sum for each hog. In the middle of this year the custody of the castle was transferred to Roger de Nevil, and the manor of Thorpe granted him for keeping it in a proper state of defence.
We pass on to the next reign, when during the constableship of Fulke de Breaute (1222) we meet with the first ex- press mention of the gaol in the castle, the order given that the verderers of Salcey should deliver to him materials for its reparation, as well as for the royal houses at Silveston and Brigstock. The troublesome state of public affairs, the successful resistance and growing power of the barons, had become by no means diminished through the accession of Henry III. to the throne. The early age at which he commenced his reign was also in many respects unfavourable for the establishment of domestic peace. The separation of Normandy from the possessions of the English crown, and the consequent loss to the royal revenue, contributed to render him more dependant than his father upon his subjects for aid: whilst the severity of the forest laws, ever a fruitful cause of popular discontentment, though mitigated in some degree by the enactments of the Great Charter, had by no means lost their force. An entry in illustration of this occurs on the Close rolls in an order of release granted to Radulphus de Eyneston from the castle gaol, where he had been confined for merely leading three greyhounds without a leash through the royal forest. It may probably be considered that he underwent an excessive punishment, but when it is known that the most trifling infringements of the law were usually visited by loss of life or bodily mutilation, he seems to have received but gentle correction for his transgression. The king himself was at this time at Northampton, and is stated, in the document referred to, to have exercised this act of clemency at the suit and for love of master Roger Lacoc the physician. The same fondness for the pleasures of the chace pervaded all classes of society alike; peasants and prelates were equally within its influence, and sought together the same excitement; even Richard Poore, bishop of Salisbury, for his trespasses on the royal hunting ground, called forth the severe reprehension of his sovereign, and has left, in this respect, no enviable reputation behind him[1]. During this visit, Henry issued various writs of a local character.
- ↑ Rot. Claus. 6th Hen. III. p. 517.
