The name of Richard Forester is connected with Chaucer's first in 1378,
when Chaucer, about to go abroad on a mission for the King, had letters
of attorney under the names of John Cower and Richard Forester,
[Footnote: Life Records, No. 120, p. 216.] and again in 1386, when a
lease for the house over Aldgate which Chaucer had occupied during his
years as controller of the customs in London was made out by the Mayor
and Aldermen to Richard Forester, citizen of London. [Footnote: Life
Records, No. 192, p. 264.] Various entries with regard to Richard
Forester occur in the public records. Whether all of them refer to one
man or not, and whether any concerns Chaucer's friend, I cannot say. I
shall merely present them in order of their occurrence.
In 37 Edward III Richard Forester was appointed custodian and supervisor
of the river bank called "la Ree de Ettemore." [Footnote: Pat. Roll 267,
mem. 6.] In 1369 he is on the list of esquires of less degree.
[Footnote: L. R., p. 174.] In 1370 ten pounds were paid out of the
Exchequer to Richard Forester, of Stanton, who had been sent with six
archers to Shropshire to carry a certain sum of money from thence to
London. [Footnote: Devon's Issues, p. 170.] Later in the same year he
received ninety-one pounds, two shillings, seven pence half penny for
the expenses of himself, his men at arms and archers in the war.
[Footnote: idem, p. 461.] In 44 Edward III our beloved armiger Richard
Forester of Stanton was granted custody of the manor of Stokelaty in
Hereford which had belonged to Richard Rissholm, deceased. [Footnote:
Pat. Roll 281, mem. 36.] In 47 Edward III, Richard la Forester de
Beckele had a grant of ten pounds and one robe per annum as a
"vallettus" of the royal chamber. [Footnote: Pat. Roll 289, mem. 21.] In
50 Edward III Richard Forester was granted custody of the manor of
Waterpyrye and one messuage in Thomele in Oxfordshire, and the manor of
Wormenhale in Buckinghamshire, during the minority of the heir.
[Footnote: idem 293, mem. 8.]
In 1378 Richard II confirmed to Richard le Forester of Beckele, "whom
the King has retained to stay with him," his annuity of ten pounds.
[Footnote: Cal. Pat. Roll, p. 126.] In 5 Richard II the King granted to
Richard Forester and his son Lambert custody of the royal manor of
Bekkele with the hamlet of Horton for ten years at a rent of fifty marks
per annum. [Footnote: Fine Roll 184, mem. 14.] In 7 Richard II Forester
is referred to as an inhabitant of Oxfordshire. [Footnote: idem 187,
mem. 25.] In 12 Richard II Richard Forester of Stanton paid two marks
for a confirmation of a grant of Edward III of certain lands in
Oxfordshire. [Footnote: idem 192, mem. 3.] In 16 Richard II Richard
Forester, citizen of London, with a group of London mercers acquired
some land. [Footnote: C. R. 234, mem. 20 dorm.] Again in 21 Richard II
he acquired more land, but later assigned it to his associates.
[Footnote: C. R. 241, mem. 14 dorm, mem. 12 dorm.]