INSPEXIMUS of the tenor of the record and process of a plea held before Thomas s. of John, sometime earl of Kildare, and Jcr of Edward III, late K. of Eng., grandfather of the present K., and sent into the chancery of Ire. by the K.'s order, in these words:

'Pleas and plaints held at Dublin before Thomas s. of John, e. Kildare, Jcr of Ire., Wednesday, the octaves of Hilary, 1 Edward III [1327].

Richard of Swords and John Crok, bailiffs and coroners of the city of Dublin, complain both for the K. and themselves concerning Thomas Kent, the K.'s coroner of Fyngall, which is 'foreign' [de forinseco] and lies outside the bounds and metes of the city of Dublin, of this: that the same Richard and John, bailiffs within that city, are the K.'s coroners within the bounds of the city, doing all things pertaining to the office of coroner there. And they and their predecessors, bailiffs of that city, have exercised that office from the time when the progenitors of the present K. granted that city to its citizens at fee-farm, such that no other 'foreign' coroner should interfere within the bounds of the city, except by defect of the bailiffs being the K.'s coroners within the city. The said Thomas, the coroner, in prejudice of the liberties of that city and contrary to its customs, came to the abbey of St Thomas the Martyr, Dublin, which is of the liberty and within the bounds of the city, and—by favour and subornation, and for gifts received—made view of the body of William Stilham, drowned in the mill of that abbey; and he also came to the abbey of the Blessed Mary of Oustmanton, within the said bounds of the city, and there made view of the bodies of Robert del Rath and Thomas le Mouner, monks of that abbey, who had been killed, without showing any defect in the same Richard and John, bailiffs and coroners of that city, in prejudice and breach of the liberty of that city, and in contempt and damage of the K. and the citizens of that city, of £100. They seek remedy.

Thomas came and said that he did not do the premises maliciously in prejudice or contempt of the K., nor did he receive any gift for performing that office. He acknowledged that he had made view of the bodies of the said William, Robert and Thomas in those abbeys, who had died, as aforesaid, but said that those abbeys are not within the bounds of that city, but lie outside in the K.'s geldable land [in gildabulo Domini Regis].¹ And he was prepared to verify this to the court.

John and Richard, bailiffs and coroners of the city, for the K. and themselves, said that the abbeys are within the precincts of the liberty of the city [as above]. And they sought an inquisition. And so the sheriffs were ordered to cause a jury to come before them [etc.], and a day was given to the said Richard and John, bailiffs and coroners, and also to Thomas, the coroner.

On that day, Richard and John, bailiffs and coroners; and Thomas, the coroner; and also the jurors came before the justice. The jurors said upon their oath that those abbeys are within the metes and bounds granted to the citizens of that city by royal charters; and that the said Thomas, the coroner, made view of the said bodies thinking those abbeys to be outside that city; and that he did not perform that office there maliciously, nor for payment. The jurors being asked who ought and was accustomed to perform that office in the said places, said that the bailiffs of the city are entitled to act as coroners.

Therefore it was decided that the Thomas should be committed to gaol for that trespass. And because it appeared by the said jury that Thomas performed that office in those places by negligence, and not maliciously, at the instance of Nicholas Verdon, that sentence was remitted to him. And Richard and John, bailiffs of that city, were informed that they might use that office in those places as often as necessary.'

EXEMPLIFICATION of that record at the request of the mayor and bailiffs of the city of Dublin.

APPOINTMENT of William Karlell to levy all debts owed to the present K. or to Edward III, his grandfather, in cos. Cork and Limerick, and also arrears of money from royal service proclaimed in those counties. He is to inquire by oath in those counties concerning any outlaws, felons and fugitives of those counties who forfeited lands, tenements, goods and chattels to the present K. or Edward III. The said lands and tenements are to be extended at their correct value and the extents returned to the Ex. And he is to take the lands, tenements, goods and chattels into the K.'s hand and to use the goods and chattels for the K.'s use. He is to render an account of this, and to have £10 for his labours.

EXEMPLIFICATION of the following charter dated at Dublin, 6 Feb. [1377] 51 Edw. III:

'GRANT and CONFIRMATION to James Butler, e. Ormond, that he may have a market in the town of Polrothan, in Overk, co. Kilkenny, unless it be to the K.'s damage [etc.].'¹

APPOINTMENT of H[ugo], bp Clonmacnoise, Thomas s. of Edmund Burgh and Walter Bermingham of Athenry as justices to inquire concerning felonies [etc.] in co. Connacht and to hear and determine the same.¹

GRANT to Nicholas Toole, by mainprize of Stephen Furlong and Walter Hore, of custody of 1 messuage and 47 acres in [?]Balynmaccarn, in the K.'s hand by reason of the minority of the heir of John Hastings, e. Pembroke, who held in chief; he is to hold the same during pleasure, rendering the extent.

APPOINTMENT, during pleasure, of Stephen Bray as chief justice of the common bench, taking the accustomed fee.