and all that he has, shall devolve into our Royal right: and also lord Richard, formerly King of England, our progenitor, by his letters ordered the then sheriffs of London and Middlesex, and all their bailiffs, that they should neither vex nor allow to be vexed the foresaid Canons of the church of saint Bartholomew (which is our demesne chapel) concerning their fair which they have at the feast of the same church, nor require from those coming to the Fair of saint Bartholomew for the purpose of selling or buying, whether without the City or within, or also in passing along the ways or over the bridges, customs or services, or anything that may diminish the liberty of the said church of saint Bartholomew—as in the charters, letters and our confirmation aforesaid more fully is contained: _and now we have understood that some by sinister covin and conspiracy previously had between them have knavishly designed to hinder merchants and others who wish to come and have been wont to come to the said fair with their merchandise, so that they cannot come thither and do their business therein_, as well to the loss of them the Prior and Convent and overthrow and weakening of their right as to the manifest letting and hindrance of our common people: We, duly heeding the fervent devotion and affection which our foresaid progenitors had towards the said church, as by the charters and letters aforesaid more fully doth appear, and willing (as we are bounden) to maintain and defend the said fair, _which for so long time hath endured_ and was granted by our said progenitors to the honour of God in subvention of Holy Church, and all other rights and privileges, lest in our time they perish, have taken into our special protection and defence the said Prior and Canons, and their men and servants, and merchants whomsoever and others wishing to come with their goods and things to the said fair, there tarrying and therefrom returning whither they will; and so we command you to maintain, protect and defend the said Prior and Canons, their men and servants, merchants and others whomsoever coming to the said fair with their goods and things, there tarrying and therefrom returning, and to permit the Prior and Convent to hold their said fair in form aforesaid, and to receive and have freely and without any hindrance, from those coming to the said fair and returning therefrom, _the customs and all other the profits which pertain to them in right of the said fair_ according to the form of the charters, letters and confirmation aforesaid, and as they ought to hold the same fair and to have and receive the customs and other things which pertain to that fair, and as they and their predecessors have until now held that fair and have been wont to have and receive the customs and other things which to that fair pertain. And, concerning any pleas or other things to the said fair for the said three days appertaining, do you in no wise intermeddle, neither requiring any thing