To the most glorious prince and lord most beloved in Christ and most pious father the Lord Henry, by the grace of God most illustrious king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Aquitaine, his devoted and suppliant servants and children, Brother H. the humble minister of the Friars Minor in England, with the whole chapter of the same celebrated at Oxford, whatever is able to conduce to health and prosperity, grace and glory for such great kindness. Since, from the first entry of our order into your lands, subject to your rule and dominion, we have always found your clemency favourable and kind in all things – so much so that the untiring munificence of your generosity has proved in all cases a necessity of this transitory mortal life; insomuch as we are vile and abject, you have not ceased to sustain and favour us, as a father his sons, from the abundance of your liberality. You have defended us against our calumniators, persecutors and detractors out of the zeal of a pious love. According to your heaven-given industry, you have made a way with skilfully expressed reasons and efficacious excuses; and so that we might say everything, you have always protected us from all evils, and promoted us in good things. Our mendicancy does not suffice to adequately thank you, nor to repay so much bounty to your highness, but beseeching with one mind and with our whole innermost hearts, we implore the Lord from whom all good things come with tireless, earnest prayers for you, since one of the least of His may become a witness. We pray that he would always expel evil things from your dominions, and that he would grant you everything for the future.

However, among all the benefits of your piety, we consider excellent and outstanding – and thus we undoubtedly consider it is regarded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, and procuring salvation for souls, to the glory of the Divine Name – that you confirmed the house of our order at St Edmund on your own estate, where friars not few in number serving the Lord and St Edmund, preaching doctrine, offering saving counsels and praying for you and yours were able to stay – having been located there by a firm decree of royal power and authority.