Document 5/7/0 (Stevenson, Docs., ii, no. 466)
- Description
- His bachelor, Brian fitz Alan writes to his lord, Sir Edward, king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, noting that the king’s commands wished him to go without delay to Scotland to do what the earl of Warenne shall tell him. He went thither and at Berwick found the earl and other people of the king’s council, on the Sunday before the Gule of August, and they told him […] should undertake the guardianship of Scotland, he answered that he would willingly do the king’s orders. But, because, […] insufficient in skill and ability to venture on such a high matter, unless he has wherewith to support it to the king’s honour, he dare not do so. His body and goods shall always be ready to do the king’s service. For the goods that he has would be too small to keep well that land to the king’s honour (for they do not extend beyond £1000) and to keep 50 armed horses. He does not think that in his poverty he can be able either well or honourably to keep the land in peace, when such a nobleman as the earl cannot well keep it in peace for what he receives from you. Therefore, be pleased to have regard to the condition of that land, and the great loss which he might incur through his want of skill were he foolishly to undertake such a high matter.
- Firm date
- Sunday 5 August 1297
- Dating Notes
- Sunday before the Gule of August
- Source for Data Entry
- Stevenson, Documents, ii, no. 466
- Trad. ID
- Stevenson, Docs., ii, no. 466
- Calendar number
- 5/7/None
- Charter type
- Letter (correspondence)
- Language
- French
- Original (contemporary)
- yes
- Notes
- CDS, ii, no. 935