1236-06-14, Winchester

Notification that touching the cog which Philip de Albiniaco, in the war between King John and Louis son of the king of France, took before Portesmuth, laden with merchandise of merchants of Flanders, believing it to be of war (de guerra), and whereof the countess of Flanders and Hainault has often requested the king to give satisfaction to her and her merchants, especially as the said cog and the merchandise therein were of her land and she was not against King John, the following agreement has been made between the king and R. the advocate of Bethune, appearing in place of the countess before the king's presence, to wit, that if before W. bishop elect of Valence, J. earl of Lincoln and constable of Chester, Hugh Dispens[ator] and the said advocate the king can prove by good men that the said cog was of war, or laden with goods of the enemies of King John, or was coming to England for the sustenance of such enemies, then the king shall be quit touching the said cog and the goods therein, and if not, the king shall be bound by judgment of the said bishop-elect, earl, Hugh and advocate to make satisfaction for the same.