Pleas and evidences: Fos. 90-98

Fo. 90.

The King to his well-beloved Rees ap Griffin, steward of Gardyganshire, and lawful lieutenant of our justiciar in the parts of West Wales and South Wales, greeting. We have received from John Grandessone, parson of the church of Lampadervaur, which is of our patronage, a complaint that, whereas William de Estame, formerly parson of the church aforesaid, predecessor of the aforesaid John, in the court of Edward, King of England, our father, impleaded Hoel ap Kadynor ap Helyn, and certain other persons in the writ contained, by his writ Utrum under the seal which was used in those parts, before Robert de Staundone and Richard de Puellesdone, then justices of our said father for that purpose appointed, concerning 32 carucates of land with the appurtenances between the river of Ridaul and the river of Claraght in Lampadervaur, according to the custom of the parts aforesaid, and recovered the lands and tenements aforesaid by custom of the same court, as the right of his church aforesaid, [now] Morris ap Jevan Vaghan and certain others in those parts, contained in our writ under the seal which we use in those parts, kinsmen and heirs of the aforesaid Hoel and the others, against whom the aforesaid William deraigned the lands and tenements aforesaid, etc. Given at York 4 July in the fifteenth year of our reign [1322].

Before Edmund [fo. 58d (295d)], Earl of Arundel, justiciar of Wales, in his first session held at Lampadervaur on Monday, the morrow of St. Oswald in the 18th year of the reign of King Edward [6 Aug. 1324], John de Grandessone, rector of the church of Lampadervaur, showed, by his petition that, whereas the King by his writ had commanded Reese ap Griffyn, lieutenant of the justiciar of South Walles, to do nothing to the prejudice of the King, to whom the patronage belongs, nor to the disinheritance of the said church, the same Rees, notwithstanding the protection of the King, seised the lands, rents and perquisites attached to the mill to the said church belonging into the King's hands, and ground the corn being in the grange, so that the said John, the rector, and his procurators in his name, could receive nothing of the due of the said church, and the said lands, rents and other things aforenamed to the said church belonging remain in the King's hands, to the great damage of the said rector in the sum of £40 sterling. The said Rees was asked by the said justiciar for what reason he had seized the aforenamed lands and the other things. And he said that certain Welshmen, asserting that the said lands were their right, had, without judgment, entered upon the seisin of the King and the possession of the said rector; and when he had been informed that the said lands had thus been seized by the aforesaid Welshmen, to the manifest prejudice and disinheritance of the King, to whom the patronage belongs, and that the aforesaid rector had been unjustly put out of his possession, he had seised the said lands and tenements, with all their appurtenances into the King's hands, and for no other reason. And therefore it was considered by the justiciar that the aforesaid rector should recover his possession of all the lands and tenements, and all their appurtenances, and all their issues from the time they were seised into the King's hands, as the right, patronage and glebe of the church aforesaid, according as he has it in command from the King by his writ to him directed in this behalf.

Inquisition taken at Generglyn in Southwales before Rees ap Griffyn, lieutenant of the justiciar there, on Monday next after the feast of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist in the 20th year of the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward [1 Sept. 1326], according to the tenor of the writ of the King to this inquisition sewn, by the oath etc. Who say upon their oath that Thomas, abbot of St. Peter of Gloucester, and the convent of that place and their predecessors, peacefully held impropriate the church of St. Paternus of Lampadervaur in South Walles, with all the lands and tenements, mills, rents and liberties, and all other appurtenances to the said church belonging, as the right of their church of St. Peter of Gloucester, in frankalmoin, from time immemorial, by charter of Gilbert son of Richard, and by confirmations of King Henry and of Richard, son of the said Gilbert, and of David, bishop of St. David's, who confirmed the said church and lands, tenements, mills, rents and liberties, with all other appurtenances to the said church, as is aforesaid, belonging, to the aforesaid monks of St. Peter of Gloucester. And so they peacefully held the said church, with all its said appurtenances, until the feast of Holy Trinity in the 14th year of the reign of King John, progenitor of the now Lord the King, on which day A. and B. and other Welshmen, wickedly slew C. and D. (monks of the said abbot, deputed to the custody of the said church by the said abbot and convent, to make divers arrangements on behalf of the said abbey with regard to the fish [? piste] and other necessaries of the issues of the said church), and maliciously and unlawfully occupied the said church, lands and tenements, mills, rents and liberties, to the same church belonging, up to the time when Edward, formerly King of England, father of the now King, conquered the land of Wales from Prince Llewelyn and the Welshmen aforesaid. And from that time forward the advowson of the said church has been in the hands of the said Edward, King of England, father of the now King, and of Edward, now King of England, [who] have presented to the said church on three occasions, to wit, Edward, King of England, father of the now Lord the King, presented Anthony de Beke, and after the resignation of the said Anthony, the same King presented [fo. 59 (296)] William de Estame, and afterwards, upon the resignation of the same William, Edward, now King of England, then Prince of Wales, presented to the said church John de Grandissone, now incumbent of the said church. Asked whether Prince Llewelyn, after the said monks were thus slain, ever presented any one to the said church, who was received upon his presentation and instituted into the said church, before the said Edward, King of England, conquered the said land of Wales, they say No. Asked what person or persons occupied the said church, lands and tenements, mills, rents and liberties, to the said church belonging, from the time when the said monks were thus slain until the conquest of the said land of Wales in manner aforesaid, they say that the Welshmen, who slew the said monks, also divided between them the lands, tenements, mills, rents and liberties, to the said church belonging, and so held them up till the abovesaid conquest of the land of Wales by the said King Edward. Asked what person or persons occupied the tithes and other issues of the said church from the death of the said monks until the conquest aforesaid, they say that the aforesaid Welshmen divided the said lands, tithes and issues, and also all the other spiritualities to the said church belonging, in eight parcels among clerks of their kindred and relations, and granted them to them, and so they held them until the conquest abovesaid. In witness whereof the aforesaid jurors have affixed their seals to this inquisition. Asked if the said abbot or his predecessors, at any time after the conquest aforesaid, or before, remitted, quit-claimed or in any way demised, to any person or persons, their right which they had in the said church, lands, tenements, mills, rents and liberties, or their appurtenances, they say No.

Fo. 91.

Ownston Millne.

Henry, by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland, to owre justice and chamberlain of Chester and to theire leiutenants there and everyche of greeting. For as much as we by our letters patents under our grete seal bering date the 1 Dec. the yeare of our reigne the xviij for diverse consideracions mooveing we toke into our hands and speciall proteccion the monastery of our Lady of the Vale Royall withinne the Counte of Chester and al maner lands and tenements rest and other possessions and goods to the said monastery belonging, which notwithstanding diverse men within the said Counte of ther owne wronge have entred and put out the abbot and convent of the monasterie aforesaid of a mille called Onston mille and of other of their possessions of which they have bine seised and there predecessors sethen the foundacion of their monastree the which is 160 yere agoe and more, and let downe and wasted a mille of the said monasterie and other possessions to their finall destruction, for they be not of power to get remedy by the course of our commune lewe ayens such persons as heth so wronged them, for the great might that they be of in that countre, withoutten our help and socoure shewed unto theim in this behalfe; we therefore [fo 59d (296d)] considering the premisses woll and charge you that you do make warrants to the coroners and bailiffs by your discrecione for as much as the shiref of the said shire is kynne and allie unto such persons as vex theim wrongfully: to make by processe to come afore you xij sufficeant notable persons and to make theim sworon to enquire of what lands tenements and other possessions the said abbot and convent and other of their predecessors have ben seised of this C. wynter and more, and in especiall what possessions they were seised of that tyme that we toke ther possessions into our hands. And all such possessions as they find that the said abbot and convent have bine seised of and at the tyme that we resumed them into our protection that ye restore theim into there possessione, and what milles be wasted or downe or other possessions withdrawen that they repaire restore and bilde them uppe upon the costs of the said abbot and convent. And yif there be ani man that will not suffer the said abbot and convent to occupie and reioys the said possessions the which they have contynued so longe tyme that ye take them and areste theim and put theim into our castle of Chester, there to abyde unto the tyme the[y] have found sufficient suerte that the[y] shall not vex or put the said abbot and convent oute of any of the possessions aforesaid: and if they pretend theim any title thereto to heve ayeinst the said abbot and convent after the course of our commune lawe. And furthermore we will and charge you that from hensforth [ye] favor and succor the said abbot and convent and theim that we wold favored by all meenes of Reson, and that ye see that the[y] be not wronged in anywise, and also that ye see that ther tennents within their Lordship feliship theim with no gentilmen within that contre which woll cause such gentilmen to maligne ayenst the said abbot and convent to their destruccion as they have done aforetyme but onely be attending to the said abbot and convent and to such as have the rewle of ther monasterie. And these our letters shalbe your warrant. Yeven under oure previe seale at our pallace of Westminster the xv. day of Feverer the yere of our reigne xxiiij. [1445–6].

Fo. 92.

[The Tuns of Wine.]

To the Kinge our Soveraigne Lorde.

Besecheth mekely your humble chaplayne and pore orator Tho. Abbot of the Monasterie of our Lady of the Vale Royall which is of the foundacion of King Edward the first your noble progenitor etc. (fn. 1)

Henry, by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland. To our Justice and Chamberlaine of Chester for the tyme being etc. (fn. 2)

Henry etc. to our Justice of Chester and to his Leiutenant and to our Chamberleyne there and to his depute and to everche of theme gretyng. For as moche as amonges other thinges graunted and confirmed by the letters patents of certayn of our noble progenitours by our letters patents the 16 day of October the yere of our reigne 9 confirmed it is conteignet that King Edward son of King Henry the thyrdde graunted perpetually for him and his heires to the abbot and convent [fo. 61 (298)] of the monastery of the glorious Virgine of Darnehal of the ordre of Cistieux in the counte of Chester to him and to his successors a tonne of wyne every yere to be taken of the right prise in the cite of Chestre by the hands of the Justice theire for the tyme being to the celebracion of divine service in the monastery aforesaid, the which monastery the said King Edward [by] the procuracion of the abbot and convent of the same translated and devoutely foundet to the place then was called Worthenhalowes and Muneschenewro and wold it to be called from thensforth Vale Roiall. And also howe Prince Edward son of King Edward the thrydde confirminge the grant abovesaid of his plentious grace graunted for him and his heires to the foresaid abbot and convent and to their successors perpetually another tonne of wyne to be taken every yere of the right prise aforesaid in the form aforesaid, willeyng also and graunting for him and his heires that when and as oft as hit shalbe happen the foresaid abbot and convent and their successors from thensforth any yere to be unpayd of the aforesaid ij tonnes of wyne be yers by King Edward and the prince aforesaid graunted as in the same lettres it is said, in the defaut of the Justice for the tyme beyng or his Leiutenant or of any other minister of hom or of hor heires or that the prise of wyne shuld not come that yere; that then the next yere or yeres in the which as sone as the prise of wynes shall come to our said cite of Chester that suffice to the payment of arrerages of the tonnes of wynes that be behinde to the said abbot and convent and to their successors of all arrerages of the said tonnes of wynes so beyng behynd shall plenously be satisfiet as in the said lettres patents more playnely it is conteignet. We therefore will and straitly charge you, that sene be you the foresaid lettres patentes yee do deliver and satisfie unto the said abbot and convent of Vale Royall now being the said ij tonnes of wyne for this yere of our right prise of wyne that nowe is or shall next come to [the] cite of Chester aforesaid; alsoe if any arrerages of the said tonnes of wyne be behind unpayd unto the said abbot and convent that ye do satisfie thayme fully therof after the forme and effect of the letters patents afforesaid, and these our lettres shall be unto yowe sufficiant warrant. And we will alsoe [that for] the same ye have diewe allowance in your accounttes. Yeven etc. (fn. 3)

Fo. 93.

[Injuries to the Abbey. (fn. 4) ]

By the Kinge.

Welbeloved [fo. 60 (297)] how be hit that we herebefore have by our lettres of priueseele commanded you to surcesse of such great extorcions injuries and wrongs as it was said ye and your servants and other diverse personnes by your supportacion diden daille at that tyme unto our welbeloved in God Thabbot and convent of our monastery of Vale Royal in the county of Chester like as in the same our lettres more clerely it is contained, yet natheles as we be informed syth that tyme ye or your said servants, of which certain be outlawed of felonye and trespasse as it is said, cam in riottous wise and with grete force ayeinst our paix unto the grange of our said monastery and have driven away viij^xx bests of the valew of C. marcs of the goods and catell of the said abbot and convent, and that upon Sherethursday last past not dreding God nor worshiping that blessed tyme of Christs passion as ye ought to have done, and ye bette and maymed oon William Yonge baillif unto the said abbot and convent and hym left for dede, and over that ye cam in Estre weke next after to a mille of the said monastery and hewe asundre the dores coggs and trawes of the said mille, and how also that before that tyme and syth ye have leyn in awayte as well by night as by day to slee the said abbot and to bete and maym his Brethren and servants so that he dust not abide to ministre service in our said monastery during the said tyme for drede of ther lives, unto our high displesir if it so be. Wherefore we tenderly considering the premisses and how our said monastery is of the foundacion of our noble progenitors and of our patronage, whereby we take this matter the more to hert and have the said abbot and convent in their right in the more favor and chierte as reson is, write unto you yee eftsoune and wol and commande you straitly that from hensforth ye nor non of your servants nor adherens do nor attempte any such injuries and oppressions ayeinst the said abbot and convent nor any of theim, but that ye suffer theim to live quietly and in rest and pees as relegous peuple aughten to doe, so that we have no mo compleints of your misserule in this behalve. And over that we wol and charge you that ye taking with you the said your servants and depose ye to our castle of Chestre there to abide imprisonned and to be justified as our lawes wollen for the premisses or els that ye in your persons appere before us wheresoever we shall [be] at the xv^me of Michel next comyng touching this same mater as ye woll ensuere unto us at your peril. Yeven under our signet at our castle of Wyndesore the 14 day of May &c.

By the Kinge.

Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wel and late you wite that we have understanden by credible letters testimonial shewed unto us of your good demening anenst our (fn. 5) liege peuple. Of the which we be right welplesid latyng you wite that after your merits you shall have us enclined at all tymes hereafter to shewe unto you the favour of our good grace [fo. 60d (297d)]. And for as much as betwixt our trusty and welbeloved in God thabbot of Vale Royal and you hath bine matter of difference hanging before this tyme the which as we ben enfourmet is brought to a good and charitable ende by meveing and labore of certaine of your welowyillens and freinds we therefore pray you on all wise that ye from hensforth so demene and have you unto him, tendering and favouring the wele of hym and his hows as we may have cause to thonk you and that ye nothing attempt in to the contrary as ye wol eshewe our displesire, yeveing feith and credens unto our welbeloved Richard Dawne squier in that that he shall declare unto you on our behalve in that parte. Yeven etc. Duresme ye 26 day of Sept. etc.

To Hugh Venables.

By the Kinge.

Right trusty and welbeloved we gret you well and late you wite that nowe late sithen our writing unto you our trusty and welbeloved in God thabbot of Vale Royal hath ben with us and declared unto us howe, albe it that Hugh Venables of Kinderton hath ben by the moenes of our right trusty and welbeloved knight Sir Thomas Stanley entreted moeved conseilled and conjured to condescende to such weyes of trete and agrement with the said abbot as were thoght resonable and according, yet nevertheless the same Hugh woll not conforme hym to any such entrete but dysposed hym to al frowardnesse in that behalfe, where throgh the said abbot can have no sure end as the cas requireth. Wherefore we haveing respect unto his said disposicion wol and charge you that notwithstanding our said lettres and writyng unto you, ye in no wise suffre the said Hugh nor his adherents to departe out of prison nor to be at large into tyme the said abbot be fully agreed and yove his assent and benevolence therto; and furthermore in cas that the said Hugh and his adherents be not on this behalfe Cristmas next comming fully accorded with the said abbot and convent that thanne ye by virtue of these our lettres yeve in commandment to the said Hugh and his said adherents being in ward with him to appere before us and our counsell whersoever we shall be in the xv^me of St Hillary next commyng there to answere unto such materes as shalbe objected ayeinst him on the behalfe of the said abbot and convent, and thereto the same Hugh and the said his adherents and everich of theym to finde unto us sufficiant suerte in our Eschequier at Chester and alsoe to bere the paix anenst the said abbot and convent their tenants and servants the which suerte so founden we woll thanne ye delivere theim out of prison to thentent abovenseid; and furthermore in cas the said Hugh and his adherents beforeseid woll not dispose theim to the meenes of paix as theym owe to doe that thanne ye doe us to be certified to thentent that we mow ordeyne for theym as shalbe thoght unto us for the ese of the said abbot and convent and the wele of the said hows to be doon, and that ye faille not hereof as we truste yow. Yeven at Hull the 10 day of October etc.

Fo. 94.

By the King.

Right trusty and welbeloved we grete you well, and late you to wite that we have reseived an humble supplicacion presented unto us on the behalfe of our welbeloved Hugh Venables of Kinderton and others conteigning certaine declaracions and requests as by the same supplication which we send unto you hereinclosed it may appere unto you more at large. Wherefore we haveing consideracion and respect unto the contenue of the same and willing therefore to imparte our grace in that behalfe woll that in cas the abbott of Vale Roiall at his comeyng to our eschequier at Chestre woll confesse before you and othere our offeceres there that the seid Hugh hath both for him selfe and the remanent in the said supplication comprised agreed with the said abbott for all maner of debats injurees and wrongs to hym done, that then they be delivered out of ward; and so we charge you that ye ordeine and see that they be withouten delay or tareyng, as wee trust you and as ye desire to plese us. Yeven etc. at Duresme ye 26 day of Sept. etc.

It hath be grevously [fo. 61d (298d)] complenyd unto us of the grete Riotes extortions and oppressions that ye have do herebefore and yet doe dayly unto our welbeloved in God thabbot and convent of our monastery of Vale Royal in the Counte of Chestre and Thorriobel and cruel murdres that by you and your excitation hath be attempted upon the servants tenants and mynystres of our said howes, notwithstanding the strait commandement that we have heretofore yeven unto you in thys behalve wiche ye have utterly disobeyed unto our full grete displaysir. Wherefore we write at this tyme unto you and commande you that eftsonys upon your ligeance and upon payne of all that ye may forfayt unto us as our rebelle that ye in all wyse kepe our paix unto all our liege peuple and se that all they that be unto you wards do the same, not sufferyng any thinge to be don or attempted yenste our seid Monasterie abbot convent officers tenants or mynistres of the same by you or any that is to you warde upon the paynes abovesaid; latyng you wite plyanly that and ye presume to do the contrary we wol in our persone do such punishing and execution to be doon upon you as all others shall be ware by example so to offende and disobeye our Royal commandements in tyme to come. Yeven etc.

To Hugh Venables.

Right trusty and righ[t] entierly welbeloved Cousyn: Right trusty and welbeloved we grete you hertly well and late you to wite that grevous complaynts hath be made unto us of the grete riots extorcions and oppressions that Hugh Venables and other his assistants whos names be expressed in a cedule here enclosed have herebefore doe and yet dayly doe unto our welbeloved in God Thabbot and convent of our Monastery of Vale Royal in the Counte of Chestre and of Thoreible and cruel murdres that the[y] have doon unto the officers tenants and servants of the said our hows unto our full grete displaysir. And for as much as ye be our Justices of our counte palatyn of Chestre we therefore, willing the said Riots to be punishyd, pray you hertly and also wol charge you or on of you make dewe enquere upon the said misgovernans and se that the said misdoers and al othere there assistents such as the said abbot shall enfourme you be put in soure and stronge warde in our castle of Chestre withouten any Maynpris or deliverance unto the tyme they have made dewe restitucion and playne satisfaccion unto the said abbot of all that they have misdone unto him and our seid hows herebefore in any wyse; and over this ye sett such strayte ordinance upon the said misdoers that the said abbot and convent may quietly here aftur serve God, and theyre officers tenants and servants doe theire occupaccions in suerte of theyre personys and goods and that ye fayle not hereof as our ful grete truste is in yow. Yeven etc.

To the Duke of Suffolk and Sir Thomas Stanley. (fn. 6)

[The Mise.]

. . . Dymyis of King Edward the Fourth.

For Weverham with Mulneton the lord [answers] for the third 26s. 8d. Thereof he paid by the hands of Robert Thomasson and William Prymrose 17s. 10d. and he owes 8s. 10d.

For Merton the lord [answers] for the third 6s. 8d. Thereof he paid by the hands of William Bostok 4s. 5½d., and he owes 2s. 2½d.

For Over the lord [answers] for the fourth 36s. Thereof he paid by the hands of Richard Boller 24s. 10d., and by the hands of Hugh Calveley 2s. 2d.; and he owes 9s., which William Thorneton, monk, appointed John Massye to pay from the rent in Chester.

Fo. 95.

Indenture [fo. 62 (299)] between the abbot and convent and Hugh de Dutton of Dutton.

Know all men to whose notice this present writing shall come that, whereas Sir Hugh de Dutton had built a mill in the wood of Dutton of the soil and turbary in the common of pasture of the abbot and convent of Vale Royal in the vill of Acton without their permission and consent, and by unlawfully digging had made a pond to their no small damage and injury, both because the overflow of the water of the same pond made serious encroachment (male superhonoravit) on their free pasture belonging to their manor of Weverham, and because the said overflow made the road of Dutton impassable, whereas they and their people were accustomed to be able to cross without impediment, and also because he made the fisheries of the said abbot and convent in the water of Wiure useless; whereas, moreover, without warrant the aforesaid Hugh had usurped and unjustly appropriated to himself the amends of the assize of the bread and ale sold in the vill of Dutton by the men dwelling in that vill of Dutton, who are of the fee and liberty of Weverham; by the which wrongs the said abbot felt himself and his people injured in many ways. At last, in order to the making of a good peace and agreement between the parties, on a certain appointed day both parties met together to treat of peace at the ford of Acton, where they made an agreement upon the terms underwritten to be kept faithfully for ever in this form, to wit: That the aforesaid abbot released and for ever quitclaimed for himself, his convent and successors, the aforesaid manifest complaints and injuries, upon the condition and in the form following, to wit, that in return for this release, remission and quitclaim, the aforesaid Sir Hugh by the present writing bound himself and all his heirs and assigns, that he would never again henceforth do or add to (augebevit) the trespasses abovesaid without the consent of the other party. Moreover he granted and confirmed by the present writing, for himself and all his heirs and assigns, to the aforesaid abbot and convent and all their successors, that they should have free and sufficient attachment of one weir for ever, where it should seem best to them, between his land of Bardinton and the ford of Acton, provided nevertheless that they should not build a mill there on account of that weir. Also by the present writing he bound himself that he would at the same time (semel) make one bridge only to enable all foot-passengers to cross, but he bound himself, and all his heirs and assigns, that they should at their own expense find a suitable boat for ever at the ford of Acton, with a sufficient ferryman, so that all travellers on foot should have a free ferry, without contradiction or impediment or any demand. Moreover he granted and by the present writing confirmed to the aforesaid abbot and convent and their successors, for himself and all his [heirs and assigns] abovenamed that from henceforth they should have all amends of trespasses against the assize of bread and ale sold by the men dwelling in Dutton, who are of the fee of Weverham, and that all other complaints, which the aforesaid Sir Hugh and his [heirs and assigns] abovenamed ought not according to the custom of the county of Chester to determine in their court, shall always henceforth for ever be determined and amended in the court of Weverham. And in order that this agreement in the manner aforesaid may be firm and lasting, and may endure for ever, both parties have affixed their seals to the present writing made in the form of a cheirograph, and have caused it to be enrolled in the roll which is called Domesday. These being witnesses: Sir Reginald de Grey, then justice of Chester, Sir William de Venables, Sir Geoffrey de Che[d]le, Sir Richard de Mascy, Sir Robert de Staundon, Alexander de Bamvile, Robert de Grandevenur, then sheriff of Cheshire, and many more [c. 1284].

Fo. 96.

[Darnhall Fulling Mill.]

Be it remembered that in the year of our Lord 1341 on Saturday next before the feast of St. Margaret [14 July], Brother Robert the abbot demised the fulling mill of Dernehalle to farm with the croft to William del Heth and Richard Hurlere, for the term of six years immediately following, for 10 marks of silver yearly, payable in equal portions at the feasts of Christmas and Saint John the Baptist, the term beginning at Christmas next to come. And they had fuel and [fo. 62d (299d)] suit of tenants from the demesne (de dominio) and all other things such as it is customary to grant to them. And the aforesaid William and Richard will repair at their own cost defects arising in the said mill, not exceeding the cost of six pence, and this immediately on such defects being discovered; and if (which God forbid) they suffer any defect in the said mill to be increased by their negligence, they shall repair the same; and faithfully to do and perform all and singular these things the aforesaid William and Richard bind themselves jointly and severally.

Fo. 97.

[The Tuns of Wine.]

Be it known to all men by the presents that we, the abbot and convent of Vale Royal, have received from the lord, our Lord Edward, son of the illustrious King of England, Prince of Aquitaine and of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester, by the hands of Master John de Brunham, chamberlain of Chester, one cask of red wine of Gascony from the prise of the same lord at Chester, granted to us of old time for celebrating divine service in our abbey of Vale Royal, from the feast of Michaelmas in the 38th year of the reign of King Edward the Third after the Conquest till the same feast next following, for one entire year. Also we have received from our aforesaid lord, by the hands aforesaid, one cask of the red wine of Gascony of the like prise, granted to us by our said lord for the cause aforesaid, for the same year. Of the which two casks of wine we declare ourselves to be wholly satisfied, and we bind ourselves to acquit the aforesaid chamberlain with regard to our said lord by our letters patent sealed with our seal, in witness of the premises. Given at Chester on Monday next after the feast of St. John before the Latin Gate in the fortieth year of the reign of King Edward aforesaid [11 May 1366].

"The like acquitance for the yeare 39 E. 3, dated 41" Edward aforesaid.—H.

[Form of Absolution.]

By authority of God the Father Almighty, the Son and Holy Ghost, and of the Mother of God the Virgin Mary, and of the Blessed Peter and Paul, and of the holy and glorious Benedict, our father, and also by authority of our privileges granted to our order, we absolve you R. in form following. The Lord Jesus Christ, who said unto His disciples, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound also in Heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in Heaven (to the number of which disciples He willed that we, though unworthy, should belong), absolves you through us His servants from all your sins, and especially from those which you have committed against the will of God, the salvation of your soul and the good of our monastery of Vale Royal, by wicked device and evil counsel, [touching] the rights, goods, rents, possessions, liberties and franchises belonging to our monastery aforesaid, and by the withholding of corn, grain, wine [or] timber, and by the disturbance or interruption of any emolument, in thought, word or deed, by authority as above we absolve you, R., so that you may appear absolved therefrom before the tribunal of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may have life eternal, and live for ever and ever. Amen.

Fo. 98.

[Exhennia.]

These are the New Year's gifts sent to the Lord Peter abbot of Vale Royal against the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary in the year of our Lord 1330.

[The Abbot makes Return of Writs.]

Be it remembered that the abbot has return of writs as appears:

William de Praers, sheriff of Cheshire, to the bailiff of the liberty of Vale Royal, greeting. I have received the mandate of the King in these words: Edward, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Aquitaine and Earl of Chester, to the sheriff of Chester, greeting. We command you, as we have previously done, to summon by (do'n . . . j . . . m') 12 free and lawful men of the view of Swetenham to be at the next county[-court] of Chester to recognize whether Richard de Swetenham and Thomas, son of Richard de Swetenham, unjustly disseised Thomas, son of William de Swetenham, of his freehold in Swetenham after John the Scot, Earl of Chester [etc.]; and in the meanwhile let them have view etc.; and take security and pledge from the said Richard, and Thomas, son of Richard, or their bailiffs if they are not found, to be there to hear that recognizance; and you shall have there summoned in the name of a pledge, and this precept. Witness: William de Clynton etc. 3rd [?] day of August in the 6th year of our reign. Wherefore we command you to carry out this mandate in all things, returning it to me, together with the expense, at Chester on Monday etc. [1332].

Robert Grovenur of Rudeheet, (fn. 8) Philip de Alherton, William de Mulleton of Weverham, Randle de Bradeford, John del Heet, John Warde of Weverham, Randle son of Richard de Oldynton, William son of Simon de Weverham, Stephen de Merton, John son of Richard de Lostoke, William de Stochal, Henry son of Stephen de Lostock, Robert Albud of Murefeld, William de Bradesawe of Lostocke, William de Aundurneys, Gilbert son of Gilbert de Lostock, Adam Fox of Murefeld, Robert de Mithebrock, Henry Broun of Murefeld, John son of Thomas de Wodeford, Robert Bresz, Randle Sutton, Adam Pyioun, Thomas Wodeford, Walter Tham, John Child, Richard Couhull, Robert the Miller, Elyas Abynor.

And so it is returned to the sheriff by the abbot's bailiff, to wit, saying thus on the back:—Letters sent by the sheriff by mandate of the lord the King, and returned to the sheriff; the office of this writ is fulfilled.

[Kirkham Mill.]

Be it remembered that John de Wadder took the mill of Kirkham for term of his life, the term commencing at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel in 1337 (d' o c' 37), at a rent of 4 marks yearly; and he will repair the said mill anew in all things, with mill-stones and all gear and houses and other things to be found there, and will maintain the same at his own expense; and all this he will do within one year [?] from the feast of St. Michael abovesaid. Moreover he will build the horse-mill entirely anew, wherever the abbot may wish within the lordship of Kirkham; and for the doing thereof he pledges all his goods, and finds the sureties underwritten, who bind themselves for these things together with him, to wit, Sir William Ballard and Thomas de Cophull, Walter Liff' [fo. 64 (301)]. For doing these things the abbot will give to the said John 5 marks of silver, to wit, at the feast of the Assumption in the year of our Lord 1337 40s., and at the feast of Martin the Bishop that same year 2 marks, and he gives the said mills into his hands in good repair; and to these things he pledges himself, his heirs and executors.

"Here endeth the said Leger booke for the abby of Valle Royall containeing 116 leaves; but 88 were written. It now remaineth in the hands of Sir Thomas Mainwaring of Pever, Bart., anno 1662."—H.