The pleading referred to is in a different hand, and begins as follows:—
‘Et prædictus abbas dicit quod ipse de præmissis domino Regi compotum reddere non debet; quia dicit quod diu ante erectionem, fundationem sive erectionem prioratus de Bermundeseye qui nunc erectus est in prædictam Abbatiam, Willielmus Rufus filius Willelmi Conquestoris nuper Rex Angliæ fuit seisitus de manerio de Bermundeseye,’ etc.
[21.2] [From Paston MSS., B.M.] This letter, being dated in November, was probably written before Nos. 11 and 12 which follow, though evidently very near them in point of date. The chief evidence of the time when they all must have been written will be seen in [No. 12].
[21.3] Who this Prior was we cannot say, the list of the Priors of Bromholm being very defective. Blomefield says, that a Prior John has been met with in the 11th of Edward III., and Robert, in the 14th of Henry VI.—that is to say, in 1435 or 1436, just ninety-nine years later. Nothing is known of the Priors between these dates, even by the latest editors of Dugdale.
[21.4] ‘Commoigne,’ i.e. brother monk. The writer also calls him apostata, i.e. a monk who has run away and renounced his order.
[22.1] These words occur in the draft, but are crossed out.
[22.2] Thomas Brancaccio, Cardinal Bishop of Tricarico. He was made a cardinal by his uncle, Pope John XXIII., and is said to have been a man of very bad morals.
[22.3] Interlined, and afterwards erased.
[23.1] Above these words, and in the place where the signature might have been expected, occur these names, one above another—
‘Thomas Abbas de Leyston, in Com’ Suff.