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C 61/142

Gascon Roll for the 34th year of the reign of Henry VI

Physical condition of the roll

The roll consists of three membranes. There are entries on all of the face sides, but on none of the dorses. The roll is generally in good condition.

C 61/142 34 Henry VI (1455-56)

Introduction.

The roll is short, only consisting of three membranes, and although most of the entries are still very clearly referring to Aquitaine as 'our duchy', few mentions of the loss are now found within the roll, and none of those to whom the entries on the roll refer now mention losses incurred when the French took the duchy. With the loss of Bordeaux now two years past, and with the English government's inability to make any attempt to recover it, the roll's contents have become very homogenous. All of the entries on the roll are either licences to take goods to Aquitaine, or safe-conducts for Gascon to come to England.

The licences granted on this roll are very much like those on the two preceding rolls, and indeed some are to the same individuals, so that we find licences granted to Richard Harris, and to William Chattock, the London merchant. 1 From the exile community Francès de Montferrand, lord of Uza (in the Landes), who had been exiled by Charles VII after the fall of Bordeaux, and who had received a protection from Henry VI for his good service, misfortune and impoverishment in June 1454, was one of the more prominent Gascons to receive a licence. 2 The grant of a licence to Montferrand to trade may have reflected his continued lack of means to support himself in England, so that the erstwhile Gascon noble had embarked on a mercantile career, however, there are also a number of English recipients of licences who were quite evidently not from a mercantile background. At the lower end of the social order Thomas Berkeley, an esquire, was granted a licence, whilst the licence granted to the merchant Richard Harris was for him to go in a ship owned by the knight Henry Brown. 3 At the upper end of the social order William Bourgchier, lord FitzWarin, who had received a licence in the previous year, received another two on this roll, but since he was a ship owner, this should perhaps be less of a surprise. 4 Of more of a surprise are the licences granted to James Butler, earl of Wiltshire, and to John Talbot, earl of Shrewsbury, the heir and successor of the late lieutenant of Aquitaine. 5

The two safe-conducts were issued for Gascons to come into England. The first was granted for Bertran d'Orhais, a Gascon exile, who it was noted, had 'given up not only his parents and friends, but also his goods and inheritance in the duchy', and had 'come into England to keep his fealty to the king' and had requested the safe-conduct for fellow Gascons to come into England for Orhais' relief. 6 Although Orhais had apparently opted to remain in England, he had evidently maintained strong links in the duchy. The other safe-conduct was issued to Bertran Gayfer, a merchant and citizen of Bordeaux. In April 1453, while Bordeaux was still in English hands, Gayfer had received a protection from the king, but it would appear that after the fall he had remained in Bordeaux. He had, however, apparently retained trading interests with England. 7

Simon J. Harris.

1.
entry 5 , entry 7 & entry 8 .
2.
entry 11 , and see also entry in C 61/140 .
3.
entry 6 & entry 5 .
4.
entry 15 & entry 16 , and see entry in C 61/141 .
5.
entry 10 & entry 13 .
6.
entry 4 .
7.
entry 18 .

For a licence to transport.

1

11 October 1455. Westm' Westminster .

Grant of a licence for a year to Bonevyle William Bonneville of Chuton' Chewton , kt , at his humble request, to go in person, or by his agents or attorneys, in a certain barge called le Nicholas of Exmouth , of 60 tuns capacity, of which Bele William Beale is master, loaded with goods and merchandise, provided it does not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the king's duchy of Aquitaine, and trade with those goods, and bring other goods and merchandise back to England or other places under the king's rule, without impediment or trouble from the king or his officers, provided that Bonneville has paid the customs, subsidies and other dues to the king, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

2

11 October 1455. Westm' Westminster

Grant of a licence for a year to Ponset, Sola Ponsset de Soule , originating in the duchy [of Aquitaine], that he is able to go to the king's duchy [of Aquitaine] or to Ispann' Spain 1 as often as he likes during the term of the licence, to trade, and to bring his merchandise into England in the ships of the king's other subjects and friends, or in other ships, under the king's safe conduct, without impediment or trouble from the king or his officers, provided that he pays the customs, subsidies and other dues to the king, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm. On the behalf of Soule it has been shown that since he has been accustomed to take his merchandise from the king's duchy to England, and to return to the duchy to make his living, but now because the duchy has been subjugated by the king's adversaries, he does not dare trade with the duchy without the king's special licence, and he humbly requests that he be granted this, and the king wishes to agree to this.

1.
It meant the kingdom of Castile.
3

Same as above

[Grant] as above to Dirlanda Bernard de Irland , originating in the duchy of Aquitaine, at his humble request, with his merchandise etc. as above.

4

26 November 1455. Westm' Westminster . For safe-conduct .

To all admirals etc.

Letters of protection and safe-conduct for one year, by the king's special grace, and in relief of Dorays Bertran d'Orhais , who originated in the king's duchy of Aquitaine, and has given up not only his parents and friends, but also his goods and inheritance in the duchy, and has come into England to keep his fealty to the king, and who has requested the same, for John Botell , Chalbet Pey Caubet , Seynt Martyn Pey de Saint-Martin and Deus Claus Bidau Desclaus and Johan de Gran' Roca of the king's duchy, or their agents, to come into England individually or jointly, by land and sea, by horse or foot, with their goods, property and equipment, stay there and then return to the duchy, freely and without any impediment. It is ordered that etc. Proviso only that Botell and the others, and their agents conduct themselves well and honestly towards the king and his people, and without doing anything to the prejudice or damage of the king and his people, and that they present these letters without delay to captains, mayors or governors of any castles, fortalices or towns where they enter or land.

By p.s.

For a licence to transport.

5

26 November 1455. Westm' Westminster .

Grant of a licence for one year to Harrys Richard Harris , at his humble request, that he, in person, or by his agents and attorneys, can take a certain ship called le Cristofre of Hoke Hook , of 100 tuns capacity or less, of which Bruyn Henry Brown, kt , is owner, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to Aquitaine or Ispann' Spain , 1 unload the goods, and return to England with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without Harris and Brown suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that they answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

1.
It meant the kingdom of Castile.
6

4 December 1455. Westm' Westminster .

Grant by the king's special grace, of a licence for a year to Thomas Berkeley, esquire , at his humble request, who is held in the hands of the king's adversary, and so that he is able to pay his ransom, that Waynflete William Wainfleet , Robert Elmham and Yermouthe John Yarmouth , Berkeley's agents or attorneys, or any of them are able to go with a certain ship called le Cristofre of Suthwold' Southwold of 200 tuns capacity or less, loaded with goods and merchandise that does not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple to the king's realm of France, his duchy of Aquitaine or Ispann' Spain 1 as often as he likes during the term of the licence, unload the goods there, and return to England with the ship charged with other goods and merchandise, without impediment or trouble from the king or his officers or ministers, provided that they pay the customs, subsidies and other dues to the king, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

1.
It meant the kingdom of Castile.

For a licence to transport.

7

2 September 1455. Westm' Westminster .

Grant of a licence for one year to Chattok William Chattock, merchant of London , at his humble request, that he, in person, or by his agents or deputies, can take a certain ship called le Barrey of Fowey , of 300 tuns capacity or less, of which Smyth' Richard Smith , is master, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the duchy of Aquitaine as often as he likes during the term of the licence, unload the goods, and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without Chattock suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

8

Same as above

[Grant of a licence] as above to Chattok William Chattock , at his request, as above as far as his deputies, and then in a certain ship called le Marie of Fowey , of 200 tuns capacity or less, of which John Blanche or Richard Webbe is master, [loaded] with goods and merchandise etc. as above.

9

Same as above

[Grant of a licence] as above to William Coke , at his request, etc. as above as far as his deputies, and then in a certain ship called le George of Fowey , of 100 tuns capacity or less, of which Gerard Bace , Langeman Walter Langman or Hychon Laurence Hitchen , is master, [loaded] with goods and merchandise etc. as above.

10

5 September 1455. Westm' Westminster .

Grant of a licence for one year to John [Talbot], earl of Shrewsbury , for the humble request made on his behalf, that he, in person, or by his deputies or attorneys, can take a certain ship called le Marie of Suthampton' Southampton , of 240 tuns capacity or less, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the duchy of Aquitaine, sell the goods, and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without the earl suffering trouble from the king, or his officers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

11

8 September 1455. Westm' Westminster . For a licence to transport .

Grant of a licence for one year to Monteferrant Francès de Montferrand, kt , at his humble request, that he, in person, or by his agents or attorneys, can take a certain ship called le Julyan of Bristoll' Bristol , of 200 tuns capacity or less, of which John White is master, and John Bagod , is owner, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the duchy of Aquitaine, Ispann' Spain 1 or Britann' Brittany as often as he likes during the term of the licence, unload the goods, and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without Montferrand suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

1.
It meant the kingdom of Castile.
12

13 September 1455. Forde . For a licence to transport .

Grant of a licence for one year to Vincent Piclesden , at his humble request, that he, in person, or by his agents or attorneys, can take a certain ship called le Jamys of Landhilp Landulph , of 200 tuns capacity or less, of which William Toker is master, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the duchy of Aquitaine or Ispann' Spain 1 as often as he likes during the term of the licence, unload the goods, and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without Piclesden suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

1.
It meant the kingdom of Castile.
13

12 September 1455. Canterbury . For a licence to transport .

Grant of a licence for one year to James [Butler], earl of Wiltshire , owner of a certain ship called le Nicholas of the Tower , of 300 tuns capacity for the humble request made on his behalf, that he, his factors or attorneys, can take that ship, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the king's city of Burdegal' Bordeaux , or other parts of his duchy of Aquitaine, sell the goods, and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise as often as he likes during the term of his licence, without the earl suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

14

12 September 1455. Cantuar' Canterbury . For a licence to transport .

Grant of a licence for one year at the humble request of Kyriell Thomas Kirriell, kt , to James de Bolehalch of Dovorr' Dover , can take a certain ship called Dovorr' le Michell of Dover , of 120 tuns capacity or less, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the duchy of Aquitaine or Britann' Brittany , unload the goods, and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without Bolehalch suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

For a licence to transport.

15

12 September 1455. Cantuar' Canterbury .

Grant of a licence for one year to Burghchier William Bourgchier, Fitz Waryn [lord] FitzWarin , kt , at his humble request, that he, in person, or by his agents or attorneys, can take a certain ship called le Antonye of Dertemouth Dartmouth , of 140 tuns capacity or less, of which Peyntour John Painter is master, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to Aquitaine or Ispann' Spain , 1 unload the goods, and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without Bourgchier suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

1.
It meant the kingdom of Castile.
16

Same as above

[Grant of a licence] for one year, as above as far as his attorneys, and then a certain ship called le Trinite of Barnestaple Barnstaple of 140 tuns capacity or less, of which the same William [Bourgchier] is owner, [loaded] with goods and merchandise etc. as above.

17

16 September 1455. Forde . For a licence to transport .

Grant of a licence for one year to Boweman Robert Bowman , at his humble request, that he, in person, or by his agents or attorneys, can take a certain ship called le Glyn' of London , of 300 tuns capacity or less, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to the king's city of Burdegal' Bordeaux , or to other parts of the duchy of Aquitaine as often as he likes during the term of the licence, unload the goods, and return to England , with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise without Bowman suffering trouble from the king, or his officers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is loaded onto the ship in any part of the realm.

18

4 July 1456. Westm' Westminster . For safe-conduct .

Letters patent of protection and safe-conduct for one year, by the king's special grace, and by the advice and assent of the king's council, for Gayfey Bertran Gayfer, merchant , citizen and originating in Burdegal' Bordeaux , and two members of his household or servants, or his attorneys, namely Eyraudi Hélias Eyraud and Pey de Maser , 1 and all his goods, properties and merchandise, to come to England by land or sea, mounted or on foot, to stay there, trade, and return to the duchy with his household, servants or attorneys, goods, property and merchandise, and their equipment, coming and going as often as he liked without any impediment, trouble or harm from the king or any of his officers, any marques, counter-marques or reprisals that have been granted, notwithstanding. Proviso only that Bertran, Hélias and Pey conduct themselves well and honestly towards the king, and his people, or to do anything in contempt and prejudice of them, and that they present these letters without delay to the mayors, captains, bailiffs or keepers of any castles, fortalices or towns where they enter or land. It is also provided that if any of Bertran, Hélias or Pey infringe the safe-conduct, the king does not wish the others to be prejudiced or damaged by this, but only the one who has made the infringement, and provided no wheat is exported, and it is also provided that Bertran, Hélias or Pey do not carry their goods in any ships of the enemy.

By p.s., and of the date aforesaid, etc.

1.
It is possibly a 'Pey de Mazères'.
19

24 June 1456. Westm' Westminster . For a licence .

Grant of a licence for one year to Bruyn Henry Brown, kt , for the humble request made on his behalf, that he, in person, or by his factors or attorneys, can take a certain ship called le George of Porchestre Portchester , of 160 tuns capacity or less, of which Pykeman Robert Pickman is master, loaded with goods and merchandise that do not pertain to the Cales' Calais staple, to Burdegal' Bordeaux or Baion' Bayonne , and return to England or other places subject to the king, with the ship loaded with other goods and merchandise, without Brown suffering trouble from the king, or his officers or ministers, provided only that he answer to the king for the customs, subsidies and other dues on the goods and merchandise, and provided no wheat is taken out of the realm.

By K.