Vol 1: The Bluets - Lackham Countryside Centre

The Bluets 62
William was abroad in 1244 on the King‘s businesss overseas 248 and he
was let off a fine of 100 solidis which he owed the king - which was the
amount he was being paid a year 249 in 1236, the first year for which
information can be found 250 . It is likely that he was being paid this from
when he started; it is certain that he was still being paid the same
amount when he disappears from the accounts, years later.
He continued to serve but, finances often being difficult for everyone,
including kings, there were occasions when he didn‘t get paid on time.
For example in 1246 he was owed a fair amount. In January he was paid
£10, this being
100s for Michaelmas term in his 28 th year and 100s for
Michaelmas term in the 29 th year of his yearly fee of 100s 251
This was a lot of money to be owed - in 1236 £10 252 was the amount
given to
Hugh Giffard Constable of the Tower of London to make
payment to the king's crossbowmen and to his smith working
in the Tower, and to find the smith iron and charcoal and
other necessaries for his work 253
A month later William was paid another 100s for all the arrears due for
248
Calendar of Close Rolls Henry III 1242 – 1247 p181 says he venit in servicium
regis ad partes transmarinas
249
=£5
250
Calendar of Liberate Rolls Henry III vol 1 1226 – 1240 p242. Records for the
payments are seen for 1239 (p236) 1240 (p497), 1241 (Calendar of Liberate Rolls
Henry III vol 2 1240 – 1245 p76)
251
Calendar of Liberate Rolls Henry III vol 3 1245 – 1251 p61
252
This had the equivalent purchasing power of over £2,660 (in 2005 money, based
on the currency calculation provided by the National Archives at
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/results.asp#mid )
253
Calendar of Liberate Rolls Henry III vol 1 1226-1240 p242