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Archaeologia Cantiana -  Vol. 1  1858  page 71

Autograph Letter of William of Wykeham.
By Charles Wyekham Martin, Esq., M.P.

  " Dont nous vous quitons delivrons et deschargeons, et vos Heirs a touz jours; mais
   " La dite obligacion et touz voz autres obligacions et covenances a nous faitee quant as autres choses, demurantz en leur effec, force & vertue.
   " Don par tesmoignance de nostre grant seal a nostre Palays de Westm le vj jour de Decembre."

   It will at once be seen that this money was actually paid to the King by the very person, Kaval or Gaval, the vallet or attourne of Simond Bochel, with whom William of Wykeham describes himself to have been in communication on the subject of "leschange dont vous savez," to Lord Cobham. But it appears that the remainder of the ransom was paid through a wholly different channel. In the sixth volume of Rymer, p. 616, is a safe-conduct for Hugh de Digome, chivaler du dit Duc (Bourbon), for the purpose of bringing the remainder. This is dated March 31, 1369. It therefore seems to be a fair deduction from all these facts, that either the whole or a part of the first instalment of ten thousand crowns, towards the Duke's ransom, was furnished by Wykeham. This conjecture is far more natural and probable than the other. When Edward expressed his willingness to sacrifice a portion of the ransom, nothing would be more likely than that Wykeham, who was after all the person to reap most of the benefit, should also make a proportionate sacrifice. And whilst it exactly fits in with all the known facts, it puts an end to the painful supposition that a simoniacal tampering was going on with the Pope himself, through the agency of one of the most gallant and distinguished noblemen of the day.
   In conclusion, the penmanship and general style of the facsimile which accompanies these remarks may fairly be appealed to as decidedly overthrowing the calumny which some writers have endeavoured to heap

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