+Source.+--_Report on the Dignity of a Peer_, App. I., p. 66.
The King to the Sheriff of Northamptonshire.
Inasmuch as we wish to confer and treat with the Earls, Barons, and
other nobles of our kingdom, in order to provide remedies against the
evils threatening the kingdom in these days, and with that end in view
have instructed them to come to us at Westminster on the Sunday after
Martinmas this approaching winter, to treat, ordain, and take measures
to meet the aforesaid dangers, we enjoin you firmly to cause to be
elected without delay from the aforesaid county two knights, and from
every city two citizens, and from every borough two burgesses, of those
more discreet and ready to take pains, and to make them appear before us
at the aforesaid time and place; provided that the said knights, by
themselves, shall have full and sufficient power for themselves and the
whole body of the aforesaid county, and the said citizens and burgesses,
by themselves, for themselves and the whole body of citizens and
burgesses, to carry out whatsoever shall be ordained by the advice of
all, in regard to the aforesaid matters; provided that the business
shall not remain undone through lack of these powers. And bring with you
the names of the knights, citizens, and burgesses, and this writ.
Witness the King at Canterbury on the third day of October.