A letter from Eleanor of Provence (02/02/1254)

Translated letter:

Letters of credence directed to all persons of Ireland in favor of John son of Geoffrey, justiciary of Ireland, whom the king is sending to expound to them the state of the king and of his land of Gascony, and the perils imminent; and to treat with them touching the making him an aid against the king of Castile who is going to enter Gascony with a strong hand a fortnight after Easter. 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, 4.363; summary in English.(1)

Date:

02/02/1254