Catalogue description Proceedings in a cause of arms between Richard le Scrope and Robert Grosvenor: on behalf...

Proceedings in a cause of arms between Richard le Scrope and Robert Grosvenor: on behalf of Scrope 45mmOn the expedition against the Scots in 1385, led by the king himself, Richard Lord Scrope challenged the right of Sir Robert Grosvenor to bear the arms 'Azure, a bend Or'. A proclamation was made throughout the host in Scotland that all who were interested in the dispute should appear at Newcastle on Tyne on 20 August, 1385. The dispute was, however, adjourned; and the documents in C 47 are the notarialised proceedings of the court of the constable and marshal, meeting by commission issued under the great seal, 12 Richard II. The record includes the text of the commissions authorising the commissioners to act; the acta of the court, and the depositions of the witnesses. Although the record is no longer complete, it is known from other sources that Scrope was successful in pursuing his claims. The narrative provided by the depositions ranges widely over the campaigns waged under Edward III and his grandson, providing evidence not only concerning the principal parties, but also of others sharing in that service, and concerning the ancestors of Scrope himself. As in Lovell v Morley it provides also a commentary on the everyday use and significance of blazon, and on the interpretation of the notion of chivalry itself. One example of the incidental detail that can be gleaned from these records is cited by Anthony Wagner in his history of heralds and heraldry, since it is a direct reference to the compilation of a roll of arms. Although the commission gave the commissioners full powers to hear and determine the dispute, the king resumed the case into his own hands on account of 'les grandes delayes et frivoles' in the proceedings before the commssioners. The record is an engrossment which includes notarialised instruments, the commission out of chancery, a narrative of the judicial proceedings and the text of the depositions made on behalf of the parties., 12 Ric II

For a record of a somewhat acrimonious dispute concerning the payment of costs in the case see:

C 49/12/6

Printed in N H Nicholas, The controversy between Sir Richard Scrope and Sir Robert Grosvenor in the Court of Chivalry (2 vols, 1832): vol I;Latin and French