Venerabili viro, et amico reverendo, domino W. de Merton, cancellario domini Regis, suns R. de lNevill, salutem, et paratam ad beneplacita voluntatem. Literas domini Regis nuper recepi, continentes quod me capitaneum suum constituit in comitatibus suis ultra Trentain, ad pacis sue conservationem contra quosdam rebelles suos, ac pacis suge perturbatores ; et insuper custodiam comitatus Bborum, et castri ejusdem mihi commisit ; quae quieem in omnibus pro viribus adimplere paratus sum. Verum, quia talia assumere non possum, sine maximis sumptibus, dilectioni vestre dignum duxi supplicare, quatenus, si placet, consilium vestruin et auxilium proesens domino Regi velitis apponere, ut mild significet ubi, et de quo sive de quibus, potero denarium perquirere ad custodiam tam comitatus et castri predictorum, quam castri de Bamburgh', quod in mea est custodia, faciendam.

Dicitur enim pro certo quod Rex Dacyæ,' una cum Rege Norewaijæ,' cum magna multitudine navegii,' in forencisis' insulis Scotiae applicuit ; sed quo proponent divertere nondum certum, unde periculum in partibus illis eminere formidandum. Dilectioni etiam vestra, significo, quod quidam, quos fideles domini Regis esse credebam, jaro per prædicationem suorum rebellium ad ipsos penitus sunt conversi ; propter quod majus auxilium aliorum per quirere, majoresque sumptus facere oportebit. Valeat semper in domino

To the venerable man, and revered friend, the Lord W. of Merton, chancellor of the lord King, his friend R. of Neville, greeting and ready obedience. I have lately received a letter from my lord King to the effect that le has appointed me his captain in the counties beyond the Trent, for the preservation of his peace against certain rebels and disturbers of his peace ; and, furthermore, he has entrusted me with the custody of the county of York, and of its castle ; all of which offices I am prepared to fulfil to the best of my power. But, inasmuch as I cannot undertake them without incurring very . great expense, I have concluded to ask of your kindness to give, if it please you, your counsel and powerful assistance with the lord King, that he may, inform me where and from what person or persons I can obtain the money for the custody, both of the aforesaid county and castle, as well as for that of Bamborough Castle, which is entrusted to my keeping.

.For it is reported as certain, that the King of Denmark, together with the King of Norway, with a large flotilla, has cast anchor off the further islands of Scotland, but whither they propose to turn is not yet certain, hence it is to be feared that danger is impending over these regions of which I have spoken. I also inform your kindness that some persons, whom I believed to be faithful adherents of our lord the King, have already, owing to the exhortations of the rebels, gone over to them, on which account I shall have to seek for greater assistance from others, and incur greater expenses. May you ever prosper in the Lord.

[i Daniæ. 2 Norwegiæ. 3 navigii, for classis. 4 forinsecis, for exteris.]

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