Proclamation as to giving aid to Prince Edward in the defence of the
Southern coasts; and resistance in the City thereto.
24 Edward I. A.D. 1296. Letter-Book C. fol. xxi. (Norman French and Latin.)
On Wednesday in Easter Week the King sent his writ under his
Privy Seal to the men of his city of London, in these words.—
"Edward, (fn. 1) by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of
Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, to all his good people of the
City of London, greeting. We do pray and do charge you on
the fealty which unto us you owe, and as we do especially trust
in you, that unto our son, and to the commands which he may
chance shortly to give you for the safe-guard of the sea-coasts
in the South, you be readily obedient, with such force as you
may conveniently have, at all times that he shall let you know;
and as readily obedient as you would have been to ourselves, if
we had been there in our own proper person. Given under our
Privy Seal at Halielaunde, (fn. 2) the 15th day of March, in the 24th
year of our reign."
Be it remembered, (fn. 3) that on the same day in that year, in presence of Ralph de Sandwich, Sir John le Bretun, then Warden of
London, and the Aldermen of the City aforesaid, and others there
present, and summoned at the command of our said Lord the
King, John de Dowegate, Michael Pycot, mercer, and Geoffrey
de Conduit, taverner, did gainsay and impede the provision and
ordinance aforesaid, made by the said Warden and Aldermen for
men to go with horses and arms, to follow Sir Edward, son of our
Lord the King of England, into the parts of Kent; but afterwards they came into the presence of the said Warden and
Aldermen, and gave consent to the ordinance and provision aforesaid, and readily agreed to go with horses and arms, according to
the command of our Lord the King, in their proper persons; the
same as other citizens who had been chosen thereto.
Injunctions to be conveyed to the Citizens from King Edward.
24 Edward I. A.D. 1296. Letter Book C. fol. xxi. (Latin.)
On Sunday next before the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist
[25 April], in the 24th year of the reign of King Edward, our
Lord the King sent his writ to his citizens of London, in these
words.—
"Edward, by the grace of God, etc., to his well-beloved and
trusty citizens and other good men of London, greeting. As
to certain things to you to be disclosed, which we have greatly
at heart for the common well-being of the whole of our realm,
we have communicated our will unto our well-beloved and
trusty John de Metingham, Ralph de Sandwich, and John le
Bretoun; strongly enjoining you, by the fealty and love in
which you are bound unto ourselves and the same our realm,
that you do faithfully give credit to the same in the premises, or
at least, such two of the same as may happen to be present;
and at the fitting times do effectually fulfil the same; writing
back to us, by the bearer of these presents, your good will
therein, and your answer thereto. Given under our Privy Seal,
at Berewik upon Tweed, the 9th day of April, in the 4th year
of our reign."
Answer given thereto.
24 Edward I. A.D. 1296. Letter-Book C. fol. xxi. (Latin.)
To these two messages the citizens of London made answer to
the King by letter, in these words.—
"To their most excellent and liege lord, Edward, by the grace
of God, the illustrious King of England, his humble and devoted
citizens of the City of London, greeting in Him by whom
kings do reign, and who giveth health unto kings. Most
excellent lord,—of late by two letters of yours we are earnestly
exhorted as to the necessary business of defence of your realm,
about the sea–coasts thereof; first, by your letter that with your
son,—whose life may the Most High guide unto long and
prosperous days—secondly, that with your discreet and praiseworthy men, Ralph de Sandwich and John le Bretun, we should
send certain of our fellow-citizens, to make such defence as
aforesaid, if necessary, according to the advice and discretion
of such trusty persons; saving however, and reserving, a good
guard for the safe-keeping of your City aforesaid. Wherefore,
seeing your desire herein, and that the matter required efficient
aid, you being away far distant, as also, because it was befitting
that we should do the same, we have sent with your son forty
men with caparisoned horses, and fifty arbalesters, besides footsoldiers; who at our expense are accompanying your son, and
have now set out for the sea-coast. We, however, the remaining citizens, who are guarding the City, are watching it with
anxious care, in such manner as is expedient; seeing that there
are many persons now making stay within the City, of divers
tongues and from the parts beyond sea, who pretend to be your
friends and ours, in whom we do not fully trust, but as to
whose disposal we fear to give full orders, until we have your
especial commands, directed to us thereon. We are ready, however, have been, and will be, whensoever more or less urgent
necessity shall persuade thereto, according to the discretion and
advice of your trusty servants before-mentioned, to go with
them, as many as shall be able, to aid in the defence of the seacoast, with such help as we conveniently may, keeping safe
custody of your city aforesaid; that so we may give full satisfaction to your desires in all things, to the utmost of our power.
We bid your royal mightiness farewell, and length of years may
it enjoy, etc."