his sisters, being of full age, and Mary the other sister, being within age, are his next heirs, on 7 December 50 Edward III the late king ordered the late escheator to make a partition of those lands, to take the fealty of John Qwarles who took Margaret to wife, to take of them security for payment of their relief at the exchequer, and to give them livery of Margaret's purparty, keeping the purparty of Mary in that king's hand until further order; and Thomas de Lyng, having taken the said Mary to wife, has proved her age before the escheator, and upon proof of age of the said earl's heirs the king took their homages, and commanded livery to be given them of the earl's lands.
To the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer. Order to cause seisin of a messuage and two bovates of land in Shelford which were of John Bykes to be given to William son and heir of John Bardolf, if not yet delivered to him, discharging the said William, the sheriffs and escheators of Notynghamshire of the issues and profits of the premises; as the king lately commanded the treasurer and the barons to certify in chancery the manner and cause wherefore the same were taken by Philip de Luttele his escheator into the late king's hand, and they certified that it was by reason of a felony committed by John Bykes by slaying Hugh le Schepeherde of Schelford; and it is found by inquisition, taken by John de Gresley then sheriff, that he held the premises of John Bardolf deceased, and that Richard de Heygham had the year and a day and the waste thereof, and ought to have answered for the same to the late king; and on 15 October 45 Edward III the said William's age was proved, and the late king took his homage, and commanded livery to be given him of his father's lands.
May 1.
Westminster.
To the same. Writ of supersedeas in respect of their demand upon John Roos the king's serjeant for 12l. 10s. received by him of the hundred of Henstede co. Norffolk by virtue of letters patent whereby the king lately granted him for life the bailiwick of that hundred, and order thereof to discharge him, John de Ulveston late sheriff of Norffolk and others whatsoever; as the king has granted John Roos that sum of his gift. By K., and by bill sealed by the earl of Oxford.
May 10.
Westminster.
To John Rokele escheator in Essex. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the manor of Bradefelde, delivering to Edmund de Brokesbourne any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by Henry Helyoun late escheator, that Margery who was wife of John de Sutton knight and late the wife of John de Brokesbourne knight at her death held the same of others than the king as jointly enfeoffed with John de Brokesbourne her husband, and that the said Edmund is next heir of the said Margery and John de Brokesbourne, and of full age.
May 10.
Westminster.
To the sheriff of Norffolk. Order to execute the original writ of an assize of novel disseisin before John Holt and William Thirnyng arraigned by Robert Howard knight and Elizabeth his wife against Edmund Noon, Isabel his wife and others concerning tenements in Brisyngham, Fersfelde and Tylneye, notwithstanding a writ of supersedeas omnino to the sheriff addressed, when the king took the plaint into his own hand for debate before the council; as it is the king's will that justice be not delayed, especially seeing that the plaint is not yet debated before the council. By C.
To John Holt and William Thirnyng justices of assize in Norffolk. Order to proceed in the assize (above mentioned), notwithstanding a writ of supersedeas omnino to them addressed. By C.
Membrane 5.
May 6.
Westminster.
To John de Dent escheator in Yorkshire. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with certain lands in Hovyngham of Thomas earl of Notyngham, and a chapel and a croft of his in Threske called 'Spitelfelde,' or with the issues thereof taken; as the king ordered Thomas Graa late escheator to certify in chancery the true value of the premises by him taken into the king's hand it was said, and he certified that he seized no such lands, but that James Pikeryng his predecessor delivered to him by indenture lands in Hovyngham given with the king's licence by lord de Moubray of Haxiholme, founder in the time of King Edward I of a chantry there, to find a chaplain there celebrating for the souls of that king and his heirs, the founder and his successors, and remaining in the king's hand for that the chantry is withdrawn and no chaplain found, which are farmed at 26s. 8d. a year, also the said chapel and croft in Thresk, given before the statute of mortmain by an ancestor of lord de Moubray, then within age and in the king's wardship, to a chaplain to celebrate for the souls of his heirs and ancestors and of the faithful departed, and remaining in the king's hand by death of Peter Barker late chaplain there, which are farmed at 10s. a year; and it seems to the justices and others of the council that the cause of that seizure is insufficient.
May 20.
Westminster.
To Roger de Fulthorp and John de Lokton justices of assize in Leycestershire. Order, at the request of Joan princess of Wales the king's mother, to continue until further order in the state wherein it now is every assize before them arraigned by John Charnels or others against John Pavy and Joan his wife concerning tenements in Swepiston, Neuton and Nethircote, and writ of supersedeas in favour of the said John and Joan or others with them named in such assize; as the king has learned that John Charnels has arraigned against them an assize of novel disseisin concerning the premises, and John Pavy has hitherto been so much busied in the service of the said princess that he is now for the first time aware of it, so that peril of disherison to the defendants might arise if the justices should suddenly proceed to take the same while the said John is devoid of counsel, as the princess has certified. By C.
May 12.
Westminster.
To William de Nevylle keeper of the king's forest beyond Trent, or to his representative in Shirwode forest. Order to deliver to bail William Rumwode, William Harald of Edunstowe, Roger de Parlethorp and William his son, imprisoned in Notyngham prison for a trespass of vert in that forest, if replevisable according to the assize of the forest, in case they shall find twelve men who will mainpern to have them before the justices of assize for pleas of the forest in Notynghamshire when next they shall come to those parts.
May 10.
Westminster.
Order to the sheriff of York to cause a verderer in Pykeryng forest to be elected instead of William Anleby, who is insufficiently qualified.
April 22.
Westminster.
Order to the sheriff of Cornwall to cause a coroner to be elected instead of Robert Daundelle, who is infirm and aged.
May 9.
Westminster.
Order to the sheriff of York to cause a coroner to be elected instead of John de Hanthorp; as the king has particular information that he is insufficiently qualified, and has removed him.
April 26.
Westminster.
Order to the sheriff of Suthampton to cause a verderer in the little forest of la Bere to be elected instead of John the baker, who dwells in remote parts of the county.
May 2.
Westminster.
To John de Tyndale escheator in Norhamptonshire. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with 3 acres of land in Hertewelle and the issues thereof; as it is lately found by inquisition, of his office taken before John Carnels the late king's escheator, that after the statute Simon de Maule without licence of the late king enfeoffed Walter Mauntel therein, rendering 2s. 6d. a year to Rode church, and that for that cause the same was taken into that king's hand, as may appear by the inquisition at the king's command sent into chancery by the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer, and it seems to the justices and others of the council that the seizure was insufficient. Proviso that answer be made to the king for that rent and the arrears, if it shall be lawfully adjudged to him.
May 18.
Westminster.
To the mayor and sheriff of Bristol. Order, upon complaint of William Canynges, Walter Tedistile and other merchants of Bristol, to deliver to them in part restitution a ship called the 'Seint Martyn' of 'Seint Walree,' which John Pennoquant and other merchants of France have in the port of Bristol with a moiety of the gear, appraised at 50 marks, fourteen cloths of divers colours which the said John has in the hands of John Barstaple of Bristol at 31l. 5s. 4d., nine cloths which he has in the hands of Walter Derby at 26l. 13s. 4d., and five cloths which Dionysius Denys one of the merchants of France has in the hands of Henry Bowiere of Bristol appraised at 11l. 10s., first contenting Walter Derby of 100s. due to him from John Pennoquant for victuals; as their complaint shews that the said merchants of Bristol trusting in the truce with France sent to France a ship called the 'Rodecogge' of Bristol laded with goods and merchandise for sale there to the value of 1,000l., and that the same was arrested by the captain and other men of Harflu in Normandy, and is there unlawfully detained with the goods, merchants and seamen therein and all the gear thereof, contrary to the truce; and the king ordered the mayor and sheriff in name of reprisal to arrest and safe keep until further order all ships of France in that port, the goods, merchants, masters and seamen therein to the value of 500 marks; and by their certificate sent into chancery the king after learned that the said merchants of France have there the ship and goods aforesaid.
June 20.
Westminster.
To the sheriff of Hereford for the time being. Writ de intendendo, and order to pay to Henry de Lancastre earl of Derby and Mary his wife the fee of 20l. a year, and the arrears since 22 December last, on which date the king assigned the fee of the earl of Hereford, extended at 20l. a year, to the said Henry and Mary, whose age was proved by her husband before John Rokele escheator in Essex, to her purparty, among other castles, manors, lands etc. of Humphrey de Bohun earl of Hereford and Essex, taken into the late king's hand by his death and by reason of the nonage of Eleanor and the said Mary his daughters and heirs, commanding livery thereof to be given them.
Et erat patens.
The like to the sheriff of Norhampton concerning the fee of the earl of Norhampton.
Et erat patens.
Membrane 4.
May 19.
Henley
To the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer. Order, upon petition of John de Wyndesore, James de Pykeryng knight, William de Melton knight and Walter de Stricland knight, executors or administrators of William de Wyndesore knight or possessors of his goods, to allow the king's letters patent of pardon to the said John for all impeachments, debts, accounts, detenues of goods, covenants, claims and demands of the king against him alone or with others in England, Ireland or elsewhere by presentment, cause or contract whatsoever, and to the said executors for all such claims etc. against the said deceased, the said John alone, or all the said executors as his executors, or as occupiers of goods that were his or were ever in his possession in England and Ireland, and to the said John as tenant or occupier of lands of the deceased which are or shall be in his possession, whether seized into the king's hand or not, for all such claims etc. arising in England, Ireland or elsewhere, with covenant that such lands shall be thereof discharged to whose hands soever they shall come, accusations, impeachments, presentments or pleas now or hereafter moved notwithstanding, saving always accounts due to the king by reason of prests proved of record in the receipt of the exchequer while the deceased was lieutenant, justice or keeper of Ireland or of the town and castle of Chirburgh or elsewhere upon expedition of war on either side the sea in the late king's time and in the king's, and order not to trouble the said executors, the account aforesaid and any surplus thereupon notwithstanding, and further to receive that account of the said John, making him such allowance as ought thereupon to be made according to the nature thereof; as the executors have shewn that the treasurer and the barons are taking no heed to proceed, but are deferring to allow the said pardon unless the said John will renounce any surplus upon the account, for that he has entered upon the account by authority of that pardon, although the executors have produced the same in the exchequer, and a writ to the treasurer and the barons addressed directing them to allow the same, and have instantly craved allowance thereof in regard to certain impeachments made in the exchequer against the said executors. By letter of the signet.
May 30.
Westminster.
To Richard Wyriot. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the castle and manor of Maynerbere co. Pembroke in Suthwales which were of William de Wyndesore knight deceased, notwithstanding the king's late command to take the same into the king's hand and safe keep them until further order, or any command to him addressed by William de Bello Campo keeper of the castles etc. which were of the earl of Pembroke, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as no cause is known at present to the king and council wherefore the premises ought to have been seized, or to remain longer in the king's hand. By C.
May 8.
Westminster.
To Richard Mascy constable of Hardelagh castle in Wales. Order to leave all else and, under pain of forfeiting that office etc., within fifteen days at furthest to repair in person to the castle in as strong force as he may and as his estate demands, there to abide upon the safe guard thereof against the king's enemies of France; as the king has true information that they have gathered a great fleet of ships and galleys, and are making ready to invade and destroy the lordships of the king and other lords in Wales and the march of Wales.
The like to the following:
Thomas Benschef constable of Crukyth castle.
Robert Fouleshurst constable of Caern[arvon] castle.
Gilbert Trussell constable of Beaumarys castle.
John Beauchamp constable of Conewey castle.
Alan Cheyne constable of Rothelan castle.
Roger Coghull constable of Flynt castle.
Nicholas de Audeley constable of Carmerdyn castle.
William de Houton constable of Dreslayn castle.
May 15.
Westminster.
Edmund de Bradeston constable of Dynevore castle.