The interpretation of the data here is an impossibility. The Richard here is an old man, probably a trade-carpenter who had been in royal service. The language of such documents always concerns old men while the terms for orphaned children is of a different kind. The orginal letter is reproduced here. Bruce Carpenter (original) In 1348 the Black Plague was on the English coast. Three months later the horror was in London, where estimates have it that between a third to a half of all souls in the city perished. Previously I published the account of a Thomas Carpenter, son of a wealthy merchant Rodger Carpenter, was put under the care of city officials in 1349. We can assume Roger’s demise was plague related. Thomas was put under the care of the powerful, because such was the custom of England, to protect the property and asset rights of the young. Was Richard Carpenter a plague orphan? In this sad document King Edward III takes responsibility for a Richard Carpenter at the height of the plague. Richard must have had family means to warrant such consideration from the King himself. From CLOSE ROLLS, Edward III, 1349. “Richard Carpenter sent to the prior and convent of Caresbrok to receive such maintenance in that house for life as John de Modesprot, deceased, had there at the King’s request.” Sincerely, Bruce E. Carpenter