Close Rolls, Richard II: May 1387 | British History Online

Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 3, 1385-1389. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1921.

'Close Rolls, Richard II: May 1387', in Calendar of Close Rolls, Richard II: Volume 3, 1385-1389, (London, 1921) pp. 224-237. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-close-rolls/ric2/vol3/pp224-237 [accessed 20 April 2024]

May 1387



May 5. Westminster.	To William Bruly escheator in Oxfordshire. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with two thirds of the manor of Cherchehulle, delivering to Alice late the wife of John Nowers knight any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that at his death the said John held the same of others than the king as jointly enfeoffed with her by gift of William Dyghton and John Dautre clerks.
	Membrane 9.
May 2. Westminster.	To the farmers of the alien priory of Merseye in England for the time being. Writ de intendendo, and order to pay to Thomas de Wodestoke duke of Gloucestre or to his attorney 60l. a year and the arrears since 24 October last; as on 17 July 1 Richard II the king granted to the duke, being then earl of Bukingham, to the end that he might better maintain the estate of earl which he took upon him on the day of the king's coronation, 1,000l. a year for life at the exchequer, so that if Eleanor his wife, one of the daughters and heirs of Humphrey de Bohun earl of Hereford, should die without issue by him, that annuity should remain to the heirs of his body until the king or his heirs should make him and them provision of lands and rents in England to the same yearly value; and with assent of the council on 5 July 3 Richard II the king granted that from Easter then next during pleasure the duke should take the said yearly sum of the farms of certain alien priories and possessions which were in the king's hand by reason of the war with France, namely 60l. of the farm of Merseye priory and the residue of other priories and possessions therein specified; and on 24 October last with assent of the great council the king granted that he should hold the said annuity to him and the heirs of his body, although issue is begotten between him and the said Eleanor, notwithstanding the king's grant of other 1,000l. a year to him for the title of duke, covenanting that he and the heirs of his body should take the annuity first granted of the farms aforesaid so long as the priories etc. shall be in the king's hands by reason of the war, and at the exchequer if the same be put out of his hand, until provision be made as aforesaid.
	Et erat patens.
	The like to the following:
	The farmers of the possessions of the alien abbess of Caen in England, concerning 266l. 13s. 4d.
	The farmers of the alien priory of Ware, concerning 206l. 13s. 4d.
	The farmers of Takeley priory, concerning 133l. 6s. 8d.
	The farmers of Stoke priory by Clare, concerning 60l.
	The farmers of the priory of Paunfelde and Welles, concerning 40l.
	The farmers of the possessions of the alien abbot of Fécamp, concerning 200l.
	The farmers of Swaveseye priory, concerning 33l. 6s. 8d.
May 12. Westminster.	To Thomas de Clifford keeper of the king's forest beyond Trent, or to his representative in the forest of Galtres. Order, at the instant petition of the master and brethren of the hospital of St. Leonard York, to suffer them to cut down the wood within 'Benyngburgh park' within the said forest, and without impeachment to dispose thereof for the advantage of the hospital as they ought, and as they and their predecessors were used heretofore to do; as their complaint shews that, although they hold the said park to them and the hospital, certain foresters and other ministers in the forest are now newly hindering them from cutting and disposing of the said wood; and the king is aware that the hospital is of the foundation of former kings and of his patronage, and it is his will to take order for the advantage thereof and of the sick there dwelling.
May 24. Westminster.	To all sheriffs, mayors, customers, keepers of seaports and other places by the sea, all bailiffs, ministers and lieges to whom etc. Order, upon petition of John Nicol citizen and vintner of London, to arrest Peter de Lane master of a ship of Baioun called 'le James,' with his ship and goods to the value of 100l. wherever found, causing him to be brought before the king and council, and the ship and goods to be kept under arrest until further order; as his petition shews that the said vintner lately freighted that ship with wheat to the aforesaid value to be taken to Bordeaux and that the master took it to Baioun and not to Bordeaux as he ought, and there sold it to his own advantage.
	Et erat patens.
May 24. Westminster.	To Nicholas de Audele justice of Suthwales, and to his representative. Strict order at his peril, as many times ordered, for particular causes affecting the king to keep Morgan ap David and others, indicted for manslaughter of John Laurence late sheriff of Kermerdyn, in safe custody in prison until further order of the king and council, without mainprise or other deliverance. By C.
	Et erat patens.
May 28. Westminster.	To the keepers, farmers, bailiffs or receivers for the time being of the manor of Asshedoun co. Essex, in the king's hand by reason of the nonage of the heir of Walter Fitz Wauter knight. Order to pay to Alexander de Walden knight a yearly rent of 10l. so long as the manor shall be in the king's hand; as by letters indented the said Walter gave him that rent for life, and for a fine by him paid the king has confirmed the gift.
	Et erat patens.
May 18. Westminster.	To the mayor and bailiffs and the customers of Grymesby. Order, upon petition of John van Buren and others his fellows, merchants of Breme in Almain of the fellowship of merchants of the Hanse, by mainprise of Henry Judex, Herman Vynthorp and Henry vander Hede to dearrest their goods and ship called the 'Crucebergh' of Breme and deliver them to the owners, whom the king reckons his friends and well wishers, to be brought over to Lenne, so behaving that for lack of speedy remedy the petitioners have no cause to sue another time with the king, when the king must be wroth with the mayor etc. as despising his command; as the petitioners have shewn the king that at Breme they laded the ship with divers merchandise to be taken to Lenne, and although on the voyage by default and carelessness of the steersman the ship arrived at the river Humbre near Grymesby, the mayor etc. have unlawfully arrested it upon the fictitious pretence that ship and merchandise were enemies' goods, which they are not; and the said Henry and the others have mainperned in chancery under a pain of 1,000l. that the petitioners shall be ready to content the king of the value of the goods in case it shall hereafter be that the same are enemies' goods, and that they shall take the ship to Lenne and there unlade the goods, paying to the collectors there the customs etc. thereupon due.
May 15. Westminster.	To Simon Baret escheator in Norffolk and Suffolk. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the manors of Elsyng and Wesenham co. Norffolk and Moneweden co. Suffolk, delivering to Anne wife of Hugh de Hastynges knight any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by divers inquisitions, taken by the escheator, that at his death the said Hugh held no lands in those counties in chief, but held the said manors as jointly enfeoffed with her by gift of Clement Walssh and Thomas Calwer clerks to them and the heirs of their bodies, and that the same are held of others than the king.
June 3. Westminster.	To the king's receiver in Cornwall for the time being. Order from time to time to pay to Robert Wytheley the king's serjeant such wages and fees as used to be paid to Robert Persoun deceased, and the arrears since 22 March 9 Richard II, on which day the king granted him for life the office of janitor of Exeter castle with the fees and wages which Robert Persoun had by the king's grant.
	Et erat patens.
June 19. Westminster.	To Richard Mucheldevere escheator in Somerset. Order to take of Mary who was wife of John Seyncler knight an oath etc., and in presence of Philip Seyncler knight, son and heir of the said John, to assign her dower of her husband's lands.
	Membrane 8.
Feb. 26. Westminster.	To the mayor of Dertemuth, John Haule late mayor, Benedict Boteshale and other good men of the town whatsoever. Order to deliver to Nicholas de Prementorio of Genoa (Janua), proctor or attorney of certain merchants of Genoa, all the goods and merchandise put in their keeping, and all other goods of the said merchants which are in their possession, suffering the merchants to dispose thereof without let; as lately the king appointed the said John and other lieges to make inquisition and take information concerning the names of all men of the town who were concerned in taking goods of the said merchants stolen by men of Dertemuth and others out of a tarit of those merchants, which on the voyage to a port called Bluet was driven by a storm upon the coast of Brittany, and what goods every man of the town took and had, and to arrest all such goods in whose hands soever found, and deliver them to John Hadle citizen of London or his attorney, to Thomas Haxay the king's clerk and John Elyngeham serjeant at arms, whom by another commission the king appointed to receive the same of the said late mayor and the others before a set day now past by indenture containing the price and value and the description thereof, and to safe keep the same until the king should take order for their delivery; and by virtue of that commission the said John Hauley and the others arrested 2⅓ pipes of 'greyn,' 60 quintals 15lb. of 'alum,' 30lb. of 'canelrynde,' eighteen 'bastons' for crossbowmen, and 9lb. of 'dates' in the hands of Thomas Asshenden of Dertemuth, 5 pipes of 'greyn' and 22½ quintals of 'alum' in the hands of Hugh Weston, 29 quintals 30lb. of 'alum' and twelve 'bastons' for crossbowmen in the hands of Richard Juyll of Dertemuth, 71 quintals of 'alum' and one pipe of 'greyn' in the hands of Michael Croude of Dertemuth, one pipe of 'greyn' and 12 quintals of 'alum' in the hands of William Bachiler and Richard Clyf of Dertemuth, as parcels of the said goods, and the said Thomas [Asshenden], Hugh, Richard, Michael, William and Richard delivered those goods, and John Hauley delivered 9²/3 pipes of 'greyn,' 20 quintals of 'alum,' 124lb. of 'canelrynde' and 111 'bastons' for crossbowmen in his hands to John Beaugrant attorney of John Hadle and to Thomas Haxay and John Elyngeham, as by parts of divers indentures which are on the chancery file may appear, and the same were after delivered to the keeping of the mayor etc. until further order of the king; and upon mature deliberation by advice of the council the king has now finally decreed that full restitution be made of the same, and of all other goods of the said merchants in their keeping, reckoning the merchants his friends and well wishers.
	To the bailiffs of Plymmuth. Like order, mutatis mutandis; as lately the king appointed Thomas Haxay his clerk, John Elyngeham serjeant at arms and other lieges to make inquisition in Devon and Cornwall, the town of Dertemuth excepted, concerning the names of all owners, masters and victuallers of ships, barges and balengers concerned in taking the goods stolen (as above) by certain Englishmen of Dertemuth and other lieges with certain ships and vessels, the price and value thereof, and to whose hands they came, to arrest all such goods taken by any men of those counties, the said town excepted, if they should exist, or else the value thereof, and to safe keep them without diminution until other order should be made by the king and council; and the said Thomas and John arrested 3 pipes of 'greyn' and 76 quintals 20lb. of 'alum' in the hands of William Flete, and delivered them to John Beaugraunt, and in presence of certain good men of Plymmuth they were after delivered to the bailiffs' keeping.
	To the mayor of Lostwythiell. Like order, mutatis mutandis, concerning 30 quintals 12lb. of 'alum' found in the hands of William Wolhey of Lostwythiell, 20 quintals 40lb. of 'alum' in the hands of Ralph Perot, 29 quintals 30lb. of 'alum' in the hands of Roger Juyll of Dertemuth, 2 pipes of 'greyn' and 16 quintals of 'alum' in the hands of Roger Humfrey and Thomas Martyn, and 3 quintals found in the hands of a certain man by the way, which were after delivered to the mayor's keeping in presence of certain good men of Lostwythiell.
Jan. 12. Westminster.	To Simon de Burley constable of Dovorre castle and warden of the Cinque Ports or to his lieutenant, and to the mayor and bailiffs of Sandewich. Order, upon petition of certain merchants of Genoa (Janua), to deliver to them two tarits, one of Gabriel de Ardumente called 'la Seint Marie et Seint Johan,' the other of Andrew de Pisan called 'la Seint Marie et Seint Johan,' with all the artillery and gear thereof, suffering the same with the owners, masters, pilots and seamen to pass to Genoa or to any other parts of the king's friendship, any command of the king to them previously addressed to the contrary, and any arrest of the tarits, owners etc. heretofore made notwithstanding, so behaving in the execution of this command that the merchants have no cause of complaint to the king; as the said petition shews that on their voyage those tarits were taken at sea off the coast near Sandewich and brought to that port by certain lieges, upon pretence that they, the owners etc. were the king's enemies; and the king reckons the petitioners his friends and well wishers. By C.
March 16. Westminster.	To Simon Baret escheator in Norffolk. Order to give Thomas son of William de Morle knight livery of the hundred of Fourhowe and the issues thereof taken; as upon the finding of an inquisition, taken by William Hastynges late escheator, that John Herlynge at his death held that hundred for life by gift of William de Morle knight, made with the king's licence, rendering 66s. 8d. a year, with remainder to the said Thomas and Joan his wife (now deceased) and to the heirs of their bodies, and that it is held in chief by knight service, the king took the homage and fealty of the said Thomas, and commanded the late escheator to give him livery thereof and the said issues; and the late escheator was removed from office before that was done.
March 20. Westminster.	To the collectors of customs and subsidies in the port of Bristol. Order, upon the instant petition of Henry Presthoud and Richard Alseter of Bristol merchants, to view letters of cocket which they have and, if assured that at Falemuth they paid customs, subsidies etc. upon the goods and merchandise in a ship of theirs called 'la Gracedewe' of Bristol, and that they unladed them not there nor exposed them for sale, order without taking custom or subsidy a second time to suffer the petitioners to sell the same; as their complaint shews that at Lussheboun they lately laded the said ship with merchandise to be brought over to Bristol, that on the voyage the same was driven by a storm to Falemuth, that they there paid customs etc. upon the merchandise, which was not there unladed, as by the said letters may appear, but that the collectors are unlawfully distraining them to pay customs etc. thereupon, as if it were uncustomed.
April 28. Westminster.	To all bailiffs and lieges of the king to whom etc. Order, if the town of Northmymmes co. Hertford is a member and parcel of the honour of Gloucestre, to suffer the men and tenants thereof to be quit of payment of toll, stallage, picage, pavage, murage and pontage as they ought to be, and as they and their ancestors ever heretofore used to be time out of mind, releasing any distress made upon them for that cause; as the king has learned that men and tenants of the said honour ought to be quit of such payment throughout the realm.
	Et erat patens.
May 6. Westminster.	To the mayor and sheriff of Bristol. Order, in consideration of his poverty, without payment of ransom to the king to set free Lawrence Seylord of Ireland imprisoned in Bristol prison, suffering him to pass to Ireland; as lately the king ordered them to certify in chancery where, by whom and how the said Lawrence, whom one of the king's lieges claims as his prisoner, was taken, whether he is in truth an enemy or no, and at what sum he may be ransomed, and they returned that he is an Irishman and the king's enemy in Ireland, that he [was taken] at Bristol at the instance of John Godeyer servant of William Stone of Chikston co. Devon, the said John's purpose being that by his means the said William, who is in prison in Ireland, may the sooner be set free, and that he may not be put to any greater ransom than 40s., as they were informed by credible witness. By C.
May 11. Reading.	To the collectors in the port of London of the subsidy of 3s. upon every tun of wine granted to the king in the last parliament. Order, upon petition of Robert de Parys of London, to suffer him there by himself and his servants to lade in ships 28 tuns of wine of Gascony and 6 tuns of wine of Oseye, which were salved in a ship of his lately lost at sea, and to send them over to Seland and nowhere else to make his advantage thereof, first paying the customs, subsidies etc. thereupon due, any ordinances, proclamations or commands to the contrary notwithstanding; as he has mainperned in chancery under pain of forfeiting the value thereof to take the wine thither and not elsewhere. By C.
	Membrane 7.
May 4. Westminster.	To Walter Scarle escheator in Roteland. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the manor of Stokedrye, a piece of land called 'Asshelounde' thereto adjacent, and a toft and one carucate of land in Cotesmore and Gretham called 'Bruseslonde,' delivering up any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that William Morewode of Rotelande at his death held no lands in that county in chief in demesne nor in service, but held the premises as jointly enfeoffed with Lora his wife, and that the same are held of others than the king.
May 3. Westminster.	To Simon Baret escheator in Norffolk. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with three messuages in the town of Bishops Lenne and a messuage there in Wyndegate, all taken into the king's hand by reason of the idiocy of Emma who was wife of Edmund Beston of Lenne, delivering up any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that the said Emma deceased held the same for life by bequest of her said husband according to the custom of the town, the three messuages with reversion to Robert de Brysle, John Paxman and Henry de Betele his executors, the other with reversion to John Paxman burgess of the town and Alice his wife and to their heirs, and that they are held of others than the king.
May 4. Westminster.	To Robert Bealknap and William Rykille justices of assize in Somerset. Order to proceed to rendering of judgment in an assize of novel disseisin concerning tenements in Hunspulle arraigned before Robert Tresilian, John Cary and William Cary late justices of assize by Alexander atte Sogge and Alice his wife against Elizabeth Cogan and others, notwithstanding the allegation of the said Elizabeth that by reason of her nonage the premises are by the king's grant in the wardship of Robert bishop of London, Nigel Lorynge knight and Isabel who was wife of William Cogan, and that without advising the king she might not make answer, craving the king's aid, and notwithstanding the king's writ commanding the said justices to proceed in the said assize that allegation notwithstanding, so that they should not proceed to rendering of judgment without advising the king; as at the plaintiffs' petition the king ordered the sheriff to give notice to the said bishop, Nigel and Isabel, and to Robert de Haryngton who has taken the said Isabel to wife, to be in chancery at a day now past to shew cause wherefore an order to proceed ought not to be granted, and the parties appeared accordingly, and days were given them, and the process continued in form of law until the octaves of the Purification last, at which day, for that the said bishop etc. could say nought to the purpose wherefore the king ought not to make such order, by advice of the justices, the serjeants and others of the council learned in the law it was determined that the plaintiffs should have the king's writ to proceed; and now on the plaintiffs' behalf it is shewn the king that an inquisition is taken concerning the premises.
May 8. Reading.	To John Lovell. Order to deliver to Elizabeth who was wife of John Mautravers knight, or to her attorneys, the body of Elizabeth one of the said knight's daughters and heirs, who is within age and in John Lovell's custody, to be married at her said mother's sole discretion, although lately the king appointed John Wadham to seize her wherever found, and to keep her in safe custody, not marrying her until further order, by virtue whereof he seized her and delivered her to the custody of John Lovell; as John de Wyke esquire, to whom for payment of a certain sum at the exchequer the king committed the wardship of a moiety of the lands of the deceased with the marriage of his said daughter, has made agreement touching her wardship and marriage with her said mother, surrendering to her hands the king's said commission and all his estate therein, as appears by a writing under his seal produced in chancery.
May 16. Westminster.	To the chamberlain of Cardygan in Suthwales for the time being. Order of the revenues and profits pertaining to Cardygan castle to pay to Lewis de Cliffort 100l. a year and the arrears since 29 October 6 Richard II, on which date the king confirmed letters patent of Joan his mother princess of Wales, whereby she granted to the said Lewis for life the keeping of that castle, which was assigned to her in dower after the death of the prince, and 100l. a year by the hands of her receiver there, and the king granted that he should have the same for life if he should overlive the princess.
	Et erat patens.
May 16. Westminster.	To the collectors in the port of Suthampton of the custom upon wool, hides and woolfells for the time being. Order to pay to Perinus Duhan 4d. a day for life, and the arrears since 14 December last, on which date for good service the king with assent of the council granted him 4d. a day of the issues of the said custom for life or until the king should take other order for his estate.
	Et erat patens.
May 20. Westminster.	To the sheriff of Wiltesir for the time being. Order of the issues of the county to pay to Walter Worthe 3d. a day for life, 13s. 4d. a year for his gown and 10s. a year for his courtepy, and the arrears since 7 October last, on which day with the assent of Matthew de Swetenham the king's serjeant, one of the yeomen of his chamber, to whom the king lately granted for life the office of launder in Claryngdon park with certain wages and fees specified, the king granted that office to the said Walter for life with the wages and fees thereto pertaining; as by certificate of the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer, sent into chancery at the king's command, it appears that allowance was made to the sheriff for the time being of 3d. a day for the launder's wages, 13s. 4d. at Christmas for his gown and 10s. in summer time for his courtepy.
	Et erat patens.
May 14. Westminster.	To Robert Loxle escheator in Sussex. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the manors of Bargham and Hamme, a messuage, 64 acres of land, 15½ acres of meadow with a fishery in Gretham, 4l. of rent in Walderton and 20 acres of land in Codham called Wynteres, delivering up any issues thereof taken, saving to the king his wardship of the manor of Goryngge with the members, namely Haydone and Dadesham, the manor of Preston and 40 acres of arable land, 4 acres of meadow, a dovecot and 6s. 2d. of rent in Perham; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that Joan who was wife of Edward Seynt Johan knight at her death held no lands in that county in chief nor of others in her demesne as of fee nor in service, but held all the premises for life by gift of Richard Wolvyn parson of Bargham, Robert Overton clerk and others to her and Henry Treygos sometime her husband and to the heirs of the said Henry, and that the manor of Goryngge with the members and the premises in Perham are held of the king by knight service as of the honour of Walyngforde, and the manor of Preston likewise as of the honour of Mold, and the residue of the premises of others than the king, and that Edward son of Robert son of the said Henry and Joan is their cousin and next heir, and of the age of nine years and upwards.
	Membrane 6.
Feb. 14. Westminster.	To Geoffrey Clerk of Leycestre escheator in Leycestershire. Order to give to Richard son of Henry son of John de Grey of Codenore and to Elizabeth his wife, one of the daughters and heirs of Ralph Basset of Sapcote, seisin of her purparty of her father's lands, certifying his action in chancery; as the king took the fealty of Lawrence de Ditton knight, who took to wife Alice one of the said Ralph's daughters, then of full age, and on 6 July 3 Richard II ordered Thomas de Ralegh then escheator in presence of the said Richard son of Henry and of Alice who was wife of the deceased, to whom the king committed the wardship thereof until the lawful age of the said Elizabeth, to make a partition of those lands into two equal parts, and to give the said Lawrence and Alice the daughter seisin of her purparty, keeping Elizabeth's purparty in his hand until further order, so that either heir should have a share of the lands held in chief and be the king's tenant; and now the said Richard has proved the said Elizabeth's age before John de Cotom escheator in Lincolnshire, and the king has taken his fealty.
	To John de Cotom escheator in Lincolnshire. Like order, reciting the king's order to John Pouger then escheator; as the said Elizabeth's age is now proved before the said now escheator.
	To William Wolascote escheator in Staffordshire. Like order, reciting the king's order to William de Walshale then escheator; as the said Elizabeth's age is now proved before John de Cotom.
	To Walter Scarle escheator in Norhamptonshire. Like order, reciting the king's order to John Karnelle then escheator.
Feb. 28. Westminster.	To Robert de Veer duke of Ireland or his lieutenant, and to his chancellor and treasurer in Ireland. Order upon their allegiance, at the petition of Philip de Courtenay late the king's lieutenant there, to make restitution to him or his attorneys of all his own goods and chattels by them or any other arrested, in whose hands or keeping soever they may be found, and of all rents and profits of Ireland due at Easter last according to indentures made between the king and the said Philip and by an assignment made him by tallies levied at the receipt of the exchequer, and all rents, profits and sums of money in arrear to him for the whole time that he was lieutenant, notwithstanding that now he is discharged of office, but it is the king's will that he shall make due satisfaction for all sums from him lawfully due in Ireland, and order so to behave that he shall have no cause by their default to sue a second time with the king or council for delivery of such goods or rents and profits; as his complaint shews that he was appointed lieutenant for a set time, that by the said indentures all profits, rents and revenues of Ireland were given to him by the king by reason of his office for performance of charges therein, that within the term thereby limited the king gave to the duke the land and lordship of Ireland and all profits of the same, by virtue whereof the said Philip is thrust out of office, contrary to the said indentures as he avers, and that although he was not discharged of office before Easter last, and until then bore all charges of Ireland as he was bound to do, so that as he avers all profits and rents thereof to that time ought to pertain to him, and although further all Easter rents and profits are by the said tallies assigned to him, the duke etc. have caused not only all rents and profits to him pertaining by the said indentures and by the said tallies assigned, but all his own goods and chattels in Ireland unlawfully to be seized. By C.
Feb. 26. Westminster.	To the collectors of customs and subsidies in the port of Suthampton. Order to suffer Cosmatus Gentilis the pope's nuncio and collector in England without payment of custom or subsidy to send over to the pope two bales with a whole hanging and six tapets of Arays work and with certain cloths for liveries of the clerks, esquires and others of his household therein contained, and a barrel filled with vessels of pewter with the pope's arms thereupon, which the said nuncio has purveyed within the realm for the pope's use, any command to them previously addressed to the contrary notwithstanding, provided that nought to the prejudice of the king or realm be by colour of this licence taken over in the said bales and barrel. By C.
Feb. 13. Westminster.	To Robert Bealknap and William Rikhille justices of assize in Somerset. Order, to proceed with what speed they may in an assize of novel disseisin concerning tenements in Hunspille arraigned before Robert Tresilian, John Cary and William Cary late justices of assize by Alexander atte Sogge and Alice his wife against Elizabeth Cogan and others, so that they proceed not to rendering of judgment without advising the king, notwithstanding the allegation of the said Elizabeth that by reason of her nonage the premises are in the king's hand, and in the wardship of Robert bishop of London, Nigel Lorynge knight and Isabel who was wife of William Cogan by his commission, and that without the king she may not answer, craving the king's aid; as at the petition of the plaintiffs the king ordered the sheriff to give notice to the said bishop, Nigel and Isabel, and to Robert de Haryngton who has taken the said Isabel to wife, to be in chancery at a set day now past in order to shew cause wherefore a writ to proceed therein ought not to be granted, by virtue whereof they appeared, and days being given them the process was continued until the octaves of the Purification last, at which day, for that the bishop etc. could say nought to the purpose, by advice of the justices, serjeants and others of the council learned in the law it was determined that the plaintiffs should have a writ to proceed.
Feb. 16. Westminster.	To the warden of the Flete prison. Order by mainprise of Richard Fitz Symond, Simon atte More, John Whitewelle, William Waldryon and Robert White to set free John Pulter bailiff of the prior of Pritelwelle there imprisoned; as upon the finding of an inquisition, taken at the king's command before certain lieges, that divers goods and merchandise of Peter Mark merchant of Florence and Gerard Lomelyn merchant of Genoa (Janua) in a ship lost by carelessness of the seamen in a storm upon Shobury sand within the prior's lordship came to the said bailiff's hands, for that and many other causes specially affecting the king and council the king caused him to appear in chancery, and after committed him to the said prison; and the said Richard and the others have mainperned in chancery under a pain of 500l. to have him there in the quinzaine of Easter next and thenceforward day by day to answer to the king and the said merchants.
March 17. Westminster.	To the collectors of customs and subsidies in the port of Sandewich. Order, upon petition of John Frosshe, Richard Odyham, Richard Nevylle and John Grymeston, to view letters of cocket which they have and, if assured that they and certain other merchants of the city of London in the port of London paid the customs, subsidies etc. due for divers goods and merchandise by them there laded in a ship of Plymmouth, John Millere master, to suffer them without taking a second payment to send the same over to Portugal in another ship, releasing any distress made upon them for that cause; as their complaint shews that by default of good governance the said ship was on the voyage broken near Sandewich, and that although in the port of London they paid 12d. in the pound and divers other customs due thereupon, as by the said letters may appear, the collectors are unlawfully distraining them for payment of customs and subsidies, for that they have put the goods for greater safety in another ship to be taken over thither.
March 18. Westminster.	To the archbishops, bishops etc., officials, advocates, proctors and other ecclesiastical persons appointed to any dignity or office, notaries public, sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, ministers and lieges of the king to whom etc. Order to attempt nought and, so far as in them lies, to suffer nought to be attempted to the prejudice of the king or crown or of the king's right, or to prejudice the suit of John Chytterne the king's clerk, so that he may not lawfully and peaceably sue in the king's name, and order at their peril to revoke any attempt so made; as a plea is pending before the justices of the Bench between the king and Walter Mabely clerk concerning the right of presentation to the church of St. Thomas New Sarum, and the said John, whom the king has presented thereto, is suing in the king's name.
	Et erat patens.
March 12. Westminster.	To the collectors of customs and subsidies in the port of Sandewich. Order, upon an information that great number of merchants of London, scheming to defraud the king of great part of his customs and subsidies, have many times customed at Sandewich goods and merchandise brought there to port from foreign parts and not there exposed for sale, to the end that they may [take them] thence for payment of a smaller custom or subsidy than they ought to pay at London, not to take of such merchants any customs or subsidies for merchandise at Sandewich, or hereafter brought thither, save of that sold there or exposed for sale; as the king's will is that answer be made at London for the custom and subsidy upon goods that the merchants will send thither.
	Membrane 5.
April 24. Westminster.	Order to the sheriff of Middlesex for election of a coroner instead of John Charney, who is sick and aged.
May 18. Westminster.	Order to the sheriff of Devon for election of a coroner instead of William Houeton of Plymmouth, who is insufficiently qualified.
May 14. Westminster.	Order to the sheriff of Warrewyk for election of a coroner instead of William Wode, who is sick and aged.
	Like order to the sheriff of Cornwall concerning John Rynsy.
June 1. Westminster.	Order to the sheriff of Cumberland for election of a coroner instead of John de Waverton, who is dead.
April 29. Easthamp-stead manor.	To the constable of the Tower of London, or to his lieutenant. Order, with the assent and at the prayer of Robert de Veer duke of Ireland, to set free Walter Sibille of London, whom lately the king ordered the constable to arrest at the suit of the duke, then being earl of Oxford, averring defamation concerning maintenance, to answer in the parliament then holden at Westminster; as the said Walter being arrested and haled there, before the prelates and lords in that parliament a cause was brought against him that he defamed the said earl, being a peer of the realm and the king's chamberlain, by reporting to John king of Castille and Leon duke of Lancastre, the person of most excellence and dignity in the realm after the king, that the said earl in such sort maintained against him a quarrel between the said Walter and Nicholas Twyford and William Coggeshale knights that by reason thereof he might not obtain justice; and the said Walter, after a protest for amending of any untoward speech of his in that most excellent court, said that he might not deny that concerning the matter he touched the said duke, and that under such protest he would more openly declare the matter, wherefore he said that because of strife and debates between him and the said knights both parties were summoned before the council, that arguments and plaints were there heard on either side, and the grant of a writ of oyer and terminer to the said Walter, and of a special assize to the said knights was touched upon, that at the last either party was told by the council to sue at the common law if they should think fit, and that nevertheless both the said knights had afterwards a special assize, whereby the said Walter was condemned in 800l. for property not exceeding the value of 8s. a year, great number of his goods and chattels were taken away, and he suffered other damage and grievance, and that by maintenance of the said earl as he supposed; and the earl being there present averred that he was not guilty of the maintenance laid to his charge of malice, offering to excuse himself by all such means as the court would determine, and craving that the said Walter should have the pain of the statute against defamation, whereupon he was committed to custody; and after three days, being again brought into the parliament, he submitted himself to the king's grace, averring and affirming that he thought not nor was minded so much to offend the said earl, and praying the lords of parliament to aid him in obtaining grace of the king and the good will of the earl, and being asked whether he would prosecute and prove his accusation said he would not, whereupon it was determined that he should be convicted of defamation, that the said earl should recover his damages, taxed by advice of the lords at 500 marks, and that the said Walter should be committed to prison until he should content the earl for those damages, and the king for a fine and for his ransom, and he has remained in the Tower prison until now. By p.s. [4284.]
	[Rolls of Parliament, iii. p. 399.]
May 24. Westminster.	To Robert de Parys keeper of the marshalsea prison. Order by mainprise of John Bradley, William Porter, William Ayscowe and Richard Hurell, each of London 'grosser,' to deliver Martin Domyngus to them to bail; as being by the mayor, sheriff and bailiffs of Bristol impeached for counterfeiting the great seal, he was lately arrested, haled before the king and council, and delivered to the custody of the said keeper until the king should take other order for his deliverance; and being in that prison examined upon oath before Edmund Brudenell the king's coroner, he said that Geoffrey Keteryngham wrote the writ and the copy of a letter patent for which he was impeached, and that Thomas de Norwich sealed the writ and so delivered it to him, saying that the said Thomas counterfeited the seal, as he was ready to prove, and that through a window he saw the said Thomas with a tool making the shape of the seal in a piece of lead, as appears by certificate sent into chancery at the king's command by Robert Tresilian chief justice; and the prisoner's petition shews that the king has pardoned the said Thomas the suit of his peace, by virtue whereof he is acquitted before the king, and that the said Martin was without fault impeached, and is imprisoned without cause, seeing that he is indicted or appealed for no misdeed, and John Bradley and the others have mainperned body for body to have him before the king in the marshalsea in the quinzaine of Michaelmas next.
May 26. Westminster.	To Simon de Burley constable of Dovorre castle and warden of the Cinque Ports, or to his lieutenant. Strict order by oversight of John Elyngham serjeant at arms, whom for speedier delivery of the wine the king is sending with this writ, to deliver to Gerard Lomelyn one of the merchants or to his attorney, the wine of Greece of certain merchants of Genoa (Janua) found in the castle and town of Dovorre, which was in a tarit of Genoa, Lukin Cire of Genoa master or owner (patronus), lately taken at sea by Baldwin de Radyngton controller of the king's household and other lieges in his company upon pretence that tarit and wine were enemies' goods, which they are not, and if there be any cause wherefore that ought not to be done, order by the said serjeant to certify the same in chancery; as the said wine was brought to the said castle and town, and at suit of the merchants after full declaration touching the premises it is now finally decreed by the council that restitution be made. By C.
	To John Slegh the chief butler, or to his representative in the port of Dovorre. Strict order to deliver to Gerard Lomelyn or his attorney the wine in the butler's keeping within the said castle and town (as in the last). By C.
May 14. Westminster.	To the constable or warden of the Tower of London or to his lieutenant. Order this instant Wednesday to have in chancery the bodies of Thomas de Metham knight, John Massam chaplain, John Deyville, John Pereson, Robert Clerc and William Dalton, all imprisoned in the Tower, to answer touching what shall be laid against them.
May 15. Westminster.	To the warden of the Flete prison or his lieutenant. Order, for particular causes on his behalf declared before the council, to set free John Stikenay, whom at suit of Philip le Despenser and William Hoo knights the king ordered the warden to keep in safe custody in that prison until further order for his deliverance.
May 30. Westminster.	To the mayor and sheriffs of London. Order to discharge Baltazar de Obriaches (fn. 1) and his mainpernors, commanding any process against him to be withdrawn, and suffering him to go his way from prison and bail; as lately the king ordered the said sheriffs to certify in chancery the manner and cause of his arrest, and how and by what mainprise he was set free from arrest, and they certified that the said Baltazar was by Nicholas Brembre knight then mayor committed to the custody of John Organ and John Chircheman late sheriffs of London to be imprisoned for particular causes moving the king and council, so that he should not be set free without special command of the king, or until by the said mayor the sheriffs should have other information, that by assent of the said mayor he was after delivered to bail body for body and under a pain of 3,000l. to Nicholas Luk, Bartholomew Bosane, Galtron de Bardes, Bernard Antony, Peter Mark and Hugelin Gerard, Lumbards, to have his body before the king and council upon warning received ready to answer concerning what should be laid against him, that he is yet in bail as if in prison, that he is day by day suing with the sheriffs, averring that he made final excuse before the king and council, and that the king held him wholly excused, and praying for dismissal from prison and bail, and for discharge of his mainpernors, and that the sheriffs have deferred such dismissal and discharge until further order of the king, for that they were not assured concerning his excuse; and by writ of privy seal the king has now commanded Th. bishop of Ely the chancellor to discharge the said Baltazar and his mainpernors of every accusation made before the late mayor, withdrawing any processes made before the said Nicholas and in chancery. By p.s. [4351.]
June 15. Westminster.	To Robert Loxle escheator in Sussex. Order to remove the king's hand and meddle no further with the manors of Jevyngton and Hoghton, Brambeltye and Lavertye and the advowson of Jevyngton church, delivering to Mary late the wife of John Seyntcler knight any issues thereof taken; as the king has learned by inquisition, taken by the escheator, that at his death the said John held no lands in that county in chief in his demesne as of fee nor in service, but held the premises as jointly enfeoffed with her by gift of Robert atte Mulle, Thomas de Gleve and Henry atte Grove to them and the said John's heirs, and that the same are held of others than the king.
	Membrane 4.
May 18. Westminster.	To John de Ravensere the king's clerk keeper of the hanaper of chancery. Order of the king's alms to deliver to John Bron (fn. 2) quit of the fee for the seal letters patent in the said keeper's hands whereby the king has granted him for life 100s. a year of the farm of the alien priory of Lancastre.
May 21. Westminster.	To the collectors in the city of London of the moiety of one tenth last granted to the king by the commons. Order not to compel Thomas Baram clerk, schoolmaster of the Arches, to contribute thereto with men of the city for his lodging within the city or for his books, utensils (vessellamentis), horses, goods or things needful for his sojourn there, releasing any distress made upon him, that he have no matter for a second suit to the king; as in the parliament lately holden at Gloucestre it was ordained and agreed (fn. 3) that no demand should be made by men of that city or elsewhere throughout the realm upon clerks, lords, justices, serjeants or other laymen for a tenth or fifteenth upon their lodgings, books etc. or things needful for their sojourn in such lodging.