1299-01-07, Lincoln

To pope Bfoniface]. The king, regarding the inconveniences or even irreparable damages threatening the church of York through the long absence of the dean, is the more confidently induced to make known to the pope certain of his sentiments concerning this matter, because he thinks that the pope will provide a remedy to preserve the churches of every realm from harm. The chapter of the aforesaid church when it was lately deprived of its dean by the consecration of Hfenry] as archbishop, proceeded to the election of a dean, and unanimously chose William de Hamelton, the archdeacon of the church, the king's clerk, who has served the king very faithfully for a long time without intermission; and when the matter of the election was presented to the archbishop, to whom the confirmation or rejection (infirmatio) pertains, he deferred admitting and confirming the elect by reason of a papal provision lately made to Sir F . cardinal deacon of St. Mary in Cosmydin of the next void parsonage or dignity in that church, wishing to consult the pope upon the matter of the election. The king desires to make known to the pope the greatness of the cure and the other various burdens incumbent upon the deanery, and that he is unable to allow the distribution of alms to cease, especially that which has to be made continuously by the deans of York by old ordinance by reason of certain parish churches, whereof the deanery consists, that were wholly conferred by the king's progenitors, which [would be] to the prejudice of his royal dignity, and requests the pope to consider the premises and to provide an opportune remedy as to remitting the matter of the said election, so that the said church shall not be exposed to irreparable charges. [Prynne, Records, iii, p. 802.] To J. cardinal priest of SS. Marcellinus and Peter. Request for the aid of his influence in obtaining the grant of the king's petition in the aforesaid matter of the deanery of York. [Jbid. 111., p. 803.]