The Priory of Black Canons at Wymondesley, co. Herts, had been founded by Richard Argentin in the time of Henry III. It possessed 400 acres of land round it, of which the oxen and sheep thus presented were the produce.
The expenses paid by the king's household officers at Bourne were:—
"For the kitchen 30s. 4½d. — wages 59s. 6½d., — alms 4s., dispensary 17s.4½d. — butlery 7s. 10d. — wardrobe 5s. 3¾d, — scullery 4s. 2d. — saucery 9d. — hall and chamber 9d. — stables 71s. 9¾d." (g)
Messengers were sent off from Bourne to Bristol with letters from the king to his treasurer the Bishop of Exeter, Walter Stapleton (who was so barbarously murdered by the mob in London two years afterwards), and to Robert de Kendale, constable of Dover Castle, and the chief officers of the other Cinque Ports with the greatest haste (cum summa festinatione.) (h).
It is noted in Domesday that Bourne, in the time of King Edward the Confessor, was liable to the dues of one night, (reddebat firmam unius noctis), and perhaps the king exacted his feudal rights on this occasion.
On Friday, August 31st, and Saturday, September 1st, the accounts of the king's household show him to have been at Bishopstone and presents were made similar to those at Bourne. Some of the items, as 4s. for alms, and 59s. 6½d. for wages, appear as fixed daily charges; the expenses of the stables were always the heaviest, being here 71s. 6¾d. and 64s. 7¾d. (g. h.) Royal letters were again despatched from hence by William de Wotton, who was allowed 12d. for his expenses to the Cinque Ports with the greatest speed (f).
From Bishopestone King Edward II must have made a somewhat rapid journey for those times; for we trace him next day, Sunday, September 2d, and Monday, September 3d, at Thele. There is no parish of this name, but judging from the direction of the royal journey and the donors of provisions there, the place visited was probably Theelelands, in Slynfold, originally owned by the abbey of Fescamp.
The expenses of the household here, on September 2, were altogether £11. 6s. 0¾d. and similar presents were made, (g.h.)
"Sept. 2. From the bailiff of Fescamp at Bramber, 2 carcases oxen, 3 hogs, 6 muttons, 6 swans.
"From the Lady de Breause, 2 carcases oxen, 4 hogs, 2 muttons." (d)
