1330-08-15, Bourne

Commission of oyer and terminer to John Howard, Simon de Hedersete, Nicholas Fastolf and William de Hemenale, on divers petitions from men of Norfolk, shewing that whereas Edward II. by letters patent appointed William March of Stanhowe and Henry Rose of Yarmouth to purvey corn and other vietual there, and convey it to Newcastle-on-Tyne for the expedition to Seotland, the said William, exceeding his commission, obtained it elsewhere than by his commission he should have done, from ecclesiastics and others who had only enough for themselves, and sent great quantities by boats to ships of Scotland, then at sea near thereto, who carried them to Scotland for provision of the Scots, then rebels, against the proclamation. From certain men he took fines and heavy ransoms for liberty to retain their corn and victual for their subsistence. At the time he was collector in that county of the sixteenth granted to Edward II. for the war with Scotland, he extorted from sub-collectors and others large sums of money. He trampled under foot divers writs of the said king of oyer and terminer sddressed to William de Ormesby and others concerning excesses and grievances perpetrated by Gilbert de Clare, then earl of Gloucester, and obtained at his own suggestion, for a fine of 100/., which he got from Robert de Bures, then steward of the earl, and other bailiffs. He received at Walsyngham 200 marks from Hugh le Despenser the younger for the custody and defence of the sea coast between Lenn and Shiringhamsheld to prevent the landing of the queen and the king on the coast, kept it for himself, and refuses to return it. He and Walter his son have founded leagues and confederacies of men opposed to the king's authority, as well subjects as foreigners, maintain false quarrels against the king and his subjects, perpetrate wrongs and wickedness, and nourish other quarrels by false indictments and appeals. By pet. of C.