In December 1340 Edward III, frustrated at the progress of his continental ambitions, initiated a major enquiry into central and local government in England. Among the many abuses uncovered during the following year were those of Thomas Carlton of Lincoln, under-sheriff of Lincolnshire. In 1334, he had taken bribes from both parties in a suit to return a favourable jury; in 1336, probably still holding office, he enforced a wrongful payment; and in 1338 and 1339, it was said, he had taken bribes, interfered in judicial process, and falsified claims for parliamentary expenses. Nor was this the total of Carlton's abuses. In 1331 he had been clerk to the sheriff, and had altered a writ to frustrate the suit of one of his enemies. On this occasion, he had made fine with the king, but was prohibited from serving the sheriff in future, or from holding any other royal office. When it came to the king's notice later that year that Thomas (then described as ‘late under-sheriff’) held various official positions in Lincoln, the mayor and bailiffs were reminded of the earlier judgement, and ordered to remove him from any office ‘pertaining to the king’. By April 1332, however, Carlton had obtained royal licence to re-enter the king's service, and soon afterwards he was back in the service of the sheriff of Lincolnshire – if he had ever left it. In February 1333, a commission of oyer and terminer was issued following complaints against Carlton as under-sheriff, together with his brother Hugh, and two other clerks and bailiffs of Lincoln, John Faukes and John Judkyn.