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268 DESPENSER large grants of the lands forfeited by the rebels. (») He was appointed Keeper of the castle, town, and barton of Bristol during the King's pleasure, 3 May 1322, and for life, i June 1325. C") Appointed Keeper of the castles, manors, and lands of Brecknock, Hay, Cantref Selyf, Talgarth, Blaen Llyfni, and Pencelly, co. Brecon, and Huntington, co. Hereford, 10 July I322.('=) He accompanied the King in his expedition against the Scots in Aug. 1322, and with him fled from Rievaulx to Bridlington after the rout at Byland Abbey.C^) He was appointed Keeper of the castle, town, and barton of Gloucester, the castle of St. Briavels, and the forest of Dean, 2 Nov. i322.(') He received a pardon for all his debts at the Exchequer and in the Wardrobe, 5 June I323.('^) In 1324 he complained to the Pope that he was threatened by magical and secret dealings: but the Pope could only advise him to turn to God with his whole heart and to make a good confession.Q He was appointed a commissioner to make peace with the Scots, 8 Nov. 1324.0 On i June 1325 he received a (») The castle and town of Swansea, the castles of Oystermouth, Pennard, and Llwchwr, in Cower, late of John de Moubray: the castles of Usk, Tregreg, and Caerleon, late of Elizabeth de Burgh: the manors of Donington and Bisham, late of the Earl of Lancaster; of Severn Stoke, Maltby, Staveley, and Winterslow, late ot Roger de Clifford; of Barrow, Latchley, and Hambleden, late of Bartholomew de Badlesmere; of Oxen ton, late of William Tuchet; of Redmarley D'Abitot and Inardstone, late of Geoffrey Dabitot; of Birlingham, late of John de Sapy: the castles of Blaen Llyfni and Bwlch y Dinas, and the land of Talgarth, late of Roger de Mortimer of Chirk: the castles of Iskennen and Carreg-Cennen and the manor of Rockhampton, late of John Giffard of Brimsfield: and the Isle of Lundy, late of John de Wilington. {Charter Rolls, 15-18 Edw. II). C") Fine Rolls, 15 Edw. l, p. I, w. 8; 18 Edw. II, m. 2. In a writ dated at Chepstow, 21 Oct. 1326, he is said to have rendered up the castle of Bristol to the King, who on the same day committed it (nominally) to three obscure persons. [Idem, 20 Edw. II, m. 4). (-=) Fine Roll, 16 Edw. II, m. 28. (^) To the Lord Hugh le Despenser banneret, for his expenses, with 2 bannerets — Ralph de Gorges and Oliver de Ingham — and 34 men-at-arms of whom 12 were knights, from 6 to 15 Aug., 9 days (at the usual rates), £2b 2s. With the said 2 bannerets, and 85 men-at-arms of whom 19 were knights, from 15 Aug. to 1 1 Sep., on which day the aforesaid Ralph and Oliver, and 38 men-at-arms of whom 7 were knights, "recesserunt de guerra Scocie," 27 days, ^156 I2s. With the remaining 47 men-at-arms of whom 12 were knights, from 11 Sep. to 14 Oct., "quo die dominus Rex recessit de Rivaux versus partes australes," 34 days, ;^I07 2s. Total ^^289 16s. (Waltham, Accounts, f. 61). This settles a question on which annalists disagree and historians dispute, viz., whether the King fled from Byland or from Rievaulx. The three bannerets of the King's household, Hugh le Despenser the younger, Richard Damary, and Robert del Isle, each received, in 16 and in 17 Edw. II, "pro feodo suo hiemali," 10 marks. [Idem, ff. 65, 127). (*) Patent Rolls, 16 Edw. II, p. 1, m. 17, p. 2, m. 7; 18 Edw. II, p. I, m. II. (*) The Pope's reply is dated kal. Sep. 1324. [Papal Letters, vol. ii, p. 461). In Oct. 1324 one Robert le Mareschal accused some 30 inhabitants of Coventry of having employed him, and John de Notingham, a necromancer residing in Coventry,