1296-11-24, Bury St. Edmunds

To the sheriff of Essex. Whereas the king clearly understands that in the present time of winter there is no need for as much custody at sea as there was in times past, for which reason he, wishing to spare the country the costs and expenses wherewith they have been much grieved heretofore about the custody of those parts, has ordered John de Fyloyle, warden of certain of the parts about the sea in that county, to cause jointly with the sheriff, immediately upon sight of the letters sent to him, a lighter and smaller guard (custodiam) to be provided and put upon the sea coast in the sheriff's bailiwick, to wit scouts (ascultatores), watchmen and bells (signa) in all places on the coast where necessary, by which scouts, watchmen and bells the country may be speedily warned concerning any fleet of the king's enemies that may approach those parts in order to do evil, and so that there shall be in each place aforesaid four or six scouts and watchmen, who shall stay continuously by day and night in the places to which they shall be assigned by the sheriff and John, and so that those who shall thus stay shall have their reasonable expenses from the country to the least grievance thereof, in such wise as the sheriff and John shall provide in their discretion. When all these things have thus been ordained and established, the sheriff and John shall provide without delay that John and all others in John's bailiwick who have previously been concerned in the said custody shall be always ready and prepared with horses and arms, to wit each of them according to his estate, upon every occasion when they shall be warned by the scouts, watchmen and bells or in any other way, so that the country shall be so guarded that damage, loss or danger by the king's enemies shall not threaten the king or his realm in any way. The king orders the sheriff to lay aside all other affairs and to go with John to the coast, and to do and execute all the premises in form aforesaid. This he shall in no wise omit as he shall wish to avoid the king's wrath and as he loves himself and his things.