Writ for an inquisition concerning John Wight the younger, keeper of the forest of Brigstock, 1383

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Richard II to Simon de Charwelton, one of the auditors of the accounts of the exchequer.
With reference to letters patent* given on 12 July, 49 Edward III [1375] assigning John Wyght the younger, keeper of the forest of Brixstok' for the felling of leafless oak trees in the bailiwicks of Fremyngwodes and Geytyngton within the forest, by survey of the verderers, for the repair of the paling of the park there, the king wishes to be informed whether the letters did not come into the hands of John Wyght and he did not fell the trees, as he [says?], or whether they did come into his hands and he did fell them, as is said, because he has put himself on the inquisition. The recipient is to make inquiry by the oath of men of the county and to have the inquisition at the exchequer at Westminster 15 days after Easter.
Attested by R. de Plesyngton at Westminster on 31 January, 6 Richard II [1383].
Recorded by the memorandum roll of Michaelmas in the 6th year of the reign.

[* See Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1374-1377, page 124.]

[I am grateful to Jim Poynor for kindly providing the photographs of this document, together with a transcript and translation by Kristina Bedford of Ancestral Deeds, on which the summary above is based.]