1371-08-05, Westminster

To Nicholas de Audeleye, John Moubray and Richard de la Bere. Order to command the making henceforth of any process against John prior of the house of friars of the order of Holy Cross by the Tower of London and brother Thomas Peytevyn late his fellow, the publication of the exigents wherein they are put by a process made before the said Nicholas, John and Richard it is said, and of outlawry against them, to be altogether stayed, but to proceed to the execution of their commission against others whatsoever according to the effect thereof ; as lately learning by plaint of Thomas Peytevyn knight that the said prior and brother Thomas, Philip Lunteleye, William Golafre, Hugh del Brome, John Kynlet, William Bray bailiff of Stepelton, William de Mildenhale and certain other evildoers and breakers of the peace with arms drawn, being armed and arrayed in manner of war, repaired with force of arms to the said knight's manor of Twyvord in Erselone while he was under the king's special protection, being on his service in Aquitaine in the company of Edward prince of Aquitaine and Wales, besieged the said manor, holding free men and . 243 of the said knight therein beseiged for ten days, entered by assault, drove thence the said free men and servants, times broke the said knight's houses there, took 24 oxen and of his there found, price 120/., carried away the said oxen of the sheep, killed the residue of the said sheep, and took away his goods and chattels to the value of 600/., assaulting, wounding and abusing the said men and servants wherefore their service a great while, and inflicting on him other grievous contrary to the said protection, in breach of the peace and of for not carrying arms contrary to the peace, the king to leave their contempt and trespasses without punishment patent appointed the said Nicholas, John and Richard of them, of whom John Moubray should be one, justices inquisition by true men of Herefordshire concerning the of the evildoers who with the said prior etc. so did, and the contempt and trespasses aforesaid, and to hear and the same ; and on behalf of the said prior and brother Thomas has learned that certain men, scheming to deprive the said late a friar of the heritage falling to him after the death of his father, compelled him at that priory to take the of religion in order thereby and by his profession in the order to debar him from action for his said heritage, that if this it was done within his age of 14 years, namely within the by law forbidden, and ought to be reckoned as null, that late friar by compulsion and against his will had for some conversation in the said order, habit and religion, and within his said age with the knowledge and by perof the said prior and the brethren withdrew therefrom was, casting off the habit thereof, and Simon bishop of having information concerning the premises commanded prior and the convent to attempt, procure or cause to be done against the said late friar at the cost of his as appears by notarial instruments and the bishop's letters in chancery, wherefore prayer is made to the king to save the said prior and late friar, as at the suit of the said knight justices by virtue of their commission have made and are processes against them concerning the said trespass to their grievance and to the peril of the late friar s disherison ; and the nature of the attempts aforesaid and great number matters affecting this business and the disherison of the said which are laid before the king and council, the king would more favourably with them. By C. to the sheriff of Hereford to stay the publication of the and of outlawry against the said prior and Thomas late a de la Bere and his fellows, guardians of the peace and of oyer and terminer in Herefordshire.