1371-03-12, Westminster

_ To the sheriff of Cornwall. Order not to compel, distrain or trouble John Blaunkmoustier knight to abide continually in person upon his lands in Cornwall according to the proclamation, the said proclamation or the king's command to the contrary notwithstanding, releasing any distress made upon him in lands or goods and chattels ; as lately being aware that his enemies of France and other their adherents had assembled a great host of ships with men at arms and armed men, purposing therewith as soon as they might to land within the realm, destroy the king and his kingdom and wipe away all the English tongue if their malice were not resisted with the strong hand, and wishing to provide against the hurt and peril which might happen to the king, his realm and subjects by their attacks, the king ordered : the sheriff ceasing every excuse to cause proclamation to be made that all and singular, of whatsoever estate or condition, having lands in Cornwall and not dwelling within the county, if not continually abiding upon their own lands in the counties of Kent, Suthampton, Sussex, Dorset, Somerset or Devon upon the defence of the sea coast, should under pain of forfeiture draw with all speed to their lands in Cornwall, cause their men and tenants there to be arrayed every man according to his estate and means, and with their said men and tenants so arrayed and all their household there continually abide with the strongest power they might, compelling them so to do by distraint of their lands, goods and chattels, and if they had no goods and chattels by taking their lands into the king's hand and otherwise, so that they should be there at latest before the octaves of the Purification last to abide continually with all their household upon the defence of the sea coast against attacks of the enemy ; but the said John is of the . 221 of William de Monte Acuto earl of Salisbury, abiding continually the said earl as of his household, ready to march with him upon king's service whither the king will send him, as the said earl in has borne witness before the king and council, wherefore he not be compelled to abide upon his lands in Cornwall. By C. that here the king delivered the great seal to Sir de Thorp knight the chancellor, as appears upon the back roll.