14 PAPERS, ETC. 



the King nor of others; and tliey say tliat the aforesaid Philip 

 holds that messuage and that land of the said Prior and 

 Convent, and that the aforesaid messuage and land are of 

 the fee of the said Prior, and that the aforesaid Prior holds 

 them of John de Mohun, and the said John of our lord the 

 King in capite. Thej say also that there are no more 

 middle men between our lord the King and the aforesaid 

 Philip, and that that messuage and that land are worth 

 twelve Shillings a year in all outgoings. In testiraony 

 whereof the aforesaid Jurors have to this Inquisition 

 affixed their seals." * 



A similar precept was issued to the Sheriff in the case 

 of Richard de Portbury, and a similar verdict returned.f 



Then, lastly, \ve have the letters patent granting the 

 Petition : — 



"For the Prior and Convent of Taunton concerning 

 licence of reeeiving land, &c. The king to all, &c., health. 

 Although by the common counsel of our realm \ve have 

 provided that it be not lawful for religious or other men to 

 enter upon the fee of any person, so that it may descend 

 in mortmain "without our licence and that of the chief lord 

 of vv^hom that thing is immediately held, wishful neverthe- 

 less to do a special act of grace to Philip de Thorlakeston, 

 we have given him licence, so far as in us lies, that he have 

 power to give and assign one messuage and six ferlings 

 of land with appurtenances in Thorlakeston ; and to 

 Richard de Porbury, that he have power to give and 

 assign one ferling of land with appurtenances in Westowe, 

 to our beloved in Christ the Prior and Convent of Taun- 

 ton, to be held by them and their successors for ever ; and 



* Inquis. ad q. d. 18 Edw. I., n. 63. 

 t Inquis. ad q. d. 18 Edw. I., n. 64. 



