1338-10-20, Kennington

To William de Ros of Hamelak. Whereas at the denunciation of William, archbishop of York, showing that Joan Fletcher, his parishioner, was excommunicated for contumacy of his authority, and would not be judged by ecclesiastical censure, the king ordered the sheriff of York to judge her as excommunicated and despising the keys of the Church, until satisfaction should be done to Holy Church, and afterwards the king sent a writ of certiorari to the sheriff, who returned that Joan was taken at Wherleton in Blakehowemore, in that county, by Thomas de Overton, the sheriff's minister, and on account of this several malefactors came to kill Thomas and release her, and Thomas took refuge with her in the castle of Helmesley, in the parts of Blakhowemore, where she is in the custody of William Starre, the constable; the king therefore orders William de Ros to direct his said constable to keep her safely until Holy Church is satisfied or until her release is ordered by the king.