The Gascon Rolls Project

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C 61/56 18 Edward III (1344-45)

Introduction

The roll contains a rich variety of entries. The continued impecuniousness of the English administration in the duchy is evident in the numerous orders and orders sicut alias for the payments of debts owed to the king-duke's Gascon subjects, and the beleaguered position of the Anglo-Gascon side, and the generally very disturbed conditions in the duchy, especially on the southern border around Bayonne, and to the east of Bordeaux, continue to be very evident. But the roll also reveals the very real efforts on the part of Edward III and his government to shore up and strengthen the English position in the duchy during the period of truce.

Perhaps most significantly for the Anglo-Gascon position, the appointment of a joint lieutenancy was the most promising change in the year. On 24 March 1344, Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby, and Richard FitzAlan, earl of Arundel, received their joint commission. The appointment is far more than the general commissions that we have seen for earlier lieutenants, and sets out point for point their responsibilities in the duchy, which indicate hopes and intentions towards a strengthening of the royal position and extending of its geographical control. ¹ The appointment was accompanied by further commissions which gave them much wider responsibilities. Both of them were given power to negotiate with the king of Castile, both to resolve disputes between the two kings and their subjects, and to form an alliance. ² They received similar commissions to negotiate with the kings of Portugal and Aragon. ³ The two were also ordered to resume all gifts of castles, lands and tenements, liberties and profits that the king had made. They were to examine which were made by deceipt and revoke them, and restore the rest. The calls on the resources of the duchy were becoming crippling at this time, so the king could ill afford to permit his generosity to his supporters to be abused. ⁴

The commissions to Lancaster and FitzAlan clearly reveal that the king had not given up on establishing stronger ties with the Iberian kingdoms, though the negotiations by both Edward III and his father had produced few tangible results. The king was well aware that Castile in particular was in the sphere of French influence, and there was longterm friction between competing Castilian and Bayonnais mercantile interests. ⁵ Although, the king expressed a desire to renew the truce, and maintain some semblance of peace with the French, ⁶ his negotiations in the Iberian peninsular were aimed at securing neutrality at the very least, and an active anti-French alliance if possible, for which he was willing to give the hand of his daughter in marriage to secure. ⁷

With the recent English intervention in the duchy of Brittany with the disputed succession to Duke Jean III, the interests of the English candidate, Jean de Montfort, and his son, the future Jean IV, and the role played by the Bayonnais in supporting the English war effort receive some attention in this roll. The dukes of Brittany had formerly been permitted to keep a proctor in Bordeaux to receive the custom that the duke had the right to collect on wine and other goods to be shipped from there around the coast of Brittany, in return for which the ships and their cargoes were given safeguards. A dispute had developped with the vicomte of Benauges, which threatened this, and measures were taken to protect the collection, in part for the duke, but also because it would seem that the money was paying for the English troops defending the duchy. ⁸ The king also seems to have been heavily reliant on Bayonne ships and crews in Brittany, and many named individuals received protections for their activities in Brittany. ⁹

The concerns of the English government about the evasion of the payment of customs is amply illustrated by their actions against the arrival of uncocketted goods in Bordeaux and elsewhere. The mayor and constable of Bordeaux were ordered to inspect ships for such goods, seize them and sell them, dividing the money in a complex formula between the king, the merchant syndicate to whom the customs had been granted, and those doing the checking of the ships. ¹⁰

Numismatic changes, not often commented on in the Gascon rolls, receive an important reference in one entry. Although the English government had first experimented with a gold coinage in the reign of Henry III, this had proved a failure. It was only in the reign of Edward III that they reconsidered the option, and began to mint a new gold coinage. In entry 29 , the decision is fully recited, detailing the three coins that the English mints were to produce - the Florin (Double Leopard); the Half Florin (Leopard) and the Quarter Florin (Helm) - and the seneschal, constable of Bordeaux and council in the duchy were ordered to consider this, and if they thought it was to the king's profit, they were to mint some or all of these coins, or other gold coins, and although they do not seem to have acted immediately, Edward III can be accredited with causing the minting of the first gold coins in the English overseas possessions. Although this obviously had a financial benefit to the king from the profits from the minting of the coins, and to the king's subjects trading with them, it also emulated the production of French gold coins, and served to reinforce the king's identity as both king of England and France. The French had introduced a gold coinage in the reign of Philip IV, and Edward's contemporary Philip VI introduced several new gold coins. It seems likely that Edward III's attempts to introduce the florin and its fractions might have been in response to Philip's introduction of the Angel d'Or, though there is no proof that the minting of gold coins in Bordeaux had not begun before 1348. ¹¹

Although there are, as one might have expected, many entries relating to Bordeaux, some of which have already been touched on, few of these entries are of particular interest. However, two other places in the duchy do become the object of attention of the English administration - Bayonne and Bourg. Bayonne as one of the two major ports of the duchy, and because of its large fleet of ships which was at the heart of Anglo-Gascon mercantile and naval endeavours at this time, was of very great importance and concern for the English. The king responded favourably to requests for a licence for the construction of further walls and towers to Bayonne, and had evidently seen to it that the castle of Bayonne was repaired. ¹² The area around Bayonne, and in particular the southern district of Labourd, was in a very disturbed state at this time. The king granted a licence to Master Per-Arnaut de Sault, lord of the house of Sault-Neuf in Labourd, to build a castle or fortalice, his lands lying close to the border with Castile and Navarre. ¹³ At the same time, the king was also endeavouring to demilitarise the area, and remove unauthorised fortifications with the seneschal of Gascony and the bayle of Labourd being ordered to act against various lords and communes. ¹⁴ The king was also forced to intervene in the disorder. The mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community of Bayonne requested that Seignanx, Gosse, Labourd and Labenne be taken into the king's hands and kept there, and a prévôté be established for them, since, as they complained, the king had granted those places to various individuals, and the people of the city dared not leave because of the extortions and crimes of the people to whom they had been granted. ¹⁵ The king was informed of further violent disputes between the Bayonnais and the king's Basque subjects of Labourd, while the seneschal of Gascony, constable and mayor of Bordeaux, and other English officials in the duchy were ordered to examine further disputes between Bayonne and the men of Labourd, and to hear and determine any complaints made to them by either side. ¹⁶

Although it is impossible to be sure what lay behind much of the dissension between the people of Bayonne and their neighbours, at least some of it was probably associated with the people of Bayonne's natural concern for their physical preservation, and the protection of their immediate interests. One of these was the very real threat to Bayonne shipping by the grant of the baylie of Labenne and Capbreton which removed Bayonnais control from the area of one of the secure anchorages of Bayonnais ships north of Bayonne itself. ¹⁷ Another concerned Biarritz, a neighbouring lesser town, which, as we have seen, could be in dispute with Bayonne, ¹⁸ but which seems also to have been under the informal dominance of Bayonne, so much so that the Bayonnais sought a formal grant of it, claiming that they had spent great sums in its defence. ¹⁹ The complexities of relations with Bayonne also seem to have proved very confusing to the English administration. On 5 December 1344, the mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Bayonne were ordered to make amends for the ursurpation of royal rights relating to the castellany and prévôté of Bayonne, and the imprisonment of well known foreigners in the city's new prison, when they ought to have been placed in the king's prison in the castle of Bayonne. ²⁰ But only seven days later, the mayor and jurats successfully petitioned to have an appeal which seems to have been ostensibly on the same matter to be superseded. ²¹

Bourg was perhaps of more immediate concern to the English administration. The town lay on the eastern bank of the Dordogne just at the confluence with the Garonne, and was, therefore, of vital strategic value. However, because it was on the front line with French encroachments, its security remained difficult, and it had evidently been very badly damaged by recent conflicts. On 28 January 1344, the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux were ordered to provide a suitable captain, men-at-arms and victuals for the defence of the town. ²² The seneschal and constable were subsequently ordered to look into the houses and buildings in the town that had been destroyed by the enemy, and to find whether any compensation had been paid. There was also concern for the liberties of the town. Perhaps in recognition of the impoverishment of the area because of the war, the king was forced to revoke the grant of a toll of 4 d. in the pound on victuals and merchandise of any king coming up or down river, or by the town on land, for its repair, and its replacement with a toll of 2 d. , since the king recognised that the toll 'unreasonably burdened the people'. ²³ The king was, however, prepared to consider a confirmation of the liberties and privileges of the town. ²⁴

There are several other entries worthy of note. Firstly, there is the unusual example of the king appointing a lieutenant for the seneschal of Gascony, the seneschal being too ill to fulfil his responsibilities; ²⁵ The entries concerning the auditing of the accounts of Antonio Usodimare, the lieutenant of the former absentee constable of Bordeaux, reveal that the king had fallen out with his Genoese supporters, in a similar manner as his father had fallen out with Antonio Pessagno, Usodimare being placed under arrest prior to the rendering of his final account at the English exchequer, for which arrangements were made. ²⁶ And finally the extension of the privileges of the burgesses of Bordeaux to a noble family, the lords of Langoiran, amptly illustrate that nobles family were actively involved in commerce in the regions largest urban centre. ²⁷

Simon J. Harris.

1.: entry 40 .
2.: entry 38 entry 39 .
3.: entry 39.1 entry 39.2 .
4.: entry 42 entry 44 .
5.: The roll has further entries relating to the attempts by both sides to resolve these disputes, see entry 54 , entry 55 entry 107 .
6.: entry 46 .
7.: entry 130 .
8.: entry 61 entry 89 .
9.: entry 94 , entry 95 , entry 96 , entry 97 , entry 98 , entry 99 , entry 102 entry 112 .
10.: entry 26 entry 109 .
11.: For a discussion of the minting of gold coins by them in their Gascon and French possessions during this period, see Duncan Elias, E.R., The Anglo-Gallic coins (Paris-London, 1984), p. 68-9.
12.: entry 107 entry 140 .
13.: entry 60 .
14.: entry 68 .
15.: entry 105 .
16.: entry 110 entry 135 .
17.: entry 93 .
18.: entry 68 .
19.: entry 106 .
20.: entry 119 .
21.: entry 122 entry 123 .
22.: entry 5 .
23.: entry 6 .
24.: entry 25 .
25.: entry 127 .
26.: entry 51 entry 52 .
27.: entry 18 .

Membrane 12

Image of membrane 12

Gascon Roll for the 18th year of the reign of Edward III in England, and his 5th in France.

1: 26 January 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat Carrier, servant of Pey Martel to bring corn to Bordeaux .

To the admirals, sheriffs, mayors and bailiffs of the towns, and all other bailiffs, ministers and faithful subjects.

Letters of protection and safe-conduct until Whitsun granted to Bernat Carrier, servant of Pey Martel, citizen of Burdeg' Bordeaux , to bring the corn that he has bought to the port of Bristoll' Bristol by land and sea, and carry it to Bordeaux, paying the customs due in England. Carrier came to Bristol with Martell's wine to trade with, and sold it to certain men of the realm. Carrier bought various corn amounting to 200 quarters in various places within the realm, with money received from the sale of the wine, to bring it to Bristol, and take it to Bordeaux for the sustenance of the king's citizens there. The king has granted the protection and safe-conduct because Carrier has found as mainpernors Henry Palmer and Ralph Beauflour , citizens of London, who have mainprised that Carrier would only take the corn to Bordeaux, and not elsewhere, to the king's enemies, and send back letters under the common seal of the city of Bordeaux, or the seneschal of Gascony to chancery attesting to the discharge of the corn in Bordeaux. They are ordered that Carrier should not be interferred with in bringing the corn to Bristol, and taking it to Bordeaux, and nor should they permit anyone to injure, disturb, damage, impede or trouble him, provided that the customs are paid.

By C.

2: 26 January 1344 . Westminster . For not taking beds, livestock and other possessions in the duchy of Aquitaine .

To the seneschal of Gascony, and all constables, officials, bayles and ministers appointed in the duchy.

Prohibition to them and their men from taking beds ( lecti ), livestock ( animalia ) and other possessions from the king's subjects against their will. They are not to permit their men or others to take them, and nor should they disturb the king's subjects in their rights and liberties, the king not wishing to receive further complaints about the same. It has come to the king's attention that they and their men throughout Bordeaux, and travelling elsewhere in the duchy, and staying there to conduct business, take things from the king's subjects there, and refuse to give satisfaction for the due price ( merces ), and when those subjects request their return, thay are told that they were never taken, or have been lost, to the grave damage of the king's subjects, and the king wishes to provide remedy against such loss.

3: 27 January 1344 . Westminster . For Hélias de Pommiers, canon of Bazas .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to pay to Pomeriis, de Hélias de Pommiers, canon of Vasatensis Bazas , the arrears of the 200 l.t.parv. from 1 June 1342 which the king granted to him, and the same sum each year from henceforth from the issues of the wine custom of Burdeg' Bordeaux , according to the tenor of the king's letters; receiving from Pommiers his letters of acquittance attesting receipt of that money, and the constable will have due allowance in his account. Pommiers requested, by his petition exhibited before the king and his council, that the king would assign him a certain sum from the issues of that custom each year, since, on account of the war in the duchy of Aquitaine, he had lost all of his goods, lands and possessions, and his benefices, and he had nothing to maintain his position or allow him to continue in the king's service, unless the king aided him. On account of Pommiers good conduct of which the king had had laudable testimony, the king granted him the 200 l.t.parv. on 1 June 1342 in recompense of his losses and in relief of his position from the customs from the constable, just as appears in the king's letters patent.

By C.

4: 26 January 1344 . Westminster . For Reynold de Bixley .

Order to the same, that if he finds that the 30 l.st. which the king granted to Byskele Reynold de Bixley from the customs of Burdeg' Bordeaux is in arrears from 13 May 1342, then he is to pay it to him and the same sum each year from henceforth from those customs, until the Penne in Ageneys baylie of Penne-d'Agenais and the rent from the land called Dufford' Durfort , and the castellany of the same town, together with the castellany and Mont Seguor prévôté of Monségur with its appurtenances come into the king's hands; receiving from Bixley his letters of acquittance attesting receipt of the money, and the constable will have due allowance in his account. The king, on 13 May 1342, granted the baylie, rent, castellanies and prévôté, which were in the hands of rebels and enemies of the king, to Bixley for his great service to the king in the duchy of Aquitaine by his letters patent. He was to hold the same for his life from as soon as they came back into the king's hands, taking 100 m. each year from the same, answering to the constable of Bordeaux for any surplus. The king further granted the 30 l.st. annuity to be taken each year until the baylie and other offices and rents came back into the king's hands.

5: 28 January 1344 . Westminster . For the men of Bourg .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, putting all excuses aside, to provide a suitable captain for the town of Burgum Bourg , and men-at-arms for the defence of the town, and also victuals and other necessary things for the stocking of the town, doing this so that the town is not lost by their negligence, and the trickery and attacks of the king's enemies are confronted. The king has been given to understand that the town, which lies on the frontier with [the lands controlled by] the king's enemies and rebels, lacks a captain, men-at-arms, victuals and armaments, and that those enemies and rebels, claiming that the town is not included in the truce lately made between the king and his adversaries, are plotting against the town and attack it daily, so that it is suffering great damage, and there is a danger that it might be lost without remedy, and the king wishes to avoid this.

By K. and C.

6: 26 January 1344 . Westminster . For the men of Bourg for the receipt of 2 d. from [each] pound .

Revocation of previous letters patent of the king made on the 1 June 1342 granting to the mayor and jurats of Burgum Bourg a toll on victuals and merchandise of whatsoever kind coming up or down river past the town, or passing by it by land, namely 4 d. from each pound's worth for ten years, the same to be used for the repair of the town just as is more fully contained in the letters. The king accepts that this grant unreasonably burdened the people of those parts, and grants in its place to the mayor jurats and community that they are able to collect a toll at the rate of 2 d. on each pound's worth on the same victuals and merchandise for ten years, so that the money can be taken without any assignment of the same by the seneschal of Gascony or the constable of Bordeaux, to be used for the repair of the town by the view of a man to be selected by the town, The earlier letters patent of the king are to be surrendered to the seneschal to be cancelled.

7

8 February 1344 . Westminster . For accounting with Hugues de Genève . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, that he view the indenture between Oliver de Ingham, late seneschal of Gascony , on the king's behalf, and Rodolphe, co-lord of Alta Villa Hauteville , kt , proctor and attorney of Geneve Hugues de Genève, lord of Vareys Varey and Hanton' Anthon , concerning Genève's retainder, that contains that Genève should receive each year for his life, for residing with the king in a suitable place, 500 m.st. , just as is more fully contained in the indenture, which the king confirmed by his letters patent, and account with Genève, or his attorney, and make payment to him of what he finds is owed from the issues of the duchy, according to the power and effect of the indenture and confirmation; receiving from Genève, or his attorney, his letters of acquittance attesting receipt of the money, and the constable will have due allowance in his account. ²

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.
2.: For related entries, see entry in C 61/50 and entry in C 61/50 .

8

16 February 1344 . Westminster . For the abbess and convent of Saint Clare, Bordeaux . ¹

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to discuss the request of the abbess and convent of the Minoresses of the order of Saint Clare in the diocese of Bordeaux ² with the king's council there, and provide suitable subsidy to them in part compensation for their losses according to their discretion and as quickly as they are able, and the constable will have due allowance in his account. The abbess and convent have requested, by their petition exhibited before the king and his council, that the king will compensate them, since, by the advice of the king's council in the duchy, for the safe-keeping of the city of Burdeg' Bordeaux during the war, their cloister, dormitory, refectory and all the other buildings, their church only excepted, were demolished, their house being valued at 5,000 l.bord. before the destruction, 5 d. bord. being reckoned as 1 d. st. , and at the present time have nowhere to sleep nor attend to their devotions, so that they request compensation, and the king, having sympathy for the abbess and nuns' predicament, wishes to provide aid as is right. ³

By C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.
2.: On this religious establishment based at Bordeaux, see Dedieu, H., L'ordre de Saint (sic) Claire à Bordeaux avant la Révolution (1289-1580) (Grottaferrata, 1996). Also published in Archivum Franciscanum historicum , 89 (1996), p. 3-136. Agnès de Lillan was then abbess of this convent. See also Lavaud, S., 'Couvent des Clarisses / Couvent des Menudes', in Atlas historique de Bordeaux . Sites et monuments, III, ed. S. Lavaud (Bordeaux, 2009), pp. 171-2.
3.: It is not entirely clear whether the request made by the abbess and convent meant to paraphrase Matthew 8:20 when they stated ' nec in presenti habeant quo capita sua reclinare '.

9: 12 March 1344 . Westminster . For Thomas de Hampton .

Order to the mayor and sheriffs of London that they are to permit the ship of Thomas de Hampton , called le Seint Piere , charged with his arms, victuals and other property to depart freely from the port of London to Gascony without arrest or impediment, and that they should not omit from doing this. Hampton is going to Gascony by the king's order, to reside there in the company of Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , in the king's service, and his ship is provided to take his property to those parts.

By C.

Membrane 11

Image of membrane 11

Gascon Roll for the 18th year of the reign of Edward III in England, and his 5th in France.

10

28 January 1344 . Westminster . For John de Bristol and John Martet , trumpeters . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to view the bills that Bristoll' John de Bristol and John Martet , trumpeters ( tubicinatores ) have concerning the money owed to them by the king, and account with them for their wages, if he has not already done so, and make payment to them for what he finds is owed from the issues of the duchy, or otherwise by a suitable assignment; receiving the bills from Bristol and Martet , and also their letters of acquittance attesting to the payment, and the constable will have due allowance in his account. Bristol and Martet have requested satisfaction from the king for the various sums of money he owes them for their wages from the time they were in the king's service in the wars in the duchy of Aquitaine, as appears by bills that they have under the seal of the constable of Bordeaux, and the king wishes favourably to agree to their request.

By petition of C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

11: 25 February 1344 . Westminster . For Fortaner de Lescun .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to summon the king's proctor and others of the king's council there, and diligently obtain information on the damages and losses suffered by Lescune Fortaner [V] de Lescun , where they happened, at what time and for what reason, and send that information, together with their advice upon what ought to be done, to the king under the seal used in the duchy with this writ. Lescun has requested that the king will compensate him for the damages and losses that he has suffered on account of his adherence to the king against the French adversaries, which has depressed his status, and the king wishes to be more fully informed on this.

12: 1 March 1344 . Westminster . For protection .

Letters of protection, with clause volumus , for a year, to Master John Wawayn , who is going to Gascony, in the king's service.

By K.

13

29 February . Westminster . For Oliver de Bordeaux . ¹

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux to cause Burdeg' Oliver de Bordeaux, king's valet , to have an allowance of 260 l. 12 d. in his farm of the prévôté of Baiona Bayonne from year to year, until he has been fully satisfied for that sum, not permitting any assignment to be made in the same until then, and the constable will have due allowanced in his account.

Lately, Bordeaux, to whom the king had granted the prévôté in his tenth year for a certain term not yet elapsed, for a farm of 100 l.st. to be rendered to the king each year, had shown that he is unable to pay the whole farm without a severe diminishment of his status because the greater part of the profits from that prévôté from which that farm ought to be paid, are not received because of the war between the king and his French enemies, the Spanish war, and also because foreign merchants, who used to come to the prévôté no longer do so on account of the war, and Bordeaux requested that he is pardoned part of the farm.

The king ordered his seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, and their lieutenants, diligently to obtain information on this, summoning the king's proctor in the duchy of Aquitaine, and to send that information into chancery. By that information, returned into chancery by Buskeleye Reynold de Bixley, lieutenant of Oliver de Ingham, late seneschal of Gascony , and Usus Maris Antonio Usodimare, lieutenant of Usus Maris Niccolò Usodimare, late constable of Bordeaux , in the presence of Gisted' John de Gestède, the king's procurator in Gascony , it was accounted that of the 100 l. which Bordeaux ought to pay each year, for the last six and a half years, the arrears are: for the first year 22 l. 19 s. 6 d. ; for the second year 16 l. 2 s. 3 d. ; for the third year 22 l. 19 s. 6 d. ; for the fourth year 56 l. 17 s. 6 d. ; for the fifth year 57 l. 8 s. ; for the sixth year 55 l. 9 s. ; and for the half year from All Saints until Easter 28 l. 13 s. 6 d. , by which Bordeaux has requested an allowance in his farm of 100 l. .

The king, wishing to do grace to Bordeaux, granted to him an allowance of the sum of 260 l. 12 d. in his farm until he is satisfied.

By p.s.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '

For the appointment of the mayor of the city of Bordeaux.

14: 3 March 1344 . Westminster .

Appointment, during pleasure, of Buskeleye Reynold de Bixley to the office of mayor of the city of Burdeg' Bordeaux , holding the same in the same manner as other mayors of the city were accustomed to do; taking the customary fee for the office.

By K.

15: Same as above

And it is ordered to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux to deliver the office to Reynold .

By K.

Same as above

And it is ordered to the jurats, law-worthy men and all the community of Burdeg' Bordeaux to be intendant on and answer Reynold as mayor. ¹

By K.

1.: The entry is followed by a further set of entry marks but nothing has been entered against them.

17

10 March 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat d'Escoussans, lord of Langoiran, for the payment of his wages . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to account with Scossano, de Bernat d'Escoussans, lord of Logoirano, d Langoiran for his wages, if he has not already done so, and if he finds that they are owed, to make payment from the issues of the duchy; receiving from Escoussans the letters and bills if he has them, and his letters of acquittance showing that payment has been made, and he will have due allowance in his account. Escoussans has requested payment of the wages that the king owes him in for his wages and those of his men-at-arms from the time that they were in the king's service in Gascony; and the king wishes to agree to this request.

By petition of C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

18: 10 March 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat d'Escoussans .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to permit Scossano, de Bernat d'Escoussans, lord of Logoirano, de Langoiran , and his heirs, to use and enjoy the franchises, privileges and liberties, and all other free customs which the burgesses of the city reasonably enjoy without impediment, according to the form of the king's letters granting the same to Escoussans. The king lately, by his letters patent, granted that Escoussans, and his heirs, as lords of Langoiran, begotten of his body, are free burgesses of the city of Bordeaux , and that he and his heirs, should use and enjoy those franchises reasonably used and enjoyed by the burgesses forever, liberties or privileges granted by the king, or to be granted by him notwithstanding.

By petition of C.

19: 10 March 1344 . Westminster . For Thomas de Hampton .

To all admirals, sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs, ministers and other faithful subjects.

Order not to permit any injury, trouble, damage, impediment or any harm to be done to Thomas de Hampton , his esquires and household with their horses and harness, who are going to Gascony in the next crossing in the company of Nicholas de la Beche , to reside there in the king's service, the king wishing to show Hampton favour having received him into his protection and safe-conduct.

By K.

20: 6 March 1344 . Westminster . For attorney .

Letters of general attorney, for a year, for Thomas de Hampton who is going in the king's service to Gascony, nominating Chelreye Edmund de Childrey and Stanford' Richard de Stamford alternately.

Master J[ohn] de Thoresby received the attorney.

21

12 March 1344 . Risyng' Castle Rising . For Master John Wawayn for the livery of a ship .

Order to the mayor and bailiffs of Kyngeston super Hull' Kingston upon Hull to provide a ship or crayer ( craera ) ¹ for Master John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , to carry victuals and other property of his from England to Bordeaux for his use, to be paid for by his money, and they should not omit to do this. Wawayn returned from the duchy to the king in England to inform the king and his council on certain matters concerning the duchy, and has been ordered by the king speedily to return there.

By K.

1.: A term used to describe a small trading vessel, though it could also be used to describe a barge. See also McGowan, A., Tiller and Whipstaff: The development of the Sailing Ship 1400-1700 , (London, 1981).

22

12 March 1344 . Westminster . For the livery of wages to Nicholas de la Beche . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to pay to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , the standard wages for the additional 20 men-at-arms which the king agreed that Beche could have, for the time that they are in the king's service in the company of the seneschal, from the issues of the duchy. The king, with the assent of his council, agreed that the seneschal could have 20 men-at-arms in his company in addition to the 20 men-at-arms that he had by reason of his office, having the same for security in those parts, and the defence of the king's rights, residing at the king's wages.

By C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

23

20 March 1344 . Westminster . For Arnaut-Gassie . ¹

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to cause Sancto Johanne, de Arnaut-Gassie de Saint-Jean, king's valet , to have 20 l. from the issues and profits from le Bene Labenne and Carbreton' Capbreton near Baion' Bayonne , to be taken each year from the king's bayle there, as long as the baylie remains in the king's hands, or until the king makes another provision for Saint-Jean, and they should compel the bayle appointed by them to pay that sum to Saint-Jean each year for the time that they hold the baylie; providing only that they should answer to the king for the issues and profits beyond that sum at the Burdeg' castle of Bordeaux , and the constable will be discharged for the 20 l. in his account. The king granted the baylie of Labenne and Capbreton to Saint-Jean and his legitimate male heirs from his body; and afterwards, at the complaint of the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community of Baion' Bayonne , it was alleged that this grant was not only damaging but very dangerous for the city, especially since on the coast, near those two places, there was a good station for the town’s ships and the fleet coming ashore will not be able to be accommodated anywhere else. The king ordered the seneschal and constable to take the baylie into the king's hands, and appoint a suitable person to hold it until the king could be better informed and consider another course of action. The king also wishes that after the baylie is taken, or is granted to the town, that Saint-Jean should be provided for elsewhere by something of an equivalent or greater value. Although the king has not been given the information, he still wishes to safeguard Saint-Jean's indemnity.

By p.s.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

24: 24 March 1344 . Westminster . For Reynold de Bixley .

Order to the jurats and community of Burdeg' Bordeaux to cause Biskele Reynold de Bixley , to whom the king has committed the office of mayor of Bordeaux during pleasure on 3 March last, to have as much for his fee as other mayors before him have been accustomed to take, from 3 March as long as Bixley holds the office.

By K.

Membrane 11d

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25

27 February 1344 . Westminster . For the people of Bourg for having franchises .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to summon the king's proctors of those parts, and others whom they consider ought to be called, and diligently to obtain information concerning the franchises, liberties and privileges that the men, burgesses and ancestors of Bourg previously used and enjoyed, and from what time, and by what warrant, and send that information to the king in chancery under the king's seal used in the duchy, together with this writ, so that the king can consider what to do in this matter. It has been alleged to the king by the burgesses and good people of Burgum Bourg that they were granted franchises, liberties and privileges by the king's progenitors, and have requested that the king confirm them by his letters patent, but the king considers that he is inadequately informed on the matter to grant this. ¹

1.: One set of entry marks follow this entry, though no entry has been inserted.

Membrane 10

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26

10 March 1344 . Ditton . Concerning the examination of wool and other merchandise. ¹

Order to Byskele Reynold de Bixley, mayor of Burdeg' Bordeaux , and Master John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , to attend to the searching of ships coming to Bordeaux for wool and other merchandise that has not been coketted with Master Gerald de Leyburn and Nicholas de Derle who had previously been assigned to do this with Insula John de Lisle, late mayor of Bordeaux . If Leybourne and Derle do not assist, they are to do it without them. All of the king's friends ( amici ) and liegemen, and bayles and ministers are requested and ordered to be intendant on, advise and aid them and their deputies when they will be required by them or Leybourne and Derle to do so.

The king and council agreed in the last parliament held at Westminster that all masters of ships in which wool is to be exported out of England overseas are to find security, by indenture made between them and the collectors of customs in the ports where the wool is loaded, that those ships will be taken with the wool to the ports nearest the town where the staple of wool is established. The wool, or other customable goods, are not to be unloaded from the ships at those ports until the mayor of the staple has inspected the indentures and cokets. If any wool, wool fell or leather, or other customable merchandise, is found that has not been coketted, it is to be forfeit together with the ship in which they were loaded.

Certain loyal people are to be appointed in each English port where the export of the wool has been designated, and elsewhere overseas to search in person or by deputies for uncocketted wool, and they are to answer to the king for any wool, wool fell or leather, or other customable merchandise that are forfeited as a consequence of the search. This has been done with the assent of Melcheburn' William de Melchbourne, attorney of certain English merchants , to whom all the customs and subsidies from the wool, wool fell or leather, or other customable merchandise which are to be taken out of England are due, and also to part of the forfeiture from them, those merchants holding them by the king's grant for a term as specified in indentures made between the king and them.

The king assigned Lisle, Leybourne and Derle to examine, in person or by deputies, all the ships going from England to Bordeaux or its banlieue ( balega ), and any wool, wool fells, leather or other merchandise that they found that had not been cocketted was to be forfeited to the king's use, and was to be arrested and taken, and they were to be sold to the king's best advantage. Because Lisle is in England and cannot fulfil his appointment the king has, with the assent of Melchbourne, appointed Bixley and Wawayn to attend to this with Leybourne and Derle. The money coming from the sale of forfeitures is to be used first to pay debts, Bixley, Wawayn, Leybourne and Derle were to answer to the king for the two thirds of the residue, and the remaining third is to be divided between Bixley, Leybourne and Derle equally. ²

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.
2.: One set of entry marks follow this entry, though no entry has been inserted.

27: 11 March 1344 . Westminster . For the burgesses and good men of Bourg .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to summon the king's proctor and others of those parts, and diligently to obtain information on the houses and buildings in the town of Bourg that were destroyed, their value before they were destroyed, and by whom they were destroyed, and whether any compensation has been given by the king and his ministers in the duchy, and of other matters concerning the circumstances, and to send the information to the king in chancery under the king's seal used in the duchy, together with this writ. The burgesses and good men of Burgum Bourg have requested that the king will compensate them for the damage which was inflicted on them by the king's enemies and rebels because of their loyalty. The king wishes to be more fully informed on this, so that he and his council can consider what ought to be done on this.

By C.

28

14 March 1344 . Rysyng' Castle Rising . For the minters ( operarii monetarum ), ¹ for the allowing of charters .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux to view the charters of liberties and privileges of the king's minters in the duchy of Aquitaine made by the king and his progenitors, and permit them to use and enjoy those liberties and privileges contained in them that they have enjoyed and used since the making of the charters.

By C.

1.: The term would usually denote 'workmen', but it seems likely to mean in this case minters.

29

10 March 1344 . Westminster . For the making of money in gold at Burdeg' Bordeaux . ¹

[in French]

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , and Master John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , to summon those of the king's council of those parts, and take their advice, and if it seems to them and the council that it is to the king's profit to make such gold coinage, of the same dies ( coingnes ) and alloy ( alaye ) as has recently been ordained in England, then they are to cause it to be made. And if it seems to them and the council that it is to the king's profit to make other gold money, of other dies and other alloy, then they are to make them in a suitable manner as they and council will ordain, the king having ordered to the keepers, masters and money-changers of the of the king's money at the Tower of London to deliver them 2 d . for each such new gold coin. The king, for the common profit of the king and his people of England, has ordained that three types of gold coins are to be made at the Tour de Londrs' Tower of London : one coin with two leopards, for six shillings sterling, and to be of weight of two florins of Florence of good weight, whereof 50 pieces weigh one pound du pois of the Tower of London; ² one other gold coin with one leopard, weighing half of the first coin, for three shillings sterling, whereof 100 hundred pieces weigh one pound du pois of the Tower; ³ and one other gold coin with one helm ( heaume ), weighing the fourth part of the first coin, for eighteen pence sterling, and 200 pieces weighing one pound du pois of the Tower; ⁴ one pound of such coins of fine gold at the value of 15 l.st. It seems to the king and his council that it will be to the king's profit if such money is made in the duchy.

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '
2.: The Florin or Double Leopard, first minted in 1344.
3.: The Half Florin or Leopard.
4.: The Quarter Florin or Helm.

30: 12 March 1344 . Westminster . For Master Per-Arnaut de Sault, clerk .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to pay to Master Saltu, de Per-Arnaut de Sault, clerk , or his attorney, the arrears of the 10 l.st. annuity that the king granted him from the 1 June 1342, and the same sum from henceforth from the issues of the custom of Bordeaux, or from the issues of the duchy, at Michaelmas each year for the term of his life, as is more fully contained in the king's letters patent; and the constable will have due allowance in his account. The king, taking into account Sault's loyalty to him and his high standing, granted the annuity to him by his letters patent of 6 June.

31

Same as above For the same Master Per[-Arnaut] . ¹

Order to the same that if Saltu, de Guilhem-Arnaut de Sault and Saltu, de Auger de Sault are dead, and Saltu, de Per-Arnaut de Sault , their son and brother respectively, is their heir, and the debts owed to them pertain to Per-Arnaut as heir or by some other title, then he is to view the bills that Per-Arnaut has, and account with him, and pay the wages to him or his attorney, or make some other suitable assignment from the issues of the duchy without delay; and the constable will have due allowance in his account. Per-Arnaut has requested that the king will make payment to him for the various sums of money for wages owed to his father and brother, whose heir he is, from the time that they were in the king's service in the war in the duchy of Aquitaine, as more fully appears by bills under the seal of the constable of Bordeaux which Per-Arnaut claims to have in his possession, Guilhem-Arnaut and Auger having died in the king's service; and the king wishes to do what is just.

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

32

Same as above For the same Master Per[-Arnaut] . ¹

Order to the same that if Domeranh' Gassie-Arnaut de Domezain, uncle of Saltu, de Per-Arnaut de Sault , is dead, and Saltu, de Per-Arnaut de Sault is his heir, and the debts owed to Domezain pertain to Per-Arnaut as heir or by some other title etc. as above mutatis mutandis . Per-Arnaut has requested that the king will make payment to him for the sum of money that the king owes to Domezain for the arrears of his fee which the king granted to him, as more fully appears by bills under the seal of the constable of Bordeaux which Per-Arnaut claims to have in his possession, Domezain having died; and the king wishes to do what is just. ²

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '. An additional marginal heading has been erased below the main one.
2.: For a later entry on the same matter, see entry 89 .

33

22 March 1344 . Turris London' Tower of London . For Henry de Bedford, master of the ship called la Botillere .

Order to the bailiffs and faithful subjects that they are not to interfere with the ship called la Botillere of which Bedeford' Henry de Bedford is master , and which has been delivered to Master John de Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , to take his victuals to Gascony, by the king's order, and they are not to permit others to injure, trouble, damage, impede or in any way harm it or him; and if any forfeiture has been incurred, amends are to be made without delay. This is to endure until 24 June next. ¹

By C.

1.: Although this does not explicitly say so, this would seem to be a letter of protection, since it has a term under which the ship and master are not to be harmed.

34: 2 March 1344 . Westminster . For Berdot Brocas son of Arnaut Brocas .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to deliver the custody of the gate of the castle of Bordeaux to Brocaz Berdot Brocas, son of Brocaz Arnaut Brocas , king's valet , and the constable is to cause him to have such wages and fees as others have been accustomed to take in that office from the issues of the duchy according to the tenor of the king's letters patent; receiving from Brocas his letters of acquittance attesting receipt of those sums of money; and the constable will have due allowance in his account. The king granted the the office to Brocas for the term of his life for the wages and fees that others have been accustomed to take in that office.

Membrane 10d

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35: 20 March 1344 . Westminster . For Per-Arnaut de Sault, lord of Hirigoyen .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the bayle of the land of la Bourd Labourd , or their lieutenants, to summon before them Saltu Per-Arnaut de Sault, lord of Drigogen Hirigoyen in the Dustarit' parish of Ustaritz , and Bernat, lord of Hardos Hardoia , of the same parish, and hear Sault's arguments, and obtain fuller information on the course of the river to his mill, and do what is right to Sault according to the fors and customs of those parts, so that if they find that the course of the river to Sault's mill has been unjustly disturbed, then they are to cause it to be restored to its original state. Sault has complained to the king that Bernat has impeded the course of the river to his mill built in the parish of Ustaritz, which Sault ought to have by right and according to the fors and customs of those lands.

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For the commitment of power to the earls of Derby and Arundel

36: 24 March 1344 . Turris London' Tower of London .

Commission of full power to Lancastr' Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , and Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel , to treat and agree with whatsoever persons, noble and others of whatsoever realm, nation, condition, status or dignity, and whatsoever communities, for friendship and alliance between the king and them, and mutual aid, and to give whatever security they need to do to confirm the same. The king binds himself and his heirs to observe what they agree. The king makes this known by these presents.

By K.

37: Same as above

Commission as above, and to retain them against all men, and to agree wages and remuneration for those men, and to demand and receive security from them as above.

By K.

38: Same as above

Commission of power to Lancastr' Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , and Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel to treat for the king and his subjects with Alfonso [XI], king of Castile, León, Toledo, Galicia, Sevilla, Cordoba, Murcia, Jaen and Algarve , and count of Molina , and his deputies, on the disputes between certain of that king's subjects and mariners, and the king's subjects both in England and other lands of his lordship and power, on occasion of the damages and injury done by them, and to make peace, and also to establish bonds and friendship between the kings and their subjects, and to strengthen whatever they agree with whatever security they think necessary. The king promises to confirm whatever the earls or their deputies do in this matter in the king's name.

By K.

Same as above

Commission of power to Lancastr' Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , and Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel , to treat and agree with Alfonso [XI], king of Castile, León, Toledo, Galicia, Sevilla, Cordoba, Murcia, Jaen and Algarve , and count of Molina , about forming a firm friendship and alliance between the kings, to provide mutual help in everyway, and to strengthen what has been agreed with whatever security they think necessary, and with power to appoint deputies in their place to act in their place, and to revoke those appointments. The king promises to confirm and observe whatever they agree.

By K.

The earls have similar letters of the king to treat with the following under the same date.

39.1: With Afonso [IV], king of Portugal and Algarve .

39.2: With Peter [IV], king of Aragon, Valencia, Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica , Barchon' count of Barcelona ¹ .

1.: Peter (Pedro) IV, king of Aragon, is often named as Pere III by the Catalan historiography because of his numbering as count of Barcelona.

40: 24 March 1344 . Turris London' Tower of London .

Appointment of Lancastr' Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , and Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel , as lieutenants of the king for the reform of the state and governance of the duchy of Aquitaine, and the king's other neighbouring lands and places, and the recovery of the king's lands and rights which are occupied by his rebels; and to defend and govern the duchy and those lands and places, and see to it that full justice is done according to the fors and customs of those parts; and to assume and receive possession of castles, places, rights and other dues unjustly detained from the king;

and they are to summon, assemble and lead the cavalry and army against the king's rebels, and pursuing, taking and punishing them; and admitting to the king's grace and peace those who wish to come into his grace and obedience, granting remission and pardon to them, in as far as it pertains to the king, both in punishment of their bodies and forfeiture of their goods, and giving them full security;

and the lands and and goods of rebels that are confiscated and forfeited, and taken into the king's hands, are to be given to those who best deserve them for their support of the king in the recovery of his rights to provide support to them, to be held from the king and his heirs for the customary service, and they are to be defended in their seisin;

and they are to supervise the king's ministers there, and those they find unfit are to be removed from office and replaced by suitable people;

and they are to request and receive homage and fealty and other duties due to the king in those parts from those who owe it, and compel those who are bound to make it, to do it according to the fors and customs of those parts;

and they are generally to do all things that are necessary for the defence and recovery, and the good governance of the king's rights and lands, and of the king's subjects of the duchy and those parts, and if a special order is demanded, the king commits to give it to them, with authority with the exercise or full and shared jurisdiction and the power of the sword.

The king promises to confirm what they, or either of them will do.

By K.

41: Same as above

To the archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, counts, vicomtes, barons, nobles, seneschals, mayors, jurats, consuls, communities of cities, boroughs and towns, constables, castellans, bayles, and all the subjects of the king, both ecclesiastical and lay in the duchy of Aquitaine and other neighbouring lands and places of the king.

And it is ordered, under pain of forfeiture, that they should be intendant on, obey and aid the king's lieutenants so that the king can commend and reward their faithfulness.

By K.

42: Same as above

Order to Lancastr' Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , and Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel , that they are to take all castles, lands and tenements, liberties and profits, given and granted by the king in the duchy as a result of petitions, or in recompense of service to the king, or losses or damage, into the king's hands without any exception, and they are to diligently obtain full information concerning the merits of the gifts and the truth of the claims that prompted them, and the true value of those things granted. The gifts that they find were made as a result of deception are to be revoked, the things taken into the king's hands are to be retained without any restitution, and those gifts that they find were made as a result of truthful prompting and good merits are to be permitted to stand, and the things taken into the king's hands together with the issues are to be wholly restored. The king has been informed that many gifts made in the duchy have been as a result of deception to the king's great damage, and the king wishes that those gifts extracted by the suppression of the truth and by deceipt should be revoked as is just.

By K.

43: Same as above

To the archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, counts, vicomtes, barons, nobles, seneschals, mayors, jurats, consuls, communities of cities, boroughs and towns, constables, castellans, bayles, and all the subjects of the king, both ecclesiastical and lay in the duchy of Aquitaine and other neighbouring lands and places of the king.

And it is ordered, under pain of forfeiture, that they should be intendant on, obey and aid the earls [of Derby and Arundel ].

44: Same as above

Order to Lancastr' Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , and Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel , that they are to take all castles, lands and tenements, liberties and profits, given and granted by the current king or Edward [II] in the duchy as a result of petitions, or in recompense of service to the king, or losses or damage, into the king's hands without any exception, and they are to diligently obtain full information concerning the merits of the gifts and the truth of the claims that prompted them, and the true value of those things granted. The gifts that they find were made by the king or his father as a result of deception are to be revoked, the things taken into the king's hands are to be retained without any restitution, and those gifts that they find were made as a result of truthful prompting and good merits are to be permitted to stand, and the things taken into the king's hands together with the issues are to be wholly restored. The king has been informed that many gifts made in the duchy by the king or his father have been as a result of deception to the king's great damage, and the king wishes that those gifts extracted by the suppression of the truth and by deceipt should be revoked as is just.

By K.

45: Same as above

To archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, counts, vicomtes, barons, nobles, seneschals, mayors, jurats, consuls, communities of cities, boroughs and towns, constables, castellans, bayles, and all subjects of the king, both ecclesiastical and lay in the duchy of Aquitaine and other neighbouring lands and places of the king.

And it is ordered, under pain of forfeiture, that they should be intendant on, obey and aid the earls [of Derby and Arundel ].

46: Same as above

Commitment to Lancastr' Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , and Richard [FitzAlan], earl of Arundel , of full power with full and shared jurisdiction to cause the truce made between the king and his adversary of France , brokered in reverence to the pope and the apostolic see, and at the instance of the cardinals specially sent to the king in Britann' Brittany , to be observed just as it is appropriate, and if any of the king's adherents or subjects attempt anything against the truce, then they are to see to it that it is speedily corrected, and those opposing them punished. They are to see to it that everything else necessary for the preservation of the truce is done, and things done against it are put right. The king orders all archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, counts, vicomtes, barons, nobles, bayles, communities and other subjects to be intendant on, obey and aid them in this matter.

By K.

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47

26 March 1344 . Westminster . For Arnaut [III de Durfort], son and heir of Arnaut [II] de Durfort . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to account with Arnaut [III de Durfort], son and heir of Duro Forti Arnaut [II] de Durfort , or his attorney, for the arrears due to him from that 500 m. which the king granted by his letters patent to Duro Forti Arnaut [II] de Durfort , his father, and his heirs, to be taken from the issues of the duchy, and to send certification of what he finds is owed by that account to the king in the English chancery under the seal used in the duchy, together with this writ.

By p.s.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

48

26 March 1344 . Westminster . For Arnaut de Durfort . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to pay to Duro Forti Arnaut [III] de Durfort , or his attorney, 200 l.st. from the issues of the duchy of Aquitaine, in part payment of the debts which the king owes him, without delay; receiving from Durfort his letters patent attesting to the payment, and the constable will have due allowance in his account.

By p.s.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

49

Same as above For Gausbert de Beauville . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to pay to Bovill' Gaubert de Beauville, king's valet , 60 l.st. from the issues of the duchy of Aquitaine, in part payment of the debts which the king owes him, without delay; receiving from Beauville his letters patent attesting to the payment, and the constable will have due allowance in his account.

By p.s.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

50: 26 March 1344 . Westminster . For Fortaner de Lescun .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to account with Lescune Fortaner [V] de Lescun for the arrears of the 100 l.st. which the king lately granted to him to be taken from the custom of Bordeaux each year for his life, and to pay him what is owed by that account, or otherwise to make a suitable assignment on a moiety of the profits of minting ( de cussione monete ) in the mint newly established for the king's profit at Hastynges Hastingues in the duchy of Gascony.

By p.s.

51

3 April 1344 . Marlebergh' Marlborough . For Antonio Usodimare . ¹

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, that having accepted sufficient security from Antonio Usodimare whom they have arrested on account of this, they should permit him to come to England to render his account without impediment. Flisco Nicolino dei Fieschi , Anthony Bache and Usus Maris Pasqualetto Usodimare have mainprised for Antonio Usodimare, late the lieutenant of Usus Maris Niccolò Usodimare, then constable of Bordeaux , that he would come into England to render the account at the English exchequer for the issues of the constabulary of Bordeaux for the time that Niccolò Usodimare had that office.

By C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

52

12 April 1344 . Westminster . For Antonio Usodimare .

Order to Bernat de Brocas, controller of the king's castle of Bordeaux , to have ready to hand the rolls, papers and other things that pertain to his office, and to the accounts of Usus Maris Antonio Usodimare , and the rendering of those accounts at the exchequer, and to attest the account and to do further what pertains to his office by the nature of the accounts, and he should not omit to do this. Usodimare, late the lieutenant of Niccolò Usodimare, then constable of Bordeaux, has found surety to come quickly with the rolls, papers, writs and other memoranda concerning both the account of Niccolò Usodimare for the time he was constable of Bordeaux, and his own account from the time that he had the administration of the same constabulary. ¹

1.: The middle lines are written over an erasure.

53

15 April 1344 . Westminster . For Master Arnaut de Sault .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the bayle of La Bourt Labourd , or their lieutenants, that they should maintain, protect and defend Master Saltu Per-Arnaut de Sault, clerk , lord of the house of Saltu Novo Sault-Neuf of La Bourt Labourd , and his heirs and successors, lords of the same house, in the possession of the custom that he and his ancestors should receive a fixed toll from people from the kingdom of Navarre and others wherever they are coming from passing towards Baion' Bayonne and to people from the town and others wherever they are coming from passing to the kingdom of Navarre with animals, possessions and goods to trade or otherwise along the road to Navarre travelling through the Moecorun gate of Mocoron ¹ towards Garro to whom he guarantees safe conduct. On behalf of Sault it has been requested that this written custom familiar to those of Navarre and elsewhere be maintained, and the king has agreed to the request.

By K. and C.

1.: The gate of Mocoron (or Mouqueron in modern Gascon) also called the gate of Pannecau, because it followed the street of Pannecau, was situated on the site of the Château Neuf of Bayonne built by Charles VII, king of France, after 1451. See Goyheneche, E., Bayonne et la région bayonnaise du XIIe au XVe siècle (Bilbao, 1990), p.82.

For treating for a truce.

28 April 1344 . Westminster .

Acceptance and approval by the king for himself and his subjects of Bayonne and Biarritz, he wishing to strive for peace with the king of Castile and his subjects, of the truce negotiated for this, and order that the king's subjects observe this truce, provided that the other parties also do so, and the king hopes for the settlement of the damages suffered, and the establishment of perpetual peace between the subjects of the king of Castella Castile and count of Biskayr Biscay and the king's subjects. The king commits power to Sancto Johanne Pey de Saint-Jean, bishop of Baionensis Bayonne , Villar, de Johan Duviella, sacrist of the Baionensis church of Bayonne , Cassus Bernat de Cassous , Vile, de Pey de Bielle, son of Vile, de Guilhem-Arnaut de Bielle , Beries Bertholomiu de Beyries and Pintz, de Pey Duputs to appear, hear, understand, decide and put into execution the matters contained within the truce, and to reconcile, pacify and complete business concerning the damages and injuries, and to treat and negotiate for the perpetual peace to be established between the king of Castile and the count, and their subjects, and the king and his subjects, and to make whatsoever security that they need to make for the greater strength and security of this, and do all other things that are required, and the king will make a special mandate on this to the bishop and others, the five, four, three and two of them if it is necessary. The king promises, for himself and his subjects, to confirm what they do in this matter.

The king of Castile has been troubled by the dissension and disputes that exist between his subjects and the king's, and has sent his messengers to make peace between them and the king's subjects of Bayonne. At the instance of the messengers it was agreed between the proctors or messengers of the many cities, towns and places of the king of Castile's authority and those of the count of Biscay on the one part, and the proctors and messengers of the king's subjects, the mayor, hundred peers, and community of Baion' Bayonne and of Beyarritz Biarritz on the other, to settle the disputes in an amicable manner, and the damage done to the people of the coast, and so this can be done more securely a truce was agreed to endure from 5 January until 1 September, and then for three years, and the king is requested to accept this. In the meantime the subjects of the kings and the count are to behave peacefully, to enforce heavy penalties for infringers of the truce, and both kings should accept the truce before 1st June next, and on 1 July the proctors or commissioners of the parties are to meet at the bridge of Fons Rabidus Hondarribia ¹ to decide upon the places and and ways of proceeding on the disputes and damages. And they are to see to it that due recompense is made, and they are to put an end to the disputes and make perpetual peace. Anyone who wishes to make a complaint for damages before the commissioners has to do it in forty days or be excluded from a remedy just as is contained in the latters of truce.

The following have similar letters under the same date:

: Same as above

Sancto Johanne Pey de Saint-Jean, bishop of Baionensis Bayonne , Villar, de Johan Duviella, sacrist of the Baionensis church of Bayonne , the prior of Sanctus Salvator Saint-Sauveur , Purruyt Pey de Porut and Lobart Bidon de Loubart , four, three and two of them;

: Same as above

Sancto Johanne Pey de Saint-Jean, bishop of Baionensis Bayonne , Villar, de Johan Duviella, sacrist of the Baionensis church of Bayonne , Johan de Listo, Vyneawe Pey du Vignau , Sancto Johanne, de Pascau de Saint-Jean , ² Villar, de Saubat Duviella and Hospitali Domenges de Hospital , ³ or five, four, three and two of them.

1.: In Spanish Fuenterrabía and in French Fontarrabie. Hondarribia is the current official name in Basque.
2.: The forename is written on the membrane ' Pascasius '.
3.: The forename is written on the membrane ' Domicellus '.

26 April 1344 . Westminster .

Acceptance and approval by the king for himself and his subjects of Bayonne and [Biarritz], and of other places, he wishing to strive for peace with the king of Castile and his subjects, of the truce negotiated for this, and order that the king's subjects observe this truce, provided that the other parties also do so, and the king hopes for the settlement of the damages suffered, and the establishment of perpetual peace between the subjects of the king [of Castile] and count [of Biscay] and the king's subjects. The king commits power to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , Shordich' John de Shorditch, kt , and Master John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , to appear, hear, understand, decide and put into execution the matters contained within the truce, and to reconcile, pacify and complete business concerning the damages and injuries, and to treat and negotiate for the perpetual peace to be established between the king of Castile and the count, and their subjects, and the king and his subjects, and to make whatsoever security that they need to make for the greater strength and security of this, to appoint deputies, and do all other things that are required, and the king will make a special mandate on this to the bishop and others, the five, four, three and two of them if it is necessary. The king promises, for himself and his subjects, to confirm what they do in this matter.

The king [of Castile] as above. ¹

1.: The entry is followed by a space before the final entry on the membrane. One set of entry marks are found in the space.

56

20 June 1344 . Westminster . For Isabella, queen of England .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony to deliver to Isabella, queen of England , the king's mother, all the lands and tenements, tolls and places, with their appurtenances, together with the jurisdictions, homages, fees, fealties, oaths, rights, duties and all other things pertaining to them, that the king gave to her by his letters patent, according to the tenor of those same letters, saving only suzereignty and homage to the king. The king granted to his mother all the land which was lately the Castellione vicomte of Castillon's , the toll from Peyrafrice Pierrefitte , and whatever he had in Lengon Langon , in land and water, with the tolls of the same place, which lately were Beuvyll' Bernat de Beauville's with all high and low justice, complete and shared jurisdiction, homages and fees of nobles and others, and with fealties, oaths, and with all other rights, duties and appurtenances whatsoever pertaining to the places; and also all personal, real, mixed, penal rights and right to recover ( omne jus personale, reale, mixtum, penale, persecutorium, in rem, scriptum, utile vel directum ) and everything else in the castle and vicomté of Benauges and the town of Deylaz ¹ and the salin of Bordeaux , ² and in the lands and tenements with appurtenances which were Dangladas Pey d'Anglade and his progenitors, wherever they were, and in the inheritance late of Amaniu de Grayn and his progenitors with all the appurtenance of all the same, wherever they were, or in complete and shared jurisdiction, and high and base justice, noble and other fees, rights and duties whatsoever, or in full right, or appropriated to the places and goods; and the king has granted and personally transferred, for himself and his heirs, to his mother, all his right and all manner of actions that he had or in any way could have in all the places and other property which Grely Pey [II] de Grailly held, possessed, detained, or which his predecessors held and possessed, or his successors or others whatsoever ought to hold. Having and holding the same for her life, provided that on her death, all the same wholly reverts to the king and his heirs, notwithstanding gifts, grants, and concessions made by the king or his heirs to the contrary, saving only sovereignty and customary homage in all the premises to the king and his heirs. ³

1.: This place could be Aillas , Illats or Le Las .
2.: There was no such 'salin', so this seems to have been an error for something which is difficult to guess at.
3.: For a related entry, see entry in C 61/52 .

Membrane 7

Image of membrane 7

57

20 April 1344 . Westminster . For appointing a receiver of victuals . ¹

Assignment to John de Ellerker, king's clerk , to receive, by indenture to be duly made, all manner of victuals and other things to be sent to the duchy of Aquitaine for the sustenance of the king's faithful subjects there, and to cause the victuals to be carried to Plumuth' Plymouth , and from there to the duchy, and to be kept safely there until he is ordered otherwise by the king. Ellerker is to answer for the victuals to the king, as is right, and to take 5 s. a day for as long as he holds the office. ²

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.
2.: Much of the third, fourth and fifth lines of this short entry are written over an erasure.

58

20 April 1344 . Westminster . For appointing a receiver of victuals . ¹

Assignment to Thyngden' John de Finedon, king's clerk , to receive, by indenture to be duly made, all manner of victuals which the king has ordered to be bought in various parts of England, both for his passage, and for the stocking of the ships going in the king's service, from the purveyors of those same victuals. Finedon is to answer for the victuals to the king, as is right, and to take 5 s. a day for as long as he holds the office. ²

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.
2.: The last clause about Finedon's pay is interlined.

59

26 April 1344 . Westminster . For Pey de Poyloaut . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux that he view the bills and letters that Pulehaut Pey de Poyloaut has sealed with the seals of the former seneschals of Gascony and constables of Bordeaux, for the debts that the king owes him for his wages, and account with him, if that has not already been done, and make speedy payment to him of what he finds is owed, or make an assignment on the moiety of the profits which arises from the striking of money from the plate which Poyloaut brings to the bullion storehouse of Aquen' Dax ( ad billionem civitatis Aquensis ) to be struck. When Poyloaut has had payment or the assignment the constable is to receive from him the bills and letters that he has, and the constable will receive due allowance in his account. Poyloaut has requested that the king will satisfy him for various money that the king owes him for his wages, as appears by the letters and bills, and the king, being aware that Poyloaut has served him well and decently and wanting him to continue to do so, wishes that he be satisfied.

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

60: 4 May 1344 . Westminster . For Master Per-Arnaut de Sault, lord of the house of Sault-Neuf in Labourd .

Licence granted to Master Saltu, de Per-Arnaut de Sault, lord of the house of Saltu Novo Sault-Neuf in La Bord' Labourd , and his heirs, to build in stone and lime, a castle or fortalice with walls and ditches, to have and hold the same from the king and his heirs, for the salvation and defence of those parts, forever. Proviso that the house or fortalice should be rendered to the king and his heirs at the order of the king, his heirs or their seneschals, whether in legal dispute or not ( irati vel pacati ). Sault has requested to the king that, since Sault lies on the march with Ispann' Spain and Navarre Navarre , in a perilous place, close to the king's enemies, and there are no castles or fortalices for three leagues around, that the king will grant that a castle or fortalice can be built for the security and defence of those parts, and the king wishes to agree to this.

By petition of C.

61

14 May 1344 . Berkhampsted' Berkhamsted . For permitting the receivers of the duke of Brittany at Bordeaux to take the custom .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, to stop the arrests of the customs of Bordeaux by the vicomte of Benauges and others of Burdeg' Bordeaux , which ought to have been paid to the receiver of the duke of Brittany , the king being aware of the loss and dangers arising from their seizure, especially as he had ordered that the wages of the men striving as men-at-arms or others in the war against France should be paid from it, and fearing that if payment was not made at the due time his affairs there would fail, and see to it that they are paid to him; they are not to allow any customs to be received by anyone other than the receiver; and they are to hear the complaints of the vicomte and others about the wrongdoings and treat them with justice. The king understand that the dukes of Brittany used to and should receive customs in Bordeaux from traders exporting wine and other goods from there and used to have their receivers there to seek and receive the dues and hand over letters of safeguard or brefs de mer ( brevia testimonialia ) showing which ships sailing along the coast of Brittany should be safe; ¹ and the king wishes that the rights of the duchy of Brittany should be preserved, especially when the duchy is under his control, and has ordered the mayor and jurats of Bordeaux to have it publicly pronounced that traders and others paying the customs to the receiver (both the king's and Jean [de Montfort], duke of Brittany ’s) ² are to pay in full what is owed, such that the receiver can be responsible for the customs. And now the constable has heard that the vicomte of Benauges and others from Bordeaux have asserted that men from Brittany have taken their wines while on the sea and done their will with them without making restitution or payment to the vicomte or others of the city, and the vicomte and others have consequently, seized and kept the customs and do not allow the receiver to receive it, acting disgracefully and damaging both the king and the duke.

1.: On the brefs de Bretagne delivered at Bordeaux see Moal, L. and Gallicé, A. 'Les brefs de Bretagne : un exemple de réglementation publique en réponse aux risques maritimes dans le duché de Bretagne (XIIe-XVe siècles)', Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest , 119 (2012), pp. 81-108.
2.: It is also possible that this is a reference to the receiver of Jean de Montfort's son, as the future Jean IV is named as duke of Brittany in entry 100 .

62

30 May 1344 . Westminster . For Bergunh de Lehet . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to view the bills that Lee Bergunh de Lehet has under the seal of the constable of Bordeaux for various sums of money owed him for his wages for the time that he was in the king's service, and account with him for the same, and make payment to him of what is found by the account is owed to him, or by assignment on the goods of Mants Maria de Manx , born in Baion' Bayonne , and now married to Pierre Montran of La Rochele La Rochelle , the king's enemy, if those goods pertain to the king by the rebellion, or make satisfaction to him elsewhere, and the constable will have due allowance in his account. Lehet has requested to the king that he will cause the sums owed him, as appears in the bills, to be paid, or to be granted a suitable assignment, and the king wishes to agree to this.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

For Bernat-Etz [V], lord of Albret.

4 June 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to permit Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Lebreto, de Albret , to take victuals from Burdeg' Bordeaux to his castles and places, for the garrisoning and security of the same, for himself and his people, as often as it pleases them, without impediment. Albret, by certain of his servants, bought various victuals in England, and has the king's licence, to take them to Bordeaux, and from there to his castles and places.

63.1: Same as above

In the same manner it is ordered to the Burdeg' mayor and jurats of Bordeaux .

64

2 June 1344 . Westminster . For Walter de Weston, for receiving the king's victuals and taking them to Bordeaux . ¹

Assignment of Walter de Weston, king's clerk , to receive all the victuals purveyed by the purveyors of the king's household for his use in Herefordshire , Gloucestershire , Devon , Cornwall , Somerset , Dorset , Wiltshire and Hampshire , and also 20 tuns of flour from the sheriff of Wiltshire , and the same from the sheriff of Somerset and Dorset from the king's victuals purveyed by them by razed measure ( per mensuram rasam ), and by indenture duly made between Weston and the purveyors and sheriffs. And he is to put the victuals and flour into ships and take them to Bordeaux, and deliver them to the constable of Bordeaux by measure and indenture. And he is to receive all victuals from Thyngden' John de Finedon, receiver of certain of the king's victuals in the west , from the king's victuals purveyed by the aforesaid sheriffs and delivered to Finedon. And he is also to pay the wages of the masters and mariners of the ships carrying the victuals and flour to Bordeaux from the time they depart. Provided that Weston keeps the victuals received by him in a perfect condition until they arrive in Bordeaux and are delivered to the constable.

By K.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

For the delivery of archers to Walter de Weston.

2 June 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the sheriff of Surrey and his associates, selectors and arrayers of archers in that county, that they bring all the archers that they have selected in Surrey before Walter de Weston, king's clerk , whom the king has assigned to take certain victuals to Burdeg' Bordeaux for the sustenance of the king's faithful subjects in Gascony, so that he may choose 120 of them, who are to be assigned to him for the safe conduct of the victuals, and they are to certify the king in chancery of the archers who are so assigned. The king has made the assignment to Weston and wishes that he select the 120 archers for the safe conduct of the victuals from the archers that the sheriff and his associates were ordered to select in Surrey , Sussex , Sutht' Hampshire , Wiltes' Wiltshire , Somers' Somerset and Dors' Dorset .

By K.

Similar writs are to be directed to:

65.1: The sheriffs of Sussex , Sutht' Hampshire , Wiltes' Wiltshire , Somers' Somerset and Dors' Dorset .

66

26 May 1344 . Westminster . For the payment of wages to Adémar de Belvoir . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, to view the bills that Belvour Adémar de Belvoir has concerning the debt that the king owes to him, and account with him, and if he finds that the debt is due to him, he is to make payment to him or a suitable assignment on the issues of the duchy without delay; receiving from Belvoir the bills, and his letters of acquittance attesting to receipt of the sum, and the constable will have due allowance in his account. Belvoir has requested that the king will pay him or provide him with suitable satisfaction for the debt that the king owes to him both for his wages for his service to the king in the war in the duchy and for the compensation for the horses lost in that service, just as appears in bills of certain of the king's ministers in the duchy which Belvoir claims to have in his possession, and the king wishes to agree to the request.

By C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

67

12 June 1344 . Westminster . For the payment of wages to the men-at-arms and archers . ¹

Order to Walter de Weston, king's clerk receiver of the king's victuals sent to Gascony , that the five men-at-arms and 100 archers whom the king ordered to go in Weston's company to safely conduct the victuals [to Gascony], should be paid at the rate of 12 d. a day for each man-at-arms, 6 d. a day for the five vintenars of the archers, and 4 d. a day for the 95 archers, until the victuals have arrived in Gascony and are delivered to the constable of Bordeaux according to the form of Weston's commission, and he will have due allowance in his account.

By K.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

Membrane 7d

Image of membrane 7d

68: 22 April 1344 . Westminster . For the men of Labourd .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the la Bourt bayle of Labourd to summon the constable of Bordeaux and the king's procurator there, or either of them, and others who ought to be called, and deligently to obtain information with them and other interested parties, concerning the construction of unlicenced fortifications, and all those fortalices, maisons fortes, mills or other fortified buildings that they find were built without the licence of the king and his ancestors should be demolished, and all those found responsible should be punished according to their crimes, and should make amends for the damage done according to the fors and customs there to serve as an example to others. The king has ordered all of his faithful subjects to obey and be intendant upon them when they will be required to do so.

The king has been given to understand that certain men of the duchy, namely the lords of the houses of Garro , Phaganduru' Pagandurua and Desplete Espelette , and the men of the Bearitz port of Biarritz and of [the place of] Gardos Bardos , and the land of la Bourt Labourd , have built such unlicenced fortifications, undermining the king's authority, and to the nuisance and damage of the king's faithful subjects, usurping the king's rights to grant the same, which belong to him and no-one else. Further, the lords and other men, have conspired with the king's enemies and rebels, and have committed many trespasses, homicides, arsons, thefts, robberies ( rapine ), abuses, extortions and many other wicked acts against the king's faithful subjects there, in contempt of the king and to the manifest destruction of the king's people there. The king, not wishing this wickedness to go unpunished, or to continue, wishes a remedy to be applied.

By K. and C.

69: 26 May 1344 . Westminster . For Adémar de Belvoir .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to summon the king's proctor in those parts, and others whom they consider ought to be called, and diligently obtain information on the request of Adémar de Belvoir , and send it to the king in chancery under the king's seal used in the duchy, together with the writ. Belvoir has requested that the king will assign him the issues, profits and emoluments of those lands that were Johana [de Périgord], late lady of Laverdak Lavardac 's, in compensation for various and great sums of money that the king owes him for his wages, and for other reasons, as appears by bills of certain of the king's ministers in the duchy, which he claims to have in his possession; having and taking the same until he has been fully satisfied. The king wishes to be more fully informed as to whether the lands are in his hands, and if so, the reason for this, how and in what manner; and if it is in the hands of others, then how and in what manner, and how much the land is valued each year according to its true value, and of any other circumstances touching it; and the king will consider what to do with the advice of his council.

By C.

70: 15 June 1344 . Westminster . For Ramon Maurin and others, for hearing [their complaint] and bringing it to a conclusion .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony, or his lieutenant, to hear the complaint of Mauryn Ramon Maurin , Mauryn Hélias Maurin , Sires Hélias de Sireis and Bertholomiu de Nonan , merchants of Sanctus Emilianus Saint-Émilion , or their attorney, and summon the masters and mariners of the two ships that the merchants allege seized the ship carrying their wine, hear their arguments, and if it is found that the offence was perpetrated, then due and speedy justice is to be done to the merchants according to the fors and customs there in the recovery of their wine if it still exists, or the value if it does not, and the damages that they have suffered, so that the king does not hear the complaint again.

The king has received the complaint from Maurin and the others that they had loaded 70 tuns of wine, valued at 200 l. , in a ship called la notre Dame of Seint Malo Saint-Malo in Burdeg' Bordeaux , to carry it to Sutht' Southampton so that they could make their profit there; however, Artiges Longe Johan de Artiguelongue, master of the ship called la Seinte Marie of Baion' Bayonne , and Fenour William Fenner, master of a ship of Plommuth' Plymouth , and other mariners in those ships seized, by force and arms, the ship of Saint-Malo as it put to sea in the Geround' Gironde , and took the wine and disposed of it, to the great damage and impoverishment of the merchants. The merchants request a remedy, and the king wishes to punish the offence and see justice and satisfaction done to them.

By C.

Membrane 6

Image of membrane 6

71: 31 July 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Albret .

Order to Master John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , or his lieutenant, that, immediately upon viewing these presents, he is to sell all the victuals that were sent to Burdeg Bordeaux with William de Weston, king's clerk , and delivered to Wawayn by him, from which the sum of 514 l. 17 s. 3 d. is able to be levied, without contradiction or delay, and pay the same in sterling or écus, each écus being 14 d. st. , to Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Lebreto, de Albret , or his attorney, or as much of the sale price as is necessary to pay him, any order of the king's to the contrary notwithstanding; and the constable will have due allowance in his account.

The king owes Albret 2,600 l. 7½ d. which Albret lent to the king in the great necessity of his business at the receipt of the exchequer, just as is more fully contained in the king's letters patent. On 7 April 1343, Albret received, at the receipt of the exchequer from Master Bernard de Cistr' , 38 tallies containing 2,557 l. 3 s. 3 d. from the tenth granted to the king in the sixteenth year of his reign in various dioceses, in part payment of that sum. Afterwards, on 30 July 1343, Master Saltu Per-Arnaut de Sault, Albret's clerk , returned twelve of the tallies containing 514 l. 17 s. 3 d. to the receipt of the exchequer, because he was unable to receive anything by them, and they should be cancelled with their foils ( debent dampnari cum foliis suis ), as more fully appears by the endorsement of the king's letters. The king wishes Albret to be satisfied for the 514 l. 17 s. 3 d.

By K. and C., and by bill of the treasurer .

72

8 August 1344 . Risyng' Castle Rising . For Arnaut-Ramon, vicomte of Orthe .

Commitment to the bishop of Baion' Bayonne , Master John Wawayn , constable of Bordeaux , and Sancto Johanne Guilhem-Bidau de Saint-Jean, canon of Baion' Bayonne , of power to hear and determine, according to the rules ( stilus ), fors and customs there, and of the king's court of France, with due compulsion ( cohercio ) and carrying out of judgment of the appeal of Arnaut-Ramon [IV d'Aspremont], vicomte of Dorte Orthe ; ordering that if not all of them can attend to this case, then two of them can deal with it.

The king has received a complaint from the vicomte that, as in appeal cases brought to Edward III as king of France from whatever charges brought first by Oliver Ingham, late seneschal of Gascony , and Usus Maris Niccolò Usodimare, then constable of Bordeaux , and later by Nicholas de la Beche, now seneschal against the vicomte, it was proceeded before Shordich’ John de Shoreditch , commissary appointed to hear and determine appeal cases brought to the king in the duchy, as to the king of France, between the vicomte, the appellant, on the one part, and Gutto Arnaut-Gassie de Got, lord of Podium Guillelmi Puyguilhem as Aquen' prévôt of Dax , and the mayor and jurats of Agenais on the other, the vicomte had requested that the debts attempted to draw from him by the commissary after the appeals, prohibitions and citations should be revoked, according to local law and the law of the French Court, saying that he did not wish to proceed with the main business until the previous dispute had been settled. Even though the vicomte had put in his appeals legitimately and at the due time, the commissary, favouring Arnaut-Gassie and the mayor and jurats beyond measure, refused to settle the dispute and, perverting the corrrect law without discussing the merits of the appeals, remitted the cases to the seneschal, charging the vicomte with expenses, unjustly and to his great loss, because of which an appeal has been made to the king. ¹

1.: The entry is followed by a set of entry marks, but no entry was added.

73

8 August 1344 . Westminster . For taking the land of Blanquefort into the king's hands . ¹

Order to the seneschal of Gascony to obtain full information on the lands that Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Lebreto, de Albret , claims to have lost, and if he finds that the lands under his control and the rent that he received are up to the value of the lands, rents and places that Albret has lost, then he is to resume the land of Blanca Forti Blanquefort , that was previously granted to Albret, into the king's hands. The seneschal is to answer to the king for the issues from the same, and if the lands, rents and places of Albret's which remain in his hands, and the tolls of Sanctus Macharius Saint-Macaire granted to him in compensation for his losses, exceed the value of those lands, places and rents that Albret has lost, then Albret is to answer to the king for the excess.

The king, by indentures made between him and Albret, had promised to indemnify Albret, and all those that he brought into the king's obedience, and Albret has requested compensation for the following lands, rents and places that he lost because of his adherence to the king in the Gascon war, one gold rial being valued at 4 s. st. :

the place of Gensacum Gensac which Albret gave to the lord of Morchidanum Mussidan ² in compensation for what that lord lost in the war because of his adherence to the king, the same being valued at 800 gold rials of annual rent; the annual rent that he had in the Vasates' Bazadais , and from which he took each year from various people 125 gold rials; the annual rent in Sora Sore , and Lebretum Labrit , worth at 950 gold rials; the annual rent from the land of Mixa Mixe and Hosta Barisio Ostabaret with their appurtenances in the kingdom of Navarre , worth 500 gold rials; the annual rent in the Ruthena Rouergue which he had in right of the dower of his wife, worth 851 gold rials and 5 s. bord. ³

The total sum of the losses amounted to 645 l. 6 s. st. just as more fully appears by the information provided, by the king's order, by Oliver de Ingham, late seneschal of Gascony , and returned into chancery. The king, wishing to fulfil his obligations to Albret contained in the indentures, on 18 October 1341 granted the toll of Saint-Macaire, with all its issues and emoluments, and the land of Blanquefort, with high and low justice, and full and shared jurisdiction, and all other issues, emoluments and profits that pertain to it; to hold the same until he recovered the lands, rents and places that he had lost, or was suitably provided for elsewhere in the duchy; and provided that he answered for any excess beyond the sum to the king, and should the toll and the land have an insufficient value, then he was to have an assignment on the issues of the duchy, just as more fully appears in the king's letters patent.

The king has now been given to understand that Albret actually holds certain of the lands, rents and places that he claimed to have lost, and that those lands that he has with the tolls of Saint-Macaire are valued at 645 l. 6 s. , and the king wishes to look to his own indemnity. ⁴

1.: The marginal heading and two small sections of text are written over erasures.
2.: Ramon I de Montaut , see entry in C 61/55 .
3.: The interest came with Albret's marriage to Matha d'Armagnac in 1321: Marquette, Les Albrets , p.143.
4.: For related entries, see entry in C 61/53 , entry in C 61/53 , entry in C 61/63 , entry in C 61/64 & entry in C 61/74 .

74

17 August 1344 . Westminster . For Arnaut Barrault .

Licence granted to Barau Arnaut Barrault , because his hall or residence has been totally destroyed and burnt by the French enemy as the king has learned by faithful testimony, to build a house ( hospitium sive mansum ) in the Inter Duo Maria prévôté of Entre-deux-Mers and Créon , in the parish of Cursan , in stone and lime and fortify it, holding the same for the defence of those parts. This is providing that the hall or dwelling should be returned to the king or his heirs at the order of the king, his heirs or their seneschals, in times of war or peace, and that the place is kept provisioned with men and other things necessary for the security of the place. The king further grants that he will not alienate the superior lordship of Barrault or the hall or dwelling, but that he and they will remain directly subject to the king and his heirs forever. ¹

By p.s.

1.: This fortified house or fortalice is the Château Barrault which still survives, see Drouyn, L., La Guienne militaire , vol.II, p. 310-3. For a related order, see entry 120 .

For Bernat de Béarn, called l'Aspès.

75: 23 August 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony to summon the king's procurator there, and others whom he considers ought to be called, and diligently obtain information concerning the request of Bearne, de Bernat de Béarn, called l'Aspès ; sending it, together with advice, to the king in chancery under the seal used in the duchy, together with this writ. Béarn holds the Pulhawe baylie of Pouillon by the king's gift as part of his fee, and has requested a grant of the high and low justice which anciently pertained to the king there, and the king wishes to be informed as to whether it is to his damage, or that of anyone else, if he grants it.

By K.

23 August 1344 . Westminster . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to account with Bearne, de Bernat de Béarn, called l'Aspès , or his attorney, for the horses that he lost in the king's service, and which have not previously been accounted for, and to make payment to him of what is owed from the issues of the duchy as quickly as possible; receiving from Béarn his bills and other evidence if he has any, and his letters of acquittance. Béarn states that he has lost many horses in the king's service, part of which have been accounted for as appears by bills of previous constables of Bordeaux which Béarn has, and part of which remains unaccounted for, and he requests payment for both, and the king wishes that he be satisfied.

By K.

1.: A note in the margin following this entry states ' usque hic de extractus '.

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For the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community of Bayonne.

77: 24 August 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to summon the king's procurator there, and others who have an interest, and diligently hold an inquisition into the issue, and send certification of what he finds by that inquisition to the king under the king's seal used in the duchy, without delay, together with this writ. A petition of the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community of Baion' Bayonne to the king and his council has requested that Bearys Biarritz should be granted to them and their successors, since this place neighbours the border with the king's enemies and, in the present war, they have had to spend great sums to fortify it with walls. The king wishes to agree to their request for their loyalty, but wishes to be more fully certified as to whether he can grant the same without damage and prejudice to others, and the true value of the same each year, and other circumstances.

78: 25 August 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to summon the king's procurator there, and others who have an interest, and diligently hold an inquisition as to whether the places of Seignans Seignanx , Gosse , Labourd and Labene Labenne , surrounding Bayonne could be taken back into the king's hands without any prejudice to the king or others, what prejudice and to whom, their annual value, and to whom they were granted, and by which title, and about the grantees' services ( de meritis ), and send certification of what they find to the king under the king's seal used in the duchy, without delay. A petition of the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community of Baion' Bayonne to the king and his council has requested that the places, formerly in the king's hands, should be taken back and that a king's prévôt should be appointed there as in Aquen' Dax or Sanctus Severus Saint-Sever , for nobody dares to go out of the city because of the traps by the grantees.

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79: 14 June 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat-Etz [V], lord of Albret .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux, and the mayor and jurats of Burdeg' Bordeaux , to permit Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Lebreto Albret , to take his victuals and other property which he has in the city to his castles and other places for their provisioning and fortification, without any impediment according to the tenor of the king's order, so that Albret has no need to complain to the king again, and so that he is able to continue to serve the king. Albret, by the king's licence, bought various victuals in England through his servants to take them to Burdeg' Bordeaux , and provision his castles and places; and although the king ordered the mayor and jurats of the city to permit Albret to do this, they impeded him, to his great damage and the king's great surprise, especially since this impediment could cause the loss of the castles and places, and the king does not wish Albret to be further delayed.

For the grant of the office of gauger.

16 June 1344 . Westminster . ¹

Grant for life to Sompter Richard Sumpter , for his good service, of the office of gauger of wine in Bordeaux, and in all of the duchy of Aquitaine; taking from each tun, and every two pipes of wine, being the equivalent of a tun, which merchants both native and foreign take out of the duchy, 1[ d. st. ] in good money of Bordeaux; wines of the banlieue ( lalega ) within the liberty of the burgesses of Burdeg' Bordeaux only excepted. ²

By p.s.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.
2.: For a confirmation of this grant and associated orders, see entry in C 61/59 , entry in C 61/59 and entry in C 61/59 .

81: Same as above

And it is ordered to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux to deliver the office to Richard Sumpter .

By the same writ.

82: Same as above

And it is ordered to the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and all the community of Bordeaux to permit the same Richard Sumpter to exercise the office, and take the fee.

By the same writ.

3 September 1344 . Westminster .

To all seneschals, mayors, jurats, officers, prévôts and all other ministers of the king in the duchy.

And it is ordered that they are not to allow wine, apart from the wine produced in the banlieue, to be taken by merchants out of the duchy, before they are gauged, and before satisfaction is made to Richard [Sumpter] of what pertains to him by the exercise of his office, as far as it would be just to do it. ¹

1.: The clerk evidently left insufficient space for the three orders that followed the grant of the office, since they are written in a progressively smaller hand.

84: 20 June 1344 . Westminster . For protection .

Letters of protection, with clause volumus , for a year, to Walter de Weston, clerk , who is going to Gascony, in the king's service.

By K.

85: 6 July 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat-Etz [V], lord of Albret .

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , that if the constable of Bordeaux, and the mayor and jurats of Burdeg' Bordeaux , continue to prevent the men of Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Lebreto Albret , from taking his victuals and other property which he has in the city to his castles and other places for their provisioning and fortification, then he is to cause them to cease their resistance and permit the men to take the victuals and property, and maintain and defend them, so that Albret has no need to complain to the king again, but is allowed to continue in the king's service. Albret, by the king's licence, bought various victuals in England through his servants, to take them to Burdeg' Bordeaux , and there to take them to certain of his castles and places to provision them; and although the king ordered the mayor and jurats of the city to permit Albret to do this, they impeded him from doing so, to his great damage and the king's great surprise, especially as this impediment could cause the loss of the castles and places, and the king does not wish Albret to be further delayed.

86: 8 July 1344 . Westminster . For William de Radnor .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to cause Radenore William de Radnor, king's valet , to have 2 d. bord. from the customs from each tun of wine coming to Bordeaux from the receiver of the customs, according to the tenor of the king's letters, and he will have due allowance in his account. The king considering Radnor's past and continued service to him, and the great labour, costs and losses that he has incurred both on land and at sea, granted the sum of money to him for his life on 25 June 1341 so that he could continue to maintain his status, and remain in the king's service, just as is more fully contained in the king's letters patent.

By p.s.

87

5 July 1344 . Westminster . For the lord of Albret . ¹

Grant to Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Lebreto, de Albret that his men will have wages as often as they are required for the king's service, according to the tenor of the letters of the late seneschal. Oliver de Ingham, late seneschal of Gascony , retained Albret with 99 mounted men-at-arms and 200 foot serjeants, in the king's service and in the garrisoning and custody of his places on the frontier with the king's enemies, at royal wages paid in England for barons, amd mounted and foot soldiers, during pleasure, just as more fully appears in Ingham's letters under the seal of the king's court of Gascony, the king accepting this act by the seneschal.

By K.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

88: 5 July 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat-Etz [V], lord of Albret .

Inspeximus of letters patent of Nicholas de la Beche, kt , seneschal of Gascony , under the seal of the king's court in these words:

9 December 1343 . Burdeg' Bordeaux .

Confirmation by Nicholas de la Beche, kt, seneschal of Gascony, of the letters of Oliver de Ingham, late seneschal of Gascony, he having been informed on the behalf of Bernat-Etz [V d'Albret], lord of Lebreto, de Albret , that Ingham retained the lord with a fixed number of armed mounted men and infantry at the royal rate of pay usual in England, because that lord's territory was bounded by that of the enemies, and to protect the lands of the king and duke, the letters being as follows:

8 February 1343 . Burdeg' Bordeaux .

Letters of retainder of Oliver de Ingham, kt , seneschal of Gascony , of the lord of Albret with 99 men-at-arms and 200 foot soldiers, who are to garrison and keep safe the king's borders for as long as the king wishes at the normal rates of pay in England for a baron, knights and infantry, for retention being desire to support the defence of the rights, land and patrimony of the King, although the retaining of soldiers in the king’s service in the duchy was in general revoked from 7th February on account of the truce.

The lord of Albret has requested that Beche continue to retain him, and wishing to preserve the king's rights and patrimony, has ratified the retention under the same terms as his predecessor.

The King accepts the retention by his seneschals, and grants that the lord of Albret and his men are retained.

By K. and C.

89

20 July 1344 . Westminster . For Per-Arnaut de Sault, son of Guilhem-Arnaut de Sault, clerk .

Order sicut alias to the constable of Bordeaux, or his lieutenant, that if he finds that the king owes sums of money to Saltu, de Guilhem-Arnaut de Sault , Saltu, de Auger de Sault , brother of Per-Arnaut de Sault, and Master Domesano, de Gassie-Arnaut de Domezain , uncle of the same Per-Arnaut, all deceased, and it has not been paid, and that the same Per-Arnaut, the son of Guilhem-Arnaut de Sault, has sufficient title and power to receive the sums owed to them, and from their goods to execute their testaments, then he is to view the bills that they had, and account with Per-Arnaut, or his attorney, in the name of the deceased, for their wages, if he has not already done so,

Master Saltu Per-Arnaut de Sault, king's clerk , has shown that he is the executor of his father's testament, and those of his brother and uncle, and that the king owes the father and brother various sums of money for their wages from the time they were in the king's service in the wars in the duchy, and also for the various sums of money owed to the uncle for his annual fee, which was in arrears, just as appears by bills under the seal of the constable of Bordeaux. He requests that the king grants him payment by his letters patent, or by an assignment, and the king wishes to agree to this. ¹

By C.

1.: For an earlier letter on the same matter, see entry 32 .

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90

29 August 1344 . Westminster . For the duke of Brittany .

Order sicut alias to the mayor, jurats and community of Burdeg' Bordeaux to have it proclaimed, according to the tenor of the king's previous order, to give every assistance to the receiver of the duke of Britann' Brittany in Bordeaux , seeing to it that the custom for letters of safeguard is paid to him, rather than others, and that the official who hands over the custom to him comes to no harm and is protected from violence. They are not to permit the custom or any other payment due to the duke to be seized at sea by men who have no connection with the duke or to be put to any other use other than that of the duke’s in such a way that the receiver cannot account for it. The king does not wish to hear of this complaint again.

The king has been given to understand that the dukes of Brittany have customarily received a custom at Bordeaux from merchants taking wine and other goods from there, and have receivers there to take it, and hand over receipts or the usual warrants by which ships sailing along the coast of Brittany can be given safe passage and the king wished the rights of that duchy to be preserved, especially while it was under the king's direction. The king ordered that a public proclamation should be issued in Bordeaux that all merchants and others who are liable for the tax should pay it to the king's receivers and that of Jean [de Montfort], duke of Britann' Brittany , ¹ compelling them to pay it if necessary, and the mayor, jurats and community were to enforce it, but the king has heard that they have been failing in this, about which he is much amazed.

1.: It is possible that this could be a reference to the receiver of Jean de Montfort's son, as the future Jean IV is named as duke of Brittany in entry 101 .

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91: 22 August 1344 . Westminster . For Johan, son of l'Aspès de Béarn .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux to view the bill that Johan [de Béarn], son of l' Aspesius, Bearne Aspès de Béarn has of the late constable of Bordeaux , under his seal, and if he finds that the king owes him 92 l. 5 s. st. for wages, then he is to assign him it upon a moiety of the profits from striking money from Béarn's own plate at the king's mint ( ad billionem ) of Mesyn Mézin if this can be done without prejudice to others, until he is satisfied for the sum. On the making of the assignment the constable is to receive the bill, and he will have due allowance in his account. Béarn has been in the king's service in the wars in the duchy for a long time, and resides in the garrison of Mesyn Mezin with six men-at-arms and 25 foot soldiers, and is owed the sum for his wages, as appears by the bill, and he has requested that he have satisfaction by the assignment, and the king wishes to grant this if his allegation is true.

By petition of C.

92: 20 August 1344 . Westminster . For Arnaut-Ramon, vicomte of Orthe .

Order to the bishop of Baion' Bayonne , John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , and Sancto Johanne, de Guilhem-Bidau de Saint-Jean, canon of Bayonne , that they are to permit Arnaut-Ramon [IV d'Aspremont], vicomte of Dort' Orthe , to prosecute appeal cases before them for the duration of the war by a suitable proctor, according to the laws, fors and customs there, and to proceed to a final determination of them. The vicomte cannot appear in person in such cases brought to him as king of France because of threats by various adversaries.

By C.

93

24 August 1344 . Westminster . For the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and all the community of Bayonne . ¹

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , to take the la Bene baylie of Labenne and Capbreton into the king's hands, and put some suitable, trustworthy person in charge of it who is sympathetic to Bayonne , until the king is better informed and orders otherwise. The king wishes to provide compensation to Arnaut-Gassie de Saint-Jean, king's valet , to whom the king had granted the baylie, if that baylie is ultimately taken into the king's hands, or granted to the city, and desires the seneschal to inform him of what can be done.

The mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community of Baion' Bayonne have shown that there is a safe anchorage for the ships of the city in the sea off of la Bene Labenne and Capbreton , and so that no enemies come there and threaten the ships, the king granted the baylie there to the men of the city during pleasure. Afterwards, the king forgetting the danger to the ships of Bayonne, granted the same to Saint-Jean, and to the heirs male of his body, to the damage of the city, and so that the fleet of the city returning home, had nowhere else to be safely received, and now the area is threatened by many enemies of the city. They request that the grant to Saint-Jean be revoked, and the baylie be granted to men of the city, and the king, recollecting their loyal service, wishes the to avoid the threats, damage and losses.

By C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' Scr' '.

For Guilhem-Arnaut de Camon and others.

20 August 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Baion' Bayonne that they do not permit Guilhem-Arnaut de Camon ¹ , Per-Arnaut Derbus , ² Seynt Felys Saubat de Saint-Félix , Amygot, Begyous Mingot Béguios , Chusto Just de Garro , le Bearnes Johan lo Biarnès , Toiare Bos de Touya , Doucerayn Pey d'Osserain , Mende Arnaut de Mente , Coago de Vascoun Derbus and Rast' Pey d'Arrast , Mestre de Varche , and their company, who did laudable service in the garrison of the king's Conke castle of Le Conquet , and in other places in Britann' Brittany in the war, to be troubled or harmed for anything they did for the security and defence of those parts, and preserve them from injury, damage and violence, treating them favourably.

1.: It could be also a 'Guilhem-Arnaut de Camou'.
2.: It is possible that this individual could be a 'Per-Arnaut d'Arbus' or a 'Per-Arnaut d'Erbis'.

95: Same as above

In the same way it is ordered to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , and the mayor, jurats and community of Burdeg' Bordeaux . For the following under the same date, namely:

96: Same as above

For Guilhem-Arnaut de Camon , Per-Arnaut Derbus , Seynt Felys Saubat de Saint-Félix and Begyous Mingot Béguios and their associates;

97: Same as above

For Just de Garro , Johan lo Biarnès and Toiare Bos de Touya and their associates;

98: Same as above

Pro Doucerayn Pey d'Osserain and his associates;

99: Same as above

For Mende Arnaut de Mente , Coago de Vascoun Derbus and Rast' Pey d'Arrast , Mestre de Varche , and his associates.

100

1 September 1344 . Westminster . For the duke of Brittany .

Order the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux to stop and repeal for the future any arrest of the custom belonging to the duke of Britanny and to deliver to the duke of Britanny’s receivers whatever has been received by the vicomte of Benaug' Benauges and by men of Bordeaux, and not to let anyone else receive it, even on occasion of offences at sea, and to defend those receivers from undue violence.

The king understands that the dukes of Brittany were accustomed to take certain customs at Burdeg' Bordeaux by their receivers there from merchants carrying wine and other merchandise from there, and to issue writs or other sealed letters of safeguard ¹ by which ships passing the coast of Brittany could receive protection. The king wished the duke's rights, while the duke is under the king's direction, to be served, ordered the mayor and jurats of Burdeg' Bordeaux to have it publicly proclaimed that merchants and others who ought to pay the custom to the receivers appointed by Jean [de Montfort], duke of Britann' Brittany , ² should pay the custom under the threat of a penalty. The king now accepts that the vicomte of Benauges and others of the city of Bordeaux, declaring that men of the duchy of Brittany had taken their wine on the sea, and had done what they willed with it, not making any restitution for it, for which they had arrested and taken the custom, to the great damage of the king and the duke. The king recognises the damage that can result from this arrest, especially since he has ordered the payment of wages to men-at-arms and others in the king's service in the war in the duchy of Brittany against the French enemies from this custom, and there will be dire consequences if payment is not made.

1.: Called in French brefs de mer . On them, see Moal, L. and Gallicé, A., 'Les brefs de Bretagne: un exemple de réglementation publique en réponse aux risques maritimes dans le duché de Bretagne (XIIe-XVe siècles)', Annales de Bretagne et des Pays de l'Ouest , 119 (2012), pp. 81-108.
2.: They could be the receivers of Jean de Montfort's son, as the future Jean IV is named as duke of Brittany in entry 101 .

101: 2 September 1344 . Merewell . For Amaury de Clisson concerning an attorney .

Letters of intendancy to the seneschal of Gascony and the mayor, jurats and community of Burdeg' Bordeaux , in favour of Kermynou' Nicolas de Kerménou in all that pertains to the office of deliverer of writs and seals, and keeper and receiver of muniments of the same writs and seals of the duke of Brittany in Bordeaux, and all profits and arrears of the duke in the city. Clynsoun Amaury de Clisson, keeper for Jean [IV de Montfort], duke of Britann' Brittany , appointed Kerménou [as his attorney] in the office, by the counsel and assent of William de Bohun, earl of Northampton .

By letters patent of the same Amaury.

102: 3 September 1344 . Westminster . For Bernat de Toulouse, master of the ship called Seint Katerine of Bayonne, and others .

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , and the Baion' mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Bayonne , that they are not to permit Bernat de Toulouse, master of the ship called Seint Katerine of Baion' Bayonne , Venete Pey de Bénesse, master of the ship called Neff Dieu , Batz Ramon de Bats, master of the ship called Nief Dieu , Carosse Arnaut de Carresse, master of the ship called Saint Per of Baion' Bayonne , and their company, who did laudable service in Britann' Brittany in the war, to be troubled or harmed for anything they did for the security and defence of those parts, and preserve them from injury, damage and violence, treating them favourably.

By C.

103: 8 September 1344 . Hereford . For attorney .

Letters of general attorney in England, for a year, for Ebor' Hugh de York, parson of the church of Drayton Passelewe Drayton Parslow , nominating Langchestr' Walter de Lanchester, clerk and Robert de Grendon, tailor , of London , alternately.

Master John Wawayn received the attorney by writ.

104

18 September 1344 . Waltham . For the mayor and jurats of Bayonne .

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , that at least during the present war, or until he receives further orders from the king, he should permit the Baion' mayor and jurats of Bayonne , as far as it is lawful for him to do so, to have the jurisdiction over the suburb of this city commonly named capite pontis, Baion' Cap dou Pont of Bayonne , ¹ as they were accustomed to do so, and in the meantime, he is not to harass them, but defend them in their just rights and possessions, so that they continue in their loyalty. The king has received a complaint from the mayor and jurats, that although they and their ministers have exercised all manner of temporal jurisdiction in the gate and suburb called Cap dou Pont of Bayonne, and enjoyed it from time immemorial, Beche, without summoning them or listening to them, took it into the king's hands just by word of mouth to the great prejudice, because of which they appealed to the king for remedy, requesting that, since that business cannot be dealt with in those parts, would the king reserve cognizance to the king and duly decide it. The king, recognising the loyalty of that city, wishes to avoid the dangers that can result from such disagreement. ²

1.: The suburb named Cap dou Pont (meaning in Gascon 'Head of the bridge') was the suburb of Bayonne also named Saint-Esprit (in Gascon Sent Esperit ) and was situated across the river Adour on its right bank at the end of the 'main bridge' ( Pont Maior ) of Bayonne.
2.: A note in the margin after this entry states ' usque hic de extractus '.

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For the mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Bayonne.

105: 25 August 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the bishop of Baion' Bayonne , the seneschal of Gascony and the seneschal of the Lande Landes , to summon the king's procurator there, and diligently hold an inquisition on the request of the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community of Baion' Bayonne , concerning the complaints of those of Bayonne in the presence of the seneschal, and send certification of what is found under the king's seal used in the duchy without delay. The mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community have requested, by their petition exhibited before the king and his council, that the king will take the places of Seignans Seignanx , Gosse , Labourd and la Bene Labenne into his hands, and keep them without gift or sale to others for the salvation of the city, and that a prévôté be established there in the king's name, for the governance of them, as has been done at Aquen' Dax and Sanctus Severus Saint-Sever , since the king has granted Seignanx and the other places to various people to the great damage and the manifest destruction of the city, because scarcely anyone in the city dares to leave the town, fearing the harmful traps and hardships inflicted by those to whom those places have been granted. The king wishes to be more fully informed if it can be granted without his damage and prejudice, and to what damage and prejudice to him and others, and of the true annual value in all issues, in whose hands they currently are, by what title, how and in what manner, and of the merit of the gift, since he wishes to agree to the same.

By petition of C.

106: 24 August 1344 . Westminster .

Order to the same to summon the king's procurator there, and diligently hold an inquisition on the request of the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community [of Bayonne], to grant Bearys Biarritz to them and their heirs, and send certification of what is found together with this writ under the king's seal used in the duchy without delay. The mayor, jurats, hundred peers and community have made this request, by their petition exhibited before the king and his council, that the king will, since Biarritz lies close to Bayonne on the border with the king's enemies, and would have been lost if they had not enclosed it with walls, and fortified and provisioned it at their own costs. The king wishes to be more fully informed if it can be granted without his damage and prejudice, and to what damage, and of the true annual value in all issues both by land and at sea, since he wishes to agree to the same.

By petition of C.

107: 29 August 1344 . Merewall Marwell .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony, that, on receipt of fuller information, if it can be done without prejudice to the king and others, then he is to grant a licence to the Baion' mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Bayonne on the king's behalf, by the king's letters under the seal of the king used in the duchy, to build a wall, defended with towers and battlements, ( turelle vel propugnacula ) on the seawards side ( pars maritima ) of the city. The mayor, jurats and hundred peers have requested the grant because the city is in a terrible position situated near the king's enemies, and does not have physical defences on the seawards side, and the king, being concerned by this, wishes to agree to the request.

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For treating between the king and his subjects of Bayonne, and the king of Castile and the count of Biscaye, and their other subjects.

108

1 September 1344 . Westminster .

Commitment to Pey [de Saint-Jean], bishop of Baion' Bayonne , Vilario, de Johan Duviella, sacrist , Laurens de Saint-Jean, canon of Baion' Bayonne and official of Aquen' Dax , and Douscassos Bernat de Cassous , of power to come together two weeks after Michaelmas, which date was fixed at a previous meeting between the king's commissaries and those of the Castella king of Castile and the count of Biscaye Biscay , and to proceed with and determine the complaints between each side's subjects, and to do all that is necessary to secure the truce, treaty and perpetual peace and friendship between the king and the king of Castile and count, and their mutual subjects, and the king promises to confirm all that they do.

Whereas the king of Castile is greatly troubled by the disputes between his subjects, and those of the king, and has recently sent his envoys to make peace or a truce between his subjects, and the king's subjects of Bayonne, at the request of the envoys has proposed a treaty between the proctors and envoys of the men of the cities, towns and places of the jurisdiction of the Castella king of Castile and the count of Biscaye Biscay on the one part, and the proctors and envoys of the king's subjects, the mayor, hundred peers and community of Baion' Bayonne , and of Beyarritz Biarritz , on the other part, concerning the amicable resolution of the dissensions between the parties, and the damages done to them, so that a secure treay can be made. The treaty could only be obtained if all the parties accept the treaty, and in the meantime, the subjects of both parties, wherever they may be on land or at sea, act peacefully towards each other, and those who violated it were subject to serious penalties; and also provided that all the parties accepted the truce by 1 June.

On the 1 July last past, the commissaries of both sides were to meet at the bridge of Fons Rabidus Hondarribia ¹ to decide on the places where the disputes could be settled, what methods of procedure should be adopted to deal with them, and to see that due recompense was given, so that the dissension can be ended and perpetual peace established. All those wishing to make a complaint were to do that within forty days of 1 July before the commissaries, or be excluded from any remedy, as was fully set out in the truce.

The king wishes to have the truce and treaty, and accepts and approves it provided the other side does the same, and wishes it to be put into execution.

Similar letters procuratory have been made under the following names for negotiations between the king of Castile and the count, and their subjects, and the king of England and his subjects, under the same date:

108.1: Same as above

the bishop of bishop [of Bayonne] , Johan [Duviella] , Laurens [de Saint-Jean] , and Johan de Luco, Sanctus Severus burgess of Saint-Sever , the four, three or two of them;

108.2: Same as above

the bishop of bishop [of Bayonne] , Vielar, de Johan Duviella , Laurens [de Saint-Jean] , and Bordeu Arnaut de Bordeaux, burgess of Aquen' Dax , the four, three or two of them;

108.3: Same as above

the bishop of bishop [of Bayonne] , de Vielar Johan Duviella , Laurens [de Saint-Jean] , and Lobart Bidon de Loubart, burgess of Sanctus Severus Saint-Sever , the four, three or two of them; ²

1.: Fuenterrabía in Spanish and Fontarrabie in French. Hondarribia is the current official Basque name.
2.: The entry is followed by a set of entry marks, though no entry was inserted.

109

8 September 1344 . Hereford . For the sale of wool and other property that has been arrested . ¹

Order to John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , to sell the wool and other customable property that he has arrested without delay, and deliver the money raised from the same to Cros John Cross, valet of Melchebourn' William de Melchbourne , who has come to those parts for this reason, by indentures to be made between him and Cross, to be brought to the king of England. He is also to send details of what has been arrested, in which ships it was found, and the names of the masters of those ships, and of the sum sent by him through Cross to the king, to the king in chancery under his seal. The king assigned Wawayn and others to examine, in person or by deputies, all ships coming from England to Burdeg' Bordeaux , or to the banlieue of Burdeg' Bordeaux , and to arrest for the king's use any wool, hides or skins or other customable merchandise which is uncocketted. The forfeitures are to be sold periodically, and from the money raised, the first part should be levied for the king's use, and from the two parts remaining, the king should be answered for a third of this, and the remainder is to be didvided between Wawayn and his associates for their labour, just as more fully appears in the king's letters patent. The king now understands that the wool and other customable merchandise that they have arrested as forfeit remains unsold, and the king wishes to consider his advantage.

By C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

For the men of Bayonne.

110

18 September 1344 . Waltham . ¹

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , that, immediately on viewing these presents, in order to dampen the dissension between the men and inhabitants of Baion' Bayonne and the king's Basque subjects ( Basculi ) of Labourde Labourd , he is to intervene and compel them to agree to a peace or truce that will hold and subdue the rebels, by whatever means is best, and he is to defer to no-one in this, lest, by his negligence, the dissension becomes difficult to put right, and the king and his city and subjects lose by this. The king has been informed by certain loyal subjects that the dissension has led to the Basques prosecuting those of the city, killing some, stealing their goods and taking ransoms, so that few of the city dare leave, and the fields go uncultivated, and the city is desolate, especially because of the lack of justice and the neglect of the king's officials, and the king wishes to deal with these dissensions, especially during the present war.

1.: A note in the margin states ' Scr' '.

111: Same as above

Order to Thomas de Hampton, seneschal of the Landarum Landes , that, as above, he is to intervene and compel [the men and inhabitants of Bayonne and the king's Basque subjects of Labourd ] to agree to a peace or truce that will hold and subdue the rebels, by whatever means is best. The king orders his subjects there to obey and be intendant on Hampton in all he does in this business.

112: 3 September 1344 . Westminster . For Johan de Dessa and his company .

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , and the mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Baion' Bayonne that they are not to permit Desa Johan de Dessa, master of the ship called la Seint Jake of Bayonne , and of a certain galley, and his company, who did laudable service in Brittany in the war, to be troubled or harmed for anything they did for the security and defence of those parts, and preserve them from injury, damage and violence, treating them favourably.

By C.

113: 22 September 1344 . Waltham . For protection .

Letters of protection, with clause volumus , for a year, to Nicholas de la Beche who is staying in Gascony, in the king's service.

New grant by the roll because it was otherwise sealed by K.

For attorney.

114: Same as above

Letters of general attorney in England, for a year, for Nicholas de la Beche , nominating Edmund de Bereford, clerk , and Edmund de la Beche, clerk , archdeacon of Berkshire alternately.

The chancellor received the attorney.

115: Same as above

The same Nicholas [de la Beche] has similar letters nominating Master John de Thoresby, clerk , and Asshe Simon de Ash, parson of the church of Bradfeld' Bradfield .

The chancellor received the attorney.

116: 10 October 1344 . Waltham . For protection .

Letters of protection, with clause volumus , for a year, to Shordiche John de Shoreditch who is staying in Gascony, in the king's service.

By K.

117: 10 October 1344 . Waltham . For attorney .

Letters of general attorney in England, for a year, for John [de Shoreditch] , nominating John de Makenheved' and Bumsted' William de Bumpstead alternately.

Master J[ohn] de Thoresby received the attorney.

118: 10 October 1344 . Westminster . For the burgesses of Melcombe .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, to view the letters patent of Gatesden' John de Gatesden, captain and keeper of the castle and town of Brest in Brittany , and if they find that Gatesden took and arrested wine from a ship of Melcombe, then they are not to be disturbed by arrest of their ships or goods for that wine. The burgesses of Melcombe have shown that a certain ship of that town called la Cogg Johan , whose master was Smyth' John Smith , was loaded with wine of certain men of France at Burdeg' Bordeaux and put to sea, at the time of the last truce with the French adversary, and the wine was arrested by Gattesdene, claiming that the wine was that of the enemy from France, and took it as forfeit and used it for the provisioning of the castle and town, as appears by his letters, which the master of that ship has. The burgesses fear that that ship, if it goes to Bordeaux, or to other parts of Gascony can easily be arrested at the suit of those men of France on account of the taking and detention of the wine, and have requested that the king provide them with indemnity from arrest for this reason, and the king does not wish them to be unduly oppressed.

119

5 December 1344 . Waltham . For the restoration of rights that have been usurped .

Order to the mayor, jurats and hundred peers of the city of Baion' Bayonne , that, if they have usurped the king's rights to the castellany and prévôté of the city, and have imprisoned well known foreigners ( gentes extranee et note ) for crimes and for other causes in a prison which has been newly constructed in the city, to the king's damage, it being ancient custom that they be imprisoned in the king's Baion' castle of Bayonne , then they should make amends for the injuries, lest the king be caused to provide an alternative remedy. ¹

By p.s.

1.: It is a possible that this reveals a clash of jurisdictions for another entry on the same roll appears to concern probably the same matter, but gives a contrary order ( entry 122 ).

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120

12 August 1344 . Westminster . For Arnaut Barrault .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to permit Barau Arnaut Barrault , to build a house ( hospitium sive mansum ) in the Inter Duo Maria prévôté of Entre-deux-Mers and Créon , in the parish of Cursan , in stone and lime and fortify it, without any impediment according to the tenor of the king's letters, and not to permit him to be troubled in any way. The king granted the licence because his buildings ( hospicia et habitacula have been totally destroyed and burnt by the French enemy. ¹

By p.s.

1.: For the licence, see entry 74 . The entry is followed by a set of entry marks, though no entry has been entered. This fortified house or fortalice is the Château Barrault which still survives, see Drouyn, L., La Guienne militaire , vol.II, p. 310-3.

121: 14 October 1344 . Westminster . For protection .

Letters of protection, with clause volumus , for a year, to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , who is staying in Gascony, in the king's service.

New grant because it was otherwise sealed by K.

For the mayor and jurats of the city of Bayonne.

122

12 December 1344 . Hoxon Hoxne . ¹

Order to Shordich' John de Shoreditch judge of appeal causes directed to the king as king of France , to supersede the execution of the sentence that he has made concerning the appeal of the mayor and jurats of Baion' Bayonne , and, in the meantime, until he receives another order from the king, to desist from troubling them, revoking anything that has been done since their appeal.

The mayor and jurats have claimed that they have high and full jurisdiction, and should exercise by ancient custom, the right to arrest, imprison in their prison and punish all those who commit offences in their jurisdiction, as the king accepts. They continue that Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , has taken this jurisdiction from them, about which they are greatly troubled, and they appealed to Shoreditch. He produced a final sentence against them, and they have suffered much trouble as a consequence, and have requested that the king see that full justice is done. The king, not wishing the mayor and jurats to feel that their appeal has been neglected, has decided that judges be appointed to determine this, and will send suitable commissaries to the duchy. Recognising their loyalty, and the losses and violent assaults they have suffered because of this, has ordered his seneschal to see to it that anything done against them in the matter of their jurisdiction be put right, and that they are not troubled concerning this and are permitted to enjoy it while the truce endures between the king and his French adversary, or the king ordains otherwise, so that discussion of this matter can be had and a suitable remedy applied, saving the king's rights. ²

1.: A note in the margin states ' Scr' '
2.: It is a possible that this reveals a clash of jurisdictions for another entry on the same roll appears to concern probably the same matter, but gives a contrary order ( entry 119 ).

123: Same as above

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , to see to it that anything done against the mayor and jurats [of Bayonne] in the matter of their jurisdiction be put right, and that they are not troubled concerning this and are permitted to enjoy it while the truce endures between the king and his French adversary, or the king ordains otherwise, so that discussion of this matter can be had and a suitable remedy applied, saving the king's rights. The king has received the complaint of the mayor and jurats concerning their jurisdiction and the sentence given by Shordich' John de Shoreditch judge of appeal causes directed to the king as king of France , as in entry 122 .

For Cardinal Talleyrand.

124

14 January 1345 . Westminster .

Grant to Sénebrun [V], lord of del Sparre Lesparre , of the custody of the castle and Laverdak' castellany of Lavardac , with its rights and appurtenances, the king wishing to provide for the safe keeping of the same while he waits further information, holding the same during the war with the French adversary, to the use of Talleyrand [de Périgord], cardinal priest of S. Pietro in Vincoli , if it should be found that the same pertains to him, or until the king orders otherwise. The lord of Lesparre is to take what he needs for their provisioning and safe-keeping, and should answer to the king, by the constable [of Bordeaux] for the residue. The cardinal, as heir of Peregorz Lady Johana de Périgord, his aunt, late lady of the castle and castellany of Lavardac , has requested delivery and possession of the same, and of all the lands that she had in the duchy of Aquitaine, which have come into the king's hands by Johana's death. The king, wishing to be more fully informed, has ordered the seneschal of Gascony and the constable, to hold an inquisition to ascertain the cardinal's rights in the castle and castellany, by what service it is held from the king, in what way, manner and whether it is in the king's hands, and whether the cardinal is Johana's heir, and if the heir is another, what age they are, and the value of the same. ¹

By p.s.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

125: 17 January 1345 . Westminster .

And it is ordered to the seneschal of Gascony, or his lieutenant, that they should deliver the castle and castellany [of Lavardac] with its lands, rights and appurtenances, to Sénebrun [V, lord of Lesparre ], to be kept in the form outlined in entry 124 .

By the same writ.

126

14 January 1345 . Westminster .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony, or his lieutenant, and the constable of Bordeaux, diligently to hold an inquisition to ascertain the rights of Talleyrand [de Périgord], cardinal [priest of S. Pietro in Vincoli] in the castle, castellany and lands [of Lavardac], by what service it is held from the king, in what way, manner and whether it is in the king's hands, and whether the cardinal is Johana [de Périgord] 's heir, and if the heir is someone else, what age they are, and the value of the same, and of other circumstance concerning it, and to send that information under the king's seal used in the duchy, to the king in chancery, together with this writ, so that the king can do justice to the cardinal; because, as the king accepts, the cardinal etc. as above. ¹

By the same writ.

1.: The entry is heavily abridged, referring back to entry 123 . Two sets of entry marks follow the entry, but no entries were inserted.

127

16 January 1345 . Westminster . For Edmund de la Beche . ¹

To all prelates, counts, vicomtes, barons, knights and free tenants, mayors, jurats, consuls, colleges and communities, constables, castellans, prévôts and receivers of issues, and bayles and the king's faithful subjects in the duchy.

Letter of intendancy in favour of Edmund de la Beche, king's clerk , whom the king has appointed, during pleasure, as lieutenant of the seneschal of Gascony, since, as the king accepts, Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , is prevented by illness from attending to the office in person. He is to be obeyed and answered in all matters that pertain to his office.

By K.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.

128: 18 January 1345 . Westminster . Of protection .

Letters of protection, with clause volumus , for a year, to Edmund de la Beche who is going to Gascony, in the king's service.

By bill of the secret seal.

129: Same as above Of protection .

Thomas de Saundervill' , who is going to Gascony with Edmund de la Beche in the king's service, has similar letters.

By bill of the secret seal.

130

2 January 1345 . The palacium Regis Westmonasteriim palace of Westminster . For treating concerning a betrothal and perpetual alliance between the king and the king of Castile .

Appointment of Pey [de Saint-Jean], bishop of Baion' Bayonne , and John, prior of Roffen' Rochester Cathedral , professor of theology , William Trussel, kt , Guilhem[-Sans III], lord of Pomiers Pommiers , and Master de Podio Guiraut Dupuch, juge[-mage] of Burdeg' Bordeaux , or four, three and two of them, envoys, proctors, or commissaries, to treat with Alfonso [XI], Castella king of Castile , or those deputed by him, for the betrothal of that king's eldest son, and Joan [of the Tower], the king's daughter , and on the dower, and the giving of gifts; and also on perpetual alliance and friendship between the kings and their heirs, giving mutual aid against all people; and to agree whatsoever security is necessary for the observance of the same. The king promises to confirm whatever is agreed for him and his heirs. ¹

1.: The entry is followed by two sets of entry marks, though no entries have been inserted.

131: 16 January 1345 . Westminster . For the payment of the fees and wages of the lieutenant of the seneschal of Gascony .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to pay to Edmund de la Beche, lieutenant of the seneschal of Gascony , such fees and wages as Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , was accustomed to take, and deliver all that he has in his custody that relates to that office to him without delay; and he will have due allowance in his account for the fees and wages that he pays to Edmund. Because Nicholas is unable to attend personally to exercising the office of seneschal because of illness, the king has appointed Edmund as lieutenant during pleasure, just as appears in the king's letters patent.

By K.

132: 20 January 1345 . Westminster . For attorney .

Letters of general attorney in England, until 1 August, for John de Lyle , who is going in the king's service, in the company of Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby , by the king's order, to Gascony, nominating William de Rushton, kt , and Benhale Edward de Benhall, clerk , alternately.

The chancellor received the attorney.

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133: 15 January 1345 . Westminster . For Oliver de Bordeaux .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, that if they find that Burdeg' Oliver de Bordeaux, king's valet , has not been paid the 260 l. 12 d. by an assignment on the farm of the king's Burdeg' prévôté of Bordeaux , they are to cause him to have payment from the issues from the same farm.

By K., and by p.s.

134

15 January 1345 . Westminster . For certification concerning the debate about the jurisdiction on the 'banlieue of the channel' ( canalis ') . ¹

Order to Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , or his lieutenant, William Trussel , and John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , or two of them, to summon both the king's procurator , and others of the king's council there, and the mayor, jurats and community of Burdeg' Bordeaux , and diligently obtain information on the king's rights in the jurisdiction of the banlieue of the canalis , ² and his prévôté of the Ombrière of Bordeaux, and certain usurpations which the mayor, jurats and community have made, and send it to the king, with the writ, without delay, so that when the king knows the truth, justice can be done. The seneschal, or his lieutenant, is to take the things over which there is debate, into the king's hands, pending the sending of the information, unless the king orders otherwise. It is not the king's intention that these actions impugn the rights of the mayor, jurats and community. The mayor, jurats and community, and all the king's faithful subjects are ordered to be intendant on and answer Beche and the others, when and as often as they will be warned to do so. The dispute exists, and the king wishes to be informed on the matter, and of the king's rights and those of the mayor, jurats and community. ³

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin states ' extractus '.
2.: The word canale or chanala corresponded to the river channel of the Garonne. More precisely the jurisdictio banleuce canalis referred to the jurisdiction over the area of the Garonne at Bordeaux, as belonging (or not according to the king's officers) to the banlieue of the city. See the agreement between the mayor and jurats of Bordeaux and the prévôt of the Ombrière (18 June 1314) in the Livre des Bouillons , Archives Municipales de Bordeaux (Bordeaux, 1867), p.361 and Livre des Coutumes , Archives Municipales de Bordeaux (Bordeaux, 1890) , p.451: Et dominium et custodia et districtus canalis et fluminis, etiam intra balleucam, pertinebit ad dominum Regem et ducem omnino .
3.: For related entries concerning the canale or chanala of Bordeaux, see entry in C 61/43 , entry in C 61/50 , entry in C 61/51 , entry in C 61/52 , entry in C 61/53 .

135: Same as above Concerning the pacification of the disputes between the mayor and jurats of Bayonne, and the men of Labourd .

Assignment of Nicholas de la Beche, seneschal of Gascony , or his lieutenant, William Trussel , John Wawayn, constable of Bordeaux , Reynold de Bixley, mayor of Burdeg' Bordeaux , and Thomas de Hampton , to obtain information upon the dissension between the mayor, jurats, hundred peers and other men of Baion' Bayonne , on the one part, and the men of la Bourt Labourd and neighbouring parts on the other, and to pacify the same, and also to hear the complaints of the parties, and any individual person of the parties, with the events, and determine them according to the laws, fors and customs there. If not all of them can attend to this, then it should be by four, three or two of them. The parties are ordered to be intendant upon Beche and the others. There has been great dissension between the parties concerning damage and injuries committed against each other, and unless the dispute is quickly pacified, great damage and loss will be suffered by the king and his people. The king wishes to take precautions against this loss, and do what is just.

Of protection.

136: 20 January 1345 . Westminster .

Letters of protection, with clause volumus , until 24 June, to Thedmersh John de Tidmarsh who is going to Gascony, in the king's service, in the company of Edmund de la Beche, king's clerk .

By p.s.

137: Same as above

Burghfeld' John de Burghfield has similar letters of protection until 24 June.

By p.s.

Of Attorney.

138: 18 January 1345 . Westminster .

Letters of general attorney in England, for a year, for Edmund de la Beche , who is going overseas in the king's service, nominating Robert Mary and Lydyerde Thomas de Lydiard alternately.

Master John de Thoresby received the attorney.

139: 20 January 1345 . Westminster .

Burghfeld' John de Burghfield , who is going in the king's service to Gascony in the company of Edmund de la Beche , has letters of attorney until 24 June, nominating Hugh de Normanville and Haywod' Walter de Haywood alternately.

Haydok' Henry de Haydock received the attorney.

140: 21 January 1345 . Westminster .

Order to John Wawayn, king's clerk , constable of Bordeaux , to obtain full information on the reasonable and necessary costs that Burdeg' Oliver de Bordeaux, king's valet , keeper of the king's castle of Bayonne , has been put to in the repair of the castle, and to send that information, together with his advice, without delay, under the seal used in the duchy, with this writ, so that the king can consider what to do.

By p.s.