Commons of Northumberland. King and council. The commons of Northumberland state...

Petitioners

Commons of Northumberland.

Addressees

King and council.

Nature of request

The commons of Northumberland state that an agreement was made between them and the king's grandfather that the county would be completely deforested, in return for an annual rent of 40 marks; but despite this the sheriffs of the county are levying a fine of £6 22d. from them for pasturing their animals in their own woods during the fawning season, called 'the forbidden month'. This fine and all other things belonging to the forest have been rendered null and void by the agreement made with the king's grandfather, so they request a writ to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer to discharge them of this fine, if they can find that they pay the annual 40 marks.

Nature of endorsement

The Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer are to be ordered by writ that when they have seen the agreement that this petition mentions, and the reason why the fine of £6 22d. was paid, and when, and when the said commons, or their attorney, have been heard, and if they can know by remembrances of the Exchequer or by inquisition, or in any other suitable manner that the said fine was paid because of the forest in the said county, and not for any other reason, and that the same forest, and whatever pertains to the forest there was afterwards unmade and annulled, then they are to have them discharged of the said fine.

Places mentioned

Northumberland.

People mentioned

[Edward I], King of England.

For an identical petition with a different endorsement see SC 8/160/7978