Folios: 448v-450v. Charters of kings. Inspeximus made by Richard II to John, duke...

Folios: 448v-450v. Charters of kings. Inspeximus made by Richard II to John, duke of Lancaster, of charters, as follows: 1. Charter made by Edward III, dated at Westminster on 20 May 31 Edw. III. 2. Another charter made by Edward III, dated at Haveryng [Havering] on 8 Oct 50 Edw. III. 3. Another charter of Edward III, dated at Havering on 8 Nov 50 Edw. III. 4. Another charter of Edward III, dated at Westminster on 28 Feb 51 Edw. III.

First party: Richard II.

Second Party: John, duke of Lancaster [John of Gaunt].

Place or Subject: 1. Whereas John, late earl of Kent, now deceased, by his charter, granted that the castle, land and lordship of Lidell [Liddel] with appurtenances, both in England and in Scotland, which Blanche, formerly the wife of Thomas Wake, held for the term of her life of the earl and which after her death ought to revert to the earl and his heirs, after her decease were to remain to the king and his heirs. And Blanche had duly made attornment to the king in this matter by virtue of the said grant in the lifetime of the earl, just as more fully appears by that charter and her letters compiled upon this. The king, out of his special affection which he has for John, earl of Richmond, the king's son, grants that the castle, land and lordship with appurtenances both in England and in Scotland, which Blanche holds of the king for her life and which after her death ought to remain to the king and his heirs by virtue of the said grant of the late earl and attornment, after her decease are to remain to the king's said son in tail male, to hold together with knights' fees, advowsons of churches, parks, warrens, fisheries, liberties and all other things belonging to that castle, land and lordship both in England and in Scotland, of the king and his heirs by the same services by which the castle, land and lordship are held of the king before they were granted by the late earl, as is aforesaid, forever. 2. Whereas the king granted to his son John, king of Castile and Leon, duke of Lancaster, then earl of Richemond [Richmond], the castle, vill and honor of Hertford and the vills of Beyford [Bayford], Esendon [Essenden] and Hertfordyngbury [Hertingfordbury], together with members and appurtenances, which Isabella, late queen of England, the king's mother, held while she was alive, and which after her death passed into the king's hands, the king for the affection which he bears for his son, grants to him the castle, vill and honor of Hertford and the said vills with members and appurtenances. 3. The king grants to his son John, king of Castile and Leon, duke of Lancaster, the castle, vill and honor of Brageriaco [Bergerac], diocese of Perigord, together with the whole office of castellan and all jurisdiction and appurtenances [details given], as fully and entirely as ever Henry, late duke of Lancaster, deceased, the king's kinsman, had and held them, while he was alive, from the king's gift and grant, or ever the former lords of that vill, while it was out of royal hands, or anyone else had and held them at any time in the past. 4. In consideration of the probity and wisdom of his son John, king of Castile and Leon, duke of Lancaster, who has always shown his service to the king, exposing himself on several occasions intrepidly to the dangers of wars, and wishing to recompense him with some reward and honour, with the assent of the nobles in this present parliament, grants to his son that he may have for the whole of his life within the county of Lancaster his chancery and his writs under his seal appointed for the office of chancellor, his justices to hold both pleas of the crown and any other pleas concerning the common law, to make cognisances thereof and any executions by his writs and ministers there, and any other liberties and royal rights pertaining to the county palatine.

Additional people: Witnesses to charter 3: Simon, archbishop of Canterbury [Simon Sudbury]; William, bishop of London [William Courtenay]; John, bishop of Lincoln [John Buckingham]; Edmund, earl of Cambridge, the king's son [Edmund of Langley]; Richard [fitz Alan], earl of Arundel, the king's kinsman; Thomas de Bello Campo [Beauchamp], earl of Warwick; William de Ufford, earl of Suffolk; William de Monte Acuto [Montagu], earl of Salisbury; Henry de Percy; John de Neville; Roger de Bello Campo [Beauchamp], chamberlain; and John de Ipre [Ypres], steward of the king's hospital.

Dated at Westminster.

15 Sept 1 Ric II.