HERT, Richard

More may be added to the earlier biography.1 The Commons 1386-1421, iii. 358.

Together with Simon Stubbere* and Richard Beye*, all three of them described as ‘shipmen’ of Portsmouth, Hert was the subject of a presentment made on oath in the Exchequer in June 1420, which alleged that since the previous Michaelmas they, aided by Henry Abraham*, had freighted a number of cargoes to Normandy without paying the requisite customs dues. They all appeared on 8 July to make answer, declaring that as they had been victualling the English garrisons in the duchy no such charge should be made. In the spring Hert himself had shipped from Portsmouth to Harfleur 20 quarters of corn (worth 4s. a quarter) and a pipe of beer, as well more grain for the household of the duke of Clarence. Summoned to return to the Exchequer in successive law terms until the end of Henry V’s reign, they obediently did so. Eventually, while at Westminster for his second Parliament in 1425, Hert was once more attached to defend himself. Appearing by attorney (although his fellow MP Beye came before the barons in person), he asked for an official inquiry to be made, and accordingly on 12 May the three principals were each made to pay 6s. 8d. as the cost of the exercise.2 E159/196, recorda Trin. rot. 13; 201, recorda Easter rot. 9d, fines rot. 5. Its outcome is not known.