1
Debts owed to the Templars in England
Contents
Devon ......................................................................................................................................... 2
TNA: E 142/199 mem 38 (was 44) ........................................................................................ 2
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 1 ........................................................................................................ 3
Northamptonshire ...................................................................................................................... 4
TNA: E 142/119 mem 2 ......................................................................................................... 4
Buckinghamshire ....................................................................................................................... 5
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 3 ........................................................................................................ 5
Warwickshire and Leicestershire ............................................................................................... 6
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 4 ........................................................................................................ 6
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 5 ........................................................................................................ 6
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 6 ........................................................................................................ 7
Westmorland .............................................................................................................................. 8
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 7 dorse.................................................................................................. 8
Wiltshire ..................................................................................................................................... 8
TNA: E 142/119 mem 8 ......................................................................................................... 8
Hampshire .................................................................................................................................. 9
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 9 ........................................................................................................... 9
Surrey and Sussex .................................................................................................................... 10
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 10 .................................................................................................... 10
Kent .......................................................................................................................................... 11
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 11 .................................................................................................... 11
London and Middlesex ............................................................................................................ 12
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 12 ....................................................................................................... 12
Norfolk and Suffolk ................................................................................................................. 13
TNA: E 142/119 mem 13 ..................................................................................................... 13
Summary sheet of the debts owed to the Templars ................................................................. 14
TNA: E 142 119 mem. 14 dorse .......................................................................................... 14
TNA: E 142 119 mem. 14 recto ........................................................................................... 14
Worcestershire ......................................................................................................................... 15
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 15 .................................................................................................... 15
TNA: E 142/119 mem 16 ..................................................................................................... 16
Oxfordshire and Berkshire ....................................................................................................... 16
TNA: E 142/119 mem 17 ..................................................................................................... 16
TNA: E 142/119 mem 18 ..................................................................................................... 16
2
TNA: E 142/119 mem 19 ..................................................................................................... 17
Somerset and Dorset ................................................................................................................ 18
TNA: E 142/119 mem 20 ..................................................................................................... 18
Herefordshire ........................................................................................................................... 20
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 21 .................................................................................................... 20
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 23 .................................................................................................... 20
Cornwall ................................................................................................................................... 21
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 24 .................................................................................................... 21
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 22 .................................................................................................... 22
Gloucestershire ........................................................................................................................ 22
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 25 (31)................................................................................................ 22
Bristol ....................................................................................................................................... 23
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 26 (32)................................................................................................ 23
Slaughter, Gloucestershire ....................................................................................................... 23
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 27 (33)................................................................................................ 23
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 28 .................................................................................................... 24
TNA: E 142/119 mem 29 ..................................................................................................... 25
Rutland ..................................................................................................................................... 26
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 30 .................................................................................................... 26
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 31 .................................................................................................... 27
Gloucestershire ........................................................................................................................ 28
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 32 .................................................................................................... 28
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 33 .................................................................................................... 29
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 34 .................................................................................................... 29
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire ............................................................................................. 30
TNA: E 142/119 mem 35 (was 41) ...................................................................................... 30
Northumberland ....................................................................................................................... 30
TNA: 142/119 mem. 36 ....................................................................................................... 30
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 37 .................................................................................................... 31
Devon
TNA: E 142/199 mem 38 (was 44)
Westminster, 31 December 1308: King Edward Ii instructs the sheriff of Devon to find out
what was owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and to send this information to the
Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer by the day after the close of Exchequer proceedings
at Easter 1309.
3
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Devon’
salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus
firmius quo poterimus + iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter
modis + viis omnibus
quibus melius videris expedire tam infra libertatem quam extra m\o/ balli[v]a tua, quot + que
debita debebantur \magistro/ et
fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis
domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea, +
a quo vel a quibus, + cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo. Et om[n]ia
huiusmodi debita ca-
pias in nostram manum omnibus + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e \tue/ quem vel quos
debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est
dictum ex parte nostra firmiter inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij
n[omi]ni eorumdem inde aliquid
soluere presumat sub o[mn]i eo quod \nobis/ forisfacere poterit ullo modo, donec aliud inde
duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et constare
fac’ distincte + aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud Westm’ in
Crastino Clausi Pasch’ qualit[er] + quo modo
fu[er]is executus hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este] venerabili p[at]r[e] ––
W. Wygorn’ Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud
Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo.
[Pencil] 44
[Dorse]
The sheriff of Devon acknowledges receipt of the king’s writ overleaf on 17 March. He has
instigated an investigation into the matter, which is attached to this document.
Istud bre[ve] cu[m] aliis ?qu[is]que br[ev]ib[us
in venit ad castrum Exon’
xvij die Martij
Auctoritate hui[us] brevis dili-
gente[r] feci inq[uiti]o[n]em que debi-
ta debent[ur] Mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us]
Milicie Templi in Ball[iv]a mea
que quid Inq[uisiti]o hinc br[evi est
consuta.
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 1
Investigation held in the presence of the sheriff of Devon at Exeter on 2 April 1309 into what
was owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307. The jurors state that nothing was owed to the
Templars at that date.
Inquisitio facta apud Exon’ secondo die April’ anno regni regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi
secondo quot + que debita debebantur Magistro
+ fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in Com’ Devon’ ad festum Natal’
domini anno predicti domini Regis Primo vel postea et a quo vel quibus
+ cui + ex qua causa + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo per sacramentum Simo[n]is de
wyeshille, Willelmi Percehay, Johannis de Cleyhangr’
4
Ricardi de Wermore, Philippi de Wodelond, Willelmi Scribi, Thome de Wodeborn’, Nicholai
de Templecomb’, Rogeri Knotte de Natecot’, Henrici de
Axleworth, Ricardi de Terdelesworth, Philippi de Stenorde + Ricardi de la Heghen, Rogeri de
Hele, Johannis bischop, Roberti atte Mulle. Qui
dicunt per sacramentum suum quod nulla debita debebantur neque debenture magistro +
fratribus milicie Templi predictis in Com predicto. In cuius rei
testimonium dicti Jurati presenti inquisicioni sigilla sua apposuerunt.
Northamptonshire
TNA: E 142/119 mem 2
Recto
King Edward II instructs the sheriff of Northamptonshire to investigate what the Templars
were owed at Christmas 1307. Witnessed by W. Bishop of Worcester, at Westminster, 31
December 2 Edw. II (1308).
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Norht’ salute.
Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo poterimus + iniungendo q[uo]d visis
presentibus c[ir]cumspecte inquiras + diligent[er] modis + viis om[n]ibus quib[us] melius
videris expedire tam infra libertatem quam extra in\o/ balli[v]a \tua/, quot + que debita
debebant[ur] Mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us] Milicie Templi in Angl[ie] vel eor[um] alicui in
eadem balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea, + a quo vel
a quibus, + cui +
ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo. Et om[n]ia huiusmodi debita capias in
manu[m] n[ost]ram, omnib[us] + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e tue quem vel quos debitores
fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est dictum ex parte nostra firmit[er] inhibendo ne
quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij n[omi]ne eorum, inde aliquid soluere pre-
sumat sub omn[i] eo quod nob[is] forisfacere poterit ullo modo, donec aliud inde duxerimus
ordinand[um]. Et constare fac’ distincte + aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de
s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’ qualit[er] + quo modo fu[er]is
executis hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve[m]. T[este] W. Wygorn’
Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro]
secundo.
[pencil] 2
Dorse
The sheriff replies that he has not been able to find anyone in Northamptonshire who owes
the Templars anything.
[Draft – some words missing]
Secu[n]du[m] tenore[m] istius brevis
diligent[er] inquirere feci mo-
dis + viis om[nib]us quib[us] me-
lius expedire videram?
tam visi a lib[er]tate[m] q[u]\a/[m] ext[r]\a/ in
balli[v]a mea quot + que debita
debebant[ur] Mag[ist]ro + fr[atr]ib[us] mi-
5
licie te[m]pli in Angl[ia] die + anno
in br[ev]i isto co[n]te[n]tis nec ullos
inveni debitores qui eis
in aliquot denar’ vel valo-
re ?aliquiis Quar[e] tenebe[n]t[ur]
p[ro]ut inquirere possum’ p[er]
q[uo]d de br[ev]i isto ad p[re]sens
ult[er]ius ?inde ag[er]e possum
Buckinghamshire
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 3
Inquisition at Aylesbury on the Wednesday after Palm Sunday, 1309
Inquisition taken at Aylesbury in the presence of Walter of Molesworth, sheriff of
Buckinghamshire. The jurors state that no one knows of any debts due to the Templars,
except for four pounds eight shillings due from Richard le Hurley of Wycombe for cows he
had bought at Wycombe from Brother Michael of Baskerville, then commander of London;
which he has since paid to Gilbert de Holm, sheriff of Buckinghamshire.
Inquisitio capta apud Aylesbury die m[er]curij p[ro]xi[m]a post diem d[omi]nicam in Ramis
Palmar[um] anno regni Regis Edwardi fil’ Regis Edwardi
secondo coram Walt[er]o de MolsWorthe vic’ Bed; + Buk’ quot + que debita debebant[ur]
Mag[is]tro + f[rat]rib[us] Milicie Templi in Angl’ vel
eor[um] alicui in eadem ball[iv]a ad festum Natal’ d[omi]ni anno regni p[re]d[ic]ti d[omi]ni
Regis p[ri]mo vel postea et a quo vel a quib[us] + cui + ex qua
causa + a quo temp[or]e + qualit[er] + quo modo p[er] Rob[er]tum Marmyon, Joh[ann]em le
Bakere, Hugonem Pilsedys, Will[elmu]m Auchthe, Grego-
rum le Barbur, Will[elmu]m Fabrum, Thom[am] Radde{1}, Rob[ertu]m Fabrum, Andr’
B[…2]n, Thom’ le Warenner, Bened[ic]t[u]m Casyere + Will[elmu]m
le Casyere, Petrum de Ch[…3]mceaus, Walt[eru]m Attecelere, Will[elmu]m Gerneys,
Joh[anne]m Cubely, Will[elmu]m Wybestan, Will[elmu]m Dobelyn, Rob[ertu]m le
Brut, Rad[ulfu]m de Kynebell’ + Nich[ola]m Godbyrme Qui dicu[n]t p[er] sacr[amentu]m
suum q[uo]d neminem scivit in p[re]d[ic]ta balli[v]a qui aliquem
denar’ seu aliquid aliud debitum debebat p[re]d[ic]tis die te[m]p[ore] + annis p[re]fatis
Mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us] nec alicui eor[um] p[re]t[er] quemdam Ri[cardu]m
le Hurleye de Wycumbe qui quidem Rich[ardu]s temp[or]e p[re]sc[ri]pto debebat fratri
Mich[aeli de Baskervill Templar’ tunc te[m]p[or]is p[re]ceptori
London’ quatuor libras + octo solidos pro vaccis ab eodem f[ratr]e Mich[ael]o emptis apud
Wycumbe ad maneriu[m] d[ic]ti Mag[ist]ri die videl[ice]t
in vigil’ s[anc]ti Thome ap[osto]li anno p[re]d[ic]ti d[omi]ni Regis nu[n]c p[ri]mo quos
qidem quatuor libras + octo solidos idem Ric[ardu]s le Hurlere soluit
Gilb[er]to de Holm tu[n]c vic’ Buk’ ad opus d[omi]ni Regis die M[er]cur’ p[ro]xi[m]a pot
f[estu]m s[anc]ti Mathie ap[osto]li p[ro]xi[m]o sequient’ In cuius Rei
Testimon[iu]m p[re]d[ic]ti xxj Jur’ isti inquisitic[i]o[n]i sigilla sua appos[er]unt – – – – – – –
1 The first letter of the surname is mostly obscured by a black spot.
2 The middle of the name is obscured by a brown spot.
3 The middle of the name is obscured by a black spot.
6
Warwickshire and Leicestershire
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 4
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Warr’ + Leyc’
salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo poterimus + iniungendo q[uo]d visis
presentibus c[ir]cumspecte inquiras + diligent[er] modis + viis om[n]ibus quib[us] melius
videris expedire tam infra libertatem
quam extra m\o/ balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita debebant[ur] mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us]
Milicie \Templi/ in Angl[ie] vel alicui eor[um] in eadem balli[v]a tua ad festum
Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea, + a quo vel a quibus, + cui + ex qua causa,
+ a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo. Et om[n]ia
huiusmodi debita capias in manu[m] n[ost]ram, omnib[us] + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e
tue quem vel quos debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est
dictum ex parte nostra firmit[er] inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui
alij n[omi]ne eorum, inde aliquid soluere presumat sub o[mn]i eo
quod nob[is] forisfacere poterit ullo modo, donec aliud inde duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et
constare fac’ distincte + aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de
s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’ qualit[er] + quo modo fu[er]is
execut’ hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc brevem. T[este] W.
Wygorn’ Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni]
n[ostro] secundo.
Dorse
Diligenter feci inquis’ quot + que
debita debebantur Magistro + fratribus
Militie Templi in Anglia vel alicui eorum
in balliva mea secundem tenorem istius
brevis prout patet in inquis’ huic
brevis consutis. Et debita in Inquis’
no[m]i[n]ata cepi in manum domini Regis in
forma in brevis isto contenta.
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 5
On 26 March 1309 the sheriff of Leicester, Richard de Herthull, held an investigation at
Leicester into the debts owed to the Templars in England. The jurors report that Thomas de
Berteville of Loughborough owed ten pounds for 200 sheep bought from Thomas of
Walkington, commander of Rothley; and John the Palmer of Grimston owed twelve marks for
a tithe he bought from the commander.
Inquisitio quot + que debita debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel
alicui eorum in Com’ Leyr’ ad festum Natalis domini anno
Regni Regis Edwardi primo vel postea + a quo vel a quibus + cui + ex qua causa + a quo
tempore + qualiter + quo modo per brevem domini
Regis coram Ricardo de Herthull’ vicecomite Leyc’ facta apud Leycestr’ die Mercur’ in
Crastino Annunciationis beate Marie anno regni
eiusdem domini Regis secundo et per sacramentum Willelmi Tonk’ de Kirkeby, Roberti le
porter de Melton, Ricardi Repyn de Ketillys, Thome le Ineys
de Barewe, Thome le Syr de eadem, Rogeri Ponthorn de Mounsorel, Ricardi le Carpenter de
Rotheleye, Roberti Faucons de eadem,
7
Johannis de Norton’, Willelmi Bayhous de Lonsely junioris de Jortz + Adam le Large,
Jur[ati], Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum quod
Thomas de Bertville de Loughteburgh debebat fratri \Thome/ de Walkynton’ Preceptori de
Rotheley ad festum Natalis domini anno
regni eiusdem domini Regis primo, decem libr’ pro CC bidentibus a prefato preceptore
emptis. Dicunt etiam quod Johannis le Palmer
de Grimeston’ debebat eidem preceptori ad diem predictum duodecim marcas pro quadam
decima apud Grimeston a predicto
preceptore empta. In cuius rei testimonium predicti Jur[ati] huic inquis’ sigilla sua
apposuerunt.
Dorse
In R\o/
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 6
On 22 March 1309 the sheriff of Warwickshire, Richard de Herthull, held an investigation at
Warwick into the debts owed to the Templars in England. The jurors report that Thomas atte
Mersch owed the commander of Balsall 16 solidi in mortuary payment for his brother
William.
Inquisitio quot + que debita debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel
alicui eorum in Com’ Warr’ ad festum
Natalis domini anno regni Regis Edwardi primo vel postea + a quo vel a quibus + cui + ex
qua causa + a quo tempore + qualiter
+ quo modo per breve domini Regis coram Ricardo de Herthull’ vicecomite Warr’ facta
apud Warr’ die Sabbati proximo ante festum Annunciationis
beate Marie anno regni eiusdem domini Regis secundo et per sacramentum Rogeri de
Cruddeshale, Thome de Colehull, Willelmi Sprink’
Walter atte Hull’ de Cokton’, Guerardi de Hatton’, Johannis le Vomier de Cokton’, Willelmi
atte Hull de eadem, Ricardi Inar’ de
Stodleye, Radulphi Hondekyn de Cokton, Galfridi le Mareschal de Schireburne {Shirburn or
Sherburn}, Henrici Aga de Hamton + Willelmi ?Ha’ pyn
de Schireburne, Jur[ati] Qui dicunt super sacramentum suum q[uo]d Johannes Atte Mersch de
Schireburne debebat Fratri Thom’ Totto{4}
preceptori de Baleshale ad festum Natal’ domini anno regni eiusdem domini Regis primo
sexdecim solid’ p[ro] obitu Willelmi atte
Mersch’ fratris suum. In cuius rei testimonium predicti Jur[ati] hinc Inquis’ sigilla sua
apposuerunt.
4 Eileen Gooder, Temple Balsall, pp. 26–7, reckoned that the commander of Balsall was
Thomas of Walkington, not Thomas Totty. But this indicates that Thomas Totty was at
Balsall in December 1307, which would explain why he was initially examined at Lincoln
(Proceedings against the Templars in the British Isles, MS A fols 114v–115r, vol. 1, pp.
235–6).
8
Westmorland
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 7 dorse
[The recto is King Edward II’s standard request, addressed to the sheriff of Westmorland, for
information on debts due to the Templars]
Dorse: the sheriff writes:
This writ came to me on Thursday in Holy Week, on which day I held an investigation
through reliable, worthy and legal men of my bailiwick, who said that since the lands and
revenues of the Templars were taken into the King’s hands, no one owes the master or
brothers of the knighthood of the Temple anything.
Istud breve michi
venit die Jov’ in
cena domini quo die
cepi inquisitionem
per fide dingnos
probos + legales
hominess de balli[v]a
mea qui dixerunt
n[u]llos in ball[iv]a
mea mag[ist]ro’ m-
ilicie Templi nec
no[n] omn[ibus] fratribus in
religio’ debito
ten’ p[os]t t[er]r\a/s +
reddit[us] eorum c[a]p\t/us
in man[u] d[omi]ni Re-
gis capta fu[er]u[n]t
Wiltshire
TNA: E 142/119 mem 8
31 December 1308. Edward II instructs the sheriff of Wiltshire to inform him what debts were
owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and afterwards and to report to his Treasurer and
Barons of the Exchequer before the close of the Easter session of the Exchequer 1309.
Dorse
The sheriff replies that he has only found Roger Smith who owes anything: he owed William
de Sautre, commander of Sandford, 60 shillings for grain he bought from him. Roger has
already paid the debt to Andrew of Grimstead, previous sheriff of Wiltshire.
Diligentia + circumspection quibus potui’
p[er] totam balliam meam tam infra liber-
tatem quam extra inquisimus de debitis que
debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi
in Anglia vel eorum alicui prout m\o/ isto
bene continetur set neminem inveni qi
9
tenebatur eisdem sue eorum ?alicui? in aliquo
denar’ preter Rogerum Fabrum de Churghton
qui die + anno in brevi content’ debebat
fratri Willelmo de la Sauterie {Sautre} preceptori de
Saunford: lx s st[er]lingor[um] pro blad’
ab eo empto apud Churghton. Cum
firmiter inhibui iuxta predictum istius brevis
ne dictos debetores alicui soluere presumeret
tamen dicit quod eosdem denar sol-
uit domino Andr’ de Grimestede nuper
vic dicte Com’ per distr[?iction]em quam idem
Andreas ei fecit pro eisdem.
Hampshire
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 9
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Suht’ salutem.
Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo
poterimus + iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter modis +
viis omnibus quibus melius videris ex-
pedire tam infra libertatem quam extra in Balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita debebantur
Magistro et fratribus Milicie Templi in
Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem Balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni nostri
primo vel postea, + a quo vel a quibus,
+ cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo + om[n]ia huiusmodi debita
capias in manum nostram. Omnibus +
sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te Balli[v]e \tue/ quem vel quos debitores fratrum predictorum esse
inven[er]is ut est dictum ex parte nostra firmiter inhi-
bendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij nomine eorumdem inde aliquid
soluere presumat sub omni eo quod
nobis forisfacere poterit ullo modo, donec aliud inde duxerimus ordinandu[m]. Et constare
facias distincte + aperte
Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’
–– qualit[er] + quo modo fu[er]is
executus hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este] venerabili patre –– W.
Wygorn’ Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud
Westm’,
xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo.
[pencil]
9
[Dorse]
The sheriff replies that so far as he can establish by investigation, no one in his county owed
the Templars anything.
Secundum tenorem huius brevis circumspecte per sacramentum
proborum + legalium hominum de balliva mea inquirere feci
+ diligenter modi’ + viis omnibus quibus videbam
melius expedire tam infra libertatem quam extra
10
in balliva mea predicta + quot + que debita debe-
bantur Magistro seu fratribus Milicie Templi in
Anglia vel eorum alicui ad festum Natal’ domini
anno regni domini Regis primo vel postea et a
que vel quibus debitoribus + ex qua causa +
a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo. Et
no[n] inveni p[er] inquis’ nec quom alio modo quod
predicti Magister + fratres aliquem vel aliquos huiussec’
debitor’ in balliva mea predicta quoquo modo
a festo predicto vel postea ideo executionem huius
brevis ulterius facere non potui.
Surrey and Sussex
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 10
Westminster, 31 December 1308: Edward II instructs the sheriff of Surrey and Sussex to
inform him what debts were due to the Templars in his county at Christmas 1307.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Surr’ +
Sussex’ salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo
poterimus + iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter modis +
viis omnibus quibus melius videris expedire tam
infra libertatem quam extra in Balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita debebantur Magistro et
fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in
eadem Balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea, + a quo vel
a quibus, + cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore
+ qualiter + quo modo + om[n]ia huiusmodi debita capias in manum nostram. Omnibus +
sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te Balli[v]e tue quem vel quos debitores
fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est dictum ex parte nostra firmiter inhibendo ne quis
eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij nomine eorumdem
inde aliquid soluere presumat sub omni eo quod nobis forisfacere poterit ullo modo, donec
aliud inde duxerimus ordinandum.
Et constare facias distincte + aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro
apud Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’ –– qualit[er]
+ quo modo fu[er]is executus hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este]
venerabili patre W. Wygorn’ Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud Westm’,
xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo.
[pencil]
10
[Dorse]
The sheriff states that there are no debts to the Templars in his county.
Nulla sunt debita que Magistro
Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum
alicui debebantur prout per inquis’
diversis vel alio modo quocunque inqui-
rere possum. Et nullo minus adhuc
prenillos […] + alio modo inquir’ si
11
[?]und inde i[n]ventiri pot[er]it aliud in
?manum domini Regis capiam et inde
iuxta tenorem huius brevis – vos
c[er]tificabo +c’ ——————
Kent
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 11
Westminster, 31 December 1308: Edward II instructs the sheriff of Kent to inform him what
debts were due to the Templars in his county at Christmas 1307 and afterwards, and to
report to his Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer by the close of the Exchequer session at
Easter 1309.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Kant’ salutem.
Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo poterimus +
iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter modis + viis omnibus
quibus melius videris expedire tam infra li-
bertatem quam extra in Balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita debebantur Magistro et fratribus
Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem
Balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea, + a quo vel a
quibus, + cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tem-
pore + qualiter + quo modo. Et om[n]ia huiusmodi debita capias in manum nostram omnibus
+ sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te Balli[v]e tue quem vel quos
debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est dictum ex parte nostra firmiter
inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij
nomine eorumdem inde aliquid soluere presumat sub omni eo quod nobis forisfacere poterit
ullo modo, donec aliud inde duxerimus
ordinandum. Et constare facias distincte + aperte Thesaurar’ + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o
nostro apud Westm’ in Crastino
Clausi Pasch’ qualit[er] + quo modo fueris executus hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc
breve. T[este] venerabili patre W. Wigorn’
Episcopo Thesaur[ario] nostro apud Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro]
secundo.
[pencil]
11
[Dorse]
The sheriff replies that he has not found any debts of this type.
In turnis meis + omnibus aliis Locis
quibus vid’ expediri + diligenter inqui-
sim’ de debit’ que debebantur Magistro
+ fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia ad diem
in hoc brevi contentum n[e]c aliquem huius
modi debitorum invenire potui.
12
London and Middlesex
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 12
King Edward II of England orders the sheriffs of London and Middlesex to find out what the
Templars were owed at Christmas 1307 and to report back to the Treasurer and Barons of
the Exchequer by the close of the Easter 1309 proceedings. Witnesssed by W., bishop of
Worcester, Treasurer; 30 December 1308.
Edwardus dei g[rati]a Rex Angl[ie] D[omin]us hib[er]n[ie] + Dux Aquic’ vicecomitib[us]
London’ + Midd’ sal[u]tem. Ex certis causis vob[is] precepim[us]
firmius quo pot[er]imus iniungendo q[uo]d visi p[re]sentib[us] circumsc[ri]pte inquir[er] +c’
+ diligent[er] mod[is] + viis om[ni]b[us] quib[us] melius viderit[ur] expedire
tam inf[r]\a/ lib[er]tatem q[u]\a/[m] ext[r]\a/ m\o/ balli[v]a v[est]r[a] quot + que debita
debebant[ur] Mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us] Milice Templi in Angl[ie] v[e]l eor[um]
alicui in eadem balli[v]a v[est]ra ad f[estu]m Natal’ d[omi]ni anno r[egni] n[ostri] primo v[e]l
postea + a quo v[e]l a quib[us] + cui + ex qua causa + a quo
temp[or]e + q[u]al[iter] + quomodo + omnia huiusmodi debita capa in manu[m] n[ost]ram
om[ni]b[us] + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e \v[est]ra/ vel quos
debitores fratru[m] p[re]d[ic]tor[um] esse inveni[er]es se [ut] est d[ic]t[u]m ex p[ar]te
n[ost]ra firmit[er] inhibendo ne’ quis eor[um] alicui ip[s]or[um] fratru[m] ut alicui
alii no[m]i[n]e eor[un]dem inde aliquid soluere p[re]sumat s[u]b omni eo q[uo]d nob[is]
forisface[re] pot[er]it ullo modo donec aliud inde
duxerimus ordinandu[m]. Et constare faciat[ur] distincte + ap[er]te Thes[aurario] +
Baronibus de s[ca]cc\a/[r]io n[ost[ro] apud Westm’ in Crasti[n]o
Clausi Pasch’ qual[ite]r + quomodo fueris executus hec p[re]d[ic]ta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tunc hoc
bre[ve]. T[este] W. Wy-
gorn’ ep[isop]o Thes’ n[ost]ro apud Westmon’ xxx die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostri]
s[e]c[un]do.
{pencil} 12
Dorse
The sheriffs reply that there are two debts owed in London: one Nicholas owes the Prior of
the Temple in London for a certain Thomas of Hampstead who leased a house from the Prior,
and a certain Ralph owes 10 s for a loan; but there are no debts owed to the Templars in
Middlesex.
The document is very unclear and many words are still to be deciphered.
London’
[first line very unclear] ?Secundem tenor[em] istius mandati inquis[itionem] nos
?fecimus que + quot debita debebant[ur] mag[ist]ro
+ f[rat]rib[us] milicie Templi in Angl[ie] v[e]l eor[um] alicui
in balliv]a nostra a die + anno inferius [con]
[t]entis v[e]l postea \p[er] quos/ invenimus q[uo]d quid[a]m
Nich[ol]as Banllm [..merep[ec’] + debitor’
devenit vers’ Priorem d[ic]te domus p[ro]
quod[a]m Thom’ de Hampstede de […an s\m/
p[ro] causu cui[us]d[a]m dom’ quam d[ic]tus Tho-
mas a p[re]fati Priori lo an[er]at. Et q[uo]d
13
quid[a]m Rad’ le Eg?momer? tenebat[ur]
eid[e]m Priori die + anno p[re]d[ic]tos ex c[er]to
mutui in x s. Ne possumus inquiri
q[uo]d pl[ur]a debita eis int’ all?[orum] inf[er]ius de-
bebant[ur] die + anno ?predictis? inf’ conten-
tis v[e]l postea. Quos quid[a]m xviij
s[u]p[r]\a/d[ic]tos repim’ in ?huios? ?d[omi]ni? Tua
quousor’ inde aliud a vob[is] h[ab]uimus
in mandatis.
Midd’
Per p[re]sens etiam mandatu[m] in s[er]mon’
amudr’ tocius ball[iv]e mee diligent[er] feci
inq[ui]sit[i]ones que + quot debita p[re]d[ic]tos Mag[ist]ro
et f[rat]rib[us] v[e]l eor[um] alicui die + anno sup[r]\a/d[ic]tis
debebant[ur] \a v[e]l postea/ p[er] quoas qund[am] inquis’ null’ in
ead[e]m ball[iv]a mea p[re]d[ic]tor[um] Mag[ist]ri + f[rat]rum
seu eor[um] alicui[us] [inveni’?] debitores.
Norfolk and Suffolk
TNA: E 142/119 mem 13
Recto
King Edward II instructs the sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk to investigate what the Templars
were owed at Christmas 1307. Witnessed by W. Bishop of Worcester, at Westminster, 30
December 2 Edw. II (1308).
Dorse
The sheriff replies: I have had investigations made throughout the whole of my bailiwick and
within and without liberties in each hundred in the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk and I am
unable to find anyone who owes anything to the master and brothers of the knighthood of the
Temple in England or any of them except for annual renders which Thomas of St Omer,
custodian of the land of the aforesaid master and brothers had levied through his officials,
for which he is due to answer to you.
Fieri feci inquisitiones p[er] totam ball[iv]am mea tam infra
lib[er]tates q[u]\a/m ext[r]\a/ in quolib[et] hu[n]dredo Com’ Norff’ + Suff’
+ no[n] possum invenire aliquem qui in aliquot debite aliq[u]\a/
[debit]or[um] vel contractu teneat[ur] Mag[istr]o + f[rat]rib[us] milicie
templi in Angl[ia] v[e]l eor[um] alicui except’ redditib[us] annuis
que Thom’ de s[anc]to Om[er]o custos terr[e] p[re]d[ic]tor[um] magistri +
fr[atru]m p[er] ministros suos levar’ fecit + ind[e] vob[is] respondeb’
14
Summary sheet of the debts owed to the Templars
TNA: E 142 119 mem. 14 dorse
Inquisitiones de debitis que debebantur
Templariis ad Natale d[omi]ni a[nn]\o/ p[ri]mo
return’ In C[ra]stino clause Pasch’ a[nn]\o/ s[e]c[un]do
D’ C[ra]stino Clausi Pasch’ anno s[e]c[un]do
TNA: E 142 119 mem. 14 recto
This is a list of notes, presumably a memorandum and check list of the returned writs and
investigations. It is badly rubbed, heavily abbreviated, and most words have been struck
through.
London Mid[dx’]
Cambr’ Hunt’
Essex’ Hertford
Nott’ Derb’
Surr’ Sussex
Westm’
Oxon’ Berk’
Salop Staff’
Norff’ Suff’ [struck through] [line leads down from ‘Nott’ Derb’ to:] ‘es p[ro] p[re]d’
Warr’ + Leyc’ + [??]
Wrygh’m
L…k [struck through]
F…h [struck through]
Warr’ Leyc [struck through]
Northumbr’ [in blue pencil] 14
…ref’
Glouc’ Cambr’ – Om t\c/forma
Claus’ Pasch’
Vic’ subsequend’ Com’ su[n]t
[com]pu[n]atin’
Warr’ Leyc’ – In xv’ Pasch’
Cumbr’ [struck through] Devon – In t[ri]b[us] sept’
Pasch’ Ebor’ [struck through]
?Linc’ [struck through] Wilt’ – ad mens’ pasch’
?Bed’ + Buk’ [struck through]
Ham’ [struck through] Kanc’ – ad q[ui]nq[ue]
sup[er]s Suh’ [struck through]
Weychton’? [struck through] D de bj A de C Rob’ de
Bryne
Suh [struck through]
Som[er]’ + Dors’ – In c\r/[a]a
su’ t[ermi]no’ Devon’ [struck through] Thom’ de Auteryne
Som[er]’ + Dors’ [struck
through]
M\d/ de br[evi dn’ T. de
sui Cm[er]a
Nrht’ – In ou’ xl
?Cornub? [struck through] ad r’ [com] in M. Pasch’
?London? [struck through] It[em] de mll xxx + xx +
xx\e/ +
Cornub’ In xl s[e]c[und]o
t[er]mi’
15
Gloucs’ [struck through] xv” in Com’ Norff’ ad
emd’ t[erm]io
Jan’
Warr’ + Leyc’ [struck through] Bed’ + Buk’ In t[ri]b[us]
sequ’
Gloucs’ –In CCxl Nat’ s[anc]ti Joh’ Linc’ – In C[r]\a/stino Nat’ st
J’
Ebor’ – In xv l s[anc]ti Joh’ ?Glouc’ – In xl nu’ In festum
+ [?in bonis?] s[anc]ti
T[ri]n[it’]
Worcestershire
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 15
[The right hand side of the membrane is damaged; the missing words have been supplied
from the other writs in E 142/119]
King Edward II of England instructs the sheriff of Worcester to find out what debts were
owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307. Westminster, 31 December 1308.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Wygorn’
salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo poterimus +
iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter modis + viis omnibus
quibus melius videris expedire tam infra libertatem quam
extra in balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita debebantur magistro et fratribus Milicie Templi in
Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem balli[v]a tua ad festum
Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea, + a quo vel a quibus, + cui + ex qua causa,
+ a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo. Et om[n]ia
huiusmodi debita capias in nostram manum omnibus + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e \tue/
quem vel quos debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est
dictum ex parte nostra firmiter inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij
n[omi]ni eorumdem inde aliquid soluere presumat sub o[mn]i
eo quod nobis forisfacere poterit ullo modo, donec aliud inde duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et
constare fac’ distincte + aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o
nostro apud Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’ qualit[er] + quo modo fu[er]is executus hec
predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este] venerabili p[at]re W. –– Wygorn’ Episcopo
Thes[aurario] nostro apud Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo. [Pencil,
upside down] 18
[Pencil, upside down] 13
[Dorse]
The sheriff replies that the results of his investigation are attached to this writ.
Executo’ istius brevis patet in
Inquisitio huic brevi consuta
16
TNA: E 142/119 mem 16
Undated record of the investigation held before the sheriff of Worcester into the debts owed
to the Templars at Christmas 1307. The jurors state that no one in the County of
Worcestershire owed the Templars anything at that date or afterwards.
Inquisitio capta coram vic’ Wygorn’ de quibuscunque debitis que debebantur Magistro +
fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum
alicui in Com’ Wygorn’ ad festum Natalis domini anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis
Edwardi primo vel postea, per sacramentum
Johannis de Walsued’, Johannis Lenyuth, Johannis le Freman, Johannis Wyth, Roberti fil’
Ricardi Aleyn, Johannis de Bosco de Elme-
leye, Walteri Blanchard, Ricardi Andreu, Ricardi Pypard, Thomas de la Shawe, Ricardi
Wylle + Willelmi Goldyene
Qui dicunt per sacramentum suum quod non fuit aliquis in Com’ Wygorn’ die Natalis domini
anno regni Regis Edwardi fil’
Regis Edwardi primo nec postea qui Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia nec alicui
eorum aliquod debitum
debebat nec adhuc debet. In cuius rei testimonium huic inquis’ predicti Jurati sigilla sua
apposuerunt.
[Pencil]
16
Oxfordshire and Berkshire
TNA: E 142/119 mem 17
Westminster, 31 December 1308. King Edward II instructs the sheriff of Oxfordshire and
Berkshire to inform him of what debts were due to the Templars at Christmas 1307.
Dorse
The sheriff responds that he has investigated the matters in the king’s writ and the results of
the investigation are attached to the writ.
Per istud breve diligenter feci
Inquisitionem super articul’ in eodem
Content’. Et Inquistionem illam
Vobis mitto huic brevi consuta.
TNA: E 142/119 mem 18
King Edward II instructs the sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire to investigate what money,
jewels and other goods and chattels belonging to the Templars have not yet been taken into
the king’s hands. Westminster 1 March 1309
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Angl’ Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic’ Oxon’ + Berks’ salute.
Cum nuper certis de causis capi p[re]ce-
p[er]imus in manu[m] nostrum omnes terras + ten[ementa] + omnia bona + catella Magistri +
fratrum Milicie Templi in Anglia in Com’
predictis +iam datum sit nobis intelligi quod iidem Magister + fratres habueunt in Balliva tua
tam pecuniam jocalia quam alia diversa
17
bona + catella que pretext precept nostril predicti in manum nostrum nullatenus \erant capta/
de quo miramur plurimum + monemur. Nos
preceptum nostrum predictum executione plenarie demanderi volentes, tibi firmiter
iniungendo precepimus quod non mittens propter
aliquam libertatem de balliva tua quin eam ingrediares + per sacramentum proborum +
leg[alium] hominum per quos [tex damaged: word of 3 letters lost] v[er]itas melius
sciri pot[er]it de pecunia, iocalibus + aliis bonis huiusmodi inquiratis diligencius veritatem, et
ea omnia in quorumcu[m]q’
manibus inventi fu[er]unt sine dilacione capiatis in manum \nostram/ salvo custodiatis donas
aliud inde tibi preceperimus. Et
quid inde feceritis, constare faciatis Thes’ + Baron[ibus] de scaccario nostro apud Westm’ in
Crastino Clausi Pasch’ super
proffrum suum distincte + aperte. Et habeas ibi tunc hoc breve. T[este] W. Wygorn’
Ep[iscop]o + Thes’ nostro apud Westm’
primo die Marcj anno regni nostro secundo.
[Pencil]
18
[Dorse]
The sheriff replies that he has investigated this matter and the results are attached to this
writ.
P[er] istud breve diligente feci inquistionem super arti-
cul’ in eodem content’ + inquisitionem illa vobis
mitto huius brevi consut’
TNA: E 142/119 mem 19
{The membrane has been water-damaged on the right hand side and some words are
illegible. The words that have been guessed are in square brackets.}
On the Saturday in Easter week, 1309, Richard Damory, sheriff of Berkshire, holds an
investigation at Maidenhead into the debts due to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and their
goods and chattels that have not yet been taken into the king’s hands. Two of the jurors owe
Thomas Wonhope, the commander of Bisham, £7 for horses and sheep they purchased before
Christmas 1307; John of Hurley owes 4 shillings for a horse he purchased; Walter and his
mother Mabel owe four (more likely pounds than shillings) for the purchase of six oxen and
three mares; none of which debts have yet been paid. Ralph of Hurley has in his keeping
eleven marks which Brother Thomas entrusted to him before Christmas 1307, and the Prior
of the Benedictine Priory of Hurley owes Brother Thomas 9 marks 6 shillings and 4 pence for
sheep and other small things that he bought from him, and has in his custody a mazer cup
with a silver base worth half a mark and a variety of other objects, including a hauberk,
gauntlets, cuisses and gorgets, which were entrusted to the prior by Brother Thomas for
safekeeping. (For Hurley Priory in Berkshire, see: ‘Houses of Benedictine monks: The priory
of Hurley’, in A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 2, ed. P. H. Ditchfield and
William Page (London, 1907), pp. 73–77 (online at: http://www.british-
history.ac.uk/vch/berks/vol2/pp73-77 [accessed 2 March 2016].)
Inquisitio capta coram Ric’ Damory vic’ Berks’ apud Maydenehethe die Sabbati in septimana
Pasch anno regni Regis Edwardi secondo
18
auctoritate cuiusdam brevis domini Regis sibi directi ad inquirendum quot + que debita
debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in
Anglia vel eorum alicui infra Ballivam suam ad Festum Natalis domini anno regni Regis
predicti primo et [word illegible] de [word illegible] diversis bonis + catallis
ipsorum Magistri + fratrum p[re]textu aliorum mandorum domini Regis in manu ipsius
nondum captorum per sacramentum Gilb[er]ti Saddok’, Joh[ann]is [brz ar’, Joh[ann]is atte]
hoo, Willelmi atte Halle, Roberti de Shorteford, Ade de la Garderobe, Joh[ann]is de
Babah\u/n’, Ade de Bynham, Joh[ann]is [Reg’ Rye, Ric’]
de Jwhurst, Johannis le Keu + Stephani atte felde. Qui dicunt per sacramentum suum quod
Gilbertus Saddok + Stephanus atte felde [tenentur]
fratri Thome de Wohop nuper preceptori de Bustlesham tam pro equis quam pro ovibus ab
eodem emptis ante dictum festum
Natalis domini in septum libris sterlingorum de quibus nichil ad huc est solutum. Item
Johannes de Hurle tenetur eidem p[ro] uno equo [emp-]
to ab eodem ante dictum Festum in quatuor solidos sterlingorum de quibus nichil ad huc est
solutum. Item Walterus [word lost] + mabill’
Mater eiusdem Walteri tenentur eidem pro sex Bobus + tribus Iumentis emptis ab eodem ante
dictum Festum in quatuor [ word lost]
Sterlingorum. De quibus nichil ad huc est solutum. Dicunt etiam quod in custodia Radulphi
de Hurle sunt undecim marce [words lost – in denariis??]ariis
predicti fratris Thome quas idem frater Thomas eidem Radulpho ante dictum Festum Natalis
domini tradidit custodiendas. Dicunt etiam
quod Prior de Hurle qui nu[n]c est tenetur eidem Frater Thome tam pro ovibus quam pro aliis
minuties rebus ab eodem ante dictum Festum
emptis in novem Marcas sex solidis + quatuor denar’ de quibus nichil ad huc est solutum.
Dicunt etiam quod est [in custodia eidem?]
Prioris unus sciphus de mazero cum pode argenteo prec’ dj m[a]r\c/. Item in custodia eidem
Prioris J [?ol?? prec’ ??? + word lost]
Loterio prec’ xvj d. Item una Cista Longa prec’ ij s. Item in custodia eidem J manuterg’ J
hauberk’ + quisonis J par ciro-
tecarum de Balayne {protective gloves made of whalebone plates} ij Gorgis de plate + ij
[?spernirs? – something for beds] pro Lectis que omnia predicta fuerunt predicti fratri Thome
+ per Priorem [word lost: ante?] Festum
predictum liberata predictis priori custodiand’ + in custodia eiusdem ad huc existunt. Et
ulterius nichil inquirere possunt.
In cuius rei testimentum predicti Jur[ati] huic inquistion’ sigilla sua apposuerunt. Dat’ apud
Maydenehethe die + anno supradictis.
Somerset and Dorset
TNA: E 142/119 mem 20
[The right hand side of the membrane is slightly damaged; the readings have been confirmed
from the other writs in E 142/119]
King Edward II of England instructs the sheriff of Worcester to find out what debts were
owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and after. Westminster, 31 December 1308.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Somers[et’] +
Dors[et’], salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus
19
firmius quo poterimus + iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte inquiras +
diligenter modis + viis omnibus quibus melius
videris expedire tam infra libertatem quam extra in Balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita
debebantur magistro et fratribus Milicie
Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni
nostri primo vel postea, + a quo
vel quibus, + cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo. Et om[n]ia
huiusmodi debita capias in manum nostram omnibus
+ sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te Balli[v]e tue quem vel quos debitores fratrum predictorum esse
inven[er]is ut est dictum ex parte nostra firmiter inhi-
bendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij n[omi]ni eorumdem inde aliquid
soluere presumat sub o[mn]i eo
quod nobis forisfacere poterit ullo modo, donec aliud inde duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et
constare facias distincte +
aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud Westm’ in Crastino Clausi
Pasch’ qualit[er] + quo modo fu[er]is
executus hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este] venerabili patre W. Wygorn’
Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud Westm’,
xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo. [Pencil] 20
[Dorse]
The sheriff of Somerset and Dorset replies that he has made exhaustive investigations,
including asking the Templars’ servants and examining their records, but has found only one
debt: a loan owed by Robert of Stalbridge to the Templars, which he has instructed him not to
pay.
P[er] eandem ballivam meam tam infra libertatem quam extra
diligenter cepi inquistiones ac etiam omnes ?famulos?
+ servientes que fuerunt Magistri + fratrum de ordine
Milicie Templi de maneriis suis in balliva mea
———————— prefato sacramento examinationem?
feci ac etiam omnia scripti + munimenta
eorundem fratrum in custodia mea existentis scru-
tar’ feci, que + quot debita debetantur predictis
Magistro + fratribus vel eorum alicui — ad festum Natalis
domini anno Regni domini Edwardi Regis nunc primo + nullo
modo inquirere possum aliqua debita eidem
Magistro vel fratribus seu eorum alicui \deberi/ nisi decem slb’
quos Robertus de Stapelbrigg’ deb’ eodem Magistro
?mo? mutuo, quos cepi in manu[m] domini Regis + eidem
Roberto inhibui illos sold’ soluere donec aliud
inde habu[er]it in mandat’.
[Below this there are three badly rubbed lines written by a different hand, which conclude:
Mo\ur/
N’ur’ die Jovis M arf’ Pasch n[u]\l/ mulibem’]
20
Herefordshire
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 21
Recto
Request from King Edward II to the sheriff of Hereford to hold an inquisition to discover
what debts were due to the master and brothers of the knighthood of the Templar in England
or any of them at Christmas 1307 or after: given at Westminster, witnessed by the bishop of
Worcester, 31 December second year (i.e., 1308).
Dorse
On the back of the writ, the sheriff replies that he was not able to find more debts than are in
the inquisition attached to this writ, and he has taken all the debts into the king’s hand.
P secundem tenore istius brevis caternis {?} quatenus potui diligent’
inquisivi tam infra libertatem quam extra in balliva mea
quot + que debita debebantur magistro + fratribus Milicie
Templi in Angl[ia] vel eorum alicui ad festum Nat’ domini
anno r[egni] R[egis] E[dwardi] p[ri]mo v[e]l postea, set plura debita
quam in Inquis’ huic brevi consu[e]ta continetur invenire
no[n] possu[m]. Et om[n]ia huiusmodi debita in manum domini Regis
cepi. Et eciam ex parte domini Regis firmiter inhibui ne quis
debitorum dictorum fratrum alieni ipsorum fratrum v[e]l alieni
alij nomine eorundem inde aliquid soluer[e] presumat
prout in breve continetur.
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 23
Inquisition held at Hereford Castle before the sheriff of Hereford, Monday before the Feast
of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary 2 Edward II (24 March 1309) to establish what
debts were owed to the Order of the Temple or any of its members as of Christmas 1307. The
jurors state that at Christmas 1307 Walter Caperon owed Thomas de Tolous commander of
Upleadon nine silver marks for oxen sold to him and Roger Bacon owed the same 10 shillings
for arrears of his final account when he was his receiver; Thomas de la Hull owed the same
Thomas 5 silver shillings as he was removed from the office of reeve. Robert Tope, Agn’ le
Piestur and Richard Monibord owed Brother Philip de Meaux, commander of Garway, four
shillings for rents of assise from tenements in Hereford, Henry of Lancaster owed Philip
twenty shillings and eight pence at the same date for a loan; Euan ap Meurig owed Philip
four silver shillings for linen cloths he bought from him. Roger de la Stoue (or Stone) of
Stowe Lacy owned Brother Thomas of Toulouse ten shillings for a loan. The jurors affixed
their seals to the document as witness of its authenticity.
Inquisitio capta in Castro Hereford’ coram vic’ Heref’ die Lune prox’ ante festum
annunciationis beate Marie
anno Reg’ Regis Edward fil’ regis Edwardi secundo pro breve domini Regis ad inquirend’
quot + que debita
debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in Ang[ia] vel eorum alicui in Com’
Hereford ad festum Natalie domini
Anno Regni Regis Edwardi primo vel postea + a quo vel quibus + cui’ + ex qua causa + quo
tempore
21
+ qualit[er] + quo modo per sacramentum Joh[ann]is Boter, Ricardi Viry, Ricardi de la
Munede [or Mimede], Zeuani{5} ap Ph’, Wasmeir
de Bylfodus, Res ap Ph’, Griffyth ap Zeuan, Ph’i ap Henry, Ade de Cradeleye, Sewall’ Bon
Jour, Joh[ann]is de la Mor’, + Joh’is de Stapelowe. Qui dicunt quod Walt[er]us Caperon
tenebatur fratri Thom’ de
Toluos preceptor de Upleden in None[m] Marc’ argenti pro bob[us] sibi vendit. Dicunt eciam
quod Rogerus Bacoun tenebat
predicto fratri Thom’ ad festum Natalis domini antedictum in decem solid’ pro arr’ ulterim’
compoti sui de tempore quo fuit recep-
tor suus. Dicunt eciam quod Thom’ de la Hull tenebatur eidem Thom’ ad idem festum in
quinque solid’ argenti
ut ab offico’ prepositi amoveret[ur]. Dicunt eciam quod Robertus Tope, Agn le Peistur +
Ricardus Monibord tenebantur fratris
Philippo de Melsa Preceptor’ de Garewy ad predictum festum in quatuor solidis pro Redditu’
assis’ de ten’ in Hereford.
Dicunt eciam quod Henr’ de Lancastr6 tenebat[ur] eidem fratris Philippo in viginti solid’ +
octo den’ ad predictum festum
Natalis domini predicti ex causa mutui’. Dicunt eciam quod zeuan ap Meur’ tenebatur eidem
fratris Philippo ad idem festum
in quatuor solid’ argenti pro linis ab eodem emptis. Dicunt eciam quod Rogerus de la Stoue
de Stoke Laci tenebatur predicto
Fratris Thom’ de Tolus ad predictum festum Natal’ domini in decem solid’ ex causa mutui. In
cuius rei testimonium sigilla predictorum
Jur’ presentibus sunt appens’
Cornwall
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 24
Westminster, 31 December 1308: King Edward Ii instructs the sheriff of Cornwall to find out
what was owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and to send this information to the
Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer by the day after the close of Exchequer proceedings
at Easter 1309.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Cornub[ie]
salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo po-
terimus + iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte in quiras + diligenter modis + viis
omnibus quibus melius
videris expedire tam infra libertatem quam extra in balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita
debebantur magistro et fratribus
Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis domini
anno regni nostri primo vel postea,
+ a quo vel a quibus, + cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo et
om[n]ia huiusmodi debita
5 Euan. Readers should be aware that some of these jurors were Welsh.
6 Is this the same as Henry of Lancaster, lord of Kidwelly, as in TNA: SC 6/1202/3? He
would not allow the sheriff of Glamorgan or anyone else to take the annual rent of 12 s due
from ten free tenants of the Templars’ manor of Llanmadoc living in his liberty of Kidwelly.
22
capias in manum nostram omnibus + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e tue quem vel quos
debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut
est dictum ex parte nostra firmiter inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui
alij n[omi]ni eorumdem inde aliquid
soluere presumat sub o[mn]i eo \quod \nobis/ forisfacere poterit ullo modo donec aliud inde
duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et consta-
re fac’ distincte + aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud Westm’
in Crastino Clausi Pasch’ qualit[er] et
quo modo fu[er]is executus hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este] venerabili
p[at]r[e] –– W. Wygorn’ Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro
apud Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo.
[pencil] 30
Dorse
This writ has been put into force in the investigation attached.
Executio istius brevis patet in Inq’
illi annexa
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 22
At an investigation held at Bodmin before the sheriff of Cornwall, Thomas de la Hide, on the
Saturday before Easter 1309, the jurors state that no one owed the Templars anything.
Inquisitio facta apud Bodm’ coram Thoma de La Hide vic’ Cornub[ie] die sabbati in vigilis
Pasch’ Anno regni regis Ed-
Wardi filii regis Edwardi secondo, per sacramenta Radulfi de PenWore, Rogerii de
Treglozenon, Hugonis de TregWezen, Henrici
de Dynan, Ricardi de Treworthanck, Ricardi de Gakelli {or Bakelli}, Willelmi de Wruscok
Moricii de Penhirghard, Walteri Pen-
Luce{?} de Trenant, Willelmi de Talglihy + Laur[encii] de Maynde ad inquirend’ quot + que
debita debebantur Magistro
+ fratribus milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui ad festum Natalis domini anno regni
Regis Edwardi nunc primo
vel postea. Qui dicunt per sacramenta sua quod predicto Magistro + fratribus milicie temple
in Anglia vel eorum alicui a dicto
termino nich[il] debebantur. In cuius rei testimonium presentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus.
Gloucestershire
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 25 (31)
At an investigation held on 12 March 1309 before Lord Nicholas de Kingston, sheriff of
Gloucester, the jurors declared that no one owed the Templars anything.
Inquisitio capta ap[ud] Glouc’ die Mercur’ infest S[anc]ti Gregori pape Anno R[egni] R[egis]
E[dwardi] s[e]c[un]do Coram
D[omi]no Nich[ola]o de Kyngeston’ vic’ Glouc’ p[er] Will[elmu]m de Aston’, Ric[ardu]m
Dastyn, Joh[anne]m de Aston’, Will[elmu]m de
23
Hudicote, Joh[anne]m Cals’, Will[elmu]m de Condicote, Mich[aelis] de Langberwe,
Hugone[m] de Cockebury, Nich[ola]m de
de {sic] Cam[er]a, Henr[icum] le Deyere, Thom[am] Acee + Radulph[u]m de Enestan, Jur’
Qui dicunt p[er] sacr[amentu]m suu[m]
q[uo]d nulla debita debebant[ur] Mag[istr]o + f[rat]rib[us] milite Templi in Anglia nec
eor[um] alicui in Hundr’ de
de {sic} Kyf’ Holford’ + Gre[n]ston’ ad f[estu]m Natalis d[omi]ni anno r[egni] r[egis]
p[re]d[ic]ti p[ri]mo nec postea. In cui[us] Rei
huic inquisition Jur’ sigill’ sua apposueru[n]t.
Bristol
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 26 (32)
At an investigation at Bristol on Wednesday 26 March 1309 into the debts owed to the
Templars, the jurors stated that no one owed the Templars anything.
Inq[ui]sit[i]o capta apud Bristoll’ die Mercur’ in c[r]\a/stino Annu[n]ciat[i]o[n]is be[ate]
Marie anno r[egni] Reg[is] Edwardi filii Reg[is] Edwardi s[e]c[un]do
de debitis que debebant[ur] Mag[is]tro + fr[at]rib[us] milicie Templi in Angl[ia] vel eor[um]
alicui infra libertate[m] Bristoll’ p[er] bre[vem] Reg[is] Ballis’
libertatis ei[us]d[e]m ville inde retornatu[m] p[er] Will[elmu]m de Chilton’, Will[elmu]m
Spacston, Rob[ertu]m le Deel, Will[elmu]m le Maistr’, Gilb[ertu]m
Pokerel senior, Gilb[ertu]m Pokerel Junior, Rob[ertu]m Fairmay, Joh[anne]m le Mareschal,
Will[elmu]m Ducston, Joh[anne]m le Cripse, Joh[anne]m
Morcok + Will[elmu]m M[er]Wetyng iur’, Q[u]\i/ dicu[n]t p[er] sacr[amentu]m suu[m]
q[uo]d nulla debita debebant[ur] Mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us] Milicie Templi
in Angl[ia] nec eor[um] alicui inf[r]\a/ lib[er]tate Bristoll’ ad die[m] in br[ev]i content’ nec
postea. In cui[us] rei testimoniu[m] p[re]d[ic]ti Jurat’ huic
Inquisic[i]o[n]I sigilla sua apposueru[n]t. Dat’ Bristoll’ die + anno sup[r]\a/d[ic]tis. – – – – –
Slaughter, Gloucestershire
TNA: E 142/119 rot. 27 (33)
At an investigation held on 25 March 1309 at Slaughter in Gloucestershire the jurors
declared that no one in the Liberty of the Abbot of Fécamp at Slaughter owed the Templars
anything.
Inquisitio capta ap[ud] Slougher’ die Marc’ In festo Annunciationis beate Marie Anno
R[egni] R[egis] E[dwardi] s[e]c[un]do p[er] sacramentum Walteri Ruf’
Johannis le Bel, Hugonis le Bount, Stephani de Stowe, Ricardi de Slougher, Willelmi
Medcroft, Petri Godefray,
Willelmi Andreu, Hugonis de la Wolde, Willelmi Basset, Ricardi Wansot + Ricardi de
Cheltenham, xij Jur’
sup[er] sing[u]lis debitas que aliquo m\o/ debetantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in
Anglia ad Natale
domini Anno regni regis nunc primo pro ut tenor brevis domini Regis huic inquisitioni
consuto precipiebatur inquiri. Qui
24
dicunt sup[er] sacr[amentu]m suu[m] q[uo]d non sunt aliqui infra libertat’ Abbati de
Fistamp’ de Slougher’ qui aliqua debita
dictis Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia nec aliqui eorum predictis die + Anno
debebant nec debent. In
cui[us] Rei testim’ predicti Jur’ huic Inquis’ sigilla sua apposuer[unt].
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 28
Westminster, 31 December 1308: King Edward II instructs the sheriff of Bedfordshire and
Buckinhamshire to find out what was owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and to send
this information to the Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer by the day after the close of
Exchequer proceedings at Easter 1309.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Cornub[ie]
salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo poterimus + iniungendo quod visis
presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter modis + viis omnibus quibus melius videris
expedire tam infra libertatem quam extra in balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita
debebantur magistro et fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem balli[v]a
tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea, + a quo vel a quibus,
+ cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo et om[n]ia huiusmodi debita
capias in manum nostram omnibus + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e tue quem vel
quos debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est dictum ex parte nostra firmiter
inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij n[omi]ni eorumdem inde
aliquid soluere presumat sub o[mn]i eo \quod \nobis/ forisfacere poterit ullo modo donec
aliud inde duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et constare fac’ distincte + aperte
Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’
qualit[er] et quo modo fu[er]is executus hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este]
venerabili p[at]r[e]
W. Wygorn’ Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro
apud Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo.
[pencil] E14 [struck through] 34
Dorse
The sheriff has made an investigation, and summarises the situation: he has taken into the
king’s hands the 2 silver marks that Nicholas Fermeraud owed the Templars from the time he
was custodian of Bristol; he has also taken into the king’s hands the oxen, draught horses
and cows that Hugh of Staughton owed; but he has not been able to take the four oxen owed
by Peter of Croft, because Peter has taken them to Huntingdonshire. He had taken into the
king’s hands the 20 d owed by Christiana Stet. He has not taken the 20 quarters of dredge
owed by John of Croft or the 20 quarters of dredge taken to Robert de Wanton’s demense
because he does not know whether this account has already been paid; there is also £4, 8 s
which his predecessor Gilbert de Holm received and paid to the king.
Super articulis in isto brevi content[is]
diligenter inquisivi prout patet p[er]
Inquis[itionem] isti brevi consuet’.
Preterea cepi in manum d[omi]ni Reg[is]
duas m\a/r[cas] argent’ quas Nich’s
Ferm[er]aud debet Magistro milicie te[mp]li
25
in Anglia de ?Clera? Regis de te[m]p[or]e
quo idem Nich’s fuit custos Bris-
toll’ quo quidam ij m\a/r’[c’] non
sunt in ?manus’comp[er]t’
It[em] cepi in manibus nostri + domini Regis illos
boves afros + vaccas inven’
manibus Hugonis de Stocton ?sicut?
patet in inq’
De quatuor bobus invent’ in Manibus
Petri de Croft non possum inde ali-
[quid] facere nec illos capere in manum domini
[regis] quia elongatu’ sunt a Com’ [Bed’]
… in Com’ Huntingdon per p[re]fatum
Petrum.
[Item cepi] in manum domini Regis xx d
[cont’] in inquis’ de Cristiana Stet.
De xx quarter’ drageti quas
Johannes de Croft p[er]cepit sicut
patet in inquis’ + de xx quarter’
drageti cariat’ ad dem[eni]u[m] Rob[er]ti
de Wancon’ sicut patet in ead[em]
inquis’, nich[il] inde feci p[ro] eo q[uo]d
ignoro? utru[m] p[re]d[ic]ti Joh[ann]es + Ro-
b[er]tus inde satisfec[er]int nec ne
??tem de iiij li + viij s in
alia inquis’ contentis quos Gilb[ertu]s
de Holm nup[er] vicecomes re-
cepit nichil inde factum?
est eor[un]d[em] idem Gilbertus illos
den[arios] soluit domino Regi +c’
TNA: E 142/119 mem 29
Investigation held at Bedford on the Tuesday in Easter week, 1309, in the presence of Walter
de Molesworth, sheriff. The jurors set out the debts due: Hugh of Staughton, when he leased
the manor of Millbrook from the Templars for life, also took over 4 oxen each worth 8
shillings, 2 affers each worth 5 shillings, and 4 cows each worth 5 shillings. After Hugh’s
death, his executors were due to return the animals to the Templars; they were to be repaid to
Brother Thomas Totty, the former commander of Dinsley, to whom they had been assigned by
the master. Peter de Croft of Huntingdon owes the same Thomas Totty, former commander of
Dinsley, 4 oxen each worth 15 shillings, total value 60 s. Christiana Stet owes 20 d for
dredge (a mixture of barley and oats) that she had bought and not paid for. John de Croft
had received from the commander of Staughton 20 quarters of dredge worth a total of 26 s 8
d which he has not yet paid in full. Brother William de la More, master of the knighthood of
the Temple in England, straight after Michaelmas had carted from Staughton manor 20
quarters of dredge worth 2 shillings and 6 d a quarter, but they don’t know whether this has
been paid for.
26
Inquisitio capta apud Bed’ die Martis in septimania Pasch’ Anno regni Regis Edwardi filii
Regis Edwardi secondo, coram Waltero de MullesWorth vic[ecomes] Bed’ idens’
quot + que debiti debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia v[e]l eorum alicui
in eadem Balliva ad festum Natal’ domini anno regni predicti domini Regis primo vel postea
et a quo vel a quibus + cui + ex qua causa + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo per
Johannem Druel Militem, Rogerum Peynre Militem, ?Ra’m de Wylie, Gilbertum de Ste-
pingle, Johannem Godefrey, Hugonem Fouke, Johannem Saletyel, Johannem de Bernake,
Willelmum Brutonn, Hugonem le Sweyn, Gilbertum de [word lost], Henricum Sutorem??
Willelmum le Berdi, Hugonem de Deneby, Johannem le Child, Robertum de Sancto Georgio,
Johannem Alof, Galfridum de Bosco, Henricum de Ripa, Nich’m [word lost], Robertum
Atte?
rum, Reginald’ Hering, Simonem de HyneWyk, Robertum gymis, Radulfum Abel,
Willelmum Alsey, Florem Cl[er?]icum de Kaygho, Johannem de Cheyton? [name lost:
Ricardum?] de Holm,
Rogerum le Deen, Willelmum Fraunceys, Legerum Bronnere, Galfridum Templer, Thomam
le Moleward, Thomam S[er]iaunt, Johannem Brotonn, Willelmum
le Dip[er]e, Johannem Nichol’, Radulfus de EyWorth + Henricum fil’ Magistri Henrici. Qui
dicunt per sacramentum suum quod Hugo de Stocton cepit aliquot tempore de Magistro
milicie Templi in Anglia Manerium suum de Milbrok’ ad firmam in toto tempore vite ipsius
Hugonis cum quatuor bobus eiusdem Magistri p[re]cij cuilibet octo solid’ duo
affros precij cuilibet quinque solid’, quatuor vaccas precij cuiuslibet quinque solid’, quos
quid’ boves affri vaccas post obitum predicti Hugonis exetutores sui predicto Magistro
restaurare vel eorum precium sibi soluere. Suma predictorum boum affrorum + vaccarum
Lxij s. –– Item dicunt quod catalla predicta debentur fratri Thome totti quondam preceptor
de Dynnesle, exassignacione predicti magistri. – – – Item dicunt quod quidam Petrus de Croft
de Com’ Huntingdon’ debet cuidam fratri Thome Tott’ quondam preceptori de Dynnesle, quatuor boves precij cuilibet xv s quos precepit ad manerium suum
de Stotton circa festum Natal’ domini anno regni Regis Edwardi nunc
primo + ull[u]m denar’ p[ro] predictis bobus ad huc solute. Suma predictorum boum L [x] s.
– – Item dicunt quod quidam Cristiana Stet’ debet eidem preceptori xx d
pro drageto ab eo tempore predicto empto + non solutos. – – Item Johannes de Croft
p[er]cept’ [de] p[re]d[ic]to? Preceptori ad Maner’ de Stocton’ tempore predicto xx quarter’
drageti
que valent xxvj s viij d precij cuilibet quarterij ij s iiij d an sive soluit [ ] denar’ antedictos
vel non hoc non [solu]it. – – Item dicunt
quod frater Willelmus de La More Magister Militie templi in Anglia statim post festum sancti
Michaelis [word lost] + cartari fec[it] de manerio suo de Stocton usque ad dem[eni]um
Rob[ert]i de
Wanton xx quart[er]’ draget prec’ cuiuslibet quar’ ij s vj d, sed utrum soluit nec non ignorant.
In cuius rei testimonium predicti Jur’ huic inquis’ sigilla
sua apposuerunt.
Rutland
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 30
[Note: the right hand edge of the membrane is severely damaged. The missing words have
been inserted from other examples of this standard writ.]
27
Westminster, 31 December 1308: King Edward II instructs the sheriff of Rutland to find out
what was owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and to send this information to the
Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer by the day after the close of Exchequer proceedings
at Easter 1309.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Roteland
salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo poterimus + iniungendo quod visis
presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter modis + viis omnibus quibus melius videris
expedire tam infra libertatem quam extra in balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita
debebantur magistro et fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui in eadem balli[v]a
tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel postea,
+ a quo vel a quibus, + cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo et
om[n]ia huiusmodi debita capias in manum nostram omnibus + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te
balli[v]e tue quem vel quos debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est dictum ex
parte nostra firmiter inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui ipsorum fratrum
vel alicui alij n[omi]ni eorumdem inde aliquid soluere presumat sub o[mn]i eo quod nobis
forisfacere poterit ullo modo donec aliud inde duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et
constare fac’ distincte + aperte Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud
Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’ qualit[er] et quo modo fu[er]is executus
hec predicta. Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc breve. T[este] venerabili p[at]r[e] W. Wygorn’
Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud Westm’, xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro]
secundo.
[pencil] 36
Dorse
The sheriff replies that the investigation taken on the lord king’s mandate is sewn on to this
writ below.
Inquis’ capt’ per mandatum domini
Regis infra consuit\a/ isti br’
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 31
[Again, this membrane is badly damaged down the right edge and some words have been lost
or are illegible.]
Investigation held at Empingham in Rutland in the presence of the sheriff, Ralph de Bella
Fago, on the Tuesday in Easter week 1309. The jurors note two debts that were owed to the
Templars, one pertaining to the church at Stretton and one to the church at Thistleton.
Inquis’ capt[a] ap[u]d Empi[n]gh\a/m{7} die martis in septim’ Pasch’ anno regni Regis
Edwardi s[e]c[un]do coram Rad[ulf]o de Bella Fago vic’ Rot[eland’] [
p[er] Ric[ardu]m ad Aula[m], Ric[ardu]m Basset, Joh[anne]m fil’ Henr[ici], Andr’ Condr’,
Galfrid’ fil’ Henr[ici], Thom’ Huco, Henr’ de ?Wuella, Rob[ertu]m C[
Petru[m] Flori, Walt[eru]m Gerineyn + Henr[icum] Walkett? Iur[at’] ad Inquir’ quot + que
debita debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi [in Anglia]
infra Balli[v]am ?suam ad festum Natal’ domini anno Regni Regis E nu[n]c p[ri]mo v[e]l
postea et a quo vel quibus + cui + ex qua causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter
+ quo modo. Qui dicunt per sacramentum suum quod Robertus de Apethorp vicar’ de
St[r]\a/tton’ debuit ad festum sancti Michaelis anno Regni [Regis] [quantity nd value lost]
7 Empingham is a parish in Rutland: http://empingham.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/
28
[ij? ]s blad’ + feni’ de St[r]\a/tton p[er]tinentes ad Ecc[lesi]am de St[r]\a/tton de portione
Magistri + fratrum Milicie Templi. Et dicunt [ quod] [name and verb lost]
p[ar]t[e]m ad portionu[m] p[re]d[ic]tor[um] Magistri + fratrum in Ecc[lesia] de Thistleton’ ad
valent’ xl s cariabant[ur] anno p[re]d[ic]to ap[u]d [location lost…]
Et dicunt quod nulli sunt alii debitores. In cuius rei testimonium predicti Iur[ati] presenti
Inquis’ sigilla sua apposuerunt.
Gloucestershire
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 32
Westminster, 31 December 1308: King Edward II instructs the sheriff of Gloucester to find
out what was owed to the Templars at Christmas 1307 or later, and to send this information
to the Treasurer and Barons of his Exchequer by the day after the close of Exchequer
proceedings at Easter 1309.
Edwardus dei gratia Rex Anglie Dominus Hibernie + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti] Glouc’
salutem. Ex certis causis tibi precepimus firmius quo
poterimus + iniungendo quod visis presentibus circumspecte inquiras + diligenter modis +
viis omnibus quibus melius videris expedire
tam infra libertatem quam extra in Balli[v]a tua, quot + que debita debebantur magistro et
fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia vel
eorum alicui in eadem Balli[v]a tua ad festum Natalis domini anno regni nostri primo vel
postea, + a quo vel a quibus, + cui + ex qua
causa, + a quo tempore + qualiter + quo modo et om[n]ia hui[us]modi debita capias in
manum nostram omnibus + sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te Balli[v]e
tue quem vel quos debitores fratrum predictorum esse inven[er]is ut est dictum ex parte
nostra firmiter inhibendo ne quis eorum alicui
ipsorum fratrum vel alicui alij n[omi]ni eorumdem inde aliquid soluere presumat sub o[mn]i
eo quod nobis forisfacere poterit ullo
modo donec aliud inde duxerimus ordinand[um]. Et constare fac’ distincte + aperte
Thes[aurario] + Baron[ibus] de s[ca]cc\a/[ri]o nostro apud
Westm’ in Crastino Clausi Pasch’ ––– qualit[er] et quomodo fu[er]is executus hec predicta.
Et h[ab]eas ibi tu[n]c hoc
breve. T[este] venerabili patre W. Wygorn’ Episcopo Thes[aurario] nostro apud Westm’,
xxxj die Decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostro] secundo.
[pencil] 38
Dorse
The sheriff replies that he has held an investigation, the report from which is attached to this
writ, but has not found that anyone owed anything to the Templars.
Inquisivi tam infra libertatem quam extra quot
+ que debita debebantur Magistro + fratribus milicie
Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui prout in hoc brevi
precipitur + invenire non potui quod aliq[u]\a/ debita
eisd[e]m Magistro + fratribus vel eorum alicui debeb-
[u]nt patet in inquis’ huic brevi consut’
[at bottom of membrane]
29
Cur’\e/ Bristoll’\c/ [Bristol] Briavell’\e/ [St Briavells], Fes’\e/ [???], Teuk\s/’ [Tewkesbury]
Kist\s/’ [Kiftsgate?] Whisto[n]\s/’ [?Whitstone?]
Glouc’\c’ [Gloucester], Derh\c/ [Deerhurst? Dyrham?], Mort\e/’ [Morton-in-Marsh],
Westbur\e/’ [Westbury], Berk\s/’ [Berkeley]
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 33
At an investigation held in the presence of sheriff Nicholas de Kingston at Gloucester on
Monday in Easter week, 1309, the jurors state that no one in Gloucestershire owed anything
in any way to the Templars.
Inquisitio capta coram Nich[ola]o de Kyngeston’ vic’ Glouc’ apud Glouc’ die Lune in
Septimana Pasch’ Anno Regni Regis Edwardi
secundo ad inquirend’ quot + que debita debebantur Magistro + fratribus Milicie Templi in
Angl[ia] vel eorum alicui in Com’ p[re]d[ic]to ad festum
Natal’ domini Anno Regni Regis Edwardi primo vel postea prout in brevi domini Regis
eidem vic’ directo precepitur, per Willelmum Chamond,
Rogerum de Homine, Johannem Le Freemon, Petrum Le Frankeleyn, Robertum Eynolf,
Henricum de Rodelegh, Willelmum atte Wode, Thom’
Keek’, Gilbertum de Frethorn’, Johannem le Buk, Petrum de Ocle + Adam de La Felde. Qui
dicunt per sacramentum suum quod nulla
Debita predictis Magistro vel fratribus Milicie Templi in Anglia nec alicui eorum in Com’
predicto ad predictum festum Natal’ domini nec postea
aliqualiter debebantur. In cuius rei testimonium huic inquisitioni predicti Iuratores sigilla sua
apposuerunt. Dat’Glouc’ die + anno
supradictis.
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 34
At an investigation held in the sheriff’s presence at Gloucester on the Tuesday next after the
Annunciation{8} 1309, the jurors state that they do not know of any debts due to the
Templars.
Glouc’
Inquisitio capta apud Glouc’ die Martis proxima post festum Annunciationis beate Marie
anno regni Regis Edwardi secondo coram vic’ Glouc’ de debitis debe-
Bantur Magistro + fratribus milicie Templi in Anglia vel eorum alicui ad festum Natal’
domini anno regni predicti Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi primo, per Robertum de
Scanedish’
Johannem de Ros, Johannem de NorthWych, Willelmum Le Bowyar, Audoen’ de
Wyndesor’, Johannem Florye, Willelmum de Elmor, Walterum de Hardipirye, Galfridum le
Cot’iler
Reginald Le Bestomo, Ph[illipu]m Le taillur + Walterum de Bemwod. Qui dicunt per
sacramentum suum quod nesciunt aliqua debita fuisse dictis magistro + fratribus milicie
templi
in Anglia seu eorum alicui ad festum Natal’ domini predictum seu postea ex aliqua causa
debita. In cuius rei testimonium predicti Iurator[es] presentibus sigilla sua apposuerunt.
8 As in 1309 the Annunciation (25 March) fell in the week before Easter, the feast would have
been held in the previous week; in which case this investigation probably took place on
Tuesday 25 March.
30
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
TNA: E 142/119 mem 35 (was 41)
Recto: King Edward II tells the sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to investigate
what debts were due to the Templars at Christmas 1307 and after. Westminster, 31 December
1308.
Dorse
The sheriff replies that he has made a full investigation and has found no one who owed the
master and brothers of the Temple anything at the said date or since.
Per ?eandem? balli[v]am meam tam infra
lib[er]tatem quam p[er] extra diligent[er] modis
viis om[nib]us quib[us] melius expediri
potui inquisit’ quot + que debita
debebantur Mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us] Milicie
templi in Anglia vel eor[um] alicui s[e]c[un]d[u]m
tenor[em] huius br[ev]is + nullos inveni
qui debitores fratru[m] p[re]d[ic]tor[um] fueru[n]t
ad festum Natalis d[omi]ni anno Regni
Reg[is] Edwardi p[ri]mo nec postea.
Northumberland
TNA: 142/119 mem. 36
Edwardus dei gr[ati]a Rex Angl[ie] d[omin]us Hib[er]n[ie] + Dux Aquit’ vic[ecomiti
Northumbr’ sal[u]t[e]m. Ex certis causis tibi p[re]cipimus firmius quo pot[er]imus
iniunge[n]-
do q[uo]d visis p[re]sentib[us] circumspecte inquirias + diligent[er] modis + viis om[ni]b[us]
quib[us] melius videris expedire tam infra lib[er]tatem
q[u]\a/m ext[r]\a/ in balli[v]a tua quot + que debita debebant[ur] Mag[ist]ro + f[rat]rib[us]
milicie Templi in Angl[ia] v[e]l eor[um] alicui in eadem balli[v]a tua
ad festum Natal[is] d[omi]ni anno r[eg]ni p[ri]mo v[e]l postea + a quo v[e]l a quib[us] + cui +
ex qua causa + a quo temp[or]e + qualit[er]
+ quo modo. E om[n]ia hui[us]modi debita capias in manu[m] n[ost]ram om[n]ib[us] +
sing[u]lis p[re]d[ic]te balli[v]e tue que[m] v[e]l quos debitor[e]s
fratru[m] p[re]d[ic]tor[um] esse inven[er]is + ut est d[ic]t[u]m exp[ar]te n[ost]ra firmit[er]
inhibendo ne’ quis eor[um] alicui ip[s]or[um] fratru[m] ut alicui alii no[m]i[n]e
eor[un]dem inde aliquid soluere p[re]sumat s[u]b om[n]i eo q[uo]d nob[is] forisface[re]
pot[er]it ullo modo don\c/ aliud inde duxerimus
ordinand[um]. Et constar[e] fac’ distincte + ap[er]te Thes’ + Baron’ de s[ca]cc\a/[r]io
n[ost[ro] apud Westm’ in Crasti[n]o Clausi Pasch’ qualiter
+ quo \modo/ fueris execut[er]us hec p[re]d[ic]ta. Et h[ab]eas ibi hoc bre[ve]. T[este]
ven[er]abili p[at]re –– W. Wygorn’ ep[isop]p Thes’ n[ost]ro apud Westm’
xxxj die decembr’ anno r[egni] n[ostri] s[e]c[un]do.
42
31
[Dorse]
The execution of the writ can be seen through the investigation attached to this writ.
Execut[i]o Isti[us] Br[ev]is patet p[er] Inqu[isitionem]
huic Br[evi annexam;
TNA: E 142/119 mem. 37
Inquisition held at Hartburn on Thursday 20 March 1309. The twelve jurors state that
nothing is owed to the Templars and that investigations have been previously made, but that
Robert of Fandon, who administered the manor for the king from 11 January –16 November
1308, took a substantial volume of wool, lambs, milk and eggs from the manor.
Inquisitio capta apud Hertbourne {Hartburn, Northumberland} Coram vic’ die Jovis in festo
s[anc]ti Cudberti An[n]o Rengni Reg[is] E[dwardi] fili R[egis] E[dwardi] s[e]c[un]do p[er]
Rob[ertu]m de Wotton, Ric[ardu]m de oogeL, Thom[am] de fandu[m] Will[elmu]m de
Fandu[m], Ric[ardu]m Clercicu[m] de Angerton, Rog[er]u[m] Du[n]tan, Joh[ann]em
de Insul, Will[elmu]m Welle, Rog[erum] Haldan, Will[elmu]m fil’ Rog[eri] de ThrapphiL,
Joh[ann]em MoreL, Joh[ann]em bercarul’ de Angertu[m] qui
dicu[n]t p[er] sac[r]\a/me[n]tu[m] q[uo]d die Mercuri p[ro]x’ post Epyfanyam An[n]o Regni
R[egis] E’ fil’ R’ E p[ost] Rob[er]tus de fandu[m] tu[n]c
vic[ecomes] Norhumbr’ + Joh[ann]es de Schefeld veneru[n]t apud Thorneton’ + ceperu[n]t
o[mn]ia bona in saysyna Te[m]plarior[um]
inve[n]ta p[er] inde[n]tura[m] int[er] p[re]dictos Joh[ann]em + Rob[er]tum facta[m] qui
dicu[n]t +[iam] q[uo]d nulla debita in te[m]pore in brev[em]
co[n]tento n[e]\c/ post p[re]d[ic]t’ Mag[is]tro n[e]\c/ fr\a/trib[us] ullo m[od]\o/ debebant[ur].
Dicu[n]t +[iam] q[uo]d Adam de Egestlaf die Sabb[at]i in
vigil’ assu[m]p[ci]onis Marys Ano sup\r/dicto Cepit quad’ Inquistione[m] de om[ni]mo’
bonis mobilib[us] + immobilib[us]
dictor[um] te[m]plarior[um] q[ua]lit[er]cu[n]cque tange[n]tib[us] + Inquisicione[m] illa[m]
penes se h[ab]et sub sigill’ jurator[um]
p[er] q[u]os Capta fuit inquisicio. Dicu[n]t +[iam] q[uo]d Rob[er]tus de Fandu[m] Cepit de
Man[er]io Te[m]plarior[um] de Thorneton’
{9}?xix Pet[ro]s lane p[re]c’ cuiuslibet petre iiij s. Ite[m] dicu[n]t q[uo]d dictus Rob[er]tus de
Fandu[m] Cepit de dicto
Man[er]io C Lxxi angnys p[re]c’ cuiuslibet angni vij d ob[ol’] an[n]o sup[r]\a/d[ic]to. Ite[m]
dicu[n]t q[uo]d dict[us] Rob[er]tus de
Fandu[m] Cepit ?Approviame[n]tu[m] an[n]o sup[r]\a/dicto de lacte, C + xvj oviu[m] p[re]c’
lacte Cuiuslibet ij d ob[ol’].
For TNA: E 142/119 rot. 38 see the first item in this document.
9 As the bottom left-hand corner of the membrane is damaged, the extent of Robert of
Fandon’s alleged theft from the manor is not clear.