1424-11-22, Westminster

Commission during pleasure to Thomas Mareshall (nominated by Henry bishop of Winchester) and John Bedford to levy and collect in person in the port of Kyngeston-upon-Hull and in all adjacent ports and places, after inspection of the merchandise, the subsidies which were granted to the king, especially for the defence of the realm, in the last Parliament, held at Westminster on 20 October 2 Henry VI ; to wit, 33s. 4d. from English merchants on each sack weight of wool and on every 240 woolfells shipped by the said merchants from the morrow of St. Martin last for two years, payable a moiety at the end of six months after the date of their coket and the other moiety at the end of the six months following, 43s. 4d. from all alien merchants on each sack weight of wool and on every 240 woolfells shipped in their name from the said morrow of St. Martin for two years, and tunnage and poundage, from the said aliens, of 3s. on every tun and 12d. in every pound, from the said morrow of St. Martin for two years, payable at such days and terms as may be agreed upon between the said alien merchants and the king's council ; on condition that the same be put to no other use but only in and for the defence of the realm ; and provided that the English merchants be discharged of the subsidy in respect of all sacks of wool and woolfells shipped by them and perished or taken by enemies upon the sea, it being duly proved, and that if the said English merchants shall have paid their subsidy on the wool or woolfells so perished or taken, then they may ship as much therefor without payment of subsidy for the same. [Rot. Parl. wv. 200.) And the collectors are to answer at the Exchequer for the moneys forthcoming ; and to keep the coket seal in the said port. By bill of the treasurer.