DORSET AND KING JOHN. 131 



"Was it that tlie enormous sum provided for the ransom of King 

 Eichard swept the country of tlie precious metals, or was it tliat 

 some of tliem thought it wise to conceal their wealth ? Several 

 fines for the ransom of King Eichard remained unpaid even in this 

 3rd year of King John. Amongst the debtors in these parts were 

 Eichard Luvel, William de Coldroville, Eichard de Estre, Goscelyn, 

 son of Pagani, the Abbot of Glastonbury, Jacob de Glastonbury, 

 Eobert Belet, "NVandril de Curcel, Andrew Talebot, and others ; 

 and £4: 18s. only, outof <£10 8s. 9d., due from the Abbey of Hide 

 on lands in Dorset and Somerset had been paid. 



Surprise is sometimes expressed that Eichard who was so little 

 known personally to his subjects in England, for not many months 

 of his reign w^ere spent amongst them, should have been so 

 beloved of the people that they were content to strip themselves 

 of their wealth, and even their churches of plate and the precious 

 metals, to furnish the means of his ransom, but it does not follow 

 that Eichard was so beloved. His barons and knights could not 

 help themselves, one of the conditions on Avliich they held their 

 lands was that they should ransom their lord when he was taken 

 prisoner. Had they failed to provide ransom they might have 

 been deprived of their lands. The Knights Templars were 

 acquitted of 50 marks due from them for tallage. They generally 

 got off that way. 



Eoger Char et Chous made a curious compact with the sheriff 

 for having the bailiwick of Gillingham, which Eichard de Eodes 

 had held. He promised 30 marks and 2 pipes of wine of Algers. 

 The latter he was to supply for the use of the King, if the King 

 went to Gillingham. If he did not go there, the wine was to be 

 Eoger's. Eoger made a good bargin, for the King did not visit 

 Gillingham in this year, the house was not quite finished for one 

 thing. This incident affords indirect evidence that the King 

 intended to visit Dorset much earlier than he did. 



The marriage and wardship of heirs was often a profitable 

 charge, and Brian de Insula paid 120 marks, and one palfrey for 

 having the wardship and marriage of the sons of William Lrito, 



