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A letter from Eleanor of Provence (01/20/1254)

Sender

Eleanor of Provence

Receiver

Matthew de Mara

Translated letter:

Protection with clause until Christmas for Matthew de Mara, gone on the king’s service to Scotland. By the queen.

Historical context:

When Henry III went to Gascony to deal with a rebellion, he appointed Eleanor to run the government with the counsel of his brother Richard of Cornwall (who was married to Eleanor’s sister Sanchia). The Patent Rolls record the actions she took in that position.

Scholarly notes:

(1) After the first two volumes of the Patent Rolls published in Latin, the editors shifted to English translations, explaining that the "language tends gradually to become more formal and verbose."

Printed source:

Calendar of the Patent Rolls, Henry III, 1247-58, 4.362; summary in English.(1)

Date:

01/20/1254