108 Passages in the History of Downton. 
Canon of York, Archdeacon of Wells, and Treasurer of England. 
In 13837 he was made Chancellor of Ireland, and afterwards 
“Warden” of that kingdom. He was recalled in 1340, and on 
his death, 11th January, 1348, was buried under the great window 
of the north transept at Hereford. He appears to have resigned 
Downton on his election to Hereford, for in that year the Bishopric 
of Winchester being void, Edward III. assumed the right to the 
temporal possessions of the see, and presented to Downton Richard 
de Ayreminne,” a Canon of Lincoln. This appointment also seems 
not to have been recognized by the Pope, for in the following 
year John, Cardinal of 8. Angelo, obtained a provision from him 
of Downton, which is described as “ void,” not by the resignation 
of Ayreminne, but “by the consecration of Thomas, Bishop of 
Hereford.” * 
It is probable that Richard de Ayreminne may be identified with 
the person of that name who in 1324 was appointed Keeper of the 
Rolls. He seems, however, almost immediately to have quarrelled 
with the King, for at the end of the same year he is alluded to as 
“nuper custos cancellarum,” and in the following year he delivered 
up the keys of the chests to Nicholas Clyf, his successor :* further, 
after repeated commands to appear before the King in 1326, the 
Sheriff of York was commanded to compel him to appear. What 
happened is not recorded, but he soon obtained the Pope’s favour. 
In 1827, besides having been appointed to Downton, he was Canon 
of Lincoln, and in the following year he is mentioned as holding 
the Prebends of Cauleton with Turleby, in Lincoln, and of Cokerton, 
in Darlington. He was, also, at this time Rector of Elveley (Kirk 
Ella), had a prebendal portion in the free chapel of Wimborne 
Minster, and the provision of a Canonry and Prebend of Chichester.* 
Tn 1328 he obtained, besides, from Pope John at Avignon the pro- 
vision of a Canonry and Prebend of Salisbury, on condition that he 
1 Fasti Herefordenses. 
? Patent Rolls. 
% Papal Letters. 
4 Parliamentary Writs. 
° Papal Letters. 
