1342-07-20, Tower

Order to deliver the custody of the priory of Bilsyngton to the sub-prior and convent, together with the issues thereof, as John Maunsel founded that priory and his charter of foundation contains among other things that when the prior resigns or dies, the sub-prior and convent shall have the custody of all his possessions, which charter Henry III confirmed, and immediately on the resignation or burial of a prior, the sub-prior and convent should enter the chapter and elect a new prior without asking licence of any one, and should present the one elected to the patron; and Edward I who caused the priory to be taken into his hand for certain causes desired that this should not be made a precedent to the prejudice of the sub-prior and convent, so that when the prior was elected they should present him to the king by the letters patent of their chapter, and that obtained they should send to. the archbishop of Canterbury, diocesan of the place, so that he might further do what pertained to him, and that when elected and confirmed he should go to the king with the archbishop's letters testimonial so that the king should order the sub-prior and convent to restore the temporalities to the prior. 20. To Thomas de Swynnerton, escheator in cos. Salop and Stafford.