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XVI. THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY TO THE BISHOP OF EXETER. Lambeth, 16 Feb., 1447-8,
Begging him to refrain from proceeding at Common Law because the matter is by his labour and that of the Justices in course of settlement under the bonds that were made to Candelmass last. Trusts that a composition may be made and if any difficult point arise the judges will settle it.
Ryght Worshipfull and wyth all my herte right welbeloved Brother, I grete you well full hertly. And suppose ye be well remembrid howe that matier whiche longe tyme hath abiden yn travers bitwixte yow, your Brethren and myn, your Deane and Chapitre of yowre churche of Excetre, and the Mayer and the Com∣minalte of the same, by speciall comaundement of the Kyng was commytted and putte to the rule of the two chief Justises and me, wheryn as God knowyth they and I have laboured long tyme, and specially the last term yn our effectuall wyse for the gode of pease and sure conclusion to growe therof, bryngyng the matier by daylie labour to grete ripenesse the soner therby to have concluded theryn: And for as moche as we myght not approchyng the ende of the terme further labour theryn, hit was comyned and desyred nywe bondis to be made and enselid at home by bothe parties unto Can∣delmasse last passed trustyng the matier to have be comyned and yn partie entreted at home. And as nowe we wold have preceded theryn to somme gode conclusion; and the matier is attained at large yn the comyn lawe: We praye yow as yet that, notwith∣stondyng havyng consideracion the seide Mayer and Comminalte have att all tymes and yet ben as they seyen redy to obey and abide all entrety, yow like to putte the matier to take soner effec∣tuall ende by entrety and yntercommunicacion than by rigour of the lawe. And yf ther be eny poynte of grete difficultee or tra∣vers, the seide Juges and I woll putte to owr labour to the remedy