| Description | From: Richard II, king of England
The king has inspected a decree made in parliament on 22 Jan, concerning the custody of the lordship and manor of Tonbridge, which are of the inheritance of the heir of the earl of Stafford who is under age and who holds of the archbishop of Canterbury in chief (recited).
The archbishops have custody of all lands which are held in chief of them during the minority of the heirs, even when the heirs hold other lands in chief of the king. William Courtenay, late archbishop, held the castle and manor of Tonbridge because the heir of the earl of Stafford was a minor. A dispute arose between Thomas Arundel, the present archbishop, and William's executors concerning this. A composition was made between the archbishop and the prior and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral Priory and the archbishop asked the king to examine this and issue a decree on the matter. The king appointed Robert de Waldby, archbishop of York, Robert de Braybroke, bishop of London, John de Fordham, bishop of Ely, John of Gaunt, duke of Aquitaine and Lancaster, John de Holand, earl of Huntingdon, and Thomas Mowbray, earl marshal, to examine the composition and report to him. On 22 Jan they presented their decree by Walter Clopton, the king's chief justice. This stipulated that one-third of the heir's manors, lands and tenements and the profits from them should remain in the hands of the priory, to be applied to its own use. The other two parts were to remain with the priory until the king ordered to whom they should be delivered. The castle of Tonbridge was to be delivered to the archbishop of Canterbury to hold until the heir came of age. The king confirmed this decree.
The decree is exemplified at the request of the archbishop of Canterbury and the priory. Sent patent. The clerk is Faryngton'.
Given at Westminster [Middlesex].
Endorsed 'pro prior Cantuar'' in late 14th cent hand. |