2. A. D. 1317. Two Cardinals sent to make Peace between Engl. and Scotland Cardinals into England Ganselin by the Title of the Saints Marcellin and Peter Priest Cardinal and Lucas by the Title of St. Mary in the Broad-way Deacon Cardinal 9 to make Peace between the Two Kingdoms of England and Scotland and reconcile the Earl of Lancaster to the King 1 c. 59 4. D. 50 and the King and E. or Lanc. Sir Tho. de la Moor says they were made Friends in a Plain near Leicester and that they embraced and kissed each other 2 f. 110. n. 20. Walsingham says Peace was made between them upon certain Conditions and that not long after the King unjustly brake them They 3 Wals f. 109. n. 50. f. 111. n. 40. d la Moor ut supra They Excommunicate Rob. Brus and put Scotland under Interdict both say these Cardinals brought with them the Pope's Bulls by which they Excommunicated Robert Brus and put the Kingdom of Scotland under Interdict for their Defection from and Disobedience to the King of England unless he and they submited to him This Year 4 Ibm. de la Moor says Robert Brus manfully and by force took Berwick killing none that would yield 5 f. 111. n 50. A. D. 1318. Walsingham reports it was betrayed by the Governour Peter Spalding and sold to the Scots to the great Disturbance of the King Neither King nor Kingdom of Scotland valued much this Excommunication Neither Rob. Brus nor the Kingdom of Scotland valued the Excommunication or Interdict and Interdict or at least Robert Brus's Friends or those of his Party never considered or regarded it for in the 11th of this King the Year following he summoned a Parlement to meet on the morrow of Holy Trinity at Lincoln 6 Rot. Claus 11 Ed. II. M. 3. Dors The Scots invade England which he revoked for this reason That his Enemies and Rebels the Scots had invaded England and come into Yorkshire commiting many Murders Plundering Wasting and Burning the Country so as he resolved suddenly to march against them with an Army to restrain their Incursions and bring them to a Submission and therefore the Parlement not to meet According to this Resolution in Autumn this year 7 De la Moor f. 595. l. 1 c. The King besieged Berwick the King marched with a great Army to besiege Berwick the Scots on the other side of the Country invaded England spoiling wasting and burning as far as York 8 Ibm. and Walsingh Hist f. 112. n. 20 30. A Truce with the Scots for Two years which caused the King to raise the Siege of Berwick and consented to a Truce for Two years In the Twelfth of this King the Earl of Lancaster Governed and Directed all things 9 Append. n. 61. To him certain Prelates Earls and Barons by the Will of the King and Assent of many Great Men of the Realm and others of the King's Council being then at Northampton went to Discourse and Treat about the Honour and Profit of the King and Realm and it was agreed between them That Bishops Earls and Barons should remain with him to Advise him in such Matters as concerned him until his next Parlement and concerning this and other Matters an Indenture was made in the Form following This 1 Ibm. The Indenture of Agreement between the King the Earl of Lancaster and other Great Men. Indenture Witnesseth That the Honourable Fathers the Arch-Bishop of Dublin the Bishops of Ely Norwich and Chichester the Earls of Pembroke and Arundel Monsieur Roger de Mortimer Monsieur John Somery Sir Bartholomew de Badlesmere Monsieur Ralph Basset and Monsieur John Botetourt by the Will and Assent of the King have Discoursed with the Earl of Lancaster concerning the things touching the Profit of himself and the Realm in the Form following To wit That the Bishops of Norwich Chichester Ely Salisbury St. Davids Carlisle Hereford and Worcester the Earls of Pembroke Richmond Hereford and Arundel Sir Hugh de Courteny Sir Roger de Mortimer Sir John de Segrave Sir John de Grey and one of the Banerets of the Earl of Lancaster which he shall Name should remain with the King for one quarter of a year until the next Parlement and that Two Bishops One Earl One Baron and One Baneret of the Earl of Lancaster's at least should always be with him and that all considerable Matters that might or ought to be done out of Parlement should be done by their Assent otherwise to be void and amended in Parlement by the Award of the Peers and such as should remain with the King Quarterly shall be chosen and assigned out of them and others in Parlement to Act and Advise the King as aforesaid And the abovesaid Prelates Earls and Barons by the Will and Assent of the King undertook That he should Release and Acquit the Earl of Lancaster ses gentz ses meignees his People Followers or Retinue or as now those of his Party of all manner of Felonies and Trespasses against the Peace until the day of St. James this year and that the Charters of Release and Acquittance should be plain and absolute without Condition and if better Security for them might be found at the next Parlement they should have it and there Confirmed by the King and his Baronage And the Earl of Lancaster granted That he would make Releases and Acquittances to all those that on behalf of the King should demand them of Trespasses done to his Person as soon as the things aforesaid should be Confirmed nor that he would bring Suit of Felony against any one from the time they had his Letters saving to him all Plaints Actions and Suits which he had against the Earl of Warren and all those that were assenting and aiding to the Felonies and Trespasses which the Earl had committed against him against the King's Peace And that the Ordinances be kept and observed as they are under the King 's Great Seal And that these things abovesaid should be performed and kept in all Points The Honourable Fathers in God the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and Dublin the Bishops of Norwich Ely Chichester Salisbury Chester or Litchfield Hereford and Worcester the Earls Marshal Edmond his Brother the Earls of Richmond Hereford Ulster Arondel and Anegos Sir Roger de Mortimer Sir John de Somery Sir John de Hastings Sir John de Segrave Sir Henry de Beaumont Sir Hugh le Dispenser le fuiz Sir John de Grey Sir Richard de Grey Sir Bartholomew de Badlesmere Sir Robert de Mohant Sir Ralph Bassel Sir Walter de Norwich have undertaken by the Will and Assent of the King In Witness whereof the Prelates Earls and Barons aforesaid have put their Seals to one part of this Indenture and the Earl of Lancaster hath put his Seal to the other Written at Leek whether in Staffordshire Warwickshire or Yorkshire it appears not the 9th day of
not land Having kept the Sea about five weeks and the time limited for Relief or Surrender of the Town being past he returned to England in the beginning of October 2 Ib. c. 306. Poictou Xantogne and Rochelois lost This unhappy Voyage with the Disaster of the Earl of Pembroke lost all Poictou Xantogne and Rochelois On the very day 3 Pat. 46 Ed. III. Part. 2. M. 25. Richard Son to the Prince of Wales made Guardian and Lieutenant of England in his absence he put to Sea he made his Grandchild Richard Son to the Prince of Wales then scarce Seven years old Guardian and his Lieutenant of the Kingdom during his absence appointing him a Council fit for the Management of the Publick Affairs Two days after on the first of September 4 Clause 46 Ed. III. M. 11. Dors Summons of Parlement he issued Writs of Summons for a Parlement to meet 15 days after Michaelmass but before that time King Edward was come into England and by his 5 Ib. M. 10. Dors Which Prorogued by Writ Writs dated at Winchelsea on the 6th of October he prorogued this Parlement to the morrow of All-Souls or 3d of November Sir John Knivet 6 Rot. Parl. 46 Ed. III. 11. 1 2 3. Further Declaration of Summons declared in part the Causes of Summons the Parlement being adjourned until Friday after that Monsieur Hugh Bryan in the White Chamber acquainted 7 Ib. n. 7. The Revenues of Guien not sufficient to support the Government of it c. the Prelates Duke Earls Barons and Banerets les Prelates Dâ—â— Countes Barones and Banerets That the Prince who had the Principality of Guyen by the Grant of the King had often signified to him when there by Letters and Messengers That the Revenues and Profits arising from the Principality did not nor could suffice to maintain him and support the Government and Wars against their French Enemies and other necessary Charges without great assistance from the King and that the Prince having made these things appear to the King and Council when first he came into England had surrendred 8 Ib. n. 8. The Prince resigns it into the King's Hands into the King's Hands the Principality and all he could claim there by virtue of his Grant in the presence of the King's Council and some other Great Men. On the next day being 9 Ib. n. 9. Yet a further Declaration of Summons Saturday Sir Hugh Bryan before the Prince Prelates Dukes Earls Barons and Commons in the White Chamber more especially declared the Causes of Summons That the King by Advice of the Great Men des Grantz had ordered many Great Men plusours des Grantz with sufficient Power some into Gascoigne others to Calais to oppose the Malice of his Enemies and make War upon them by all the ways they could That afterwards for sudden News that came to the King he made ready with all his Power to put to Sea or go to Sea ove tout son poair daler sur la Meer against his Enemies to do what he could against them but by reason of the Wind being contrary and other Causes reasonable par contrariousete de vent autres causes reasonables he came back into England and caused to be summoned and prorogued this Parlement that the Great Men who were with him upon the Sea might be there that by the good Advice and Counsel of them and others and The French make themselves stronger by Sea and Land then ever they had done before also of the Commons anxi une la Coe he might do the best he could for the safety of the Nation and to resist and oppose the Malice of his Enemies who had made themselves much stronger by Land and Sea then ever they were before qui plus safforcent de guerer si bien par terre come par Meer que unques fesoient a devant And then 1 Ibm. beseecheth the Prelates Prince Dukes Earls Barons and Commons on behalf of the King supplia as ditz Prelates Prince Ducs Countes Barons as Coes de par le Roi that they would advise upon this Matter and give such Counsel donner tiel conseil and Ayd to the King as seemed to them best profitable for the Nation and to restrain the Malice of his Enemies Queux 2 Ib. n. 10. These Commons were the Knights of Shires Prelates Prince Ducs Counts Barons Coes eu sur les pointes de lour charge as dependantz dycelles plein deliberation c. which Prelates Prince Dukes Earls Barons and Commons having had full Deliberation upon the Points of their Charge and the Dependences thereon and also considering the great and outrageous Charges and Expence the King was to be at for the Defence of the Nation and Maintaining the War against his Enemies granted him the Subsidy of Wooll Leather and Wooll-fells A Subsidy upon Wooll c. for Two years to begin at Michaelmass last past of every Sack of Wooll which passed out of England 43 s. 4 d. of every Twelvescore Woollfells as much of every Last of Leather 4 l. of Denizens besides the old Custom and of Strangers or Forreigners four Marks of every Sack of Wooll as much of every Twelvescore Woollfells and Five Pounds six shillings eight pence of every Last of Leather And whereas 4 Ibm. A Fifteenth granted the Subsidy and Custom so granted could not be sufficient for the great Expence and Charge the King was to be at for the Causes abovesaid as it was openly shewed unto them the same Prelates Prince Dukes Earls Barons and Commons having regard thereto 5 Ib. n. 11. granted One Fifteenth for one year to be levied as the last was On the 23d of 6 Ib. n. 12. November the King Prelates Duke Earls Barons and Commons assembled in the White Chamber when the Chancellor declared to the King how kind the Lords and Commons had been to him in granting him the Subsidy and Fifteenth who much Thanked them for their great Ayd and and then the 7 Ib. n. 13. Petitions of the Commons were read and answered when the Knights of Shires had leave to depart 8 Ib. n. 14. and sue out Writs for their Wages or Expences pour lour depenses but the Citizens and Burgesses were commanded to stay 9 Ib. n. 15. The Grant of the Citizens and Burgesses who the same day assembled before the Prince Prelates and Great Men and for the safe coveying of their Ships and Goods granted 2 s. upon every Tun of Wine coming in or passing out of the Kingdom and 6 d. in the Pound of all Goods for a year The next Year the King 1 Rot. Fran. 47 Ed. III. M. 18. A. D. 1373. John Duke of Lancaster the King's Lieutenant in France and Aquitan made his Son John King of Castile and Leon and Duke of Lancaster his Lieutenant as well in the Kingdom of France as
to consider and give good Counsel and Advice upon the Points above-said told them they might depart for that Day and come thither again on the morrow At which time 3 Ibm. n. 5. The Commons desire a Committee of Lords to treat with them some of the Commons in Name of the rest went to the Lords and prayed they might have some Bishops Earls and Barons with whom they might treat and confer for the better Issue of the Matter was enjoined them sur la matire que lour estoient enjoynt and desired the Bishops of London Winchester and Bath and Wells the Earls of Arundel March and Salisbury Monsieur Guy Bryan and Monsieur Henry le Scrop And it was agreed they should go to the Commons and Treat with them in the Chamberlain's Chamber And there having been Deliberation between the Great Men and Commons until Tuesday the Eve of St. Andrew on which Day the King Prince Prelates Great Men and Commons being in the White Chamber the Commons Granted les Comunes granteront the King an Aid for the Wars against his Enemies and delivered a Schedule thereof to the King which was read and begins thus Les Seigneurs Comunes Dengleterre ont Grante a nostre Seigneur le Roi en ceste present Parlement la Quinzeine The Grant of a Tax c. The Lords and Commons of England have Granted to the King in this present Parlement a Fifteenth c. The effect of the Grant was Two 15ths to be levied in two Years according to the ancient manner to be paid at the Feasts of the Purification and Penticost If the War ended the first Year the Second 15th not be paid Also Six pence upon every Pound value of Merchandise going out of the Kingdom except upon Woolls Leather and Woollfells Wine c. And of every Ton of Wine Two shillings for two Years upon the same Condition Likewise the Subsidy of Wooll to be received after Michaelmas next coming without Condition for the first Year and under the same Condition for the second These were granted so as no other Charge or Imposition might be upon the People of England for those two Years The Commons prayed what was granted might be spent in maintaining the War and that no Knights of Shires or Esquires Citizens or Burgesses returned for this Parlement might be Collectors of this Tax All things now went backward in France nothing from thence The French Towns and Countries in Aquitan revolt but the loss of Towns and small Countries in Aquitan either by Force or Revolt many voluntarily and by Inclination becoming French and putting themselves under the Obedience of that King The Particulars might swell the History but the knowledge of them at present is not of much moment * Fol. 8â— lin 7. Walsingham says That when the Duke of Lancaster came out of Gascony into England in the 48th of Edward III. about the Month of July all Aquitan revolted from the King of England except Burdeaux and Bayon The Pope in this Posture of Affairs was very sollicitous to procure The Pope mediates a Peace a Peace between the Two Nations and used all Endeavours towards it and oftentimes prayed and required both Kings by his Letters solemn Messengers and lastly by his Nuncio's the Arch-Bishop of Ravenna and Bishop of Carpentras who frequently went backward and forward between both Parties to make them inclinable and condescend to a good Peace and Accord between each other as may be seen in the 4 Rot. Frâ—n 49 Ed III. M. 2. Record of the following Truce both in the Preface of the Commission to John King of Castile and Leon Duke of Lancaster by Edward III. and in the Commission of King Charles of France to his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy Savoir faisons que come nostre tresseint Pierele Pape eit plusours foitz nous prie requis par ses Lettres fait prier requirer par ses solennes Messagers Darreinment par Reverentz Piers in Dieu l'Ercevesque de Ravenna l'Evesque de Carpentras de incliner condescendre a bon Paix Accord ovesque nostre Adversair so in both Commissions c. The Commission to the Duke of Burgundy bears Date at Paris the first of March 1374. and 11th of King Charles of France and 48th of Edwad III. and that to the Duke of Lancaster was Dated at Westminster June 8. and 49th of Edward III. This 5 Ibm. A Truce in order to a Peace Treaty was managed chiefly by the Two Dukes before the Two Nuncio's and by their Mediation at Bruges in Flanders which produced a General Truce in order to a Peace between the Two Kings their Subjects Friends Allies Aidants and Adherents and for all their Dominions Lands Countries and Places whatsoever 6 Ibm. A. D. 1375. to begin on the 27th of June 1375. the Day of the Date of the Truce in 49th of Edward III. and end the first Day of July 1376. and 50th of Edward III. The Heads of the Articles were these All taking of Persons Fortresses and other Places 7 Ibm. The Heads of the Articles all Pillaging Robberies Burnings and all other Feats of War touz Pilleries Robberies Arceurs tout autre fait de Guerre through all the Realms Lands and Dominions of one Party and the other to cease during the Truce Neither Party to suffer any Subjects or Allies of the other to change their Obedience Subjection or Alliance All Subjects of either Party to remain in the Countries of the other without Arms and to Trade and dispatch all other Business there without Disturbance but not to enter into Castles Fortresses or fortified Towns without Licence Prisoners taken to be released No New Forts to be erected None of the Subjects or Allies of one Party to do Injury to the Subjects or Allies of the other or their Friends by way of Company Robberie or otherwise if they did to be punished so soon as it came to the knowledge of their Lords without Request All Attempts and Injuries to be repaired without delay If the Lands of either Party were invaded by Companions upon Request they were to assist each other in freeing their Countries of them None to demolish the Houses of one Party or the other nor destroy Fruit-Trees If any evil Action Attempt or Enterprize happen it shall not be a Breach of the Truce nor shall War be made therefore This Truce was Sealed by the Two Dukes and Pope's Nuncio's at Bruges on the 27th of June 1375. There were certain 8 Ibm. Mutations Declarations and Modifications made by way of Supplement in reference to this Truce by the Pope's Nuncio's of the same Date namely That Henry King of Castile the Bastard and the Lands he held should be comprized in the Truce That the Duke of Bretagne should in like manner be comprized in it That War should cease there and the King of England and Duke to remove their Forces out
Malt Wool Leather Oxen Cowes Powdered Meat without paying for them by which they were supported Thirdly They say they cannot pay Taxes by reason of their Poverty proceeding from the Tallages and Takings aforesaid because they had scarce wherewithal to support themselves and many were in such Condidition as they had not wherewith to Till their Lands Fourthly The whole Community of the Land thinks it self very much grieved That they are not used according to the Laws and Customs of the Land as their Predecessors have been Fifthly They were Grieved and Oppressed that Magna Charta or the Great Charter was not observed and that the Charter and Assize of Forests was not observed according to Custom Sixthly The whole Community thought it self grieved by the Imposition upon Wool which was too Burthensome at 40s per Sack and of Wool for common Vse seven Marks for the same Quantity 6 Ibm. f. 72. lin 5. for that the Wool of England amounted to almost half the value of the whole Land and this Imposition amounted to the Fifth part of the value of it Then they conclude That because the Community wished the King Honour and Safety as they were bound to do it seemed to them it was not good for him to pass into Flanders unless he were assured That People were true to him and his People and also in regard of Scotland which now began to Rebel and would do so much more when they knew he was beyond Sea When the King received these Petitions he 7 Ibm. N. 10 20. told the Messengers he could not Answer them without his Council some part whereof was gone into Flanders and some part left at London The K. could not answer the Petitions of the Community without Advice of his Council and sent to intreat the Earls by the Messengers That if they would not go over Sea with him They would at least do no Mischief to the Kingdom in his absence for that he thought by the Favour of God to return and have it in due Order It is Recorded in the Close Roll of this Year that the King passed into Flanders on the 22d of August 8 Claus 25 Ed. 1. M. 7. Dors Memorandum quod Die Jovis vicesimo secundo Die Augusti Transfretavit Rex in Flandriam Mat. Westminster 9 Fol. 430. N. 50. says it was the Day following on the Vigil or Eve of St. Bartholomew and that the same Day the Earls and Barons came to the Exchequer and forbad the Barons The Earls and Barons prohibit the Levying of Taxes granted to the King thereof to cause the Sheriffs to Levy the Eighth Peny of the Laity telling them They knew nothing of it and that Taxes could neither be Imposed or Exacted without their Assent Walsingham 1 Ut Supra F. 72. N. 40. says That the Earl of Hereford and Earl-Marshal with their Confederates or Complices prohibited the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer to cause to be Levied the Eighth Peny of the Laity that was granted to the King at Bury-St -Edmunds and that they prevailed with the Citizens of London to stand with them for the They prevail with the Citizens of London to stand with them for their Liberties Recovery of their Liberties The Scots taking the Opportunity of these Commotions in England still delayed to give Hostages and Pledges for the Peace made with Henry de Percy tho' demanded by Earl Warren and toward the End of 2 Ibm. F. 72. N. 10. August took Arms again under the Leading of Waleys and in a short time drove almost all the English out of The Scots again take Arms and drive the English out of Scotland Scotland William de Warren aforesaid the Guardian of Scotland fled from Berwick into England and the English that were there after him and quitted the Town yet the Castle was kept and well Defended by those that were in it Upon this News from Scotland the 3 Ibm. N. 30. The Prince Guardian of England Council that the King left with the Prince whom he had constituted Guardian of England in his absence to assist and advise him persuaded him to send for the two Great Earls and if by any ways he could reconcile them to his Father On the 9th of September 4 Append. N. 33. He Writes to the Constable and Marshal to meet him at London he wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury Six other Bishops Twenty three Abbots and Priors these Two and Eight others to meet on the morrow after St. Michael at London to confer with him and those of his Council there present about urgent and difficult Affairs When they came together 5 Walsing Ut Supra f. 73. N. 40 50. they would not consent to any other Form of Peace than that which is now called the Statute de Tallagio non Concedendo or of not Granting Tallage which is the same in 6 Ibm. Walsingham with that of Sir Ed. Coke's Second Institutes Fol. 532. taken out of the Old Statutes Printed by Rich. Totel 1556. Part 2. p. 73. a. Henry de Knighton 7 Col. 2523. N. 10 20 c. They come Armed and take Possession of the City Gates tells us They came guarded with 500 Horse a great Number of choice Foot and that they would not enter into the City before they had Liberty to place their own Guards in every Gate and then says That by the Mediation of the Venerable Father Robert Archbishop of Canterbury Cujus memoria in Benedictione sit whose Name be blessed as the Historian there was no Agreement to be made unless the King would confirm the Charter of the Forest and the Great Charter with some Articles added to it which were the Statute before-mentioned then put in Writing by them and were the Grieuances sent to the King at Winchelsey drawn into the Form of a Charter or Statute This was done by the King as * F. 74. N. 10. Walsingham says Tanquam ab eo qui in arcto positus erat cedendum Malitiae temporis censuit as by one in streight thinking it best to give way to the Iniquity of the time And * Ibm. for this the Laity gave an Eight Part of their Goods the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury a Tenth and the Clergy of the Province of York a Fifth Part. On the 15th of September before this Meeting or Great Council to Claus 25 Ed. 1. M. 6 Dors A Parlement called the Prince had Issued Writs for a Parlement to be holden on the Octaves of St. Michael or 7th of October for the Confirmation of the Charters as his Father had before propounded in his Declaration and for that Confirmation * Ibm. the Laity regranted the Eight Part of their Goods they had given before at Bury and the Clergy gave a Tenth and the whole Business was dispatch'd in three Days for this Statute or Charter which in Coke's Second The Chartres confirm'd Institutes
of greater Force than at that time had ever been heard of que cea en arere ad este oi to invade England destroy the Nation the King and his Subjects as it manifestly appeared by what he had shewn and did show every day The other cause was to know how and in what manner the Peace of the Land might be best kept and then the Commons were commanded to treat together and take good Advice how the Malice of the King's Adversary might be resisted and for the Safety of himself and Kingdom how he might be Aided to his greatest Profit and the least Charge to his People The Commons having advised together gave the Answer following To their most Honourable and most redoubted Liege Lord his poor Commons 3 Ibm. n. 4. shew A lour tres Honurable tres Redoutez Seigneur Liege monstre sa pour Comune That at his last Parlement he sent the Noble Earls of Lancaster and Northampton autres Grantz and other Great Men to tell them That he intended not to take any thing of or charge them which they had published to the whole Land for which they had also thanked him according to their Knowledge as much as they could and prayed for him Night and Day prient pur lui nuyt jour and yet at this present Parlement upon News now come pur noveles que sont venuz he demanded a The Commons Grievances and Complaints very great Charge of his poor Commons un trop grant Charge da sa povre Comune They desire his Nobleness and most High Lordship he would please to understand the Mischiefs and Burthens of the Commons That is to say the reasonable Aid which had been pardoned in his 14th Year that is a Grant was made it should not be paid all his Reign to wit 40 s. upon every Knight's Fee to make his Eldest Son Knight whereas by Statute there was but 20 s. due upon every Fee Fifteenths of the Commons Tenths of Cities and Burghs Men at Arms Hobelors Archers taking of Victuals without paying for them Guarding the Sea and also the Subsidy of Wooll by reason whereof every Sack of Wooll that was the Treasure of the Land was sold for 40 s. less than its Value So as it would be a great Trouble to the Commons to bear any Charge Yet The Conditions of the Grant of an Aid nevertheless so as the Aid now to be granted might not be turned into Wooll neither by way of Loan or Value or in any other manner nor levied too hastily but in the Form it was to be granted and that the Eyres of Justices in the mean time might cease as well of the Forest as of Common Pleas and General Enquiry in the whole Land if this Aid should be levied That no Subsidy upon Wooll for the future may be granted by the Merchants That no Imposition Loan or other Tallage or Charge whatsoever shall be put upon them by the Privy Council without their Grant and Consent in Parlement That Two Prelates Two Lords and Two Justices might be assigned to hear and dispatch their Petitions which were not answered in the last Parlement and that their Petitions in this Parlement might also be answered according to Reason and the Answers to remain in force without being changed or altered That the Justices do enquire of False Money which destroys the People That David Bruys William Douglass and other Chieftains of Scotland may in no manner be released neither by Ransom nor upon their Faith That he would restore the 20000 Sacks of Wooll taken of the Commons by way of Loan That an Aid to Marry his Daughter might not be taken the mean time and That there might be no Marshalcy in England except that of the King or the Guardian of England when he was out of the Kingdom Vpon these Conditions and otherwise not sur cestes Conditions autrement nient and also that they may be entred in the Parlement-Roll as Matter of Record come chose de Record by which they might have Remedy if any thing should be done to the contrary in time to come The said poor Commonalty to their very great Mischief Grant to the King si grante la dite povre Communalte a lour trop grante Mischief a nostre Seigneur le Roy trois Quinzismes c. three Fifteenths to be levied in three Years to begin at Michaelmas next coming so as every Year one Fifteenth may be levied and no more at two Terms in the Year St. Michael and Easter by even Portions and that this Aid may be assigned and reserved only for the War and not to pay Debts And if the War should cease or a Truce be made then the Fifteenth of the last Year not to be levied That of these Conditions and the manner of this Grant Letters Patents shall be made and sent into all Counties without paying any thing for them wherein shall be made mention of the great Necessity the King was in after the last Parlement And in case the War should break out toward Scotland the Aid granted beyond Trent should be employed for the Defence of those Parts as it had been formerly About this time Lewis of Bavaria being dead several of the The Electors offer to chuse K. Edward Emperor of Germany Electors met at Colen from whence they sent Ambassadors to King Edward and offered to Elect him Emperor of Germany 4 Claus 22 Ed. III M. 20 Dors A. D. 1334. He refuseth their Offer in Return to which Offer he sent Sir Hugh Nevill and Ivo de Glinton Canon of St. Paul with his Refusal of that Dignity and great Thanks for the Honour they intended him The time of the Truce of Calais being near expiring 5 Rot. Fran. 22 Edw. III. M. 13. Several Truces continued and made the King upon the Pope's sending Commissioners either to prolong the Truce or Treat of a final Peace the former was agreed for six weeks Which Term being ended the Ambassadors on both sides met between Guines and Calais and agreed to another Truce to begin on the 13th of November and continue to the first of September 1349 Which Truce on the second of May that year 6 Rot. Fran. 23 Edw. III. M. 9 10. Dors was prorogued to the Feast of Pentecost 1350. The Articles were much the same with those of the Truce before Tournay A. D. 1340 and of that before Vannes A. D. 1343. This year says Walsingham was 7 F. 168. n. 10. Glorious in England for Peace Victories the Spoils of Caen Calais and other Towns and Cities in France as also for Garments Furs Gold and Silver Vessels and other rich Vtensils which were seen almost in every House and that then it was the English Dames began to pride themselves in the Apparel The English Women imitate the French in Apparel of the French Dames In a very short time after the Truce as above was concluded the Lord Geofrey Charny
spake any thing by Common Assent of his Companions it might be amended by them before their departure or afterwards He then 3 Ibm. n. 17. rehearsed in short Words the Articles of the Charge il rehearceast en courtes Paroles les Articles de les Chargez a eaux donez And first for the Liberties and Franchises for the Liberties and Franchise of the Church Good Laws and Customs Honour of God granted to Holy Church and for the King's Promise of preserving the Good Laws and Customs of his Kingdom entirely and punishing such as should any thing do against them the Commons humbly thanked him with their whole Hearts kneeling upon the Ground les genulx a Terre and praying God they might be put in due Execution As to the Aid the King 4 Ibm. n. 18. The Commons Pretences why they ought or could not grant an Aid demanded of his Commons for the Defence and Safety of the Kingdom and for the Safeguard of his Lordships Lands Towns and Forts beyond Sea and toward his Wars the Commons said la Comune dit That in the last Parlement in his first Year the same things were shewn unto them in behalf of the King at which time they answered It was apparent the King had not so great need for an Aid seeing he had in his hands the Priories alien the Subsidies of Wooll the Revenues of the Crown the Lands of the Prince his Father and many other Great Lordships by the Nonage of the Heirs of them and that therefore there must be great Plenty of Money in the Treasury To which the King's Council then answered That lately the Charge of the Coronation had been very great and that the Money upon those Funds they mentioned came in very slowly nor could they be collected soon enough for an Expedition that Year And it was then further said That if the Commons would furnish the King with â— great Sum of Money to make such an Expedition as might be for the Destruction of his Enemies en destruction des ses Enemies they hoped he might have Money sufficient afterwards from time to time to maintain the War and defend the Kingdom And thereupon the Commons then said That in hopes of that Promise to be discharged of Tallage for a great time after they granted a greater Sum than had been given to any King to be levied in so short a time And all things considered it seemed to the Commons that there must be a great Sum in the Treasury besides what had been expended in the last Voyage so that the King had no need to charge the Commons who were in a lower Condition than ever by reason of that Payment and lately by the Murrein amongst their Cattel and their Enemies Burnings upon the Sea-Coasts That their Corn and other Chattels were at so low a Rate that no Money could be raised at present And hereupon they prayed the King to excuse them not being able to bear any Charge for pure Poverty pur pure Povertee To all which 5 Ibm. n. 19. A full Answer to those Pretences The Commons charged with untruth Monsieur Richard le Scrop answered making Protestation That he knew of no such Promise made in the last Parlement and saving the Honour and Reverence due to the King and Lords what the Commons said was not True le dit de la Comune en celle partie ne contient my veritee And as to the Subsidy last granted that a great part of it was in the Treasury to wit of the Two Fifteenths and Two Tenths and afterward of Wooll in that Parlement he vouched the Testimony of William Walworth and John Philpot who by their Consent were appointed Receivers of them that every Penny thereof was expended upon the War and that not one Penny came to the High Treasurer of England or any other to the Use of the King That the Revenues of the Crown besides the Annuities and other Charges upon them granted by his Grandfather and Father were too small and without the Customs of Wooll and Lands of the Priors aliens the Honour and Estate of the King could not be maintained And therefore they were to know that according to Reason they ought to relinquish their Complaint if they pleased a celle pleint voâ—s faut par Reson cesser si vous plest Whereupon the Commons 6 Ib. n. 20. The Commons request to know how the Money had been expended To know the Names of the Great Officers and Governours of the King's Person for the Year ensuing after a short Deliberation made it their Request to the King he would please to shew them how and in what manner the great Sums given for the War had been expended and also that he would please to let them know the Names of such as should be the Great Officers of the Kingdom and who his Counsellors and Governours of his Person being yet of tender Age for the next Year as it had been before Ordained in Parlement To which it was 7 Ib. n. 21. The Answer to both those Requests answered on the behalf of the King by the said Monsieur Richard That though there never was any account given of Subsidies or any other Grant made in Parlement or out of Parlement to the Commons or any other but to the King and his Officers yet he willed and commanded of his own motion to please the Commons not that it was of Right for him so to do or that he was forced to it do by reason of their Request now made That William Walworth then present with some of his Council assigned thereto by him should in Writing clearly shew them the Receipts and Expences so as it should not be drawn into Example for the future As to the Officers the King had caused them to be chosen by the Advice of the Lords And as to his Counsellors they should be such as pleased him serra les Counsellers de tieux come luy plerra whose Names they should receive in certain si plest au Roy. The King commanded charged and prayed them and also all The Commons commanded and prayed to dispatch their Parlement Business the Lords present prayed them nostre Seigneur le Roy vous commande charge enpriant ainsi vous priont touz les Seigneur cy presentz That having due Consideration of the great apparent Dangers on all sides they would provide for the Defence of the Kingdom which not only concerned the King but all and every one of them and think how the War might be maintained and give as speedy an Answer as they could that the Parlement To save the Charge of the poor Commons in paying their Wages might have an end and good effect in ease of the King Lords and themselves for the Profit of the Kingdom and Discharge of the poor Commons that every day paid their Expences during the Parlement which was one of their principal Charges given the first day Another
Grievance to be That any Stranger might have a House and dwell in the City be a Broker and buy and sell all sorts of Merchandises by Retail and Stranger sell to Strangers that they may again sell the same Goods to others to the great raising the Price of Merchandises and making them Dear Whereas in times past no Strange Merchant used any of these Practices against the Franchises of the City by which the Merchants of the City were much impoverished the Navy or Shipping much impaired the Private Transactions of the Nation discovered by those Strangers to his Enemies by Spies and others lodging in their Houses And then pray it They pray Remedy would please the King and his good Council in Charity to order in that Parlement that Merchant Strangers should be restrained in these Practices and that the Major Aldermen and Commons of the said City might enjoy their Franchises notwithstanding any Statute or Ordinance made to the contrary The King's Answer was 1 Ibm. Ro. The King's Answer upon Condition c. That upon Condition the City might be under good Government to the Honour of him and Profit of the Kingdom from thence forward no Stranger should have a House to be a Broker nor Sell any Goods by Retail within the City or Suburbs notwithstanding any Statute or Ordinance to the contrary saving to the German Merchants of the Haâ—s-Towns their Franchises Granted and Confirmed to them His Letters Patents to the same purpose by the King and his Progenitors According to the Purport and Effect of this Answer the Major Aldermen and Citizens of London obtained the King's Letters Patents Dated the 4th of November next following The Commons Petition the King That whereas great Riots 2 Ib. n. 164. The Commons Petition against Riots were committed in several parts of the Nation by great numbers of Armed Men that the Sheriffs might raise the Posse Comitatus or Power of the County to suppress them and that the Sheriffs and Justices of Peace might inform the King's Council of such Rebels de tiels Rebelles as refused to go with them The Answer was 3 Ibm. Ro. The King's Answer The King by Advice of his great Council would order Remedy if need were but in the mean time let the Statutes concerning that Matter be put in due Execution This Parlement ended July the 6th in the 50th of Ed. III. Whether the Two Kings sent their Commissioners to Bruges on the 15th of September 1375 as was agreed on or if so what was done then I find not however the Truce continued for in The last Truce continued the next year in a Commission to Thomas de Felton Seneschal or Steward of Aquitan and others Dated the 28th of May in the 50th of Edward the Third for Reforming whatever had been done against the Form of the Truce in that Dutchy and punishing the Offenders it appears that the Truce had then been lately renewed and prolonged from the last day of June next coming when it was to have ended to the first of April which should be in the year 1377 or 51st of Edward the Third Holinshed Fol 411. col 1. n. 60. says it was again continued to the first of May and then the War opened But the King many months before the Expiration of the Truce The King of France designing against King Edward had notice of a Design forming against him by the King of France having made an Alliance with Spain and Scotland to that purpose wherefore on the first of December in the 50th of his Reign he issued 4 Clause 50 Ed. III. M 6. Dors Part 2. He calls a Parlement Writs for a Parlement to meet on the Quinden of St. Hillary or 27th of January next coming at Westminster which was held by Commission to the Prince of Wales then about 10 years of Age the Bishop of St. Davids being Chancellor Who 5 Rot. Parl. 51 Ed. III. n. 11 12 13 The Declaration of the Causes of Summons in his Declaration of the Causes of Summons moved the Lords and Commons to a due Love Affection and Obedience toward the King and his Grandchild the Prince of Wales and then tells the chief Cause of Summons was for the Defence of the Land for that the King having at the Request of the Pope agreed to a Treaty of Peace and that there was a Truce made for a time while a Peace might be made which Truce his Adversary of France had broken and was preparing for War and by the assistance of Spain Scotland and other Enemies to destroy the King Kingdom and English Language To obviate this Design and the Malice of his Enemies and to Maintain the Peace of the Nation within and without by their Counsel and Advice was his great Intention as also to know how the Expence of the War should be provided for and for that it was not fit for a Bishop to say any thing against the Pope Monsieur Robert de Ashton Chamberlain to the King was appointed to propound how further Provision might be made against his Vsurpations as should by a Bill be shewed in this Parlement At another 6 Ib. n. 18. meeting of the Prelates Lords and Commons in Parlement the Commons in the King's Name were directed to go to their Old Place the Chapter House of the Abby of Westminster there to treat and advise how due Resistance might be made to the Enemies of the Nation for the safety of the King Kingdom Navy and themselves and how Money might be most speedily raised to the least Grievance of the People The Prelates and Lords Treating likewise about the same Matters there was A Committee of Lords appointed by Parlement to Treat with the Commons assigned in Parlement to have Conference with the Commons for their better Information the Bishops of Lincoln Chichester Hereford and Salisbury the Earls of Arundel Warwick Salisbury and Stafford the Lords Percy Roos Fitzwalter and Basset To Maintain his 7 Ib. n. 19. Wars considering the great Charges the King was to be at for them the defence of the Kingdom and otherwise the Lords and Commons Grant him Four pence of the A Tax granted Goods of every Person des biens de chescune persone of the Kingdom Male and Female above Fourteen years of Age except very Beggers and most humbly pray their Liege Lord he would please to excuse them that they could grant him no greater Subsidy being most willing to have done it but that they were so impoverished of late by great Losses at Sea as otherwise pur grands perdes sur la meer come autrement that they were unable at present And the Commons 8 Ib. n. 20. Treasurers for the Tax prayed the King he would please to Name Two Earls and Two Barons that should be Treasurers as well of this Subsidy as of that the Clergie was yet to grant and also of the Subsidy of Wool Pelts and Leather
granted the last Parlement and that they might be Sworn in their presence That what was Received by them should wholly be expended upon the Wars and not otherwise and that the High Treasurer of England should receive nothing or any ways meddle herein But afterwards when they had 9 Ib. n. 21. Who were laid aside and the High Treasurer made Receiver considered what Sum the Wages of such Four Treasurers would amount unto by the year quel somme les Gaiges des sieux quatre Tresoiriers resident â—ur celle fait amonteroit per an the Commons departed from this Request and prayed the High Treasurer might be Receiver to the use of the War in manner accustomed The 1 Ib. n. 32. The Commons Petition Commons in this Parlement beseeched the King That the Patent lately granted viz. November the 4th as above by the great Council to the Major Aldermen and Commons of the City of London upon the Article That no Strange Merchant That the Patent granted to London might be granted to other Cities and Burghs ought to Sell to another Strange Merchant any Goods or Merchandise to Sell again in manner as in the said Patent is more fully contained might be renewed and granted as well to other Cities and Burghs as to them with a Charter or Clause of Confirmation Of which Patent the Copy follows Edward 3 Ib. Rot. Parl. 51 Ed. III. n. 33. The Patent it self King of England c. To whom these present Letters shall come Greeting Our Beloved and Faithful the Major Aldermen and the rest of the Citizens of the City of London by their Petition exhibited before us and our Great Council containing amongst other things That for that all Strangers do freely sell all sorts of Merchandise whatsoever within the Liberty of the said City that they may be sold again as the Citizens do whereas the said Strangers according to the Liberty of the said City anciently obtained ought not nor could so do Whereby as well the said Citizens are much impoverished and Goods and Merchandise much more dear c. for Relief of the Citizens and Common Profit of our People under a grievous Forfeiture to us to command they shall be restrained We being favourably enclined to the said Petition Will and Grant That no Stranger within the Liberty of the City aforesaid shall sell any Merchandise to a Stranger or any ways presume to do it that they may be sold again until by the Noble and Great Men of our Kingdom per Proceres Magnates Regni nostri it shall be duly debated in our next Parlement whether our present Grant may for the future redound to the Disprofit or Common Profit of our People Saving always to the Lords of our Kingdom and all others that they may buy such Merchandise of all Men in Gross for their own Vse and saving also to the German Hanse Merchants the Liberties Granted and Confirmed to them by us and our Progenitors In Witness whereof we have caused to be made these Letters Patents Witness our self at Westminster Novemb. 4. in the Year of our Reign of England 50th of France 37th The Answer to the Petition above with which this Patent was delivered and presented by the Commons was Le Roy 4 Ibm. Ro. The Answer to the Petition voet estre informe The King will be informed At the same time the 5 Ib. n. 34. A Petition of the Commons and Citizens of London about their Corner Commons with the Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London Petition the King That for divers Mischiefs that often happened in the said City by reason the Coroner was not Justiciable nest pas justisable by the Major Aldermen or other Officers That they might chuse a Coroner of themselves and remove him when they pleased as it was practised in many Cities and Towns of the Land they answering to the King in manner as appertained to the said Office The King's Answer was Le Roy 6 Ibm. my voet mye depart a son ancien Droit The King The King's Answer to it will not depart from his ancient Right The Commons Petition the 7 Ibm n 35. The Commons Petition that Foreigners might be removed out of the Land c. King That for many Causes well known to his Privy Council as to them That it would be profitable to the Kingdom that all manner of Foreigners were commanded out of it during the Wars unless they were Merchants and Artificers which were not Adherents to his Enemies and such as their stay were advantageous to the Reaalm and for that he was their Liege Lord pur le que voz esterz nostre Seigneur Liege c. and had the Power of doing Justice in Right of his Crown in all things Temporal within his Kingdom and that they have no Obedience of any thing Temporal but to him as their King and Liege Lord That he would please to Order and Command That none of his Lieges be Farmer or Servant to any that have Estates in England unless to such as inhabit there or such as were in his Legiance and had special Leave to live out of the Kingdom And that he would please to Command his Sage Council to add more to this matter that might be needful for the Amendment and Profit of his Kingdom And they all his said Commons make Protestations before God Himself and all the Prelates and Clercs which were at that Parlement That their Intent and Will was That the True Estate of Holy Church shall not by them be Blemished in any Point but otherwise preserved and kept safe according to your Pleasure The Answer was Le Roy les 8 Ibm. Ro. The King's Answer Grantz de la Terre s'adviserent en ordeneront que mien y soit Affoire The King and the Great Men of the Land will Advise and order what is best to be done And further in this case they Petition 9 Ibm. n. 36. They Petition against Provisors That all Provisors of Benefices from Rome and that their Officers or Servants may be put out of the King's Protection if they Sue Prosecute or any way Disturb or cause to be Excommunicated the True Patrons This was the Answer The Pope hath promised Redress 1 Ibm. The King's Answer and if he makes it not the Laws in this case shall be in force Amongst their Petitions in this Parlement we find the 2 Ibm. n. 75. The Commons pray the Judgment against the Lord Latimer may be reversed Commons pray the King and Noble Lords of Parlement That whereas in the last Parlement by untrue Suggestions and without due Process the Lord Latimer one of the Peers of the Realm and sufficient to be of the King's Council as well for his Wars as otherwise was outed of all Offices and Privy Council with the King estoit oustrez de toutz Offices des Privez Consielx entrour le