1324-09-20, Porchester

Order to sheriffs and all other bailiffs, ministers and others to be intendant to Walter, bishop of Exeter, treasurer, and his deputy or deputies, the king of France having now sent a great army to attack the king and the duchy of Aquitaine, and having caused no small multitude of ships to be assembled in divers parts within his power to vex the king and his realm and subjects as well by land as by sea, and the king, wishing to guard against the perils which could easily arise to him and the realm from the sudden attacks of the said king and his, and considering that the county of Cornwall and the castles therein, which queen Isabel, the king's consort, holds, are in the more remote parts of the realm and in lands by the seacoast, where a fleet of ships could easily touch and perils thereby arise to the king and realm, unless those castles and lands be more securely kept, on account whereof it has been agreed on by the council that the said county and all castles, lands and places which the queen holds therein, and the counties of Somerset, Dorset and Devon, shall be in the king's hand for the safe keeping thereof, having appointed the said bishop to take into the king's hand, himself or by deputies, the said county of Cornwall and all the said castles, lands and places in the said counties with the corn, stock, rents, arrears, debts and all other goods and chattels of the queen therein, and to ordain touching the safe keeping of the bodies of the said castles and of the prisoners therein, and to depute sufficient and loyal persons to keep the said county, castles, lands and places, and the parks and chaces there, who shall be able to answer at the Exchequer for the issues thereof and for the said corn, stock, goods and chattels. By K. & C.