Folios: 404v-405v. County of Yorkshire. Charters or muniments found in the castle...

Folios: 404v-405v. County of Yorkshire. Charters or muniments found in the castle of Pontefract, Yorks, in a box, marked by a sign. Concerning the institution and destitution of the prior of Pontefract.

First party: R., abbot of York, and R. de Selebi [Selby], abbot of Selebi [Selby].

Second Party: R. de Lasci [Lacy].

Place or Subject: The abbots make known that they have undertaken the letters of Pope Innocent III, directed to the abbots of St Mary, York, Rievall' [Rievaulx] and Selebi [Selby]. The pope committed the cause which is pending between the prior and convent of Karitate [La Charite-sur-Loire] on the one side, and R., lord of Pontefract, York diocese, on the other, concerning the institution and destitution of the prior of Pontefract, to be determined by the consent of the parties. Therefore the abbots are to decide what should be done and cause that to be faithfully observed. Dated on the 5th Ides of June 5 Innocent III. By authority of the mandate the judges summoned the principal parties. Since they could not appear in their own persons, R. de Lasci appointed as his proctor J., rector of the hospital of St Nicholas of Pontefract, but the prior of La Charite-sur-Loire appointed two proctors, namely the priors of Weneloch [Wenlock] and Norhamton [Northampton]. The proctor of the knight, in the presence of the opposite party, proposed that, if, when anyone is instituted as prior of Pontefract, he ought firstly to be presented to that knight or his steward, and so be appointed as prior with his assent, etc. But the prior, once he is appointed, ought not to be removed unadvisedly, unless for a reasonable cause. He also said that his predecessors, H. and R. de Lasci, whom he succeeded, used this right, and he also, after he gained his inheritance, used the same right. Furthermore, since he was held as patron to defend and look out for the house so that it was not harmed by undue exactions, and the person who was prior ought to pay to the house of La Charite-sur-Loire only a mark yearly. They were paying sometimes 10, sometimes 15 and sometimes a greater sum to the prior, because it was in his power at his will and judgement to recall him, and so for a great part the house was destroyed. And to prove this, on the part of the knight there are witnesses, etc. And whereas it has often been requested from the opposing party whether it wants to propose or prove anything against this, it will not take care to do so, but tries to evade judgment by delays and exceptions.

Additional people: (witnesses) Simon, dean of York; Hamond the treasurer; William the archdeacon; Hugh Murdac, archdeacon; Master Lisia the canon; Master Gregory the canon; Adam de Thornour [Thorner], archdeacon; William de Stighandebi, canon; William de Kava, canon; Roger de Lokint', dean; Master Adam de Kelingt'; and Richard, clerk of Methelai [Methley].

Undated.

For original deed see: DL 27/215