Nobles and the Noble Life, 1295-1500 by Joel T. Rosenthal

Author:Joel T. Rosenthal [Rosenthal, Joel T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, General, Europe, Medieval
ISBN: 9781000385588
Google: 1N4zEAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2021-08-29T16:04:10+00:00

2. Creation of an Earl (1337)

FROM: RDP, V, 32

The king, to the archbishops, etc., Greetings.

Know that, because much of the grace of the state lies in the wisdom and eminence of those mentioned hereinafter, and in particular the throne of the realm is elevated and the rule of the kingdom is strengthened when there are many men of noble status and lofty excellence.

Therefore, we, at the request of the prelates and peers and the commons of our realm in the present parliament assembled at Westminster, in our wish to enhance the order of the kingdom and to bestow new honours as much as to restore old ones, and to secure the safety of the state and to add to the number of nobles by whose counsels we are directed, and for support in times of adversity;

Have presented our most dear first born Edward, by our prerogative and for his special merits, to the Duchy of Cornwall, which Duchy we have given because it is vacant due to the deaths of its former holders, and we have invested him and girded him with the sword, as is customary.

Furthermore, considering the others whom we might promote to an earldom, we choose for his probity, vigour and wisdom as well as for the renown of his ancester our beloved and faithful William de Monte Acuto. We do this because of the promptitude with which he has submitted himself to danger on our behalf, and that this honour will add to his wealth as to the love he bears us, and in grateful commemoration of the service and use which he has devotedly provided for us.

We gird him with a sword and invest him with the county of Salisbury, to him and his heirs of his name, and we freely concede the authority of the said county to the same earl and his heirs, and in support of this grant the decision of parliament is pleasing to us and in accord with our own council.

And to support the burden we give and concede and confirm in this charter to the same earl and his heirs £20, returned from the profits of the county of Wiltshire each year at the Feasts of Easter and St Michael in equal portions, to be received from the hand of the sheriif who will be there, in perpetuity.

Wherefore we will and specially affirm by us and our heirs that the aforesaid earl and his heirs shall receive the aforesaid £20 returned from the profits of the said county, each year at the aforesaid feasts, in equal portions, receiving from the hands of the sheriif of that county who will be in that time, in perpetuity, as is stated above.

In witness of this: our venerable father, John, Archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England, our chancellor …

Given by our hand at Westminster, 16 day March.

By the king himself and all the commons in parliament.

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