Catalogue description A WARRANT from the KING to the LORD DEPUTY CHICHESTER for the taking of surrenders of lands in in the province of Connaght and the county of Clare, and also to pardon Intrusions, &c.

As we are informed that, by several indentures of composition, made between our late sister and the inhabitants of our county of Clare, otherwise Thomond, that there was granted unto her and her successors a certain yearly sum of money out of every quarter of land (freedoms only excepted) in regard whereof it was intended that the several inhabitants should have letters patent to confirm their estates to them and their heirs, with reservation of tenures by knight service as of our several manors in that province and county: And as the inhabitants have and do duly observe their conditions in making payments yearly of the several sums reserved, but by reason of the wars, &c. in that kingdom, they have not had the means hitherto (as they alledge) to pass their said lands as was intended unto them, but have now been suitors to us to grant that grace: We hold ourselves bound in honour to perform what our sister did intend; and in respect of the great yearly revenue which we receive out of that province and county, by virtue of that composition, we have been pleased for the settling of their several estates to condescend to their request.

These are therefore to require and authorize you to issue forth one or more commissions into that province and county, to inquire what quantities of lands every of our said subjects is seized or possessed of within the same and upon the return of the said commissions to accept a surrender or surrenders to us, &c. of so much as the several persons shall offer to surrender, and thereupon to cause letters patent under the great seal of that our realm to be passed, of the lands so mentioned to be surrendered, unto every our subjects respectively, &c. who shall be found to be so seized by the said inquisitions, or to such other persons, &c. as they shall appoint; saving and reserving to us, &c. our said composition, and such other rents and duties as are now answered unto us for the said lands; the same to be holden of us by knight's service as of our castle of Athlone in that province; in which grants our express will is, that there shall be no mention made of any surrenders; as we are given to understand by them that they have heretofore been often troubled in our Court of Exchequer there for their several intrusions, fines for alienations without license, mesne profits, reliefs, sums of money for respite of homage, concealed wardships, and the like.

We, in commiseration of their former troubles, are further pleased that in their several letters patent there shall be contained several pardons and grants of the same, or that you shall give them such other effectual discharges as shall free them and heirs from further trouble in any of our courts; provided that their before the said grants or pardons are past, you take care that they, and every of them that are to derive any benefit thereby, do first make some moderate and reasonable composition for the same, with such patentees, or their assigns, to whom for the good of our service any grant hath been made of the same, by you or other commissioners there, under our great seal of that kingdom, in which compositions we will that a fourth part of the benefit should be reserved for us. Given under our signet at Westminster, 21st July, 13th year of our reign.

Our farther pleasure is for the ease of the people of that province and county that in all patents to be made from us you permit as many of the freeholders to pass their lands together in one grant, as you in your discretion shall think fit.

Addressed to the Lord Chichester and Deputy of our realm of Ireland.

Copy.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. V, document 158.