CASTLE CORNET. 351 



the former island was lately occupied by his French enemies 

 devise divers grievances against them." The difference be- 

 tween this phrase, " was lately occupied by his French 

 enemies," and that in the former letters of the 1st February, 

 " is held by the French," is further proof that the reconquest 

 of the island had taken place in the interval, and confirms the 

 entries just quoted from the Accounts of de Weston and de 

 Ferrers. 



Thomas de Ferrers returned to the islands on the 25th 

 November, 1340, and resumed his governorship.* Guernsey 

 was garrisoned by six men-at-arms and forty archers until the 

 20th March following, when de Ferrers' term of office expired, f 

 The entry in his Accounts for the payment of these men shows 

 that up to this date the French were still in possession of 

 Castle Cornet, as he states that they were for " the safe custody 

 and garrison of the island of Guernsey ;" for when the castle 

 was in his possession, both before its capture by the French in 

 1338, and after its recapture by the English in 1345, the 

 entries in his Accounts are invariably for the payment of the 

 " garrison at Castle Cornet." 



The king appointed Thomas de Hampton as Warden in 

 the place of de Ferrers on the 20th March, 1341, J and a few 

 days later, on the 25th, ordered him " to survey the defences of 

 the islands, and inform himself fully on the conduct of the 

 king's affairs there in the time past, and in what manner these 

 can be ordered for the king's best advantage in the future, and 

 to certify the king of the premises with all speed." § On the 

 23rd March the king wrote to the people of the Isles that he 

 had " examined their envoys and petitions showing him the 

 state of the islands and the dangers threatening them unless 

 speedy succour be sent, and the customs used and approved 

 among them that they may be preserved entire," and informs 

 them he is sending Thomas de Hampton, as Keeper, to direct 

 the defences of the islands, " and the inhabitants by their 

 advice and assistance." || 



De Hampton proceeded immediately to the islands, the 

 Bailiff of Southampton being ordered on the 25th of March to 

 provide him with a ship for his passage.il Having completed 

 his enquiry he returned to England to report to the king, the 

 Treasurers and Barons of the Exchequer being ordered, on 

 the 1st July following, to pay him a mark a day for the time 

 he had spent on his commission.** He then returned to the 



* Bulletin XVI., Societe Jersiaise, p. IS. f Do., p. 38. 



t Calendar, Patent Rolls, 15 Edward III. § Calendar, Patent Rolls, 1341, p. 159. 



II Calendar, Close Rolls, 1341, p. 117. T Calendar, Closa Rolls, 1341. p. 37. 



** Calendar, Close Rolls, 1341, p. 172. 



