EDWARD THE THIRD

Summary

1326.

1326–7

On the 3rd of March the King granted to the University six several charters, confirming the privileges conferred on that body by his ancestors.

On the 10th of March the King directed a somewhat singular writ to the Chancellor of the University. A translation is subjoined:–

The King to the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, greeting: Our burgesses of the town aforesaid have showed to us, by their petition before us and our Council exhibited, that albeit, by the common law of our realm, none may sell or grant his action to any of our realm, this notwithstanding, your clerks of the University aforesaid, actions of debts, trespasses, and other contracts, as well of men abiding in the country as of burgesses of the town aforesaid, daily do not desist to buy. And you, the said men and burgesses, to answer before you of the actions aforesaid, at the suit of the clerks aforesaid, by censures ecclesiastical, do compel unjustly, to the no little hurt of the said men and burgesses, and against the law aforesaid; and because we will not that injury be done to the said men and burgesses in such manner in this behalf, we command you that you cause your scholars aforesaid to desist from buying of such actions, such plea from henceforth in no manner holding. Witness ourself at Westminster, the 10th day of March, in the first year of our reign.