The first impression on reading this letter is undoubtedly this, that Lord Cobham was to be the bearer of a present to the Pope; but this, on further investigation, does not appear to have been the case.
   It has been already stated that the Duke of Bourbon was commissioned to go to the Pope for the purpose of using his influence with him in favour of "Wykeham. Froissart also states that the Pope was residing at Avignon, "for he had not as yet set out for Rome" It was in the year 1367 that Pope Urban V. actually commenced residing at Rome, having for some years lived at Avignon.
   On the 14th of August, 1366, Pope Urban writes to Edward III., to solicit an extension of leave of absence for the Duke, and on December 20 of the same year a commission was issued to Lord Cobham to take fresh oaths and securities from the Duke, with this object. This he did " ad Luppam " (at the Louvre), near Paris, as appears by the notary's certificate, Monday, January 18,1367. Here we find Lord Cobham in communication with the Duke; and amongst Rymer's documents, in 1367, we find the following acquittance from Edward III. to the Duke of Bourbon (Rymer, vol. vi. p. 581,1367):—

                           "Acquietantia pro Duce de Burbon.

   " Le Roi a nostre trescnere cousin Loys, Duo de Burbon & Counte de Claremount, Saluz.
   " Come par voz lettres ouvertes sealles de Vestre seal vous nous soiez tenuz & obligez en Quarrante milles escuz (dont les deux valent un Noble de nostre monoie d'Engleterre) a paier as certeins lieu et Termes, sicome en vos ditz lettres est plus largement compris:
   '' Nous confessons en pure verite que nous avons receuz & countee de vous Dys milles escutz tieulx come dessus, par les mains de Kavall Paff, attourne Svmond Bochel, Marchants de Luk, en deduction & rebat & partie de paiement de la somme de Quarrante mill escutz devant ditz: