one to Geddington, one to Silveston, one to Salcy, and one to Rockingham, whilst to ensure their safe carriage, if there were need, one of the royal vehicles was to be used for their transport. The carriage of wine forms a long entry on the Close Rolls at a later period, 9th Henry III. (1224), when the Sheriff of Northampton is charged to pay for the transit of ten casks to Northampton, ten to Rockingham, three to Geddington, and two to Cliff, for the royal use[1]. In 1226, we find ninepence paid to Scogernel, a messenger, for going to Rokingham[2]. This person seems to have been a King's messenger, as now called, being employed in other errands. In 1226, five casks are sent to Rokingham, three to Cliff, four to Geddington, and four to Silveston[3].
In 1215 (April 30), King John sends Peter de Barr and Nicholas de Hugevill, foot cross bowmen, commanding that they should be placed in the castle of Rockingham for its defence, and have sixpence a day as long as they are there[4].
In 1220, Henry III. orders his barons to pay Falk de Breaut £100, which he had expended on his behalf in the siege of Rockingham[5].
In 1221, Henry III. orders Hugh de Nevil that the constable of Rockingham castle should have materials for its reparation, namely, to be allowed to make rafters and cleft wood in the forest of Rockingham[6]. The sheriff of the county is also ordered to pay twenty marks for the same purpose[7].
In 1222, Henry III. sent William de Insula ten marks to repair the building in as efficient a manner as the sum would allow[8]. And in the following year, five marks are ordered to be paid by the sheriff of the county, for repairing the gutters of the royal chamber[9]; and on Jan. 28. the year following (1215), four tuns of wine are ordered to be sent to Rockingham[10].
In 1224, the sheriff of Northamptonshire[11] was allowed his expenses for the carriage of ten pipes of wine from Southampton to Rockingham, and in 1230 a similar charge is allowed for the freight of three casks from Boston, in Lincolnshire[12].
In 1225, Henry III. issued a writ to the sheriff of North-
