tenements, or offices, were frequently surrendered in this way, but not
pensions." [Footnote: p. XXXVI.] Surely Mr. Kirk's statement is too
strong, for it is easy to find plenty of examples of transfers of
annuity quite, analogous to Chaucer's. For example, in 38 Edward III a
grant of ten marks yearly to John Gateneys was, with his consent, taken
from him and given to Thomas de Fysshebone. [Footnote: Pat. Roll 269,
mem. 12.] Later an annuity held by John de Stone, a valet, was
transferred by his request to Peter de Bruge. [Footnote: idem 273, mem.
10.] Other examples are a transfer of an annuity from Hugh Ferrour to
John Spencer at the request of the former; [Footnote: Cal. Pat. Roll
1378, p. 248.] from T. de Laleham to John Stapenhull--at request of the
former [Footnote: idem, p. 150.]--from Richard des Armes to John
Andrews--"at supplication" of Richard [Footnote: Cal. Pat. Roll 1378,
p, 146, 1389, p. 95.]--from John Roose to Roger Lestrange--granted by
the former, [Footnote: Pat. Roll 1378, pp. 112.113.]--from Peter de
Saneto Paulo to John de Ilerlyng--made by the former and confirmed by
the King. [Footnote: Cal. pat. Roll 1350, p. 574.] Doubtless many other
examples could be found since I have not attempted to do more than note
the cases that fell under my eye. Apparently the sale of annuities was
quite as ordinary and recognized a practice as that of offices or
lands. [Footnote: John Scalby, to whom Chaucer's annuity was granted,
seems to have been an esquire in the King's household. The first record
of him is a grant for life to John de Scalby of the forestership and
custody of the forest of Parkhurst and Odepark, Isle of Wight (1382). In
1386 John de Scalby the elder was on a commission in East Riding
(Yorkshire). In 12 Richard II John Scalby, esquire of the bishop of
Sarum, borrowed twenty shillings from the Exchequer. In 17 Richard II he
and his wife Mathilda borrowed L 26, 13s. 4d. i. e. the forty marks of
his annuity, from the Exchequer. In 1396 the King granted to his
esquires Richard Cardemewe and John de Scalby the goods and chattels of