1281-11-23, Westminster

Mandate to Grimbald Pauncefot, keeper of the forest of Dene, to take under the king's special protection, for three years, the abbey of "Flexley, which is burdened with debt and impoverished, both by murrain amongst the sheep, upon which the abbot and monks and many others in their places (in suis locis) mainly depend for their subsistence, as well as by sheriffs, bedels, foresters and others consuming their goods by faculties, so that the abbey can no longer perform its customary distribution of alms or its other works of mercy, and is in danger of dispersion ; and to apply the revenues thereof to the use of the said abbey, except such as are necessary for the maintenance of the said abbot and convent and their household, and for the distribution of alms to the poor. John Colewin and Isaac le Rus, canons of the conventual church of Suthwik, bringing news of the death of Andrew, the late prior, have letters of licence to elect.