1376-06-18, Westminster

To the mayor and sheriffs of London. Order, upon the petition of Thomas prior of St. Bartholomew Smythefeld London, if in a plea pending before them in the husting of London without the king's writ between Adam Rous leche and the said prior concerning the unlawful taking and detenue of chattels of the said Adam proceedings have been had and allegation made as hereinafter mentioned, to proceed therein with what speed they conveniently may, doing speedy . Parr II. 375 justice to the parties according to the law and custom of the said city such allegation notwithstanding, provided they proceed not to rendering of judgment without advising the king ; as the said petition shews that the prior has avowed that the taking of the naam aforesaid in certain tenements in the parish of St. Mildred in the Poultry which were of Robert Moton, by reason of a certain rent therefrom issuing which pertains to his said church and to him and is im arrear, is lawful and reasonable, shewing also that the plaintiff in his pleading has alleged that lately the king by letters patent granted those tenements to him for life, and after by other letters patent confirmed his estate therein to the said Adam and his heirs for ever, and that so he ought not to proceed in that plea without advising the king, and shewing that by reason of that allegation the mayor and sheriffs have deferred and do yet defer to proceed therein. 12. To Edmund the king's son earl of Cantebrigge constable of Dovorre castle and warden of the Cinque Ports, or to his lieutenant. Order of the issues of the said castle to pay to John Begyn now parson of the parish church within the same the arrears of 9 marks a year for the time he has been parson thereof, and henceforward to pay him that sum every year at Christmas, Easter, Midsummer and Michaelmas by even portions so long as the said earl shall be constable, taking the said parson s acquittance ; as on 12 November in the 38th year of his reign the king by letters patent granted to Richard Benet late parson thereof and to his successors 9 marks a year to be taken as aforesaid by the hands of the constable for the time being over and above 6 marks which he took yearly of the issues and profits of the castle. 12. To Edmund Laurence escheator in Lancashire.