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C 61/62, 24 Edward III (1350-1351)

Introduction.

The only mentions of the devastating Black Death (1348-9) in the Gascon Rolls are to be found on this roll and concern the town of Saint-Macaire. They deal with the appointment of three local sergeants of the king at Saint-Macaire in order to replace those killed by the disease. ¹

Following the appointment in August 1349 of the earl of Lancaster as the king’s lieutenant in Aquitaine for a second term of office, the sheriff of Gloucestershire was ordered to buy as many bridges (gangways for horse movement), hurdles, stirrups and rings as he could to support the transportation of the expedition. ² The roll contains a number of protections for the earl's troops. The earl crossed to Bordeaux in late October 1349, but soon moved off on campaign through Agen towards Toulouse, conducting a highly successful chevauchée. He was back in La Réole by the end of 1349, and was thenceforward in negotiations with papal nuncios towards a truce. He returned to England in the summer of 1350. It was not until 1352 that a new lieutenant (Ralph, earl of Stafford) was appointed. ³

John de Chiverston was appointed seneschal of Gascony on 13 September 1350, replacing Frank Van Halen (in English de la Halle or de Hale) who had been in office since 20 June 1349. The roll contains protections for others crossing to the duchy around this point. Apart from one short interruption, Chiverston as to keep the office of seneschal until 1361 and consequently filled an important role in the war against the French in the duchy of Aquitaine. ⁴

The wool and cloth trade with Gascony was ordered to be inspected by a royal commissioner because some English cloth was being smuggled into Gascony without having paid the English customs duty to the king: any such cloth or wool was to be seized. ⁵ William de Stanes, the king’s apothecary, was involved in this trade and complained to the king that ten bales of wool which he had sent to Bordeaux had been seized by the mayor of Bordeaux and sold for 400 crowns. ⁶

Hugh de Streatley, probably a brother of John de Streatley who had been constable of Bordeaux between 1348 and 1350, was granted the castellany and the captaincy of Saint-Macaire, because its inhabitants did not want to be controlled by a Gascon who had local interests and who might therefore not act impartially towards them. ⁷

Walter de Mauny, once of the king's intimates who originated from Hainaut, was granted the goods of a Ramon Marceille, a rebel, at the town of Libourne. ⁸

Some entries concern payments due to Ramon-Guilhem de Caupenne, lord of Caupenne, for his garrison of Saint-Jean-d’Angély, where he was captain, and at the castle of Taillebourg. ⁹ Edward III promised that he would replace Ramon de Miossens as castellan of Mauléon after the latter's death, but as Miossens enjoyed a long life, Caupenne never came to exercise this office. ¹⁰

As truces with the Castilians, who were allied with the French, had come to an end, and as they had started to fight against the king’s subjects, Edward III ordered the Bayonnais to attack them at sea. ¹¹ In this context, the king ordered the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to agree with the mayor and community of Bayonne an armed escort for English, Welsh and Irish ships coming to Gascony for the wine trade, in order to protect them against the Castilians. A subsidy of 40 d.st. per tun had to be levied at Bordeaux to pay this escort. ¹²

Guilhem Pépin.

1.: entry 183 , entry 183.1 .
2.: entry 6 .
3.: See Fowler, K., The King's Lieutenant , pp. 86-8.
4.: entry 180 .
5.: entry 198 .
6.: entry 160 .
7.: entry 166 , entry 169 .
8.: entry 11 .
9.: entry 159 , entry 177 .
10.: entry 164 .
11.: entry 179 .
12.: entry 199 , entry 200 , entry 202 .

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Gascon Rolls for the twenty-fourth year of the reign of Edward III in England, and his eleventh in France.

1: 30 January 1350 . Westminster . For Robert de Appleby .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux or his lieutenant to pay wages of 12 d.st. per day to Appelby Robert de Appleby, king’s serjeant-at-arms , who the king has sent to Gascony to stay there in his service. He is to pay this from the issues of the duchy for as long as Appleby remains in the king’s service, and will receive allowance in his account.

By K. by the name of Bello Campo John de Beauchamp .

2: 13 February 1350 . Westminster . Concerning general attorney .

Letters of general attorney in England for one year to Cusaunce Peter de Cusance , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service, to stay there in the company of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , nominating Perceay Henry Percy and Candevere Simon de Candover alternately.

William de Newenham received the attorneys.

3: 17 February 1350 . Westminster . Concerning protection .

Letters of protection with clause volumus until Michaelmas next granted to the same Peter [de Cusance] .

By witness of Henry de Walton, treasurer of the earl of Lancaster .

4: 18 February 1350 . Westminster . Concerning protection .

Letters of protection with clause volumus until Michaelmas next granted to Thomas Grove , who is setting out to Gascony, to stay there in the company of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster .

By witness of Henry de Walton, Richemund archdeacon of Richmond .

5: 18 February 1350 . Westminster . Concerning general attorneys .

Letters of general attorney in England for one year to the same Thomas Grove , nominating John Bulneys, clerk , and William de Ayleston alternately.

William de Newenham received the attorneys.

6: 10 February 1350 . Westminster . Concerning the provision of bridges .

Order to the sheriff of Gloucestershire that, with all possible speed, he should buy as many bridges, hurdles, stirrups and rings as he can from the issues of his bailiwick, for the shipping of the horses of certain men-at-arms and others of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , setting out to Gascony in the king’s service in fifteen ships in the port of Bristol . He is to bring them to Bristol and deliver them by indenture, so that their departure for Gascony is not delayed, and for this he will receive allowance for his reasonable costs in his account at the Exchequer.

By K.

Concerning protection.

2 March 1350 . Westminster .

Letters of protection with clause volumus until the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist next ¹ granted to William de Bury of London , furbisher , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service, to stay there in the company of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster .

By witness of Henry de Walton .

1.: On 24 June 1351.

8: 24 February 1350 . Westminster .

Letters of protection with clause volumus until Christmas next granted to Reginald Reyne of Ludford Lydford , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service with Menill William de Meynell , to stay there in the company of the aforesaid earl of Lancaster .

By witness of Henry de Walton .

9: 26 February 1350 . Westminster .

Letters of protection with clause volumus until Christmas next granted to Menill William de Meynell, kt , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service, to stay there in the company of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster .

By witness of Henry de Walton, Richemund archdeacon of Richmond .

Concerning safe conduct for the victuals of the earl of Lancaster.

4 February 1350 . Westminster .

To all admirals and their lieutenants, and to all mayors, sheriffs, bailiffs, ministers, masters and mariners of ships and all other faithful people.

Letters of safe conduct for the servants of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , their ship and its master and mariners, and the grain and other victuals within it, crossing to Gascony. The servants of the earl, on the king’s orders, have bought grain and victuals for the sustenance of the earl and others in the king’s service in Gascony, taken them to the Bristoll port of Bristol and loaded them into a certain ship called the Gode Biyete ¹ of Lancaster , to take to the earl. The king has taken them all into his protection for the duration of the voyage, and orders that everyone should maintain, protect, defend and not molest them, or allow others to do so, and any damage caused to them should be corrected immediately.

By C.

Similar letters of protection to the same earl for the following ships, under the same date:

10.1: For a certain ship called la Trinite in the port of Sancto Botolpho, de Boston .

10.2: For a certain ship called la Dieu Gard in the Sandewico, de port of Sandwich .

10.3: For a certain ship called la Isabelle in the port of Lenn King’s Lynn .

1.: i.e. the ‘good return’ or ‘good profit’.

11

23 March 1350 . Westminster . For Walter de Mauny .

Grant to Walter de Mauny , ¹ for his good service, of those houses and quays with appurtenances in the town of Leyburn Libourne which were previously of Marcell' Ramon Marceille , the king’s enemy, now adhering to the king’s adversary of France, ² and which have come into the king’s hands through Marceille’s forfeiture. Mauny and his heirs are to hold these houses and quays in perpetuity, from the king and the other chief lords of those fees, for the same service as they were held before they came into the king’s hands.

By K. by the name of Thomas de Brembre .

1.: Called Wauthier de Masny in the language of his native Hainaut.
2.: Philip VI of Valois.

12: 6 April 1350 . Westminster . Concerning general attorneys .

Letters of general attorney in England until Michaelmas next to Bernak William Barnack , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service, to stay there in the company of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , nominating Bernak William Barnack, parson of the Bulwyk church of Bulwick , and Thomas de Scarle alternately.

.

Concerning protection.

13: 12 April 1350 . Westminster .

Letters of protection with clause volumus until Michaelmas next granted to Trussel Theobald Trussell , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service.

By witness of Henry de Walton .

Similar letters of protection to the following, setting out to the same regions:

13.1: Guy de Boys ; Paynel John Paynell .

By witness of Henry de Walton .

14: 13 April 1350 . Westminster . Concerning general attorney .

Letters of general attorney in England until Michaelmas next to Nicholas de Ry, kt , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service, to stay there in the company of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , nominating John Warde , Gosberkirke parson of the church of Gosberton , and John Claymond of Kirketon Kirton alternately.

Thomas de Brayton received the attorneys.

For Robert de Appleby.

15: 28 January 1350 . Westminster .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux or his lieutenant to pay wages of twelve d.st. per day to Appelby Robert de Appleby, king’s sergeant-at-arms , who the king has sent to Gascony to stay there in his service. He is to pay this from the issues of the duchy for as long as Appleby remains in the king’s service, and will receive allowance in his account.

By K.

16: 4 June 1350 . Westminster .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux or his lieutenant to pay the aforesaid 12 d.st. per day to Robert de Appleby from the issues of the duchy for as long as he remains in the king’s service, according to the tenor of the aforesaid letters, receiving due allowance in his account.

For John Godfrey.

10 June 1350 . Selbourn Selborne .

Grant to the king’s valet, Godefrey John Godfrey , for his good service, of the office called the issac or the custom called the issac of Bordeaux, ¹ to hold for the term of his life, just as Monte Gomeri John de Montgomery, kt , now deceased, held it by the king’s grant while he lived. After Godfrey’s death, the office or custom is to revert entirely to the king and his heirs. ²

By p.s.

1.: On the issac custom, see Trabut-Cussac, J.-P., ‘Les coutumes ou droits de douane perçus à Bordeaux sur les vins et les marchandises par l’administration anglaise de 1252 à 1307’, Annales du Midi , LXII, 1950, p.136-7 and 141-2. The issac custom was exacted from 'foreign' wines, that were brought to the city and sold there from beyond Bordeaux and its banlieue .
2.: For the previous grant to Montgomery on 25 February 1327, see entry in C 61/39 .

18: Same as above

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to deliver the said office or custom to John Godfrey , to hold according to the tenor of the king’s letters.

By the same writ.

159

15 June 1350 . Westminster . For Ramon-Guilhem de Caupenne . ¹

Order to the constable of Bordeaux or his lieutenant to account with Caupena Ramon-Guilhem de Caupenne or his attorney, if he has not already done so, concerning the sums owed to him for the wages of him and his men, both horse and foot, for the time they were in the king’s service in the garrisons of Sanctus Johannes de Angelino Saint-Jean-d’Angély and Tailhaburgo, de Taillebourg and elsewhere in the duchy of Aquitaine. Caupenne has requested payment, and the king orders that these sums be paid as quickly as possible, for which the constable will receive due allowance in his account.

By K. and by petition of C.

1.: His name is written there as Radulphus Guillelmus , but it is obviously an error for Ramundus Guillelmus .

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160

10 April 1350 . Westminster . For William de Stanes, concerning certification .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to examine the request of William de Stanes, the king’s apothecary , who has complained to the king regarding ten bales of wool which he sent to Bordeaux for his own profit. Biskele Reynold de Bixley , then mayor of Bordeaux , seized that wool and sold it for 400 crowns ( florenis de scuto ), ¹ and delivered the money to John Wawayn , then the king’s constable there, to use for the king’s business in those parts. Stanes has not received any recompense for this, and has asked the king for satisfaction. They are to ask others with an interest in the matter, inspect the books and other memoranda in the castle of Bordeaux from Wawayn’s time, and use any other means they think proper, and to send that information to the English chancery, under the seal used in the duchy, so that justice can be done. ²

By K.

1.: Crowns or écus.
2.: See the related entries entry 204 , entry in C 61/66 .

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For John le Hore. ³

161: 10 June 1350 . Westminster .

Grant to John le Hore , for his good service, of the office of controller of the town of Bordeaux , to hold for life in the same manner as Sancto Johanne, de Arnaut-Gassie de Saint-Jean , now deceased, who previously held the office.

By p.s.

162: Same as above

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to deliver the said office to John le Hore , to hold according to the tenor of the king’s letters.

By the same writ.

163: 28 June 1350 . Westminster . For Thomas de Colle .

Order to the Leyburn mayor, jurats and whole community of Libourne to pay the fees due for wines loaded in their town to Thomas de Colle, king’s valet , to whom the king has granted the office of gauger of wines in the city of Bordeaux and the whole duchy of Aquitaine . The king granted this office to Colle, to hold for term of his life, together with everything pertaining to that office, taking one [d.]st. for each tun of wine, and each two pipes of wine, in good money called bordelais, for all wines loaded by native and alien merchants for export out of the duchy, wines of the banlieue grown within the liberty of the city of Bordeaux only excepted. Because Colle is remaining with the king and is unable to perform the office in person, the king also granted that he may exercise the office through suitable substitutes, who should receive the fees to Colle’s use, answering to him as they ought. The people of Libourne are to pay these fees in the same manner as they paid them to Richard Sumpter and others who previously held the office of gauger in the duchy, any liberties granted to them by the king or his progenitors referring to non-payment notwithstanding.

By p.s.

164

28 June 1350 . ¹ Westminster . For Ramon-Guilhem [de Caupenne] .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to deliver possession of the castle and castellany of Mauléon , and the land of Sole Soule , to Ramon-Guilhem [de Caupenne], Caupenn lord of Caupenne , in reversion after the death of Milsens Ramon de Miossens , who currently holds them by the king’s grant, if Caupenne should outlive Miossens. Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , the king’s lieutenant in the duchy of Aquitaine and in all Languedoc, granted the castle and castellany and all things pertaining to them, together with the land of Soule, to Caupenne for his good service at Sanctus Johannes Dangelyn Saint-Jean-d’Angély , Taylburgh Taillebourg and elsewhere in the duchy, to hold for term of his life after the death of Miossens, who now holds them for term of his life. This is contained in the earl’s letters patent, which the king has confirmed.

1.: A note in the margin records that the letters patent (the king’s confirmation of Lancaster’s grant) were enrolled on the patent roll under the date of 25 June. See Calendar of the Patent Rolls (CPR), 1348-50, p.541.

165: 2 July 1350 Westminster . For the inhabitants of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont in Gascony .

To all seneschals, constables, castellans, prévôts, officers and other faithful men in the duchy of Aquitaine.

Confirmation of letters of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , formerly king’s captain and lieutenant in the duchy of Aquitaine , placing the Sancta Cruce de Monte inhabitants of the parish of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont , their bodies and goods, into the kings’ protection and safe-keeping. The king accepts everything contained in the earl’s letters, for as long as the inhabitants conduct themselves well towards him.

By K. and C.

166: 2 July 1350 Westminster . For the burgesses and worthy men of the town of Saint-Macaire .

Appointment of Stretele Hugh de Streatley to the castellany , captaincy and custody of Sancto Machar’, de Saint-Macaire , to hold during the king’s pleasure. The burgesses and worthy men ( probi homines ) of Saint-Macaire have complained to the king that the barons of those parts continuously act in warlike fashion, and if any of them should obtain the castellany of their town, they would require the burgesses and men of the town to favour them and support their men, which would be highly dangerous to their safety. They have therefore asked that the king grant the castellany to captains other than the barons of that land, to rule over and protect them in peace, and that he should grant the castellany to Streatley, now captain of the same town, for the whole of his life, together with the high lordship and rents pertaining to that castellany. In consideration of this request, the king has appointed Streatley, with the intention that no baron of that land should be appointed to that post in the future.

By K. and C.

167: 2 July 1350 Westminster . For the burgesses and worthy men of Saint-Macaire .

Grant to the Sancto Machario, de burgesses and worthy men of the town of Saint-Macaire , in consideration of their good deeds towards the king and his ancestors, that they may, during the king’s pleasure, impose and establish a subsidy on wines sold in the taverns of that town, to be collected as needed, as long as it is not collected too often, to the damage or prejudice of the king. The people of Saint-Macaire have recounted how they have previously been accustomed to collect a small subsidy on wines sold in taverns, at the will of the seneschal of Gascony, to be spent on the town’s business, which has hitherto not exceeded the sum of 30 l.st. per year, and have requested that the king allow them to establish that subsidy, and collect it as and when they see fit.

By K. and C.

168

4 July 1350 Westminster . For the inhabitants of the parish of Sainte-Croix[-du-Mont] . ¹

Grant to the Sancta Cruce de Monte inhabitants of the parish of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont , on account of their laudable deeds towards the king and his progenitors and the fidelity and constancy which they have always shown, that they, their heirs and successors, together with the high lordship pertaining to the Sancto Machario, de castellany of Saint-Macaire , should be annexed and united to the crown of England, such that neither they nor the lordship will ever be separated or in any way transferred, in whole or in part, by gift, grant or exchange, except to the king’s first-born son or his future heir of England.

By K. and C.

1.: A note in margin states ‘to the crown of England’.

169: 2 July 1350 Westminster . For the burgesses and worthy men of Saint-Macaire .

Grant to the Sancto Machar’, de burgesses and worthy men of the town of Saint-Macaire that no baron or other man born in the duchy shall henceforth govern them, or be appointed as captain or keeper of the castellany of their town, or of anything pertaining to it. The people have complained to the king that the barons of those parts continuously act in warlike fashion, and if any of them should obtain the castellany of their town, they would require them to favour them, and to support their men, which would be highly dangerous to their safety. They have therefore asked that the king grant the castellany to captains appointed from outside the barons of that land, for the greater peace of the people and the realm.

By K. and C.

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Concerning protections and safe-keepings.

170

10 June 1350 . Westminster .

Order to all the king’s seneschals, mayors, jurats, peers, prévôts, bayles, ministers and other officials in the duchy of Aquitaine to defend la Nief Johan de Lanau, Sancto Machario, de burgess of Saint-Macaire and king’s procurator in that town , and Counkes Arnaut de Conques and his brothers, their families and goods, from all undue violence and harm, and to maintain them in their just possessions. Lanau and Conques, fearing great harm because they have often set themselves against the barons, knights and others of the duchy for the advantage of both the king and the said town, not without great danger to themselves, have requested that the king grant them protection, and the king, wishing to preserve them and Conques’ brothers from any unwarranted molestation, has taken them and their rightful possessions into his special protection and safe-keeping. Anything found to have been done in prejudice of this protection should be restored to its previous state, and each officer should proclaim this protection throughout their district, lest anyone claim ignorance of it. ¹

By K.

1.: For the petition to which this is the response, see TNA, SC 8/209/10445, item no.3.

171

Same as above

Similar orders and protection, mutatis mutandis , on behalf of Johan Sans of Sancto Machario, de Saint-Macaire and Spynel Bidau Lespine , who, for similar reasons, fear great harm from certain barons, knights and others of the duchy and have requested royal protection. ¹

By K.

1.: For the petition to which this is the response, see TNA, SC 8/209/10445, item no. 3.

172

Same as above

Similar letters of protection for Geraud Johan Géraud of Sancto Machario, de Saint-Macaire , under the same date. ¹

1.: For the petition to which this is the response, see TNA, SC 8/209/10445, item no.3.

173: 12 July 1350 . Westminster .

Similar order, mutatis mutandis , on behalf of the Sancto Machario, de burgesses and inhabitants of the town of Saint-Macaire , who the king has taken into his protection, wishing to preserve them from undue molestation. For similar reasons, they fear great harm from certain barons and other rivals of those parts, and have requested royal protection.

For John le Hore. ¹

174

12 July 1350 . Westminster .

Grant to John le Hore, king’s sergeant-at-arms , for his good service, of the office of the defaults of the king’s court of Bordeaux , together with the custody of the tower of Bordeaux ¹ and porter of the gate of that tower , to hold for life in the same manner as Sancto Johanne, de Arnaut-Gassie de Saint-Jean , now deceased, previously held that office while he lived, receiving the customary wages and fees.

By p.s.

1.: The keep of the castle of the Ombrière called 'l'Arbalesteyre'. But it probably meant there the castle of Bordeaux.

175: Same as above

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to deliver the said office with appurtenances to John le Hore , to hold according to the tenor of the king’s letters.

176

13 July 1350 . Westminster . For Jeanne de Belleville and Clisson .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, or their lieutenants, to permit Bella Villa Jeanne de Belleville and Cliczon Clisson to have her brefs ¹ at Bordeaux , and to take her customs of ships there, in person or by whatever ministers she may wish to appoint, without impediment, just as she and her ancestors have previously had and taken, ensuring that both the merchants, masters and mariners of ships coming to Bordeaux and staying there, and the king’s ministers and other people in the city, are attendant towards her and her ministers and attorneys. The king, wishing to show favour to her for her good deeds, has granted that she may have these things, which she and her ancestors previously had there by rightful inheritance.

By K.

1.: Writs.

For Ramon-Guilhem, lord of Caupenne. ²

177: 17 July 1350 . Westminster .

Grant to Ramon-Guilhem [de Caupenne], Coupen lord of Caupenne , that he should be paid the money collected from the issues and profits of the Labourt baylie of Labourd until the debt owed to him by the king is paid. Caupenne has complained that the king owes him 6,669 l. 12 d.st. from the time when he was in the king’s service in the duchy of Aquitaine, namely in the town of Sanctus Johannes Daungelyn Saint-Jean-d’Angély and the Tailleburgh castle of Taillebourg , as shown by a bill of Master Stretle John de Streatley , constable of Bordeaux, sealed with the seal of his office, which Caupenne has in his possession. He asked that he be granted the baylie until this debt is paid, but the king, wishing that the outstanding sum be paid as quickly as possible, orders that the baylie should remain in the hands of the constable and his successors, but that Caupenne should be paid the profits until the debt is paid, at which point he is to surrender the bill. Provided always that this grant is not prejudicial to anyone to whom this baylie might previously have been granted by the king or his kinsman, Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster .

By p.s.

178: Same as above

Order to the constable of Bordeaux or his lieutenant that, if the said baylie has not previously been granted to another by the king or the earl of Lancaster , then it is to be retained in the king’s hands, in the custody of the constable of Bordeaux, and the money from the issues and profits is to be paid to Ramon-Guilhem de Caupenne until the money owed to him by the king is fully paid, at which point the constable is to receive the bill and the king’s letters from Caupenne as exoneration. For this the constable will receive allowance in his account.

By p.s.

179

8 September 1350 . Palace of Westminster . Concerning the dissolving of the truce towards the Castilians .

Order to the Baiona mayor, jurats, hundred peers and the whole community of the city of Bayonne , for the fealty and allegiance which they owe to the king, to dissolve any truce which may have existed between them and the Castilians, and to arm and prepare their ships for war. Men of Ispann’ Castile have previously attacked the king’s faithful people at sea, against the form of the truce between the king and his adherents and his adversaries of France ¹ and Castile and their adherents, and captured their ships. Not content with this, they have gathered together a large number of armed ships with a huge multitude of men, and have returned often to perpetrate other damages upon merchants and others of the king’s subjects, openly threatening to invade the boundaries of the king’s realm of England and his other lordships, and to destroy his ships, and will take control of the seas for themselves, and perpetrate other evils against the king and his people, if they are not opposed. The people of Bayonne should strive to cause damage and harm to the Castilians, as the king’s known enemies, on land and sea, and should not cease to make open war against them until the king orders otherwise.

By K.

1.: John II , king of France.

Concerning the appointment of the seneschal of Gascony.

180: 13 September 1350 . Hertford .

To all prelates, counts, vicomtes, barons, knights and free tenants, seneschals, mayors, jurats, consuls, universities, colleges and communities, constables, castellans, prévôts and receivers of issues, bayles and the faithful people of the duchy of Aquitaine, and others.

Order to be attendant to Chyveryston John de Chiverston , to whom the king has committed the office and governance of the seneschalcy of the duchy during pleasure.

By K.

181: Same as above

Order to Hale, de Frank van Halen , former seneschal of Gascony, to deliver the aforesaid office and governance to John de Chiverston , together with anything pertaining to it which remains in his power.

182: 16 December 1350 . Westminster . Concerning an autorisation to exercise an office for a deputy of Thomas de Colle .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, and to all captains, mayors, jurats, prévôts, ministers and all other bayles and faithful people appointed in the duchy of Aquitaine, that they permit Barnefeld Richard de Barnfield to exercise the office of executing the seal and counter-seal used for contracts in Bordeaux , and be attendant to him in all matters relating to that office. For his good service, the king granted this office to his valet, Thomas de Colle , along with all things pertaining to it, to hold and exercise for the whole of his life, in person or by sufficient and suitable attorney, in the same manner as Monte Gomeri, de John de Montgomery , deceased, previously held it. Colle has assigned Barnfield to exercise the office in the duchy in his place.

By K.

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For Pey Passeran, concerning the appointment of sergeants.

183

10 July 1350 . Westminster .

To all seneschals, constables, prévôts, bayles, officers and other faithful people appointed in the duchy of Aquitaine.

Appointment during the king’s pleasure of Pey Passeran as Sancto Machar’ king’s serjeant in the town of Saint-Macaire and elsewhere in the duchy, receiving the same as other sergeants in that town were accustomed to receive, as long as he conducts himself well in that office. The king is aware that the sergeants who were in that town have died from the mortal pestilence ( per pestilenciam mortalem ), ¹ and wishes to appoint more, for the peace of the town and other parts. ²

By K. and C.

1.: The Black Death of 1348-9.
2.: For the petition to which this is the response, see TNA, SC 8/209/10445, item no.4. In this petition Johan de Lanau, king’s procurator (or proctor) in Saint-Macaire, explained that the town was used to have three royal serjeants, but all of them had been killed by the Black Death. Consequently, Lanau requested the king to appoint Pey Passeran, Gassion de Ruau and Bidau Pasterel as king’s serjeants there.

Similar letters to the following, under the same date:

183.1: Garsius Gassion de Ruau ; Vitalis Bidau Pasterel .

184: 8 September 1350 . Rotherhithe . For the earl of Lancaster .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to pay to Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , 5,600 l.st. of the 7,837 l. 6 s. 10 d. owed to him by the king. The earl has requested payment or assignment of this sum, namely: 5,538 l. 3 s. 4 d. for the fees and wages of him and his men for the time they were in the king’s service in Gascony; 595 l. 16 d. for various horses sold to the king’s clerk, Stretle John de Streatley , now constable of Bordeaux, for the king’s use; 529 l. 17 s. 2 d. for the wages of the earl and his men while returning to England from Gascony; 874 l. 5 s. for the wages of the earl’s men remaining in Plummuth Plymouth during his passage to Gascony and his return; 166 l. 13 s. 4 d. [delivered] to Bello Campo, de John de Beauchamp for the wages of certain mariners formerly in the king’s service, setting out beyond the sea in Beauchamp’s company; and 200 marks for 20 tuns of wine sold by the earl to John de Wesenham, king’s butler , for the king’s use. The king, wishing to satisfy the earl, orders that 5,600 l.st. be paid to the earl as quickly as possible, from a moiety of the subsidy of one écu per tun on 60,000 tuns of wine granted at the earl’s procurement before he last left Gascony, and from a moiety of all other customs and subsidies pertaining to the king in Gascony and levied and collected by the constable, the profits of minting money excepted. The other moieties, and all profits from minting, are to be retained in the constable’s hands for the king’s business. The constable is to receive letters of acquittance from the earl or his attorneys for all sums paid, for which he will receive allowance on his account at the exchequer. Order to the treasurer and barons of the exchequer and the king’s chamberlain that the remaining 2,237 l. 6 s. 8 d. should be paid to the earl from the king’s treasury, or assignment made to him in places from where he may have swift satisfaction.

By p.s.

Concerning the constable of Bordeaux.

185: 13 September 1350 . Hertford .

Appointment at the king's pleasure of John de Charnels, king’s clerk , at the custody of the castle of Bordeaux and at the office of constable of Bordeaux, with all that pertains to that office, answering to the king for the issues and receiving the customary fee.

186: Same as above

Order to the seneschal of Gascony or his lieutenant to deliver the aforesaid custody and office to John de Charnels , to govern according to the tenor of the king’s letters.

187: 13 September 1350 . Hertford .

Order to the person exercising the office of constable of Bordeaux to deliver the aforesaid custody and office to John de Charnels , with all keys, rolls, papers, memoranda and all other things relating to that office which are in his custody, by an indenture made between them.

188: 13 September 1350 . Hertford .

Order to the Xancton seneschal of Saintonge , the Agenen' treasurer of Agenais and all bayles and faithful people in the duchy of Aquitaine, to answer, make satisfaction and render final account without delay for their baylies and all things received, for which they are bound to the king, from the time that they received their baylies or offices and for which they have not formerly rendered account.

189: Same as above

Order to all faithful men and subjects of the king in the duchy of Aquitaine to be attendant to John de Charnels as constable [of Bordeaux] in all things pertaining to that office.

190: 12 October 1350 . Westminster . For John de Chiverston .

Order to all sheriffs, mayors, bailiffs and other faithful people to be attendant to Chevereston John de Chiverston , seneschal of Gascony, in all things relating to the procurement of mariners for his passage to Gascony, and of threshers to thresh grain for the sustenance of himself and the men of his company during that journey. The king has assigned Charnels to procure mariners and threshers at his own cost, outside the fee of the church, and to use those mariners to man his ships for his voyage.

By C.

191: 13 September 1350 . Hertford . Concerning the office of seneschal [of Gascony] .

To all prelates, counts, vicomtes, barons, knights and free tenants, seneschals, mayors, jurats, consuls, communities, colleges and communities, constables, castellans, prévôts and receivers of issues, and bayles and faithful people of the duchy of Aquitaine, and others.

Order to be attendant to Chyveryston John de Chiverston , to whom the king has committed the office and governance of the seneschalcy of the duchy during pleasure, in all matters relating to the seneschalcy, for as long as he holds that office.

By K.

192: 17 October 1350 . Westminster . Concerning general attorney .

Letters of general attorney for one year to Chyverston John de Chiverston , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service and on his orders, nominating Richard de Halewell and William de Chekeston .

Thomas de Brayton received the attorneys.

193: 17 October 1350 . Westminster . Concerning protection .

Letters of protection with clause volumus for one year granted to the same John de Chiverston , who is setting out to the same parts in the same service.

By K.

194: 18 October 1350 . Westminster . Concerning general attorney .

Letters of general attorney for one year to Brokaz Bernat Brocas , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service, on his orders, nominating Henry Loxle and Richard Pruet of Guldeford Guildford .

David de Wollore received the attorneys.

Concerning protection.

195: 18 October 1350 . Westminster .

Letters of protection with clause volumus for one year granted to John de Charnels , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service.

By K.

Similar letters of protection to the following, setting out to Gascony in the king’s service in the company of John de Charnels:

195.1: Meryngton John de Merrington ; Craddok David Craddock ; Saye John Say ; William Steel, clerk ; Ponte Fracto, de John de Pontefract ; Mareshal John Marshall ; Irland John de Ireland ; Whytemor John Whitmore ; Richard Loret and Mauncel John Maunsel .

196: 21 October 1350 . Westminster . Concerning protection .

Letters of protection with clause volumus until Michaelmas next granted to Master Bernat Brocas , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service and on his orders.

By p.s.

197: 14 October 1350 . Westminster . Concerning general attorney .

Letters of general attorney for one year to William Steel, clerk , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service in the company of John Charnels, king’s clerk , constable of Bordeaux, nominating Nicholas de Spaigne and Ralph Steel of Guldeford Guildford alternately.

Thomas de Brayton received the attorneys.

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198: 28 October 1350 . Westminster . Concerning the arrest of un-customed cloth .

Order to all seneschals, constables, prévôts, jurats, bayles and others appointed in the duchy of Aquitaine to be attendant to Manyers Peter de Maners , who the king has appointed to examine all English-made cloth brought into Gascony, and to seize into the king’s hands as forfeit all such cloth for which no custom has been paid or which is not sealed with the king’s seal. It was ordained and agreed by the king and the whole council of England that, for all woollen cloth made in England and exported out of the realm, a custom should be levied and paid for the king’s use, namely 1 d. from natives and 21 d. from aliens for each cloth of assize, and 2 s. 4 d. from natives and 3 s. 6 d. from aliens for each cloth of scarlet and other cloths of full grain, and half that custom for each cloth of half-grain or intermixed with grain, and the equivalent rate for each other cloth beyond or within the assize, more or less according to size; and also for each cloth of worsted brought out of the said realm, namely 1 d. from natives and 1.5 d. from aliens for each entire cloth, and 5 d. from natives and 7.5 d. from aliens for each single bed and 9 d. from natives and 13.5 d. from aliens for each double bed. All such cloth is to be authenticated with a certain seal appointed by the king in each port of exit before it leaves, under pain of forfeiture. However, the king understands that cloth made in England is often brought to Gascony from various English ports without paying this custom, and thus Maners is to inspect and seize any such un-customed cloth, rendering account to the exchequer in England, and answering to the king.

By K.

199: 20 October 1350 . Palace of Westminster . Concerning treating with the mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Bayonne .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to treat and agree with the Baion’ mayor, jurats and hundred peers and other mariners of the city of Bayonne regarding the escort of ships. Following open hostility from the Castilians, the king and his council have ordained that armed ships should be deployed to escort ships crossing from England to Gascony for wine, and, to pay for this, 40 d.st. is to be paid for each tun of wine brought from Gascony in ships of England , Wales and Ireland , wherever it is taken to, and also for each tun of wine loaded in Gascony onto ships from other lands to bring to England, Wales and Ireland. Certain mariners from Bayonne, while with the king at Wynchelse Winchelsea , informed him that the mariners of that city, if reasonably hired, would take on the escort of those ships, and the king orders the seneschal and constable to treat with them over this, and to pay them from the proceeds of the subsidy. The king has already asked the mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Bayonne to treat with them regarding this escort, and promises to accept everything done by them in his name.

By K. and C.

Concerning the seeking and receiving of a subsidy for armed ships to escort ships bringing wines.

200: 20 October 1350 . Westminster .

Appointment of Roger Larcher, sergeant-at-arms , and Peter de Maners to request and receive a subsidy from ships loaded with wine in Bordeaux. Following open hostility from the Castilians ( Ispanni ), the king, with the assent of the prelates, magnates and merchant community of maritime England, has ordained that armed ships should be deployed to escort ships crossing from England to Gascony for wine, and, to pay for this, 40 d.st. is to be paid for each tun of wine brought from Gascony in ships of England , Wales and Ireland , wherever it is taken to, and also for each tun of wine loaded in Gascony onto ships from other lands to bring to England, Wales and Ireland. Larcher and Maners are to collect this, by view and testimony of the constable of Bordeaux, and to pay the wages of those masters and mariners hired by the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to undertake this escort, issuing acquittances for the sums paid. They are to have full power to take and arrest all those who do not pay, and to hold them in the prison of the castle of Bordeaux until the king orders otherwise concerning their delivery.

201: Same as above

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to be attendant to the same Larcher and Maners , and either of them, in the levying and collecting of this subsidy, and in the arrest of rebels and anything else required by them on this matter, and also in paying the wages of those masters and mariners which the seneschal and constable were ordered to hire to escort the ships loaded with wine, payable from the proceeds of the subsidy. Any money remaining from the subsidy beyond that used for those wages should be kept safe for the king’s use.

202: 25 October 1350 . Palace of Westminster . Concerning treating for the finding of arms .

Request to the Baion mayor, jurats and hundred peers of Bayonne that they treat with the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux regarding the finding of escort ships. Following open hostility from the Castilians, the king wishes to have armed ships to escort ships from England returning from Gascony laden with wine, and has written to the seneschal and constable ordering them to treat with the people of Bayonne concerning the supply of those ships from the fleet of that city, and the costs. The seneschal and constable shall make speedy satisfaction for everything agreed with them, as appears in the king’s orders to them.

203: 20 November 1350 . Westminster . Concerning protection .

Letters of protection with clause volumus for one year granted to John de Mohun , son of Robert de Mohun of Porlock , kt , who is setting out to Gascony in the king’s service, in the company of Cheverston John de Chiverston , seneschal of Gascony.

By witness of the same seneschal.

204

6 December 1350 . Westminster . For William de Stanes .

Order to the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux to investigate the petition of William de Stanes, the king’s apothecary regarding ten bales of wool which he sent to Bordeaux for his own profit. Stanes has complained that Biskele Reynold de Bixley, then mayor of Bordeaux , seized that wool and sold it for 400 crowns ( florenis de scuto ), delivering the money to John Wawayn , then the king’s constable of Bordeaux, to use for the king’s business, but that he has not received any recompense. The seneschal and constable are to call Bixley and others before them, to inspect the books and memoranda in the castle from Wawayn’s time, and to use any other ways and means necessary, and if they find that the complaint is correct, then payment or other suitable satisfaction should be made to Stanes immediately from the issues of the duchy. ¹

By K.

1.: See the related entries entry 160 , entry in C 61/66 .

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205: 16 December 1350 . Westminster . Concerning an autorisation to exercise an office for a deputy of Thomas de Colle .

To the seneschal of Gascony and the constable of Bordeaux, and all captains, mayors, jurats, prévôts, ministers and all other bayles and faithful people appointed in the duchy of Aquitaine.

Order to permit Barnefeld Richard de Barnfield to exercise the office of gauger of wines in the city of Bordeaux and the whole of the duchy , and to be attendant to him in all matters relating to that office. For his good service, the king granted this office to Thomas de Colle , to hold for life, receiving 1 [d.]st. for each tun of wine and each two pipes of wine, in good money called bordelais, for all wines loaded by native and alien merchants for export out of the duchy, wines of the banlieue grown within the liberty of the burgesses of Bordeaux only excepted. He was to hold this in the same way that Richard Sumpter, now deceased, held it when he was alive, receiving the same fee, but because Colle is remaining with the king and is unable to perform the office in person, the king has also granted that he may exercise the office through suitable substitutes, who should receive the fees to Colle’s use, answering to him as they ought. Colle has assigned Barnfield to exercise the office in his place, and thus the officials are to permit Barnfield to receive the fee for this office in Colle’s name, and to advise and assist him as required.

206

20 January 1351 . Westminster . For Henry, earl of Lancaster .

Order to the constable of Bordeaux to allow the attorneys of Henry [of Grosmont], earl of Lancaster , to oversee all receipts from the customs and subsidies collected in the duchy of Aquitaine, without opposition, and to pay to them a moiety of those receipts, until the earl is satisfied of a sum of 5,600 l.st ., according to the tenor of the king’s previous letters. The earl had previously requested payment or assignment of a total of 7,837 l. 6 s. 10 d. owed to him by the king, namely: 5,538 l. 3 s. 4 d. for the fees and wages of him and his men for the time they were in the king’s service in Gascony; 595 l. 16 d. for various horses sold and delivered to the king’s clerk, John de Streatley, formerly constable of Bordeaux, for the king’s use, by bills of the constable returned to the receipt of the Exchequer; 529 l. 17 s. 2 d. for the wages of the earl and his men while returning to England from Gascony; 874 l. 5 s. for the wages of the earl’s men remaining in Plymouth during his passage to Gascony and his return, according to two surpluses of accounts rendered to the Exchequer; 166 l. 13 s. 4 d. [delivered] to Bello Campo, de John de Beauchamp for the wages of certain mariners formerly in the king’s service, setting out beyond the sea in Beauchamp’s company; and 200 marks for 20 tuns of wine sold by the earl to John de Wesenham, king’s butler , for the king’s use. The king ordered that 5,600 l.st. be paid to the earl as quickly as possible from a moiety of the subsidy of one crown per tun on 60,000 tuns of wine granted at the earl’s procurement before he last left Gascony, and from a moiety of all other customs and subsidies pertaining to the king in Gascony and levied and collected by the constable, the profits of minting money excepted. The other moieties of the customs and subsidies, and all profits from minting money, were to be retained in the constable’s hands for the king’s business. However, the earl has now complained that the constable has not yet paid any sums from those customs to the earl or his attorneys, and has not permitted the earl’s attorneys to oversee the receipt of the issues, to the earls’ great loss and expense. The constable is to receive letters of acquittance from the earl or his attorneys for all sums paid, for which he will receive allowance on his account at the exchequer. ¹

1.: For the original order, dated 8 September 1350, see above: entry 184 .

207

20 January 1351 . Turris London' Tower of London . For the mayor and jurats of the city of Dax . ¹

Confirmation to the Aquen’ mayor, jurats and worthy men of the city of Dax that their city, with the high and low justice, mere and mixed authority, lordships, homages and fealties of that city, or the jurisdiction pertaining to the city and prévôté of Dax , will never be placed out of the king’s hands by sale, gift, exchange or any other title, except to the king’s heir, nor transferred to any other than a future king of England, and that superior justice within the jurisdiction of the prévôté of Dax will not be granted to any other, and that the city with all its justice will be reserved to the king within his special royal chamber, ² as was fully contained in the king’s previous letters. For their constancy and loyalty to the king and his house, and their disregard for dangers to their persons and the detriment of their goods, the king granted these letters, and, having consideration for their great and useful service, he has confirmed this grant, lest they be molested or troubled in any way by any sale, gift or exchange against the form of those letters, at the request of any magnates or others. ³

By K. and C.

1.: A note in the margin reads ‘to the crown of England’.
2.: It meant it was united with the crown of England.
3.: For an earlier grant in these terms on 30 May 1341, see entry in C 61/53 .