Cook of Queen Eleanor ([Eleanor of Provence], queen of England, consort of Henry III, c. 1223-91).- Lovel (Henry, royal cook in the household of Eleanor of Provence) Charter, agreement between Hugh G[er]negan and Henry Lovel, cook of her ladyship the Queen, that Hugh has demised to Henry his manor of 'harpefeld' [Harpsfield, Hatfield, Hertfordshire] with all its tenants' homages and lands, services, referring to a rent in St. Albans etc. as received by Hugh and Ela his wife to farm [lease] for four years from the feast of All Saints 44 Henry III [1 Nov. 1259] for ten marks [£6 13s. 4d.] a year, payable in the King's hall at Westminster, witnesses: Sir William de Hecham, Robert de Ehelniaresford and others, manuscript in Latin, on vellum, 24 lines, in a handsome bookhand, indented chirograph form, without seal, 2 small wormholes, folds, slightly creased, small stain, slightly browned, 230 x 255mm., 1259.

⁂ Lovel is mentioned in the Fine Rolls of Henry III as being granted "a certain place at Crochefeld' in the parish of Bray, 5 Nov. 1256. - Henry III Fine Rolls Project. Lovel owned other property in Gloucestershire and Bray, near Windsor. Queen Eleanor may have also used her influence to gain a forest office with exemptions of duty for Lovel.