30 - Inspeximus and Confirmation of Letters Patent to the Warden and Friars of Babwell, 18 March 1449/50 [Tna Ms C 66/468 Part 1, M. 7]

Summary

The king, to all those, etc., greeting. We have inspected certain rolls of our letters patent to our most beloved kinsman Richard, duke of York recently made and enrolled in the rolls of our chancery in these words:

Henry, by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland, to all to whom these present letters may come, greeting. Know that of our special grace we have conceded and granted a licence for us and for our heirs, inasmuch as it is in us, to our most beloved kinsman Richard, duke of York (without payment of fine or fee to us on his part), so that he may be able to give and grant ten acres of land and ten acres of meadow in Fornham All Saints and Fornham St Martin in the county of Suffolk to our beloved in Christ the warden and convent of Friars Minor of the order of St Francis of Babwell next to the town of Bury St Edmunds (which same house is of the foundation of an ancestor of our aforesaid kinsman, and stands on account of that origin). And that he may grant to the aforesaid warden and convent and to the friars and their successors in pure and perpetual alms that the same may be able to receive and hold from our aforesaid kinsman the aforesaid ten acres of land and ten acres of meadow (with part in Fornham All Saints and part in Fornham St Martin) as aforesaid, by the tenor of these presents we granted a simultaneous special licence in perpetuity that they may hold them in chief from us by military service or by others. Notwithstanding, the statute of mortmain concerning lands and tenements is not to be imposed. Meanwhile, by inquisitions undertaken on this part and enrolled in our chancery, let it be duly determined whether this should be possible without injury or prejudice to us, to our heirs or successors, or to anyone whatsoever. In witness whereof we have made these our letters patent. Witness me at Bury St Edmunds, the twenty-sixth day of February in the twenty-fifth year of our reign.