a certain outlaw, to the value of thirty-Seven pounds]. In 22 Richard H
John Scalby, soutifer, was sent from Lichfield to Conway on secret
business of the King, and was paid sixteen, shillings eight pence for
his expenses. In 1399 Henry IV confirmed the grant of forty marks a year
to John Scalby. (Cal. pat. Roll, 1382, p. 150. idem p. 261. Issues, P.
319, mem. 18. idem, P. 332, mem. 23. Cal. Pat. Roll, 1396, p, 48.
Issues, P. 344, mem. 11. Cal. Pat. Roll 1399, p. 62).]

That Chaucer was out of favour from 1391 on, and in financial trouble is
again difficult to establish. Mr. Kirk has shown that his "borrowings"
at the Exchequer, in those years, were for the most part no borrowings
at all but simply a device for getting money that was due him. [Footnote:
L. R. pp. XLV, XLVI.] Furthermore, many examples of the drawing of money
"de prestito" from the Exchequer may be found in the Issue Roll. In 11
Richard II Philippa Duchess of Ireland drew L 133, es. 8d. in this
way. [Footnote: Issues, P. 316, mem. 18.] In the same year Bdmond Rose
borrowed money from the Exchequer. [Footnote: idem.] As shown above, John
Scalby twice drew money in advance in this way. John Herlyng, who in
Chaucer's time, was usher of the Chamber, borrowed seven pounds four
pence in 28 Edward III, repaying it later; [Footnote: idem, p. 294, mem.
18.] and in 29 Edward III drew forty pounds in the same way. [Footnote:
Issues, P. 212, mem. 1. On Herlyng's financial position see p. 27
above.] So hosts of examples could be collected from the Issue Roll, of
such "borrowings." Certainly they do not indicate that the "borrowers"
were financially insolvent.

Moreover none of the other facts which we have, warrants us in assuming
that Chaucer was pressed for money and out of favour. In January 1393 he
was granted ten pounds for good service rendered in this year now
present, i.e. apparently the later part of 1392--the year following his