1243-12-18, Windsor

To the prior and convent of St. Swithun's, Winchester, the sheriffs of Southampton and Wilts, keepers of the bishopric, the mayor and bailiffs of Winchester. As the king has appealed to the pope against W. de Ralegh, bishop, on certain just causes which have been approved by men learned in the law dwelling at Oxford and others as also by religious men whom the king has consulted hereon, the king, desiring to avoid offence to God and the church and ccclesiastical persons, and being unwilling that by default of the above persons his appeal should fail, has, so far as in him lies, committed to Master R. de Ludelawe, learned in the law, the said appeal and those who adhere to the king therein, to defend them according to law from all violence, and has sent him to Winchester, with mandate to the above persons to be intendant to him in whatever he enjoins upon them, and whatever he shall tell them as regards the other things formerly enjoined upon them, they shall not omit to do.