Catalogue description These been the articles which Giles Thornton, Treasurer of Ireland, showeth and declareth unto the full, honorable, and right wise Council of the King our Sovereign Lord.

First the said Giles excuseth him and him acquitteth by the faith which he oweth to God and to the King our sovereign Lord, that the things which he saith and expresseth by the writing hereafter following, it is for the weal and profit to the King and good governance of his foresaid land and people, and for no manner of singular lucre ne avail for himself, ne for no hindering hate or malice which he hath against person or party in that land, as he will acquit him at all times, in such wise as you like or you liketh to assign him, to his power; considering to your gracious and honourable directions that he hath been sent and drawn forth in the King's service that dead is, whom God assoyle, and also in the service of our Sovereign Lord (that now is) these 38 winters and more, and never had fee ne reward but only of them twain; and now in his old age, that he should do or say any thing that should be shame or reproof to him, God defend, and so he trusteth to his mercy that he wolle. ["wotte," MS.]

The first article is, that it is known of the discord, partialities, and divisions which is in the land of Ireland and long hath continued, between the Earl of Ormond and his affinity on that party, and the Lord Talbot and the Archbishop of Develin his brother on the other part, sithe that the said Giles hath be Treasurer, there hath be such party sitting in the King's Council, and in all his courts there, that no matter for the King's avail, ne for suit of party, may have due process ne execution in the law, where it toucheth any of the two parties, to great hindering to our said Sovereign Lord and to all his said land, as it appeared by a Parliament there late holden; and so it is like to continue, [un]less that remedy therefore be provided.

Item, as the said Giles is informed by the officers in the Exchequer there, where great sums been due and leviable to the King's use and profit, for which sums the officers dare not make due process, for dread of putting out of office, at every exchange of Lieutenant or Justice. And so it is in all the King's courts there, to the great loss of our said sovereign Lord.

Item, sithe the time of King Harry the fifth hitherto, there hath been granted out of the King's revenue there (without authority or power to them given by the King's grace), annuities and pardon of debts, accounts, and arrearages of accounts to divers persons by the Justices and Lieutenants there, against the form and ordinance made and sent thither by King Ed. 3, which amounted to 1,452l. 5s. 9¼d., like as the said Giles hath them to shew ready written.

Item, it were right profitable, necessary, and needful that the Chief Baron of the Exchequer there was a sufficient man of law, and that he nor none other officer of the same place be in fee with no other lord, but that they may occupy their office in their proper persons, and by no deputies, for that place is greatly hindered by deputation.

Item, liketh your honourable and gracious discretions to give in knowledge to the said Giles how he shall be demeaned, as for annuities and grants of the King's feefarms and demesnes within the said land, grants of pardons, debts, accounts, real services, prize of wines, given by any Justice there of their own authority, as well in the time of the King that dead is, as in the time of our sovereign Lord that now is; and whether they shall be allowed or no.

Item, where divers annuities were granted of the King's feefarms in the time of King Henry 4 by Thomas of Lancaster, that time his Lieutenant, being to divers persons for term of life, he having no power thereto, but only to grant forfeitures; and in as much as the said grants were confirmed by both King Harries the 4 and 5, and by our sovereign Lord that now is, it is to be inquired whether the said grants and confirmations be good or naught.

Item, liketh you to understand that the great frosts and weathers that hath been these 3 years have so impaired and hurt the walls of the castle of Dublin and Wicklow, which will draw to right great and notable sums of money, [un]less than they been the sooner repaired and amended.

Item, it is to be remembered that at the next Parliament to be holden in England, that it be ordained and enacted in the same Parliament that all manner of merchandizes passing out of the land of Ireland and coming into the same pay to the custom in likewise as it is used in England, [un]less than, any such merchandizes be customed in England tofore; because the King hath no custom of no manner of merchandize there, save only of hides, wool, and fell.

Item, it is to have in mind that the charges of the Justice of Ireland and his officers. this year, exceeding [Sic.] the revenues of the same land 1,456l., like as the said Giles can presently shew in writing.

Item, it is to be remembered of an article put in by Sir Edward Eustace, knight, touching that the men born in Ireland should go home and dwell in the same land, and else to pay to the King a certain sum of money, like as it is contained in the said article.

Item, the said Giles beseecheth unto your gracious Lordships that he may have, in strengthening his said office, letters patents under the King's seal after a tenor and form of a letter patent granted to the Treasurer of Ireland by King Edw. 3, anno 31 of his reign, the tenor of which letter patent followeth in this form.

Dated: "Anno 20 Hen. VI.

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