Parliament Rolls of Medieval England. Originally published by Boydell, Woodbridge, 2005.
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'Richard II: November 1390', in Parliament Rolls of Medieval England, (Woodbridge, 2005) pp. . British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/parliament-rolls-medieval/november-1390 [accessed 11 April 2024]
In this section
1390 November
Introduction November 1390
Westminster
12 November - 3 December
(C 65/50, C 65/51. RP , III.277-283. SR , II.76-77)
C 65/50 is a roll of seven membranes, while C 65/51 is a roll of four membranes, each approximately 330mm in width, sewn together in chancery style, and numbered in a later hand. Roll C 65/51 is a contemporary copy of C 65/50 up to item 31, the text of both rolls being substantially the same up to that point. The condition of both rolls is fairly good, though membrane 7 of C 65/50 and membrane 4 of C 65/51 are stained with gallic acid, and the heads of both these membranes are damaged and worn. The text, written in the official script of several scribes, occupies the rectos of the membranes only; the dorses are blank apart from later headings: on C 65/50, 'Prima pars parliamenti de anno 14 R. 2 di ', and on C 65/51, 'Parliamentum de anno 14 o R. 2 di . The Arabic numerals, and the marginal notes, on roll C 65/50 are of a later date; there are no numerals or marginal notes on C 65/51.
Although it was only six months since the previous parliament had been dissolved (and only four since the promulgation of the statutes resulting from it), the fact that the parliament of January-March 1390 had not renewed the wool subsidy beyond Christmas made it more or less imperative for Richard II to summon another assembly before the end of the year. On 12 September 1390, therefore, writs were issued from Westminster summoning a parliament to meet there on 12 November. The returns of members of the commons are very incomplete, and the names of only ninety members are known: seventy-four knights and sixteen burgesses. (fn. N1390int-1) The lords spiritual summoned included all twenty-one English and Welsh bishops, and twenty-four abbots and priors (the abbot of Waltham St Cross and the prior of Coventry were not summoned, although they had been to the previous parliament and would be to the next). Fifty-five lords temporal were also summoned, the same number as in January, though not exactly the same names: Guy Brian, Ralph Basset of Drayton and John de Montacute were omitted, all three having died during the course of the year. Their places were taken by the king's cousin Edward earl of Rutland (promoted to an earldom in the previous parliament), Thomas Bardolf of Wormegay, and Walter Fitzwalter, both of whose fathers had died in 1386, but both of whom only came of age in 1390.
The parliament of November 1390 aroused little interest among contemporaries, and has largely escaped the notice of historians. The only chronicler to provide an account of its proceedings was the monk of Westminster, who said of it that 'many topics were raised but few of them led to any decisive action'. Among these topics, he noted especially the price of wool: the question at issue was how to maintain its price in relation to its quality, and, although the parliament passed a number of measures designed to ensure this, the chronicler's comments about them ('I fancy that this goes unheeded') reflect the apparently universal opinion that they were far from successful in achieving their aims. The removal of the wool staple to England and the pardon of the former mayor of London, John of Northampton, were the other main items noted by the chronicler. He also stated that the parliament in effect reversed its predecessor's policy on Provisors, and 'freely allowed [the pope] to collate to all benefices falling vacant in future within the Roman curia, any statutes published to the contrary notwithstanding'; this seems to be an error, however, for there is no record of any such decision. The Evesham chronicler also stated that the papal legate, Damian de Cataneis, attended this parliament in order to try to secure the repeal of the Statute of Provisors, but this too seems to be an error: it was the parliament of November 1391, not November 1390, which Damian de Cataneis attended (although he had also been present in England during the parliament of January 1390). The likelihood must be that on this question both chroniclers were confusing the two parliaments. On the other hand, the parliament of November 1390 did witness the granting by the king, with the assent of parliament, of a small number of licences to individuals to evade the terms of the Statute of Provisors, and it is just possible that it was these to which the Westminster chronicler - who is otherwise well-informed on the parliament - was referring. (fn. N1390int-2)
One point worth noting about this parliament is that it actually opened on the day for which it had been summoned, which is a little surprising, since 12 November was a Saturday, and in the past parliaments which had been summoned to meet on a Saturday had often been postponed until the following Monday. (fn. N1390int-3) As in January, the opening speech was made by William de Wykeham, bishop of Winchester and chancellor, but whereas in January his emphasis had been on domestic issues, he now chose to concentrate on foreign affairs. Despite the truce with France, he declared, there was still no peace, and it would therefore be necessary to send a solemn embassy to Calais early in February 1391 in order to try once more for a final settlement. The Scots, moreover, showed no inclination to be bound by the truce, so that as far as the northern border was concerned war seemed the likelier option. This was, in truth, a somewhat flimsy case on which to base a request for taxation. Nevertheless, the commons proved obliging, and before parliament ended they had agreed to renew the wool subsidy and tunnage and poundage for no less than three years (the longest extension since that agreed in 1382), and, what is more, the wool subsidy was to be taken at a significantly higher rate than before, an additional ten shillings per sack (Item 16). Furthermore, although it was stipulated (as was customary) that these subsidies should only be spent on the 'defence and salvation of the realm', there was no attempt by the commons to ensure that their proceeds were diverted away from the exchequer and into the hands of specially-appointed treasurers of war. In effect, this marked the end, for as long as Richard II continued to reign, of the system of independent war-treasurers - a system never popular with the government - and the beginning of a decade which would see a gradual but definite softening of the attitude of the commons towards the misappropriation of taxes voted for the war. (fn. N1390int-4)
The commons did, however, attach a different kind of condition to their grant, namely, that the wool staple should be moved as soon as possible from Calais to a variety of English towns (the same towns as had been specified in the 1354 Ordinance of the Staple, that is, Newcastle, York, Lincoln, Norwich, Westminster, Winchester, Exeter, Bristol, Canterbury, Chichester and Hull); if, through the fault of the king and council, this had not been put into effect by 9 January 1391, collection of all the subsidies granted would cease immediately. This is clear evidence of the importance attached by the commons to the question of the price of wool, and suggests, as indicated by the Westminster chronicler, that as far as they were concerned the wool trade was the most pressing item of business in this parliament. In addition to items 6-11 on the roll, a larger than usual number of the common petitions dealt with mercantile matters. The restrictions which the parliament placed on the activities of English wool-brokers, along with various other measures designed to encourage foreign merchants to come to England, were also an attempt to alleviate the shortage of bullion in England, although the privileges which foreigners were now granted did not always meet with the approval of English chroniclers. Nor, indeed, was the legislation successful in achieving its aims: as will be seen, it was almost entirely reversed in the next parliament, which met just a year later. (fn. N1390int-5)
The wool trade apart, some of the most interesting items dealt with during this parliament concerned various prominent individuals. Firstly, the dukes of York and Gloucester, the king's uncles, submitted a joint petition claiming that although, at the time of their elevation to dukedoms in 1385, they had been promised one thousand pounds' worth of land or rent a year with which to support their new dignity, these promises had not been fulfilled; instead, they had had to make do with assignments on a range of exchequer sources, which had subsequently proved to be unreliable (Items 12-13). The king promised to rectify this, and indeed seems to have acted rapidly in an attempt to do so. (fn. N1390int-6) Secondly, it was recorded on the roll that, because of his adherence to the French, John de Montfort, duke of Brittany, had, in the parliament of November 1384, forfeited his earldom and honour of Richmond (which had been held intermittently by successive members of the Breton ducal house since the twelfth century), but that, 'for certain reasons well-known to the king and lords', this judgment had not been enrolled at the time (Item 14); this was, in effect, confirmation of the 1384 judgment, and not until 1398, the year before his death, would Montfort be restored to the earldom of Richmond. Thirdly, the controversial London draper, John of Northampton, who had held the mayoralty of the city from 1381 to 1383, was, at the request of the commons, granted a full pardon and released from prison (Item 36). Deeply implicated in the factional politics which gripped the city during the 1380s, Northampton had been tried before the king in 1384 and initially sentenced to death, a judgment which had subsequently been commuted to life imprisonment and forfeiture of all his goods. (fn. N1390int-7)
If John of Northampton's pardon smacks of a desire to bury some of the hatchets of the 1380s, Richard II also demonstrated in other ways that he was keen to shore up his recently-restored authority. According to the Westminster chronicler, shortly before the opening of parliament he had had it proclaimed that anyone who wished to lay any charges against John Fordham, former bishop of Durham and now of Ely, or anyone else who had been arrested during the Merciless Parliament, should now state them openly in parliament, where justice would be done to them. The king's intention, clearly, was to try to lay to rest once and for all any lingering sense that his former supporters were still on probation following their alleged misdeeds earlier in the reign. No-one came forward, however, and within the next few years a number of the king's former supporters began to regain their influence. (fn. N1390int-8) Yet the legacy of the Merciless Parliament could not be disposed of that easily: one petition from the commons in November 1390 raised the question of the lands forfeited by those who had been condemned in 1388 (Item 21). These, it had been agreed at the time, would be sold by the king, on the advice of his lords and councillors, for the profit of the king and kingdom and to ease the burden on the commons. Richard was now asked to confirm that this ordinance would be firmly adhered to, and the sales confirmed, regardless of anything which might be done outwith parliament - in other words, that he would not be tempted to start restoring these lands to his former friends. He avoided any firm commitment, however, simply replying that each case would be decided on its merits. It was doubtless with such considerations in mind that Item 15 - probably the best-known item on the roll - was drafted. This stated that the lords and commons had begged the king, in full parliament, to declare that his regality and prerogative would remain forever undiminished; that if anything had been done to diminish them, it would be reversed; and that Richard should be as free in his time as any of his predecessors had been in their time. The royal assent was, naturally enough, forthcoming - indeed, as Saul has pointed out, this 'petition' was almost certainly a put-up job, drafted on the initiative of the king himself in order to assert his authority. (fn. N1390int-9) Nonetheless, there is nothing to suggest that anyone objected: the political atmosphere was conciliatory, and at the close of the parliament, on Saturday 3 December, the lords and commons once again 'humbly thanked' the king, in full parliament, for his good government and gracious lordship, and for the fervour and zeal which he showed for his people, to which the king replied that he wished to thank the lords and commons for their grants and their good counsel (Item 38). Thus, after just three weeks, ended one of the shortest and least eventful parliaments of the reign.
Text and translation
| [p. iii-277] | |
| [col. a] | |
| [memb. 7] | |
| ROTULUS PARLIAMENTI TENTI APUD WESTM' IN CRASTINO SANCTI MARTINI, ANNO REGNI REGIS RICARDI SECUNDI QUARTODECIMO. | THE ROLL OF THE PARLIAMENT HELD AT WESTMINSTER ON THE MORROW OF MARTINMAS IN THE FOURTEENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND [12 November 1390]. |
| A contemporary copy of this roll, as far as item 31, exists in C 65/51. It is entitled 'Copia rotuli parliamenti tenti apud Westm' in crastino Sancti Martini anno regni regis Ricardi secundi quartodecimo .xiiij.', and its text is substantially the same. | |
| Samady, lendemayn de Seint Martin, q'estoit le primer jour de cest parlement tenuz a Westm', l'an du regne nostre seignour le roi quatorzisme, l'onurable pier en Dieu l'evesqe de Wyncestre, chanceller d'Engleterre, par commandement du roi esteant present en parlement, pronuncea et declara la cause del somons de cest parlement. Et apres plusours notables motives de bone governance rehercez, [...] sibien en general, come de la bone et noble governance de nostre seignour le roy tout son temps en especial, il dist qe le roi voloit qe seinte esglise et les seignours espiritels et temporels, et auxint citees et burghs, eient et enjoient lour libertees et [franchises si] avant come ils les avoient et enjoierent resonablement en temps de ses nobles progenitours rois d'Engleterre. Et puis disoit pur [substance de] la matire, coment les trieves furent prises parentre le roi et soun adversaire de France pur un certein temps, come overtement fuist declarez [al darrein] parlement; et coment l'evesqe de Duresme, le count de Northumbr', et autres, avoient este ore tard en message du roi a Caleys [pur traitee de pees, et] avoient fait relacioun au roi de lour dit message: et coment y faut qe le roi envoie plus solempnes messages illoeqes [entour la] Chandeleure proschein, pur traiter de pes final, si Dieu plest, quelle chose il ne voet pas faire sanz avys et assent des seignours espiritels et temporels, et autres sages de son counseille. [Et coment auxint] l'evesqe de Seint David, tresorer d'Engleterre, le count Mareschall', et autres, avoient este en message du roi en la marche d'Escoce, pur traiter ove les Scotz de les trieves pur eux prises par les Franceys, et qe les ditz Escotz ne soi voillent unqore accorder [a mesmes les] trieves: issint q'il semble meutz qe le roi auera illoeqes guerre qe pees, la quelle guerre le roi ne voet mye faire, n'emprendre, sanz l'advys et assent desusditz; et qe y faut qe mesmes les messages, ou autres, soient envoiez illoeqes entour la dite Chandeleure, de traiter derechief ove mesmes les Scotz. Et puis rehercea les grantz charges et coustages affaires de fyn force, sibien sur [la sauve garde] de la dite marche d'Escoce, et de la terre d'Irland, come de Caleys, Brest, Chirburgh, et Guyen', et auxint de les dites traitees: [et coment y faut] auxint ordeiner par temps pur la guerre, en cas qe pees final, ou plus longes trieves ne soient prises: et qe le roi [ne suffist mye] a porter ne faire toutz les charges et costages busoignables et necessairs celle partie sanz eide de sa terre: et par tant [il voet estre conseillez] en cest parlement, coment les ditz charges et costages purront meutz estre portez et faitz, au meyndre damage et desease de son poeple. Et dist outre qe par tant qe le roi voet qe pleine justice et droit soient faitz a son dit poeple, il ad assigne certeins clercs de la chancellarie a receivre les peticions de toutz ceux qe soy voillent compleindre en cest parlement, de chose qe ne poet estre redressez par la commune ley de la terre; et certeins seignours pur oier [col. b] et respondre mesmes les peticions en manere accustume, des queux seignours et clercs les nouns serront overtement lieux par le clerc du parlement. | On Saturday the morrow of Martinmas, the first day of this parliament held at Westminster, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our lord the king [12 November 1390], the honourable father in God the bishop of Winchester, chancellor of England, by order of the king present in parliament, announced and declared the reason for summoning the parliament. And having rehearsed many noteworthy purposes of good governance, both in general and particularly concerning the good and noble governance of our lord the king throughout his reign, he said that the king willed that holy church and the lords spiritual and temporal, and also the cities and boroughs, should have and enjoy their liberties and franchises as they had and enjoyed them reasonably in the time of his noble progenitors the kings of England. And then, coming to the substance of his matter, he said that a truce had been agreed between the king and his adversary of France for a certain time, as had been openly announced at the last parliament; and that the bishop of Durham, the earl of Northumberland and others had lately been negotiating for the king at Calais for a treaty of peace, and had reported to the king: and that it was necessary that the king send a more solemn mission there around Candlemas next [2 February 1391], to reach a final peace, if it please God, which he would not do without the advice and assent of the lords spiritual and temporal and other wise men of his council. And also that the bishop of St Davids, treasurer of England, the earl marshal and others had been envoys of the king in the march of Scotland to treat with the Scots over the truce for them made by the French, and that the said Scots still would not agree to the same truce: so that it seemed better that the king should have war there than peace, which war the king did not wish to wage nor undertake without the aforesaid advice and assent; and that it was necessary that the same mission, or another, be sent there about the said Candlemas [2 February 1391], to negotiate further with the same Scots. And then he rehearsed the great charges and costs which had to be borne, as well for the safeguard of the said march of Scotland and of the land of Ireland, and of Calais, Brest, Cherbourg and Guyenne, as for the said treaties: and that it was also necessary to prepare early for war, should a final peace or longer truce not be reached: and that the king ought not to be suffered to bear nor perform all the relevant and necessary charges and costs in this matter without the aid of his land: and for that reason he wished to be advised in this parliament how the said charges and costs might best be borne and undertaken with the least harm and injury to his people. And he also said that because the king willed that full justice and right be done to his said people, he had assigned certain clerks of the chancery to receive the petitions of all those who wished to complain in this parliament of anything which could not be redressed by the common law of the land; and certain lords to hear [col. b] and answer the same petitions in the usual manner, the names of which lords and clerks will be read aloud by the clerk of parliament. |
| 2. Receivours des peticions d'Engleterre, Irland', Gales et Escoce: | 2. Receivers of petitions from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland: |
| 3. Receivours des petitions de Gascoign', et d'autres terres et paiis depar dela la meer, et des Isles: | 3. Receivers of petitions from Gascony and from other lands and countries overseas, and from the Channel Islands: |
4. Et sont assignez triours des peticions d'Engleterre, Irland, Gales, et Escoce:
|
4. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland:
|
| - toutz ensemble, ou sys des prelatz et seignours avantditz au meyns; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschal et chamberleyn, et auxint les sergeantz le roi quant il busoignera. Et tendront lour place en la chaumbre de chaumberleyn, pres de la chaumbre depeinte. | - to act all together, or at least six of the aforesaid prelates and lords; consulting with the chancellor, treasurer, steward and chamberlain, and also the king's serjeants when need be. And they shall hold their session in the chamberlain's room, near the Painted Chamber. |
| [p. iii-278] | |
| [col. a] | |
| 5. Et sont assignez triours des peticions de Gascoign', et d'autres terres et paiis depar de la meer, et des Isles: | 5. The following are assigned to be triers of petitions from Gascony and from other lands and countries overseas, and from the Channel Islands: |
| - toutz ensemble, ou sys des prelatz et seignours avantditz; appellez a eux chanceller, tresorer, seneschalle, chaumberleyn et les sergeantz le roi quant il busoignera. Et tendront lour place en la chaumbre marcolf. | - to act all together, or at least six of the aforesaid prelates and lords; consulting with the chancellor, treasurer, steward, chamberlain, and the king's serjeants whenever necessary. And they shall hold their session in the Marcolf Chamber. |
| Et ceux qi voillent liverer lour peticions les baillent avant parentre cy et Samady proschein avenir au soir. | And those who wish to submit their petitions should hand them in between now and next Saturday evening [19 November 1390]. |
| [memb. 6] | |
| < L'estaple de Caleys. > | The staple of Calais. |
| The later headings and the item numbers are not to be found in the copy in C 65/51. | |
| 6. Accordez est en ycest parlement par assent de tout le parlement qe l'estaple soit remuez de Caleys en Engleterre, issint q'il soit en Engleterre lundy proschein apres le fest de la Tiffanie a pluis tard, et q'il soit tenuz es lieux contenuz en l'estatut de l'estaple fait l'an vint et septisme l'aiel nostre seignour le roi et en nulle autre lieu; (fn. iii-277-25-1) et qe le dit estatut soit tenuz et gardez et duement execut en toutz pointz, ove les addicions desouz escriptz, nient contreesteant ascune declaracioun ou estatut fait depuis a contraire: c'estassavoir, qe chescune persone aliene, de quel degre ou condicioun q'il soit, q'amesne ascune marchandise en Engleterre, troeve sufficeante surete devant les custumers el port ou la dite marchandise serra amesne, d'achater autre marchandise a la value de la moite du dite marchandise issint amesne, au meyns, come leynes, quirs, peaux lanutz, plumb, esteym, bure, furmage, draps ou autres commoditees de la terre. (fn. iii-277-25-2) | 6. It was agreed in this parliament, by the assent of all the parliament, that the staple should be removed from Calais to England, so that it be in England on the Monday next after the feast of Epiphany at the latest [9 January 1391], and that it be held in the places contained in the statute of the staple made in the twenty-seventh year of the grandfather of our lord the king, and in no other place; (fn. iii-277-25-1) and that the said statute be upheld and kept and duly executed in all respects, with the additions below, notwithstanding any declaration or statute made to the contrary since: namely, that every alien, of whatsoever degree or condition he be, who brings any merchandise to England, shall find sufficient surety before the customs officers in the port where the said merchandise shall be brought, to buy other merchandise to the value of at least half of the said merchandise thus brought, such as wool, hides, woolfells, lead, tin, butter, cheese, cloth, or other commodities of the land. (fn. iii-277-25-2) |
| < Eschaunge. > | Exchange. |
| 7. Item, qe pur chescun eschange qe serra fait par marchantz a la court de Rome, ou aillours, qe les ditz marchantz soient fermement et surement liez en la chancellerie, d'achater deinz trois moys apres la dite eschange fait marchandises de l'estaple, come leynes, quirs, peaux lanutz, et plumb, ou esteym, bure, furmage, draps, ou autres commoditees de la terre, a la value de la somme issint eschange, sur forfaiture d'icelle. (fn. iii-277-27-1) | 7. Also, that for every exchange which shall be made by merchants at the court of Rome or elsewhere, that the said merchants be firmly and surely bound in the chancery to buy merchandise of the staple, like wool, hides, woolfells, and lead, tin, butter, cheese, cloth, or other commodities of the land, within three months of the said exchange being made, to the value of the sum thus exchanged, on forfeiture of the same. (fn. iii-277-27-1) |
| < L'estaple. > | The staple. |
| 8. Item, q'en chescun lieu et port ou l'estaple serra, les mair, conestables, broggours, et toutz autres officers et ministres de l'estaple, soient jurrez primerement au roy, et puis a l'estaple. (fn. iii-277-29-1) | 8. Also, that in every place and port where the staple will be, the mayor, constables, brokers, and all other officers and ministers of the staple shall be sworn first to the king, and then to the staple. (fn. iii-277-29-1) |
| < Prise de leins. > | Prise of wool. |
| 9. Item, pur meutz gardez le haut pris des leynes, qe nulle denizein en Engleterre n'achate leynes forsqe des possessours des berbys et des dismes, sinoun en l'estaple. Et qe nulle denizein regrate leynes, n'autres marchandises de l'estaple en prive n'en apert, sur peyne de forfaire la value de la chose regrate. Et qe les justices de la pees en paiis eient poair d'enquerre, et enquergent de temps en temps, de tielx regratours Engleys, et de les poises de l'estaple, et les punissent par la peyne avantdite. Et qe nulle homme Engleys n'achate ascune leyn de nully forsqe pur luy mesmes pur son oeps demesne, come de vendre a l'estaple, et pur faire faire [sic] drape. (fn. iii-277-31-1) | 9. Also, the better to protect the high price of wool, that no denizen in England buy wool except from owners of sheep and of tithes, unless at the staple. And that no denizen regrate wool, nor other merchandise of the staple, in private nor public, on pain of forfeiting the value of the item regrated. And that the justices of the peace in the country have power to enquire, and do enquire from time to time, into such English regraters and into the weights of the staple, and punish them by the aforesaid penalty. And that no Englishman shall buy any wool from anyone except for himself and for his own use, such as to sell at the staple or to make cloth. (fn. iii-277-31-1) |
| [col. b] | |
| < Denzein. > | Denizens. |
| 10. Item, qe nulle denzein amesne leynes, quirs, peaux lanutz, ne plumb, hors del roialme d'Engleterre as parties de dela, sur peyne de forfaiture d'icelle, mes soulement estrangers. (fn. iii-277-33-1) | 10. Item, that no denizen shall bring wool, hides, woolfells or lead out of the kingdom of England to parts overseas, on pain of forfeiting the same, but only foreigners. (fn. iii-277-33-1) |
| < Merceaunts. > | Merchants. |
| 11. Item, qe toutz les marchantz del roialme d'Engleterre frettent en le dit roialme les niefs du dit roialme, et nemye niefs estranges; issint qe les possessours des ditz niefs preignent resonablement pur le frette d'icelles. (fn. iii-277-35-1) | 11. Item, that all merchants of the realm of England load in the said kingdom ships of the said realm, and not foreign ships; and the owners of the said ships shall charge reasonably for the loading of them. (fn. iii-277-35-1) |
| < Le duc d'Everwike et le duc de Glouc'. > | The duke of York and the duke of Gloucester. |
| 12. Le duc d'Everwyk et le duc de Gloucestre baillerent a nostre seignour le roi une peticioun en cest parlement, en la forme q'ensuit: | 12. The duke of York and the duke of Gloucester delivered to our lord the king a petition in this parliament, in the following form: |
| Plese a vous, nostre tresgracious et tresredoute seignour le roi, remembrer coment il vous pleust faire voz uncles l'un duc d'Everwyk, et l'autre duc de Gloucestre, et par assent de vostre parlement vous les promistes, pur la meyntenance et governance des honurables estatz et nouns susditz, a chescun de eux severalment et a ses heirs masles de son corps issantz mille livers de terre et de rente par an, aprendre les ditz mille livers a vostre escheqer, et es autres lieux par vous assignez, tanqe vous eussez assignez a chescun de eux et ses ditz heirs terres et tenementz a la value de mille livers par an; dont les ditz suppliantz sont ore destourbez, q'ils ne purront avoir paiement de les avantdites sommes, paront ils se doutent grantment pur temps avenir, qe eux ou lour ditz heirs purront avoir ascune destourbance semblable. | May it please you, our most gracious and most redoubtable lord the king, to remember that it pleased you to make your uncles, the one duke of York, and the other duke of Gloucester, and by the assent of your parliament you promised them, for the maintenance and governance of the aforesaid honourable estates and names, to each of them individually and to his male heirs issuing of his body, one thousand pounds of land and rent a year, the said thousand pounds to be taken from your exchequer and in other places assigned by you, until you should have assigned to each of them and his said heirs lands and tenements to the value of a thousand pounds a year; in which the said supplicants are now obstructed, so that they cannot have payment of the aforesaid sums, wherefore they greatly fear for the future, that they or their said heirs may suffer any similar hindrance. |
| Et purce ils vous supplient q'il plese a vostre hautesse, par assent de vostre parlement, granter et comander qe chescun de voz ditz uncles soit fait auxi seur come il purra par la ley, d'avoir a luy et a ses heires masles de son corps issantz de vostre doun les ditz mille livers de terre et de rente par an, deinz le roialme d'Engleterre, pur maintenir et sustenir les honurables nouns et estatz susditz; et aprendre les ditz mille livers par an a vostre dit escheqer et aillours ou ils sont assignez, tanqe chescun de eux auera du doun de vous ou de voz heirs terres et tenementz a la value de mille livers par an, par la cause susdite, a avoir a luy et a ses heirs masles susditz. Et qe au tiele surete soit faite a chescun de eux de toutz autres terres et tenementz, rentes, seignouries, et autres douns quelconqes par vous a ascun de eux, a terme de vie ou en fee, grantez, ou donez, en demesne, ou en reversioun. | And therefore they pray that it may please your highness, by the assent of your parliament, to grant and order that each of your said uncles be made as secure as possible by the law to have for himself and his male heirs issuing from his body of your gift the said thousand pounds of land and rent a year, within the kingdom of England, to maintain and sustain the honourable names and estates aforesaid; and to take the said thousand pounds a year at your said exchequer and elsewhere where they are assigned, until each of them shall have, by gift of you or your heirs, lands and tenements to the value of a thousand pounds a year for the aforesaid purpose, to have for himself and his male heirs aforesaid. And that such security shall be made to each of them for all other lands and tenements, rents, lordships, and other gifts whatsoever granted or given by you to either of them, for the term of life or in fee, in demesne, or in reversion. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| No 'Responsio' headings are to be found in the copy in C 65/51. | |
| La quelle peticioun nostre seignour le roi granta par assent du parlement en toutz pointz, et chargea ses justices d'ordeiner et veer qe surete soit faite as suppliantz come est demande par la dite peticioun; et granta auxint del assent du dit parlement qe novelx chartres sufficeantz soient faitz as ditz suppliantz, et a lour heirs masles de lour corps issantz, de les mille livers annuels, a eux, et lour ditz heirs par le roi severalment grantez par ses lettres patentes, pur les nouns et estatz des dukes d'Everwyk et de Gloucestr', et de mesmes les nouns et estatz, de les dates de lour primers chartres, si busoigne soit, pur lour seurete en celle partie; ensemblement ove lettres patentes et briefs executories sur mesmes les novelles chartres, tantz et tielx come appartiegnent. Et qe les ditz suppliantz soient paiez de les arrerages sibien des mille livers annuels susdites, come d'autres annuitees a eux grantez par < nostre dit seignour > le roi, en lieux a eux assignez par patentes du roi: nient contresteant ascune ordinance faite a contraire. | Which petition our lord the king granted by assent of parliament in all respects, and charged his justices to ordain and see that a guarantee be given to the supplicants as demanded by the said petition; and granted also with the assent of the said parliament that new, sufficient charters be made to the said supplicants and to their male heirs issuing from their body concerning the thousand pounds a year severally granted to them and their said heirs by the king in his letters patent, in the names and estates of the dukes of York and of Gloucester, and of the same names and estates, of the dates of their first charters, if need be, for their security in the matter; together with the letters patent and executory writs on the same new charters, as many and such as are necessary. And that the said supplicants be paid the arrears both of the aforesaid thousand pounds and of other annuities granted to them by our said lord the king, in the places assigned to them by the king's patents: notwithstanding any ordinance made to the contrary. |
| < Duke de Glouc'. > | The duke of Gloucester. |
| 13. Item, come nostre seignour le roi nadgairs par sa chartre granta a son trescher uncle Thomas duc de Gloucestre le chastelle de Seint Briavell' et la foreste de Dene, ove les appurtenances, a avoir et tenir a dit duc et ses [p. iii-279][col. a] heires masles, sicome en la dite chartre est contenuz plus au plein; nostre dit seignour le roi voillant faire au dit duc greindre grace celle partie, granta au dit duc en ycest parlement, del assent du dit parlement, q'il et ses ditz heirs masles eient et tiegnent a toutz jours la dite foreste de Dene, come foreste. | 13. Item, whereas our lord the king lately by his charter granted to his most beloved uncle Thomas duke of Gloucester the castle of St Briavel and the forest of Dean, with appurtenances, to have and hold to the said duke and his [p. iii-279][col. a] heirs male, as appears more fully in the said charter; our said lord the king, wishing to do greater grace to the said duke in that matter, granted to the said duke in this parliament, with the assent of the said parliament, that he and his said heirs male should have and hold forever the said forest of Dean as forest. |
| Touchant le count de Richemond. | Touching the earl of Richmond. |
| This contemporary heading is not to be found in the copy in C 65/51. | |
| 14. Il est declare par le roi et seignours en cest parlement qe au parlement tenuz a Westm' lendemayn de Seint Martyn, l'an du regne nostre seignour le roi q'orest oeptisme, les counte et seignourie de Richemond, ove les appurtenances, feurent adjuggez par le roi et seignours forfaitz au roi, a cause del enherdance de Johan duc de Bretaign', lors count de Richemond, al adversair de France, encontre les alliances faitz par le dit duc, sibien ovesqe nostre seignour le roi q'orest come ovesqe son tresnoble aiel, qe Dieux assoille, pur quelles alliances le dit duc avoit les counte et seignourie susditz: le quelle juggement n'estoit mye enroulle en roulle du dit parlement tenuz le dit an oeptisme, pur certeines causes au roi et seignours susditz bien conuz. | 14. It was declared by the king and lords in this parliament that at the parliament held at Westminster on the morrow of Martinmas in the eighth year of the reign of our lord the present king [1384], the county and lordship of Richmond with their appurtenances were adjudged by the king and lords as forfeited to the king, because of the adherence of John duke of Brittany, then earl of Richmond, to the adversary of France, contrary to the alliances made by the said duke both with our lord the present king and with his most noble grandfather, whom God absolve, in return for which alliances the said duke had the aforesaid county and lordship: which judgment was not enrolled on the roll of the said parliament held in the said eighth year for certain reasons well known to the aforesaid king and lords. |
| < Prerogativez de roi. > | The king's prerogatives. |
| 15. Fait a remembrer qe les prelatz, seignours temporels, et communes prierent a nostre seignour le roi en plein parlement qe la regalie et prerogative de nostre dit seignour le roi et de sa corone soient toutdis sauvez et gardez: et qe si riens ad este fait ou attempte encontre ycelles, q'il soit redresse et amende. Et en outre, qe nostre dit seignour le roi soit aussi frank en son temps come ses nobles progenitours, jadys roys d'Engleterre, feurent en lour temps. Quelle priere sembla a nostre seignour le roi honeste et resonable, et purceo il l'ottroia en toutz pointz. | 15. Be it remembered that the prelates, lords temporal and commons pray of our lord the king in full parliament that the regality and prerogative of our said lord the king and of his crown be forever saved and preserved: and that if anything has been done or attempted contrary to the same, that it be redressed and amended. And also, that our said lord the king be as free in his time as his noble progenitors, once kings of England, were in their time. Which prayer seemed to our lord the king honest and reasonable, and for that reason he granted it in all respects. |
| [memb. 5] | |
| 16. En ycest parlement, c'estassavoir samady le tierce jour de Decembre, les seignours et communes granterent a nostre seignour le roi en plein parlement, en eide de defense et salvacioun du roialme, les subsides desouzescriptz, sanz estre despenduz en autre condicioun, a lever et prendre del jour de Seint Andreu darrein passe tanqe [col. b] a la fyn de trois ans adonqes proschein ensuantz: c'estassavoir, de chescun sak de leyn passant hors du roialme, outre l'aunciene custume de dimy marc ent due, qarrant et trois souldz et quatre deniers de denzeins, et qarrant et sys souldz et oept deniers des aliens: et de chescun last de quirs, outre l'aunciene custume d'une marc ent due, sis marcz sis souldz et oept deniers de denzeins, et sept marcz des aliens: et de chescun deux centz et qarrant peaux lanutz, outre l'aunciene custume de dimy marc ent due, qarrant et trois souldz et quatre deniers de denzeins, et qarrant et sis souldz et oept deniers des aliens. Et de chescun tonelle de vyn entrant en mesme le roialme, ou issant hors d'icelle, trois souldz. Et de la livere de toutes autres maneres marchandises entrantz en mesme le roialme, ou passantz hors d'icelle, dousze deniers. A lever et prendre toutz les ditz subsides par les ditz trois ans entiers, sibien des foreins come de denzeins; nient contresteant ascune chartre ou patente fait a contraire, sur la condicioun q'ensuit; c'estassavoir, qe l'estaple soit remuez de Caleys en Engleterre lundy proschein apres le fest de la Tiffanie proschein avenir, pur y demorer perpetuelment en certeins portz deinz le roialme, come purra estre accorde par nostre seignour le roi, et parentre les seignours et communes. Et s'il aviegne qe la dite estaple ne soit mye en Engleterre ycest lundy en defaut du roi et de soun counseill, q'adonqes mesmes les subsides cessent mesme le lundy tout outrement, sanz jammes [...] delors estre levez. Et s'il soit en defaut des marchantz, eient la peyne contenu en l'estatut de l'estaple. Et enoutre, si la dite estaple soit remuez hors du roialme as ascunes parties depar dela deinz les ditz trois ans, qe a ycelle temps del remuer toutz les ditz subsides cessent sanz estre levez apres en ascune manere. Et ensy fait a remembrer qe la custume et subside de chescun sak de leyne amontent a cynqante souldz de denzeins, et a quartre marcz des aliens. Et de chescun last des quirs < a sept marcz et dimy de > denzeins, et a oept marcz des aliens. Et de chescun deux centz et quarrante peaux lanutz a cynqante souldz de denzeins, et a quartre marcz des aliens. | 16. In this parliament, namely on Saturday 3 December [1390], the lords and commons granted to our lord the king in full parliament, in aid of the defence and safety of the realm, the subsidies written below, to be spent in no other way, and to be levied and taken from the day of St Andrew last past [30 November 1390] until [col. b] the end of three years then following: namely, from every sack of wool leaving the kingdom, in addition to the ancient custom of half a mark due thereon, forty-three shillings and four pence from denizens, and forty-six shillings and eight pence from aliens: and from every last of hides, in addition to the ancient custom of one mark due thereon, six marks and eight pence from denizens, and seven marks from aliens: and from every two hundred and forty woolfells, in addition to the ancient custom of half a mark due thereon, forty-three shillings and four pence from denizens, and forty-six shillings and eight pence from aliens. And from each tun of wine entering the kingdom, or leaving the same, three shillings. And from the delivery of all manner of merchandise entering the same kingdom, or leaving the same, twelve pence. All the said subsidies to be levied and taken for the said three whole years, as well from foreigners as from denizens; notwithstanding any charter or patent made to the contrary, on the following condition; namely, that the staple be removed from Calais to England on the Monday next after the feast of Epiphany next [9 January 1391], to remain there for ever in certain ports in the realm, as may be agreed by our lord the king and between the lords and commons. And if the said staple is not in England on that Monday [9 January 1391] through the fault of the king and his council, then the same subsidies shall cease entirely on the same Monday, without ever being levied thereafter. And if it be the fault of the merchants, they shall suffer the penalty contained in the statute of the staple. Moreover, if the said staple be removed from the realm to anywhere overseas within the said three years, that at the time of the removal all the said subsidies shall cease without being levied afterwards in any manner. And thus be it remembered that the custom and subsidy on each sack of wool amount to fifty shillings from denizens, and four marks from aliens. And from each last of hides to seven and a half marks from denizens, and to eight marks from aliens. And from every two-hundred and forty woolfells to fifty shillings from denizens, and four marks from aliens. |
| Et maintenant apres la grant des ditz subsides issint fait, les communes peticions et les respons d'icelles feurent lieues par comandement du roi en plein parlement, en la forme q'ensuit: | And following upon the grant of the said subsidies thus made, the common petitions and the answers to the same were read by order of the king in full parliament, in the following form: |
| [memb. 4] | |
| [col. a] | |
| PLESE A TRESPUISSANT PRINCE ET TRESREDOUTE SEIGNOUR NOSTRE SEIGNOUR LE ROY, EN ESE, SUPPORTACIOUN, ET RELIEFMENT DE SES POVERES COMMUNES, ET EN EIDE DE BONE GOVERNANCE DE LES LEIES, GRANTIER LES PETICIOUNS SOUZESCRIPTZ: | MAY IT PLEASE THE MOST POTENT PRINCE AND MOST REDOUBTABLE LORD OUR LORD THE KING, FOR THE EASE, SUPPORT AND RELIEF OF HIS POOR COMMONS AND IN AID OF THE GOOD GOVERNANCE OF THE LAWS, TO GRANT THE PETITIONS BELOW: |
| [Affirmation of statutes.] | [Affirmation of statutes.] |
| 17. < Qe les estatutz faitz a Cantebrig' soient affermez. > Primerement, qe les estatutz faitz a Cantebrigg', et toutz autres estatutz nient repellez, soient affermez: et qe les pluis sufficeantz et loialx des countees parmy le roialme, qe meutz sachent et sont de poair de faire execucioun des ditz estatutz, soient assignez et nomez en cest present parlement justices du [col. b] pees, pur faire execucioun des ditz estatutz, sibien deinz franchise come dehors, sanz estre removez tanqe au proschein parlement. Et qe les justices issint assignez soient jurrez affaire due et droiturel execucioun des ditz estatutz, solonc l'effect d'icelles, come ils vorront respondre a proschein parlement. Et q'ils soient paiez de lour gages par les mains des viscontz, par endentures entre eux affaires, par queux endentures les ditz viscontz eient due allouance en lour accomptz. | 17. That the statutes made at Cambridge be affirmed. Firstly, that the statutes made at Cambridge, and all other statutes not repealed, be affirmed: and that the most sufficient and loyal men of the counties throughout the realm, who best know and are able to execute the said statutes, be appointed and nominated in this present parliament justices of [col. b] the peace to execute the said statutes as well within franchise as without, without being removed until the next parliament. And that the justices thus assigned be sworn to execute the said statutes duly and justly in accordance with the intent thereof, as they will answer at the next parliament. And that they be paid their wages by the hands of the sheriffs, by indentures to be made between them, by which indentures the said sheriffs shall have due allowance in their accounts. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Touchant l'estatut de Cantebrigg', le roy voet q'il soit tenuz et duement execut, ove la modificacioun < ent faite > de certeins articles au darrein parlement. [p. iii-280][col. a] Et quant al remenant de ceste peticioun, le roy le voet. (fn. iii-277-57-1) | Touching the statute of Cambridge, the king wills that it be upheld and duly executed, with the modification made of certain articles at the last parliament. (fn. iii-277-57-1) [p. iii-280][col. a] And as to the rest of this petition, the king wills it. |
| [Sheriffs and escheators.] | [Sheriffs and escheators.] |
| 18. < Viscountes. > Item, qe les estatutz faitz des viscontz et eschetours, queux n'ont sufficeantee de terre en les countees ou ils sont faitz viscontz ou eschetours, soient confermez. Et si ascunes lettres patentes soient faites a ascuny a contraire, q'en cest present parlement soient repellez. | 18. [Sheriffs. Also, that the statutes made concerning sheriffs and escheators who do not have sufficient land in the counties where they are made sheriffs or escheators be confirmed. And if any letters patent to the contrary be granted to anyone, that they be repealed in this present parliament. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| [Scottish money.] | [Scottish money.] |
| 19. < La monoie d'Escoce. > Item, qe les grotz et les deniers de deux, et le denier maille, et < ferlyng > d'Escoce, soient outrement oustez parmy le roialme: et qe soit enquis parmy le roialme de ceux q'ont fait apport en Escoce de monoie d'Engleterre, pur y faire bullioun en monoie d'Escoce, en prejudice et damage du roy et du roialme. | 19. The money of Scotland. Also, that the groats and two pence pieces, and the halfpenny and farthing of Scotland, be entirely ousted throughout the kingdom: and that enquiry be made throughout the kingdom into those who have taken English money to Scotland, there to make Scottish coinage from the bullion, to the prejudice and damage of the king and kingdom. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet qe la grote de < la monoie > d'Escoce courge en value tantsoulment de deux deniers Engleys, et la dimy grote d'Escoce en value d'un denier Engleys, et le denier d'Escoce en value d'un maille Engleys, et le maille d'Escoce en value d'un ferlyng Engleys. Et si la monoie d'Escoce soit empire, qe la value ent soit abregge solonc l'afferant. Et qe commissions soient faitz parmy le roialme, de ceux q'ont portez ou envoiez la monoie d'Engleterre en Escoce, pur y faire bullioun en monoie d'Escoce, en prejudice et damage du roy et du roialme. (fn. iii-277-67-1) | The king wills that the groat of the money of Scotland circulate with a value of only two English pence, and the half groat of Scotland with the value of one English penny, and the penny of Scotland with a value of one English halfpenny, and the halfpenny of Scotland with the value of one English farthing. And if the money of Scotland be debased, that the value thereof be reduced proportionately. And that commissions be appointed throughout the realm concerning those who have carried or sent the money of England to Scotland, there to make Scottish coinage from the bullion, to the prejudice and damage of the king and kingdom. (fn. iii-277-67-1) |
| [Farm of the shires.] | [Farm of the shires.] |
| 20. < Communes d'Essex, Norfolk et alibi. > Item, monstrent ses liges communes des countees d'Essex', Norff', Surr', Sussex', Devenshire, Kent, Salop', Notyngh', Derby, Everwyk, Northumbr' et Cumbr', en cest parlement: qe chescun des ditz countees, et plusours autres countees, sont chargez annuelment des grantz fermes en l'escheqer devers nostre seignour le roi; les queux fermes, ne la meyndre partie d'icelles, les viscontz des ditz countees poent en nulle manere lever, par cause q'en ascun counte les hundreds sont severez des corps des countees; et ascuns des ditz countees sont destruitz par les enemys d'Escoce; et ascuns des ditz countees qe a temps de la ferme comence fuist tout gildable, et ore par grantes de diverses roys est enfranche, qe les viscontz deinz les dites franchises ne poent riens medler; et en ascuns des ditz countees la ferme comencea par approwours qe pristerent des progenitours nostre dit seignour le roy les ditz countees a celle ferme: et issint sont les viscontz des ditz countees pur le grant charge de la dite ferme ascuns destruitz de lour biens, et ascuns desheritez de lour terres pur toutz jours. | 20. The commons of Essex, Norfolk, and elsewhere. Also, his liege commons of the counties of Essex, Norfolk, Surrey, Sussex, Devon, Kent, Shropshire, Nottingham, Derby, York, Northumberland and Cumberland show in this parliament: that each of the said counties, and many other counties, are annually charged with great farms in the exchequer towards our lord the king; which farms, nor the least part of the same, can the sheriffs of the said counties levy in any way, because in some counties the hundreds are severed from the bodies of the counties; and some of the said counties have been destroyed by the enemy of Scotland; and some of the said counties which at the time when the farm began were entirely geldable have now been enfranchised by the grants of various kings, so that the sheriffs cannot interfere at all in the said franchises; and in some of the said counties the farm began through approvers who took the said counties from the progenitors of our said lord the king at that farm: and so some of the sheriffs of the said counties have their possession ruined because of the great burden of the said farm, and some are disinherited from their lands forever. |
| Pur quoy supplient les dites communes en cest present parlement qe plese a nostre tresgracious seignour le roy de granter a ses ditz liges tiele grace qe toutz les ditz viscontz, et toutz autres viscontz queux sont issint chargez de tielx fermes importables, soient desore deschargez, et sur lour accomptz ils soient chargez par lour serment de toutz les issues et profitz provenantz de les ditz countees, issint qe les ditz liges ne soient destruitz ne desheritez. | Wherefore the said commons pray in this present parliament that it may please our most gracious lord the king to grant to his said lieges such grace that all the said sheriffs, and all other sheriffs who are thus charged with such unbearable farms, be henceforth discharged, and that on their accounts they be charged by their oath for all the issues and profits arising from the said counties, so that the said lieges are neither ruined nor disinherited. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy ad grante a son conseille plein poair et sufficeante auctorite de faire grace as tielx viscontz de temps en temps, solonc lour discrecioun: et voet qe la dite grace soit mys en execucioun la ou y busoigne, solonc le bon port des ditz viscontz. | The king has granted to his council full power and sufficient authority to do grace to such sheriffs from time to time, at their discretion: and he wills that the said grace be put into effect wherever it is needed, according to the good bearing of the said sheriffs. |
| [Lands forfeited to the king.] | [Lands forfeited to the king.] |
| 21. < Terres queux feurent forfaitz au roi. > Item, supplient les communes: qe come en le parlement tenuz a Westm' l'an unzisme nostre seignour le roy q'orest, (fn. iii-277-75-1) et en autres parlementz apres, ordeine fuist et establi qe toutz les manoirs, terres, tenementz, [col. b] rentz, et reversions, queux furent as persones ajuggez en mesme le parlement l'an unzisme, et queux par certeines causes feurent forfaitz au roi, serroient venduz par nostre seignour le roy, et par certeins seignours et autres de son conseille a ceo ordeinez et assignez, au profit du roi et du roialme, et en eese, supportacioun, et descharge de ses poveres communes: et qe toutz tielx vendes serroient fermez et estables, sicome en les dites ordinances est contenuz plus au plein. | 21. Lands which were forfeited to the king. Also, the commons pray that whereas in the parliament held at Westminster in the eleventh year of our lord the present king, (fn. iii-277-75-1) and in other parliaments afterwards, it was ordained and decreed that all the manors, lands, tenements, [col. b] rents and reversions which belonged to persons adjudged in the same parliament of the eleventh year, and which for certain reasons were forfeited to the king, should be sold by our lord the king, and by certain lords and others of his council thereto ordained and appointed, to the profit of the king and kingdom, and to the ease, support and discharge of his poor commons: and that all such sales should be confirmed and ratified, as is contained more fully in the said ordinances. |
| Qe plese les dites ordinances en cest present parlement confermer, et qe toutz les vendes faitz par virtue des dites ordinances soient fermes et estables, non obstantz ascunes choses faitz ou grantez hors del parlement, en prejudice del dite ordinance, et encontre le commune profit du roi et de roialme. | May it please him to confirm the said ordinances in this parliament and ensure that all the sales made by virtue of the said ordinances be confirmed and ratified, notwithstanding anything made or granted outside parliament to the prejudice of the said ordinance and contrary to the common profit of the king and kingdom. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Declarent en especial, et droit lour serra fait. | Let them be declared individually, and right will be done them. |
| [Poverty of the northern counties.] | [Poverty of the northern counties.] |
| 22. < Communes de Northumb' et aillours. > Item, supplient les communes pur les poveres liges des countees de Northumbr', Cumbr' et Westmerl': qe par la ou nostre dit seignour le roi ad grante a ses ditz liges, al requeste de ses nobles communes en le darrein parlement tenuz a Westm' lendemayn del Purificacioun de Nostre Dame, l'an du regne nostre dit seignour le roi treszisme, (fn. iii-277-81-1) diverses sommes sur eux demandez par somons del escheqer nostre dit seignour le roy tanq'al primer jour de Marcz darrein passe. Nientmeyns les eschetours et viscontz des ditz countees, queux feurent devant la date du dit pardoun, sont chargez sour lour accomptz de lever de voz ditz countees diverses sommes, queux ne purront estre levez sanz destruccioun des ditz liges a cause de lour poverte, et meschief les queux sont escheuez par les enemys nostre dit seignour le roy sibien de France come d'Escoce; les queux sommes sont issantz hors du dit escheqer d'estre levez des ditz eschetours et viscontz par noun des plusours dettes. Et auxi les ditz lieges des ditz countees sont distreintz par les viscontz des ditz countees pur reliefs dues a nostre dit seignour le roy en les ditz countees, les queux ils ne purront paier a cause susdite. | 22. The commons of Northumberland and elsewhere. Also, the commons pray on behalf of the poor lieges of the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland that whereas our said lord the king granted to his said lieges, at the request of his noble commons in the last parliament held at Westminster on the day after the Purification of Our Lady, in the thirteenth year of the reign of our said lord the king, (fn. iii-277-81-1) various sums demanded of them by summons of the exchequer of our said lord the king until 1 March last past [1390]. Nevertheless, the escheators and sheriffs of the said counties who were in office before the date of the said pardon are charged on their accounts with levying from your said counties various sums, which cannot be levied without the ruin of your said lieges, because of their poverty and the mischief inflicted upon them by the enemies of our said lord the king as well of France as of Scotland; which sums are demanded by the said exchequer to be levied from the said escheators and sheriffs in the name of various debts. And also the said lieges of the said counties are distrained by the sheriffs of the said counties for reliefs owed to our said lord the king in the said counties, which they cannot pay for the aforesaid reason. |
|
Qe plese a vostre trespuissant et treshaut seignourie, considerantz lour simple estat et desese,
[de]
pardoner a voz ditz liges
[[The following text has been deleted: les]] des ditz countees les sommes sur eux demandez, par noun de plusours dettes, et lour reliefs susditz. |
May it please your most potent and exalted lordship, considering their simple estate and misfortune, to pardon your said lieges, those of the said counties, the sums demanded from them in the name of various debts, and their aforesaid reliefs. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le [voet] de sa especiale grace. | The king wills it of his special grace. |
| [Raids by Cheshire men.] | [Raids by Cheshire men.] |
| 23. < Congregaciouns et chivachent. > Item, supplient les communes: qe come les gentz du counte de Cestre de jour en autre font diverses congregacions, et chivachent a foer de guerre hors du dit counte, sibien en seignouries lour ajoignantz en Gales, come en les countees ajoignantz deinz Engleterre, et batent, naufrent, mahement, occient, et murdrent les gentz de les ditz seignouries et countees, et puis retournent a le dit counte de Cestre, la ou nulle recoverer purra estre pris devers les ditz felons, trespassours, ou mesfesours; a cause qe les ditz felonies, trespas ou mesprises, sont faitz par eux hors du dit counte de Cestre, ils s'en tiegnent deinz le dit counte de Cestre, ou nulle execucioun par la ley purra estre pris sur eux. | 23. Assemblies and ridings. Also, the commons pray that whereas the men of Cheshire from one day to the next convene divers assemblies, and ride to wage war outside the said county, both in the adjoining lordships in Wales and in the adjoining counties in England; and they beat, wound, maim, slay, and murder the people of the said lordships and counties, and then return to the said Cheshire, where no recovery can be made against the said felons, trespassers, or malefactors because the said felonies, trespasses, or misdeeds are committed by them outside the said Cheshire, so that they keep themselves within the said Cheshire, where no execution by the law can be made against them. |
| Qe plese a nostre seignour le roy, par la discrecioun des nobles seignours du parlement, de ent ordeiner due remede, sibien pur tieux choses faitz en Gales come en Engleterre, par ensy qe le poeple ne soit mye ensy destruit en defaut de recoverer. | May it please our lord the king, at the discretion of the noble lords of parliament, to ordain due remedy thereon, as well for such things done in Wales as in England, so that the people will not be thus ruined by their failure to recover. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy soi avisera; et si ascun soi sente grevez, sue en especial, et droit luy serra fait; sauvant la franchise de Cestre. | The king will consider it further; and if anyone feels himself grieved, let him sue individually and right will be done him; saving the franchise of Chester. |
| [Usury.] | [Usury.] |
| 24. < Vice de usury. > Item, monstrent les communes: qe come ascuns voz liges, espirituels come temporels, usent l'orrible et abhominable vice de usure, et l'apellent chevance, al desplesance de Dieu, empoverissement et defesance [p. iii-281][col. a] de voz liges, et par continuance destruccion et cause de vengeance de vostre roialme, qe Dieu defende, et auxi encontre l'estatut fait l'an vint et quint du regne le roi Edward [III] vostre aiel par tout le roialme en general, (fn. iii-277-93-1) et une bone et profitable ordeinance en temps Johan Not nadgairs mair de vostre cite de Londres fait par mesme la cite en especial, par comandement et assent de vostre dit aiel, sibien par brief de son prive seal, come par mesmes l'estatut et ordeinance plus pleinement appiert. Si prient les ditz communes qe l'estatut et ordinance puissent estre mys en execucioun en toutz pointz, et qe ordeigne soit en cest present parlement, et sur grief peyne defenduz qe nulle seignour espirituel melle n'entremette en delay ou destourbance del correccioun de le vice abhominable susdit par nulle jurisdiccioun, tant come celuy qe soit atteint de le vice susdit vive, mes qe les convictz del dit horrible vice eient la peine comprise en l'estatut et ordinance susditz, sanz nulle relesse ou alleggeance ent affaire, al perpetuel destruccioun del horrible vice avantdit, et salvacioun du roialme. Et qe l'estatut et ordinance susditz soient proclamez en toutz les citees, burghs et villes du roialme susdit. | 24. The vice of usury. Also, the commons show: whereas some of your lieges, spiritual and temporal, practise the horrible and abominable vice of usury, and call it lending, to the displeasure of God, the impoverishment and weakening [p. iii-281][col. a] of your lieges, and in time the destruction and vengeance upon your kingdom, which God forbid, and also contrary to the statute made in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Edward [III] your grandfather for all the realm in general, (fn. iii-277-93-1) and a good and profitable ordinance in the time of John Not, lately mayor of your city of London, made by the same city in particular, as well by the command and assent of your said grandfather as by writ of his privy seal, as appears more fully in the same statute and ordinance. So the said commons pray that the statute and ordinance may be put into effect in all respects, and that it be ordained in this present parliament and forbidden on pain of a grievous penalty that no lord spiritual meddle or interfere to the delay or hindrance of correcting the aforesaid abominable vice by any jurisdiction, as long as he who be attainted of the aforesaid vice shall live, but that those convicted of the horrible vice shall suffer the penalty contained in the aforesaid statute and ordinance, without any pardon or alleviation thereon to be allowed, to the perpetual destruction of the aforesaid terrible vice and the salvation of the realm. And that the aforesaid statute and ordinance be proclaimed in all the cities, boroughs, and towns of the aforesaid realm. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy < voet, > qe les ditz estatut et ordinance soient vieues; et s'ils soient bones et honestes soient affermez. | The king wills that the said statute and ordinance be inspected; and if they be good and honest that they be affirmed. |
| [Alien merchants.] | [Alien merchants.] |
| 25. < Marchaunts estranges. > Item, prient les communes: qe toutz marchantz estrangers qe sont d'amiste nostre seignour le roi, al roialme repairantz, soient demesnez, treitez et governez en manere come les marchantz liges nostre seignour le roi sont demesnez, treitez et governez es paiis des marchantz estranges avantditz, paiantz lour duetees. | 25. Alien merchants. Also, the commons pray that all foreign merchants in friendship with our lord the king who repair to the kingdom be lodged, treated and governed as the merchant lieges of our lord the king are lodged, treated and governed in the lands of the aforesaid foreign merchants, paying their dues. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy voet qe marchantz estranges repairantz au roialme soient bien et curtoisement et droiturelment treitez et governez en le dit roialme, au fyn q'ils eient greindre corage de repairer a ycelle. (fn. iii-277-101-1) | The king wills that foreign merchants repairing to the kingdom be well and courteously and rightfully treated and governed in the said realm, so that they have the greater inclination to return to the same. (fn. iii-277-101-1) |
| [memb. 3] | |
| [Cocketing wool.] | [Cocketing wool.] |
| 26. Item, supplient les communes: qe come ordeine fuist par un estatut fait en temps le roi Edward aiel nostre seignour le roi q'orest, l'an de son regne qatorszisme, qe nully ne cokette leynes forsqe en le noun de celuy a qi celles leynes serront; et < si > nulles leynes soient autrement cokettez, soient prises en les mayns le roy come forfaitz. (fn. iii-277-103-1) | 26. Also, the commons pray that whereas it was ordained by a statute made in the time of King Edward [III] grandfather of our lord the present king, in the fourteenth year of his reign, that no one should cocket wool except in the name of him to whom that wool belonged; and if any wool should be otherwise cocketed otherwise, that it be taken into the king's hands as forfeit. (fn. iii-277-103-1) |
| Qe plese granter [...] general pardoun a toutz denzeins, q'ont eskipez leynes en noun de lour compaignons ou servants Engleys, la ou le roi n'ad rien perdu de sa custume; et surce faire declaracioun du dit estatut qe null denzein face eskiper ne coketter leynes, n'autres marchandises, en son noun, qe sont appurtenantz as estrangers, pur forbarrer le roi de sa custume, sur forfaiture de mesmes les marchandises. | May it please you to grant a general pardon to all denizens who have shipped wool in the name of their English companions or servants, where the king has lost nothing of his custom; and thereupon to make a declaration of the said statute, so that no denizen shall cause wool or any other merchandise which belongs to foreigners to be shipped or cocketed in his name, to bar the king from his custom, on pain of forfeiting the same merchandise. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit l'estatut ent fait tenuz < et gardez. Et > touchant la declaracioun demande, le roi le voet. | Let the statute made thereon be upheld and kept. And touching the declaration requested, the king wills it. |
| [Collectors and controllers of customs.] | [Collectors and controllers of customs.] |
| 27. < Custumers. > Item, prient les communes: q'en chescun port d'Engleterre ou l'estaple est tenuz, soient ordeinez et faitz deux custumers, de les plus sufficeantz qe purront estre trovez deinz le dit port [...] en la pais enviroun: sauvant toudis qe les deux custumers ne soient pas d'une ville, pur doute de covyne par quelle favour purra estre fait a nulle partie en discresce du roy. Auxi soit ordeine qe nulle custumer ne contrerollour n'eient nulles niefs de lour propres, ne se medleront de freght de niefs, sibien pur eschuir le damage nostre seignour le roy de sa custume, come la perde de touz < les > marchantz repeirantz al dit port, sibien aliens come denzeins. | 27. Customs officers. Also, the commons pray that in each port of England where the staple is held there be ordained and appointed two customs officers from amongst the most sufficient to be found in the said port and in the surrounding country: saving always that the two customs officers be not from the same town, through fear of collaboration in which favour might be done to any party to the detriment of the king. Also be it ordained that no customs officer nor controller have any ships of their own, nor meddle with the lading of ships, as well to avoid injury to our lord the king in terms of his customs, as loss to all the merchants repairing to the said port, both aliens and denizens. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il plest au roi. Et en outre le roi voet qe null custumer, contrerollour, serchour, poisour, ne tronour, eit null tiel office a terme < de vie, > mes tantsoulement [col. b] tancome le roi plerra: noun obstant ascune patente ou grant fait a ascuny a contraire. Et si ascune tiel patente ou grant a terme de vie soit fait a ascuny devant ces hures, le roi voet q'il soit outrement repelle et voide, et de nulle force ou value. (fn. iii-277-112-1) | It pleases the king. And further, the king wills that no customs officer, controller, searcher, weigher, nor troner have any office for the term of life, but only [col. b] at rhe king's pleasure: notwithstanding any patent made to anyone to the contrary. And if any such patent or grant for the term of life has been made to anyone before this time, the king wills that it be entirely repealed and annulled, and of no force and value. (fn. iii-277-112-1) |
| [Bushel measures.] | [Bushel measures]. |
| 28. < Bussells. > Item, supplient les povres communes de cest roialme: qe come avant ces hures ad este ordeine et par les estatutz faitz qe ne doit estre forsqe un busselle par tout le roialme, et oept busselx pur le quarter rasez et nient comblez, sibien des breises come de bledz. Et nient contresteantz l'estatutz avantditz, les brasiers de diverses citees et burghs ne voillent achater les breises sinoun par lour faux quarters, queux quarters contiegnent noef busselx, a tresgrant tort et damage a tout la communalte du dit roialme, et en contempt de nostre seignour le roy et ses ordinances, et ce pur defaute du bone governance du mair et baillifs des ditz citees et burghes: qe proclamacioun soit faite parmy la cite de Londres, et en toutz autres citees et burghes, pur tenir et fermement garder les estatutz susditz, et de sercher de jour en autre les mesouns des ditz brasiers, pur ouster tielx faux mesures, sur peyne de forfaiture de lour franchise. | 28. Bushels. Also, the poor commons of this realm pray: that whereas in the past it has been ordained and settled by statute that there ought to be none but a standard bushel throughout the whole kingdom, and to the quarter eight bushels levelled and not brimful, as well of malt as of corn. Yet notwithstanding the aforesaid statutes, the brewers of various cities and boroughs will not buy the malt except by their false quarters, which quarters contain nine bushels, to the very great wrong and injury of the whole community of the realm, and in contempt of our lord the king and his ordinances, and that for want of good governance by the mayor and bailiffs of the said cities and boroughs: that proclamation be made throughout the city of London, and in all other cities and boroughs, for the aforesaid statutes to be upheld and firmly kept, and to search from one day to the next the houses of the said brewers in order to remove such false measures, on pain of forfeiting their franchise. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet qe l'estatutz ent faitz devant ces hures soient tenuz et gardez, et mys en due execucioun. (fn. iii-277-117-1) | The king wills that the statutes made thereon in the past be upheld and kept and put into due effect. (fn. iii-277-117-1) |
| [Tithes of coppice wood.] | [Tithes of coppice wood.] |
| 29. < Dismes de boys. > Item, supplient les communes de la terre: qe come les persones et vikers cleyment et demandent devers les ditz communes dismes de boys, c'estassavoir sibien de boys del age de qarrant ou sessant ans come del age de noef ou dis ans, et les pursuient et empledent en court Cristiene, a grant travaille, costage et perde de les ditz communes; nient obstant nulle estatut devant ces hures ent ordeine, a cause qe les paroles de silva cedua ne sont pas expounez ne declarez en certein. | 29. Tithes of woods. Also, the commons of the land pray: whereas parsons and vicars claim and demand from the said commons tithes of woods, that is to say, as well from woods forty or sixty years old as from those nine or ten years old, and pursue and implead them in the court Christian, to the great labour, cost, and loss of the said commons, notwithstanding any statute thereon made in the past, because the term coppice wood has not been explained or clearly defined. |
| Plese ordeiner qe les ditz paroles de silva cedua puissent estre declarez, determinez et mys en certein, qe la pais q'ad este duement dismable del an vyntisme le roy Edward puis le conquest [editorial note: The king is not specified on either C 65/50 or C 65/51] , soit charge de tielx dismes solonc le tenour d'un estatut ent fait devant ces hures, et nemye autrement. Issint qe les ditz communes puissent estre a certein de quel manere de boys ils devont paier dismes en lieux dismables, a final discussioun de les debates susdites. | May it please you to ordain that the said term coppice wood may be explained, determined, and defined, so that land which has been duly titheable from the twentieth year of King Edward [I] since the conquest shall be charged with such tithes according to the tenor of a statute made thereon in the past, and not otherwise. So that the said commons may know certainly on what manner of wood they ought to pay tithes in titheable places, to the final settlement of the aforesaid disputes. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Soit use come ad este devant ces hures. | Let it be done as it was done in the past. |
| [Channel Islanders.] | [Channel Islanders.] |
| 30. < Les gentes de Gernesey et aillours. > Item, supplient les liges et foialx gentz et communalte des isles de Gerneseye, Jereseye, Serk, et Aureney: qe come nostre seignour le roy, considerant le bon port et grant loialte toutz jours trovez en ses ditz gentz et communes, ad grante a eux q'ils, lour heirs, et lour successours, soient quitz de toutz maneres de tolneux, exacciouns, et custumes, en tiel et mesme la manere en toutz cites, villes marchees et portz dedeinz le roialme d'Engleterre, come ses liges denizeins du dit roialme sont, come par les lettres patentes de nostre dit seignour le roi a eux faitz pur terme de dusze ans pleinement accompliz bien appiert. | 30. The people of Guernsey and elsewhere. Also, the lieges and faithful men and commons of the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Alderney pray that whereas our lord the king, considering the good bearing and great loyalty ever found in the said people and commons, granted to them that they, their heirs and their successors, should be quit of all kinds of tolls, exactions and customs in such and the same manner in all cities, market towns, and ports within the kingdom of England, as are his liege denizens of the said kingdom, as appears fully in the letters patent of our said lord the king made to them for the term of a full twelve years. |
| Qe plese a nostre dit seignour le roi granter et ordeiner qe autres lettres patentes soient faitz as ditz liges et foialx gentz des dites isles de mesme la matire, adurers pur le temps q'ils se bien portent come loialx liges devers nostre dit seignour le roy et son roialme. Eiant regard q'ils sont raunsonez et paient annuelment al admiralle de France plus qe sis mille frankes, sibien en temps de trieves come en temps de guerre. | May it please our said lord the king to grant and ordain that other letters patent be made to the said lieges and faithful men of the said islands on the same matter, to last so long as they remain lieges loyal to our said lord the king and his kingdom. Bearing in mind that they are ransomed and pay annually to the admiral of France more than six thousand francs, both in time of truce and in time of war. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy l'ad grante pur oept ans. | The king has granted it for eight years. |
| [Export of kerseys.] | [Export of kerseys.] |
| 31. < Kerseis. > Item, supplient les liges du roialme qe amesnent une manere de marchandise appellez kerseyes [p. iii-282][col. a] as parties de dela: qe come au darrein parlement tenuz a Westm' ordeine estoit q'ils purroient amesner les ditz kerseyes as parties de dela tanq'al proschein parlement, sanz custume ent aprendre al oeps nostre dit seignour le roy, sicome auncienement soleit estre de tout temps passe, et come en la dite ordinance est contenuz plus au plein. (fn. iii-277-131-1) | 31. Kerseys. Also, the lieges of the realm who deal in a kind of merchandise called kerseys [p. iii-282][col. a] in parts overseas pray: whereas at the parliament held at Westminster it was ordained that they might take the said kerseys to parts overseas until the next parliament without custom being taken on them for the use of our said lord the king, as had always been done since days of old, and as is more fully contained in the said ordinance. (fn. iii-277-131-1) |
| Qe plese ordeiner et declarer en cest present parlement touchant l'envoye des ditz kerseyes franchement, pur le subside d'icelle au roy grante, come d'autres marchandises, et de faire restorer et deliverer as ditz liges, et a chescun de eux, toutz les obligacions et autres seuretees prises par qeconqes coillours de custumes, et autres ministres nostre seignour le roi parmy le roialme, pur la cause avantdite; issint qe par cause des ditz obligaciouns et suretees ils ne soient en null manere molestez, grevez, n'empeschez, einz tout outrement quitz et deschargez, come reson demande. | May it please you to ordain and declare in this present parliament touching the despatch of the said kerseys free of the subsidy on the same granted to the king, and on other merchandise, and to cause to be restored and delivered to the said lieges, and to each of them, all the bonds and other sureties taken by collectors of customs and other ministers of our lord the king throughout the whole kingdom for the aforesaid reason; so that they be not in any way molested, grieved or impeached on account of the said bonds and sureties, but should be entirely quit and discharged, as reason demands. |
| The copy in C 65/51 ends at this point. | |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Celuy qe se sente greve en especial sue au conseil, et droit luy serra fait. | Let whomsoever feels particularly injured sue to the council, and right will be done him. |
| [Southwark.] | [Southwark.] |
| 32. Item, supplient les communes de le burghe de Suthwerk: qe nulles estuwes soient tenuz en le burgh de Suthwerk, mes en le commune place purce ordeine. | 32. Also, the commons of the borough of Southwark request that no stews be kept in the borough of Southwark, except in the common place ordained for this. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. | The king wills it. |
| [memb. 2] | |
| [Courts of admiralty.] | [Courts of admiralty.] |
| 33. < Plees, contracts, etc. > Item, supplient voz communes de voz citees et burghs es portz sur le meer: la ou ils sont possessionez par chartre, et enheritez du temps de quoi memorie ne court, d'avoir conissance de toutz maners de plees, contractes, covenances, et trespas, sibien par terre come par meer, dont les profitz surdantz de tielx plees est parcelle de lour ferme q'ils paient au roi, l'admiral accroche devers luy et attreit diverses plees en sa court des contractes, covenances, et trespas faitz dedeinz lour franchises, encontre la tenure de lour chartres. | 33. Of pleas, contracts, etc. Also, your commons of your cities and boroughs which are ports of the sea do pray that - whereas they are possessed by charter and right inherited from time immemorial of the cognizance of all manner of pleas, contract, covenant and trespass, both by land and sea, the profits arising from which pleas are part of their farm which they pay the king - the admiral encroaches upon and attracts divers pleas in his court concerning contract, covenant and trespass done within their franchise, contrary to the tenor of their charters. |
| Vous plese granter a eux q'ils puissent rejoier lour franchises solonc la tenure de lour chartres, et qe l'admiralle n'acroche devers luy nulle plee de trespas, contract, ne covenant fait dedeinz lour franchises, en desheretisoun des ditz citezeins et burgeys. Et qe la poair des admiralx et lour jurisdiccioun soient clerement declarez en cest present parlement, siqe les communes du roialme purront avoir notice souz quelle ley de admiralte ils serront governez en temps avenir. | May it please you to grant that they may enjoy their franchises according to the tenor of their charters, and that the admiral shall not accroach to himself any plea of trespass, contract, nor covenant made within their franchises, to the disinheritance of the said citizens and burgesses. And that the power of the admirals and their jurisdiction shall be clearly declared in this present parliament, so that the commons of the realm may have notice of under which law of admiralty they are to be governed in future. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet assigner son conseille de veer et examiner coment les admiralx et lour lieutenantz usent et font lour offices, et s'ils usent ou facent riens autrement qe n'estoit duement et droiturelment use et fait en temps del aiel nostre seignour le roi q'or est, qe son dit conseille eit plein poair et auctorite d'ent faire due redresse a chescuny suite, tanq'al proschein parlement. (fn. iii-277-145-1) | The king will require his council to inspect and examine how the admirals and their lieutenants conduct and perform their offices, and if they use or do anything which was not duly and rightfully used or done in the time of the grandfather of our lord the present king, that the said council shall have full power and authority to make due redress at each suit, until the next parliament. (fn. iii-277-145-1) |
| [Sluices, mills, etc.] | [Sluices, mills, etc.] |
| 34. < Gortes, molyns, estankes, etc., in grande rivers d'Engleterre. > Item, supplient les communes: qe come en l'an vint et quint del regne l'aiel nostre seignour le roy q'orest accorde fuist et establiz qe toutz gortz, molyns, estankes et kydeux, queux furent levez et mys en temps le roy Edward [I] fitz Henry et depuis, en grantz rivers d'Engleterre, par queux les niefs et bateux furent destourbez q'ils ne poent passer come ils soleient, et auxint les fries de pessons deinz les rivers susditz destruitz, serroient oustez et nettement abatuz sanz estre relevez. (fn. iii-277-147-1) Et apres l'an qarrant et quint du dit aiel, purce qe le dit estatut ne fuist mye duement execut, accorde fuist et establi qe le dit estatut soit tenuz et gardez. (fn. iii-277-147-2) Et si nulle tiel anoisance soit abatuz par due proces contenuz en le dit estatut, celuy qe ferra relever la dite noisance, et de ceo soit atteint duement, encourge la peine de cent marcz devers le roi, a lever [col. b] par les estretes del escheqer. Par virtue de quelles estatutz a mesme le temps executz, feussent venduz en Londres un salmon de Thamise pur sesze deniers, dis et oept deniers, ou vint deniers, et le melliour pur deux soldz; et un lamprey fresshe pur sys deniers ou oept deniers. Mes ore, nient contresteantz les ditz estatutz, les ditz gortz, tronkes, et kydeux sont relevez, sibien en destourbance de passage des niefs et bateux, come en destruction des pessons es ditz ewes; issint q'ils preignent le fry des salmons et d'autres pessons a si grant multitude, q'ils les donent a lour porcz a manger. Et ceo a grant damage du roi, seignours et communes repairantz al cite de Londres, come a les habitantz pres les ditz rivers. | 34. Weirs, mills, ponds, etc., in the great rivers of England. Also, the commons pray that whereas in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of the grandfather [Edward III] of our lord the present king it was agreed and established that all weirs, mills, ponds and kiddles which were raised and placed in the time of King Edward [I] son of Henry and since then on the great rivers of England, whereby ships and boats were so obstructed that they could not pass as they used to, and the fish spawn in the aforesaid rivers also destroyed, should be removed and entirely demolished without being rebuilt. (fn. iii-277-147-1) And later, in the forty-fifth year of the said grandfather, because the said statute had not been duly executed, it was agreed and decreed that the said statute be upheld and kept, (fn. iii-277-147-2) and that if any such nuisance should be demolished by due process contained in the said statute, whosoever caused the said nuisance to be rebuilt and was duly convicted thereof would incur the penalty of a hundred marks towards the king, to be levied [col. b] by the estreats of the exchequer. By virtue of which statute executed at that time, a salmon from the Thames sold in London for sixteen, eighteen or twenty pence, and a better one for two shillings; and one fresh lamprey for six pence or eight pence. But now, notwithstanding the said statutes, the said weirs, fish-traps and kiddles have been placed, disturbing the passage of ships and boats and destroying the fish in the said waters, so that they catch the salmon fry and other fish in such great number that they give them to their pigs to eat. And that to the great injury of the king, lords and commons repairing to the city of London, and to the inhabitants near the said rivers. |
| Qe plese ordeiner qe toutz les gortz, tronkes, et kydeux soient entierment oustez en les ditz rivers, entre cy et la Chandeleure, sanz les relever apres, sur la peine ent ordeine en les estatutz avantditz. | May it please you to ordain that all the weirs, fish-traps and kiddles be entirely removed from the said rivers between now and Candlemas [2 February], without being replaced later, on pain of the penalty ordained thereon in the aforesaid statutes. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Il y a sufficeant remede ent ordeine par estatutz devant ces hures; les queux estatutz le roi voet q'ils soient tenuz et mys en hastive et due execution. (fn. iii-277-151-1) | Sufficient remedy has been ordained by statutes in the past, which the king wishes to be upheld and put into swift and due effect. (fn. iii-277-151-1) |
| [Rhenish wine to be sold ungauged.] | [Rhenish wine to be sold ungauged.] |
| 35. < L'escheqer. > Item, supplient les liges du roialme: qe par la ou ils sont < griefment > distreintz de respondre en l'escheqer nostre seignour le roi de la forfaiture, come lour est surmys, de vyns de Ryne venduz et nient gaugez en Engleterre, la ou les ditz liges ont este et sont prestes et obeisantz pur soeffrer les ditz vyns estre gaugez: et purce qe unqes ne fuist vieu qe tielx vyns furent gaugez en Engleterre avant ces hures, le gaugeour ne sciet gauger les ditz vyns, ne null autre deinz le roialme unqes ne savoit. | 35. The exchequer. Also, the commons of the realm pray: whereas they are grievously distrained to answer in the exchequer of our lord the king for the forfeiture, as it is alleged against them, of Rhenish wines sold and not measured in England, even though the said lieges have been and are ready and willing to allow the said wines to be measured: and because there was no precedent for such wines being measured in England in the past, the measurer does not know how to measure the said wines, nor has any other in the kingdom ever known. |
| Qe plese considerer qe tielx vyns de Ryne sont gaugez depar dela, et tout temps venduz par mesme la gauge en Engleterre; et ordeiner qe mesmes les liges ne soient ent grevez, distreintz, n'empeschez en le dit escheqer, n'aillours, autrement qe n'ad este usez de temps passe. | May it please you to consider that such Rhenish wines are measured overseas, and are always sold by the same measure in England; and to ordain that the same lieges be not grieved, distrained, nor impeached in the said exchequer, nor elsewhere, otherwise than was used in the past. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roy le voet. (fn. iii-277-157-1) | The king wills it. (fn. iii-277-157-1) |
| [memb. 1] | |
| [Judgments against John Northampton aannulled.] | [Judgments against John Northampton annulled.] |
| 36. < Pour John Norhampton. > Item, supplient les communes pur Johan [...] Norhampton: qe come le dit Johan jadys estoit mair de Londres, et son purpos et entier entente y fuist pur droiture et loialte sustenir en la dite cite, et injuries et autres malveistees usez en ycelle reprover et punir a son poair. Et purce ascuns grantz du dite cite et autres y deviendrent mortelx enemys au dit Johan, issint q'ils luy empescherent a nostre seignour le roy de diverses tresons et mesprisions q'il deust avoir a luy fait, dont il ne fuist unqes coupable, come notoirement est conuz: et en apres fuist areignez des tresons et mesprisions susdites, a quelle temps ses ditz adversairs furent de si grant poair devers luy, et la presentz pur avoir passe encontre le dit Johan pur luy avoir fait d'estre adjuggez a vile mort et haynous, en cas q'il eust dist adonqes q'il ne fuist coupable d'icelle. Paront le dit Johan veiant overtement la tresgrant destruccioun de luy purpensez par ses ditz adversairs, se myst en la grace le roi. Sur quoi il fuist adjugge a la mort, et ses terres et tenementz, biens et chateux forfaitz au roi. | 36. On behalf of John Northampton. Also, the commons pray on behalf of John Northampton that whereas the said John was formerly mayor of London and his whole purpose and intent was to maintain right and loyalty in the said city, and to reprove and punish as best he could the injuries and other wicked deeds done in the same. And therefore, some of the great men of the said city and others became mortal enemies of the said John, so that they accused him before our lord the king of various treasons and misprisions he was supposed to have committed against him, of which he was not at all guilty, as is well known: and later he was arraigned of the aforesaid treasons and misprisions, at which time his said adversaries wielded such great power against him that they threatened to have him sentenced to a vile and heinous death if he should say that he was not guilty in that matter. And so, the said John clearly seeing the that his great ruin was plotted by his said adversaries, submitted to the king's grace, whereupon he was adjudged to death, and his lands and tenements, goods and chattels forfeited to the king. |
| Qe plese de repeller et adnuller les juggementz devers le dit Johan renduz par cause des tresons et mesprisions susdites: considerantz qe long temps puis William Venour, adonqes mair de Londres, et toutz les aldermannes du dite cite tesmoignerent par lour serement, en presence du roi nostre seignour, qe le dit Johan ne fuist coupable de nulle des tresons et mesprisions susdites, ne q'ils unqes ne savoient de luy sinoun bien et loialte. | May it please you to repeal and annul the judgments rendered against the said John for the aforesaid treasons and misprisions: considering that a long time later William Venour, then mayor of London, and all the aldermen of the said city testified by their oaths in the presence of our lord the king that the said John was guilty of none of the aforesaid treasons and misprisions, nor had they ever known him to be anything other than good and loyal. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet, par assent du parlement, qe toutz les juggements renduz devers le dit Johan al suite nostre dit seignour le roi, par cause des tresons, felonies, trespas, [p. iii-283][col. a] mesprisions et autres choses qeconqes, soient repellez en tout, et adnullez en cest present parlement; et qe les ditz juggementz ne portent force a nulle temps passe ne avenir, et toutz les ditz juggementz repelle en tout et adnulle en ycest parlement del assent susdit. | The king wills, by the assent of parliament, that all the judgments rendered against the said John at the suit of our said lord the king, for treasons, felonies, trespasses, [p. iii-283][col. a] offences and other things whatsoever, be altogether repealed and annulled in this present parliament; and that the said judgments shall carry no force at any time in the future, and all the said judgments shall be entirely repealed and annulled in this parliament with the assent aforesaid. |
| [Mariners' wages.] | [Mariners' wages.] |
| 37. < Possessours de niefs. > A tressages chivalers et communes de cest present parlement monstrent les possessours des niefs parmy tout le roialme: qe par la ou mariners, en temps de l'aiel nostre seignour le roi q'orest, soleient prendre pur lour travaille en niefs, pur passer hors d'Engleterre vers Burdeux, et pur retourner en Engleterre ou autres parties dela, oept soldz, et le fraghte d'un tonelle; et meistre-shipman sesze souldz, et fraghte de deux tonelx a plus. Et ore, les ditz mariners sont en tant confederez et alliez ensemble pur defaut de punissement sur eux ordeine q'ils ne voillent servir es ditz niefs come desuis si noun pur trop excessive salarie; c'estassavoir, le meistre-mariner vint et quatre soldz, et le fraght de trois tonelx; et ascuns cent souldz, et le fraghte de trois tonelx. Et nientmeyns les ditz mariners ne voillent passer ovesqe les Engleys, mes soulement ovesqe aliens si ascuns y soient, en grant arierissement de l'estat des ditz possessours, et de la navie d'Engleterre. | 37. Owners of ships. To the most wise knights and commons of this present parliament, the owners of ships throughout the realm do show that whereas mariners, in the time of the grandfather of our lord the present king, used to take for their labour on ships leaving England for Bordeaux and returning to England or other parts overseas, eight shillings and the freight of one ton; and the master shipman sixteen shillings and freight of two tons or more. Yet now the said mariners are in such close confederacy and league that, for lack of any punishment ordained for them, they will not serve in the said ships as above unless for a truly excessive wage; that is to say, the master mariner twenty-four shillings and the freight of three tons; and some a hundred shillings and the freight of three tons. And even then, the said mariners will not sail with the English, but only with aliens if any there be, to the great injury of the estate of the said owners and of the navy of England. |
| Qe plese [col. b] ordeiner en cest present parlement surce due remede qe les mairs et baillifs des villes ou tielx mariners y sont eient poair de punir les ditz mariners, al suite de chescuny qe soi sentra greve, qe devant eux se vorra compleindre, sicome fuist en temps du dit aiel. | May it please you [col. b] to ordain due remedy thereon in the present parliament, so that the mayors and bailiffs of the towns where there are such mariners shall have the power to punish the said mariners at the suit of any who feels himself grieved and wishes to complain before them, as it was in the time of the said grandfather. |
| [editorial note: Responsio.] | [editorial note: Answer.] |
| Le roi voet charger ses admiralx d'ordeigner qe les mariners preignent resonablement pur lour service et travaille, et de les punir s'ils facent a l'encontre. | The king will charge his admirals to command that the mariners charge reasonably for their service and labour, and to punish them if they act to the contrary. |
| 38. Et les dites peticions, et les respons d'icelles issint lieues en plein parlement, come desuis, toutz les seignours et communes mercierent humblement nostre seignour le roy en plein parlement de sa bone governance et graciouse seignourie, et del grant fervour et zele q'il ad continuelment a son poeple. Et puis nostre dit seignour le roi mercia toutz les ditz seignours et communes de les grantes q'ils luy avoient fait en cest parlement et de lour bon conseille en ycelle. Et apres le chanceller, par comandement du roy, disoit as chivalers des countees, citeins des citees, et burgeys des burghs de pursuir briefs pur lour gages, et q'ils les aueroient sanz delay. Et issint finist cest parlement le tierce jour de Decembre avantdit. | 38. And the said petitions and the answers to the same having thus been read in full parliament, as above, all the lords and commons humbly thanked our lord the king in full parliament for his good governance and gracious lordship, and for the great fervour and zeal which he continually had for his people. And then our lord the king thanked all the said lords and commons for the grants that they had made to him in this parliament and for their good counsel in the same. And then the chancellor, on the king's orders, told the knights of the shires, citizens of the cities and burgesses of the boroughs to seek writs for their wages, and they would have them without delay. And so this parliament ended on the aforesaid 3 December [1390]. |
Appendix November 1390
12 November 1390
Westminster
1
Licence, with the assent of the prelates and peers in this parliament, for James Dardani, clerk of the chamber of Pope Boniface IX and his nuncio and collector in England, to receive the archdeaconry of Norfolk by papal provision, notwithstanding the Statute of Provisors of January 1390; but this is not to serve as a precedent. By king and petition in parliament. Dated 1 December 1390.
Source : CPR 1388-92 , 335.
2
Licence, with assent of the prelates and peers in this parliament, for John Meer, clerk, to accept the prebend of Gretton in Lincoln cathedral by provision of Pope Boniface IX, notwithstanding the Statute of Provisors of January 1390, on account of which statute he had not dared to sue for it; but this is not to serve as a precedent. By petition in parliament. Dated 1 December 1390.
Source : CPR 1388-92 , 338.
3
Grant for three years, with the assent of the council in this parliament, to the men of Dartmouth - because it 'above other places in the realm has long been and still is strong in shipping, and therewith has wrought great havoc on the king's enemies, and intends the same' - that tin shall be exported from Dartmouth and from nowhere else, as long as it is properly weighed and customed. By petition in parliament. Dated 2 December 1390.
Source : CPR 1388-92 , 338.
4
Grant, with the assent of the council in this parliament, to the chancellor and scholars of Cambridge, of immunity until the next parliament from being impleaded, molested, etc. by the men of the town of Cambridge; any such processes already before the king's officers are to be superseded. By petition in parliament. Dated 26 November 1390.
Source : CPR 1388-92 , 330.
5
Annulment, with the assent of the lords in parliament, of a bond for three thousand pounds from William, son of William de Septvantz, to King Edward III, payable at Michaelmas 41 Edward III [29 September 1367]; and the said William is fully released and discharged from his bond. By king and petition in parliament. Dated 2 December 1390.
Source : CPR 1388-92 , 358.
6
The constable of the Tower is ordered to free John Rokele of Essex, as various men have mainperned to have him brought before the king and council in this parliament to answer certain charges. By king and council in parliament. Dated 28 November 1390 [He had been committed to the Tower on 16 November].
Source : CCR 1389-92 , 215, 219.
7
Walter [Skirlaw], bishop of Durham, petitioned in the last parliament [January 1390] claiming that certain lands and goods which had been forfeited by Michael de la Pole, earl of Suffolk, and Roger de Fulthorpe in 1388 had been seized into the king's hands, when by right they pertained to his palatine lordship of Durham, and the king should therefore not have interfered with them. The king now informs the sheriff of Cumberland to proclaim that if any person can provide information contrary to the bishop's claim, he should come to the next parliament [November 1390] and present this, so that the case can be settled. Dated 8 October 1390.
Source : CCR 1389-92 , 221.
8
Order to the mayor and bailiffs of Southampton and Sandwich, following a petition from the Hanseatic merchants in this last parliament [November 1390], not to levy certain charges on various goods which they trade in those ports, which charges the merchants claim have recently been imposed upon them. By the council. Dated 1 February 1391.
Source : CCR 1389-92 , 250.
9
Order to all officers of the king not to execute a judgment given in the presence of the admiral, John de Beaumont, for the arrest of Thomas de Holme and Thomas de Hesill, 'for that it seemed to the king and council in the last parliament [November 1390] that the admiral's command and the proceedings in his court were derogatory to the common law', and thus the admiral was ordered to stay his plea; however, the admiral proceeded to execute his judgment, unlawfully condemning Holme and Hesill to make fine, etc. By the council. Dated 5 February 1391.
Source : CCR 1389-92 , 235.