Commission of Array.

11 October 1332. Westminster.

Commission of array to Ralph de Weedon in the place of John de Olney for the selection and inspection in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire of 20 hobelars and 40 archers from the best and strongest of the county. The king lately assigned Walter de Holwell and John de Olney to select and inspect the men as is more fully contained in the king's commission. Afterwards, because of the treaty of peace between the king of France and the king on the disputes existing between them, and because the king did not wish to trouble his people, Holwell and Olney were ordered, notwithstanding the king's other letters, that it was not necessary for them to come to him at the day and place previously ordained to cross to Gascony in the king's service. It was not, however, the king's intention that Holwell and Olney cease the arraying of the men, but that they should always be ready, armed and equipped to come when the king should warn them. Nevertheless, for certain new reasons, and to avoid the threats that are come to the king and his people, Holwell and Olney were ordered to supervise the array of the men so that they were always ready, equipped and armed according to their estate but in such a way that the people are not harmed. Because Olney has died, and because the king does not wish the business to be delayed by this, Weedon has been assigned in his place, and Holwell has been ordered to receive him, and the sheriff of the county has been ordered to be intendant to him when required, and cause those of his bailiwick come before Weedon.

Commission of Purveyance.

Entry 41

18 April 1345. Westminster.

Commission to Robert de Hardres, Henry de Valoyns, Stephen de Dolham and John de Mereworth, sheriff of Kent, to purvey as quickly as possible 1,000 quarters of wheat and 150 quarters of beans in Kent where it is to the king’s advantage and to the least harm of the people, for the king’s use. The sellers are to be paid by them or their deputies, and the produce is to be carried to the port of Sandwich by the 7 May next. They are to certify the king of the names of all those who oppose them in this matter, and of all their actions. The king grants that all the mayors, bailiffs, good men and other faithful people are to be intendant upon Hardres and the others. The sheriff is ordered to pay the people from whom the wheat and beans have been bought out of the judicial penalties arising from the abuses of power committed by the king’s ministers in Kent, tried before the king’s justices, which the sheriff had been assigned to levy.

By K. and C.