1374-10-14, Westminster

To William de Wyndesore governor and guardian of Ireland or to his representative, the chancellor, treasurer and the barons of the exchequer of Ireland. Order, if lawfully assured that Hugh son of Edward le Despenser knight held jointly with Alice his wife, daughter of John son of Peter de Hothum knight tenant in chief, the castle, manors, mills, borough, serjeanty and rent, the knights fees, advowsons, liberties etc. hereinafter mentioned, and that they are in the king's hand for the cause stated and for none other, to restore and deliver the same to the said Alice with the issues thereof taken since 11 March last, on which day the said Hugh died, as is found by inquisition taken at the king's command by Nicholas Seymo[ur] escheator in Norhamptonshire ; as she has shewn the king that her said father was lately seised in his demesne as of fee of Kilkenny castle with the mills there, the borough of Rosbargan with the mills there, the manors of Dunfert and Kilderney, the serjeanty of Overk, 331. 15s. 3d. of rent in Callan and the advowson of Callan, with other lands and knights fees with their appurtenances in Overk, Obargan, Logheran, Killagh , Royfynan, Knottofre, the Newtown of Geripont, Killamery, Archereston, Lysdony, Kilfetheran, Newtown Darley, Rathegulby, Kiltraven, Ramadouf aud Choleghaune, and the royalties there and other liberties, offices and divers profits to the said castle, towns, manors and serjeanty pertaining, which are held in chief, that by virtue of the king's licence he gave the premises with all other their appurtenances, and the reversions of lands held in dower or otherwise for life or for a term of years, to Thomas de Ferrariis knight and Anne le Despenser his wife for their lives with remainder to the said Hugh and Alice (who were after wedded) and to the heirs of their bodies, that although by virtue of that gift the said Hugh and Alice were by due process in the king's court of Ireland seised of the premises after the death of the said Thomas and Anne, the same were taken into the king's hand by virtue of an ordinance made at Gildeford in the 42nd year of the reign, whereby every man having lordships, lands etc. in Ireland was ordered under pain of forfeiture thereof on or before Easter day in the 43rd year to come in person to Ireland, or send thither his quota of men, sufficient, there to abide upon the defence of Ireland, for that the said Hugh being on the king's service over sea and knowing nought thereof, who died in those parts, came not before the said feast nor sent men as aforesaid, that for that cause the premises remained in the king's hand until the said Hugh's death, and thereafter for that cause and by reason of his death, and are yet in the king's hand; and now the said Alice has petitioned the king for restitution thereof and of the issues thereof taken since her said husband's death, and the king takes note that there is no fault in her, and that the said Hugh might not forfeit the premises beyond the term of his life, and it is his will to deal generously with her in consideration of the estate which the said Hugh had therein, and for that the said licence and the charter of gift are enrolled upon the rolls of the chancery of England. Proviso that the said Alice shall by herself or by others . 47 perform and find her proportion of all charges due for the premises, as others in Ireland are bound to do. Dupplicatur. 16. Et factum est breve inde sicut alias. 6.