2.1: Letter Forms

Letters of Protection.

Example 1

Entry 39

1 September 1342. Langdon.

To all and singular seneschals, constables, castellans, officials, prévôts, ministers and all bailiffs and faithful subjects in the duchy.

Letters of protection granted to the bishop of Agen, his men, lands, things, rents and all possessions in the duchy, as the king, wishing to show him favour has received him and them into his protection and safe-keeping. They are to be maintained, protected and defended from injury and violence, and amends should be made to them for any forfeitures that they have suffered without delay.

By K.

Example 2

Entry 2

15 March 1325. Westminster. For Protection.

Letters of protection with clause volumus until Christmas next for John de Berwick who is going to Gascony in the king’s service by the king’s order.

By p.s.

Letters of Commendation.

Entry 47

15 October 1325. Sheen. Letters sent to the magnates of Gascony for continuing to give good will towards Edward, earl of Chester.

Letters of commendation to the consuls and whole community of Puymirol especially for their actions in the late troubles in the duchy in which they incurred many costs, and requesting that they will continue in their good will to Edward [of Windsor], earl of Chester, comte of Ponthieu and Montreuil, the king's first born son, to whom the king has granted the duchy.

Letters of Intendancy.

Entry 54

10 March 1326. Abbey of Merevale.

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

Letters of intendancy in favour of Oliver de Ingham whom the king has appointed seneschal of Gascony during pleasure.

Letters of Pardon.

Entry 202

20 January 1334. Westminster.

Pardon to Alixandre Caumont of all manner of offences, both criminal and others, committed by him his accomplices and supporters in the duchy, and remission of forfeitures and penalties which he has incurred or ought to incur, as long as he stands trial in the king's court of Gascony if anyone should wish to speak against him.

By K. and C., and by p.s.

Letters of Credence.

Entry 91

4 April 1333. Kenilworth.

Letters of credence to Arnaut-Guilhem de Béarn, lord of Lescun, by which the king asks him to hasten to Oliver de Ingham, seneschal of Gascony, and give credence to what the seneschal and Master John de Hillsley, king's clerk, will say to him. The king has shown them what his wishes are concerning certain business that touches himself, and is sending them to the duchy, and will reward Béarn for his vigorous action. He recalls the unqualified nature of the affection that he has shown at all times to him and his house, and his frequent exposure to danger in the defence of the king and his rights, as well as of himself and his own, and he has full confidence in his loyalty.

Letters of Attorney.

24 August 1341. Windsor. Of attorney.

Letters of attorney in England for one year for Robert son of Hasculf de Whittle who is going in the king’s service to Gascony in the company of John de Lisle, mayor of Bordeaux, nominating Nicholas de Stamford and Simon de Bichendon’ alternately.

Letters of Appointment.

Example 1

Entry 228

22 July 1318. Dover. For the commitment of the office and governance of the seneschalcie of Gascony to Amaury de Craon.

To all and singular prelates, counts, vicomtes, barons, knights and free tenants, seneschals, mayors, jurats, consuls, communities and colleges, communities, constables, castellans, prévôts, receivers of rents and bayles and faithful subjects of the duchy.

Commitment during pleasure of the office and governance of the seneschalcy of Gascony to the king’s kinsman Amaury de Craon, kt, and that he should be obeyed, answered and attended to in all things that pertain to his office.

By p.s.

Example 2

Entry 251

16 March 1321. Lichfield.

Appointment of Ramon de Moisseins as keeper of the castle and castellany of Mauléon to be held during pleasure, in the manner it was held before the king granted the duchy to his son.