1362-11-21, William Westminster

Memorandum of acknowledgment, 21 November. MEMBRANE Qd. Indenture made between the king of the one part and John Ray of Coventre, John Harlaye of Caumpeden and Richard de Hampton of the other part, being a lease for two years from Michaelmas last to the said John, John and Richard in the counties of Warrewyk, Leycester, Stafford and Salop, of the subsidy upon cloths for sale granted to the king by the lords and commons of the realm to have release of the forfeiture of alnage thereon anciently put, to wit 4d. the cloth of assize without grain, 6d. the cloth of assize of scarlet, 5d. the cloth of assize of half grain, of every half cloth a moiety of the said subsidy, of every other cloth exceeding the half cloth by 3 ells or more but less than a cloth of assize, and of every cloth exceeding the cloth of assize by 3 ells or more, in proportion to the subsidy due for the whole cloth of assize of the same kind, rendering to the king 301. a year at the quinzaine of Easter and the quinzaine of Michaelmas by even portions; if during the two years the said subsidy or any parcel thereof shall cease by order of the king or council the said farmers, their deputies and heirs, shall be quit of their farm from the time it shall first so cease, and shall be quit toward the king of all impeachment in time to come touching the collection and administration thereof, saving to every man his action if he would complain of extortion or excess; they shall not be compelled to render account of the issues of the subsidy, but only to answer for their yearly farm, and the king has given them licence to let the same to farm, in whole or in part as they please ; whereas in the statute it is contained that all cloths exposed for sale before being sealed with the seal appointed for the purpose shall be forfeit to the king, the king's will is that the farmers and their deputies be bound to deliver by indenture all cloths so forfeit to the sheriffs of the counties wherein they are found, who shall answer for the same at their account, and the farmers shall have for their pains the third of such forfeitures ; if the farmers have to sue any persons for any matter concerning their farm, the king will make himself a party thereto in their aid, and will make commissions to certain people at the farmers . nomination to make inquisition in the said 'counties of the towns ; and places where cloth is made, and every maker of cloth shall be forbidden on pain of forfeiture to suffer any cloth to pass out of his keeping until sealed ; the seals for this purpose shall be new made by advice of the council and of the farmers, and the old seals shall be given up ; and put in the treasury, to avoid hurt which might thereby come to ; the farmers; they shall have as many commissions and writs of chancery as shall be necessary in aid of the collection without payment in the hanaper for the seal of those first issued, provided that they pay for other commissions and writs thereafter issued as other people ; and if the subsidy shall be further leased after the said term and they shall wish to take it, they shall have the preference for the sum that others will give. Dated Westminster, 30 September 36 Edward III. French. . 433 Memorandum ot a mainprise for the said farmers by George of the John de Catesby, Richard de Stoke and Thomas Nassyngton Coventre co. Warrewyk, to answer for the said rent of 301. in case farmers make default. indentures are made with the following farmers : Walter de Frompton, William de Canyngges, and John de Stoke in the counties of Somerset, Dorset and Gloucester for 3 years at a rent of 1501. a year. John Milverton, John Stotte, John Peuterer and Richard Portyngale of Gloucestershire mainpernors. Richard Wycombe of Redyng and Henry Crowe of Neubury in the counties of Oxeford and Berkshire for 3 years at a rent of 101. a year. No mainprise, tor that it was witnessed before the council that they were sufficient. William Wyther of Dorchestre for 3 years in Wilts at a rent of 601. a year. Ralph Bussh, Johnde Kentecombe, Henry Iyfhide and John Harry of Dorset mainpernors. French.