A further long roll of evidences, records of proceedings, presentations, and various documents appertaining to the priory of Tunbridge. (a) Concluding portion of the king's writ, described MS. Rolls Kent 7 (k).
(b) Letter of Hamo, bishop of Rochester , to the king for a writ de excommunicato capiendo against Walter atte Hale .
(c) Letter from Robert, abbot of Lesnes , to co-delegates excusing himself from attending to a provision granted by the pope to Richard Aleyn of Cokelestan, a poor clerk of Rochester diocese, on account of urgent business touching his monastery, and authorizing their proceeding without him. [Mutilated.]
(d) Commission from the abbot of D. and the prior of Tunbridge, co-delegates with the abbot of Lesnes, to two canons of St. David's, S. de K... and M. de N. for carrying out the provision granted to the above Richard Aleyn by the pope, to collate him to an ecclesiastical benefice with or without cure of souls, within the diocese of Rochester and in the gift of the bishop.
(e) Mandate from John, archbishop of Canterbury , to the bishops and archdeacons of the province of Canterbury, ordering them to take steps to prevent the misappropriation of the goods of the lord Hugh d'Audele, late earl of Gloucester, deceased, in their several jurisdictions, his executors having made serious complaints thereon. Dated at Lambeth, 5 Id. April, 1348.
(h) Confirmation by Henry, the prior, and convent of Canterbury of the appropriation of the church of Chart, Canterbury diocese, to the prior and convent of Ledes, by Walter, archbishop of Canterbury , for the same reason as in the preceding deed, upon the resignation of John de Howkynge, rector, now made. [See (m) infra.] [1320-21.]
(i) A schedule of debts owing to the prior and convent of Tunbridge, demanded from the executors of Hugh d'Audele, earl of Gloucester, deceased. French
(k) Letter of attorney from N., the prior of Tunbridge , appointing G. de B., canon of the church, the proctor of the priory receiving oblations and gifts for rebuilding the church, destroyed by fire, and also to notify the indulgences (amounting in the whole to 8 years and 230 days) from the pope, archbishops, and bishops, to all benefactors, with participation in the masses and other services of the priory. [1351].
(l) Indulgence by the pope's authority from Stephen, archbishop of Arles, and chamberlain of the pope, to all persons in the diocese of Rochester, that plenary absolution may be given by any confessor during the plague now raging, to every one without exception in articulo mortis, up to the next Easter. Dated at Avignon, Tuesday, 23 December, 1348.
(o) The prior of Tunbridge appoints Henry de Deseburgh to act in all pleas and complaints moved by him, and against him during his absence.
(p) Letter of the king to the bailiffs of Ralph, baron of Stafford of Eldyngge, allowing the prior of Tunbridge to appear by proxy at the court of the said lord of Eldyng.
(q) Petition to the king from the prior and convent for a licence in mortmain to purchase lands and rents of the value of £10 per annum. [French]
(r) Letter from the prior of Tunbridge to the lady [Margaret] de Clare thanking her for a gown ["pelice"] brought by sir Robert Cokerel , and asking for her continued assistance with regard to the appropriation of the church of Stradesell.
(s) Letter from the prior of Tunbridge to the lady Margaret de Clare , praying for an allowance of the balance of a debt due to her of £11 9s. 2d. of which they had paid 100s. by the hands of sir Richard Cokerel in consideration of the surrender of the manor of Tonebregge Hall, not in the good condition in which it ought to be, and of which the rent was in the last year reduced by £4. [French]
(t) Mandate from the abbot of St. James, Northampton, and the prior of Dunstaple, presidents of the chapter of the order of St. Augustine, held at Northampton in the Quindene of the Holy Trinity, 1350, to the priors of Tunbridge and of St. Gregory, Canterbury, visitors of the order within the dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester, to visit all the houses of the order in the said dioceses, and to report to a chapter to be held at Oseney in the Quindene of the Holy Trinity, 1353. Dated Ides April, 1352.
(u) Mandate from Hamo, bishop of Rochester , to the rural dean of Malling, to cite the clergy and laity of the parish churches within his deanery to appear at the visitation to be held at certain churches and on certain days specified. Dated at Hallyng, 18 Kl. October, 1352.
(v) A petition to lady [Margaret] de Clare to prevent her officers from levying fines and holding courts, &c. within the moiety of the manor of Bodekesham, granted to the priory of Tunbridge by Richard de Clare, formerly earl of Hertford, her ancestor.
(w) Letter of the archdeacon of Rochester to the dean of Malling, sending the summons of John, bishop of Rochester , to give their obedience on the Monday next after the feast of SS. Tiburtius and Valerian, in the cathedral of Rochester; dated at Hallyng 25 March, 1352-[3]. Dated at Langefeld, 2 Kl. April, 1353.
(x) Citation from the rural dean of Malling to the clergy of his deanery to appear at the above visitation (w).
(y) Notice of their proposed visitation of the monasteries of Combwell, Ledes, and Bilsyngton, from the priors of Tunbridge and of St. Gregory, Canterbury, the visitors of houses of the order of St. Augustine in the dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester. Dated at the priory of St. Gregory, Canterbury, 13 Kl. May, 1353, and at the priory of Tunbridge, 12 Kl. of the same month and year.
(z) Certificate by the priors of Tunbridge and of St. Gregory, Canterbury, to the abbot of Waltham and the prior of Gisebourne, presidents of the chapter of the order of St. Augustine held, in the monastery of Oseney in the Quindene of the Holy Trinity, 1353, of their having visited the above three houses, in accordance with the above mandate (t). Dated at Canterbury, 6 Id. May, 1353.
(aa) Mandate from Thomas, the abbot of the exempt monastery of the Holy Cross of Waltham , who, together with the abbot of Leicester and prior of Gisborne, presided at the chapter of the order of St. Augustine held at Oseney in the Quindene of the feast of the Holy Trinity, commanding the prior of Ledes to levy and collect from each house of the same order in the diocese of Canterbury a payment of one halfpenny for each mark upon their goods, according to their taxation for the support of the said order, and to pay the amount collected, together with the names of those who refuse payment, to the abbot of Waltham within 40 days after the feast of the Purification of B. V. M. Dated at Waltham, 1 Dec., 1353. [The mandate is headed as being "pro collecta levanda pro placito pros[ecutionis] contra abbatem de Butteleie."] The prior of Tunbridge satisfied this mandate the Sunday on the morrow of the conversion of St. Paul, 1353. Total, 6s. 2 1/2d.
(bb) Letter of John, bishop of Rochester , to the dean of Mallyng, giving notice of his intended visitation of the deanery of Mallyng, to be held in the church of Eld the Thursday and Friday after the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross next ensuing, and commanding him to cite the clergy, &c., of his deanery with 4, 5, or 6 parishioners from each parish to the same. Dated at Hallyng, 14 August, 1354.
(cc) Acknowledgment given by Robert de Waldyngfeld , Nicholas Tone , and William Osebern, of Bodekesham , of the receipt of £20 3s. l0d. from sir Henry Motelot and Robert Marchal to be employed in merchandise for the profit of the said Henry and Robert, and to be accounted for to them at Tunbridge the 2nd of August next. Dated at Bodekesham, 30 January, 28 Ed. III. [French]
(dd) Condition of the above bond (cc) is that if the above Robert Waldingfield , or any one in his name, pay to the prior of Tunbridge at Hokday next, after the date of these presents, £12, and at the feast of St. Mary Magdalen £8 3s. l0d.; then the said bond to be null and void. Done at Bodekesham the day and year above written.
(kk) Letter from Simon, archbishop of Canterbury , to Richard Vagham, LL.D., revoking the admission of John de Rothewelle to the church of Great Hardres. Dated at Maghefeld, 10 Kl. Nov., 1359.
(ll) Commission from Simon, archbishop of Canterbury , to the official of the archdeacon of Canterbury, commanding him to hold an inquiry as to who is the true patron of the church of Great Hardres, revoking certain letters to the same purpose in which John de Rothewell was said to be presented by Ralph, earl of Stafford, and who was now presented by the prior and convent of Tonebrigge. Dated at Maghefeld, 10 Kl. Nov., 1359. [French]
(mm) The prior and convent of Tunbridge claim from the executors of Ralph, late earl of Stafford, certain debts due to them for corn, various rents and for windows in the west gable of the church for which he had promised to pay (£14 8. 10), and for the maintenance of two friars minor for three quarters of a year according to a covenant made in the name of Hugh, earl of Stafford in 7 Rich. II. Dated 7 Rich. II. [French]
(oo) Mutilated and illegible deed. 134(.)
(rr) Henry de Hegham , presented to the church of Stokeby by the prior and convent of Ledes, appoints A. de B. his attorney to act for him in all the business touching the said presentation; being a form for proxy in such cases. Dated &c.
(ss) Letter from the prior and canons of Tunbridge, to the earl of Lancaster, asking him to send letters to Robert de Caustone and J. de Harwell , executors of the late earl of Gloucester [dead by 1347] payment of some money due from him, which they ask may be given to their lord the baron Stafford. (c. 1348) [French]
(tt) Petition to the king for his licence to appropriate the church of Legh (rated at £32) to the priory of Tunbridge. [French]
(uu) Letter from King Edward III to John de Offord, dean of Lincoln, and chancellor, granting his licence for the appropriation of the church of Legh to the prior and convent of Tunbridge, at the request of Ralph, baron of Stafford. Dated at Westminster, 22 Ed. III [23 July, 1345].
(vv) Letters patent tested at Westminster, 23 July, 22 Ed. III, for the appropriation of the church of Legh as in (uu).
(ww) Petition from the prior and convent of Tunbridge to the bishop of Rochester, setting forth that their church, chapter house, dormitories, refectory, library and vestry, with the books, vestments, and ornaments, and all the other buildings, have been destroyed by fire, and asking that the church of Legh, taxed at £12 per annum, may be appropriated for their support, and also for the support of two additional canons whom it is desired to add to their number of ten.
(xx) Letter from Ralph, baron of Stafford, lord of Tunbridge , [to the archbishop of Canterbury (?)] praying him to assist his chaplains the prior and canons of Tunbridge, on account of their loss by fire and other heavy charges. Written at Tunbridge the 12th day of December. [French]
(yy) Further petition from the prior and convent of Tunbridge to the pope, for the appropriation of the church of Legh, Rochester diocese, setting forth the disaster which had befallen them, &c and for power to settle the endowment of the vicarage. (see pp and ww).
(zz) Petition from the prior and convent of Tunbridge to the pope, praying him to confirm to them the churches, tithes, privileges, indulgences, rents and services, lands and possessions, which they enjoyed before the 11th day of July, 1337, when their house was burnt, all their muniments and charters having been destroyed, of which some are taking advantage to injure them.
(aaa) Commission from Richard de Haversham, treasurer of the church of Llandaff , subdelegate of prior of St. Bartholomew, London, the abbot of Westminster and the prior of the Holy Trinity, London, appointed by the pope conservators of the rights and privileges of the prior and bretheren of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, England, to the dean of Mallyng, Rochester diocese, commanding him to cite or cause to be cited, David, the perpetual vicar of Teudele (Tudley) , to appear before the said prior of St. Bartholomew or one of the above, in the church of St. Bartholomew on the third law day after the feast of St. Juliana the virgin next following, concerning the usurpation of ecclesiastical rights and the administration of the sacraments, and also the unjust taking away of offerings in the church of Capelle, made to the said Hospitallers. Dated at London, 5 Kl. Feb., 1351.
(bbb) Ralph, earl of Stafford, petitions the pope, that the church of Heghhardres with the chapel of Stellyngge, taxed at 40 marks, may be appropriated to the priory of Tunbridge, for the support of two additional canons, reserving a pension of 14 marks for the vicar.
(ccc) Letter of sir John de Harewell to sir Robert de Caustone , touching the settlement of the debts due to the prior of Tunbridge by [sir Hugh de Audley, earl of Gloucester, deceased]. He has given an acquittance to the baron [Stafford] for 34 marks, which the latter will pay to the prior. A further large sum the prior has released on condition of the [earl of] Lancaster's ..(?)ding the getting from the king the the enclosed the prior the following goods which were in his custody, viz. 'siz quillers d'or et de jaspre, et en cire oevrez ciiiixxx livres, xii. pieces de orailes de leure en amaillez, viii. papilons des margeries, un pyn de ivoir, un tablet de ivoyr de ymagerie, ii. petitz forcers de ivoyr dount jay donez lun al Eglise a mettre dedeynz Corpus Christi et altres reliques'; the prior will send "le cire" to London to John de Weston to sell for the best price he can get in past payment of the debt, for which also some other things of little value have been left with him. [French]
(ddd) Petition from the canons of Tunbridge to the king for a licence to purchase £20 of land and rents to the memory of Hugh de Audley, late earl of Gloucester, and Margaret his wife, cousin of the king, and in part payment of the earl's debt to them.
(eee) Letter of the prior of Tunbridge to sir Robert de Caustone , recapitulating the contents of the letter of sir John de Harewell (ccc). To the inventory are added "en torches et en tortys"; the "sire" is said to weigh 192 lbs; and and the things left with him are valued at 6 marks in part payment of a debt of 40 marks; and £200 are given to the earl of Lancaster for the licence in mortmain. [French]
(fff) Letter from the prior to John de Weston enclosing the letter of sir John de Harewell (ccc), and that of the prior to sir Robert de Caustone (eee), and telling him that the 'coffre oue eirez' to the pope shall be forwarded to him at the first opportunity.
(ggg) Petition of Edw. III to the pope for the appropriation of the church of Leddrede, the priory having been greatly injured and impoverished by the siege of the Castle of Ledes in the time of Edward II.
(iii) Letter from King Edward III to pope Clement VI, setting out the depression of the priory of Ledes in consequence of the damage done to it during the siege of the castle of Ledes. Dated at Westminster, 24 May, 1344.
(lll) Letter from King Edward III to A., bishop of Tusculum , urging the application for the appropriation of the church of Lederede. Dated at Westminster, 5 June.
(nnn) Form of a bond for the payment of the stipend allotted to the vicar an appropriated church.
(ooo) Petition to the pope by the prior and convent of Ledes, setting forth the damage done to them during the siege of the castle of Ledes, as also to their manors and the church of Chetham by burning, and asking that the church of Stokbery may be appropriated to them.
(ppp) Letter from John Colpeper to the earl of Huntyngdon, the King's justice in Kent, to the effect that having been ordered to commit the office of deputy of the hundred of Wechilston to Nicholas Merifeld in the place of Roger de Barden, the prior of Tunbridge begs that the said Nicholas may be relieved from that office, inasmuch as he has care of possessions of the prior in Brenchesle. [French]
(qqq) Letter from the prior of Tunbridge to the earl of Huntyngdon, praying that Nicholas Merifeld , their sergeant of Brencheslee, may not be appointed deputy of the hundred of Wechilston. [French]
(rrr) Letter of thanks from the prior of Tunbridge [to the archbishop of Canterbury (?)] for some favour.
(sss) John Vaccham, alias Freeman, rector of Leghe, Rochester diocese , appoints master William Bradle, canon of London , sir Thomas Vacham, priest, and John Godwyne, clerk, his proctors to act for him conjointly or severally in all matters connected with his church or any other ecclesiastical business. Dated at Canterbury, 12 Aug., 1354.
(ttt) Letter from the prior and canons of Tunbridge to [the archbishop or archdeacon(?)] of Canterbury, praying him to seal a new bond to be laid before him by Thomas de Wolton in lieu of a former cancelled bond, and recommending the latter to favour, he having resigned his benefice for their advantage.
(uuu) Letter to Thomas de Wolton enclosing the foregoing (ttt) and the new bond for the [archbishop's (?)] seal and deprecating his supposing that the insufficiency of the former one was due to any fraudulent intention.
(vvv) Letter from King Edward III to John bishop of Rochester , soliciting the prayers of the people of his diocese for the success of his arms in France, in consequence of the conduct of the French at the court of the pope in refusing to ratify the treaty of Calais. Dated at Westminster, 9 June, 29 of his reign.
(xxx) Bond given by Roger de Barden to William de Mallyng, the prior, and the convent of Tunbridge, to secure the repayment of a loan of £10 4s. 1d., in case of default a distraint to be levied on his goods. Dated at Tunbridge the Tuesday next after the feast of St. Kalixtus, pope, 26 Ed. III.
(yyy) Warrant for preparing letters patent for the repayment at Mich. a year hence of £4 to the prior of Tunbridge, lent by him to the king on the 25 June, 21 Ed. III. [French]
(zzz) Letters patent, dated at Redyng 25 June, 21 Ed. III, promising the repayment at Michaelmas, 1348, of the preceding loan (yyy).
(aaaa) Warrant from Ralph, earl of Stafford, to John Fromond his receiver for the lordship of Tunbridge, to allow the prior of Tunbridge to keep 60 pigs free of pannage within the forest of Tunbridge in accordance with the charters he has exhibited. [French] Dated 9th April, 31 [Ed. III].
(bbbb) John, son of Thomas de Cobeham , quit-claims to Walter, son of sir Thomas Colepeper , kt., all right in all lands and tenements together with rents and services which will fall to him after the death of Elizabeth his mother, wife of the said Walter, in the county of Surrey at Gatewick. Dated at Tunbridge, 4 July, 33 Ed. III.
(cccc) John, son of Thomas de Cobeham , remits to Walter Colpeper and Elizabeth his wife all right in all the lands and tenements, which will fall to the said John after the decease of Walter and Elizabeth in the county of Kent; nevertheless the said Walter grants for himself and his heirs, that if the said John or Thomas de Weston in his name, come and pay to Walter or his attorney £40 in the priory of Tunbridge on the day of the nativity of St. John the Baptist, within 3 years next following the date of these presents, then this writing of relaxation shall be void. Dated at London, 4 July, 33 Ed III.
(dddd) John, son of Thomas de Cobeham , is bound in a sum of 40 marks sterling to Walter, son of sir Thomas Colepeper , kt. Dated at London in the house of John Tamworth, clerk, 15 July, 33 Ed. III.
(eeee) Condition of the preceding bond; viz to secure the payment of 20 marks at the priory of Tunbridge on Easter day after the date of these presents
(ffff) Letters patent of King Edward III, dated at Redyng, 24 January, 33rd of his reign, granting to John Parys of Tunbridge and Margaret his wife a certain piece of land containing 2 acres of meadow in Tunbridge, formerly Roger Bavent 's, in consideration of the gift by the said John of a certain sum of money to the prioress and sisters of Dertford with their King's consent.
(gggg) Letter of the prior of Tunbridge to the archbishop of Canterbury desiring to be excused on the ground of poverty from the charge of some person committed to the custory of the priory by him.
(hhhh) Petition from the prior and convent of Tunbridge to Lionel, earl of Ulster, for the continuance of their privileges of a daily supply of two cart-loads of wood, of pannage for 6-score of pigs, and of the yearly gift of a stag within his forest of Tunbridge at the feast of St. Mary Magd. [French]
(iiii) Warrant from Ralph, earl of Stafford and lord of Tunbridge, to John Fromond his receiver there, to pay to the prior and convent 10 marks. Dated at Tunbridge on the feast of the translation of St. Thomas, 35 Ed. III. [French]