The Knights Templar at Bristol, 1309-13

Translation of the 'particulars of account', 1309-10

Translation of the particulars of account for the Templars' lands in Bristol in 3 Edw. II, i.e. 1309–10. The list of rents receivable is virtually the same for each year -- the only changes are in the details of who has not paid their rent each year. A 'messuage' is a legal term meaning a dwelling house or a property that is leased out. In addition to messuages, rent was receivable for shops and for vacant plots. There was also rent due from the Templars' own house, currently leased to William Randalf -- but, as is explained below, he was unable to pay any rent from it during this year because Mayor John le Taverner and his cronies evicted him and carried off all his goods.

TNA SC 6/851/10

Rents of assise receivable

William Randalf renders account for 19 s 4½d from 12 messuages and two empty plots which Radulf Yzoly formerly held in Temple Street, (rent payable) at Easter and Michaelmas in equal portions.

And for 20 s 3 d of rent from Gilbert Franceis for 6 messuages in the same street, on the same dates.

And for 8 s 8 d of rent from Richard de Wells for three messuages in the same street at the same dates.

And for 9 s 2 d of rent from John Lovel for three messuages and one empty plot in the same street at the same dates.

And for 9 s 1 d of rent from Thomas at Wynch for four messuages and one shop in the same street at the same dates.

And for 18 d of rent from the same Thomas at Wynch for one messuage and one vacant plot of land which he held for the term of his life in the same street, (payable) at the same dates.

And for 4 s 9 d of rent from Jurdan Brown for 3 messuages in the same street at the same dates which he held in fee.

And for 6 d of rent from John Tumbrel for one messuage which he held in fee in the same street, (payable) at the same dates.

And for 2 s of rent from Agnes of Cardiff for one messuage which she holds in fee in the same street (payable) at the same dates.

And for 12 d of rent from William le Boned for one messuage which he holds in fee in the same street (payable) at the same dates.

And for 12 d of rent from John Page for one messuage which he holds in fee in the same street (payable) at the same dates.

And for 16 d of rent from Robert de Lodelawe for one messuage which he holds there in fee (payable) at the same dates.

And for 16 d of rent from John Hebbes for one messuage which he holds in fee in the same street (payable) at the same dates.

And for 21½ d of rent from John Ergleys for one messuage which he holds in fee there (payable) at the same dates.

And for 15 d of rent from Margaret de Panos for one messuage which she holds in fee in the same street (payable) at the same dates.

And for 18 d of rent from Laurence de Pendebury for one messuage which he holds for the term of his life in the same street (payable) on the same dates.

And for 6 s 8 d of rent from Sarra le Shupman for one messuage held in the same street (payable) on the same dates.

And for 3 s 8 d of rent from Walter Dyme for one messuage and one empty plot which he holds for the term of his life (payable) on the same dates.

And for 5 s 6 d of rent from Walter Shorling' for one messuage and one curtilage which he holds at the (land)lord's will in the same street (payable) on the same dates.

And for 2 s 2 d of rent from Richard le Perrer for 3 messuages which he holds in fee in the same street (payable) on the same dates.

And for 12 d of rent from John le Duare for one messuage which he holds at the (land)lord's will in the same street (payable) on the same dates.

And for 12 d. of rent from John atte Wynch for two messuages which he held in fee in the same street (payable) on the same dates.

And for 12 d of rent from Thomas Elysaundr' for one messuage which he holds there for the term of his life (payable) on the same dates.

And for 22½ d of rent from Reginald de Crickclade for 3 messuages which he holds there for the term of his life (payable) on the same dates.

And for 20 d of rent from John le Pronte' for one messuage which he holds there in fee (payable) on the same dates.

And for 12 d of rent from Richard le Wyche for one messuage which he holds there in fee (payable) on the same dates.

And for 2 s of rent from William Randalf [for one messuage] which he holds there at the [land]lord's will (payable) on the same dates.

And for 15 d of rent from William de Glaston' for one messuage which he holds there at the [land]lord's will [payable on he same dates].

And for 9 s of rent from Walter de Obbeleye for one messuage which he holds in fee there (payable) at the same dates.

And for 4 s of rent from John le Taverner for one messuage and 4 shops which he holds there in fee.

And he does not account for 2 s 9½ d for the messuage of Peter of Bordeaux there because it stood vacant and not built on nor leased during the same period.

At the same time he does not account for 19½ d for one messuage of William de Wynchedon', which similarly stood empty because it was not built on nor leased during the same period.

Again, the same does not account for 26 s from Master John Prett' for the pension of the vicar's benefice of the church of Holy Cross there due to the trouble stirred up by John le Taverner and the other malefactors, his adherents, and also because the same vicar has no goods through which he can be distrained on.

He does not account for the chief messuage, curtilage, garden, 24 acres of land, 4 acres of meadow which William Randalf holds at farm, and of 54 s 4 d , because John le Taverner in the same year 3 Edw. II then was mayor of the town, and he and many other malefactors threw the same William out of the aforesaid messuage, curtilage, garden and other abovesaid things and captured and carried off with force and arms all his goods found there and appropriated to himself all the revenues and profits there – both sown grain and other things from the whole year and the three following years – by reason of the same contention that arose between the mayor and Lord Bartholomew de Badlesmere then constable of the castle there.

Of pleas and perquisites of Stakpeny and Webbeandlame reaching to 8 s (and of 8 s from John and Peter this year and no more on account of the aforesaid contention) he presents no account because the aforesaid John le Taverner was not willing to allow anything to be levied from there.

Total: £6 2 2½d.

Expenses: the same William Randalf accounts for payment to Walter Dyme through an agreement made for his expenses and wages for collecting the aforesaid rent and when it is necessary distraining on bad payers of rent. And for overseeing [repairs to] defects in the chief messuage through the streets and in other houses leased to various people holding at (the landlord's) will, 13 s 4 d. a year.

[Note: the total figures for rents received and expenses for 1309–10 match the figures in the enrolled account at TNA E 358/20 rot. 2 dorse.]