Order to protect Portchester castle in times of war, 1323-27

Translation

To him who supplies the place of the treasurer and to the barons of the exchequer and to the chamberlains. Order to provide with all speed, by the advice of Adam de Lymbergh, king’s clerk, 100 crossbows with windlass for two feet, 200 crossbows for one foot, with the baldricks and quarells sufficient for the same, 100 hand-bows with 1,000 cords for the same, 1,000 arrow-heads, 20 lbs. of glue, 100 lbs. of thread suitable for the strings of crossbows, and of catgut as much as shall suffice, and to cause them to be taken to Portchester castle, so that they be there by Sunday the morrow of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist next at the latest, to be delivered to those whom the king shall depute to receive them, giving credence to what Adam shall tell them in this matter on the king’s behalf.’ 1326. Aug. 18. Clarendon