 The previous Seneschal of Gascony, Nicholas de la Beche, was replaced by the more senior Ralph, Earl of Stafford, who sailed for Gascony in February with an advance force.Derby was appointed the King's Lieutenant in Gascony on 13March 1345 and received a contract to raise a force of 2,000 men in England, and further troops in Gascony itself.The highly detailed contract of indenture had a term of six months from the opening of the campaign in Gascony, with an option for Edward to extend it for a further six months on the same terms.