This Day in History: 1287-11-12

On 12th November 1287, Abbot Hugh of Kirkstall Abbey described in a letter to his convent the tiring journey he had made to Gascony in search of Henry de Lacy, lord of Pontefract, to seek financial help to repay the Abbey’s creditors: “here we found our patron, the Earl of Lincoln, with other great men of the Court, attending upon the King; and to him we explained fully and to the best of our ability the distresses of the House. He was touched with pity at our representation, and promise us all the information and assistance in his power”.