1338-12-12, Byfleet

The like to the collectors in the port of Ipswich. By C. 20. To Th. bishop of Hereford, keeper of Ireland, or to him who supplies his place, and to his chancellor and treasurer there. Because the king is informed that the collector of customs in that land receives 80 marks yearly for his fee, and answer is hardly made to the king for so great asum of the issues of the customs for lack of good keeping of the same, chiefly because the collector cannot attend to each of the ports in person, and it would be much more to the king's benefit if there were collectors in each of the ports where customs are received, who would attend to the office in person, the king orders the keeper and others to take deliberation upon the premises with the council of those parts, and obtaining fuller information concerning this to ordain for the levying of customs by those whom they know to be faithful and competent and concerning the fees to be appointed for this as may be best for the king's benefit and the convenience and quiet of that land. By the keeper and C. 6.