1338-07-20, Bury St. Edmunds

To the treasurer and chamberlains. Whereas the king has ordained that Edward, duke of Cornwall and earl of Chester, whom he has appointed keeper of England while he is in parts beyond the sea, for the defence of the realm and the rights of his crown, shall stay at the Tower of London, as shall seem good to him and his council; the king wishing the Tower to be provided with 20 men-at-arms, 50 archers, 50 tuns of wine, 500 quarters of malt, 700 quarters of wheat, 100 quarters of beans, 100 quarters of peas, 20 tuns of great and small salt, 200 quarters of sea coal, and what is necessary of timber and planks for making bretaches about the Tower, and such iron, steel, lead, bows, crossbows, arrows, quarrels and armour as shall be necessary for the safety and defence of the Tower, and that whenever it is necessary more victuals shall be provided and, procured by the advice of the chancellor and treasurer and the constable of the Tower and others of the council, and delivered to the receiver there, the king orders the treasurer and chamberlains to cause all the victuals specified above to be purveyed without delay, taken to the Tower, and delivered to the receiver there by indenture, and to pay reasonable wages to the said men-at-arms and archers when they are placed in the Tower for its defence according to the said advice.