See very similar grant of 1356, for Newenham to Richard Englissh, presumably the same person.

The name Richard English is too common to make identification possible but the term 'king's yeoman' suggests royal service. The Calendar of Patent Rolls for 1348 records a 'Grant for life to the king's yeoman Richard Englissh of the office controller of the custom of wines, wools, hides and wool-fells, as well of the customs of 3d. on the pound and of cloths and other merchandise liable to custom, in the port of Bristol; he taking in the office the usual wages and having one part of the cocket seal in his custody.' (cocket was a custom house seal) In 1353 Richard Englissh and his wife, Alice, were granted the office of the gauging of wine in the town of Bristol. In 1354 he was a commissioner investigating smuggling in Bristol. In 1354 'Grant for life, for service to Queen Philippa, to Alice Englissh of an annuity of £10 at the exchequer.' These can all be safely assumed to be the same courtier. Custom positions, such as that given to Richard, seem to be given to merchants who, presumably, understood trade.