Medieval Documents


Agreement between Richard Duke of Gloucester and William Burgh of Brough (North Yorkshire), 4 October 1471

Modernised English transcription from the original in the Burgh archives, North Yorkshire County record Office ZRL 1/35. English.

R. Gloucester. This indenture made between the right high and mighty prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Great Chamberlain, Constable, Admiral and Warden of the West Marches of England against Scotland, on the one part, and William Burgh esquire of the other part, witnesseth that the same William is "witholden and beleft" (bound and will remain) for (the) term of his life with and towards the said Duke against all persons, his allegiance excepted; and the same William well and properly horsed and harnessed (armed) shall be ready to ride, come and go with, toward and for the same Duke as well in time of peace as of wars, at all times, and unto all places, upon reasonable warning to be given unto him on the behalf of the said Duke at his costs or reasonable reward, the said William taking yearly for his fee 10 marks sterling of the issues, profits and revenues coming and growing as well of the farm of the vaccary (cow pastures) of Sleightholme as of the farms and revenues of the lordship of Middleham, by the hands of the receivers, farmers, bailiffs or other occupiers thereof for the time being, at the terms of Martinmas and Whitsuntide by even portions. And the same Duke shall have the thirds of all winnings of war won or gotten by the same William, and the thirds of thirds of all his servants that he shall have at the wages or costs of the said Duke. And if any captain or man of estate by the same William or any his servants be taken, the said Duke shall have him, giving to the taker reasonable reward for him. In witness whereof as well the said Duke as the said William to this indenture interchangeably set their seals. Given the fourth day of October the eleventh year of the reign of the King and sovereign Lord Edward the Fourth.


The City of Hull sends men to Pontefract to support Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Lord Protector.

June 1483. Bench Book, Hull City Record Office BB 3A fl33v. English

Memorandum that the same day a letter direct of from my lord of Northumberland to the mayor aldermen of sheriff etc. and a proclamation with the same reciting a sue* of the behalf of my lord Duke of Gloucester protector etc. as of my said lord of Northumberland that all men betwixt the age of 60 and 16 should be ready to attend of my said lord of Northumberland at Pumfret (Pontefract) the morn after Midsummer Day then next as it is more plainly contained in the said proclamation etc. by virtue of the which it is agreed that twelve men defensibly arrayed of this Commonalty and eight of the Shrievalty go to my said lord and each man to have 12d of the day for twenty days and that it be borne and gathered as hereafter follows

John Nichelson souter** 6s 8d Godfrey Berbruer 2s

Walter Nichelson 2s John Campe 20d

George Bell 20d John Gelys souter** 20d

Bron (?) Berker 3s 4d Garard Couper 12d

William Berbruer 6s 8d Henry Hatmaker 12d

John Waghen 3s 4d The Strahattmaker 3s

John Couper mar(i)n(er) 12 d Gerard Souter** 12d

Little Peter Berbruer 5s Cornelys Taylor 12d

Brand Berbruer 20s

James Dauson Scot(?) 12d

Sum total 63s 4d

(In the margin) "Alie" (perhaps for "other things", meaning miscellaneous expenses, or possibly for "aliens)

The total of the left hand column is given in the document as 29s 8d; the right hand column as 33s 8d (actually 33s 10d). There is a note before Brand Berbruer’s name of 6s 8d.

* Perhaps "request" but the meaning may be aswe(ll), i.e. as well of Gloucester as of Northumberland.

** That is, cobbler.


The expenses of the Prince of Wales’s household in 1483

Extract from British Harleian MS 443, ff. 118r-118v; transcript printed in R. Horrox and P.W. Hammond, eds., British Library Harleian Manuscript 443, vol.2 (Richard III Society, 1980), pp. 24-25. The passage has been modernised, and the spelling of names taken from the index to the printed text.

Geoffrey Franke Warrant to the auditors of Middleham to allow Geoffrey Franke, Receivor of the same, in his accounts the sum of £196 10s. that is to wit:

22s 9d for green cloth for my lord prince and Master Nigel by him bought

20d for making of gowns of the same cloth

13s 4d to the gild of Northallerton

5s for chasing (the hunting?) of the king at West Witton

5s 11d for rushes

26s 8d for Agnes Cowper

11s for a cloth sack

23s 4d for a horse bought for William Little, Scot

26s 8d to St Christopher gild at York

5s for a feather* to my lord prince

£10 for 3 fothers of lead bought of the abbot of Coverham

22s 3d for the Lord Richard(‘s) costs from Middleham to Pontefract

46s 4d for the Lord Richard(’s) burial

14s 1d to Derek Shoemaker for stuff for my lord prince

6s 8d to the Lord Richard(‘s) servants

6s 8d for the chasing (hunting?) of the king at Middleham

15s for my lord prince (‘s) offering to Our Lady of Jervaulx, Coverham and Wensleydale

17s 9d for certain stuff bought for Master Neville

15s 9d for stuff bought for Edward Pilkington

20d for my lord prince(‘s) offering at Jervaulx

2s 6d for offering at Fountains

4s for his offering at Pontefract

48s 9d to Jane Colyns for offerings and other stuff by her bought

21s 6d for the expenses of the Lord Richard(‘s) servants and the horse at Middleham

£4 10s to Oliver Cambre, John Vaghan, Rukes Metcalf, Anthony Pacock, Dennys, John Marler for their quarter wages at Midsummer

33s 4d to Henry Forest for his half year wages

12d to (a) gift for mending of my lord’s staff of office

12d to Martin the fool

12d to Sheren** by the way

20d for my lord’s drinking at (D)ringhouses

8d for trussing cord

8d for a bridle bit

15s 9d to Sir Thomas Brounles for my lord’s alms

31s 4d for a primer for my lord

7s 10d for black satin for covering of it and of a psalter

2s for my lord prince(‘s) drinking at Kippax

£37 16s 11d for the expenses of my lord prince’s household


The reception of King Richard at York 

The King’s son is created Prince of Wales

20 August 1483. York Minster Library, M2/2 c f.70r; another and very similar version is York Minster Library, VC 1/1 f.49r. Published by J. Raine, ed. The Fabric Rolls of York Minster Surtees Society vol. 35 (1859), pp. 210-212. Latin

Memorandum that on the 29th day of the month of August, that is to say, on the feast of the Decollation of St John the Baptist in the year of the Lord 1483, Richard the Third, King of England and France, came to the city of York, with the queen and the prince; attended by many other magnates, both spiritual and temporal, that is, five bishops, of Durham, Worcester, St Asaph, Carlisle, and St. David’s, the earls of Northumberlnad, Surrey and Lincoln, Lords Lovell, Fitzhugh, Stanley, Strange, Lile, Graystoke and many others, and he was received ceremoniously by the city with a procession, at the chapel of St James Without the Walls. And thus he entered into the city with honour, through diverse shows and the adornments of the city, as far as the metropolitan church of St Peter. And there he was received with honours with a procession, both the Lord Dean and the canons, with all the ministers of the said church in silk copes of blue colour, at the west door of the church; holy water having been sprinkled and incense wafted, at the appointed prie-dieu at the font he said Our Father. And so the succentor of the vicars (choral) began the response for Trinity, that is "Honor, Virtus" and it was concluded by the choir before the step of the high altar. And there was a short pause as for Our Father and one Hail Mary. Then the dean began prayers, that is " and lead us not," for the king. That being done, the dean and canons with the ministers drew back into the stalls while the Amen was concluded with the organ. And then they began the psalm "We praise Thee, O God," the prelate taking the Office, and it was concluded by the choir and the organ. And immediately the anthem for Trinity was begun by the succentor, that is, "Thanks be to Thee, O God" etc., with versicles and the prayer for Trinity. And so he went in procession into the palace of the Lord Archbishop. And on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary next following (8 September 1483) the king and queen came crowned to a procession into the aforesaid church, with the prince and other afore-named lords both spiritual and temporal, the bishop of Durham taking the Office, the high altar adorned with the Twelve Apostles silvered and gilded, with many other bequests of the lord king, which remained there until the sixth hour at night. And after mass all returned into the palace, and there the prince was created by the lord king before the feast in the hall before all. And they sat crowned at the feast, for the space of four hours. And there were Dean Robert Bothe, the canons and the Treasurer Portington, Poteman archdeacon of York and the subdean, and four other prebendaries, ten parsons of the church of York, twelve vicars choral with other ministers of the church.


Letter from Edward Plumpton, in Lancashire, to Sir Robert Plumpton concerning the Duke of Buckingham’s rebellion. 18 October 1483

Extract from Plumpton Letterbook, West Yorkshire Archive Service, Leeds Record Office, Acc.1731; transcript printed in T. Stapleton, ed., Plumpton Correspondence, Camden Society vol. 4 (1839), pp. 44-45. English. The passage is modernised from the printed text of the Letterbook, which is an early seventeenth-century copy of the original letters. English.

To the right and honourable and worshipful my singular good master, Sir Robert Plumpton, knight, these (to) be delivered.

The most humble and due recommendations premised, pleaseth your mastership to recommend me unto my singular good lady your mother, and my lady your wife; humbly praying your good mastership to take no displeasure with me that I sent not to you afore this, as my duty was. People in this country be so troubled, in such commandment as they have in the King’s name and otherwise, marvellously, that they know not what to do. My lord Strange goeth forth from Lathom (Lancashire) upon Monday next with ten thousand men, whither we cannot say. The Duke of Buckingham has so many men, as it is said here, that he is able to go where he will; but I trust he shall be right withstood, and all his malice: and else (it) were a great pity. Messengers cometh daily, both from the King’s grace and the Duke, into this country. In short space I trust to see your mastership; such men as I have to do with, be as yet occupied with my said lord. Sir, I find my kinsmen all well disposed to me; if your mastership will command me any service, I am ready and ever will be to my life’s end, with the grace of Jesus, who ever preserve you. Written at Aldcliffe (Lancashire), upon St Luke(‘s) day (18 October: the year is deduced from the events described.) Your most humble servant, Ed. Plompton.

Copied the 6 of May 1613/


The King’s Household in the North and the Regulations coming into force on 24 July 1484

Extract from British Library Harleian MS 433, f.269r; transcript printed in R. Horrox and P.W. Hammond, eds., British Library Harleian MS 433. vol. 3 (Richard III Society, 1980) pp. 114-115. English. The passage is modernised from the printed text.

This is in ordinance made by the King’s good grace for such number of persons as shall be in the North, as the king’s household, and to begin the 24th day of July year 2 (1484) First that the hours of God’s service, diet, going to bed and rising and also shutting of the gates to be at reasonable time and convenient hours.

Item that monthly the Treasurer and Comptroller show the expenses to one of the Council or two, the which shall appointment themselves monthly through the year.

Item that if any person offend in breaking of any of the said ordinance or of any other made by the Council, to punish or expel the offenders after their discretions out of the said house according to their demerits

Item my Lord of Lincoln and my Lord Morley to be at one breakfast, the children together at one breakfast, such as be present of the Council at one breakfast. And also that the household go to dinner at the fartherest (latest) by eleven of the clock on the flesh-day etc.

Item the Treasurer to have the keys of the gates from the time of the dinner and supper begin till the end of the same.

Item that the stuff of household be purveyed and provided for a quarter of a year beforehand etc.

Item the costs of my Lord of Lincoln when he rides to Sessions or to any meeting appointed by the Council, the Treasurer to pay for meat and drink.

Item at all other ridings, hunting and sports my said lord to bear his own costs and charges

Item that no liveries of bread, wine or ale be had, but such as be measurable and convenient and that no pot of livery exceed measure of a pottle (half of gallon), but only to my lord and the children etc.

Item that no boys be in the household but such as be admitted by the Council etc.

Item that every man that is at day wages be at their check and those that be standing wages without check etc.

Item that no servant depart without the assent of the Treasurer upon pain of losing of his service.

Item that no breakfasts be had in the house but such as be assigned etc.

Item that convenient fare be ordained for the household servants; and strangers to fare better that other(s) etc.


King Richard III grants his esquire Thomas Tunstall the manor or lordship of Goodrington next Totnes in Devon, 14 August 1484.

Chichester Constable Archives, Humberside County Record Office DDCC 114/1. Latin. Abstract in Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1476-85 p. 479.

Richard by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland. To all to whom these present letters shall come, greeting. Since not only nobility of birth but also particularly equity of justice should prompt kings and princes to reward with appropriate gifts all men who have deserved well of them; know you that for the singular and faithful service which our beloved subject and servant Thomas Tunstall, one of the esquires for our body, has done for us before this not only in promoting our right and title (by the strength of which right and title we have now lately come with the Lord’s help to the Crown of this our realm of England) but also taking vengeance on the treasons and malice of rebels and traitors who now of late within our same kingdom stirred up a treacherous commotion; and for the good and faithful service which the same Thomas and his heirs will do for us and our heirs, kings of England, against whatever traitors, enemies and rebels there may be in any time to com: - of our special grace we have given and conceded and by the present give and (concede) to the aforesaid Thomas the manor or lordship of Goodrington next Totnes in the county of Devon of an annual value of $40. To have and to hold the aforesaid manor with its appurtenances and the outgoings, profits and pensions of the same manor, together with the knights’ fees, wards, marriages, reliefs and eschaets and advowsons in churches, chantries, chapel sand other benefices of any church, and also waters, woods, underwoods, stews and fisheries and stanks, mills, meadows, warrens and courts, leets, and views of frankpledge, fines, amercements, heriots, and all rents, services and revenues with other liberties and commodities pertaining or belonging to the aforesaid manor or lordship: to the aforesaid Thomas and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten in perpetuity from us and our heirs by knight’s services and rent of £3 annually at the feasts of Easter and Michelmas paid by equal portions. On that account, as regards the mention of other gifts or concessions made by us to the aforesaid Thomas before this time, in the present (letters) stand confirmed, any statute done or order to the contrary made, declared or ordained notwithstanding. In witness of these our letters patent we caused to be made. Witness I myself at Westminster 14th August in the second year of our reign.

Barowe. (Under the fold at the foot) By writ of privy seal and on the date aforesaid by authority of Parliament.

 

 

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