1315-12-08, Clipston

To the justices of the Bench. Whereas lately, at the prosecution of Oliver de Wilbyry and Alice his wife, suggesting to the king that it was agreed between Master Walter de Stapeldon, canon of St. Peter's, Exeter, and Ralph Beaupel, deceased, that whereas Ralph was bound to Walter in 200 marks by statute merchant bond, and Ralph had impleaded William Russel concerning the manor of Speresholt, in the county of Southampton, by writ of assize of mort d ancestor, and Ralph promised that as soon as he had the manor or any part of it by peaceful means or by plea, he would enfeoff Walter thereof for life, so that if Walter died within fifteen years of the feoffment, his heirs or assigns should hold it until the end of that time, Ii. 257 Ralpk should sue for the manor at Walter's cost wherever and when- Walter should ordain, and Walter granted that if Ralph was prepared do and did all these things, or if Walter died before the manor was or if Ralph were unable to recover it by assize or jury, then should be quit of paying the said 200 marks, and although Ralph the assize until his death, so that his lands ought to be discharged the above sum according to the agreement, Walter nevertheless su d the king's writ returnable before the said justices to have Ralph's lands to him for the above debt and his damages so far that 9/, 5s. Od. land at Hewish, held by Ralph at the time of the bond, which Oliver and then held as of her right by Ralph's feoffment, were delivered to to their damage, the king ordered the sheriff of Devon to cause to come before the said justices at Westminster in fifteen days from last to answer to the king and to Oliver and Alice concerning premises ; by reason whereof Walter, now bishop of Exeter, is aggrieved their court both at the king's suit and the suit of Oliver and Alice: the now orders them not to aggrieve him at the king's suit for the premises, to Oliver and Alice their right and action. By K.