Abbess and convent of Burnham. King. The Abbess and convent of Burnham state that...

Petitioners

Abbess and convent of Burnham.

Addressees

King.

Nature of request

The Abbess and convent of Burnham state that the King granted them the manor of Bulstrode, forfeited by Hugh le Despenser the son, with its appurtenances at farm, but that because Geoffrey de Bolestrode claimed a right in certain lands in that manor, there was a process in Chancery, which found against Geoffrey, and the King recovered the lands. Despite this, he has continued to occupy the lands, preventing the Abbess and convent from having profit from this manor. The Abbess has been greatly impoverished by this suit, and asks that the process might be brought into parliament and examined, and Geoffrey summoned and questioned on his actions, and ordered not to meddle further in the matter, saving his right at common law, if he thinks he has one.

Nature of endorsement

John de Stonore and Henry de Clif are to be appointed to inquire into all the things contained in the petitions and process, on the one side and the other, and into all other relevant matters, in the presence of the Abbess and of Geoffrey, to be informed of this, if they wish to be present, and also in the presence of the Prior of the Hospital and of John de Horneby, if they wish to be present. And when the inquisition has been returned in Chancery, when the Chancellor has called the wise men of the council, and heard the arguments on all sides, justice is to be done.

Places mentioned

Burnham, [Buckinghamshire]

Bulstrode, [Buckinghamshire].

People mentioned

Hugh le Despenser the son

Geoffrey de Bolestrod (Bulstrode)

John de Stonore

Henry de Clif

the Prior of the Hospital [of St John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitallers) in England]

John de Horneby.

For transcript, see p.115 of PRO 31/7/123

For a related petition from Geoffrey de Bolestrode, with related documents (SC 8/95/4739A-K), see SC 8/95/4739K

For a related petition from the Abbess, see SC 8/97/4827

• Calendar of Close Rolls, Edw III, vol. I, 1327-1330, (Public Record Office, 1896), p.253 (order, dated 12 February 1328, to deliver certain lands to Geoffrey de Bolestrode)
• Calendar of Close Rolls, Edw III, vol. II, 1330-1333, (Public Record Office, 1898), pp.11-12 (order, dated 2 March 1330, to resume the lands and tenements into the King's hand and to deliver them to the Abbess and convent of Burnham) & p.356 (order, dated 24 October 1331, to pardon the Abbess and convent their farm, because of their expenses in their suit with Geoffrey de Bulstrode)