and one Saddle, according to the Dignity of a Knight; and in case he should lose any Great Horse in the War, to have Recompence therefore, according to the Estimation of two Men. Moreover, That at what place soever he the said Raphe should reside in the County of York, this Nicholas should repair to him, upon notice, with allowance of his reasonable Charges, and Wages for his Servants, both in War and Peace." Ralph Lord Greystoke granted him £8 per annum out of the manor of Thorpe Basset, and this sum continued to be paid to Hastings's descendants. In his will of 1311, William le Vavasour of Hazlewood made the handsome bequest to Ralph Fitzwilliam of a lorica (body armour), an iron helmet and a Gascon lance. Fitzwilliam was summoned to York to confer with the King upon affairs of state in February 1312. Defence of the North In 1313 he was among the adherents of Thomas of Lancaster who received a pardon for their complicity in the death of Piers Gaveston. In the same year he was (with John de Mowbray, William de Ros and John de Segrave the elder) made "custos" in Cumberland, Northumberland and the Marches, and also of Berwick-upon-Tweed: a royal order for payment for the company in Ralph's garrison in Berwick was issued in April 1314. He became guardian of the castles and lands which had belonged to Sir Robert de Clifford, (who was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314), and in September 1314 received instructions to surrender Brough Castle to Clifford's widow Matilda as part of her dower. He was one of the justices of oyer and terminer in Cumberland and Westmorland for the trial of offenders indicted before the conservators of the peace. In January 1315 the magnates of the north renewed his appointment as one of the wardens of the Marches. The king ratified their choice, and nominated him captain and warden of Newcastle upon Tyne and of all Northumberland. In that year Ralph, who was a benefactor of Tynemouth Priory, founded a chantry at the church of Tynemouth for the repose of John de Greystok's soul. In March 1315 he was further appointed captain and warden of Carlisle and of the adjoining marches. As Keeper of Carlisle, Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, in February 1316 he reported that Thomas de Vere had fulfilled his obligation to provide 20