| Description | From: Edward II, king of England
To: the mayor and bailiffs of Sandwich
The prior and convent of Canterbury Cathedral Priory have shown that they were lords of the port of Sandwich and held it in free, pure and perpetual alms. Afterwards they granted and quitclaimed for the town with the port to Edward I, the king's father, in exchange for 60 liberates of land elsewhere, except for the houses and quays, which they still hold in free, pure and perpetual alms. Because of this property, the mayor and bailiffs have unjustly distrained the priory for contributions to the king's tallages and aids, which it ought not to pay and never did before the exchange. If this is so, the king commands the mayor and bailiffs to cease and to allow the priory to hold the houses and quays free from any contributions to tallages and aids. If any distraints were made they should be released to the priory without delay.
Given at the Tower of London.
Endorsed with the mayor's reply and related note in late 13th cent hands. |