Close Rolls, Edward III: September 1371

Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III: Volume 13, 1369-1374. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

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'Close Rolls, Edward III: September 1371', in Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III: Volume 13, 1369-1374, (London, 1911) pp. 244-252. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/edw3/vol13/pp244-252 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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September 1371

Sept. 7.
Westminster.
To the bailiffs of Great Jernemuth. Order, if the men of Flanders imprisoned in that town shall find mainpernors, for whom the bailiffs will answer, that they will not leave the town nor eloign therefrom any of their goods or chattels, to set them free from prison, suffering them under a sure mainprise to dwell within the town and ply their craft there until further order; as lately the king ordered the bailiffs to arrest all men of Flanders who were in the town and the suburbs thereof and all their goods and chattels there, and until further order honourably to guard their bodies and safe keep their goods without removal of aught as they would answer it to the king and the said men; and now by complaint of the Flemings dwelling in the said town the king has learned that the bailiffs have arrested them and are keeping them in close custody in prison contrary to the intent of the king and council and to the form of the said command.
Sept. 16.
Westminster.
To the collectors of the petty custom in the port of London. Order to suffer John Aubrey and John de Hedyngham citizens and merchants of London to lade in ships in that port nine tuns of honey by them lately bought of men of Janua, and after payment of the customs thereupon due by themselves or their servants to take the same over to Durdraght in Seland in order to bring again to England wine to the value thereof, any proclamations, ordinances or commands to the contrary notwithstanding; as the king has given them licence so to do.
Membrane 17.
Aug. 27.
Westminster.
To John atte Welde escheator in Essex and Hertfordshire. Order to suffer the prior and convent of Waltham abbey, now void by the death of Thomas de Wolmersty the last abbot, to have without let the keeping of the abbey and of all lands, goods and chattels thereto pertaining, disposing thereof as shall seem to be for the most advantage of the abbey, according to the charters of the king's forefathers and his confirmation thereof, and as they and their predecessors used to have in times of vacancies, saving to the king the knights' fees and advowsons of churches to the said abbey belonging, and the issues during this vacancy of any lands by the abbot or his predecessors acquired in mortmain since 10 March in the 6th year of the reign; as among the other liberties granted as aforesaid to the canons of Holy Cross Waltham it is granted that upon the decease of the abbot they shall have freedom of election, and that until they have an abbot the abbey and all the possessions thereof shall be in the hand and keeping of the said canons, and all rents, issues and goods of the said house shall by them be freely spent to the use of the poor and the profit of the church; and on the date above mentioned the king by charter confirmed the same, granting further to the then abbot and the convent that they and their successors shall fully use and enjoy the liberties and quittances in the said charters contained though heretofore in any case they or their predecessors used not any of them.
The like to the following:
John Rokwode escheator in Norffolk.
John de Olneye escheator in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
John Froille escheator in Berkshire.
John de Bisshopeston escheator in Surrey.
Walter de Kelby escheator in Lincolnshire.
John Bernes mayor of the city of London and escheator therein.
May 2.
Westminster.
To John Knyvet and his fellows, justices appointed to hold pleas before the king. Order by writ of nisi prius, according to the statutes and to the law and custom of England, to command an inquisition which remains to be taken between the king and Master Alexander de Neville for prosecution of the execution of a judgment rendered before the king in his court concerning the archdeaconry of Cornwall lately void and in the king's gift, to be taken before the justices of assize in Cornwall. By C.
Sept. 10.
Westminster.
To William de Wyndesore the king's lieutenant in Ireland. Order to stay and altogether cease until other order be taken by the king and council, or until further instructions be sent him, the levying or collecting of the sums hereinafter mentioned, and of all other the tallages, fines and imposts by him unlawfully laid upon the mayor and commonalty and upon the citizens of Dublin in Ireland; as by their complaint the king has learned that the lieutenant on the king's behalf ordered the said mayor and twelve true men of the said city lately to come before him at Kilkenny and there abide, not suffering them to depart thence until by duress they granted for themselves and the said commonalty that 100 marks should be paid him, that by writ under the seal used in Ireland he ordered Edmund Berle, Nicholas Serjant, William Serjant, Richard Chaumberleyn, John Bukeland, Geoffrey Gallan, John Foyl and Walter Passavant citizens of Dublin to come from that city to the city of Lymeric and there to abide and dwell, there detaining them until by a great sum they made fine with him to have licence to return thence to Dublin, and that at the last parliament holden at Balidoulle he unlawfully laid upon the said mayor and commonalty a tallage of 200 marks, and divers other tallages, fines, extortions and imposts not to be borne it is said, to the impoverishment of the king and his people of the said city; and in consideration of the hurt and peril which is like to happen thereby to the said city and to Ireland the king would make provision against the same, as he is bound to do. By p.s. [28820.]
[Fœdera.]
To the same. Like order, mutatis mutandis; as by complaint of the mayor, steward and commonalty of his town of Droghda in Ireland the king has learned that his said lieutenant on the king's behalf ordered the said mayor and steward and twelve true men of the said town lately to come before him at Kilkenny and there abide, not suffering them to depart thence until by duress they granted for themselves and the said commonalty that 100 marks should be paid him, that by writ under the seal used in Ireland he ordered Richard Mole, Richard Rath, Thomas Rath the elder, Thomas Asshe, Henry Garnoun and Roger Heyn burgesses of the said town to come thence to the city of Lymeric and there abide and dwell, there detaining them until by a great sum they made fine with him for licence to return to Droghda, and that at the last parliament holden at Balidoulle he unlawfully laid upon the said mayor and steward and the commonalty a tallage of 240 marks etc. (as the last).
[Ibid.]
Sept. 16.
Westminster.
To Thomas de Metham knight. Order upon his allegiance and under pain of forfeiture forbidding him to lay upon John Pothowe, his men or servants, any hurt, oppression, wrong, threat or hindrance whereby they may be hindered in collecting and levying the subsidy last granted to the king by the commons of England, or in their own business, that by his default the levy or collection thereof be not delayed, and no loud complaint a second time come to the king's ear by reason whereof the king should have matter of wrath against him; as the king by letters patent has appointed the said John with other his lieges to levy, collect and receive the said subsidy in Yorkshire to the king's use, by other letters patent taking him, his goods, chattels and property whatsoever, his men and servants into the king's special protection, and forbidding all and singular to lay upon them wrong, trouble, hurt or grievance; and now on behalf of the said John the king has learned that the said Thomas has sent to his house at Yucflet great number of armed men, who by command of the said Thomas a great while there besieged the said John, his wife and household, broke his gates and close there, continually assaulted him and his men and servants who were in the said house with intent to slay them, grievously wounding four men of his said servants, and drove thence the said John, his wife and the residue of his servants, so that he, his wife or his men and servants for fear of death and the threats made against them by the said Thomas and his accomplices dared not repair thither or elsewhere abide in the country, nor did the said John dare to engage in the collection of the said subsidy, and inflicted on them great number of other hurts in contempt of the king, delaying the said collection, contrary to the said protection and in breach of the peace; and the king will not longer endure the crimes so committed in contempt of him.
Sept. 18.
Westminster.
To Simon Warde escheator in Roteland. Order not to meddle further with the bailiwick of keeping the king's forest in Roteland and with the manor of Braunston taken into the king's hand by the death of Alice who was wife of John Wardedieu, delivering to the said John any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Alice at her death being jointly enfeoffed with her said husband (yet living) held the said bailiwick by gift of Robert Wardedieu of Bodyham and John de la Porte made with the king's licence to them and the said John's heirs, and the said manor by fine levied in the king's court to them and the heirs of their bodies, and that the said bailiwick is held in chief by the service of rendering 40s. a year at the exchequer, the said manor of others than the king.
Sept. 18.
Westminster.
To John Rous escheator in Leycestershire. Order not to meddle further with a manor in Adloxton, 5 marks of rent in Carleton Curly and 20s. of rent in Somurdeby taken into the king's hand by the death of Alice who was wife of John Wardedieu, delivering to the said John any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Alice at her death held no lands in that county in chief in her demesne as of fee, but being jointly enfeoffed with her said husband held the said manor and rents by virtue of a gift made by Henry Wardedieu and John Courthorp to them and the heirs of the said John, and that the same are held of others than the king.
Sept. 25.
Westminster.
To John Froille escheator in Berkshire. Order to deliver the manor of Mollisford, taken into the king's hand by the death of Leonard de Carreu, together with the issues thereof taken, to the next friend of the said Leonard (sic) to whom the heritage may not descend to be kept to the heir's use according to the statute; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Leonard at his death held no lands in that county in chief in his demesne as of fee by reason whereof the wardship of his land and heir ought at present to pertain to the king, but held the said manor of the king in socage by the service of rendering 2s. a year by the hands of the sheriff for all services, and that Thomas his son is his next heir, and is of the age of one year.
Membrane 16.
Aug. 26.
Westminster.
To Thomas de Fulnetby, William Stayn, Frederick de Tilneye, John Hode, William Bussy and John de Welby of Roppesleye. Order, under pain of forfeiture, on sight of these presents forthwith ceasing every excuse to cause all and singular the parishes of Lincolnshire as well in the parts of Holand and Kesteven as of Lyndeseye, within liberties and without, to be apportioned and assessed by the advice and at the discretion of John bishop of Lincoln, the abbot of Barlynges, Ralph de Crombewell and John Paynell whom the king has appointed in that county overseers of the apportionment, assessment, levying and collection of the subsidy of 116s. of every parish lately granted to the king, without favour to any sparing none according to the true value of the lands, goods and chattels of the parishioners as well lords as labourers, craftsmen, workmen and others of whatsoever estate or condition, except the lands and possessions of ecclesiastical persons taxed with the clergy before 20 Edward I, and to cause the portions so assessed upon the parishes to be levied to the king's use of all his subjects of the said parishes as well of the lords of towns as of the labourers etc. without severance of hundreds, wapentakes and other places, so that answer be made to the king for one moiety thereof at Martinmas next and for the other moiety at Easter following, notwithstanding that the said men of Holand used to be taxed with the men of Kesteven in singular the taxations, tallages and other charges heretofore granted to the king, so behaving in this behalf that no loud complaint shall a second time come to the king's ear; as lately in aid of the expenses which he must incur as well for the safety and defence of the realm and of the shipping thereof as for furtherance of the war with France, the earls, barons, lords and commons of the realm granted the king the subsidy aforesaid to be levied of every parish of the realm, so that every parish of greater value shall aid and contribute rateably to another of less value without severance by hundreds, wapentakes or otherwise of all the king's secular subjects being lords of towns, manors, lands, goods and chattels etc. whatsoever, labourers, craftsmen and workmen of whatsoever estate or condition, the county of Cestre and the lands and possessions of ecclesiastical persons put in mortmain and with the clergy taxed towards the tenth before 20 Edward I being excepted; and willing that answer be made for the same the king by letters patent appointed the said Thomas and the others named five, four, three and two of them, to assess, levy and collect as aforesaid in Lincolnshire (with the above exception) 3,636l. 12s. whereat are assessed the parishes thereof within liberties and without according to the apportionment by the number of parishes returned in chancery; and now by plaint of the men of Lyndeseye the king has learned that, though the parishes in the parts of Holand are of greater value than those in the parts of Lyndeseye and Kesteven, the men of Holand altogether refuse to contribute aught in aid of the men of Lyndeseye, though one parish in the parts of Holand exceeds the value of many parishes in the parts of Lyndeseye, for that in singular the aids, tallages and other charges heretofore granted to the king by the commons of the realm they used to be taxed (it is said) with the men of Kesteven and not with the men of Lyndeseye, to the hurt of the men of Lyndeseye and delay of the levy aforesaid and contrary to the purpose of the grant, wherefore the king is moved to anger; and it is his will that the subsidy be levied in accordance with the grant.
Mandate to the said bishop, abbot, Ralph and John Paynell, overseers of the assessment and levying of the said subsidy, to cease every excuse and oversee the apportionment, assessment and levy thereof, so that it be assessed evenly upon the men of the parishes of that county without severance of hundreds, wapentakes or other places whatsoever, or favour to any person. By C.
Aug. 28.
Westminster.
To the alderman and all the commonalty of the town of Grantham. Order, upon the petition of the abbot of Croxton, collector in Lincolnshire, Leycestershire and Roteland of the subsidy last granted to the king by the clergy of the province of Canterbury, to deliver to the said abbot a strong and sure house in that town for keeping the money from the said subsidy arising, as they will answer it before the king himself, causing him upon warning received to have the king's safe and sure conduct for himself, his men, horses, harness and property coming to the said town with such money and thence returning to his own again; as his petition shews that his abbey is situate in a rural place far distant from other towns in every direction, and that he has no sure place to keep the said money, praying that a strong house in the said town be appointed for the purpose.
Sept. 10.
Westminster.
To the justices of the Common Bench in Ireland. Order, upon the petition of Thomas Bache the king's clerk, parson of Kilbery in the diocese of Meath, to continue in the same state as it now is until debate be had in chancery between the king and the said Thomas concerning the revocation of a confirmation of his estate in the said church made by the king, or until further order, a process pending before the said justices between the king and Miles Rodipak and the said Thomas; as on 22 December last, desiring to make provision for his security, the king confirmed the estate of the said Thomas as aforesaid, willing that he should not in time to come be impeached or troubled by the king, his heirs or ministers whatsoever touching his possession thereof by reason of any right or title now or hereafter vesting in the king or his heirs; and after on being informed that he was deceived therein, for that the confirmation was by untrue suggestion granted to his prejudice and to the disherison of the heir of Peter le Butiller who acquired the said advowson of the said Miles in fee, being a minor in his wardship, the king ordered William de Wyndesore his lieutenant in Ireland to give notice to the said Thomas to be before him in the chancery of England in the quinzaine of Michaelmas next to shew cause wherefore that confirmation ought not to be revoked, and further to do and receive what the court should determine in that behalf; and now the said Thomas has prayed the king for a stay of the said plea pending before the justices against the said Miles and Thomas, that they shall suffer the king to present to the said church, until the process pending without debate in chancery concerning the said revocation shall be determined.
The like to the justices appointed to hold pleas which follow the king's lieutenant in Ireland.
Sept. 14.
Westminster.
To the executors of Robert Ruthyn, subconstable of Alan de Buxhull constable of the Tower of London who is afar off. Order to deliver by indenture to Walter de Chippenham the prisoners in the said Tower, the keys and all other things in their keeping which concern the said office; as the king has appointed him to do all things which pertain to the office of constable until the coming of the said Alan to England, or until further order. It is the king's will that the said executors be discharged toward him.
Sept. 26.
Westminster.
To John Froille escheator in the county of Suthampton. Order to remove the king's hand, and not to meddle further with the manor of Aunedeport, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that Leonard de Carreu at his death held no lands in that county in chief in his demesne as of fee, but long before his departure from England over sea made a feoffment of the said manor to Hugh Harston, Ralph Clatford, Thomas Stone chaplain and John Matesford, their heirs and assigns, and that it is held of others than the king.
To Thomas Chaumbernoun escheator in Devon. Order to remove the king's hand, and not to meddle further with the lands taken into the king's hand by the death of Leonard de Carreu, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Leonard at his death held no lands in that county in chief nor of others in his demesne as of fee, but long before his death made a feoffment of all his lands in Devon to Thomas Stone parson of Combe Ralegh, John Mattesford, Hugh Harstoun and Ralph Clattesford, their heirs and assigns, and that the same are held of others than the king.
Nov. 26.
Westminster.
To John Knyvet and his fellows, justices appointed to hold pleas before the king. Order by writ of nisi prius according to the statutes to command that an inquisition which remains to be taken before them between the king and Thomas bishop of Durham and John de Henle clerk, namely whether a judgment rendered before the king that the said bishop should suffer him to present to the church of Hoghton has been executed or no, be taken before one of the king's justices. By K.
Membrane 15.
July 30.
Westminster Palace.
To the customers in the port of London for the time being. Order and charge, if Richard earl of Arondell and Surreye be not yet contented of what is due to him by the indentures hereinafter recited, to suffer him or his deputies to levy and have 2½ marks of every sack of wool laded in that port until he be so contented; as the king with a number of prelates, earls, lords, knights, clerks and other his lieges is bound to the said earl in 20,000l. of him received by name of a prest, to be paid to the said earl or his deputies at the feasts of the Ascension and of St. John Baptist next, for payment whereof the king and they have given their bond in 20,000 marks, and for other 10,000 marks the king and any his officers are bound likewise to pay 2½ marks a sack of the customs and subsidies upon wool laded in the said port, as in the said indentures is contained, wherefore on 3 August last the king commanded and charged the said customers to view the said indentures, and to suffer the said earl and his deputies to levy 2½ marks of every such sack from that time to the feast of St. John Baptist following until contented as aforesaid. French.
Et erat patens.
Aug. 10.
Westminster.
To William Banastre escheator in Salop. Order to take the fealty of Robert son and heir of John de Seint George, tenant by knight service of the heir of Roger de Mortuo Mari earl of March tenant in chief a minor in the king's wardship, according to the form of a schedule enclosed, and to cause him to have seisin of his said father's lands which are in the king's hand by his death and by reason of the said Robert's nonage; as he has proved his age before the escheator.
Sept. 8.
Westminster.
To W. archbishop of Canterbury, and to the collectors in the diocese of Canterbury of the subsidy last granted to the king by the clergy of that province. Order, upon the petition of the brethren of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England, if assured that the brethren have heretofore paid the fifteenths and all other charges and subsidies granted to the king and his forefathers for all their lands and rents in that diocese, their ecclesiastical benefices excepted, with laymen and not with the clergy as it is said, to stay altogether the demand made upon them for payment of the said subsidy in respect of the lands for which they are assessed among laymen; as their petition shews that in all times past they and their predecessors paid as aforesaid with laymen and not with the clergy, and that they are with laymen assessed for all their lands towards the subsidy last granted as used to be done of old time, but that the archbishop and collectors not considering this are endeavouring by ecclesiastical censures to compel them with the clergy to pay to the king's use the subsidy last granted by the clergy for their lands and rents so taxed among laymen, as though the same were annexed to their spiritualities which they are not, praying for remedy. Proviso that they pay as well with the laity the subsidy granted by the laity for all their lands and rents as with the clergy the subsidy granted by the clergy for their ecclesiastical benefices.
The like to the following:
W. bishop of Winchester and the collectors in that diocese.
S. bishop of London and the collectors in that diocese.
H. bishop of Norwich and the collectors in that diocese.
J. bishop of Lincoln and the collectors in that diocese.
R. bishop of Coventre and Lichefeld and the collectors in that diocese.
W. bishop of Hereford and the collectors in that diocese.
W. bishop of Worcester and the collectors in that diocese.
Th. bishop of Exeter and the collectors in that diocese.
R. bishop of Salisbury and the collectors in that diocese.
J. bishop of Ely and the collectors in that diocese.
J. bishop of Bath and Wells and the collectors in that diocese.
W. bishop of Cicestre and the collectors in that diocese.
Th. bishop of Rochester and the collectors in that diocese.
To J. archbishop of York, and to the collectors in the diocese of York of the subsidy granted by the clergy of that province. Like order.
The like to the following:
Th. bishop of Durham and the collectors in that diocese.
Th. bishop of Karliol and the collectors in that diocese.
Sept. 26.
Westminster.
To Robert de Twyford escheator in Notinghamshire and Derbyshire. Order to deliver to William brother of Nicholas de Cantilupo the manor of Ilkeston and castle of Greseleye, together with the issues thereof taken since the death of Nicholas son of William de Cantilupo; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that Nicholas de Cantilupo at his death held no lands in that county (sic) in chief in his demesne as of fee, but that Thomas de Newemarche knight, John Buscy and Hugh de Cressy gave to Joan (now deceased) who was wife of Nicholas de Cantilupo knight the manor and castle aforesaid for her life with remainder to the said Nicholas son of William and to the heirs of his body, remainder if he should die without issue to William his brother, that by virtue thereof the same ought to remain to the said William brother of Nicholas for that the said Nicholas is dead without issue, and that the said manor is held of the heir of Henry de Bello Monte tenant in chief, a minor in the king's wardship, and the said castle in chief by knight service as of the honour of Peverell; and the king has respited the homage and fealty of William brother of Nicholas until Christmas next, for that he is abiding on the king's service in Aquitaine.
Sept. 26.
Westminster.
To John de Olneye escheator in Bukinghamshire. Order to deliver to William brother of Nicholas de Cantilupo the manor of Little Clayton together with the issues thereof taken since the death of Nicholas son of William de Cantilupo, but not to meddle further with the manor of Heselbergh, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that Nicholas de Cantilupo at his death held no lands in that county in chief, but that Thomas Newemarche knight, John de Buscy and Hugh de Cressi were seised in their demesne as of fee of the said manors of Clayton and Eselbergh, and gave the same to Joan (now deceased) who was wife of Nicholas de Cantilupo knight for her life with remainder to the said Nicholas son of William and the heirs of his body, remainder if he should die without issue to William his brother and the heirs of his body, that after the said Joan's death the said Nicholas son of William entered and died seised of the said manors without heir of his body, that by virtue of the aforesaid gift the same ought to remain to the said William brother of Nicholas, and that the said manor of Clayton is held of the king as of the honour of Peverell by the service of one knight's fee, and the said manor of Heselbergh of others than the king; and the king has respited etc. (as above).