Proclamation concerning performance of services in Rothley and Wartnaby, Leics
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Order to the justices of oyer and terminer in Leicestershire, and to the sheriff, to make a proclamation at Wartnaby on the king's behalf forbidding any man of whatsoever estate or condition to go armed contrary to the peace or to the statute of Northampton, to lead an armed power, to make or procure levies or unlawful assemblies of the king's lieges, or to do injury to the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in England or its possessions or brethren, under pain of losing their arms and imprisonment; and order to arrest all found acting contrary to such proclamation. The Hospitallers among other lands of the Templars conferred upon them by King Edward II have hitherto held the manor and advowson of Rothley and the advowson of Wartnaby chapel and other chapels pertaining to that church with the profits etc., and although by letters patent the king has taken them and their possessions into his protection, William de Swopston, parson of Ab Ketelby has raised unlawful assemblies of lieges of the county at Wartnaby, and has stirred them up lawlessly by armed power to take, consume and carry away tithes there to the said brethren pertaining, contrary to the said statute.
