King Edward III (1327-77), Inspeximus of Letters Patent, in French, dated Westminster, 15 July [1355]

single sheet, 335x355mm, the lower 45mm folded up, 31 lines, 190x260mm, with three holes for the seal tags, two horizontal and two vertical creases not significantly affecting legibility, minor staining and two cuts in side margins

By this Inspeximus Edward, by the grace of God, King of England and France, approves the gift made by Henry, Duke of Lancaster, to Bernard Ezii (or Ezy), Lord of Albret, for his loyalty to the king, of the castles of Marensin and Laharie, previously held by Miramonde, lady of Marensin, and her son, Bertrand, lord of Launac. The document is dated in the 29th year of his rule of England and the 16th of his rule of France; Edward III was the only monarch who dated documents using this dual system of regnal years. It is endorsed, late 15th or 16th century: 'Comment le Roy Eddouart approuva la donation faite a Benard Ezij siegneur de Labret par Henry duc de Lancaster ....'

The original document, which is confirmed by the present Inspeximus, was dated at La Réole (south-east of Bordeaux), 3 July 1346 (Archives départementales des Basses-Pyrénées, E.188; Paris, BnF, fonds Doat, 189, ff.251r-253v, according to K.A. Fowler, Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster, 1310-1361, PhD thesis, University of Leeds, 1961, p.223).