1335-11-03, Alnwick

Henry de Frowyk and Richard de Poyntz. Whereas the king lately them to assess and levy 40 marks granted to him by the men of Middlesex in subvention of the costs and expenses of the war of Scotland for the discharge of 10 hobelers and 20 archers whom the king ordered LL 2 to be chosen in that county and sent to Scotland for the said war, so that Henry and Richard should answer to the king for that money on certain days now past; and the king has now been besought by the men of that county to remit and pardon them the said 40 marks which Henry and Richard endeavour to levy from them by virtue of the king's said order, as all the said hobelers and archers, before they were aware of the grant of the said 40 marks, were chosen and arrayed and provided with armour and equipments at the cost of that community, and they are now set out to Scotland in the king's service, by virtue of his said order, where they will probably remain for a long time; the king has given those men respite for the payment of the said 40 marks until the quinzaine of the Purification next, so that being informed in the meantime upon the premises, he may cause justice to be done; and he therefore orders Henry and Richard to permit those men to have such respite, superseding the levying of the said 40 marks in the meantime, notwithstanding the said writ of the exchequer; and the king has ordered the treasurer and barons of the exchequer not to molest Henry and Richard by reason of that supercession, provided that after the lapse of the said quinzaine the said money shall be levied for the king's use with all possible speed, and shall be answered for at the exchequer, unless the king orders otherwise. By C.