1307-03-15, Prior

Appointment of John de Drokenesford, William de Carleton and John de Kirkeby, on petition by the king's merchant, Emeric de Friscobaldis, on behalf of himself and the merchants of the Friscobaldi of Florence, before the king and council touching their losses, (1) for ten years by reason of loans to the king amounting to 10,000/., and (2) 10,0002. by reason of clerical and lay persons, fearing that because of the great prest which the Friscobaldi made the king in Flanders and at Florence, have demanded back sums deposited with them, amounting to 50,000/., (3) 3,000. for keeping in England sometimes three, sometimes four of their fellows in suing the king for payment, (4) losses in the collection in Ireland of money due to them from the king, (5) in taking a lease of tho mining in Devon at 13s. 4d. a last, which was not worth 10s., and in retaining two masters and eighteen men in working the mine and in carrying silver therefrom to London; to audit their account to enquire touching these alleged losses, to examine the said merchants, summoning for that purpose by the treasurer and themselves members of the council and other merchants, and to compensate them on their account out of the custom on wool, hides and wool fells, which is in the hands of the said Friscobaldi, according to the advice of the treasurer; and the commissioners are to be at the Exchequer at Westminster on the morrow of the Ascension to audit the account. By pet. of C. 1.