1301-04-08, Feckenham

To Sir John, count of Hainault. Letter recommending to him Gerard de Freney, knight, and Walter Bacun, clerk, whom the king has caused to be sent to those parts to supervise the state of the affairs in those parts concerning Elizabeth, countess of Holland, the king's daughter, and to ordain concerning the same, and requesting him to permit them to dispose of, and ordain concerning, the said affairs without hindrance, and to support them therein, as the affairs of the countess in those parts progress badly now-a-days owing to the hindrances of certain men, and the king is given to understand by one of the count's men that such hindrances are not set up by the count's order or will. The count is desired not to marvel at the king sending such simple envoys at this time, as he has done this because the said envoys are more experienced in the state of the said affairs and also of the condition of those parts than more solemn or greater envoys might be.