Bedfordshire Coroners' Rolls 9781800107298

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HISTORICAL RECORD SOCIETY

VOLUME XLI

DFORDSHIRE .

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ROLLS Edited by

R. F. HUNNISETT

E vus ne puez ren fere outre le record ke est vostre garant. Louther : Hereford Eyre, Ï2Q2.

PUBLIS HE D

BY

THE.

S O CI E T Y

STREATLEY, Near LUTON, BEDS. MCMLXI

N. T. BAGSHAWE

.BEDFORDSHIRE HISTORICAL RECORD SOCIETY (Founded 2nd November, 1912)

OFFICERS, 1960-61

PRESIDENT:. MAJOR SIMON WHITBREAD, J.P. H.M. Lieutenant for Bedfordshire. TREASURER: F. J. MANNING, Streatley, near Luton.

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THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE BEDFORDSHIRE

HISTORICAL RECORD SOCIETY VOLUME XLI

BEDFORDSHIRE CORONERS’ ROLLS Edited by

R. F. HUNNISETT

“E vus ne poez ren fere outre le record ke est vostre garant.” Louther: Hereford Eyre, 1292.

PUBLISHED

BY

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STREATLEY, Near LUTON, BEDS. MCMLXI

CONTENTS PAGE

Introduction .

Appendix Text

Index

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PREFACE THE unpublished Crown copyright material in the Public Record Office calendared in this volume is printed by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office; those cases which have previously been printed in Select Cases from the Coroners' Rolls, 1265-1413, ed. C. Gross (Selden Society, ix), are printed here, from the original rolls, with the agreement of the Council of the Selden Society; and the Master and Fellows of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, have consented to the calendaring of their Roll No. 26. I must thank my colleagues at the Public Record Office for their advice on many points; and Mrs. C. P. Hall, who discovered the Gonville and Gaius College roll, for help in connection with it and for arranging for a photostatic copy of it to be deposited in the County Record Office, Bedford. R.F.H.

INTRODUCTION General MEDIEVAL CORONERS

The office of coroner was almost certainly established in September 1194, when the justices in eyre were required to see that three knights and one clerk were elected in every county as ‘keepers of the pleas of the crown’.1 The first county coroners were then elected. Presumably every county had four coroners for a few years, but from the early thirteenth century some normally had only two. Presumably also the original idea was that the three knights should act jointly, the clerk keeping a written record of their activities. However this may be, whether a county had two coroners or more there was far too much work for them to perform together, except for their duties in the county court. Therefore by 1200 or soon after the county coroners were all knights, each acting separately and with a clerk of his own. The inevitable consequence of this was that, although in theory there were no coroners’ districts within a county, in practice there were—not necessarily with hard and fast boundaries and possibly varying somewhat from time to time according to the place of residence of the coroners for the time being, but generally recognised areas within each of which one coroner would normally act and his colleagues would not. The practice of electing a coroner with lands in the same part of the county as his predecessor thus grew up. With very few exceptions all county coroners were elected. During the thirteenth century the knights and freeholders of the shire seem to have been required to elect their coroners anew during every general eyre, which, until the last years of the century, meant every seven years or less. If a coronership became vacant between eyres, a writ de coronatore eligendo issued from Chancery requiring the sheriff to hold an election in the county court. With the discontinuance of general eyres after 1 I have treated this point in detail in “The Origins of the Office of Coroner”, Trans. R. Hist. Soc., 5th series, viii, 85-104, and all the other matters dealt with in the general section of this Introduction in The Medieval Coroner (Cambridge, 1961).

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1330 nearly every county coroner was elected on such a writ. Coroners were elected for life, but in practice only a minority of coroners remained in office until their death. More were replaced because they were aged and/or infirm, obvious disadvantages in an office which involved much travelling; a few were replaced because they had other duties or offices; but the reason most frequently given for the replacement of coroners was that they were insufficiently qualified, which nearly always meant that they had no land, or too little land, in the county. Strictly, all coroners should have been knights, but after 1300 few were. They all, however, had to have lands not merely in the county but in their district, both to support themselves in an office which was unpaid and to enable them to pay any amercements they might incur. Personal unfitness had to be extreme to lead to replacement. All coroners prac­ tised moderate extortions; bribes became an invariable prelude to the performance of their duties, and some coroners were much more oppressive. This was because they were unpaid, inadequately supervised and rarely, and then only lightly, punished. Yet bribery ensured their efficiency when supervision had largely ceased. In most counties there were some boroughs and franchises which had coroners of their own. The first borough coroners were authorised by royal charters in 1200 and franchisal coroners began to appear a little later. In theory boroughs and franchises could only have their own coroners if specifically granted the privilege by the king, but in practice this was often usurped and only forfeited in the event of very recent usurpation, disuse or abuse. Borough coroners were almost invariably elected, most commonly in the borough court. Unless the original charter had otherwise provided, boroughs should only have proceeded to election on a writ de coronatore eligendo, but such writs were much less frequent for borough than for county coroners—possibly because many boroughs were chary of drawing official attention to their exercise of a privilege based on flimsy foundations by applying for them. Franchisal coroners were sometimes appointed by the lord of the liberty and sometimes elected in his court, only very rarely on a Chan­ cery writ. Some parts of the royal forest had special coroners, or verderers acting as coroners, especially in the thirteenth century, while throughout the Middle Ages there was a coroner of the verge and a coroner of the court of King’s

INTRODUCTION

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Bench, who could act as coroners in any county which the king’s court or King’s Bench might visit. coroners’ duties

Throughout the Middle Ages the coroner could be ordered to perform almost any duty of an administrative or inquisi­ torial nature within his bailiwick, either alone or with the sheriff, and such orders were particularly numerous and varied in the thirteenth century. But there were other duties which belonged more specifically to his office and which he performed without being ordered. These consisted of holding inquests on dead bodies, receiving abjurations of the realm made by felons in sanctuary, hearing appeals, confessions of felons and appeals of approvers, and attending and sometimes organising exactions and outlawries promulgated in the county court. These were the ‘pleas’ which the coroner had to ‘keep’ and he kept them in four ways: by taking the actions just mentioned, attaching or arresting witnesses, suspects and others, appraising and safe-guarding any lands and goods which might later be forfeited, and by recording all the details. He kept them until they came up for determination before the king’s justices. According to the thirteenth-century law-books and statutes the coroner had many other ex officio duties—holding inquests into many felonies other than homicide and suicide and into treasure trove and wreck of the sea, appraising the chattels of felons of all kinds, passing judgment on felons caught in the act and attending private courts whenever they passed the death sentence. But in fact only in a few special areas, mainly boroughs and franchises, did coroners perform any of these duties regularly by virtue of their office.1

Inquests Holding inquests upon dead bodies was the duty which exercised the coroner most frequently. Everyone who had died unnaturally, suddenly or in prison, or about whose death there might or was alleged to have been suspicious circum­ stances, was the subject of a coroner’s inquest if the body was found. When such a body was found the hue and cry had to be raised and the coroner summoned; it was the coroner’s duty 1 For a full discussion of this question see my “Pleas of the Crown and the Coroner”, Bull. Inst. Hist. Research, xxxii, 117-37.

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to come straight away and, either previously or on his arrival, to summon a jury. Coroners’ juries varied from county to county and from time to time within any particular county, but most counties seem to have witnessed a development, gradual and hesitant, from a jury of the four nearest townships to one consisting of twelve freeholders of the hundred through a fairly lengthy intermediate stage, occupying the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries in most counties, when both elements sat together although returning separate verdicts. In many boroughs the same general evolution can be traced, with parishes and wards corresponding to the townships of the county juries. If the body had been buried before the coroner’s arrival it had to be exhumed (and those responsible for burying it would ultimately be amerced). Then followed the view, far removed from a modern autopsy; it was merely to discover whether there were any signs of violence. This completed, the body was probably buried, although strictly the inquest should have been held around the unburied body. The coroner had to inquire of the jurors full details of how the death had occurred. If he thought they were withholding information, he could hold a second inquest with another jury, but this rarely happened. If, in the event of homicide, the jurors suspected anyone, the coroner had to order his arrest and, if he was arrested, to commit him to gaol until his trial. He had also to ensure that many other persons found surety, usually two pledges, for their appearance before the justices: these included the ‘first finder’ of the body, the nearest neighbours (either two or, more often, four), any witnesses, the lord of any house in which such a death occurred, any other occupants of the house, owners of houses in which the homicides had previously stayed, anyone who had moved the body, owners of deodands and relatives who had presented Englishry. These attachments were not, in practice, in case these persons were responsible for the death—if there was the slightest suspicion of that they would have been arrested—but in order that they and their pledges might be amerced if they failed to attend the eyre. Presentment of Englishry was abolished for deaths by mis­ adventure in 1259 and for all cases in 1340. Previously certain relatives of the deceased—-their numbers and relationship varied from county to county—had to come before the coroner

INTRODUCTION

ix

and affirm their kinship to him, which the inquest jurors had to confirm. If Englishry was not presented, the murder fine was later imposed upon the hundred. The inquest jury had also to appraise various things which might later be forfeited to the king: the lands and chattels of any persons indicted of homicide or suicide or of anyone who, although not suspected, had fled on account of a death; and the weapons with which men had been slain or, in the event of a death by misadventure, the deodand—the object, animate or inanimate, or part of an object whose movement had caused the death. Deodands caused most differences of opinion between coroners and their juries; juries were often less willing than the coroners to admit that the whole of a cart or mill, for example, had caused the death and they also tended to undervalue deodands. Apart from the sealing of the written inquest by the jurors there was little more to do at most inquests. But when outlaws, fugitives or straying abjurors had been beheaded in the hue and cry, the coroner had to send their heads to the nearest gaol; in cases of suicide he had to order the burial of the body in unhallowed ground; and when anyone had fallen into a well and been drowned, he had to order it to be filled in. Abjurations of the realm There were two kinds of sanctuaries in medieval England: the few chartered sanctuaries, the immediate vicinity of specially privileged abbeys and minsters, where any felon could remain with impunity for life; and every consecrated church or chapel with its graveyard, where felons could remain unharmed for forty days. It was with this second kind that the coroner was concerned. The felon, who naturally only took sanctuary when in danger of arrest, usually in the hue and cry immediately after committing the felony or after escaping from gaol, could choose one of three courses. He could surrender and stand his trial: this course would obviously appeal to few, usually only to those who were innocent but had taken sanc­ tuary from fear and to clerks who always escaped death even if convicted. He could alternatively abjure the realm immed­ iately. Thirdly, he could opt to stay in sanctuary for the full forty days or for a lesser period, hoping to be able to escape during that time (many did, although the church should have been strictly guarded night and day) or, if escape proved

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INTRODUCTION

impossible, to surrender or abjure later. Sooner or later most sanctuary seekers abjured the realm before the coroner and a representative gathering of the neighbourhood, which was similar in composition to an inquest jury and seems to have undergone the same evolution. The ceremony of abjuration usually took place at the gate or stile of the churchyard. The first essential was for the felon to confess his felonies. He then took the oath of abjuration, swearing to leave the realm of England and never return, except with the express permission of the king; to hasten by the direct road to his port, not leaving the highway under pain of arrest as a felon nor staying at any one place for more than one night; on arriving at the port, to seek diligently for passage across the sea, delaying only one tide if possible; if he could not secure a passage, to walk into the sea up to his knees every day as a token of his desire to cross it; and if he was still unsuccessful at the end of forty days, to take sanctuary again at the port. The word ‘port’ did not necessarily mean sea-port. Abjurors did not abjure all the king’s territories, but only England. They did not need to have a Channel port to go to France, although the great majority did; a few had a west coast port for Ireland or a border town, such as Berwick-upon-Tweed, for Scotland. Coroners made generous allowances for the sick and infirm, allowing them longer for their journeys and even arranging for them to stay two nights at the same place. During the first half of the thirteenth century abjurors could choose their own ports of embarkation, but thereafter, with an equal division of opinion among the law-books and statutes, there was no uniform practice. Some coroners continued to allow free choice; others assigned ports to the abjurors. A few allowed the abjuror to choose a port only to assign him another in the opposite direction. When two or more men abjured from the same church on the same day, wise coroners assigned a different port to each. In order that he might be distinguished from the ordinary wayfarer, the abjuror had to undertake his journey carrying a wooden cross in his hand, as a sign of the Church’s protection, and in distinctive dress. Originally the dress was a single garment of sackcloth, but by 1300 he was normally allowed his shirt, coat and breeches, his other clothing being forfeited: the important thing was that his head and feet should be uncovered. The coroner saw him off in the right direction, but

INTRODUCTION

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few abjurors ever reached their ports. All abjurors forfeited their lands and chattels, which had to be appraised by a jury empanelled by the coroner.

Appeals, and exactions and outlawries Appeals, those private but highly formal accusations of felony, could involve the coroner at two stages. If the appeal resulted from violence to the person, the early stages of its prosecution should have included a view by the coroner of the wounds or other signs of the offence. Strictly, if the coroner said that there were no adequate signs, such as recent wounds or blood, the appeal should have been quashed. In practice, the coroner was ever only one of several officials—the sheriff and serjeant of the hundred were others—whose testimony was allowed on such points, and it is doubtful if he was ever involved in the early stages of appeals after 1300. When an appeal reached the county court the coroner’s presence was always essential. The appeal had to be made in stereotyped phraseology and recorded by the coroners. It had often to be repeated at six successive county courts and later before the justices. Any variation between the appeal as originally recorded and the later versions, however minute, resulted in the ending of the appeal and the arrest of the appellor for prosecuting falsely. If the person or persons appealed attended the county court at which the appeal was launched, they were either committed to prison to await the justices if the appeal was of homicide, or, in the event of a lesser felony, were remanded on bail. In the majority of cases, however, the appellees did not appear. The appeal was then repeated at the next county court when the process of exaction began: the appellees were exacted or formally summoned to attend. If after the fourth successive exaction the appellees had still not appeared either they were outlawed or two persons went surety for their appearance at the following county court, the sixth successive county court at which the appeal had been recited. It was illegal to delay outlawry, in the event of their continued non-appearance, beyond the court of the fifth exaction, when three well-spaced demands were made for the appellees, unless no county coroner was present in court. All exactions and outlawries were invalid if promulgated in the absence of a coroner. His presence was essential both to legalise and to record them. He

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initiated the process of exigent when it resulted from an appeal and, although the suitors of the county court technically awarded the outlawry, the coroner was usually their mouth­ piece. He was less important, although his presence was still essential, when the process of exigent arose not from appeals in the county court but from writs of exigent issued from other courts. How to induce defendants to appear in court to stand their trial was one of the great unsolved problems of medieval justice. The solemn and awe-inspiring process of exaction and outlawry was gradually extended from appeals to indictments of felony and then to trespass and many other cases, including debt, in an attempt to solve it. This extension came mainly in the fourteenth century, when appeals were much less frequent. Outlawry was not a punishment, but merely the most imposing stage of the mesne process—the attempt to bring the parties into court. The central courts and later the J.P.’s had recourse to it with increasing frequency, but they issued their writs of exigent to the sheriff, not to the coroners, and the sheriff returned them. Otherwise the procedure was the same as in exactions arising from appeals, with one exception. Outlaws’ goods and chattels were forfeited to the king, who also had the year, day and waste of their lands. When the outlawry resulted from an appeal the coroners immediately appraised the lands and chattels without awaiting an order, but when it resulted from a writ of exigent nothing was done until the court which had issued the writ received the sheriff’s return; it then issued another, usually to the sheriff and coroners, ordering an appraisal.

Confessions and approvers Any felon could confess before a coroner, either in the county court or elsewhere, but the number of ‘simple’ confes­ sions was extremely small because the felon could not after­ wards deny the coroner’s record but would be summarily hanged on its testimony alone. Nearly all confessions of felonies were therefore the prelude either to abjurations of the realm or to turning approver. An approver was a medieval ‘king’s evidence’. A felon himself, if he successfully maintained his appeals against a certain number of others who had committed felonies in his company and secured their conviction, he escaped hanging

INTRODUCTION

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and was allowed either perpetual imprisonment or to abjure the realm. Felons normally turned approver in one of two places: either in prison while they were awaiting trial or in court. Either way their appeals were regarded with grave distrust. Gaolers were generally believed, with very good reason, to be in the habit of putting considerable pressure on prisoners in order to extort false appeals from them, while the fabrication of appeals by felons in court was an obvious means, if they knew that they were guilty, of delaying their conviction and death and of giving themselves time in which to attempt another escape from gaol. In the great majority of cases their appeals were unsuccessful and they were hanged on their original confession which, together with the appeals, a coroner had to hear and record.

coroners’ rolls1

As ‘keeper of the pleas of the crown’ the coroner had to keep a written record of all the duties which he performed ex officio until the royal justices determined the cases. His basic records were not formal rolls but extremely informal files of small pieces of parchment, each containing the account of a single case in note form. Only when the whole of a coroner’s cases were required in a superior court were the contents of the files hurriedly copied and made into rolls. This happened fairly regularly in the thirteenth century. Whenever the justices in eyre visited a county, which was every few years, they sum­ moned before them all those who had been coroners there (county, borough and franchisal) since the last eyre and the representatives of any who had died; they all had to bring their rolls, which were used to check, in detail, the present­ ments of all the relevant cases as made by the jurors of each hundred. Rolls were therefore compiled from the files of almost every thirteenth-century coroner, although this was not usually done until after the eyre had been announced; for the convenience of the justices, many of the coroners had the cases entered by hundreds. When an eyre had been concluded 1I have treated this matter in detail and have prin ted a list of all the surviving medieval coroners’ rolls in “The Medieval Coroners’ Rolls”, The American Journal of Legal History, iii, 95-124, 205-21, 324-59. The list is reprinted with a summary of the article as The Medieval Coroners' Rolls (Temple Univ. Studies in Legal History, i).

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INTRODUCTION

the coroners’ rolls no longer had any value and the majority compiled before 1330 have not survived, but a few were preserved with the eyre rolls and are now in the Public Record Office. When the general eyre came to an end shortly after 1330 nothing similar took its place. From 1337 onwards, when King’s Bench was away from Westminster, it held with increasing frequency what have been called ‘superior eyres’. There were only four ‘superior eyres’ after 1400, the last being in 1421, and even earlier no county experienced many and some had none at all; but for the coroners and ex-coroners of those counties in which they were held they were very similar to a general eyre. A considerable number of coroners’ rolls, hastily compiled, were usually delivered into court and the great majority of these were preserved with the records of King’s Bench and are also today in the Public Record Office. Some other coroners’ rolls have survived for special reasons both centrally and locally, but they are very few. It is generally true to say that after 1300, with the exception of the few counties which experienced general eyres and of the rather more numerous occurrences of ‘superior eyres’, coroners had no occasion to compile formal rolls. They merely had to have fair copies made of those few of their cases which came before the justices of gaol delivery or of oyer and terminer or into King’s Bench or Chancery.

Bedfordshire coroners

Bedfordshire was one of those counties that from an early date had only two county coroners. Coroners, called milites coronarii, are first seen acting there in 1206, although it is not known how many there then were.1 Similarly, the 1227 eyre roll, although mentioning the coroners, gives no names or numbers.1 2 The first Bedfordshire coroner to be known by name is Hugh of Salford, who was replaced in 1230, and from 1240 onwards it is definitely established that there were never more than two county coroners in office at any one time.3 The county there­ 1 Curia Regis Rolls, iv, 163. 2 B.H.R.S., iii. 3 See the Appendix to this Introduction.

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fore came to be divided in practice into two coroners’ districts, as can be seen from the extant coroners’ rolls. The three north­ ern hundreds of Stodden, Willey and Barford formed one district and the rest of the county the other. The southern district was thus appreciably larger than the other, but it was doubtless considered that the fairly regular and recognised east-west boundary was much the best possible. Of the coroners seen at work in our rolls Simon the Red almost certainly acted only in the three northern hundreds, although there is only a record of Barford hundred cases for his period of office; he acted in that hundred on 26 occasions between August 1265 and September 1269. Geoffrey Rouland officiated in 71 cases definitely, and almost certainly in 16 others, between July 1265 and September 1275. Of these 87 cases none was in Stodden hundred, only two were in Willey and seven in Barford hundred, the rest being in the south. These figures are misleading in that before August 1269 no cases are known from any hundred other than Barford, whereas thereafter there is a fairly complete coverage of the whole county. If, as may reasonably be assumed, Rouland acted as regularly in South Bedfordshire before August 1269 as after, it is clear that his excursions into the northern hundreds were very exceptional and that his district was the south. Moreover, one of the Barford hundred cases (No. 20 below) was complex and Rouland and Simon the Red jointly held the inquest, while in another (No. 15) he acted in place of Simon because the homicide had occurred during the attempted burglary of Simon’s house. No doubt there were good reasons for the other exceptions, such as the illness or temporary absence of the other coroner, while in some cases the enrolling clerk may have carelessly written the wrong coroner’s name, as certainly happened in one case (No. 33): roll 46 calls the coroner Simon the Red, but roll 2 calls him Ralph of Goldington which must be correct since roll 2 was Goldington’s roll and Goldington succeeded Simon as coroner in the northern district. Goldington acted on 54 or 55 occasions between September 1269 and September 1275, all but once in the three northern hundreds. Finally, Robert of Creakers had 11 or 12 cases between November 1275 and August 1276 all in Barford, Stodden and Willey hundreds, Peter Loring had 16 between February and August 1276 all in the other hundreds, and William Mordaunt 18 between March 1316 and December 2

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1317 all in the three northern hundreds. This picture seems to remain true throughout the Middle Ages, and in the list of county coroners appended to this introduction those for whom there is any relevant evidence have been marked either N or S according to whether their district was the north or south. There is no statement on a Bedfordshire eyre roll that county coroners were ever elected before the eyre justices, although there is no reason to doubt that during most eyres they were. There was, however, one unusual occurrence in 1359, when John Sporoun was elected in place of Benet Blundel before justices of gaol delivery.1 But the great majority of Bedfordshire as of other county coroners were certainly elected in the county court on writs de coronatore eligendo. One can rarely discover who was elected as a result of such writs, but they always name the coroner to be replaced. Of the 67 medieval Bedfordshire coroners known by name, 40 are known to have been replaced by writs; two writs issued for three of them, three for one and five for one. Full details will be found in the Appendix to this Introduction. Three writs give no reason for the replacements. Eight issued because coroners were dead, 16 because of sickness and/or old age, one because a coroner was in the earl of Derby’s household and 21 because of the insufficient qualification of the outgoing coroners, including three which alleged that the coroner had no lands, or no lands in fee, in the county and one which said that he had land and rent worth no more than 10 marks yearly. This pattern is typical of the country at large. It is interesting to contrast the one coroner replaced because of his other duties with Robert Mordaunt, who was replaced in 1339 as a com­ missioner to levy a tenth and fifteenth in Bedfordshire because he was a county coroner.12 During the middle of the fifteenth century the Chancery clerks gradually ceased enrolling writs de coronatore eligendo on the Close Rolls. As far as Bedfordshire is concerned there is some indication that this meant that writs ceased to issue. Throughout the 1430’s Thomas Chamberleyn and Thomas Blundell continually replaced each other in one of the county coronerships, which suggests some mutually agreed division 1 Gaol Delivery Roll (J.I.3) 215/2, m. 60. This document is in the Public Record Office, as are all other manuscripts cited or mentioned unless otherwise stated. 2 Cal. Fine Rolls, v, 147.

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of labour which was acceptable to the electors of the county court. The list of county coroners appended to this Introduction is the result of a search of all the more likely sources. Although coroners could be mentioned in a large number of connexions and therefore in almost any type of record, it is improbable that many more names survive anywhere.1 But the 67 dis­ covered are more than adequate to show the type of person who filled the office. Some were knights and nearly all were landholders of some substance; most will be found to have had their main seats within the district in which they acted as coroners. To refer only to those coroners who appear in the surviving rolls, Ralph of Goldington held the manor of Goldington,1 2 Peter Loring, who was a knight, held the manor of Chaigrave as his chief seat and also Lorings manor in Sharnbrook and lands in Wootton,3 and William Mordaunt was lord of Mordaunts manor in Turvey, his son was a knight (and a county coroner) and his successors became barons.4 Simon the Red had a house in Renhold and probably belonged to the Rous family which held the manor of Pilling Rowsberry in Wootton;5 Geoffrey Rouland probably came from the manor of Rudlonds in Cranfield;6 Robert of Creakers, another knight, was lord of the manor of Creakers in Great Barford;7 William Fancotes probably belonged to the family of that name which had land in Fancott in Toddington;8 and Philip Pertessoyl was a member either of the family which held Pertsoills manor in Riseley and lands in Keysoe and Little Staughton or of one of its branches in Stagsden, Bolnhurst and Beeston.9 These lands were in every case either wholly or for the greater part in the coroner’s district. Because of their social status the county coroners were naturally men who spent most of their lives in unpaid local offices, usually in Bedfordshire. To concentrate once again on 1 William of Welton is not included in the list, although he may have been elected, because on 22 February 1261 the sheriff was ordered not to force him to assume the office of coroner in Bedfordshire as he had letters patent of exemption (Close Rolls, 1259-61, p. 349). 2 V.C.H. Bedfordshire, iii, 205. 3 Ibid., pp. 89, 345-6; Rotuli Hundredorum, i, 5. 4 V.C.H. Bedfordshire, iii, no; B.H.R.S., xxix, 63-5. 5 No. 15 below; V.C.H. Bedfordshire, iii, 332. 6 B.H.R.S., xxv, 8-9. 7 B.H.R.S., xxix, 28-9. 8 B.H.R.S., xii, 47. 9 V.C.H. Bedfordshire, iii, 159; B.H.R.S., xxii, pp. xxvi, xxviii.

xviii INTRODUCTION some of the same men, Geoffrey Rouland was sub-escheator in Bedfordshire in 1265 and a Bedford Gaol Delivery justice in 1288 j1 Robert of Creakers represented Bedfordshire in parlia­ ment in 1275, was sub-escheator in Bedfordshire and Bucking­ hamshire before 1269 and was frequently a justice of gaol delivery in those counties from 1286 to 1290, as well as doing military service when required;12 and Peter Loring was an assessor and collector of taxes in Bedfordshire.3 Edmund of Weedon was very unusual in that before his period of office as coroner in Bedfordshire he had been a county coroner in Buck­ inghamshire.4 There were two enclaves in Bedfordshire which had coroners of their own from the thirteenth century onwards and two others which had them for a short period. It is uncertain when the town of Bedford first elected its own coroners, but it certainly had them by 1240, from which date it had two in office together throughout the Middle Ages with the exception of a brief period before 1276 when apparently no election was held on the death of Richard Matheu, John Brodey continuing alone.5 The two coroners normally but not invar­ iably acted together, as there was no need for separate districts within such a small area. The names of 27 town coroners have been found and are listed in the Appendix. The right to have its own coroners had not been granted to Bedford by a royal charter, and at the eyre of 1330 the mayor and community claimed to have the right to elect them from among themselves on a royal writ by prescriptive right. To this the king’s attorney correctly replied that such a claim could not be allowed since a specific royal grant was essential. Before the matter was determined the rolls of the town coroners had exposed an unwarranted extension by the town officials of its liberty of infangenetheof, whereupon the town and its chief offices, including the coronerships, were taken into the king’s hand. In order that the administration might not suffer, the two existing coroners were appointed to the office, presumably by the justices, and sworn in.6 In 1337, howevej a writ issued for the replacement by election of two Bedford co^oners. 1 Close Rolls, 1264-8, p. 228; Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1281-92, pp. 2 304. 2 B.H.R.S., xxix, 28-9. 9 ’ 3 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1266-72, p. 418. 4 Cal. Inqs. Misc., i, 2271. 5 Assize Roll (J.I.i) 10, m. 40c!. 6 Placita de Quo Warranto, pp. 17-8.

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Writs de coronatore eligendo issued for the replacement of nine Bedford coroners, including two for two of them. Nine were because of death and two because of sickness; details appear in the list of Bedford coroners. The first two writs issued to the town bailiffs and ordered elections in the full borough court. All the others issued to the sheriff of Bedfordshire and only one of them referred to the outgoing coroners as coroners of Bedford town; without other evidence it would have seemed that the others were county coroners, and it is therefore possible that some of the men listed below as county coroners and only known from writs de coronatore eligendo were town coroners. The sheriff presumably sent such writs as referred to Bedford coroners to the town bailiffs, who organised the elections in the borough court. Comparatively few writs issued for Bedford coroners, the more normal practice undoubtedly being for the borough to proceed to election without reference to Chancery. According to the Annals of Dunstable the prior of Dunstable appointed Ellis of Woburn Chapel and William son of William as coroners in his court held at Dunstable in 1228 and they swore so to act in the borough as other coroners did elsewhere; he appointed the same men to be keepers of measures, although this does not necessarily imply that the two offices were then permanently united.1 This is the only appointment or election of Dunstable coroners to be mentioned in the Annals and it was therefore almost certainly the first, especially as the previous year had witnessed a dispute concerning the right of the prior’s officials to hold inquisitions in Dunstable.1 2 Thereafter there were two coroners in Dunstable throughout the Middle Ages who almost always acted together, except that when Alan de Langetot died in c. January 1265 no successor was appointed before the eyre of January 1277, his colleague, Thomas Inge, being in office alone for 12 years. Because the prior had taken no steps to replace Alan the eyre justices took his liberty into the king’s hand.3 Not until the 1287 eyre was the prior’s right to have his own coroners questioned. Both then and in 1330 the prior justified himself by claiming long possession and also that the right was covered by the general terms of Henry I’s foundation charter. On both occasions the king’s attorney denied that general terms were enough, but in 1330 a jury 1 Annales Monastici, iii (Rolls Series, 1866), p. 108. 2 Ibid., p. 105. 3 Ibid., p. 272; J.1.1/10, m. 27.

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INTRODUCTION

found that the priors had had coroners in Dunstable from time immemorial.1 The names of 22 medieval Dunstable coroners have been discovered and are listed in the Appendix. Whether any other than the first two were appointed by the prior is unknown. When Thomas Inge was removed from office by the justices in eyre in 1287 John Fremond was presumably elected to take his place since the writ for his replacement in 1292 called him 'lately elected’.1 2 This was the first known writ de coronatore eligendo for a Dunstable coroner. Altogether there were nine such orders, all but one addressed to the sheriff of Bedfordshire and calling the outgoing coroners county coroners. The exception, the writ of 1292, issued to the prior’s bailiffs and ordered the election of a coroner for Dunstable in place ofJohn Fremond to be held in the prior’s court at Dunstable. Another writ called the outgoing coroner Richard le Spicer of Dunstable and a third alleged that Fremund Inge did not have lands worth 20s. in the town. The others are only known from other evidence to have been Dunstable coroners, and it is therefore possible again that some of the men given below as county coroners and only known from writs de coronatore eligendo were Dunstable coroners. Once again, the sheriff must have re­ directed those writs which applied to Dunstable to the prior’s bailiffs for execution in the prior’s court, where elections were presumably held without any writ in the majority of cases. Two of the Dunstable writs issued because of death, three because of sickness and/or old age, one because a coroner was in another office (he was constable of Chester castle), one because of insufficient qualification and one because the coroner was not living in the county. The remaining writ alleged that Fremund Inge was both aged and infirm and insufficient by reason of not having lands to the value of 20s. in the town. Two writs issued for John of Wootton. In 1330 the abbot of St. Albans claimed the right to appoint coroners of his own in his liberty, including his Bedfordshire manor of Dallow and his other lands in Luton, by a charter of 1280, alleging that since that date he and his predecessors had done so. The king’s attorney maintained, correctly, that this charter referred only to St. Albans itself and not to the 1 Placita de Quo Warranto, pp. 13-4, 72-4. 2 J.I.1/12, m. 35d; Cal. Close Rolls, 1288-96, p. 242.

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outlying parts of the liberty and challenged the abbot to show how many coroners he and his predecessors had had in Bed­ fordshire. A jury found that the abbots had had their own coroners acting there since the charter whenever necessary.1 In fact, there had been no such coroners in Bedfordshire before the 1287 eyre, when the abbot made no claim to have them,1 2 and only one afterwards, although he had held office for a long time.3 The abbot had no coroner in the county at the time of the eyre of 1330 and is not known ever to have had one thereafter. In 1444 Eton College was given the right to appoint coroners in all its lands,4 and from 1446 until 1475 it held the manor of Grovebury in Leighton Buzzard.5 There were prob­ ably special coroners there throughout that period, but they would naturally not have been over-worked and only one is known by name. He and the single coroner of the abbot of St. Albans appear at the end of the Appendix. DUTIES

The rolls calendared below contain some unexpected entries. Roll 4 has a number relating to the binding over by sureties in the county court of men who were alleged to have threatened others; one entry in roll 1 (No. 76) and two in roll 3 (Nos. 141, 175) concern burglaries or thefts; and roll 3 also briefly records a case of treasure trove (No. 183) and a case (No. 207), very defective, of the arrest and delivery to gaol of two persons for reasons unknown. Such matters are not normally found in coroners’ rolls. The explanation must be that since these cases all came up in the county court and, although not strictly the coroner’s concern, were pleas of the crown, over-zealous or careless clerks enrolled them. This is particularly under­ standable in rolls 3 and 4 because they are arranged by county courts. The entry of these cases on the coroners’ rolls thus implies no closer connexion of the coroners with them than they would inevitably have had by virtue of their normal attendance at the county court. Another entry (No. 88), however, records an inquisition held by Geoffrey Rouland concerning the chattels of a felon, whose felony is not specified 1 Placita de Quo Warranto, pp. 23-5. 2 Ibid., pp. 7-8. 3 J.1.1/26, m. 1. 4 Rotuli Parliamentorum, v, 85. 5 V.C.H. Bedfordshire, iii, 403.

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but was almost certainly not homicide since no inquest was held and it is not mentioned as such in the eyre roll. Yet another (No. 93) records an inquisition into the lands and chattels of two men who had fled on account of thefts; it is not stated that a coroner officiated, but its entry on a coroner’s roll makes it virtually certain that one did. In these two cases the coroner was exceeding his normal bounds. He was not acting on a special writ for none is mentioned and if he had been he would have made an immediate return of the findings and not have kept a permanent record of them. He possibly agreed to help the sheriff by holding these two inquisitions, although not bound to do so. Similarly Robert of Creakers held one inquisition into the Bedfordshire lands and goods of a man who had abjured the realm in Huntingdonshire (No. 234). These unusual entries are very few; they number no more than 18 out of the total of 328 different cases in our rolls.1 The remainder are all normal coroners’ cases, 223 being inquests on dead bodies, 11 abjurations, 23 appeals, 48 executions of writs of exigent, 3 confessions and 2 appeals of approvers. These figures are interesting, but must be considered against the background of the following facts. Firstly, entries Nos. 1-288 come from the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries, a period when appeals, although declining in number, were still more popular than in the later Middle Ages and when there were very few writs of exigent; all but two of the appeals are among these entries but only one writ of exigent. Secondly, not only do the remaining cases (Nos. 289-342) derive from a period, the late fourteenth century, when writs of exigent were extremely common, but from a roll which is styled a Toll of outlawries’. It does contain a few other cases, but no inquests. It is therefore apparent how much of the coroner’s work con­ sisted of holding inquests. The number of abjurations is lower than is found in most counties for comparable periods, while the appeals of approvers are also few, although they were everywhere much more common in the later Middle Ages than in the thirteenth century.

Inquests None of the 223 inquests resulted from a death in prison; 1 That is, counting an inquest and an appeal arising out of a single homicide, for example, as two cases, but the various stages of an appeal recorded ata number of different points as one case.

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this is because the county gaol was at Bedford, the borough coroners therefore held such inquests and only one of their rolls, and that a small one, survives. Only three were held on suicides, and one of these (No. 197) was adjudged a misadventure by the inquest jury only to be found to be suicide at the eyre. Such a small percentage of suicides was usual in the Middle Ages, although some others, particularly by drowning, may have been called misadventures for lack of evidence. There were 118 deaths by misadventure to 102 homicides. The misad­ ventures include 22 natural deaths, seven occurring after, but not caused by, wounding. Roughly half the misadventures, 57 in all, were by drowning, mostly in wells, ditches and rivers; eight involved boats and in 24 cases a young child drowned. Among the other misadventures 13 were caused by a horse or cart or both, 7 by falling walls, 4 by trees, 2 by fires, 2 by light­ ning and 2 (a fairly small number) by mills. Four of the homicides were accidental, including the killing of one burglar by another (No. 272), three were committed in self-defence, two were of felons in the hue and cry, which was led on one occasion by the sheriffs of Lincolnshire and Huntingdonshire (No. 45), and one was of an abjuror who had strayed from the highway. The remainder were all felonious homicides, about a quarter being committed by unknown felons and about a fifth in the course of burglaries or robberies. Most of the felonious homicides were committed on sudden impulses with the nearest weapon, but a few are of greater interest. One victim was a lawful abjuror slain on the highway (No. 21), another a bailiff while making an attachment (No. 168) and a third a cut-purse after his release from the pillory and the lopping of one of his ears (No. 178). On one occasion (No. 188) the felons were a knight and his followers, and other homicides occurred during a quarrel between a knight’s household and men of the prior of Lanthony (No. 54), during the siege of a church in a seisin dispute involving large numbers of men (No. 120) and in what was virtually a battle between St. Neots and Little Barford (No. 134). Finally, two inquests were held after a woman had found both her dead husband, for whom she had been looking, and another body on the same day (Nos. 29,30). There is no evidence in our rolls about Bedford town, but the county lagged behind much of the country in the develop­ ment of its inquest jury. In 1317, the date of our last inquest,

xxiv

INTRODUCTION

the four townships were still not afforced by representatives of the hundred. In every case the townships are called Tour townships’, whether there were four or more; in many cases there were five, in several six and in two (Nos. 144, 246) seven. In some of these cases, but not all, the explanation is given in the rolls: two townships acted jointly and counted as one. This probably happened more often than is specifically noted. Another interesting point is that sometimes one or more townships were amerced at the eyre for non-attendance al­ though the coroner’s roll shows that four had been present; on one occasion four attended and another three were amerced for not coming (No. 139). When the same townships were amerced at the eyre for non-attendance as the coroner’s roll records as forming the jury (e.g. No. 72) it must be concluded that their offence had been to provide an inadequate number of men. In many cases townships were specifically amerced at the eyre for not coming fully to inquests, but there is only one case (No. 160) in which such a default is noted in our coroners’ rolls. However many townships constituted the jury they were always adjacent to the place of death. They were usually all from the same hundred, although this was not regarded as essential if the place of death was near the borders of two hundreds. A very exceptional jury, however, was summoned for the homicide committed during the church siege mentioned above; two groups of four townships sat, one group being near to the church and the other from the neighbourhood of the place, in another hundred, where the wounded man died. This case is also interesting in that the townships returned separate verdicts, as may well have been normal and certainly happened in several other inquests below (e.g. No. 63), and because the account shows the coroner questioning them. The townships, of course, provided the information about deaths and did not assess that provided by others, but there is one example (No. 37) of a witness giving evidence at an inquest. The townships had always to present all inquests at the next county court, and occasionally one or more of them presented facts additional to the inquest verdicts (e.g. Nos. 40, 52, 54, 97). Our rolls only give the date of death, not the date of the inquest, although it can often be shown, from the county court at which it was presented, that there was no great time-lag between death and inquest. One apparent exception, the only

INTRODUCTION

XXV

entry to give an inquest date (No. 215), shows a delay of almost six weeks; but the inquest was held by four townships in the county court and there had probably been an earlier one at the place of death. Two other cases resulted in two inquests. In one the original inquest by four townships was followed by another by eight, including the first four, when far more was discovered about the death (Nos. 60, 63). The other (No. 178) began with a coroner’s inquest by six townships, which was followed by another held with twelve jurors before the sheriff and coroners in the county court subsequent to that at which the first inquest had been presented. A third death (No. 24) resulted in one inquest before a Huntingdonshire coroner, presumably at Stilton where the assault was committed, and another before a Bedfordshire coroner at Bushmead where the death occurred; the Bedfordshire coroner recorded that the first inquest had been held. In another case (No. 57) five town­ ships, having returned their verdict concerning one death, were asked by the coroner about another which had occurred at the same place shortly before and on which an inquest had already been held by four of the five townships. Finally, when a homicide occurred in one hundred and the felon had lands or chattels in another, a second inquiry was sometimes held by the coroner into his possessions, usually by only one town­ ship (e.g. Nos. 64, 80). The details of the inquests contain few unusual features. Most unexpected is the very high proportion of misadventures and the considerable number of homicides in which no neigh­ bours are recorded as being attached, even when many other persons, such as witnesses, were made to find pledges; and only very rarely did this result in the coroner’s amercement at the eyre (e.g. No. 161). When neighbours were mentioned there were usually four of them, although sometimes only two (e.g. No. 169); they quite frequently went surety for each other. By contrast the first finder was almost invariably attached, but this was not necessary when the deceased had had the last rites of the church (e.g. No. 8) or had spoken between receiving his injury and dying (e.g. No. 97); on two occasions he was also said to have made his will (Nos. 52, 58). Once it was the first finder who sought the chaplain of the township so that the last rites might be administered (No. 224). One first finder could not find sureties and she was therefore delivered to the bailiff, presumably in custody (No. 147). In most cases the

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first finder is said to have raised the hue and cry, but occasion­ ally, especially if it was merely that there was a doubt about the death, the whole township did so (e.g. No. 131). It is sometimes said that the neighbours came to the hue (e.g. No. 130), sometimes that the township came (e.g. No. 197); these are probably just different descriptions of the same thing. The hue was sometimes said to be raised continuously (e.g. No. 228) and sometimes to have been followed from township to town­ ship and so to the four townships (e.g. No. 143). Occasionally delays occurred. One body was buried by the felons and not found for a fortnight (No. 162) and another was removed to another place by one who was present when the death by misadventure occurred and who did not raise the hue (No. 245), while the townships occasionally emphasised that a homicide had not occurred where the body was found (e.g. Nos. 46, 101). By contrast, relatives took a wounded man from the place of the assault to a house, only to replace him where he had been found when there was no sign of his re­ covering (No. 49). The rule in Bedfordshire was that Englishry had to be pre­ sented by one paternal and one maternal relative, but only if the deceased were male.1 At the 1287 eyre, however, it was said to be necessary for both males and females of fifteen and over.12 In both 1276 and 1287 the justices in eyre were told that it should be presented for felonies and misadventures,3 although it had been abolished in cases of misadventure in 1259. In view of this it is less surprising that Englishry was presented in two cases of misadventure in our rolls, once for a boy of twelve (Nos. 31, 61). More remarkable, it was presented after only five homicides and in one case (No. 32) the deceased was a woman. In only one homicide (No. 71) did the coroner specifically record that Englishry had not been presented. Of the seven presentments four were correctly made by one paternal and one maternal kinsman, the other three (Nos. 56, 61, 113) by a paternal relative alone. Our Bedfordshire coroners were even more remiss in recording felons’ tithings. Although essential information at the eyre, this was noted on only one occasion (No. 58), but when the felon was in mainpast, 1 B.H.R.S., xxi, 560; J.I.1/10, m. 28. 2 J.I.1/12, m. 24. In 1330 the minimum age was given as twelve (J.1.1/26, m. 1). 3 J.I.1/10, m. 28; 12, m. 24.

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that is, under the legal protection of a lord, this was sometimes mentioned incidentally. Appraisals of felons’ and suicides’ lands and chattels and the weapons of death will be found in many entries. Two other cases are more interesting. In one (No. 277) the coroner made no inquiry about lands and chattels because the woman, who had killed her children and then committed suicide, had a husband. The other (No. 282) was the death by misadventure of a burglar, who fell from the house he was burgling; the coroner appraised a ham which he was stealing and it was forfeited at the eyre. Deodands were appraised at many of the inquests after misadventures, and it was quite often found at the eyre that the inquest jury had undervalued them, but one jury (No. 252) appraised many more of the parts and contents of a mill than were later forfeited as deodand and others (e.g. No. 228) valued, presumably as potential deodands, things which had certainly not caused the deaths by their movement. Despite the number of deaths by drowning in wells, no Bed­ fordshire coroner recorded that he ordered a well to be filled in; but one made the lord of a house find pledges because the well was too near the door (No. 146) and another ordered a quarry to be enclosed after a man had been killed by a stone while digging in it (No. 276).

Abjurations of the realm Details are known of ten of the men whose abjurations appear below. Four were homicides and six thieves, which is a normal proportion. One took sanctuary in the hue and cry, five after breaking prison and one (No. 305), an outlaw, after escaping from the stocks. Three of them remained in sanctuary for five, thirteen and thirty-six days respectively before abjuring. Four of the abjurations were definitely made in the presence of four townships and one before three townships; once the king’s bailiff is also known to have attended (No. 237). On three occasions the same townships held an inquiry concerning the abjurors’ chattels and once (No. 251) they had also formed the inquest jury on the man slain by the abjuror. Seven of the abjurors set out for Dover and one for Chester. Four had their ports assigned to them, one (No. 251) by a particular road, two were allowed a free choice and the other two were allowed by William Fancotes to choose one port and he then assigned them another in the opposite direction.

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INTRODUCTION

Appeals Eleven were of homicide, five of mayhem (four with burglary or robbery), four of theft and one of battery and robbery; the others are not specified in the rolls. Two (Nos. 67, 129) were said not to have been formulated at the first county court; in several relatives of the appellor offered to prosecute the appeal if the appellor was prevented by death or illness and in one (No. 125) a sister of a maimed man did sue; one (No. 41) was removed from the county court to Westminster because one of the county coroners, Ralph of Goldington, was the appellor’s kinswoman and was said to favour her; and one (No. 226) was stopped by a royal writ because it contravened Magna Carta. One appeal of mayhem and burglary (No. 42) was preceded by the following of the hue to Ralph of Goldington, who went and viewed the wounds. Exactions and outlawries Those arising from the appeals call for no comment. The majority of the writs of exigent issued because of the nonappearance of defendants in the court of Common Pleas, a number for failure to come before the J.P.’s and the rest, eight in all, originated in King’s Bench. Most of the defendants were involved in trespass suits, some of their offences being described as statutory and one (No. 312) as against the Statute of Labourers. The other non-felonious types of cases which resulted in writs of exigent were debt and account. Confessions and approvers The few relevant cases on our rolls are quite normal.

ROLLS

King’s Bench held two ‘superior eyres’ in Bedfordshire. The first was in Easter term 1352 when it sat at Bedford. Bedford­ shire coroners’ cases were heard and presumably a number of coroners’ rolls were handed in, but only one, that of Robert Carbonel, coroner of Bedford town, is referred to in the plea rolls.1 The other ‘superior eyre’ was held at Dunstable in Michaelmas 1357, when two Bedfordshire coroners attended and delivered their rolls: John Alsey’s contained six cases from 1 King’s Bench, Coram Rege Roll (K.B.27) 367, fines and forfeitures, m. 4.

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the years 1352-6 and Benet Blundel’s 19 from 1353-7.1 Neither of these rolls survives, nor do any from the earlier visitation, which is very surprising since the great majority of coroners’ rolls handed in to King’s Bench are extant. As compensation ten other Bedfordshire rolls have survived. One of these has not only survived by pure chance, but need never have been compiled. This is because it derives from the period after the last 'superior eyre’. It is one of the few coroners’ rolls to exist outside the Public Record Office and was recently discovered by Mrs. C. P. Hall among some Norfolk court rolls and rentals in the muniments of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. How and when it came there is unknown. Gon­ ville and Caius have deeds relating to one Bedfordshire manor, Aynells in Westoning. The descendants of William Fancotes, the coroner whose roll it was, may possibly have been associated with the manor or with the Norfolk properties or, indeed, with some other of the lands which the college later acquired. It is called his roll of outlawries and, although there are a few other cases on it, it is mainly a brief record of fifth exactions and outlawries. He presumably found it convenient, as other coroners did, to enter these on a roll, while preserving a record of his inquests in file form. All our other rolls have survived with the plea rolls of the Bedfordshire eyres of 1276 and 1330. Only 26 coroners’ rolls are known to have survived from general eyres, and nine of these are Bedfordshire ones.12 Nine of the 26, including two Bedford­ shire rolls (Nos. 5 and 6), derive from the eyres of 1329-30. By this date there had been no eyres in the counties visited for many years—43 in the case of Bedfordshire—and the immense amount of work which they presented to the justices’ clerks probably meant that at least some of the coroners’ rolls were still being used for the compilation of the plea rolls after the end of the session. This certainly appears to be true of roll 5, which has very many notes of developments and judgments concerning its cases both in the margin against them and interlined. These coroners’ rolls must have come to be regarded as an integral part of the records of the eyres, and on 16 May 1331 one of the justices who had held the Bedfordshire eyre handed into the Exchequer eyre and other rolls, including 1 King’s Bench, Controlment Roll (K.B.29) 15, mm. 34, 34c!. 2 For details see Am. Journ. Leg. Hist., iii, 324-6.

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INTRODUCTION

eight Bedfordshire coroners’ bags.1 Two of the bags must have contained rolls 5 and 6. Roll 5 contains the cases of the coroners of Bedford town from August 1300 until January 1305. The coroners who seem to have been in office throughout this period, although they are only occasionally named on the roll, which has no heading, were Nicholas Feron and Alan Marchal. The roll undoubtedly belonged jointly to both, since the two contemporary Bedford coroners always presented a joint roll to the justices;1 2 it may well have originally been one membrane of a larger roll covering the whole of their period of office. Sewn to the side of this roll there is a schedule containing two cases (Nos. 269-70 below) which does not belong to it and is probably not a coroner’s record at all, although the cases are Bedford coroners’ cases, one of which was certainly presented at the 1330 eyre. Their form, and especially the statement in the first case that The coroner took nothing’, suggests that they are part of the veredictum made by the Bedford jurors at the eyre. This schedule may therefore be compared with some presentments made by the jurors of the town of Bedford shortly after the 1276 eyre concerning the misdeeds of John Brodey, a Bedford coroner. These are in the Public Record Office class of Coroners’ Rolls as roll 255/1B, m.i, but they are not calendared below. Roll 6 must have belonged to William Mordaunt, a county coroner, since it contains only his cases. They derive from the period March 1316 to December 1317, whereas he remained in office for another three years. The existing membranes are in very bad condition and the probability is that there were originally many others which have not survived. The cases are arranged in something approximating to chronological order; by the (unknown) dates of the inquests this order might be more exact than it now appears. The hundred is named in the margin against each case. The other seven Bedfordshire rolls derive from the eyre of 1276; only two coroners’ rolls derive from earlier eyres and only nine others from other counties from eyres earlier than 1300. The survival of so many early Bedfordshire rolls can be explained by the fact that the eyre began in November 1272, was prorogued on Henry Ill’s death and was not resummoned 1 Ibid., p. 207, n. 14. 2 E.g. J.I.i/io, m. 40c!; 12, m. 32c!. By contrast, the Dunstable coroners at least sometimes kept a roll each (e.g. ibid., m. 35).

INTRODUCTION

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until 1276? Rolls 1, 2 and 46 were probably retained by the justices after 1272 and came to be associated more closely with the eyre rolls than coroners’ rolls normally were. Being in the habit of keeping these coroners’ rolls, the justices must have continued to keep them and the others after the 1276 eyre until they delivered them into the Exchequer with the eyre rolls. One feature of all these thirteenth-century Bedfordshire rolls is that although they belonged to particular coroners they contain both the cases dealt with by their owners and those heard by their colleagues. This is more understandable for those rolls arranged by county courts than for the others. Roll 46 is called Geoffrey Rouland’s roll in an endorsement of the first membrane. The cases, which come from the period August 1265 to June 1272, are in virtually chronological order. They all relate to Barford hundred, and the roll, which was originally a single rotulet, is headed Barford Hundred. It was almost certainly at one time one of several rotulets of Rouland’s roll for the whole of his tenure of office up to the beginning of the eyre in 1272, each rotulet being devoted to one hundred. The first membrane of roll 2 is endorsed Ralph of Goldington. This roll contains cases from October 1269 until June 1272, again from Barford hundred only and again in roughly chronological order. It also appears to be a single rotulet of a larger roll, but in this case most of the rest of it survives as roll 1. This consists of a number of rotulets, each devoted to a single hundred, and within each hundred the entries are arranged practically chronologically; they are from the period August 1269 to October 1272. There can be no doubt that rolls 1 and 2 together represent almost the whole of the roll of Goldington’s period of office before he surrendered it to the eyre justices in 1272. It is interesting that both Rouland and Goldington submitted rolls arranged by hundreds. Since the coroners’ cases were always presented hundred by hundred at the eyre and the coroners’ rolls were primarily used to check the hundred jurors’ presentments, this was the arrangement most convenient to the justices and shows that these coroners’ rolls were com­ piled solely for the purposes of the eyre. Roll 3 is also arranged primarily by hundreds, but within each hundred the cases are entered under the county courts 1 “The Veredictum of Chippenham Hundred, 1281 ”, ed. R. E. Latham and C. A. F. Meekings, Collectanea (Wilts. Arch. & Nat. Hist. Soc., Rec. Branch, xii), pp. 62-3. 3

xxxii

INTRODUCTION

at which they were presented. The county courts, which range in date from November 1272 to October 1275, are mostly in chronological order; the county court of November 1272 is, under every hundred, dated by the year a.d. and not the regnal year—the only occasion on any of the rolls when the regnal year is not used. This roll appears to be more hastily compiled than some. The Clifton hundred entries are given twice, the hundreds do not all start on different membranes, and while in some hundreds there is a heading for every county court although no cases are entered under many of them, in others only those county courts at which presentments were made are given. One extra piece of information provided by this roll is the periodicity of the Bedfordshire county court. As in most counties it was held every four weeks—on a Monday— whenever possible, but there were exceptions. There was usually a five-week interval between the last sitting of one year a.d. and the first of the next, presumably because of Christmas, which was always offset by a three-week gap either immediately before or immediately afterwards. There was another five-week gap in October and November 1273, and two others, preceded by three-week intervals, in April-May and September-October 1275. This roll belonged either to Ralph of Goldington or to Geoffrey Rouland; it contains only their cases. The only piece of evidence is that the swearing-in of Robert of Creakers is recorded under the county court of 23 September 1275 (No. 156). He succeeded Goldington, and since Peter Loring is not known to have taken over from Rouland before February 1276 roll 3 is more probably Goldington’s roll. This is not made less likely by the entry of a few cases under the county court of 28 October 1275; a coroner’s period of office can only have ended abruptly by death; Goldington must have had an official interest in some of the matters presented at that court. The heading of roll 4 calls it the ‘first roll’ of Robert of Creakers. Unless he was confident of remaining in office after the eyre, ‘first roll’ may mean ‘first membrane of the roll’. The cases are arranged not by hundreds, but under county courts, although the hundred is noted in the margin against most cases. The county courts are from November 1275 until August 1276 and are in chronological order. There is only one interval of five weeks (March-April 1276); it is followed by one of three weeks. Roll 265 is also arranged by county courts in chrono­ logical order. Since all the cases are also on roll 4 and the period

INTRODUCTION

xxxiii

covered, February to April 1276, was definitely within Peter Loring’s period of office it is certainly his roll. So is roll 255/1 A. This now consists of two membranes, each containing the cases from one hundred; originally there were probably other membranes for other hundreds. The cases are from the period April to August 1276; they are all on Creakers’ roll, but only one (No. 234) is also on roll 265, where it is entered twice, the first time unsatisfactorily. This case is the only one on roll 265 relating to Stodden or Clifton hundreds, the two hundreds represented in roll 255/1 A. This suggests that Loring’s clerk began to enrol his cases by county courts, thus compiling roll 265, only to realise that an hundredal arrangement was more satisfactory for the eyre and to compile another, of which 255/1A is a part, on that basis. Loring handed both in, but only the second was used to check the presentments during the eyre, as is proved by the fact that its cases are all cancelled whereas those on roll 265 are not. Only two of the other rolls, apart from that of William Fancotes, are uncancelled and it is significant that they are the only others (rolls 4 and 6) which have not an hundredal arrangement and do not relate to Bedford town. Perhaps they also were redrafted for the eyre. The justices’ clerks cancelled the cases on the coroners’ rolls as the hundred jurors presented them. Of all the Bedfordshire rolls roll 5 is the only one which has additions made during the course of the eyre by the justices’ clerks for their later conven­ ience. Roll 1, however, contains a number of odd jottings and rolls 3 and 255/1A another one each, mostly quite irrelevant and written in a hand different from that of the cases (e.g. Nos. 55, 70, 81, 124, 163). These are almost certainly doodlings made in blank spaces by the justices’ clerks while idling away odd moments in court. Two are more elaborate, one (No. 87) consisting of several lines and including most of the alphabet and the other (No. 99) being part of a writ, either copied or fabricated, to justices in Somerset. Other more serious notes were added to the rolls for the benefit of the eyre justices and their clerks by the coroners’ clerks who compiled the rolls. For example, a hand is drawn in the margin to indicate one case (No. 186) which might have been overlooked as it had been squeezed in between two others. In roll 1 under Biggleswade hundred there is a note (No. 111) that Tempsford should be in that hundred but was entered under Wixamtree, while against a Tempsford case (No. 62) en­

xxxiv

INTRODUCTION

tered under Wixamtree hundred there is a corresponding note that Tempsford was in Biggleswade hundred. Under Clifton hundred in the same roll there is a note (No. 53) that an Arlesey misadventure is written under Biggleswade hundred, as indeed it is (No. 109). There is yet another similar note (No. 68) in this roll, and another in roll 3 (No. 151) indicating where another case presented at the same county court can be found. It was also useful at the eyre for the coroners’ rolls to contain posteas to relevant cases with any later developments, although there are surprisingly few. That such posteas could be as useful to the coroners as to the justices is proved by the fact that there are two on Fancotes’ roll describing later develop­ ments, at gaol deliveries, in an appeal (No. 294) and an approver’s appeal (No. 342), the first being written on a schedule sewn to the side of the roll; this roll was intended for nobody but Fancotes himself. All the rolls have also a certain amount of marginalia entered by the coroners’ clerks for their convenience as well as that of the justices’ clerks. Fancotes’ roll merely has exig' or utl\ appelV or abjuracio against each case to denote its type. The other rolls have rather more, except the Bedford town roll (roll 5), whose margins are so crammed with notes made by the justices’ clerks and which has only the word vicini, written against the neighbours’ names, by the coroners’ clerk; the justices’ clerks have in some cases incorporated this in one of their notes by writing inventor et above it and obierunt below. The rolls which are arranged by hundreds invariably have the name of the place at which the inquest was held in the margin at the top of the entry; in roll 3 this is sometimes preceded by the name of the hundred and in rolls 1, 2 and 255/1A it is always followed by the regnal year. The three rolls not arranged by hundreds have the name of the hundred instead of the place as the first marginal note; in roll 6 this is usually and in roll 265 it is once followed by the place. Most rolls have vicini in the margin to indicate the neighbours (roll 4 once has famuli instead) and roll 6 has inventor or inventrix against the first finder. Most also indicate abjurations, appeals and outlawries by abjuracio, apellum and utlagatur, presumably because of their rarity, and there is also usually unde apellum or memorandum quod hie est apellum against deaths which resulted in appeals. Occasionally one finds in the margin breve to denote the receipt of a writ concerning the case or p" e' for preceptum est which always indicates that the coroner

INTRODUCTION

XXXV

had given some order, described in the body of the entry, usually for an arrest or attachment. One final marginal note by the coroners’ clerks is common to all but the Gonville and Caius roll. Against every case in which lands or goods which might later be forfeited were appraised there is written either catalla or deodand' or, more often, the monetary value, except that in roll 6 the first word of the sentence relating to the possible forfeiture is written in the margin. Further details concerning each roll, particularly its physical make-up, will be found below before the first of its cases. Unfortunately the coroners’ clerks who compiled the rolls are anonymous, although Geoffrey Rouland’s rolls may well have been written by that Andrew (surname unknown) who was serving as his clerk some time before 1276.1 What can be confidently stated is that the rolls of contemporary coroners were not compiled by the same clerk or clerks, as happened in other counties in the fourteenth century. Thus roll 46 was not compiled by the same clerk as rolls 1 and 2. This can be seen not only by their hands but even more by their arrangement of the entries and by their idiosyncratic spelling of personal and place names. Moreover, they did not even use the same files as the basis of their rolls, as great differences between the two versions of a single case are sometimes found (e.g. Nos. 34, 36).

Editorial Method

The coroners’ rolls printed below are calendared, not merely translated. Every possible abbreviation of the entries has been made without leaving out anything of substance or changing their form. The appeals lend themselves to most drastic abbreviation, since they contain much repetition and ‘common form’; full transcripts and translations of some of them are printed in Selden Society volume 9. The other cases, however, are entered fairly succinctly in the rolls—very succinctly in Fancotes’ roll—and have only been reduced by a small amount. The phrase Tour townships’ or Tour neighbouring townships’, which always follows the names of the townships attending the inquest, is one of those which have been omitted, as have all the marginal notes (the vast majority) which add nothing to the entries. 1 Rotuli Hundredorum, i, 3-4.

xxxvi

INTRODUCTION

No exhaustive attempt has been made to trace subsequent developments in all the cases. Thus no search has been made of the Coram Rege and De Banco Rolls of Richard Il’s reign for those cases, heard in the central courts, which resulted in writs of exigent, but pardons of some of the outlawries have been found on the Patent Rolls. Again, no attempt has been made to find in the rolls of the central courts a record of those few earlier cases which were removed to Westminster. But the coroner and his rolls were so closely connected with the general eyre that as many cases as possible have been traced on the eyre rolls. Summaries of all the later developments have been printed in square brackets beneath the relevant cases. For roll 5 much of the information of the later developments is derived from the marginal notes; only the supplementary information derived from the eyre roll is in square brackets. Nearly all the place-names on our rolls are in well-attested forms. It has therefore seemed justifiable to give only the modern form in the text; it is tiresome to have a single place denoted by half a dozen variant forms, none significant, in a single entry. Only where an unusual form is used or where there is some doubt about an identification are the manuscript forms given in the text. But, for the benefit of place-name students, all the variant forms used in the rolls are entered in brackets after the modern form in the Index. No attempt has been made to modernise field names and other minor placenames which are not known to have survived. Surnames which are given in Latin in the rolls are rendered into English in the calendar. Occupational surnames in Latin have, purely for consistency, been spelt in translation as the corresponding common noun is spelt today; thus cissor is rendered The Tailor’, although the modern surname is most commonly spelt Taylor. The definite article has been retained as there is evidence in the rolls that some at least of the men still followed the occupations indicated by their names. Surnames in both French and English are given in the form in which they appear in the rolls because modern English names can derive from either and many variant modern forms exist of what is basically the same name. Where, however, there are minor variations in the spelling of the same name in a single entry, the least aberrant form has been chosen and used throughout in most cases, the other forms being given after it in brackets in the Index.

INTRODUCTION

xxxvii

Dating in the rolls is almost exclusively by saints’ days and regnal years, but all dates have been converted into the modern form for the calendar. All vernacular words used in the rolls have been retained and are printed in single inverted commas, followed by an explanation in brackets. But neither in these words nor in the personal or place names have thorns been preserved; thorns are used fairly regularly in the earlier rolls and the latest, but are always rendered below as ‘th’. The few French words used are printed in brackets after the translation, as are any Latin words or phrases of particular interest or about whose translation there is any doubt.

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION) [The following abbreviations are used in the references : Bedfordshire Historical Record Society. B.H.R.S. Chancery Miscellanea. C.47 Calendar of Close Rolls. C.C.R. Calendar of Inquisitions Miscellaneous. C.I.M. Calendar of Patent Rolls. C.P.R. Close Rolls. C.R. Assize Rolls. J.I.i Gaol Delivery Rolls. J.I3 King’s Bench, Ancient Indictments. K.B.9 King’s Bench, Controlment Rolls. K.B.29 The letters N and S after the names of most of the county coroners denote northern district and southern district.]

List of the medieval Bedfordshire county coroners 1. Hugh of Salford. 14 July 1230 writ for his replacement because dead (C.R. 1227-31, p. 362). 2. Roger of Bray. 30 Sept. 1237 writ f°r his replacement (C.R. 1234-7, p. 499). 3. Geoffrey of Brytvilles. In office from Dec. 1240 to Sept. 1247 ; 29 April 1251 writ for his replacement because dead (B.H.R.S., xxi, 559; C.R. 1247-31, p. 436). 4. William of Faldo. In office from Dec. 1240 to Sept. 1247; 14 Aug. 1258 writ for his replacement (B.H.R.S., xxi, 559; C.R. 1236-3, p. 257). 5. John Bossard. 9 July 1251, when he was newly elected, writ for his replacement because he was of the earl of Derby’s household; 17 Oct. 1260 another because he was weak and aged (C.R. 1247-31, p. 469; 1239-61, p. 130). 6. Richard de Wildebuf. 14 Aug. 1258 writ for his replacement (C.R. 1236-9, p. 257). 7. Richard son of Richard of Silsoe. S. Acting some time before May 1262 (Rotuli Hundredorum, i, 3; J.I.1/10, m. 28). 8. Richard son of Ralph. In office from May 1262 until some time before Aug. 1265 (J.I.1/10, m. 28). 9. Robert of Radwell. In office from May 1262 until some time before Aug. 1265 (J.I.1/10, m. 28). 10. Simon the Red. N. In office from 1 Aug. 1265 until 24 Sept. 1269 (Nos. 2-32 below). 11. Geoffrey Rouland. S. In office from 26 July 1265 until 15 Sept. 1275, and from some time between Nov. 1276 and Jan. 1287 until some time during the year 1289-90 (Nos. 1-180 below; J.1.1/i2, m. 24; 26, m. 1). 12. Ralph of Goldington. N. In office from late Sept. 1269 until 1 Sept. 1275 (Nos. 33-206 below). 13. Robert of Creakers. N. Entered office 23 Sept. 1275; in office until his death in 1301 (before 19 Nov.); 20 Feb. 1302 writ for his replacement (Nos. 156, 208-53 below; J.I.1/12, m. 24; 26, m. 1; C.C.R. 1296-1302, p. 515). 14. Peter Loring. S. In office from 7 Feb. 1276 until his removal some time between Nov. 1276 and Jan. 1287 (Nos. 225-54 below; J.I.1/12, m. 24). 15. John Conquest the elder. In office from some time during the year 1289-90 until his removal by the king for insufficient qualification on 27 Jan. 1292, when a writ issued for his replacement (J.1.1/26, m. 1; C.C.R. 1288-96, p. 216). xxxviii

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION)

xxxix

16. David of Flitwick. 21 March 1292, when newly elected, writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified, he having land and rent worth only 1 o marks yearly (C.C.R. 1288-96, p. 222). 17. Edmund of Weedon. N. In office from before Sept. 1292 until some time during the year 1308-9; writs for his replacement on 20 Jan. 1303 because infirm and 16 Jan. 1311 because removed by the king because infirm (J.1.3/89, m. 11; 95, m. 9; 96, mm. 37d, 41; C.I.M., i, 2368; J.1.1/26, m. 1; C.C.R. 1302-7, p. 7; 1307-13, p- 295)18. Henry of Flamwells. In office for part of the year 20 Nov. 1301-19 Nov. 1302; 20 Jan. 1303 writ for his replacement because dead (J.1.1/26, m. 1; C.C.R. 1302-7, p. 7). 19. Henry of Barford. In office from some time during the year 1302-3 until his death, a writ issuing for his replacement on 26 July 1310 (J.1.1/26, m. 1; C.C.R. 1307-13, P- 275)20. Robert of Wautons. N. In office from some time during the year 1310-1 until some time during (J-I-i/20, m. 6; 26, m. 1; J.I.3/2/2, m. 12). 21. William Mordaunt. N. In office from 22 March 1316 until some time during the year 1320-1 (Nos. 271-88 below; J.1.1/26, m. 1). 22. John Conquest, son of John Conquest. S. (but acting once in the north). In office from some time during the year 1310-1 until some time during I323“4 (J.I.1/26, m. 1; B.H.R.S., xxxii, 68; J.I.3/1/1, mm. 9, 12, 13, 15d; 1/2, m. 7; 1/3, mm. 1, id, 3, 5d, 6, 8d, 9; 1/5, m. id; C. 47/47/4, No. 84). 23. Roger of Thurleigh (la Leigh). N. In office from some time during the year 1321-2 until some time during the next year (J.1.1/26, m. 1; J.1.3/1/3, m. 8d; 1/5, m. id). 24. Richard of Marston. S. In office from some time between July and Dec. 1323 until June 1330 (J.I.1/26, m. 1; J.I.3/1/4, m. 5; 1/5, m. 2). 25. Roger Peyvere. N. In office from some time during the year 1323-4 until 23 Sept. 1330, when a writ issued for his replacement because aged and infirm (J.1.1/26, m. 1; J.I.3/1/3, m. 10; 1/4, mm. 8d, iod; C.C.R. 1330-3, p. 63). 26. Peter St. Croix (de Sancta Cruce). S. Acting from 18 Dec. 1330 until writs issued for his replacement because insufficiently qualified on 8 and 12 Feb. 1338 (J.I.3/214/2, m. 58; 1/6, mm. l, id, 2, 4d, 5; 1/7, mm. 1, id, 2d, 4d, 5d, 6d; C.C.R. i337~9, PP- 295, 30°)27. Robert Mordaunt. N. (occasionally acting also in the south). Acting regularly from 9 Nov. 1332 until 28 Feb. 1341, but no longer in office by 18 Jan. 1342 (B.H.R.S., Quarto Series, iii, 57, 64, 66; J.I.3/1/6, m. 4d; 1/7, mm. 2d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 7, 7d, 8; 154, m. 6id; C. 47/47/4,^0.67; J.I.1/31, m. 21). 28. Walter Blaunkfrount. S. Acting regularly from 13 Dec. 1338 until 5 Jan. 1341; referred to as ex­ coroner from 4 Oct. 1341 until 18 Jan. 1342; acting again from 27 Feb. 1347 until 3 Aug. 1348 mm. 8, 8d; 2/3, mm. 1, 2; 134, mm. 52d, 53d; 154, m. 61; J.I.1/31, m. 21). 29. John Peyvere of Pertenhall. N. In office from 27 July 1341 until 20 May 1343 when a writ issued for his replacement because sick and aged (J.1.3/1/7, m. 9; 154, m. 61; J.I.1/31, m. 21; C.C.R. 1343-6, p. 64). 30. John of Meppershall. S. Acting from 10 Aug. 1341 until 12 Jan. 1346 (J.I.1/31, m. 21; J.1.3/1/7. m. 9; 134, mm. 5O-5id; 154, mm. 6id, 62; C. 47/47/3, No. 59). 31. Simon Alsey. 10 Sept. 1343 writ for his replacement because weak and aged (C.C.R. 1343-6, p. 175)32. Giles Bossard. 17 Oct. 1344 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified; acting

xl 33. 34.

35.

36.

37. 38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION) 25 Oct. 1344 (C.C.R. 1343-6, p. 420; J.I.3/X34, m. sod). John of Thurleigh {la Legh). 12 Dec. 1344 writ for his replacement because weak and infirm {C.C.R. i343~6, P- 428). William Sook. N. (acting once in the south). Acting from 4 Feb. 1347 until 16 April 1348 (J.I.3/134, mm. 52~53d). Benet Blundel. S. Acting regularly from 28 June 1350 until replaced by John Sporoun on 20 July 1359 (J.I.3/136, mm. 17, i7d; 139, m. 7d; 154, mm. 54d, 55; 215/2, mm. 60, 72, 205; C. 47/47/4, Nos. 71, 96; 5, Nos. 104, 136; K.B.29/15, m. 34d). John Alsey. N. Acting 27 Feb. 1350 until 27 March 1351 and from 14 June 1352 until 20 July 1359; writs for his replacement on 20 April 1351 because insufficiently qualified, 9 June 1351 because he had no lands in fee in the county, 14 Dec. 1352 because insufficiently qualified and 10 May 1360 because he had no lands in the county (J.I.3/136, m. 17; 139, m. 7; 152, m. 27; 154, mm. 54-5; 215/2, mm. 60, 224; C. 47/47/4, No. 71; 5, No. 136; K.B.29/15, m. 34; C.C.R. 1349-54, pp. 297, 302, 337; 1360-4, p. 28). John Sporoun. 20 July 1359 elected in place of Benet Blundel (J.1.3/215/2, m. 60). John Child. S. In office from 27 Dec. 1361 until 20 April 1371, when a writ issued for his replacement because sick and aged (J.1.3/152, mm. 26d~3o; 223/1, mm. g8d, no, 331; C. 47/47/3, No. 64; 4, Nos. 72, 98; 5, No. 140; K.B.9/159, m. 157; C.C.R. 1369-74, P- 235). John Hervy. N. In office on 25 March and n July 1362; called ex-coroner on 22 Feb. 1365 (C. 47/47/5, Nos. 102, 140). Henry of Barford. N. In office from 17 April 1364 until 4 July 1372, when a writ issued for his replacement because infirm (J.I.3/152, mm. 26, 29-3id; 223/1, m. 98; G. 47/47/4, No. 97; K.B.9/159, m. 30; C.C.R. 1369-74, P- 395)Thomas atte Beche. S. In office from 17 Sept. 1372 until 3 May 1374 (J.I.3/158, mm. i7d, 21; 221/11, mm. 14, 15; C. 47/47/3, Nos. 57, 65). William Mordaunt. N. In office from 18 Sept, to 24 Nov. 1372; not in office on 12 March 1373; acting 1 May 1373; 10 Nov. 1374 writ for his replacement because sick (C. 47/47/3, Nos. 56-7, 65; J.I.3/152, m. 55d; 221/11, m. 15; C.C.R. i374~7, P- 49)John Genys. In office with Thomas atte Beche on 12 March 1373 (J.I.3/221/11, m. 15). William French. N. (occasionally also acting in the south). Acting 18 Sept. 1375; not in office 29 March and 19 July 1378; 18 June 1380 elected in place of Philip Pertessoyl; in office thereafter until 13 Feb. 1390 when a writ issued for his replacement because sick and aged (Nos. 289, 292, 337, 342 below; J.I.3/158, m. 16; 164, mm. 7, 8d; 175, m. 6d; 181, mm. 17, i7d; C. 47/47/3, No. 53; 6, No. 165; C.I.M., iv, 307; C.C.R. 1369-92, p. no). Philip Pertessoyl. Acting 29 March and 19 July 1378; 18 June 1380 replaced by William French on a writ of 11 May because insufficiently qualified (Nos. 289, 292, 337 below). William Fancotes or of Fancott. S. In office from 29 March to 8 Nov. 1378 ; 18 Feb. 1379 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified; in office from 28 March 1379 to 18 July 1380; 26 March 1381 writ for his replacement because insufficiently quali­ fied; in office from 3 March 1382 until 13 Nov. 1403 when a writ issued for his replacement because aged and infirm (J.1.3/164, m. 6d; 175, mm. 7, 7d; 182, m. 17; 190, mm. 1-2; C. 47/47/3, Nos. 50, 54; 6, Nos. 165, 172; C.I.M., iv, 307; C.C.R. 1377-61, pp. 174, 444Î *4°2-5, P- 200). William Cardoun.

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION) 48.

49. 50.

51. 52.

53. 54.

55.

56.

57. 58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

xli

In office 20 Nov. 1390 and 16 Jan. 1391 ; 3 June 1391 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified (C. 47/47/3, No. 50; C.C.R. 1389-92, p. 227). Robert Parentyn. N. In office 9 Sept. 1392; 8 Feb. 1393 writ for his replacement because insuf­ ficiently qualified (J.I.3/182, m. i7d; C.C.R. 1392-6, p. 25). John Savage. 20 Feb. 1394 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified {C.C.R. 1392-6, p. 197). William atte Water or Bethewater. S. In office from 28 Jan. 1396 until 24 Jan. 1404, when a writ issued for his replacement because sick and aged (J.I.3/182, m. i7d; 190, mm. id, 2; C.47/47/6, No. 172; C.C.R. 1402-5, p. 256). Richard Enderby. 26 Oct. 1405 writ for his replacement because dead {C.C.R. 1405-9, p. 2). Simon Rotour. N. Acting 30 Dec. 1408 and 11 and 14 Feb. 1410; 10 April 1413 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified (J.1.3/2/6, m. 1; C.P.R. 1408-13, p. 184; C.C.R. 1413-9, p. 7). Thomas Purney. 18 Aug. 1409 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified {C.C.R. 1405-9, p. 459). Nicholas Lee of Podington. In office 18 May 1418 and 2 March 1422; 6 July 1422 writ for his replacement because sick and infirm (J.I. 3/2/7, m. 5d; 218/6, m. 68; C.C.R. 1419-22, p. 247). John Ampthull. S. In office from 18 May 1418 until 27 Feb. 1427; 12 Feb. 1427 writ for his replacement because sick and aged (J.I.3/2/7, m. 5d; 218/6, mm. 24, 68; 219/1, mm. 124, i26d, 132; 219/2, m. 60; 219/3, mm. 39, 41, 58, 62, 69; C.C.R. 1422-9, p. 295). Richard Haywode. In office from 1 March 1423 until 31 July 1424; 10 July 1424 writ for his replacement because sick and aged (J.1.3/219/1, mm. 124, i26d, 132; 219/2, m. 60; C.C.R. 1422-9, p. 108). John Chaunberlayn. 8 Nov. 1424 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified {C.C.R. 1422-9, p. 164). Thomas Chamberleyn. N. In office from 2 March 1425 until 28 July 1431 ; out of office on 28 July 1432; in office from 10 Jan. until 29 July 1434; out of office on 2 March 1435; in office from 29 July 1437 until 22 Jan. 1438; out of office from 28 Feb. 1438 until 27 Feb. 1439; in office 18 May 1439; out of office 30 July 1439; in office 27 Feb. 1440; out of office 1 Aug. 1440; in office from 1 March until 20 July 1441 and on 14 May 1449 (K.B.9/223, mm. 144-5, 156-7; 262, m. 23; JJ-3/2I9/3, nim. 37, 54, 58, 62, 69; 219/5, mm. 12, 15, 22, 26; 220/1, mm. 13(2), 14(2), 15(6, 7)> J7(3), 20(5); 220/2, mm. 36, 42, 5°? 55? 57? 59? 71 ? 220/3, mm. 26, 31, 35, 40). Ralph Clerk. S. In office from 30 July 1427 until 28 July 1438 (J.I.3/219/3, mm. 37, 54; 219/5, mm. 12, 15, 22, 26; 220/1, mm. 13(2), 14(2), 15(4, 5, 7), 16(4), 17(3), 19, 20(5); 220/2, mm. 55, 59, 71). Thomas Blundell. In office 28 July 1432; out of office from 3 March until 29 July 1434; in office 2 March 1435; out of office 29 July 1437; in office from 28 Feb. 1438 until 27 Feb. 1439, and 30 July 1439; out of office 27 Feb. 1440; in office 1 Aug. 1440; out of office 1 March 1441 (J.1.3/220/1, mm. 13(2), 14(2), 15(7)? 17(3); 220/2, mm. 42, 50, 55, 59, 71; 220/3, mm. 31, 35, 40). Thomas Morton. S. In office from 27 Feb. 1439 until 8 Aug. 1442, when a writ issued for his replacement because dead (J.I.3/220/2, mm. 42, 50; 220/3, mm. 26, 27, 31, 35, 40; C.C.R. 1441-7, p. 18). William Jurdan. 5 July 1442 writ for his replacement because dead {C.C.R. 1441-7, p. 17).

xlii

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION)

63. Walter Lounde. S. Acting 31 March and 6 July 1444; 10 Dec. 1447 writ for his replacement because insufficiently qualified (K.B.9/249, mm. 96-7; C.C.R. 1447-54, P- i4)> 64. John Wayte. S. Acting 5 Feb. 1454 and 16 June 1455 (K.B.9/278, mm. 13-14). 65. William Jurdan. S. Acting 14 Sept, and 27 Oct. 1467 (K.B.9/318, mm. 19-20). 66. John Worsley. Acting 5 and 26 April, 3 May and 7 July 1473 (K.B.9/333, mm. 15-16). 67. William Hamylden. N. Acting 7 June 1477 and 9 Feb. and 5 April 1478 (K.B.9/346, mm. 30-1).

List of the medieval Bedford town coroners 1. Hubert Othin. In office at least part of the period Dec. 1240 to Sept. 1247; 20 Oct. 1248 writ for his replacement because dead (B.H.R.S., xxi, 821; C.R. 1247-51, P- 93)2. Walter Curray. In office at least part of the period Dec. 1240 to Sept. 1247; 28 Jan. *250 writ for his replacement because dead (B.H.R.S., xxi, 821; C.R. 1247-51, p. 260). 3. Richard Matheu. In office from May 1262 until his death some time before Sept. 1276 (J.1.1 /1 o, m. 4od). 4. John Brodey. In office from May 1262 until some time during the year 1291-2; writs issued for his replacement because dead on 13 Nov. 1293 and 18 May 1295 (J.I.1/10, mm. 4od, 41; 12, m. 32d; 26, m. 1; C.C.R. 1288-56, pp. 307, 412). 5. William son of Henry. In office from Nov. 1276 until his death, when a writ issued for his replace­ ment on 16 June 1291 (J.I.1/10, m. 41; 12, m. 32d; C.C.R. 1288-56, p. 172). 6. Alan Marchal. In office from some time in the year 1291-2 until his death, when a writ for his replacement issued on 14 March 1307 (J.1.1/26, m. 1; C.C.R. 1302-7, p. 489). 7. Nicholas Feron. In office from before 12 Nov. 1303 until some time in the year 1322-3 (Nos. 263, 265, 267 below; J.1.1/26, m. 1). 8. William the Good (bonurri). Acting c. 1317-9 (J.I.3/1/2, m. 8d; 1/3, m. 2d). 9. John Wymond the elder. In office from some time during the year 1322-3 to some time during the period July 1326 to Jan. 1327 (J.I.1/26, m. 1). 10. William le Wryte. In office from some time before 19 Dec. 1325 (when he was acting with Nicholas Feron) until after June 1330 (J.1.3/1/4, m. 2d; J.I.1/26, m. 1; Placita de Quo Warranto, p. 18). 11. Nicholas of Astwood. In office from some time during the period July 1326 to Jan. 1327 until his death, when a writ issued for his replacement on 8 April 1337 (J.1.1/26, m. 1; Placita de Quo Warranto, p. 18; J.1.3/1/6, mm. 4d, 5; C.C.R. 1337-5, p. 22). 12. Thomas le Scryveyn. 8 April 1337 writ for his replacement because sick and weak {C.C.R. 1337-5, p. 22). 13. Hugh Balle. In office before Jan. 1338 and dead before 18 Jan. 1342 (J.1.3/1/7, m. 7; J.I.i/3i,m. 11). 14. Thomas de Dimmesford. In office some time before 18 Jan. 1342, when he was dead (J.I.1/31, m. 11). 15. William Leche. In office some time before 18 Jan. 1342, when he was an ex-coroner (J.I.1/31,

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION) 16.

17.

18.

19.

20. 21.

22. 23. 24.

25. 26. 27.

xliii

m. n). Roger Picot. In office on 18 Jan. 1342 (J.1.1/31, m. 11). Robert Carbonel. In office 18 Jan. 1342 and 25 April 1348; writs for his replacement on 8 July 1355 because sick and 16 July 1366 because dead (J.I.1/31, m. 11 ; J.I.3/154, m. 53d; C.C.R. 1354-60, p. 142; 1364-6, p. 229). William Mey. 8 July 1355 writ for his replacement because dead {C.C.R, 1354-60, p. 142). John Forester. Acting between 16 Aug. 1370 and 4 July 1373 (J.I.3/152, mm. 54, 57). Richard Frereman. Acting between 25 Aug. 1372 and 20 Dec. 1374 (J.I.3/152, m. 57; C.47/47/3, No. 62). Richard be the Watre. Acting 10 April 1388 (J.1.3/181, m. 18). Thomas a Wole. Acting 10 April 1388 (J.1.3/181, m. 18). Thomas Hunt. Acting between 3 Nov. 1421 and 27 Feb. 1427 (J.1.3/206, m. 22d; 218/6, m. 67; 219/3, mm. 57, 58). John Lyttelbury. Acting between 3 Nov. 1421 and 8 Oct. 1441 (J.1.3/206, m. 22d; 218/6, m. 67; 219/3, mm. 57, 58; K.B.9/230B, mm. 213-4; 232, m. 34; 237, mm. 46-7). William Walyngton. Acting 13 and 22 Jan. 1439 (K.B.9/230B, mm. 213-4). Thomas Bole. Acting between 5 Jan. 1440 and 9 Oct. 1456 (K.B.9/232, m. 34; 237, mm. 46-7; 274,mm. 22-3; 283, mm. 18-19). Ralph Goldyng. Acting between 1 July 1454 and 9 Oct. 1456 (K.B.9/274, mm. 22-3; 283, mm. 18-19).

List of the medieval Dunstable town coroners 1. Ellis of Woburn Chapel {de Capello). Appointed 1228; in office from Dec. 1240 until his death some time before Sept. 1247 {Annales Monastici, iii, 108; B.H.R.S., xxi, 842). 2. William son of William. Appointed 1228; in office from Dec. 1240 until after Oct. 1247 {Annales Monastici, iii, 108; B.H.R.S., xxi, 842, 856). 3. Walter son of Herbert. Entered office Oct. 1247 (B.H.R.S., xxi, 856). 4. Alan de Lange tot. In office from May 1262 until his death c. Jan. 1265 (J.I.1/10, m. 27). 5. Thomas Inge. In office from May 1262 until removed in Feb. 1287 (J.1.1/10, m. 27; 12, mm. 35, 35d). 6. Stephen Aungevyn. In office from Jan. 1277 until his death some time before Feb. 1287 (J.I.1/12, m- 35)7. John of Wootton. In office from some time between Jan. 1277 and Feb. 1287 until his replace­ ment by a writ of 4 Feb. 1298 because he was constable of Chester castle, and acting again before June 1316 until his death, when he was replaced by a writ of 12 Oct. 1327 (J.I.1/12, mm. 35, 35d; 26, m. 51 ; J.I.3/1/1, m. 16; 1/2, mm. 1, 2; 1/3, mm. 15, 16, 17; 1/4, mm. 11, nd, 14; C.C.R. 1296-1302, p. 146; 1337-30, p. 173). 8. John Fremond. In office from Feb. 1287 until his replacement by a writ of 28 Aug. 1292 because infirm (J.I.1/12, m. 35d; 26, m. 51 ; C.C.R. 1288-96, p. 242). 9. John le Fisshere. Acting regularly from before Feb. 1295 until before July 1321 (J.1.1/26,

xliv

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION)

m. 51; J.I.3/95, m. 2d; 96, m. 41; 1/1, mm. 2, 16; 1/2, mm. 1, 2; 1/3, mm. 15, 16, 17). 10. Richard le Spicer. In office from before July 1321 until his death, when he was replaced by a writ of 1 July 1336 (J.I.1/26, m. 51; J.I. 3/1/3, m. 17; 1/4, mm. 11, nd, 14; C.C.R. 1333-7, p. 601). 11. Fremund Inge. 5 May 1329 writ for his replacement because he was aged and infirm and had not lands worth 20s. in Dunstable; he had only recently been elected (C.C.R. 1327-30, p. 457). 12. John Aungevyn. In office in Nov. 1330 and some time between 18 Jan. 1342 and 15 May 1343, but on neither of the last two dates (J.I.1/26, m. 51; 31, m. 12; J.1.3/1/7, m. n). 13. William of Pirton. In office on 18 Jan. 1342 and 15 May 1343, but not the whole period between; 12 May 1344 writ for his replacement because sick (J.I. 1/31, m. 12; J.1.3/1/7, m. 11 ; C.C.R. 1343-6, p. 314)14. Hugh of Wootton. In office on 18 Jan. 1342 and 15 May 1343, but not for all the time between; 24 Jan. 1347 writ for his replacement because he was not living in the county (J.I.1/31, m. 12; J.I.3/1/7, m. u ; C.C.R. 1346-9, p. 135). 15. Thomas Paulyn. Acting some time between 18 Jan. 1342 and 15 May 1343 (J.I.3/1/7, m. 11). 16. Simon Campayn. Acting regularly from May 1351 until 20 Nov. 1355 (J.I.3/139, m. 6; 215/2, m. 170; K.B.29/15, m. 38). 17. William Gillyng. Acting regularly from May 1351 until 20 Nov. 1355 (J.I.3/139, m. 6; 215/2, m. 170; K.B.29/15, m. 38). 18. Alexander Durant. In office 18 July 1364; 22 June 1366 writ for his replacement because aged and infirm (J.I.3/223/1, m. iood; C.C.R. 1364-8, p. 228). 19. Thomas Nicholas. In office 18 July 1364; 22 June 1366 writ for his replacement because in­ sufficiently qualified (J.I.3/223/1, m. iood; C.C.R. 1364-8, p. 228). 20. ?William of Haddon. Acting 11 April 1369 (J.I.3/211/11, m. 8). 21. William Anable. Acting 5 Jan. and 20 Oct. 1411 (K.B.9/201, mm. 31-2). 22. Thomas Hele. Acting 5 Jan. and 20 Oct. 1411 (K.B.9/201, mm. 31-2).

Coroner of the Bedfordshire liberty of the abbot of St. Albans John Pekoe. In office from Feb. 1287 until some time during 1325-6 (J.I.1/26, m. 1). Coroner of the Bedfordshire liberty of Eton College Hugh Billyngdon the elder. Acting 11 March 1451; out of office by 21 April 1456 (K.B.9/282, mm. 1-2). POSTSCRIPT Since the compilation of this Appendix four returned writs de coronatore eligendo have been found in an unindexed file among Chancery Miscellanea (C.47/89/3), two of which are not on the Close Rolls. They provide the following additional information concerning the periods of office of a few of the county coroners listed above. 28. Walter Blaunkfrount was elected on 31 July 1346 in place ofJohn of Meppershall (No. 30). 30. John of Meppershall was replaced on 31 July 1346 by Walter Blaunkfrount (No. 28) on a writ of 20 June, the king having removed him because insuf­ ficiently qualified. 32. Giles Bossard was replaced on 29 Nov. 1344 by William Sook (No. 34) on the

APPENDIX (TO INTRODUCTION)

xlv

above writ of 17 Oct. 34. William Sook was elected on 29 Nov. 1344 in place of Giles Bossard (No. 32). 36. John Alsey’s replacement was ordered by a writ of 13 Oct. 1351 because he had no lands in fee in the county; but the county would not elect another because it was testified in full county court that he had sufficient lands. 42. William Mordaunt was replaced by John Genys (No. 43) on the above writ of 10 Nov. 1374. 43. John Genys was elected in place of William Mordaunt (No. 42) on a writ of 10 Nov. 1374.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS ( J.I.2) 46 [This roll is now sewn in Exchequer fashion, but was originally sewn in Chancery fashion as the stitching holes at the foot of every membrane but the last prove. All the cases are cancelled by a line drawn from the top to the bottom of each membrane, and No. 8 by a second line parallel to the first. The dorses are blank with the following exceptions. Membrane 1 is endorsed in a thirteenth-century hand: Rotulus G. Rouland coron’. Hundr’ de Bereford. After cororf a much later hand has inserted: in com’ Huntingdon et Bed’ ann’ r’ r’ Henrici fil’ reg’ Joh’ 490, 50°, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 et 56°. Membrane 5 is endorsed in a thirteenth-century hand: Hundr’ de Bereford.] Barford Hundred

Membrane 1 1. At vespers on 26 July 1265 Henry son of John of Brytvilles of Great Barford, aged ------, went into his father’s court-yard at Great Barford to play, fell into a ditch and drowned by misadven­ ture. His father promptly searched for him, found him, lifted him from the water and thought to save him, but could not, and he immediately died. John found pledges, John of Blunham and Robert of Bolnhurst, both of Great Barford. Inquest before G. Roulaund, coroner, by Great Barford, Roxton, Renhold and Wilden: as above. Printed in Gross, p. 1.

2. At twilight on 1 Aug. 1265 Margery wife of Thomas of Beachampstead, her sister Margaret and Thomas’s son John were coming from St. Neots market to the leper hospital at Sudbury, when John son of Richard Herebert of Gamlingay, his concubine Helewise of Abbotsley, William son of Nicholas Prechur of Huntingdon, clerk, and his sister Edith came and assaulted them and tried to rob them. At length the hue was raised and followed to Sudbury. The felons fled to Hail Bridge below Sudbury on the boundary of Huntingdon­ shire and Bedfordshire, where William the Shepherd of Sir William of Sudbury joined the hue; and on the bridge John son of Richard Herebert struck him on the right side of his head with a Tauchun’ (sc. a falchion or sword), cutting off part of his head with the brain and right ear, so that he immediately died there. Sudbury came with the hue and arrested John the felon, Helewise and Edith. William son of Nicholas le Prechur fled to Diddington church, Huntingdonshire. Inquest before S. the Red (ruff'), coroner, by Sudbury, Eaton Socon, Wyboston and Colmworth. Sudbury said that John [Here­ bert] killed William with the ‘fauchun’. Eaton Socon said that John 4

i

2

CORONERS’ ROLLS

Herebert and William le Prechur killed him; Wyboston and Colmworth said the same and that the felons had no chattels in Bedford­ shire. Geoffrey son of Eustace first found William dead and found pledges, Michael Page of Sudbury and Alan son of Walter. The ‘fauchun’ was worth i2d. and was delivered to Sudbury. Printed ibid., pp. 1-2. 3. On 11 Jan. 1266 Richard of Eltisley of the parish of Eaton Socon came to the Bedfordshire county court and appealed William Moring of Staploe in that before vespers on 27 Dec. 1265 he came to Richard’s house and assaulted him, struck him with a willow staff on the right shoulder, felling him to the ground, then fell upon him, took his ‘index’ finger, the one next to the thumb, in his right hand and bit it so that he believed himself to be maimed. This he offered to prove and deraign as a maimed man can and ought and as the king’s court should award. He found pledges to prosecute, Henry de Dasingges and John Poynaunt, both of Staploe. Richard came to the county courts of 8 Feb. and 1 March and sued; William was exacted twice and did not come. On 29 March Richard came and sued; William was present, denied all and found pledges, Reynold son of Geoffrey of Honeydon and William Aleyn of Staploe. Printed ibid., pp. 2-3.

4. After lunch on 15 Feb. [1266] Alfred of Ravensden went to sow his land, and when he came to a field in ‘Nomanneslond’ in Ravensden he fell with the falling sickness and suddenly died by misadventure. Isabel daughter of John of Ravensden first found him and found pledges, Walter son of the said Alfred and Arnulph Argent of Ravensden. Inquest before S. the Red (ruff'), coroner, by Ravensden, Renhold, Wilden, Bolnhurst and Goldington: as above. Printed ibid., p. 3. 5. About bed-time on 8 Aug. 1266 Ralph le Felun of Meppershall, Geoffrey le Veyere of Kemps ton and another unknown, who had been drinking above a louvre in a Bedford tavern, went out and came into the king’s highway between Goldington and Bedford, where a quarrel arose between them. Geoffrey and the unknown man assaulted Ralph, Geoffrey striking him to the heart with a ‘siklnas’ knife (sc. a sickle), of which he immediately died. The felons immediately fled. Ellen Estyne of Goldington first found him at dawn as she went to her work in the field and found pledges, William Coc and Henry the Clerk, both of Goldington. Inquest before the same coroner by Goldington, Renhold [and] Ravensden as one township, and Great Barford, who said that Geoffrey killed Ralph with the aid of the unknown man, as above. Therefore Geoffrey’s arrest was ordered. They had no chattels. Printed in part ibid., p. 3. [At the eyre it was presented that the quarrel arose in a tavern in Goldington. It was ordered that Geoffrey be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels and was not in a tithing

CORONERS’ ROLLS because he was a vagrant. The first finder had died. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Goldington was amerced for not arresting the felons although this happened in day-time: J.I.i/io, m. 28d.]

6. About bed-time on 22 Aug. 1266 Henry Colburn of Great Barford went out of his house there to drink a pot of ale and did not return that night. At dawn the next day his mother Agnes Colburn searched for him and found him dead, his body having 7 wounds about the heart and in the stomach apparently made with a knife, 4 in the head apparently made with ‘a pik’ axe and [others] in the throat, on the chin and in the head to the brain. She immediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Humphrey and Thomas Quarel of Great Barford. Inquest before the same coroner by Great Barford, Roxton, Wilden and Renhold, who said that Gilbert son of Margaret killed Henry as above; they also suspected Hugh and Agnes Cointerel, Hugh son of Agnes Cointerel, and Alice Wreng, who came to the full county court and were delivered to G. the Red {ruff"), sheriff, to [be put in] gaol. The neighbours were attached: Humphrey Quarel by Thomas Quarel and William Culbel; Miles of Barford by John of Brytvilles and Henry Cointerel; Ralph son of Hugh by William Kus and Henry the Merchant; John the Clerk by John of Blunham and Geoffrey Malirbe; all the pledges were of Great Barford. Gilbert had no chattels. Englishry was presented by Richard, [Henry’s] brother, on his father’s and mother’s side, and by Maurice Plane, [his] uncle, on his father’s side. Printed, ibid., pp. 3-4. [At the eyre it was ordered that Margery Coterel and her son Gilbert, who had withdrawn on account of this death, be exacted and outlawed and waived. They had no chattels, but Gilbert was in Maurice Carlel’s tithing in Great Barford, which was therefore amerced: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.] 7. On 27 Oct. 1266 unknown evildoers came and broke into the house of Jordan de le Hulles of Wilden at Wilden while he was away, wounded his wife Agnes, killed his 8-year-old daughter Emma and then carried away all the goods of the house. Agnes and Emma died 8 days later. Inquest before the same coroner by Wilden, Colmworth, Ravensden and Great Barford: as above. Printed ibid., p. 4. 8. On 23 June 1266 John son of Hugh de Lodey and Henry son of Thomas of Duloe went to play at the vigil of a dead man in the hamlet of Duloe in the parish of Eaton Socon, left the dead man’s house and were playing outside it when they both fell into a pit; and in falling, John by misadventure wounded Henry between two of the ribs on his left side with a knife in his belt, the sheath of which was broken at the knife’s point. Afterwards, having recovered from this, Henry suffered from an illness called flux of the stomach

CORONERS’ ROLLS until 14 Jan. 1267, when he had the rites of the church and then died. Because of doubt about the wound the townships sent for the coroner. Inquest before G. Roulaund, coroner, by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Chawston and Colesden as one township, and Sudbury, who said that Henry recovered from the wound and died of the said illness. Nevertheless John’s attachment was ordered. Printed in part ibid., pp. 4-5. 9. On 14 Jan. 1267 Sabinia, an old woman, went into Colmworth to beg bread. At twilight she wished to go to her house, fell into a stream and drowned by misadventure. The next day her son Henry searched for her, found her drowned (raised the hue, which was followed, struck through} and found pledges, Roger and William le Neweman of Colmworth. Inquest before S. the Red {ruff9} by Colmworth, Wilden, Chaw­ ston and Wyboston: as above. Printed in part ibid., p. 5. 10. On 7 April 1267 Emma daughter of Gilbert the Carter, aged 2, went to play in the street in Colmworth, fell into a ditch and drowned by misadventure. Her mother Alice first found her and found pledges, William the Carter and William Neweman of Colmworth. Inquest before the same coroner by Colmworth, Little Staughton, Wilden and Bolnhurst: as above. Printed ibid. [Alice came to the eyre and was not suspected; nor was anybody else. Little Staughton and Bolnhurst were amerced for not attending the inquest {sic}: J.I.1/10, m. 28.]

11. After sunset on 12 May 1267 evildoers entered the house of Maud Oter of Renhold at Renhold, assaulted John of Cambridge there, killing him with ‘a pik’ axe, and wounded Maud, who died on 19 May. They also struck Maud’s son Geoffrey with ‘a pik’ axe and left him half-dead; he died later. The next day Maud raised the hue, which was followed. Inquest before the same coroner by Ravensden, Wilden, Great Barford and Goldington, who said that the evildoers were unknown. Printed in part ibid. [At the eyre it was ordered that John of Cambridge and Geoffrey son of Maud {sic}, who had withdrawn and were suspected of Maud Oter’s death, be exacted and outlawed. They were not in tithings because they were strangers: J.1.1/10, m. 28d.]12 12. On 30 June 1267 Reynold Stad of Eaton Socon, hayward of John Fraunceis, went into the meadows of Eaton Socon to look after his lord’s meadow, fell with the falling sickness and immediately died by misadventure. His wife Alice first found him and found pledges, Geoffrey of Hardwick and Richard of Sudbury, both of Wyboston.

CORONERS’ ROLLS

5

Inquest before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Sudbury and Colmworth: as above. Printed ibid,, pp. 5-6.

13. Soon after nones on 22 July 1267 Emma, Christine de Furnevall’s washerwoman, tried to draw water from a leaden vat full of boiling water with a bowl in Cadbury and by misadventure fell into it. Richard the Brewer of Christine’s house was present, tried to drag her from the vat, lost his foot-hold and fell in. Gregory de Canmori arrived, saw them lying in the vat, raised the hue and called his servant Richard, who dragged them both out. Emma died about vespers on 24 July, having had the rites of the church. Inquest before G. Roulaund, coroner, by Eaton Socon, Sudbury, Colmworth and Wyboston: as above. The following were attached: Richard the Brewer by John Colle and Walter of the Bridge (de ponte); Gregory Canmori, who was in the house, by William le Coverour and Arnold of the Bridge (de ponte); Richard the servant by Geoffrey Colle and Ellis son of Mario t; all the pledges were of Sutton. The vat was appraised at i8d. and the bowl at id.; they were delivered to the township. Summarised ibid., p. 6.

14. On 12 Aug. 1267 William Blaunche’s daughters, Muriel aged almost 6 and Beatrice aged almost 3, were in his house in Great Barford, William and his wife Muriel being in the field, when a fire broke out in the house and burned it together with Beatrice. Inquest before S. the Red (ruff'), coroner, by Wilden, Renhold, Great Barford and Roxton: a misadventure as above. Printed ibid., p. 6. Membrane 2 15. At twilight on 1 Aug. 1267 Roger of Benefield, Andrew Beufrere of Ramsey and 12 or more other felons and thieves came to Simon the Red’s (ruff') house at Renhold, entered it, found Simon there and without speaking immediately assaulted him with swords, struck him on the left arm [and] between the shoulders with a copper mace, struck his daughter Maud on the right thigh and wounded his son John with an arrow between the elbow and hand almost through the middle of the arm. At length, when John saw that they intended to kill his father, sister and himself and the whole household, he took an axe and struck Roger on the head so that he fell, and all the other felons immediately fled. [The household] immediately raised the hue, which was followed by the whole township, and [other] townships came. Roger died the next day. Before his death he confessed before Robert of Creakers and the township of Renhold that he came there to kill Simon and all his household. He and the other thieves left at Simon’s house 3 horses with saddles and bridles, which were appraised at 45s. in the full county court on 15 Aug. and delivered to Renhold. Note that B. Young (B. dictus Juvenis), then sheriff, took the horses and harnesses in full county court for the use of the lord Edward.1 1 The future Edward I was sheriff and Bartholomew Young under-sheriff.

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Inquest before G. Roulaund, coroner, by Renhold, Great Barford, Wilden and Goldington: as above. Printed ibid., pp. 6-7. [At the eyre Simon’s wife Sabina was also said to have been wounded and Roger to have been beheaded. Andrew was ordered to be exacted and outlawed. He and the other evildoers, who were unknown, had chattels worth 49s. 6d., which were forfeited; the said sheriff and the abbot of Old Warden were amerced for taking them without warrant and Renhold, Goldington, Wilden {Winhcde) and Bolnhurst {sic) for falsely appraising them before the coroner: J.I.1/10, m. 28.] 16. On 19 Aug. 1267 Alice daughter of Henry Wigein of Golding­ ton, aged almost 2, went out of Henry’s court-yard to a well on Goldington Green, fell into it and drowned by misadventure. Her mother Agnes first found her and found pledges, Henry Wigein and Walter of Roxton of Goldington. Inquest before S. the Red {ruff'), coroner, by Goldington, Renhold, Great Barford and Wilden: as above. Printed ibid., p. 7. [Alice {sic) the mother did not come to the eyre and so her pledges were amerced. Nobody was suspected: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.1] 17. On 11 Aug. 1267 Henry Costentin and Agnes Aunsel came into ‘Twedescroft’ field in the parish of Eaton Socon, and he had 1 o sheaves of wheat in his cart. His feet slipped and he fell upon a pole of the cart so that it entered his fundament. He had the rites of the church and died about prime on 15 Aug. Inquest before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Colmworth and Sudbury: a misadventure. Agnes found pledges, Ralph son of Geoffrey and Roger Golde, both of Honeydon. The cart, with the harness and wheat, was appraised at 6d. and the horse at 2s. 6d. Printed ibid., pp. 7-8.

18. On 8 Sept. 1267 William son of William Fraunceys of Great Barford, aged 3|. fell into Robert Wreng’s ditch in Great Barford, while his mother Maud went into Robert’s house for ale, and drowned by misadventure. Maud first found him, lifted him from the water and thought to save him, but could not. She found pledges, Robert Page and William son of Peter of Great Barford. Inquest before the same coroner by Great Barford, Renhold, Roxton and Wilden: as above. Printed ibid., p. 8. 19. After vespers on 6 Sept. 1267 a quarrel arose on Goldington Green between William the Red {ruff') of Goldington and John of Goldington concerning sheep. William struck John in the face with an axe, giving him a wound, and John struck back at William with his ‘sparht’ axe {sc. a sparth or battle-axe), giving him a wound in 1 At the same eyre Agnes wife of Henry Wygeyn was acquitted of the death of Agnes wife of William son of William: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 7 the head between the crown (coronam) and the hattrel,1 4 inches long and to the depth of the bone. They later recovered from their wounds and were reconciled. After he had recovered [William] went to his work in the fields, to markets and to wrestling matches, and on 17 Aug. [?I268] he fell ill with ‘ague’ and died the next day. His wife Margery raised the hue out of spite when he died. Because the hue had been raised Simon the Red (ruff’), coroner, held inquest by Goldington, Renhold and Ravensden as one township, Wilden and Great Barford. Goldington said that William did not die of the wound, from which he recovered, and they were reconciled, but of the said illness. The others agreed. It was ordered that John be attached. Printed in part ibid. [At the eyre it was presented that John son of William of Goldington was found dead in his house at Goldington and that William the Red was attached as above. William came and was acquitted by a jury; nobody else was suspected: J. 1.1/10, m. 28d.]

20. Towards vespers at twilight on 1 Sept. 1267 6 thieves came to Honeydon in the parish of Eaton Socon, found a boy, Philip son of Roger Golde, who was coming from his father’s fold, beat, illtreated and wounded him, forced him to lead them to Ralph son of Geoffrey of Honeydon’s house and called to Ralph to let them in. Ralph recognised Philip and opened the door. The thieves entered, assaulted, wounded and then bound Ralph, killed his mother Denise and his servant William of ?Roxton (Rogedene) and then robbed the whole house and took away all its goods. From there they went to William Courtepie’s house, broke it, assaulted and badly wounded William with swords, axes and anlaces and stole the goods of the house. From there they went to the house of Margery Levot, a widow, and killed her with swords. From there they went to Matthew le Messer’s house, assaulted, beat and wounded him, struck his wife Isabel, breaking her left arm, and took away the goods of the house. From there they went to Roger Golde’s house, and Roger, hearing the great noise of the slain and wounded, immediately took his wife and boys and hid in the croft; the thieves entered his house, robbed it of all its goods and took them away. From there they went to Joan la Fililere’s house, broke it, killed Joan and took away the goods of the house. From there they went to William de Lodday’s house, bound him and took away the goods of the house. From there they went to William Mo tie’s house in Goodwick, wounded William, left him for dead and then burned his house; he died before prime on 5 Sept., having had the rites of the church. At length Philip, Roger Golde’s boy, who had been captured at the fold, escaped from the hands of the thieves, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, his father and William Golde of Honeydon. Inquest before S. the Red (ruff’) and G. Roulaund, coroners, by 1 This can mean either the crown of the head or, as obviously here, the nape of the neck.

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CORONERS’ ROLLS

Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Colmworth, and Chawston and Colesden as one township: as above. The neighbours were attached: William Golde by William Pinceware and Ellis de Lodsey; Richard Costentin by John Rungefer and John Motte; Hugh de Lodey by Ellis del Lodey and William Canun; Ralph Puttoc by Richard of Sudbourne and William son of Robert of Honeydon. Printed in part ibid., pp. 8-9. 21. On 5 Oct. 1267 an unknown man, who had been imprisoned in the earl of Gloucester’s manor at Southoe, had escaped from prison there, fled to Southoe church, abjured the realm before a Huntingdonshire coroner, chosen for himself the port of Dover and had taken his road towards Sudbury, Bedfordshire, arrived there; and Hugh le Wite, Hugh son of Hugh Atwell (de fonte) and Henry son of Henry Hendeman, the reeve and servant of Richard of Saxham, who was called Golding, all of Hail Weston, came and pursued him, assaulted him with swords and gave him a wound to the heart so that he immediately fell. Afterwards they beheaded him with an axe on the king’s highway outside Sudbury. The township of Sudbury saw this. The hue was raised and the said persons were pursued into Huntingdonshire; the hue was followed from township to township in Bedfordshire. Inquest before S. the Red (ruff"), coroner, by Eaton Socon, Sudbury, Wyboston, Chawston and Colesden: as above. It was ordered that [the felons] be arrested if found. Printed ibid., p. 9.

22. At twilight on 9 Dec. 1267 thieves came to Henry Ailwit’s house at Renhold, broke its wall, entered and struck Henry in the body with a knife. His wife Alice went out and raised the hue, which was followed, and the neighbours came. The felons took away all the goods of the house. Henry had the rites of the church and died the same night. Inquest before the same coroner by Renhold, Goldington, Wilden and Great Barford: as above. Alice found pledges, Roger le Messer and Simon de la Rivere, both of Renhold. Printed ibid., p. 10. [At the eyre the chattels, worth 4s., of Richard le Monner of Renhold were forfeited because he had fled on suspicion for Henry’s death. He was in the tithing of Hugh le Bedel in Renhold, which was amerced for not producing him at the eyre. But he was not suspected and it was ordered that he could return if he wished: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.]

23. On 15 Dec. 1267 Robert and Geoffrey sons of Henry and Richard son of John the Fisher, all of Wyboston, Isabel le Kemstere of Chawston and Thomas le Monner of Little Barford boarded a boat of the abbot of Sawtry, loaded with corn and flour, in the river Ouse at Wyboston opposite Little Barford mill on the south side, and by misadventure and the strength of the current the boat sank and they all fell into the water. Robert drowned by misadventure and the others barely escaped to land. Inquest before the same coroner by Wyboston, Eaton Socon,

CORONERS’ ROLLS Chawston and Colesden: as above. Robert’s sister Rose first found him, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, William son of Ralph le Carun and Henry Mile of Wyboston. The following, who were in the boat, were also attached: Richard by John the Fisher and William Nortman of Wyboston; Isabel by William the Reeve and Ralph le Monner of Chawston; Thomas by Reynold Mariot and Simon son of Simon of Wyboston. Geoffrey did not come; it was therefore ordered that he be attached. The boat was appraised at 5s. and delivered to Wyboston. [Robert] was found on 25 Jan. [1268]. Printed in part ibid. 24. On 19 Feb. 1268 Hugh and Giles of Stilton, servants of the prior of Bushmead, were quarrelling in the prior’s cow-shed in his manor in Stilton, Huntingdonshire. Hugh seized Giles and forced him out of the door. Giles went to Peter, the bailiff of the manor, and complained that he dared not enter the door of the cow-shed to perform his duties. Peter and Giles went to the said door and sought entry. Hugh immediately opened it, assaulted Peter and struck him with a knife on the back under the right shoulder, giving him a deep wound. On 26 Feb. [Peter] went to Bushmead on horse-back, said that he was ill, had the rites of the church and died on 28 Feb. Inquest before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Chawston and Colmworth, who said that Peter was struck as above and died of the wound. A Huntingdonshire coroner held an inquest. Printed ibid., pp. 10-11.

25. About tierce on 8 April 1268 William son of Walter Mustard of Renhold, aged 2, went into his father’s court-yard at Renhold to look for other boys, while Walter, his wife and his whole household were at church, and by misadventure fell into a well there and drowned. His sister Maud first found him and found pledges, Simon Levesone and Simon le Messer, both of Renhold. Inquest before the same coroner by Renhold, Wilden, Great Barford and Goldington: as above. Printed in part ibid., p. 11. 26. About vespers on 8 June 1268 Richard son of John the Miller, aged 5, went from his father’s house to a well in his father’s court­ yard in ‘le Sutende’ of Colmworth, slipped, fell into the well and drowned by misadventure. His father first found him, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Gerard son of Godfrey and John son of John of Colmworth. Inquest before the same coroner by Colmworth, Wilden, Chaw­ ston and Colesden: as above. Printed in part ibid. 27. On 13 Aug. 1268 Mabel wife of William Picot of Ravensden came to the Bedfordshire county court and appealed John son of Henry Atwater (ad aquarrt) of Great Barford, Ralph son of Gilbert of Bolnhurst, Henry le Chasur of Keysoe,1 Geoffrey and Richard 1 Cainhoe in the eyre roll.

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CORONERS’ ROLLS

le Waleis, William son of Wlky, Henry of Wootton and Geoffrey Dreye of Thurleigh of battery and robbery committed against her husband, and found pledges to prosecute, Robert Picot of Ravensden and Robert le Vinour of Keysoe.1 This appeal ceased at the next county court. Printed ibid, [At the eyre Mabel and her pledges were amerced because the appeal had ceased. She attended the eyre, but the appellees did not. They were all found guilty of battery by a jury, but not of mayhem, of which she had also appealed them according to the eyre roll. Philip of Cainhoe, an additional appellee named in the eyre roll, later appeared and fined with | mark: J.I.i/io, m. 28.]

Membrane 3 28. At dawn on 31 Dec. 1268 Henry and William, sons of Richard the Carpenter of Goldington, quarrelled in their father’s house in Goldington about a halfpenny, which one of them had lent the other, and went forth quarrelling to the outer door. William then struck Henry on the head with a crab-apple staff so that he fell; he died by misadventure just after nightfall. William immediately fled. Their mother Hawise first saw [the body], raised the hue, which was followed by the neighbours, and found pledges, Walter of Roxton and Robert Hude of Goldington. Inquest before S. the Red (ruff'), coroner, by Goldington, Great Barford, Renhold, Wilden and Ravensden, who said as above and that William had no chattels. Two neighbours were attached: John de Mewes by Geoffrey le Cokere and Roger Bovetoun; Robert Careles by Henry Wigein and Henry the Clerk of Golding­ ton. It was ordered that William be arrested. Printed ibid.., pp. 11-12. 29. On 30 Jan. 1269 Simon Daffe of Great Barford entered the river Ouse at Great Barford, intending to take a piece of wood to ‘Mulnemade’ on the east side of the town, and drowned by mis­ adventure. On 24 Sept, his wife Margery found him in ‘Waleforlig’ on the south side of the town and found pledges, William le Bercher and Henry Cointerel of Great Barford. Inquest before the same coroner by Great Barford, Wyboston, Roxton and Renhold: as above. Printed ibid., p. 12. 30. On 24 Sept. Margery wife of Simon Daffe [of] Great Barford went between Great Barford and Roxton by the river Ouse looking for her husband, who had earlier been drowned there (No. 29 above), and, coming by a ditch near ‘Lytlemade’ meadow, found a poor woman, a stranger, lying dead there, raised the hue and ran to Great Barford, which followed the hue. Inquest before the same coroner by Great Barford, Roxton, Wilden and Renhold, who knew nothing of this death, the woman having no wound or injury, but they believed that she died of cold 1 Ravensden in the eyre roll.

CORONERS’ ROLLS

ii

and because she was weak. Margery found pledges, Robert the Carpenter and Jordan of Seaton, both of Great Barford. Summarised ibid. 31. After vespers on 24 April 1269 John son of William le Wyte of Wilden, aged 12, was watching his father’s lambs in a garden in Wilden formerly belonging to Thomas Tirel of Wilden. He took off his clothes, entered a stream in the garden to bathe and drowned by misadventure. Adam le Sauser first found him and found pledges, Simon Sprot and Nicholas Ailbric of Wilden. Inquest before the same coroner by Wilden, Renhold, Ravensden, Colmworth and Bolnhurst: as above. The neighbours were attached: Richard le Noreis by Richard the Reeve of Wilden and Joce of Wilden; William Attechurchegate by John le Bothelere and John Sourdival of Wilden. Englishry was presented by Reynold le Wyte, a paternal uncle, and Richard son of Roger of Wilden, a maternal kinsman. Printed ibid., pp. 12-13.

32. Towards nightfall on 5 May 1269 Richard son of Robert the Reeve of Staploe came to the house of Ivette the Sempstress, his wife, in Wilden and asked her to come to his father’s house at Staploe with him. She replied that she did not want to leave her house so late and Richard stayed with her and they went to bed. Soon after mid-night they got up and went to Staploe, as Ivette thought, and on their way they came to ‘Witewelle’ in William Pinceware’s field in the liberty of Eaton Socon, where Richard struck her on the head with ca pik’ axe, giving her 3 mortal wounds to the brain and other blows, of which she immediately died. He then threw her into the well called ‘Wytewelle’. At dawn the next day Robert of Thurleigh {de legd), who was watching sheep in the said field, came and first found Ivette dead, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, John Motte of Wyboston and William Pinceware of Honeydon. Inquest before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Colmworth, Wilden, Wyboston and Staploe, who said as above and that Richard had no chattels. It was ordered that he be arrested. Englishry was presented by Walter the Baker of Abbotsley, her father, and Hugh son of Christian, a maternal uncle. Printed in part ibid., p. 13.

33. About nones on 6 Oct. 1269 John son of Reynold the Reeve of ‘Sturteslowe’, aged i|, went outside his father’s door at ‘Sturteslowe’ in the parish of Ravensden, while his father was sitting at lunch, fell into a ditch and drowned by misadventure. His mother Alice searched for him, found him drowned and found pledges, Arnold Argent and John Yun, both of Ravensden. Inquest before the same coroner by Renhold, Ravensden, Wilden and Goldington: as above. Printed ibid. [This is also the first case in J.1.2/2, where the year is wrongly given as 1270, the first pledge is given as Arnulph Orgent and the coroner as R. of Goldington.]

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34. On the night of 17 Nov. 1269 felons and thieves came to a house in Roxton, in which there were 2 girls, Margaret and Alice daughters of Ralph Bovetoun, broke a wall, entered, and robbed and carried away all the goods of the house. They then went to the next house, in which Maud del Forde and Alice Pressade, both of Roxton, were staying, broke its west wall, entered, found Maud in her bed and immediately struck her above the left ear so that her brain issued forth and she immediately died; struck Alice on the top of the head, apparently with a ‘Denech’ axe (a Danish axe or battle-axe with a very long blade), so that she lay without speaking and died the same night; and then carried away all the goods of the house. Next they went to the house of John the Cobbler of Roxton, broke its east door and west windows, entered, immediately assaulted John, striking him on the head to the brain, which issued forth, apparently with a ‘Denech’ axe, *and in the stomach, apparently with a ‘fauchoun’, so that his bowels issued forth; they then took him from the house into the street and immediately killed him there.* They also wounded John’s wife Alma and his daughter Agnes in their heads, apparently with an axe, in their bodies near their hearts with a knife, and in their hattrels and arms so that their lives were despaired of. Another daughter Alice, who was in the house, ran and hid between a basket and a chest. They also struck John’s servant, Walter of St. Neots, above the left ear so that he fell as if dead. They then robbed and carried away all the goods of the house. Alice, who had hidden in the house, first found John dead, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Robert Borgelun and Philip Bovetun of Roxton. Gilbert Maynard first found Maud and Alice, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Henry le Decne and Hugh Ailwine, both of Roxton. The neighbours were attached: Robert del Forde by John Cobbe and Walter Rundel; Gilbert Maynard as before; Hugh Ailwine by Matthew son of Thomas and Robert del Puttes; Simon Knotte by Robert Wyteman and Thomas le Wodeward; all the pledges were of Roxton. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Roxton, Great Barford, Chawston, Colesden and Wyboston: as above. Before she died Azeline {sic) wife of John the Cobbler said before the coroner that she recognised certain of those who were present at the felony, namely Richard de Nevile, **who formerly served {secutus fuit) the prior of Newnham,** certain men who that autumn collected the tithes of the prior of Cauldwell in Roxton field, and glovers of Bedford. Afterwards their names were sought by the coroner, and Reynold of Polebrook and Adam, Alan and Simon Corbin were arrested in the liberty of Bedford. Richard was arrested on the indictment of Azeline, who was taken to gaol to view him----- and elsewhere said that he was present at the felony. Afterwards he was delivered before Nicholas Peyvere and others, justices of gaol delivery assigned by the king’s writ. Walter of St. Neots found pledges, Walter Rundel and Walter the Carpenter of Chawston. Printed in part ibid., p. 14.

CORONERS’ ROLLS

i3 [This is also the second case in J.1.2/2, which, instead of the section marked *-* has: they then took him out of the house into the street and struck him in the stomach, apparently with a sword, so that his bowels issued forth, and to the heart with a knife. Most of the last paragraph is in J.1.2/2 only; instead of the section marked **-♦* J.1.2/46 has: who married at Elstow. Obiit is written against the names of the first 3 neighbours.] 35. About nones on 2 Oct. 1270 Amice daughter of Robert Belamy of Staploe and Sibyl Bonchevaler were carrying a tub full of grout between them in the brewhouse of Lady Juliana de Beauchamp {de Bello Campo} in the hamlet of Staploe in Eaton Socon, intending to empty it into a boiling leaden vat, when Amice slipped and fell into the vat and the tub upon her. Sibyl immediately jumped towards her, dragged her from the vat and shouted; the household came and found her scalded almost to death. A chaplain came and Amice had the rites of the church and died by misadventure about prime the next day. Sibyl, who was with her, found pledges, Gervase of Shelton and Robert le Moine of Staploe. Inquest before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Chawston and Colmworth: as above. The vat was appraised at 12d., the tub at 2d. and the cowl-staff {sc. the pole on which the tub was carried) at |d.; they were delivered to Eaton Socon. Printed ibid., pp. 14-15. [This is also the third case in J.I.2/2, where the date is given as 25 Sept., the second pledge as Ralph le Moine and the value of the cowl-staff as i|d. Sibyl appeared at the eyre and was not suspected; nor was anybody else. The vat was appraised at i8d. and adjudged deodand. The 4 townships were amerced for appraising it falsely before the coroner. Judgment was passed against the coroner for not attaching persons whom the presenting jurors said were in the court-yard when the misadventure occurred: J.I.1/10, m. 28.] 36. On the night of 29 March 1271 Walter le Bedel of Renhold came to the house of his wife, Isabel daughter of Reynold, in Ravensden and asked her to come with him to Renhold barn to get a bushel of wheat which he wished to give her for her boys, and she went with him. When they reached ‘Longemade’ meadow, he immediately struck her over the left ear, apparently with a knife, giving her a wound 3 inches long and in depth to the brain, and afterwards threw her into ‘Ravenesbrok’ stream. The next day her mother Maud, Reynold’s wife, first found her dead, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Roger Newebonde and Walter Alfred of Ravensden. The neighbours were attached: Richard the Smith by Walter Alfred and Hugh le Wyte; William Engayne by John Sauvage and Richard the Smith; Hugh Yzer by Roger le Neubonde and Richard the Smith; Richard son of Geoffrey by Reynold the Reeve and Roger le Neubonde; all the

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CORONERS’ ROLLS

pledges were of Ravensden. Inquest before the same coroner by Goldington, Renhold and Ravensden as one township, Bolnhurst and Wilden: as above. Asked about Walter’s chattels, they said that he had a lamb at Wilden, which was appraised at i2d. and delivered to Wilden, and no other goods. They did not know in whose tithing he was. Printed ibid., p. 15. [This is also the fourth case in J.1.2/2, where the wound is described as 4 inches wide instead of 3 inches long, and Walter’s chattels are given as a sheep and a lamb. At the eyre it was ordered that Walter, who had immediately fled, be exacted and outlawed. His chattels were forfeited, and the abbot of Old Warden, whose servant he was, was made answer­ able for 12d. which he owed him for his service. The abbot was also amerced because Walter was in his mainpast. It was later found that Walter had been hanged before the justices at Bedford: J.I.i/10, m. 28d.J

37. At twilight on 23 April 1271 felons and thieves came to the house ofJohn Reyd of Ravensden at Ravensden, while John, his wife Maud and his servants Walter of Astwood and Richard Pikhorn were sitting at supper, entered by the door towards the court-yard on the west side and immediately assaulted John, striking him on the head near the crown (grevani) to the brain, apparently with an axe, and to the heart with a knife, of which he immediately died. They wounded Maud on the right side of the head, almost cut off her left hand, and heated a trivet and placed her upon it so that they left her almost dead. They tied Walter and Richard up and then robbed and carried away all the goods of the house. Walter first untied himself and first found John dead, raised the hue, to which the neighbours came and which was followed, and found pledges, William the Smith and Robert Galien, both of Salph End. Maud found pledges for her coming to the county court, Walter Gosefot and William Brund of Fenlake. The neighbours were attached: Reynold the Reeve by Richard son of Geoffrey and Hugh le Wayte; Ranulf Bole by William Engayne and Hugh Pippard; Robert Horsseman by Reynold Horsseman and Ranulf Bole; Robert Eleyne by Robert and Hugh Pippard; all the pledges were of Ravensden. Inquest before the same coroner by Renhold and Ravensden as one township, Wilden, Great Barford and Goldington, who said that they suspected John Hog, formerly the miller of Simon le Rus, and that [John Reyd] was slain by counsel and incitement of Agnes and Maud Pikhorn; John Reyd’s wife said the same before the coroner. It was ordered that they be arrested. Richard Pikhorn came to the county court and could not find pledges; therefore, because he was suspected, he was delivered to gaol in the shrievalty of T. of Bray. Printed in part ibid., p. 16. [This is also the fifth case in J.1.2/2, where the pledges assigned above to Walter are given as Maud’s and vice versa, the first of

CORONERS’ ROLLS

J5 Robert Eleyne’s pledges is given as Robert le Horseman and the sheriff is named as B. le Juvenis. At the eyre it was said that John was slain, his wife and son Richard tied up and his house burgled. The exaction and out­ lawry of John Hog was ordered, because he was suspected and had fled; he was in the mainpast of Simon le Rus, who was placed in mercy but had died. Ravensden was amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. John Reyd’s wife, the first finder (Jzr), had died. The neighbours attended and were not suspected. Englishry was not presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Maud Pykhorn and her daughter Agnes {sic) had already been hanged for this felony before Simon of Pattishall and his fellows, Bedford gaol delivery justices. It was therefore ordered that inquiry be made concerning their chattels in Biggleswade hundred, where it was found that they had chattels worth 4s. 8d.: J.I.1/10, mm. 28, 28d, 2gd. See also No. 64 below.]

Membrane 4 38. After nones on 23 June 12711 William Witside, aged 15, boarded a boat of the prior of St. Neots in the river Ouse beyond the ford in the parish of Eaton Socon over against ‘le Washusse’ of the said priory to search for another boat taken away on the river. He came to the other boat, stretched his hand towards it while moving, and by misadventure fell into the water between the two boats and drowned. His father Hugh Witside first found him, pulled him to land in ‘Weston’ meadow opposite ‘le Washusse’ and found pledges, Henry son of Thomas and Henry Toroid, both of Chawston. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Chawston, Colesden and Sudbury: as above. One old boat was appraised at I2d. and the other boat at 3s.; they were delivered to Eaton Socon. Printed in part ibid,, pp. 16-17. [This is also the fourteenth case in J.1.2/2, where the second pledge is called Thomas Toroid. At the eyre the boats were adjudged] deodand. [Putnoe was amerced for not coming and Eaton Socon for not coming fully to the inquest: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.]

39. After sunset on 18 July 1271 Simon of Langnoe, servant of the prior of Cauldwell at ‘le Ermitage’ in the parish of Milton Ernest, Stodden hundred, namely a cottager and clerk of the chapel, took a stoup in his hand, intending to go to milk a cow in the court-yard of the prior’s barn in the hermitage, and as he came to the middle of the court-yard he had an illness called ‘mau del flaunke’ {sc. mal de flanc, a disease of the side), fell down and immediately died by misadventure. Geoffrey son of John le Bonde first saw him dead and shouted, and John of Dunstable, canon of Gauldwell, and 1 J.I.2/46 has 56 in error for 55 Henry III.

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John of Chaiton, who were in the court-yard, came. Geoffrey found pledges, Richard Dreu and John de Rondes of Milton Ernest; John of Chaiton found pledges, John de Rondes and Robert le Dipere of Milton Ernest; but John of Dunstable did not find pledges before the coroner, and so it was ordered that he be attached. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Milton Ernest, Oakley, Thurleigh and Ravensden: as above. Printed in part ibid., P- J7. . [This is also the eighth case in J.1.2/2, where the final pledge is called Robert le Neuman.]

40. About midday on 26 Oct. 1271 Osbert of Bath distrained Richard de Colestone, Adam of Basmead’s man, by [seizing] a cow, and Adam ordered Walter of Hook Wood (HokewolcP) and William the Cook, his men, together with John Chanu, the king’s bailiff, to deliver the distress. They therefore came to the king’s highway between Osbert’s court-yard and John Rungefer’s croft at Wyboston in the parish of Eaton Socon and met Thomas Snou of Somerset, a servant and of the mainpast of the said Osbert, while Osbert was at his plough in the fields of Wyboston. Walter asked Thomas with whom [the cow] was and struck him lightly with a staff on the left shoulder. Then came Osbert, Nicholas of Bath and Walter Smod of Somerset and a quarrel arose between them. Walter Smod struck Walter of Hook Wood across the top of the head with a 4 spart’ axe, giving him a wound 6 inches long and through the skull to the brain so that blood and brains issued forth; he died of the wound about prime on 30 Oct., having had the rites of the church. Inquest before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Sudbury, Colmworth, Staploe and Wyboston: as above. It was therefore ordered that Walter Smod be arrested and that Osbert and Nicholas of Bath, Thomas Snou and Walter Figge be attached. Afterwards in the next full county court Eaton Socon presented that Walter of Hook Wood pursued Osbert to his door in Wyboston and that Walter Smod killed him as above in self-defence and in defending Osbert, his lord, and that nobody but Walter was guilty of the death; it was therefore ordered, as before, that he be arrested. They also said that he had no chattels to their knowledge. Printed ibid., pp. 17-18. [This is also the ninth case in J.1.2/2. Cf. the next case.] 41. On 2 Nov. 1271 Aubrey of Hook Wood came to the Bedford­ shire county court and appealed Walter Smod of Somerset in that between nones and the eleventh hour on 26 Oct., while she and her son Walter were on the king’s highway between Osbert of Bath’s capital messuage and John Rungefir’s croft in Wyboston, he came and assaulted her son and struck him with a ‘spart’ axe, of which the handle was of hazel and the blade of iron and steel, on the right side of the head between the ear and crown (grevani), giving him a wound 6 inches long, 3 inches wide and in depth through the

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i7 middle of the skull, so that blood and brains issued forth and he died thereof. Aubrey promptly raised the hue and pursued it from township to township, to the king’s bailiffs, and so to the coroners and the next county court. She offered to prove or deraign against Walter as against a felon in so far as the king’s court should award that a woman can or ought to sue or prove against a man, and found pledges to prosecute, Richard de Cols tone and John Mariot of Wyboston. Aubrey also appealed Osbert of Bath in that he was present and ordered Walter to commit the felony, and harboured him both before and afterwards; and also because he hit her son with his right hand under the left ear with a ‘coilun’ (jt. flint) stone, so that if he had not died of the previous wound he would have died of this blow. She also appealed Nicholas of Bath, Osbert’s brother, of force and aid, in that he held her son by the right arm with both his hands while he was killed and that he would not have been killed 5) unless [Nicholas] had held him. She also appealed Thomas Snou of Somerset in that he struck her son on the left arm between the hand and elbow with a hazel staff; John of Hardwick in that he struck him across the loins with a Treyne’ (ir. frayne or ash) staff [held] with both his hands; Henry Figge of Wyboston in that he held him by the neck with both his hands while he was killed; Maurice Figge in that he likewise held him by the left leg; and William son of William Figge of Wyboston in that he like­ wise held him by the right leg. Aubrey offered to prove and deraign all this against them as against felons in so far as the king’s court should award that a woman can or ought to prove or sue against men, with the same pledges. If she should default in her suit through death or illness, her daughter Maud offered to sue or prove against them in like manner by the same pledges. At the county courts of 30 Nov., 21 Dec. and 25 Jan. 1272 Aubrey came and prosecuted her appeal against all the appellees, who were exacted 3 times and did not come. Therefore by judgment of the county she was given a day at the next county court. At the county court of 22 Feb. she came and prosecuted her appeal against Walter Smod. He was exacted a fourth time and did not come, nor did anyone go surety for him. He was therefore outlawed by judgment of the county. On the same day she prosecuted her appeal against the other appellees, and the case was adjourned by a writ {recited} to the sheriff, dated at the Tower of London, 5 Feb., ordering him to cause the appeal against the remaining appellees to come before the justices of the bench at Westminster in the Quindene of Easter, with the attachments and everything relating to it, and to tell Aubrey to be there to prosecute it if she should wish. This was because Ralph of Goldington, coroner, was her kinsman and was therefore said to favour her in this plea. Printed ibid., pp. 18-21. [This is also the tenth case in J.1.2/2, where the felony is said to have been between nones and midday. Cf. the last case.] 5

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42. On 2 Nov. 1271 Emma wife of John of Brytvilles of Great Barford came to the Bedfordshire county court and appealed Simon son of Roger of Cainhoe, who was a servant of John of Burdelys in Great Barford, in that when she and her husband were walking together in the king’s highway in Great Barford between Jordan Cappe’s house and that formerly of John of Blunham at vespers on 10 Oct., Simon came there and pursued and assaulted her husband, and struck him on the top of the head on the left side between the crown (grevarn) and the ear with a sword of iron and steel, giving him a great wound 5 inches long, 3 inches wide and as deep as the brain, whence 13 pieces of bone issued. Simon struck him again with the sword on the little finger, called the auricular finger, of the left hand on the inside of the hand, cutting the sinews of the finger and thus maiming him; and [he struck him on] the next finger, called the leech (medicus) finger, breaking its bones, and so he was maimed in both fingers. His malice did not stop there, but he again struck John many bloodless blows with the ‘plat’ (sc. flat) of the sword on the right side of his head, so that the whole of his head was excoriated and swollen and he lost his hearing on the left side. Simon also robbed John of a ‘cordewayne’ (sc. cordwain, a Spanish leather) purse worth 6d., with 8s. of new money inside it. When Emma saw her husband thus wounded and ill-treated, she promptly raised the hue, which was followed by the whole township, and so from township to township and to Ralph of Goldington, coroner, who came to John the next day, viewed his wounds and saw him thus ill-treated. Emma avowed before the coroner in full county court that if John should recover from his wounds, he would sue in person at the next county court against Simon as against a felon. And that Simon committed the said felonies against him Emma offered to prove or deraign in all ways according to the award of the king’s court, and similarly her hus­ band as a maimed man. She found pledges to prosecute, Gilbert of Ponton and Ralph the Clerk of Tempsford. Emma did not come to the county court of 30 Nov., but her husband came in person. Because the said pledges were not present, he found other pledges to prosecute, William Balbe of Riseley and Robert Pippard of Goldington, and so by judgment of the county Simon was not called that day. At the county courts of 21 Dec., 25 Jan. and 22 Feb. 1272 John came and sued in so far as a maimed man can or ought. Simon was exacted three times and did not come. Therefore by judgment of the county a day was given to John at the next county court. At the county court of 21 March John came and sued. Simon was exacted a fourth time and did not come, but Robert of Essex went surety for his appearance at the next county court. Therefore judgment was given as before. At the county court of 18 April John came and sued. Simon was exacted a fifth time and found pledges, Philip son of Ralph of Little Cainhoe and Thomas Doune and Ralph and Michael Golstan, all of Stagsden. Printed ibid., pp. 21-3, where a penultimate paragraph, which

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19 does not appear in either roll, is added through an error in tran­ scription. [This is also the thirteenth case in J.1.2/2. At the eyre judgment was passed against the county for delaying Simon’s first exaction until the third county court. Also a coroner’s roll showed that on the fourth exaction Robert of Essex and the said 4 sureties, given under the next county court above, went surety for Simon’s appearance at the fifth county court, when Simon did not come and the county super­ seded his outlawry. Judgment was therefore again passed against the county and the pledges were amerced for failing to secure his appearance at the eyre as they were bound to do. John came and prosecuted his appeal, and Simon was convicted by a jury. He had no chattels. John was told that he could prosecute in the county court until Simon’s outlawry, if he wished, and the sheriff was told not to allow Simon bail if he surrendered: J.I.i/10, m. 28d.] 43. Soon after nightfall on 24 June 12721 felons and thieves came to the house of Anselm Bikeman of Staploe in the hamlet of Staploe in Eaton Socon, broke its west wall, entered and immediately assaulted Anselm, striking him in the throat apparently with a knife and on the hattrel apparently with an axe. He died about midday on 27 June. The hue was raised and followed. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Eaton Socon, Wybos ton, Colesden and Chaws ton as one township, and Colmworth, who said that the felons were unknown and that [Anselm] died of the said wounds. The neighbours were attached: William the Clerk by Simon Albin and William Sautemareis; William of Upton by Thomas Wyther and William Agu; Geoffrey Colbern by Simon le Noreis and John Reynaud; Hugh Colbern by Robert of Upton and Thomas son of Maurice; all the pledges were of the parish of Eaton Socon. Printed in part ibid., pp. 23-4. [This is also the eleventh case in J.1.2/2, where the second neighbour is called Robert of Upton.]

44. About prime on 14 June 1272 Maud daughter of Reynold the Smith of Goldington was sitting at her mother Eleanor’s doors on Goldington Green (virud’ placia), when Alfred son of Gode of Salph End came, carrying a bow and arrows. He shot at a target (mercam) with a small arrow and by misadventure struck Maud in the right eye so that she lost its sight. She died 15 days later because she was weak and ill because pregnant. Inquest before the same coroner by Goldington, Great Barford, Renhold and Ravensden as one township, and Wilden, who said that she did not die of the wound, but of another illness because she was pregnant. Nevertheless the king’s bailiff was ordered to 1 Both rolls say Saturday the feast of St. John; but the Nativity of St. John the Baptist was a Friday.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 20 attach Alfred. Printed in part ibid., p. 24. [This is also the twelfth case in J.1.2/2, where Alfred is called Alfred Godde. At the eyre it was said that Maud was struck under the eye. It was ordered that Alfred, who had immediately fled and was suspected, be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels, but was in the mainpast of the abbot of Old Warden, who was amerced for not producing him: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.].

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2)2 [Sewn in Chancery fashion, this was probably one of the rotulets of J.1.2/1 originally. Every case but the sixth (No. 45 below) is cancelled, some by a separate line drawn through or partly through them and others by a continuous line drawn through several. The dorses are blank except for the case, largely torn away, written upside down at the foot of membrane 3d and Radulfus de Goudington coronator written in a thirteenth­ century hand at the top of membrane id. All but two of the cases are also in J.I.2/46. The first five (on m. 1) are the same as Nos. 33-37 above; the eighth to the tenth (mm. 2-3) are as Nos. 39-41; the eleventh and twelfth (m. 3) are as Nos. 43-44, the thirteenth (m. 3) as No. 42 and the fourteenth (m. 3d) as No. 38.]

Membrane 1 {sixth case) 45. On the night of 18 June 1271 unknown and armed men from Lincolnshire [led] by Thomas of Boulton {sc. the sheriff of Lincoln­ shire) and men of Huntingdonshire [led] by the sheriff of that county {sc. Robert of Eastrea) pursued Hugh le Prest to Roger del Temple’s house in Little Staughton and assaulted the house in which Hugh was with Roger’s wife Beatrice. When Hugh saw that the house was assaulted and beset, he leapt to the west door and defended himself. The said men killed him and cut off his head. After­ wards they raised the hue, to which the township came. The said men delivered Hugh’s head to the township to carry away, as by law should have been done, and they told the township that they were from the said counties and that they had pursued Hugh in the said manner as a felon and outlaw in Lincolnshire and as a homicide in Huntingdonshire. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Little Staughton, Pertenhall, Keysoe and Colmworth, who said as above and that Hugh was a felon. Asked about his chattels, they said that they only knew of an haqueton {or acton, sc. a jacket or jerkin used for protection) and a sword, which he had on him at the time of his death and which were carried away by his slayers, and a horse, which was found the next day in the cornfields ‘del Temple’; it was appraised at 10s. and delivered to Little Staughton. Asked about

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21

those who harboured him, they said that they knew nothing, except that he was found at the house [called] ‘le Keu’ of Little Staughton with Beatrice, who did not dare and was unable to deny him; she well knew that he was a felon and received him of her own free will {sic). Printed in Gross, pp. 29-30.

Membrane 2 {seventh case) 46. At dawn on 19 July 1271 Ralph son of William le Bercher of Roxton was going by the western side of Sir Humphrey of Barford’s wood in Roxton, watching cows and heifers, when one heifer wished to go into the wood. Ralph went into a ditch of the wood to turn it back and found a stranger lying dead in the ditch with a wound in his head above the left ear 4 inches long, from which the brain had issued. He raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Roger le Beer of Roxton and William of Barford. Inquest before the same coroner by Roxton, Great Barford, Wilden, and Colesden and Chawston as one township, who said that they knew nothing about the dead man, when or where he was killed or whence he came, but they well knew that he was not killed there and they could find and knew of no tracks by which he could have come there. The neighbours were attached: Sir Humphrey of Barford by William of Barford and William Blanfrumt of Roxton; Roger le Beer by John le Bruttewill and Henry Gunterel; William Blanfrumt by Henry the Deacon and John Kobbe; Robert Ateputtes by Roger le Beer and Henry le Dekene. Printed ibid., p. 30. [At the eyre the body was said to have been found in Great Barford field with several wounds in the head. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The first finder came and was not suspected. Great Barford was amerced for not coming fully before the coroner. It was later presented that William Fresharing of Great Barford, his son John and Hugh le Caretter of Sandy consented to the death. It was therefore ordered that they be arrested. They later appeared. William and John said that they had been acquitted before Robert of Creakers, a gaol delivery justice, who was present and agreed. Hugh denied his guilt and was acquitted by a jury: J.I.1/10, m. 28.]

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2) 1 [This roll is sewn in Exchequer fashion, but with membrane 7 sewn to the foot of membrane 6 and membrane 9 to the foot of membrane 8 to form two rotulets. Membrane 2 was originally sewn to the foot of membrane 1 and membrane 4 to the foot of membrane 5 (for which reason the cases on m. 5 are calendared before those on m. 4). The dorses of membranes 3-5 and 8 are blank, and the cases on the dorses of membranes 6, 7 and 9 are entered upside down from the foot. The great majority of the

22

CORONERS’ ROLLS cases are cancelled, normally by a single line drawn from the top to the bottom of the membrane (e.g. mm. 3, 6, 7d, 6d, 8, 9), but others are cancelled individually—some by single lines, some by double ones and some by ornate designs (e.g. mm. i-2d). It is probable that J.1.2/2 was originally part of this roll.] Cl[ifton] Hundred

Membrane 1 47. About bed-time on 15 Nov. 1269 felons and thieves came to the house of Edmund le Mastref of Clifton on the fee of the hospital at Clifton, broke and entered it, tied up Edmund, his wife Maud and house-maid Sarah and then stole and carried away all the goods of the house. From there they went to the house of Agnes Colbrun of Clifton, broke and entered it, struck her servant John le Toutere of Daintry on the crown (grevam) of the head with an axe, [giving him] a wound 5 inches long to the brain, of which he immediately died, struck Beatrice le Sarreman of Clifton in the mouth with a knife and again in the head to the brain, apparently with a ‘denesch’ axe, of which she immediately died, and then took Agnes by force to the house of Godfrey of Hoo of Clifton and asked her to ask to enter. She would not, and the felons immediately struck her on the right arm, breaking it, apparently with an axe, and gave her a wound in the head above her right ear 5 inches long. Godfrey saw that they were thieves and that they intended to burn his house, and immediately raised the hue; the neighbours came and the felons immediately fled. Alice le Sarman first found her mother Beatrice and John le Toutere, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, William le Blake and Henry Paulin of Lidlington. The neighbours were attached: Walter Reymund by William le Yethere and Godfrey of Hoo; Godfrey of Hoo by Henry Paulin and Walter Reymund; William le Yethere by Simon the Esquire and Adam Fine; William le Blake by Gregory of Hardwick and William Caum of Henlow; all but the last two pledges were of Clifton. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Henlow, Clifton, Holwell and Langford: as above. [At the eyre the only houses said to have been burgled were those of Raymond the Hayward of Clifton and Agnes Colrun (jw). The first finder and neighbours came and were not sus­ pected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred: J.I.1/10, m. 32.] 48. About vespers on 15 Nov. 1269 Ralph del Louwe of Stanford went towards Stanford mill in ‘Hageyorfurlong ’ on the fee of the abbot of Old Warden, and met felons and thieves, who took and bound him and struck him with a knife under the right side and on the hattrel to the brain, of which he immediately died. His wife Millicent was troubled because he did not return that night, and at dawn the next day searched for him and found him dead in the

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23 said place, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Robert Michel and Geoffrey the Smith of Stanford. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Southill, Stanford, Langford and Henlow, who said that on the day of the felony the felons came from the house of Hugh le Champiman, a receiver of felons. It was therefore ordered that he be arrested. [At the eyre the felons, who had fled immediately, were still unknown. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Stanford was amerced for not arresting the felons although this happened by day. The sheriff was ordered to arrest Hugh, called Hugh of Stanford; he did not (sic) come, was not suspected and had not fled, and so nothing was done about him: J.I.1/10, m. 33d, under Wixamtree hundred.]

49. At twilight on the evening of 9 March 1270 Warren of Pole­ hanger, miller, and his servant Walter of Maulden came to the house of Lucy atte Hatch of Campton in Campton. A quarrel arose between Warren and Walter, and Walter accused Warren of stealing a bushel of flour. They then went from the house towards Polehanger mill and came to ‘le Inlond’ on the fee of the prior of Chicksands, Warren carrying a Scottish (scotentem) axe and Walter a gisarme (sc. a long-bladed battle-axe). There Warren assaulted Walter, striking him with a ‘Well’ axe (probably a Welsh-bill or Welsh-hook, sc. a bill-hook) on the top of his head near the crown (grevam) so that he immediately fell. Hugh son of Reynold of Campton, aged 6, who was carrying a torch to the mill with them, immediately ran to the said Lucy’s house and told her and Warren’s wife Margery le Superere and Margery’s sister Agnes how Warren struck Walter. Margery and Agnes immediately went to the said place and found Walter lying speechless. They took him to Lucy’s house, but the same night, when they did not see [any sign of] recovery, they replaced him where he had been found. The next day his sister Parnel of Maulden came there and found Walter still alive, but he soon died. She raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Geoffrey Tuprest and Richard le Colyere, both of Campton. The neighbours were attached: Peter Attethuln by Richard le Koliere and William Atwater (ad aquam); John of Kingston by Nicholas the Smith and William le Blund; all the pledges were of Campton. Lucy found pledges, Richard le Koliere and John le Schild. It was ordered that Margery, Agnes and Hugh be attached. Inquest before the same coroner by Shefford, Campton, Chick­ sands, Meppershall and Shillington: as above. Asked about Warren’s chattels, they said that he had 3 sheep worth 13d. and a chest and a bushel of oats worth 6d.; they were delivered to Campton. [At the eyre it was ordered that Warren, who had fled immediately, be exacted and outlawed. His chattels were forfeited. Campton was amerced for receiving him although he was not in a tithing. Englishry was not presented and so

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murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Shefford, Chicksands and Meppershall were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. It was ordered that Hugh, Agnes, called Agnes la Custrere, and Margery be arrested for moving the body; they were later arrested, denied being guilty of the homicide or of anything and were acquitted by a jury: J.I.i/io, m. 3 id.]

50. Towards vespers on 25 March 1270 John son of Reynold of Henlow, aged 8, went out of Henlow on the south towards Henlow field to play, came to ‘Sepesdich’, went too near the ditch, fell in and drowned by misadventure. Before vespers the next day his mother Margery searched for him, found him drowned, shouted, and the whole township came; she found pledges, Adam le Taylur and William Payn of Henlow. The neighbours were attached: Robert Pre tins by Simon son of Margery and Adam le Taylur; Adam le Taylur by Robert Pretins and William Payn; all the pledges were of Henlow. Inquest before the same coroner by Henlow, Arlesey, Clifton and Holwell: a misadventure. 51. After lunch on 4 Aug. 1270 a quarrel arose in Meppershall between Wyot of Holwell, Thomas le Facher of Northamptonshire and Nicholas son of Walter Sparwe, servants of the lady of Mepper­ shall, and Wyot and Thomas slew Nicholas at twilight in Mepper­ shall meadow near Campton by striking him on the head with a staff, breaking the whole of his head. His sister Emma first found him, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Simon Aufre of Meppershall and John de la Grene of Campton. Inquest before the same coroner by Campton, Shillington, Clifton and Meppershall, who said that Wyot and Thomas killed Nicholas and had no chattels. B. le Juven, sheriff, was ordered to arrest them. Now (amodo) Thomas le Bray [is sheriff]. Richard Auf of Meppershall found pledges, Simon Aufre and Richard Edward of Meppershall. [At the eyre the felons, who had immediately fled, were called Thomas le Vacher and Wyot Cok, Richard of Alsop’s men. It was ordered that they be exacted and outlawed. Their chattels, worth 2s., were forfeited. They were in the mainpast of Richard of Alsop, who was therefore amerced. No Englishry was pre­ sented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Stotfold, Shillington, Feaks Well and Clifton {sic) were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. The coroner’s rolls showed that Richard of Alsop had been attached before the coroner for suspicion of the homicide; he did not attend the eyre and so his pledges, Simon Auvre and Richard Edward, were amerced and the sheriff was ordered to arrest Richard. He later appeared, denied guilt and was acquitted by a jury: J.I.1/10, m. 32.] 52. About midnight on 23 Nov. 1271 unknown thieves came to Geoffrey Aylle’s house in Henlow, broke its wall, entered, assaulted

CORONERS’ ROLLS

25 Geoffrey, wounded him in the stomach with a knife so that his bowels issued forth and gave him a wound on the left arm 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. His brother Stephen Aylle, who was in the house, went out through the chamber and raised the hue; the neighbours came, [the hue] was followed and the felons fled. Geoffrey died about nones on 26 Nov., having had the rites of the church and made his will. Stephen found pledges, Hugh Spitel and Richard Gilebert of Henlow. The neighbours were attached: William Payn by Richard Gilebert and Richard le Noble; Kyn the Carpenter by Richard Ruffe and Richard le Noble; {Membrane 2) Hugh Michel by Adam Bertram and Nicholas Grigori; Richard Gilebert by William Payn and Hugh Michel. Inquest before the same coroner by Clifton, Arlesey, Henlow, Langford and Meppershall, who said as above and that the thieves left behind a ‘denech’ axe worth 2d., which was delivered to Henlow. Afterwards at the next county court Henlow presented that they suspected Robert Richard of Arlesey, James le Ropere and Richard le Webbe of Henlow. It was ordered that they be arrested. Printed in part in Gross, pp. 24-25. Non dum preteriit is written above the case, which is uncancelled. [At the eyre the burglary was said to be of the house of William Hayl, Geoffrey’s father. Stephen came and was acquitted. The neighbours came and were not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Peter le Bracur and the said Robert, James and Richard were said to have been at the burglary and it was therefore ordered that they be arrested. They later appeared and were acquitted: J.I.1/10, m. 3id.]

53. Note that an Arlesey misadventure (No. 109 below) is written under Biggleswade hundred.

54. On 13 Oct. 1272 2 esquires and 4 servants, unknown men, came to the prior of Lanthony’s house in Henlow and sought entry and entertainment for John le Burk the elder. There was nobody in the court-yard who dared to grant them entertainment because brother Philip, a canon of Lanthony, warden of the house, was not present. One of them immediately struck Henry de Rolle and they immediately withdrew and threatened to burn the court-yard. About midday of the next day John le Burk came through Henlow with his household and threatened the said canon, who was in the church, and peace was made by Richard vicar of Henlow. William le Corweys of Essex and others unknown again crossed the wall of the said court-yard, assaulted the household, badly wounded Robert son of Walter of Henlow and broke his right arm, and shot Henry son of Adam of Henlow almost to the heart with a small arrow. They then took a bow, a small sheaf of arrows and a purse containing id. and immediately fled from the east side of the court-yard. The said Adam {sic') died on 15 Oct. The hue was raised and followed.

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Inquest before the same coroner by Henlow, Clifton, Arlesey and Langford. Henlow said that William Corweys killed Henry and believed that the said men entered the court-yard on the orders of John le Burk. The other 3 townships said the same. Afterwards in full county court Henlow presented that William slew Henry without John’s knowledge. It was therefore ordered that William be arrested. [At the eyre it was ordered that William, who had fled, be exacted and outlawed. Nothing was known of his chattels or tithing because he was from Essex. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The names of the other members of John le Burk’s household were not known. All 4 townships were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest: J.I.1/10, m. 3id.]

55. Sic sit (or Sic fit) tibi copia: written at the foot of the membrane in a different hand. Wixamtree Hundred

Membrane id, 56. Before sunset on 8 April 1270 Robert Gomelot of Cople came from the grange of Old Warden called ‘le Park’ to the field called ‘le xx acres’ on the fee of the abbot of Old Warden in Cople fields on the south side of Wood End in Cople. Felons and thieves came there and immediately assaulted him, struck him, apparently with a sword, on the hattrel almost through the middle of the head, gave him 3 mortal wounds elsewhere on the head, of which he immediately died, cut off 2 fingers of his left hand and almost cut off his left arm by the elbow. The next day William of Heydon, shepherd, found him dead, immediately raised the hue, to which the township came and which was followed, and found pledges, Walter le Frankelyn and Geoffrey Wobely. The neighbours were attached: Adam le Franckeleyn by Walter le Franckeleyn and William Picot; Geoffrey Hudina by Richard the Shepherd and Richard Spikerel; John Redeman by Geoffrey Hudina and Simon le Neuman; Hugh Trip by Walter Franckelein and Richard the Shepherd; all the pledges were of Cople. Gilbert Faytewastel found pledges, Ralph Faytewastel and Hugh Peeke. Inquest before the same coroner by Willington, Cople, Cardington and Old Warden, who said that they suspected Gilbert, formerly servant of Sir Geoffrey le Rus, because there was previously a quarrel between them and they had a hatred of each other. It was therefore ordered that he be arrested. Asked about chattels, they said that if he had any they were at Houghton Conquest in Redbornstoke hundred. They were later sought there and delivered to Houghton Conquest (see No. 80 below). Englishry was presented by William Gamelet on the father’s side. [At the eyre it was presented that the said Gilbert and Robert Bernard of Houghton Conquest, servants of Geoffrey le Rus of

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27

Cople, slew Robert and returned to Cople, staying there for 8 days before fleeing. The whole township was therefore amerced. It was ordered that Gilbert and Robert be exacted and out­ lawed. They had no chattels, but were in the mainpast of the said Geoffrey, who had died. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Gilbert Faytwastel, William son of Godfrey and Robert le Sewester, who had been arrested for suspicion of the death, came and were acquitted by a jury. They (sic} had chattels in Manshead hundred and inquiry was therefore ordered there. Later Redbornstoke hundred presented that they had chattels there worth 4is. iod., which were forfeited. Houghton Conquest and Wootton were amerced for not bringing them to the eyre: J.I.1/10, m. 33d. See also Nos. 57, 80 below.]

57. On 25 April 12701 William son of William Russel of Cople was going through the middle of a grove in Cople called ele Englesgrave’ and there found an unknown man lying slain. He immediately ran to the township, raised the hue, to which the township came and which was followed, and found pledges, Simon le Neuman and Hugh Trip of Cople. Inquest before the same coroner by Cople, Cardington, Willing­ ton, Old Warden and Eastcotts, who knew nothing of the death nor who the slain man was. They were then asked about the death of Robert Gamelot as above (No. 56). The neighbours were attached: Hugh Trip by Simon le Neuman and William Page; Simon le Neuman by Hugh Trip and Geoffrey son of Ralph; Geoffrey Redman by William Barbot and Adam le Franckelyn; Geoffrey Hudina by Richard the Shepherd and Richard Spekerel; all the pledges were of Cople. [At the eyre the felon was still unknown. The first finder, who was called William son of Richard Russel, had died. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred: J.1.1/io, m. 33d.] 58. After nones on 24 May 1270 Emma daughter of Richard Toky of Southill went to ‘Houleden’ in Sou thill to gather wood. Walter Garglof of Stanford came, carrying a bow and a small sheaf of arrows, took hold of Emma and tried to throw her to the ground and deflower her, but she immediately shouted and her father came. Walter immediately shot an arrow at him, striking him on the right side of the forehead and giving him a mortal wound. He struck him again with another arrow under the right side and so into the stomach. Seman of Southill immediately came and asked him why he wished to kill Richard, and Walter immediately shot an arrow at him, striking him in the back, so that his life was despaired of. Walter then immediately fled. Later Emma, Richard’s 1 MS. has Saturday the feast of St. Mark 54 Henry III, in which year St. Mark fell on a Friday.

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wife, came and found her husband wounded to the point of death and shouted. The neighbours came and took him to his house. He had the rites of the church, made his will and died at twilight on the same day. The hue was raised and followed. Emma found pledges, Robert del Grene and Alan de Jolwytre of Sou thill. Inquest before the same coroner by Southill, Stanford, Clifton and Old Warden, who said that Walter slew Richard as above and had no goods except a copper (quivere) mace worth i|d., which was delivered to Stanford; and that he was in Robert Michel’s tithing. [At the eyre Richard Toky was called Richard Cok, the felon was called Walter Quitol, the felony was said to have been committed in Beeston field and the death to have occurred 3 days later. It was ordered that Walter be exacted and out­ lawed. The club was forfeited and the tithing was amerced. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred: J.I.i/io, m. 33.]

59. About midday on 3 Sept. 1270 Amice daughter of William le Lorimer of Bedford went into ‘Wilputtesburne’ in Cardington field by Cardington wood to gather corn. Thunder and lightning occurred {tonitrus et Julgur extendit se) and she was struck and fell and immediately died. Maud daughter of Nicholas de Augul first found her and found pledges, Robert Holdebert and William Budell. Inquest before the same coroner by Willington, Cardington, Cople and Eastcotts: a misadventure. 60. Towards vespers on 20 Nov. 1270 Bertram Polet, servant of Sir Roger les Estrantge, went out of his master’s court-yard in Willington and guarded his bailiwick, namely Sheerhatch wood (boscum del Syre), but he did not return and the household were troubled and searched for him for a whole week. Then about tierce on 27 Nov. Nicholas Yarwy came to ‘Swurzewes’ in the said wood and found Bertram slain there, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, John Avenant and William le Opperere. Bertram had 5 wounds, apparently [made] with a knife, and his throat cut. Willington and Cople said that they be­ lieved that unknown evil-doers killed him. Inquest before the same coroner by Willington, Cople, Moggerhanger and Northill: as above. Printed in part in Gross, p. 25. [At the eyre it was not known who had killed Bertram. The first finder came and was not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred: J.I.1/10, m. 33d. See also No. 63 below.]

61. Towards vespers on 11 Dec. 1270 Hugh the Cobbler of Blunham came from Sandy to Blunham and tried to cross Blunham bridge on the east of the town. He slipped and fell upon the ice, which broke, and drowned by misadventure. His wife Muriel

CORONERS’ ROLLS

29 searched for him {Membrane 2d) the next day because she was troubled by his delay and every day until 26 Dec. when she first found him and found pledges, Walter Tumby and Ralph atte Churchegate. Englishry was presented by John le Norreys, a paternal kinsman. Inquest before the same coroner by Blunham, Sandy, Tempsford and Moggerhanger : a misadventure.

62. About nones on 14 May 1271 Reynold son of Thomas of Tempsford came from St. Neots market to his house in Tempsford and immediately asked where his son Richard, aged over 3, was. He then immediately searched for him, went out of the town to ‘le Lakedich’ and found him drowned in the ditch. He immediately shouted and the neighbours came. He found pledges, Ralph Saleman and Gilbert atte Churchegate, both of Tempsford. Inquest before the same coroner by Tempsford, Everton, Little Barford and Sandy: a misadventure. Note that this was in Biggleswade hundred is written against this case. 63. Another inquisition concerning the death of Bertram Polet before the same coroner by Willington, Moggerhanger, Nor thill, Copie, Blunham, Beeston, Cardington, and Sandy. Willington said that on 20 Nov. 1270 Robert Kyneman and Richard son of Godfrey, both of Moggerhanger, men of Ralph Witbred of Caldecote, came to Willington barn for fodder for Ralph’s use; they returned towards his house without having obtained it, entered Willington wood and cut twigs. Bertram came and found them, and Robert and Ralph {sic) slew him and then returned to Ralph’s house. Copie said the same; the other townships said that they knew nothing about it. Ralph Wytbred found pledges, William Walerien, Simon Blundel, Richard Rixeband, William le Flanwile, Nicholas the Clerk of South Mills, Everard of Southill, Geoffrey Costentin, John le Norreys, Robert the Cook of Blunham, Robert son of Richard, Walter le Franckeleyn and Simon son of Simon of Wyboston. William Coterel of Moggerhanger, shepherd, sus­ pected because he should have seen the felony, found pledges, Robert Coterel and William son of John of Moggerhanger. Robert the Shepherd of Moggerhanger found pledges for the same reason, John le Bercher and Walter le Despenser of Moggerhanger. Printed in part in Gross, p. 25. See also No. 60 above.

64. Inquest concerning the chattels of Maud and Agnes Pichorn, felons, by Tempsford, who said that they had 2 bushels of wheat and rye mixed worth iqd., wool worth 2s., a chest worth 4d., a hood and a cap worth 2d. and 1 id. found upon them. See above, No. 3765. Soon after nones on 22 May 1272 William son of William Fraunceys of Budna went from his house in Budna with his son

CORONERS’ ROLLS 30 Hugh, aged 10, and pursued his cattle in {sic) a messuage ‘atte’ Hatch in Beeston to take seisin there. Afterwards Ranulf Bene of Beeston came, carrying a ‘spart’ axe, and a quarrel immediately arose between them over the seisin, which Ranulf claimed to be unjust. William immediately assaulted Ranulf with ‘apik’ axe, which he was carrying, and tried to strike him. He three times assaulted him thus, and Ranulf by misadventure struck William in self-defence above the left ear, giving him a wound an inch long and to the brain in depth with the ?covering {forfetro) of his axe so that he immediately fell. Ranulf took his horse and immediately fled. Hugh immediately raised the hue, which was followed. William was later taken home, had the rites of the church and died on 24 May. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Beeston, Moggerhanger, Northill and Old Warden, who said that Ranulf slew William by misadventure, in self-defence and unwillingly {indute) as above and they knew nothing more, Asked about Ranulf’s chattels, they said that he had a wood of almost | acre, the year and waste of which was worth 13s. 4d., 2 houses worth 26s. 8d., 3 acres 3 roods of wheat worth 4s. an acre, 2 acres 1 rood of barley worth 4s. an acre, 2 acres of dredge worth 3s. an acre, i| acres of peas worth 2od. an acre, i| roods of barley worth i8d., 2 geese and 2 hens worth 3d., pasture worth 2s. yearly, 3 oxen worth 15s., 3 sheep worth 2s., 2 bushels of wheat worth 2od., a plough with yoke and irons worth 12d. and a tub worth 3|d.—total £4. 17s. iod. [The year, day and waste of Ranulf’s possessions had been granted away by the king as early as 5 June 1272: Close Rolls, 1268-1272.) p. 562. Cf. Cal. Inqs. Misc., i, 2184. At the eyre it was ordered that Ranulf be exacted and out­ lawed. He was said to have chattels worth 57s. iod., 2 messuages, | virgate of land, of which the year and waste were worth 10s. and the meantime 10s., and | acre of wood of which the year and waste were worth 13s. 4d.; all these sums were forfeited and Gilbert Dru was amerced for taking the meantime of the land without warrant. Hugh, who was attached on account of this death, came to the eyre and was not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Ranulf returned to Henry la Zuche’s house and stayed there for a long time after the felony; Henry’s arrest was therefore ordered. He later attended and pleaded clergy, was convicted and delivered to the dean of Bedford as a convicted clerk. Gilbert Dru, the chief lord, later came and paid a fine of | mark to have the said | virgate. It was later found that Ranulf had 4 acres of land in Beeston, the meantime of which, worth 8s., was taken without warrant by Nicholas de Somerford, who was therefore amerced; that the prior of St. Neots had 4 acres of Ranulf’s land, the meantime of which was worth 5s. 4d., Stephen of Budna 7 roods, the meantime of which was worth 2s. 8d., and Henry la Zuche 4 acres 1 rood, of which the meantime was worth us. 4d.; the prior, Stephen and Henry were amerced

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31 for taking the meantime without warrant: J.I.i/io, mm. 33, 34.] 66. Towards vespers on 22 July 1272 Alice Timpon of Harrowden came into the king’s highway opposite Isabel Bernard’s house in Harrowden, saw a basket lying outside the said house and said that it was hers. William Bernard of Harrowden, who was in the house, came out and a quarrel arose between him and Alice for the basket. William gave her 2 blows, she tried to shout and William took her by the throat and held her so that blood flowed from her nose and ears. She had the rites of the church and died about prime on 11 Aug. The hue was raised and followed. Inquest before the same coroner by Willington, Cople, Eastcotts and Harrowden, who said that Alice died because William held her as above. It was therefore ordered that he be arrested. They said that he had no chattels. [At the eyre it was ordered that William, who had immed­ iately fled, be exacted and outlawed. He was in the tithing of Robert Peter in Harrowden, which was therefore amerced. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Isabel was not suspected. Harrowden was amerced for not arresting William although the felony occurred by day: J.I.1/10, m. 33d. See also No. 69 below.] 67. Hawise wife of Nicholas of Cople came to the Bedfordshire county court on 15 Aug. 1272 and appealed Robert, the cellarer of Newnham’s man, and his brother Henry of breaking the peace, but did not formulate and speak her appeal; nevertheless she found pledges to prosecute, Robert of Blunham and Geoffrey Costentin. At the county court of 5 Sept. Hawise came and sued; Robert and Henry were exacted for the first time and did not come. At the county court of 3 Oct. Hawise, having been called many times, did not come and sue. Therefore by judgment of the county the appeal ceased. Printed in Gross, p. 26. [Hawise did not come to the eyre, where she was said to have appealed Robert and Henry of battery and breaking the peace. It was therefore ordered that she be arrested and her pledges were amerced. Robert and Henry did not come and had not been attached because the appeal had ceased. There had been no agreement and they were not guilty: J.I.1/10, m. 33d.] 68. Note that here there should be a misadventure of John Cappe, carter of G. le Ris, in Cople in 55 Henry III (1270-1). [At the eyre it was presented that John Cap of Southill met unknown evil-doers by night, who killed him and immediately fled. His wife Hugelina, the first finder, had died. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Barton-in-the-Clay, Old Warden, Northill and Southill were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. The coroner’s rolls showed that John was slain in a field called ‘le Park’ near the abbot of Old Warden’s grange and later removed by the abbot

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and his brethren and men to a place between Cople and Old Warden; the sheriff was therefore ordered to arrest them. Later the abbot and brothers Henry of Old Warden, Henry of Southill, Richard of the Park {de parco), William of Riseley and Gregory of Cople came and were acquitted by a jury of both the death and moving the body: J.I.i/io, m. 33d.] 69. Agnes Timpon found pledges to prosecute William Bernard for the death of Alice her mother, namely John Beynun and Thomas le Wyte, both of Harrowden. See also No. 66 above.

70. Scaldavit in quinto ?: written at the foot of the membrane in a different hand. Stodden Hundred

Membrane 3 71. At dawn on 23 Sept. 1269 William Page of Knotting came to ‘Welsat’ in Knotting field below John Bossard’s wood to search for a horse and found a woman called ‘Swetealys’ lying slain there with a wound in the back of her head above the hattrel [made] with ‘a pik’ axe, so that her brains had issued forth, and with her left arm broken. The said Alice was staying throughout the autumn at Riseley at the house of Thomas Saly of Riseley. William found pledges, William Page, his father, and Walter Blund of Riseley. The hue was raised and followed. Inquest before Ralph of Goldington, coroner, by Knotting, Riseley, Melchbourne, Yelden and Dean, who said that Thomas Sayly of Riseley and Ellen Seward of Melchbourne knew the truth of this matter better than any others and that they could not dis­ cover the truth without them. Ellen came before the coroner and found pledges to appear before the justices, John and Ambrose the Forester, David the Cobbler and William Seward, all of Melch­ bourne. No Englishry was presented. Afterwards the townships presented that Thomas and Ellen were not guilty, but Thomas still found pledges, William son of Lawrence and Simon de Pertissoyl, both of Riseley. They also said that the felons who killed the woman were unknown. Printed in part in Gross, p. 26.

72. At twilight on 31 Jan. 1270 felons came to Robert le Someter’s house in Keysoe, broke its east wall, entered and immediately assaulted Robert, striking him on the right side of the head, appar­ ently with a ‘denesch’ axe. Robert leapt to the door, but the felons took hold of him, dragged him into the house and struck him on the head to the brain, of which he immediately died. They also struck his wife Denise on the head, apparently with a ‘denesch’ axe, so that she lay speechless and her life was despaired of. His daughter Rose sprang to the door, raised the hue, to which the neighbours came and which was followed, first found her father and found pledges, Thomas son of Asa and Walter son of Reynold of Keysoe.

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33 The neighbours were attached: Thomas son of Asa by Robert Serie and Simon Tuand; Walter le Teler by Walter Caswyn and Roger son of Walter; Walter Hod by Robert de Lokersden and Robert son of Walter; Robert son of Walter by Simon Tuhand and Robert son of Robert; all the pledges were of Keysoe. Inquest before the same coroner by Keysoe, Bolnhurst, Little Staughton and Pertenhall, who said as above and that the felons were unknown. [At the eyre it was presented that unknown felons had slain Robert and his wife Alice {sic) and carried away the goods of the house. Keysoe was amerced for not pursuing them although this happened by day. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Rose did not come to the eyre and was not suspected; therefore her pledges, Thomas son of Asa and Walter le Teler {sic), were amerced. None of the neighbours came and so all their pledges were amerced. The coroner was amerced for performing his office inadequately and all 4 townships for not coming to his inquest (jzc): J.I.1/10, m. 35.] 73. About prime on 27 March 1270 Mariot, formerly the wife of Richard the Reeve of Pertenhall, who was infirm, feeble and old, lay in her bed in Pertenhall while Maud Mody, John Spayne and Richard’s son Henry were about the affairs of the house, at the plough and elsewhere. She rose from her bed, took a pitcher? {pincernam) in her hand, went to a well in her court-yard and tried to draw water, but, because she was feeble, she slipped and fell into the well and drowned by misadventure. Maud Mody came to the house and into the court-yard, saw Mariot lying in the well and raised the hue. John Spayne came to the hue and sprang to Mariot, because he thought to save her, but could not because she was dead. Maud found pledges, William son of Richard the Reeve and Richard le Welyryte; Henry found William Wynch and William son of Richard of Pertenhall; and John found Henry son of Richard and Stephen Brumay. Inquest before the same coroner by Pertenhall, Tilbrook, Little Staughton and Keysoe: as above. 74. After lunch on 3 May 1271 John son of Ralph Phuch of Tilbrook, aged 10, went to his father’s gates in Tilbrook, carrying a bow and bolt, and shot at a target {merccam) on a dung-hill in the street. Maud daughter of Reynold Boylun of Tilbrook, aged 5, was sitting under a louvre and the bolt struck her on the head under the left ear, giving her a small wound. She recovered and died 9 weeks later, about prime on 6 July, of another illness. Reynold raised the hue, because of which the townships sent for the coroner. Inquest before the same coroner by Tilbrook, Dean, Shelton, Riseley and Keysoe, who said that she died of the other illness and not of the wound, but that John immediately fled for fear of her father. It was therefore ordered that he be attached. Ralph Phuch 6

CORONERS’ ROLLS 34 found pledges, William le May and Nicholas son of Susan; Reynold found Robert Phuch and Robert le Waleys; the pledges were of Tilbrook. [At the eyre Maud was said to have died of an acute fever. It was ordered that John, who was not suspected, could return if he wished. He had no chattels and was not in a tithing because he was under age, being only 8 {sic): J.I.i/io, m. 35.]

75. After midday on 12 Sept. 1272 Gerleys, Sir Nicholas Peyvere’s servant-boy, came outside Pertenhall on the east side with a bow in his hand and met William of Kendals, who was threatening the rector of Pertenhall and Sir Nicholas. William immediately as­ saulted Gerleys, striking him with an unsheathed sword on his left arm. Gerleys fled and shouted for help, but nobody came to him and William pursued him to kill him. Gerleys turned about, because he could not escape, and struck William in self-defence under the left side to the heart with a barbed arrow, of which he immediately died. Tefayne Spayne first found him, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Henry Wyt and Richard son of William, both of Pertenhall. The neighbours were attached: William Attegrene by Robert Hingram and Richard son of Silvester {Sulvestrie); Richard le Peleter by Richard [son of] Silvester and William Ategren; Richard son of Silvester by William Teste and William Lauwe; William Lauwe by Reynold Scot and Richard le Welyritte; all the pledges were of Pertenhall. Inquest before the same coroner by Pertenhall, Keysoe, Dean and Tilbrook, who said as above and that Gerleys had no chattels. [At the eyre the felony was said to have been committed in Pertenhall field. It was ordered that Gerles, who had immed­ iately fled, be exacted and outlawed. He was in the tithing of Stephen Brun in Pertenhall, which was amerced for not having him at the eyre. The 4 townships and Shelton were amerced for neither coming to the inquest {sic) nor making suit. The last 2 neighbours did not come to the eyre and so their pledges were amerced. The first finder came and was not suspected: J.I.1/10, m- 35-1 Redbornstoke Hundred

Membrane 5 76. William de Werdal and Maud his wife were arrested at Marston Moretaine and brought into the full county court on suspicion of taking money at Haynes at the house of John Timpan, called Rus, who confessed in full county court that he found 8s. io|d. and that he had 4s. of his own money. Nobody sued against William and Maud. Therefore by the award of the whole county the 8s. io|d. was delivered to Marston Moretaine, where it had been taken. William and Maud withdrew acquitted. Printed in Gross, p. 27. [At the eyre Richard of Haynes was said to have been arrested on suspicion of theft at the suit of John Timpon,

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35 brought to the county court and afterwards allowed to depart by Geoffrey le Rous, sheriff;1 judgment was therefore passed against Geoffrey’s heirs. Richard had withdrawn before the eyre and was suspected; it was therefore ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. He had chattels worth 6s., which were forfeited. Nothing was known of his tithing. Later it was found that he had chattels at Marston Moretaine worth 8s. iod., which were forfeited: J.I.i/io, m.39.] 77. About tierce on 29 May 1270 Cicely daughter of William the Carpenter of Wilshamstead, aged 2|, went out of her father’s door and went near a ditch in Wilshamstead, carrying bread. A small pig came and tried to take the bread from her hand, and she fell into the ditch and drowned by misadventure. William’s wife Emma found her and found pledges, Thomas Wymarc and Henry Swon of Wilshamstead. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Wilshamstead, Eastcotts, Harrowden and Elstow: as above. The pig was appraised at 2d. and delivered to Wilshamstead.

78. After bed-time on 17 June 1270 thieves came to the house of Robert son of Peter of Hardwick in Kempston Hardwick in the parish of Kempston, broke its west wall and entered. Robert’s daughter Juliana saw that they were thieves and immediately went from the house, fled to the town and shouted. The neighbours came in the hue to Robert’s house and there found his daughter Christiana lying almost dead and speechless, with 20 wounds in her head, face and back and almost through the middle of her head, apparently [made] with a knife. She died about vespers on 20 June. The hue was raised and followed. The neighbours were attached: Henry the Clerk by Gerard of Hardwick and William Swynt; Richard son of Hugh by Robert Godrich and Philip Pipolory; William son of Peter by Robert le Taylur and John son of Henry; Robert Godrich by Arnold of Wootton and Hugh Malerbe; all the pledges were of Kempston Hardwick. Robert, who was in the house, found pledges, Robert le Taylur and John son of Henry; Juliana found pledges for the same reason, her father and Henry son of Maud. Inquest before the same coroner by Wootton, Kempston, Houghton Conquest and Elstow: as above. Bateman son of Fulk of Wootton found pledges because of suspicion, German Robert and William Blake, both of Wootton, John le Wyte, Philip Bidim, Reynold Astil, Richard of Cauldwell, John Astil, William Cecely, Robert Leuwy, William Alexander, John Unbeeve and Richard Astil, until the arrival of the justices. Henry Coreye of Kempston was arrested and brought to Bedford gaol on suspicion for the death of Christiana daughter of Peter of Hardwick (sic). Afterwards he brought the king’s writ de odio et atia 1 In office 1265-6—earlier than the other cases on this roll.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 36 and was delivered in bail to John Binde of Kempston, Richard and Robert sons of Hugh, Hugh and Ralph sons of Clarice, Robert Mariot, Richard Saly, William Arnebur, Henry Russel, Walter le Wyte, John le Turnur, Thomas Saly and Richard Scutard of Kemp­ ston. [The last paragraph is struck through. Reynold son of Fulk (jir), who had been attached for this death, came to the eyre and was acquitted by a jury, but, because he did not come on the first day, he and his pledges (named as for Bateman above, but omitting Reynold Astil and calling John Unbeeve John Edeline) were amerced. Henry Coreye was said to have been arrested and imprisoned at Kempston in Dervergoyl de Balliol’s liberty, escaped, was recaptured, brought into the full court of the liberty and hanged by judgment of the court; for this and for the escape judgment was passed against the court and the liberty was taken into the king’s hand. The suitors later fined: J.I. 1/10, m. 38d.J 79. On 8 July 1270 Thomas the Miller of Millbrook was at the house of John Jose of Lidlington to do his work and at twilight came towards his house in Millbrook into ‘Fordebruge’ and there met unknown thieves, who immediately assaulted him, gave him 5 mortal wounds in the head, apparently with a staff, robbed him and then withdrew. As [soon as] he could he got up and went to Richard ate Brugge’s house almost dead and speechless, lay there speechless and died about vespers on 10 July. His wife Agnes Ermer raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Michael the Miller and William the Clerk of Millbrook. John Jose found pledges, Robert the Cook and Peter son of the reeve of Lidlington. Inquest before the same coroner by Millbrook, Segenhoe, Marston Moretaine and Lidlington: as above. Englishry was presented by William Russel, a paternal uncle, and Basile wife of William the Carpenter, a maternal kinswoman. [At the eyre the attack was said to have been committed in ‘Brokforlong’ field. Agnes, the first finder, did not come to the eyre and was not suspected; her pledges were therefore amerced. The said 4 townships were amerced for neither making suit nor coming to the eyre: J.I.1/10, m. 38.]

80. Inquest concerning the chattels of Gilbert of {del) Hanger, formerly servant of Geoffrey le Rus, by Houghton Conquest, who said that he had 4 chests worth i2d., 3 roods sown with wheat worth 2od., | acre sown with dredge worth 2od., 3 roods sown with wheat worth i| bushels {sic) and | acre sown with oats worth 12d., which were delivered to Houghton Conquest. In Wootton Pillinge he had 33 sheep worth 20s. and a cow worth 4s., which were delivered to Wootton Pillinge. See No. 56 above. 81.

Karissimo domino suo et arento: written in a different hand.

82.

At the Bedfordshire county court of 5 Jan. 1271 Hugh Gobiun,

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37 his son Ansel, Roger Gobiun, Robert Russel and Thomas le Keu were exacted a first time on the king’s writ (recited) to the sheriff, dated at Westminster, 12 Nov. 1270 and witnessed by M. of Littlebury, ordering him to cause the said persons to be exacted before him and the coroners in successive full county courts until their outlawry, if they did not appear, and, if they appeared, to arrest them and keep them in prison so that he should have them before the king’s justices at Westminster on 18 May to answer Roger Bratesun in a plea of robbery and breaking the peace, of which he had appealed them and concerning which the sheriff had reported to the said justices on 3 Nov. that the said men could not be found in his bailiwick. At the county courts of 26 Jan. and 23 Feb. they were exacted a second and third time and did not come. At the county court of 23 March Hugh Gobiun went surety for his son Hugh, William Deviveleshoa for Ansel, Robert de la Rydy for Roger, John Atwood (de bosco) for Robert Russel and Robert of Harrold for Thomas le Keu. Printed in Gross, pp. 27-8.

83. About midday on 28 Oct. 12701 Gilbert son of Richard the Reeve of Chaigrave and William son ofJohn the Reeve of Tilsworth came from Dunstable market to Houghton Regis field on the east side by Bidwell and a quarrel arose between them. William struck Gilbert on the top of the head, apparently with a ‘Denesch’ axe, giving him a wound 4 inches long and to the depth of the brain, so that his brain flowed forth. He had the rites of the church and died about midday on 31 Oct. The hue was raised and followed. Richard the Reeve, in whose house he was found slain, [found pledges], Richard le Bonde and Ralph of Leagrave of Chaigrave. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Chaigrave, Hockliffe, Milton Bryant and Battlesden: as above. It was ordered that William be arrested. They also said that he had no goods. [At the eyre it was presented that William killed Gilbert in Chaigrave field and immediately fled; it was ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. He was in Richard Persun’s tithing in Tilsworth, which was therefore amerced. Tingrith and Priestley were amerced for not coming to the inquest: J.I.1/10, m. 37d, under Manshead hundred.] 84. Soon after lunch on 7 Nov. 1271 Luke of Swaffham, chaplain of Steppingley, and Andrew Oringtseye, his clerk, aged 18, went to a tavern in Steppingley at the house of Simon de Kaus of Stepping­ ley, and at twilight they left the tavern with William le Blund, Kynne le Poter and Walter of Steppingley. Walter went to his house. The others went to Luke’s house and sat at supper there with Ede (Odonus) le Poter. At dawn the next day Richard the Clerk of Steppingley and his son Geoffrey got up and came to Luke’s house, opened the windows, entered and saw Luke and Andrew 1 MS. has Wednesday the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude 55 Henry III, in which year that feast fell on a Tuesday.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 38 lying dead in their beds with their necks broken; they had no wounds and none of the goods of the house had been taken away except money. The hue was raised and followed. Inquest before the same coroner by Flitwick, Steppingley, Tingrith, Segenhoe, and Ridgmont and Eversholt as one township, who agreed in suspecting Richard and Geoffrey because on 1 Nov. Richard had threatened Luke’s life; Kyn, Ede and William le Poter who were at lunch with Luke; {Membrane 4) and William le Blund, Walter Tupping, Simon le Poter and Henry Bubbel because they were their companions. All these suspects were arrested and taken to Bedford gaol. They also suspected Gilbert vicar of Millbrook because he was at Luke’s house late on the night when he was killed and at dawn the next day; it was therefore ordered that he be arrested. The hue was raised and followed {sic). The neighbours were attached: Stephen Mile by Walter Mile and Robert Aye; Richard at Churchgate {ad portam ecclesie) by Robert Aylywe and Robert Eleyne; Robert Aye by Stephen Mile and Adam de la Barre; Walter of Steppingley by Henry and John of Steppingley; all the pledges were of Steppingley. Richard the Clerk had chattels worth 46s. iod. and Simon le Poter chattels worth 8s. nd., which were delivered to Steppingley. Henry Bubbel, Walter Tupping and Geoffrey, Richard’s son, had none. [At the eyre the chattels of Richard and Simon, both of whom had been hanged, were forfeited; Simon’s were given as 8s. 6d.: J.I.1/10, m. 39.]

85. Before prime on 18 Aug. 1272 William le Cupere of Bedford climbed up Cauldwell church, within the gate of Cauldwell, to do his work. He saw 2 pigeons in the belfry, climbed up inside it to look for them and by misadventure fell through the middle of an opening {clera), breaking his right leg and the whole of his body. Richard the Plumber of Pertenhall, who was with him, immediately shouted and raised the hue. Men of the household of the house {sic) came and found him almost dead. Afterwards they brought him to a chamber, where he lay speechless and died about vespers the next day. Richard found pledges, Roger de Godricheseye and Robert of Brickhill of Bolnhurst. Inquest before the same coroner by Kempston, Elstow, Wootton and Wilshamstead: a misadventure. [Kempston is written in the margin against this case. The first finder and Richard le Plomer came to the eyre and were not suspected; nor was anyone else. The ladder up which William climbed was appraised at 6d. and adjudged deodand; the prior of Cauldwell was amerced for taking it without warrant: J.I.1/10, m. 38d.J 86. Roger Loring of Wootton came to the Bedfordshire county court on 11 July 1272 and appealed John son of William son of Robert of Wootton in that at sunset on 24 June, when Roger was in ‘Nomanislond’ by the highway which runs east to west between

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39 Elstow and Wootton, John came and assaulted him 4 feet to ele Norht’ of the highway, striking him with both hands with a ‘denesch’ axe of iron and steel, whose handle was of hazel-wood, along the length of his right shoulder, 2 inches from the collar-bone and 6 inches from the elbow, giving him a wound 6 inches long and 4 inches deep across the shoulder joint, splitting {fendidit) the bone and cutting the tendons of the joint with ‘le trenchant’ {sc. the cutting-edge) of the axe, thus maiming him, and robbed him of a black ‘cordewane’ purse worth 3d. and of 5s. inside it. He offered to prove or deraign against him in every way that the king’s court should award, as a maimed man can or ought, and found pledges to prosecute, John Loring and Andrew David of Wootton. Roger came to the county courts of 8 Aug., 5 Sept, and 3 Oct. and sued. John was exacted three times and did not come. Therefore by judgment of the county Roger was given a day at the next county court. He came to the county court of 31 Oct. and sued. John was exacted a fourth time and did not come, but William son of Robert of Wootton went surety for his appearance at the next county court. Summarised in Gross, p. 27. [Roger and John both came to the eyre, having concluded an agreement. Roger withdrew his appeal and was therefore com­ mitted to gaol and his pledges were amerced. The jurors found that John had not robbed Roger but had beaten him; he was therefore imprisoned. Both later came and fined with | mark each and the same pledges, John le Sweyn and Neil Loreng: J.I.1/10, m. 39.]

87. Johannes de Tesdale malefactores multociens R {written 16 times). R {written 8 times). Ricardus filius Galfridi ABCDEFGHIKLMNOPQ [All this is written in a different hand.]

88. Inquest by Geoffrey Rodlond, coroner, concerning the chattels of Adam of Bury, felon, at Elstow. They {sic) said that he had 6| bushels of wheat worth 3s. g|d., a chest worth 2d., an ater worth 6d., a basket worth 2d., wooden utensils and other small necessities worth 6d., forage and hemp {cambre) worth 8d., 2 ewers of equal size, a ‘bacin’, a gallon pot, a smaller pot and 2 ‘pocenest’ {sc. posnets, small metal pots or vessels for boiling) worth 4s.; and, found at Shefford, a horse worth I2d. and cloth worth 8s. They were delivered to Elstow and Shefford. [Before the eyre Adam had been hanged. His chattels were forfeited; they were worth 7s. nd.: J.I.1/10, m. 39.] 89. At twilight on 19 Feb. 1272 Roger son of Agnes of Maulden, a poor boy aged 8, was sitting in the road opposite Reynold le Wyt’s house in Maulden and wept for lack of a house. Reynold came out of his house to entertain him and thieves came, met and assaulted Reynold outside his house, struck him on the top of the

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head, apparently with ‘a pik’ axe, so that his brain issued forth, and killed the boy because he shouted. They then entered Reynold’s house, struck Margery le Wyte, apparently with a (j'z’f), giving her a wound 5 inches long and to the depth of the bone, and then carried away all the goods of the house. Geoffrey le Wyte first found them, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Alexander son of Hugh and Thomas Ger eward of Maulden. Isabel le Wyte found pledges, Richard son of Hugh and David the Long (longum). The neighbours were attached: the first neighbour (sic) by John David and Gilbert de Flore; Thomas Ger eward by Ralph Abbot and Richard le Messer; Gilbert de Flore by David son of Gilbert and Richard de la More; Lawrence of Clophill by Richard son of Hugh and Thomas Gereward. Inquest by Maulden, Millbrook, Ampthill, Houghton Conquest and Flitwick (sic). [The first finder came to the eyre and was not suspected. Lawrence of Clophill, the first neighbour (sic), did not come and was not suspected, and so his pledges (as for Lawrence above) were amerced. Flitwick was amerced for not coming to the inquest (sic): J.1.1 /10, m. 38d.J Manshead Hundred

Membrane 6 90. After lunch on 27 Aug. 1269, as Alexander Sweynissone of Dunstable was digging chalk in a deep pit in ‘Schalkputtes’ in Totternhoe, earth fell upon him so that his whole body was broken and he immediately died by misadventure. At dawn the next day his wife Juliana searched for him, found him dead, raised the hue and found pledges, Simon le Tylere of Dunstable and Nicholas son of Hugh of Totternhoe. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Eaton Bray, Totternhoe, Stanbridge and Tilsworth: as above.

91. Martin le Paumer of Beeston came to the Bedfordshire county courts of 9 Sept, and 7 Oct. 1269 and prosecuted his appeal against John son of Drue of Beeston, who was exacted a second and third time and did not come. Martin came to the county court of 4 Nov. and sued. John was present, denied everything and found pledges, Richard Juel and Gilbert son of Clarice, both of Beeston. 92. On 30 Oct. 1269 Thomas son of Thomas Julian of Crawley came to the abbot of Woburn’s mill called ‘Horssepol’ in the parish of Husborne Crawley, opened the door and about prime allowed Hugh le Wannere to enter with a small sack full of malt. Thomas took some grease to grease the lower wheel of the mill with his left hand and stood too close to it so that the wheel held him and broke the whole of his left arm. Hugh, seeing this, shut the mill and shouted. Robert son of Muriel came and they rescued him alive

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41

and afterwards brought him to the house of his father Robert (sic). He died after nones on the same day. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Aspley Guise, Birchmore, Woburn Chapel, Crawley and Husborne Crawley: as above. The wheels with the upper stone, the rinds, all the small utensils and the whole mill were appraised at 5s. and delivered to Crawley. Robert son of Muriel found pledges, William Acun and Hugh the Clerk, both of Crawley. Hugh found pledges, Walter le Teystur and Simon son of Henry, both of Crawley. [At the eyre the dead man, who was called Thomas son of Thomas Galyon, was said to have been greasing the inner wheel (interiorem for inferiorem), when he was crushed between it and the spindle. These two parts of the mill, worth 14s. 6d., were adjudged deodand. Thomas was said to have died 3 days after the accident. Hugh le Brewere (sic) and Robert son of Muriel, attached because they were present, came to the eyre and were acquitted, but they and their pledges were amerced both because they did not attend on the first day and because they did not offer to go to prison although this was a case of death. One of Robert’s pledges, Hugh the Clerk of Husborne Crawley (sic), had died. The abbot of Woburn was amerced for taking the deodand without warrant and all the townships but Woburn Chapel for appraising it falsely: J.I.1/10, m. 37.] 93. Inquest concerning the chattels of Richard of Hazeldean of Husborne Crawley, a fugitive on account of theft, by Eversholt, Segenhoe, Crawley, and Birchmore with Woburn Chapel, who said that he had 8 quarters of wheat and rye mixed worth 3s. a quarter, 10 quarters of dredge worth 2s. 4d. a quarter, 5 quarters of oats in a stack worth 2od. a quarter, 3 quarters of beans and peas in a stack worth 2s. a quarter, forage and hay estimated at 5s., 3 cows worth 16s., an ox worth 6s. 8d. and a stot worth 5s. Sir R. le Grey had a yoked plough. He (sic) also had a mare worth 6s., 2 heifers worth 8s., a stirk worth 4s., a cow worth 6s. 8d., which was at the house of Richard le Grunt of Segenhoe, 12 sheep worth I2d. each, which were driven to the house of Nicholas son of Adam of Hardwick in the parish of Wavendon, Buckinghamshire, a lead vat worth 2s., 2 troughs (alwee) worth 4d., 2 tubs (cuvi) worth 4d., 7 geese worth i4d., a cart with harness worth I2d., a large tub (cuvam) worth 12d., 7 acres sown with wheat and rye worth 2s. an acre and a quarter of malt worth 2s. 4d. They were also asked about the chattels of Richard le Houge and said that he had a cow at the house of Richard de la Grene of Westoning worth 6s., 11 sheaves of ‘lyn’ (sc. line or flax) worth 6d. and forage worth 6d., which were delivered to Crawley. [At the eyre it was ordered that Richard of Hazeldean and Richard le Huge, who had withdrawn and were suspected of divers thefts, be exacted and outlawed. Hazeldean forfeited chattels worth 36s.; the abbot of Woburn was amerced for taking 8s. worth without warrant and Reynold de Grey for

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taking the rest, worth 28s. (31s. in J.I.1/10, m. 38 under Redbornstoke hundred—possibly other chattels). Huge for­ feited chattels worth 4s., the prior of Dunstable being amerced for taking them without warrant. Both men were in Richard of Hazeldean’s tithing in Husborne Crawley, which was therefore amerced: J.1.1/io, m. 37d.J

94. Towards vespers on 30 Nov. 1270 Lucy Pofot, formerly the wife of Thomas of Houghton, came from the tavern in the house of John of Cranfield of Aspley Guise in Aspley Guise and went to her house. A ribald stranger came and asked for entertainment and Lucy entertained him. At dawn the next day Andrew son of Simon of Houghton Regis, a servant, came to get water at a well called ‘Swetewell’, came to Lucy’s house, saw her dead with 5 wounds to the heart, apparently made with a knife, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, John le Eyer and Walter Ossegor of Aspley Guise. The neighbours were attached: John le Eyer by Walter Ossegor and Simon of Fotsey; Stephen le Eyer by Stephen Pessun and Geoffrey Grigorie; Thomas son of the parson by Stephen Pessun and John le Eyer; Walter Ossegor by John le Eyer and Stephen Pessun; all the pledges were of Aspley Guise. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Salford, Holcot, Hus­ borne Crawley, Crawley and Birchmore: as above. 95. About prime on 11 Feb. 1271 William le Wylur of Brackley came through the middle of Leighton Buzzard to Nicholas le Taburer’s house and sat there at dinner with Nicholas. About midday William and his servant Geoffrey went from the house towards Dunstable and came to ‘Herkelouwe heywey’ in Leighton Buzzard field, where William had an illness called ‘palesye’ (sc. palsy), by misadventure fell from his horse and lay there speechless. Geoffrey took his horse, returned to Nicholas’s house and told him that William was lying down. They immediately sought a chaplain, and Nicholas and the chaplain went towards where he lay. Geoffrey went in front of the horses to see if William was still alive and found him dead. He immediately raised the hue and found pledges, Richard of the Meadows (de pratis) and William de Lesseawe of Leighton Buzzard. Inquest before the same coroner by£y^ (sic) and Hatch, Eggington, Clipstone and Billington: as above. The horse was appraised at 3s. and delivered to Leighton Buzzard. [At the eyre the horse was adjudged deodand; the prior of Grovebury was amerced for taking it without warrant. The first finder, called Geoffrey son of William Lemerch, did not come and was not suspected; his pledges (as above) were amerced: J.I.1/10, m. 40.] 96. Before midnight on 21 Dec. 1271 Richard le Blake of Clipstone, chaplain, was at the house of Alice Brumeye, his mother, in Clip­ stone in the parish of Leighton Buzzard. The same night Robert of

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43 Chicheley, who lived at Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, John Cosin of Wiltshire, Abel the Serjeant of Hatch, John le Grey, the prior of Grovebury’s carter, Robert the Serjeant of Clipstone and John the Forester came to the house, intending to arrest Richard because he was recently pursued for breaking houses and homicide at Sudbury on the previous day, where Richard had had a wound above his left thigh 7 inches long and to the bone. The said pur­ suers asked Richard to come out of the house and surrender to the peace. He would not, but took his sword, went out of the west side of the house and immediately assaulted Robert of Chicheley, badly wounding him almost through the middle of his left arm. In selfdefence Robert struck back at Richard with a ‘spitspade’ (sc. a narrow spade) on the right side of the crown (corona) of his head, giving him a wound 4 inches long and to the depth of the brain, and on the left side of the crown, giving him another wound 3 inches long and as deep as the bone, so that he fell down. Robert and the others immediately withdrew. Richard lived until the next day, asked for a chaplain and wished to have the rites of the church, but he died after nones. The township raised the hue, which was followed. Inquest before the same coroner by Leighton Buzzard, Eggington, Clipstone, Billington, and Eye (sic) and Hatch as one township, who said as above and that Richard was a common horse-thief, house­ breaker and homicide, as above. Nevertheless the sheriff was ordered in full county court to attach Robert and the others. The neighbours were attached: William le Neyer by William at Hill (ad montem) and Richard de Wulfhall; John Sut by Hugh the Clerk and Richard de Ayldithe; Reynold Bleche by Richard de Wulfston and Richard Bleche; Richard Ayldrith by William West and William le Hayward; all the pledges were of Clipstone. [At the eyre Richard’s chattels, worth i8d., were forfeited. The prior of Grovebury was amerced for taking them without warrant: J.1.1/io, m. 40.]

97. Before day-break on 10 July 1272 Ralph son of William the Clerk and Robert Yun, both of Crawley, Gervase Barun of Holcot, Richard Benin of Lidlington and Ralph of Lidlington went to­ gether to ‘Brandendon’ in the eastern part of Crawley to guard the corn of Ralph his (sui) father. Maud of Hazeldean of Crawley, Mabel and Alice daughters of William Seer, Margery daughter of Constance (Custanc'), Alice Passeforrere and her daughter Margaret were then there reaping, as if to take seisin of certain land in Margery’s name. Peter of Tingrith and his servant Peter, Nicholas son of Alice, Hugh son of Lady Hilary, Adam Colibof, Robert Feele and Robert son of the parson of Tingrith immediately came and assaulted Ralph [son of William]. The other men who were with Ralph fled to Crawley in fear. The others wounded Ralph with a sword across his right arm between the elbow and shoulder, so that he fell, and withdrew, leaving him almost dead, to the house of Alice Passeforrere. When they heard the noise the said women

CORONERS’ ROLLS 44 all immediately fled to the same house. {Membrane 7) Robert Yun, Gervase, Richard and Ralph [of Lidlington] shouted and the neighbours came and found Ralph mortally wounded; they immediately lifted him and brought him to his father’s house. He spoke, but soon afterwards, before sunset, he died of the said wound. The hue was raised and followed. Inquest before the same coroner by Eversholt, Crawley, Ridgmont, Segenhoe, Birchmore and Aspley Guise, who did not know which of those who were present gave him the wound. It was therefore ordered that Peter, Peter, Nicholas, Hugh, Adam, Robert and Robert be attached by their bodies and that Alice daughter of William Seer be attached. The following were attached: Robert Yun by Hugh the Clerk and John Brun of Crawley; Ralph of Lidlington by Nicholas Aylmar and Robert Yun of Husborne Crawley; Gervase Barun by William the Clerk and Philip Beynin of Crawley; Richard Beynin by Walter Beynin and Robert Yun of Segenhoe; Maud of Hazeldean by Nicholas at the Cross {ad crucem) of Husborne Crawley and Philip Acun of Aspley Guise; Mabel Seer by Nicholas Richer and William Seer of Husborne Crawley. Later Crawley and Husborne Crawley presented in full county court that Robert Wale of Toddington gave Ralph the mortal wound. Denise, Ralph’s widow, came to the full county court of Bed­ fordshire on 8 Aug. and appealed Robert Wale of her husband’s death; she had not yet formulated her appeal, but found pledges to prosecute, Robert Yun and Richard Beynin of Crawley. She came to the county courts of 5 Sept, and 3 and 31 Oct. and sued. Robert was exacted three times and did not come. Summarised in Gross, p. 28. For the later stages of this appeal see No. 142 below.

98. On 17 March 1272 William Brien son of John Aylmar of Salford and his wife Denise were in their house at Salford and at twilight they went to bed. Immediately {sic) in the night 2 thieves came to the door and entered. Denise saw that they were thieves and warned her husband, who immediately got out of bed. One of the thieves took the willow-rod {vim9) with which the door was shut and struck William on the head so that he fell. They then tied Denise up and carried away the goods of the house. Later Denise untied herself and raised the hue. The neighbours came and found William lying in the house almost dead with his head broken. He lay speechless and soon died. The hue was raised and followed. Denise found pledges, Ralph Reynaud and Robert Awle of Salford. The neighbours were attached: Walter le Porcher by Robert Reynaud and Nicholas Custance; Ralph Rotoun by Walter Wost and Robert Godwyne. Inquest before the same coroner by Cranfield, Holcot, Husborne Crawley, Crawley, Aspley Guise and Salford, who knew nothing more than the above [and] that the felons were unknown. [At the eyre Salford was amerced for not making suit. The 4 {sic) neighbours came and were not suspected. All the townships

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45 except Holcot were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred: J.I.i/io, m. 37.]

99. H. dei gracia etc. dilectis et fidelibus suis R. de Midelton et sociis suis justiciariis in comitatu Somerc’ salutem. Sciatis quod per nos et consilium nostrum necnon et fideles nostros qui nobiscum nuper convenerant apud Malebur’ provisum est quod si coram vobis aut aliis justiciariis nostris. Item [This is written across the whole width of the membrane in a different hand and is uncancelled.] Biggleswade Hundred

Membrane 100. On the night of 30 March 1270 7 thieves came to the house of Muriel le Braceresse of Astwick in Astwick, broke its wall, entered, took 2 surcoats and wounded John son of Andrew of Astwick, who was in the house, on the head, apparently with an axe, so that he fell as if dead. Richard the Clerk of Astwick was in the house and from fear fled into a chamber of the house and shut the door. He then broke a wall, went out and immediately raised the hue, to which the neighbours came. William Littegrom of Astwick came towards the hue. One of the thieves was standing by the high street near Muriel’s house and struck him in the right side with a stout (valenti) arrow. William saw that he was wounded, returned to his own house and lay there, had the rites of the church and died on 23 April. His wife Joan immediately raised the hue, which was followed. Richard the Clerk found pledges, Simon Wymark and William Crips; John son of Andrew found pledges, Walter Partrich and William Bendel; and the neighbours were attached: William Crips by Simon Wymark and William Bendel; William Bendel by William Crips and Walter Partrich; Roger Scot by Walter Partrich and Roger son of Geoffrey; Walter Partrich by Richard the Clerk and Roger son of Geoffrey; all the pledges were of Astwick. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Langford, Edworth, Stotfold, Arlesey and Astwick. Astwick suspected Richard le Husser of Hinxworth because he was not of completely good repute and because Richard the Clerk said that when he was fleeing Richard le Husser openly threatened him and he knew him by his speech. The other townships knew nothing. [At the eyre it was not known who the felons were. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The neighbours did not come and their pledges were therefore amerced. William Bendel’s pledges were given as Roger son of Geoffrey and Richard the Clerk and Roger Scot’s first pledge as Richard the Clerk. Langford, Edworth, Stotfold and Arlesey were amerced for not making suit. The coroners’ rolls showed that Richard le Usser consented to the death,

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fled and was suspected; it was therefore ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels. Richard le Clerc came to the eyre and was acquitted. John son of Andrew did not come and was not suspected; his pledges were therefore amerced: J.1.1/io, m. 2gd.]

101. After vespers on 9 Oct. 1270 Gilbert the Shepherd of Kin­ wick went from his house in the hamlet of Kinwick in the parish of Sandy to his sheepfold a furlong outside the town on the east and did not return that night. His wife Rose searched for him with her neighbours, and on the next day through the neighbourhood in towns and fields and could not find him. On 13 Oct. Gilbert’s son Hugh was watching sheep on Sandy Heath and there found his father slain, being struck through the middle of the hattrel apparently with an axe, raised the hue and ran to the town. The neighbours came and the hue was followed. Hugh found pledges, Ralph Wybet and Henry Blanfrunt, both of Kinwick. Inquest before the same coroner by Sutton, Potton, Everton and Sandy, who did not know who killed Gilbert or where he was killed, but they well knew that he was not killed where he was found. Rose found pledges, Ralph Wybet and Peter the Shepherd of Kinwick. The neighbours were attached: Peter the Shepherd by Hugh Rikeld and Martin Petyt; Martin Petit by Hugh Aubre and Peter the Shepherd; William Aylline by John Ayline and Robert the Clerk; Richard Muriel by Hugh Aubre and William le Marchant. [At the eyre it was presented that Gilbert, who was called Gilbert the Shepherd of the prior of Chicksands, was slain by unknown felons, who immediately fled. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The neighbours did not come and were not suspected; their pledges were therefore amerced. Martin Petit’s first pledge was called Hugh Auvore. The 4 townships were amerced for not coming to the inquest {sic): JJ-i/io, m. 2gd.] 102. At night on 25 Oct. 1270 Simon le Prestisman went from his fold towards his house in Edworth, in which were his wife Agnes, his son Richard, aged over 8, and Rose of Potton. In the night Agnes and Richard sought ale at Christiana le Hunestere’s house and then returned to their own. The next morning Maud daughter of Robert Robert came towards the church and came to Simon’s house, entered and saw Simon, Agnes, Richard and Rose slain, with their throats cut, apparently with a knife, and other mortal wounds to the heart. She immediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Richard Robert and Walter son of Sampsun. Inquest before the same coroner by Edworth, Astwick, Holme, Millow and Langford, who knew nothing except that the felons who slew them were unknown. The neighbours were attached: Richard son of Robert by John Arnold and Henry Rakebert;

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47 John Arnold by Richard son of Robert and John the Clerk; Richard son of William by John and Walter the Clerk; Henry Rakebert by Richard Robert and John Arnold. Christiana le Huxtere {sic} found pledges, Simon Daelbert and Lawrence Sulverlok. 103. About prime on 16 Feb. 1271 Alexander le Gardiner of Potton, Lady Christine de Fornival’s servant, was digging under the walls of an old dovecote in the garden in Lady Christine’s court-yard in Sutton to demolish them and, as he dug, the wall by misadventure fell upon him and broke his head so that he immed­ iately died there. His wife Alice came with his breakfast, looked for him, saw his surcoat and cap and the spade with which he dug and so found him dead and his whole body broken. She immediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Walter Cappe and Reynold of Comberton, both of Potton. Inquest before the same coroner by Sandy, Sutton, Potton, Wrestlingworth and Edworth: as above. The spade was worth i|d. 104. After nones on 24 March 1271 Henry son of Emma Colle, aged over 5, tried to cross the river Ivel to Blunham mill and by misadventure fell in and drowned. Emma searched for him by the river every day and on 11 April found him dead on the land of Azeline, lady of Little Barford, in ‘Norcroftisende’ in the parish of Little Barford, immediately raised the hue, to which the township came, and found pledges, William le Flanwille and Robert Gerwas, both of Blunham. Inquest before the same coroner by Everton, Little Barford, Tempsford and Blunham: as above.

105. About tierce on ig April 1271 Robert of Yelling of Hunting­ donshire, the abbot of Sawtry’s servant, boarded a boat at Little Barford mill because 4 unknown paupers asked him out of charity to take them across the river Ouse. When they were in the boat it sank through the fierceness of the wind and current. Robert fell into the water and drowned by misadventure and the 4 paupers barely escaped to land, whereupon they immediately fled. At length brother John of Little Barford searched for him every day and on 6 May1 Henry the Miller of Little Barford went by the river and found Robert lying in cle Mulneput’, raised the hue and found pledges, {Membrane 6d} Alan son of Thomas ate Ree and Roger at Ree {ad ripam} of Little Barford. The boat was appraised at 2s. and delivered to Little Barford. Inquest before the same coroner by Everton, Sandy, Tempsford and Little Barford: as above. [At the eyre the boat was adjudged deodand. The first finder had died and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. The 4 townships were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest: J.I.i/10, m. 31.] 1 MS. has Thursday the feast of St. John before the Latin gate 55 Henry III, in which year that feast fell on a Wednesday.

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106. After midday on 16 June 1271 Annora daughter of Agnes Oter, aged 3, went out of the south side of her mother’s house in Edworth, while her mother was seeking fuel, by misadventure fell into a ditch outside a wood and drowned. Agnes first found her dead and shouted; the neighbours came. She found pledges, Gilbert and Robert Barun of Edworth. Inquest before the same coroner by Astwick, Holme, Millow, Stratton and Edworth: as above. 107. About bed-time on 17 Aug. [1271] John Dreu and Thomas son of Philip of Coventry took 2 horses and John took a haqueton and a helmet and carried a lance in his hand, and they went to Beeston fields to look for a cart of corn, because it was late (diu) and night-time. John returned to his house at Stratford the same night without Thomas, and about bed-time the next day he went from his house to a mill in Sandy formerly belonging to Philip of Coventry outside his court-yard to fish, extended a net and by misadventure fell into the river Ivel on the south of the mill and drowned because he was drunk. An unknown servant had gone with him, immed­ iately raised the hue, fled and did not return. The same night Alice wife of John Codenot searched for the said John, her husband, found him drowned, immediately raised the hue and found pledges, Robert Codenot and Richard Juel. Mary, wife of the said John, found pledges, Patun of Leicester and William Arnebur. The neighbours were attached: Robert Codenot by Walter le Plouman and Merlin of Kinwick; Gilbert de Daudewill by Merlin of Kinwick and Gilbert le Osseylur. Walter le Carver, who was in the said house the night John went out, found pledges, Osbert and Alexander of Caldecote. The net was appraised at 3d. and delivered to Sandy. Inquest before the same coroner by Beeston, Sandy, Everton and Northill, who said as above and that Thomas was still alive.

108. On 28 April 1272 Adam of Deddington of Oxfordshire, Isabel of Moreton of Buckinghamshire, Walter Scot of Berwickupon-Tweed and his wife Joan of Stratford outside London came to Dunton and Walter offered a pelt for sale through the whole town. They then sought hospitality through the whole town, but did not find any and later withdrew from the town to ‘Godeshull’, where a quarrel arose between Adam and Walter. Adam struck Walter under the left ear to the throat with a knife called ‘swytel’ (^. a thwittie). Joan immediately raised the hue and the townships came, found Walter dead and arrested Adam and Joan. Isabel heard the hue from the other side of the town, took a (sic) child in her arms and immediately fled to Dunton church, where she stayed until 5 May and then confessed before the coroner that she had stolen a coat of brightly coloured material (pounito), a rochet, a veil, a sheet and many other things, that she was in the company of the said thieves and was present at the homicide; she refused to surrender to the king’s peace and so she abjured the realm according to law and custom, the port of Dover being given to her.

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49 [At the eyre the homicide was said to have occurred in Dunton field and the abjuration to have been before Geoffrey Roland, coroner. It was presented that Adam had been hanged at Great Barford before Robert of Creakers, a justice, and his fellows. He had no chattels and was in no tithing because he was a vagabond. Joan had been imprisoned at Bedford and delivered [acquitted] by a jury before the same justices. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred: J.I.i/io, m. 29.]

109. Soon after nones on 6 Sept. 1272 Maud daughter of William Bigge, aged almost 3, was in her father’s house in Arlesey with Christiana, a blind woman. Maud went out into the street opposite the east side of the house, fell into a ditch and drowned. Her mother Isabel came into her house from a neighbour’s house, did not see Maud, searched for her, went to the ditch, saw her in it drowned, raised the hue and took Maud from the ditch. The neighbours came to the hue. Isabel found pledges, Adam le May and William Bigge of Arlesey. Inquest before a coroner by Arlesey, Henlow, Clifton and Stotfold: as above. Cf. No. 53 above.

no. Soon after nones on 27 April 1271 Michael of Goldington wished to pull down an old wall at the abbot of Sawtry’s mill in Little Barford. He had a pick-axe in his hand and his son Robert, who was with him, had a shovel in his. Robert told his father to go away as the wall was on the point of falling, and soon afterwards by misadventure it fell upon Michael, breaking the whole of his body, and he immediately died. Robert barely escaped with his life and raised the hue; the household of the house, that is, of the mill (sic), [came]. Robert found pledges, Alan son of Thomas and Roger ate Re of Little Barford. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Sandy, Little Barford, Tempsford and Everton: as above. The pick-axe was appraised at id. and delivered to the township. [At the eyre the deceased was called Michael Ode. The first finder did not come to the eyre and was not suspected; his pledges were therefore amerced. Nobody else was suspected: J.I.1/10, m. 31.] hi. Note that Tempsford ought to be in this hundred and is in Wixamtree hundred. Cf. Nos. 62 and 64 above.

Willey Hundred

Membrane 8 112. Memorandum quod duo homines: written at the top of the membrane. 113. 7

About vespers on 24 Oct. 1269 Richard son of Humphrey of

5°

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Bozeat came looking for a lamb in the wood of John of Pavenham of Hinwick and met felons who immediately assaulted him, led him into the wood and immediately gave him 2 wounds in the head above the left ear so that his brains flowed out and he immediately died. At the same hour the felons met Richard le Schild of Sharnbrook, led him into the wood, robbed him and tried to kill him; he barely escaped with his life. Humphrey first found his son slain and found pledges, John Sparwe of Hinwick and Robert son of Henry of Bozeat of Northamptonshire. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Harrold, Odell, Podington and Hinwick as one township, and Wardeyes (sic), who said as above and that the felons were unknown. Englishry was presented by Henry son of Henry, Richard’s paternal uncle. [At the eyre the felons were still unknown. The first finder did not come and so his pledges were amerced: J.I.i/io, m. 36.]

114. After vespers on 14 Nov. 1269 Edith daughter of Thomas the Fisher of Chellington intended to convey Geoffrey son of William of Chellington, Thomas son ofJohn le Hode of Chellington, Agnes daughter of Daniel Atwell (de fonte), and Alice daughter of Hugh the Fisher and Agnes daughter of Walter the Miller, both of Radwell, in a boat across the river Ouse opposite her father’s house. When the 4 women were in the boat, before the 2 men had entered, the boat by misadventure sank, because it was old and in poor condition and water entered it. The women fell into the river and all were dragged out with the help of Geoffrey and Thomas except Edith, who drowned by misadventure. Her father first found her and found pledges, Geoffrey the Reeve and Arnulph Addy, both of Chellington. Geoffrey found pledges, his father and John son of William of Chellington; Thomas found John le Hode and John Harewaker; Alice found her father and Robert Ball; Agnes daughter of Walter the Miller found her father and Richard Cosin; and Agnes daughter of Daniel Atwell found Gilbert Raulet and Hugh the Fisher; all the pledges were of Radwell. Inquest before the same coroner by Chellington and Carlton as one township, Harrold, Odell and Felmersham: as above. The boat was appraised at i2d. and delivered to Chellington. [At the eyre nobody was suspected. The boat was adjudged deodand. Geoffrey, Thomas, Agnes, Agnes and Alice came and were acquitted: J.1.1/10, m. 36.]

115. On 5 Jan. 1270 Adam of Banbury had many men eating with him at his house in Felmersham. At night they peacefully withdrew, but on their way a quarrel arose between Gilbert son of Agnes Berringer and Walter son of William of Hardwick. Walter threw Gilbert to the ground, so that his head was slightly injured. The next day he became ill with acute fever, had the rites of the church, told the ?pardoner that he suffered no ill from the said wound but only from the said illness and died on 12 Jan. The town­ ship was uncertain about the wound and sent for the coroner.

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51 Inquest before the same coroner by Felmersham, Radwell, Pavenham and Carlton, who said that Gilbert died of the illness and not of the wound. Nevertheless it was ordered that Walter be attached. [It was presented at the eyre that Walter had immediately fled and was suspected; it was therefore ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels, but was in William le Petit’s tithing in Felmersham, which was amerced for not having him at the eyre. The coroner was amerced for not attaching the neighbours: J.I.i/io, m. 36.]

116. Well into the night of 30 March 1270 Simon and Richard, sons of Hugh the Fisher of Radwell, came from the house of Hugh’s daughter Alice towards that of their father in Radwell and wished to cross the court-yard of Robert Ball of Radwell, in which Simon son of Agnes of Radwell and Juliana daughter of Walter the Fisher of Radwell were lying under a haystack. Simon immediately arose and struck Simon the Fisher on the top of the head to the brain, apparently with an axe, so that he immediately died. Richard, seeing this, raised the hue and fled. Simon the felon immediately fled and Juliana with him. The township came and the hue was followed. Robert Ball found pledges, Robert de la More and Simon the Reeve of Radwell. Richard found pledges, his father and Richard Tappe of Radwell. The neighbours were attached: Adam le Sumeter by John le Franceys and Richard Cosin; Gilbert Raulyn by Walter ate Gren and John Franceys; Hugh the Fisher by Richard de la More and Robert Martel; William le Broy by Simon del More and John the Tailor; all the pledges were of Rad­ well. It was ordered that Simon and Juliana be arrested. Inquest before the same coroner by Radwell, Felmersham, Pavenham and Sharnbrook, who said as above and that Simon the felon had nothing but 2 sheep worth 6d., which were delivered to Rad well. [At the eyre it was ordered that Simon son of Agnes, who was suspected, be exacted and outlawed, but that Juliana, who was not suspected, could return if she wished. Simon’s chattels, worth 2id., were forfeited; Juliana had no chattels. Simon was in Richard Cosyn’s tithing in Radwell, which was amerced for not having him at the eyre. The neighbours came and were not suspected: J.I.i/10, m. 36d.]

117. Before prime on 26 May 1270 Robert son of Walter Legeman of Little Odell, aged 11, went into ‘Smezewold’ field in Odell towards Hinwick to watch his father’s animals there. A thunder­ storm arose and Robert was struck on the head, so that he immed­ iately lay speechless. His father, who was in the field, came running towards him, found him lying there, took him in his arms to his house in Odell, thinking to save him, but about tierce on the same day Robert died by misadventure. His father found pledges, Walter of Hinwick and Ralph the Smith of Odell.

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Inquest before the same coroner by Odell, Felmersham, Harrold and Carlton: a misadventure.

118. At dawn on 15 June 1270, while Maud Towy was at church, her servant Walter son of William of Thurleigh {de Lega) took a pot and went to a well in the court-yard of her house in the hamlet of Whitwick in the parish of Bletsoe, tried to draw water from the well, slipped and fell into it and drowned by misadventure. Alice le Noreys first found him drowned and found pledges, Robert Trobbe of Bletsoe and Terri of Odell. Walter Towy, keeper of the said house, found pledges, Nicholas son of Nicholas and Richard the Smith of Bletsoe. Inquest before the same coroner by Bletsoe, Radwell, Thurleigh and Mil ton Ernest: as above. Amodo T. de Bray: written at the bottom of this case in the margin. 119. About prime on 21 March 1270 William son of Herbert ate Stil of Stagsden, aged 1 o, was standing in the kitchen of the prior of Newnham’s manor in Stagsden with a knife in his hand to cut up vegetables, when the knife fell from his hand upon his left foot, cutting the tendons of the foot, so that blood flowed forth and the boy shouted. His mother Emma, who was in the court-yard, came and saw him injured and took him in her arms to her house; he died about tierce the next day through excessive bleeding. Emma found pledges, Adam le Goys and Nicholas Schanpiun. Herbert ate Stil found pledges, Ralph Golston and Robert the Cook of Stagsden. Inquest before the same coroner by Stagsden, Turvey, Stevington and Bromham: as above.

120. On 5 Oct. 12701 Hugh Bossard of Knotting took seisin of Souldrop church with its lordship and advowson by buying from John of Souldrop, its patron, certain land belonging to it. During that night brother Hubert of Chelsham, master of Melchbourne [hospital], came and asked Hugh and those who were with him what they were doing there on the fee of the hospital. Hugh replied that he was there and was staying there of his right. Hubert asked him and his companions to come outside, but they refused, and so he and his followers assaulted the church with bows and arrows and cross-bows and brought fire to burn the church door. Hugh and his companions defended themselves inside the church and shot arrows at those who were outside, so that Roger le May was struck in the left eye with a barbed arrow and died of this wound at his house at Melchbourne about tierce on 8 Oct. {Membrane 9) Inquest before the same coroner by Riseley, Yelden, Keysoe and Dean, the 4 neighbouring townships of Melchbourne, and Radwell, Odell, Bletsoe and Wymington, the 4 neighbouring 1 The year is wrongly given as 55 Henry III in the margin, but correctly as 54 Henry III in the body of the case.

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53 townships of Souldrop, who said jointly and severally that they did not know who killed Roger, nor whether it was those who were inside the church or those outside. Asked the names of those present at the assault, they said that they knew none but the said Hubert, who was with his followers outside the church, and Hugh, who was inside with his, but they thought that John of Radwell and Adam le Venur were with Hugh. When Roger died, his wife Beatrice le Tippere raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Walter le Est and Ralph the Cook of Melchbourne. Hubert [found] Henry the Cook and Walter de le Stile; Hugh found William Lorence and Walter of Arlesey of Riseley; John of Radwell found Robert of Woodham and Walter Bole of Knotting; Adam le Venur found Richard son of Avis and Abraham son of Walter. Beatrice le Tippere of Melchbourne came to the Bedfordshire county court on 3 Nov. 1270 and appealed Nicholas of Bakewell of Derbyshire of the death of her husband Roger le May in that on 5 Oct. he came to Souldrop and in the high street outside the east gate of the church assaulted Roger, striking him in the left eye with a barbed arrow and giving him a wound an inch long and to the depth of the brain, of which he died at Melchbourne about prime on 8 Oct.; and she offered to prove this or deraign as a woman can or ought, and found pledges to prosecute, Walter Est and Ralph the Cook of Melchbourne. Beatrice came to the county courts of 1 Dec., and 5 and 26 Jan. 1271 and sued. Nicholas was exacted three times and did not come. She came to the county court of 23 Feb. and sued. Nicholas was exacted a fourth time and did not come, nor did anyone go surety for him. He was therefore outlawed by judgment of the county. [At the eyre it was said that brother Hubert, Hugh Bossard, John of Radwell and Adam le Venur had come to the county court in the shrievalty of Thomas Bray; judgment was passed against the sheriff and coroners for giving them bail without the king’s command contrary to law and custom. All their pledges (Adam’s first being called Richard son of Amice) were amerced for not producing them on the first day of the eyre. It was later found that Adam had died. John and Hugh were arrested and imprisoned. Hubert had withdrawn, but was not suspected; it was therefore ordered that he might return if he wished. He had no chattels of his own because he was an hospitaller, but he was in the mainpast of the prior of St. John of Jerusalem in England, who was therefore amerced. Nicholas of Bakewell had no chattels and was not in a tithing because he was from Derbyshire. Later Walter Brian of Dean, Robert son of Ralph, Richard at the Castle (ad castrum), Simon son of Alexander and Hugh Davy, all 4 of Melchbourne, Hugh the Smith, Robert Lucas and Lawrence the Cobbler, all of Riseley, Lawrence Cole, Geoffrey Atwood (de bosco), John Heyron, Thomas at Townsend (ad capud ville), Ralph Knyth, Thomas Rawy, John of Linslade, John Amy, Ellis Honnewyne, John Aspeley, Hugh

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Faukes, Reynold le Eyr, Walter Becok, Nicholas of Willington, William Brand and ‘Bonde Edewarde’, all but Lawrence Cole of Riseley, John son of Matheu, John son of Amice and John Bauzan, all 3 of Hargrave, Robert Modersone, Thomas Fraunceys and William and Emery {Almaricus) Seward, all of Melchbourne, Thomas le Due, Michael of the Lane {de venella), Robert Bacun, Richard son of Hugh, Geoffrey Atteponde, Ralph son of Stephen the Shepherd, John the Tailor, Geoffrey of ?Southoe, William of London, William the Smith, William le Messer, Reynold the Clerk, Michael of Shirdon, Richard Hardy, Michael le Due and John Bacun, all of Souldrop, Nicholas Pencurt, Thomas de Nowers, Ralph de Barentyn, Richard Moraunt of Knotting, Walter Bakehare, William son of ?Ellis, Henry son of Lucy and the said John of Radwell, who were inside the church, were arrested on suspicion of the death, came, denied everything and were acquitted of the death, but they were amerced because they were present. Later it was found that brothers Nicholas of Denton and Walter of Chelsham, Roger de la Despense, John de Bokehorn, Andrew le Conestabel of Kimbolton, Michael Dally, John le Venur, Adam le Forester, Bruing of Melchbourne, Lawrence son of the Cook, Adam of Campton, Walter Byssop and William son of Neil, all 3 of Melchbourne, Ralph Doget, Hugh Derby, William Blake, Clement le Marisall and Ralph le Mariscall, all of the Temple {de templd), William the Carpenter, Walter Est, Warren de Wrenche, Warren le Bruton and Simon of Stanwick, all of Dean, Robert Caperun of Knotting, Henry of Harrold, William son of Michael, Robert son of William and John and Simon sons of Alice, all of Knotting, William the Carter and Robert Fynegod of Odell were present at the killing and were therefore amerced, but they were not suspected and had not withdrawn: J.I.1/10, m. 35d, under Stodden hundred.] 121. On 12 March 1271 Thomas of Leicester, a thief, came to Harrold and about vespers he came to Reynold de le Schaler’s house, broke it, stole a surcoat of burnet, 2 sets of linen cloths and a sheet, was captured with the mainour and imprisoned in Ralph Morin’s court-yard. On 2 April he escaped from this prison, fled to Harrold church, stayed there until 8 April and then confessed before G. Rodlond and 4 townships that he had committed the said theft and others and was unwilling to surrender to the king’s peace. He therefore abjured the realm according to the custom of England and was given the port of Dover. [At the eyre Thomas was said to have no chattels, and nothing was known of his tithing because he was a stranger. Harrold was made answerable for his escape because it had the duty of guarding the said prison: J.I.1/10, m. 36d.]

122. On 17 Dec. 1271 William and Maud, son and daughter of Nicholas of the Bridge {de ponte), John le Facher and Robert son of

CORONERS’ ROLLS

55 Thomas the Fisher came from Odell, wished to cross the river at Chellington, got into an old boat and Robert and Maud by mis­ adventure drowned. Thomas the Fisher first found them drowned, raised the hue and found pledges, Roger of Wootton and John son of William of Chellington. William son of Nicholas of the Bridge found pledges, John of Beedon and Arnulph Addy of Chellington; John le Wacher found Roger Waker and Simon de Berecroft. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Chellington, Carlton, Odell and Harrold: as above. The boat was appraised at 8d. and delivered to Chellington. [At the eyre nobody was suspected. The boat was appraised at 12d. and adjudged deodand. William and John Waker {sic) came and were acquitted. Chellington was amerced for not coming to the inquest {sic): J.I.i/io, m. 36d.J

123. In the early night of 25 Feb. 12721 Ralph son of Ralph vicar of Bromham went into the road opposite the east side of Bromham church towards William Passeleuwe’s house. Robert Bernard of Wootton, Robert of Shefford, Richard Norman and Roger Brien came, and Robert Bernard asked Ralph who he was. He replied: a man, who are you ? Thereupon Robert, because he was drunk, sprang forward and struck Ralph across the crown {gravam) of the head with a ‘spart’ axe, giving him a wound 5 inches long and through the middle of the bone in depth, so that blood and brains immediately flowed out, he immediately lost his speech and died thereof about midday on the morrow. Inquest before the same coroner by Bromham, Biddenham, Stagsden and Stevington. Bromham said that nobody was guilty of Ralph’s death except Robert Bernard but that they {sic) came together from Robert Malin’s tavern. Biddenham said that nobody struck Ralph except Robert Bernard, but that the others consented to do any other misdeed and were waiting to do injury to someone else there. Stagsden and Stevington said the same as Biddenham. It was therefore ordered that Robert, Robert, Richard and Roger be arrested. Robert Erwy, who was with Ralph and fled from fear when he was assaulted, found pledges, Thomas David and William the Smith of Biddenham. Robert Malin, from whose house they came, found pledges, Geoffrey ate Hokes of Kemps ton and Robert Golston of Stagsden. Agnes wife of Ralph the Clerk of Bromham came to the Bedford­ shire county court on 21 March 1272 and appealed Robert Bernard of Wootton, Robert of Shefford, Richard Norman and Roger Brien of Bromham, carpenter, of the death of her husband in that on 25 Feb.12 they came into Bromham and assaulted Ralph at twilight on the east side of Bromham churchyard in the crossroads of the road 1 MS. has Thursday the feast of St. Matthew in error for St. Matthias, which, unlike St. Matthew, fell on a Thursday in 1272. 2 MS. again has Thursday the feast of St. Matthew in error for St. Matthias.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 56 running from the court-yard formerly belonging to William Malerbe to the house of Ralph vicar of Bromham and another road running from the east side of the churchyard to William Passeleuwe’s house. There Robert Bernard struck Ralph with a ‘spart’ axe on the right side of the head, giving him a wound 15 inches long, 4 inches deep and 1 inch wide, from which he died. At the same time and place Robert of Shefford struck him with the back of a ‘denesch’ axe on his loins, breaking them, of which blow he would have died if he had not died of the first wound. Richard Norman struck him with a staff of apple-wood called ‘clobbe’ on the left side, breaking 2 ribs, of which he would have died if he had had no other blow. At the same time and place Roger Brien struck him on the back between the shoulders with an oak staff called ‘clobbe’, of which he would have died if he had had no other blow. Agnes also appealed Robert Malyn of Bromham and Malina his wife of sending, ordering and harbouring [the others] in committing the felony. Agnes was prepared to prove and prosecute against the said felons for the said felony according to the custom and award of the realm, and, in the event of her death during the appeal, Ralph’s sister Nichola offered to prosecute against them according to the law and custom of the realm; they found pledges to prosecute, William Passeleuwe and William [son of Ralph], vicar of Bromham. At the county courts of 18 April, {Membrane yd) 23 May and 13 June Agnes came and sued. The appellees were exacted three times and did not come. Therefore by [judgment of the county] a day was given at the next county court. At the county court of 11 July Agnes came [and] sued. Robert Bernard was exacted a fourth time and did not come, nor did anyone go surety for him. He was therefore outlawed by judgment of the county. Philip of Wootton went surety for Robert of Shefford, Richard Gronde for Richard Norman, Geoffrey son of Ralph for Roger Brien, Robert Golston for Robert Malyn and Nicholas le Rus for Malina; all the sureties but the first were of Stagsden. At the county court of 8 Aug. Agnes came and sued. Richard Norman, Robert Malyn and Malina were exacted a fifth time, came and were delivered to Thomas le Bray, sheriff, for gaol. Robert of Shefford and Roger Brien were called for many times and did not come; they were therefore outlawed by judgment of the county. [On 28 Feb. 1273 the sheriff was ordered to allow bail to Richard le Charpenter of Bromham, who was imprisoned at Bedford for Ralph’s death: Cal. Close Rolls, 1272-1279, p. 9. At the eyre nothing was known of the chattels or tithings of Robert Bernard, Robert of Shefford and Roger Brien because they were strangers. Geoffrey son of Ralph and Philip of Wootton were amerced for not having Roger and Robert of Shefford at the fifth county court. The other appellees had been bailed by a royal writ until the eyre, when they were recom­ mitted to prison. Because Alice did not sue against them at the eyre it was ordered that she be arrested and her pledges amerced. Richard Norman, Robert Malyn and his wife (called Maud)

CORONERS’ ROLLS

57 denied everything and were acquitted by a jury: J.I.i/io, m. 36d.]

124. G. G. Galfr’. D. L.: written at the foot of membrane g in a different hand. 125- John son of Simon of Chellington and his sister Maud came to the county court of 11 July 1272 and appealed Robert Atwater (ad aquam, de aqua) of Gravenhurst in that on 29 June, when John was at Alfred of Gravenhurst’s house and intended to go from there to Simon of Pattishall’s house, called ‘Broybur’, at Little Cainhoe after sunset, Robert came below the west side of the court­ yard of Ralph of Ivel towards the house of Adam of Bowels in the middle of a hedge towards the south side and assaulted John, striking him 2 inches above the right eye with a ‘denech’ axe of iron and steel with a hazel-wood handle, held in both hands, and giving him a wound to the brain 2 inches wide, 2 inches long and 3 inches deep, from which 15 pieces of bone came out. John immed­ iately fell and Robert gave him other bloodless blows with the axe on his right arm between the elbow and shoulder and around (extra) his loins. He then robbed him of a hood (capustio) of ‘pers’ (sc. perse or bluish-grey) worth 6d., a red belt with bars of ‘latun’ (sc. latten) worth 3d., a purse of white sheep-skin worth id. with 3|d. inside it, 2 knives, one with a point and the other called ‘trenchur’ (sc. a trencher-knife), worth 4d., a ‘spart’ axe worth 6d., a pair of shoes of cow-skin (vacca) worth 4d. and a pair of gloves worth id. John offered to prove or deraign against him as against a felon in so far as the king’s court should award that a maimed man can or ought. It was declared in full county court that, if he should die or be unable to sue through weakness, Maud should sue against Robert as against a felon. They found pledges to prosecute, Andrew of Cainhoe and Adam Produmme of Cainhoe. John and Maud also appealed Henry le Drivere of Little Cainhoe of the said felony, robbery, assault, force and aid, Edith Smart of Gravenhurst of force and aid of the robbery, and Andrew servant of Simon Daubeneye and William le Parker of Simon Daubeneye of sending and receiving. At the county court of 8 Aug. Maud came and sued. The appellees were exacted for a first time and did not come. At the county court of 5 Sept. John and Maud came and sued. The appellees were exacted a second time and did not come. At the county court of 3 Oct. Maud came and said in full county court that she had spokenly wrongly (male cognovit) against Andrew and William and did not wish to sue against them further. Andrew and William, who were present, nevertheless found pledges; Andrew found Hugh Ball and William le Neuman, and William found John of Flitton and Nicholas le Venur of Clophill. The other appellees were exacted a third time and did not come. At the county court of 31 Oct. William Atwater (de aqua) of Gravenhurst went surety for Robert Atwater, Nicholas le Hunte for Henry le Drivere and

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William the Clerk for Edith Smart. [For the later stages of this appeal see No. 193 below.] 126. After day-break on 30 June 1272 Robert Branduz of Bidden­ ham, William Passeleuwe’s carter, and Henry atte Hull of Edlesborough, William’s servant, went in a cart, drawn by a horse, from William’s court-yard in Bromham and came into the street towards [the house of] Nicholas Pinnecunte of Bromham. A filly, aged 1|, came and the horse pursued it, running powerfully with the cart in ‘le Linge’ furlong, where by misadventure the cart fell over and Robert fell and broke his neck by misadventure and immediately died. Henry ate Hull went back from the cart and forcibly detained the horse, saw Robert dead, immediately raised the hue and found pledges, Simon le Wyke and Robert Passeleuwe of Bidden­ ham. The horse was appraised at 4s., the cart at I2d. and the foal at igd.; they were delivered to Bromham. Inquest before G. Rodlond, coroner, by Bromham, Biddenham, Stagsden and Stevington: as above. [At the eyre nobody was suspected. The horse and cart were appraised at 6s. 6d. and adjudged deodand; Bromham was amerced for falsely appraising them: J.I.1/10, m. 36d.] 127. On 18 May 1272 William son of Simon Sonecok, aged 2, went out of the door of his father’s house in Pavenham, fell into a ditch and drowned by misadventure. His father first found him drowned and found pledges, Benet le Champiun and Simon son of Lady Emma. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Pavenham, Felmersham, Radwell and Chellington: as above. 128. About midday on 26 June 1272 Nicholas Madinman of Felmersham went to the river Ouse to the south of Felmersham to bathe, and as he tried to swim {navigare) he drowned by misadventure. John le Frereman came to water his horse, saw Nicholas under the water and entered on his horse because he wished to save him, but could not and barely escaped with his own life. Ralph son of Simon first found him dead and found pledges, Stephen of ?London {Landres) and Adam of Banbury of Felmersham. It was ordered that John le Frereman be attached because he did not come before the coroner. Inquest before R. coroner {sic) by Pavenham, Felmersham, Radwell, Chellington and Carlton: as above.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2) 3 [This roll is sewn in Exchequer fashion, although some rotuléis consist of 2 pieces of parchment sewn together. The first 2 such pieces are numbered as membranes 1 and 2, but membranes 3, 6 and 13, which are similarly formed, are numbered as

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59 single membranes. Membrane 14 originally came before membrane 13 and they are therefore calendared in that order. The cases are all cancelled, mostly by single lines drawn from the top to the bottom of the membrane, but some individually, either by single lines or, less often, by 2 or more. The whole roll is badly decayed, faded and stained.] Clifton Hundred

Membrane 1 County Court of 4 Sept. 1273 129. At twilight on 27 Aug. Richard son of Peter del Torail of Campton, his brother John and a certain Galopinus verbally insulted William son of Thomas the Hayward, Simon of Chicksands and William and Alan, strangers who were with Simon, at Clifton. William le Pitcher struck Richard on the head under the right ear with a maple staff, of which he immediately died. His father Peter first found him dead, immediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Simon le Haring and John Wyt of Campton. His brother John, who was in his company, found pledges, his father and Robert of Meppershall. Inquest before the coroner by Clifton, Meppershall, Shefford and Chicksands: as above. William le Pitcher was immediately arrested and put in Bedford gaol. Juliana wife of Peter del Torail came to this county court and appealed William of killing her son in the said manner and found pledges to prosecute, her husband and Robert of Meppershall; but otherwise she did not yet formulate her appeal. [This case is repeated on m. 12. William le Pitcher died in gaol before the eyre. John son of Peter del Torail came to the eyre, denied the felony and was acquitted by a jury, but his pledges were amerced for not producing him at the eyre on the first day and judgment was passed against Geoffrey Roulaund, coroner, for freeing him with 2 pledges when he was irreplegiable. Galopinus of Chick­ sands and William son of Thomas had withdrawn on account of the death but were not suspected; it was therefore ordered that they could return if they wished; they had no chattels. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The first finder came and was not suspected. Letchworth was amerced for not coming fully to the coroner’s inquest: J.1.1/io, m. 32.]

County Court of 8 April 1275 130. After nones on 19 March John son of John of Feaks Well, aged 5, went out of his father’s house to a ditch called Feaks Well outside his father’s court-yard in Little Holwell in the parish of Shillington, fell into it and drowned by misadventure. His mother Cumulda searched for him, found him drowned in the ditch, immediately dragged him out because she believed that she could

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save him, shouted, at which the neighbours came, and found pledges, her husband and Thomas atte Tounesende of Holwell. Inquest before the coroner by Shillington and Little Holwell, Holwell and Meppershall: as above. [This case is repeated on m. 12.] County Court of 10 June 1275 131. On 19 Aug. 1274 William le Chapelein of Holwell came with John of Holwell to Letchworth, Hertfordshire, where he was wounded in the head with a staff by unknown men because he intended to have John of Holwell carry corn away from Letchworth by force. The wounds afterwards healed and he died at Holwell on 24 May 1275. The township raised the hue, which was followed. Inquest before the coroner by Henlow, Shillington, Upper Stondon and Holwell, who said that he did not die of the said wounds in the head nor of one made in his side with an arrow, but because he was earlier ill with quartan fever; they knew nothing more. The bailiff was nevertheless told to inquire who wounded him. [This case is repeated on m. 12, where Clifton is said also to have attended the inquest.] Biggleswade Hundred

County Court of 16 April 1274 132. On 21 Feb. Beatrice le Marscal of Blunham came into ‘Stikelak’ meadow in the parish of Blunham. She had been ill ever since 29 Sept. 1273 and was weak; she was seized by the cold there and fell down and died. Her friends searched for her and before prime on 31 March her sister Agnes came opposite ‘Austines Croft’ in Tempsford, found her dead in the water, raised the hue, to which the township came, and found pledges for her attendance at the next county court, Robert the Marshal and Robert the Tailor. Inquest before the coroner by Sandy and Girtford, Blunham, Little Barford and Tempsford: as above. County Court of 14 May 1274 133. Towards vespers on 23 April Roger Cardun of Hinxworth came from Cockayne Hatley towards Potton. He was weak because he was ill, and in ‘Churcheweye’ street in Potton within the bounds of the parish of Sutton he fell and died by misadventure. Margery Leche came into the said street, first found him dead, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, William Juel and Henry the Reeve, both of Potton. Inquest before the coroner by Sutton, Potton, Everton, Wrest­ lingworth and Cockayne Hatley: nothing more.

County Court of 9 July 1274 134. About prime on 16 June the prior of St. Neots, a monk and the prior’s esquire Lawrence were coming with 3 servants across

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the middle of Little Barford field and the corn of the lady of Little Barford, when John le Messer came and sought surety (or wages: MS. vad') of the prior’s men. Lawrence then said that he was unwilling to deliver surety and finally John raised the hue. Mean­ while the prior took his route towards Croydon. The township of Little Barford came [to the hue] and one of the servants struck Lawrence of Little Barford on the left arm with a bow. Afterwards the prior sent for the men of St. Neots, who came and assaulted and wounded the men of Little Barford and struck Aytrop Stalun on the head so that his brain issued through the middle of his skull and he died immediately after nones. So said the township of Little Barford, who did not know which of the prior’s men killed Aytrop but said that he was killed by the prior’s force. Everton said that the men of Little Barford took surety from the prior’s men by force, while a servant went to St. Neots and said that the township of Little Barford had wounded the prior and his men, and after­ wards Eustace le Seler and Philip Chog came and struck Aytrop Stalun on the head and he died as above; they also said that Nicholas le Masun and John Marscall wounded others of Little Barford but that these two were not guilty of Aytrop’s death. Blunham and Sandy said the same as Everton. The hue was raised and followed. (Membrane 2) The townships also said that Eustace le Sadelere and Philip Chog were guilty of Aytrop’s death. The sheriff was therefore told to arrest them and to attach the prior, Lawrence, Nicholas and John. Maud wife of Reynold Mariot came to this county court and appealed John of Swansley of the death of her brother Aytrop Stalun in that about tierce on 16 June1 he came into the middle of the road called ‘Hulleweye’ in Little Barford which runs east to west, a perch from the arable land on the west and a perch from that on the east, which extended from the highway from St. Neots to Tempsford and which was 40 perches long to the east, and assaulted Aytrop, striking him along the length of the crown of the head from the forehead to the crown (coronam) with a hazel staff 6 feet long and 7 inches thick, so that blood and brain issued forth, of which blow he died; she offered to prove and deraign against him as against a felon so far as the king’s court should award that a woman can or ought; and she found pledges to prosecute, Godfrey atte Tounesende and Ralph le Paumer. She also appealed the prior of St. Neots (1) of ordering, sending and aiding, in that he was present at the said time and place, ordering this felony to be committed and was present with force and aid when Aytrop was slain; and she offered to prove this as above. She also appealed brother William ofBulbeck (1), Lawrence the Esquire, Robert the Cook (2), Roger the Priest (1), William the Brewer (1), Ellis son of Gunhild (Gulnildi) (2), Eustace Wytpintel (1), Gilbert the prior’s servant (1), Roger le Someter (1), Hugh Toroid (2), Ralph Parmenter (2), John de Achedene (2), Ellis Ernebur (2), 1 MS. has Saturday the feast of St. Botolph, which feast fell on a Sunday in 1274.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 62 Michael le Machun (i), Richard Belebouch (i), Luke Francis (Franssiscum) (i), John Verdele (2), John Turnet (1), John at Mill (de molendino) (1), Roger of Offord (2), John of Flamwells (2), Richard Godwyne (2), Deliver Us (libera nos) (1), Geoffrey the Carter (1), Simon le Messager (1), John Plumat (1), John Michel (2), Walter Portjoie (2) and his servant Henry (2), John the Tailor (2), Eustace le Seler (1), Beucors (2), William Saunsun (2), Richard Hokkele (2), John Page (1), Robert le Noreys (1), William Heynon (i), Roger Wade (2), Ralph Rossel (2), Alexander the Clerk (2), Roger servant of John of Doddington (2), Bartholomew the Smith (1), John Beneit (2), Nicholas the Parmenter (2), Thomas Jacob (2), Richard and Robert sons of the parson of Tempsford (1), Richard ofHockliffe (2), Thomas of Hardwick (2), John the Fisher (1) and Walter the Smith son of Simon of Roxton (2) of force and aid in that they consented to the felony; and she offered to prove this and deraign as above. [If] she should default her daughter Maud offered to prosecute by the same pledges. Maud came to the county courts of 13 Aug. and 3 Sept, and sued; the appellees were exacted twice and did not come. She did not come and sue at the county court of 1 Oct., and the appeal therefore ceased. Printed in part in Gross, p. 31. [Crosses are drawn above the names marked (1) and there are dots above those marked (2) both here and in the eyre roll. Maud did not come to the eyre; it was therefore ordered that she be arrested and her pledges were amerced. John of Swansley, Lawrence the prior of St. Neots’ esquire, Ellis son of Gunhild, Hugh Toroid, Ralph le Parmenter, John de Achedene, Ellis Erneboru, John Verdele, Roger of Offord, John of Flamwells, Richard Godwyne, John Michel, Walter Portejoye and his servant Henry, John the Tailor, Beucors, William Sampson, Richard of Hockliffe, Roger Wade, Ralph Russel, Alexander the Clerk, Roger servant of John of Doddington, John Beneyt, Nicholas the Parmenter, Thomas Jacob and Thomas of Hard­ wick came, submitted to a jury and were all acquitted. The prior had died, but the other appellees did not come and were not attached because the appeal had only been prosecuted at 3 county courts. None of them was suspected, except Eustace le Seler, who had abjured the realm before the coroner, and Luke le Fraunceys and John Peverel, who had withdrawn on account of the death and were guilty; it was therefore ordered that they be exacted and outlawed; nothing was known of their chattels or tithings because they were strangers. John of Swansley, Walter Portejoye, Richard Godwyne and William Sampson were arrested for not arresting Eustace, Luke and John al­ though they were present at the homicide; they later fined with 2 marks. Roger the Smith, William Waleman and Simon le Messager, who were suspected of Aytrop’s death, came, denied their guilt and were all acquitted by a jury: J.I.1/10, m. 3°-l

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Membrane id 135. At dawn on 7 July 1274------the maid-servant of Richard in le Lane of Wrestlingworth rose from her bed in Richard’s house at Wrestlingworth and went out of the house, carrying a wooden vessel to a well in Richard’s court-yard to fetch water. As she tried to draw water she fell into the well by misadventure and drowned. Sibyl Atwell (defonte) came and searched for her, because it seemed to her that she was [?a long time], and found her drowned in the well, immediately raised the hue, which was followed and to which the neighbours and whole township came, and found pledges, William atte Cruche and Geoffrey the Reeve. The vessel was appraised at id. and delivered to Wrestling worth. Inquest by Wrestlingworth, Cockayne Hatley, Potton and Sutton: as above. County Court of 6 Aug. 1274 136. At nones on 10 July as Robert of Barrington of Yorkshire and William of ?Bucklesham (Buskleham, Busklesham), son of Robert le Erl, came towards Little Barford in the highway which leads towards Little Barford and Tempsford opposite a piece of cultivated land called ‘Walefurlong’ in Tempsford field, an unknown stranger named William of Garthorpe of Leicestershire came and assaulted them. He struck Robert to the heart with a lance and gave him another wound in the throat, so that he immediately died, wounded William to the point of death, and then fled. He was arrested in flight at ?Basmead (Bas------) and taken to Eaton Socon castle after the hue had been raised, and was later delivered to Bedford gaol in the time of T. of Bray, [sheriff]. The felon’s chattels consisted of a lance worth 4d. Inquest before the coroner by Little Barford, Tempsford, Everton and Sandy: as above. [At the eyre a sack full of oats worth i8d., found in Holme field and belonging to William of Garthorpe, was forfeited: J.I.i/10, Hl. 2gd.]

County Court of 3 Sept. 1274 137. On 1 Sept. Cecily John de Saltewelle’s maid-servant and William son of William de Burtone climbed onto a cart to look for 24 sheaves of dredge in ‘Buggewe------’ in Dunton. William took the cart over a ditch, so that it fell into it and Cecily fell, breaking her neck. William immediately untied one of the horses and fled on it. Afterwards Agnes Thoet came and first found Cecily dead, immediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, John Amy and John Paternoster. Inquest before the coroner by Sutton, Dunton, Millow and Eyworth: a misadventure. One horse was worth 6s. 8d., the other 4s., the cart i2d. and the corn, estimated at 2 bushels, 8d.; they were delivered to Dunton. T. of Bray, sheriff, was told to attach William. [At the eyre it was presented that both Cecily and William,

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CORONERS’ ROLLS who was called William son of William son of Andrew, fell from a cart with one horse and that Cecily died because she was crushed. The cart and horse were appraised at 13s. and ad­ judged deodand; Sutton was amerced for appraising them falsely at the coroner’s inquest. William was not suspected and it was therefore awarded that he could return if he wished; he had no chattels. The first finder had died; nobody was suspected: J.I.1/10, m. 29.]

County Court of 26 Nov. 1274 138. On 20 Nov. Rose Crane of Sandy came from Tempsford towards Sandy on the highway and saw a man lying dead in a piece of cultivated land called ?‘Redegigis’ in Sandy field, im­ mediately raised the hue, which was followed by Sandy, and found pledges, Gilbert le Oyselier and Robert son of the parson of Sandy. Inquest before the coroner by Beeston, Blunham, Sandy and Tempsford, who said that the man was unknown, that he died because he was weak and that they knew nothing more.

County Court of 18 March 1275 139. On 21 Feb. an unknown felon and his wife were entertained at Richard Paternoster’s house in Dunton. Richard and his wife Margery and the felon and his wife went to bed, and in the night the felon and his wife secretly arose, struck Richard and Margery on their heads with a hammer, leaving them for dead, killed Richard’s daughter Maud, aged almost ?6, with the hammer, and then robbed them and carried away all the goods of the house. At dawn the next day John the Cook of Dunton came to the house, saw Richard and Margery lying as if dead and Maud dead, im­ mediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, John Paternoster and John Ami of Dunton. The neighbours were attached: John Ami by John Paternoster and John de Saltewelle; William the Reeve by Andrew at Gate (ad portam) and Ellis Abel; John Selverloc by Roger Brid and William Gomuld; Roger Brid by Richard Baysun and Richard Goldstan of Dunton. Inquest before the coroner by Eyworth, Sutton, Millow and Dunton, who said that the felons were unknown and that they knew nothing more than the above. [At the eyre the felons, said to be 2 men, were still unknown; they were said to have tied Richard and Margery up. The first finder and neighbours came and were not suspected. Richard and Margery did not come, and judgment was passed against Geoffrey Roulond, coroner, for not attaching them. The townships of Potton, Everton and Wrestlingworth were amerced for not attending the inquest: J.I.1/10, m. 29.] County Court of 8 July 1275 140. On 2 July Robert le May of Stratton was digging into a wall of a building with a pick-axe in William le Bole’s court-yard in Stratton to pull it down, and by misadventure the wall fell upon

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him. He died 2 days later. The pick-axe was appraised at 2d. and delivered to Stratton. Inquest before the coroner by Biggleswade, Holme, Dunton and Stratton: a misadventure.

Membrane 2d County Court of 10 July 1273 141. William of Toft of Cambridgeshire was brought into full county court on suspicion of stealing a sheep. He said that the sheep was his own and that he bought it at Cambridge when it was not more than a year old. Therefore by award of the county he came out of gaol and was delivered to prison {sic). The sheep was worth 12d. and was delivered to Cockayne Hatley. Printed in Gross, p. 31. [Before the eyre William had died in prison; his chattels, worth I2d., were confiscated: J.I. 1/10, m. 29d.J Manshead Hundred

Membrane 3 County Court of 28 Nov. 12721 142. Denise widow of Ralph son of William the Clerk did not come and prosecute her appeal against Robert Fale of Toddington for the death of her husband, as above (No. 97). The appeal there­ fore ceased, but T. of Bray, sheriff, was nevertheless ordered to arrest Robert. County Court of 2 Jan. 1273 143. At dawn on 13 Dec. 1272 an unknown man came into ‘------dele’ under Puddle Hill in the parish of Houghton Regis and was killed. Alexander le Parmenter of Houghton Regis came and first found him dead there with a wound to the heart and his head cut off, apparently with a sword, immediately raised the hue, [which was followed] from township to township and so to the 4 townships, and found pledges, John le Bonde and Walter------. [Inquest before] Geoffrey Rouland, coroner, by Houghton Regis, Tilsworth, Hockliffe and Chaigrave, [who said that the unknown man] was entertained at Dunstable that night and that they suspect­ ed Dogge the Cobbler [of Dunstable],------and Kynne Flye his brother and William the Carter and the marshal of Dunstable. T. of Bray, sheriff, was therefore ordered to arrest them. [The first finder died before the eyre. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The said suspects had been imprisoned in the prior of Dunstable’s prison at Dunstable. It was not known how they had been delivered and so judgment of escape was passed against the * prior. Hockliffe was amerced for not coming to the inquest {sic): J.I.1/10, m. 37.] 1 MS. has the year A.D. 8

CORONERS’ ROLLS 66 144. At twilight on 10 Dec. 1272 Philip of Aspley Guise came from ?Dunstable market below Aspley Guise wood, where 5 thieves and 2 strange women came and took hold of him, led him into the wood, wounded him with axes and knives, robbed him and left him as if dead. At the same time the thieves took hold of Adam del Brok and Geoffrey Coffyin of Salford, bound and robbed them and withdrew. Then Philip untied himself as quickly as he could, raised the hue, which was followed by the whole township, and went to his house in Aspley Guise and died the next day. Inquest before the same coroner by Aspley Guise, Holcot, Salford, Birchmore with Woburn Chapel, Husborne Crawley and Crawley, who said that the thieves were unknown, were received until mid­ night of that night at Alice of Herne’s house in Woburn Chapel and that the said women were entertained there the previous night. Thomas of Bray, sheriff, was therefore ordered to arrest Alice. County Court of 23 Jan. 1273: nothing. County Court of 20 Feb. 1273 145. On 27 Jan. William Doy of Toddington, the abbot of Woburn’s servant, climbed an oak on the eastern side of Woburn wood and, standing on a ladder, cut a branch. The branch fell on his head and threw him from the ladder so that he fell, broke the whole of his body and immediately died. William Schanterel first found him, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Roger le Engleys and Hugh Rachel of Woburn Chapel. Inquest before the same coroner by Eversholt, Birchmore with Woburn Chapel, Mil ton Bryant, Crawley and Husborne Crawley: as above. The ladder was appraised at id. and the branch at 2d.; they were delivered to Woburn Chapel.

County Courts of 20 March, 17 April and 15 May 1273: nothing new. County Court of 12 June 1273 146. On 17 May Sarah daughter of Margery daughter of Peter, aged 2, went out of the door on the south side of Richard le Car­ penter’s house in Toddington, fell into a well and drowned by misadventure. Her mother first found her drowned and found pledges, Richard the Carpenter of Toddington and John son of William of Westoning. Richard the Carpenter found pledges, John atte Thorp and John Florence of Toddington, because he was the lord and keeper of the house and because the well was too near the door. Inquest before the same coroner by Toddington, Chaigrave, Harlington and Tingrith: as above. County Court of 10 July 1273 147. Towards vespers on 3 June Joan Fine of Milton Bryant came into Houghton Regis and went from door to door seeking hos­ pitality, carrying Henry, aged 2, in her arms. At length they came

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67 to Richard Red’s house, where they were given hospitality in a barn. They sat there and Henry went out of its doors, fell into a ditch and drowned by misadventure. Joan Flye first found him drowned and raised the hue, but could not find pledges; she was therefore delivered to the bailiff. Richard Red, the lord of the house, found pledges, Ralph Jurdon and John atte Grene of Houghton Regis, but neither he nor his pledges came to the county court. Inquest before the same coroner by Houghton Regis, Chaigrave, Tilsworth and Battlesden: a misadventure. Membrane 4 County Courts of 7 Aug., 4 Sept, and 2 and 30 Oct. 1273 :4 nothing new. County Court of 27 Nov. 12732 148. At twilight on 17 Oct.3 Robert Sirlok and his wife Margery came together from Leighton Buzzard, and Henry Sirlok and Benet Bonde came riding on a horse. Henry of Cornwall then arrived and made them dismount. Robert Sirlok came up and asked him for hens which he owed him, and he said that he would certainly pay him. Later a quarrel arose between Robert and the two Henry’s, and Henry of Cornwall struck Robert a small blow (parum) above the left ear with a bow, making no wound but causing him to fall. His wife then raised the hue and Henry immediately fled. When he had recovered Robert4 went to his own house and died the next day. His wife Margaret (sic) found pledges, Henry and Richard Sirlok. Inquest before the same coroner by Reach, Clipstone, Leighton Buzzard and Eggington: as above. Asked about Henry’s chattels, they said that he had sheaves of wheat and oats estimated at 3s.5 It was ordered that he be arrested. [At the eyre it was ordered that Henry of Cornwall be exacted and outlawed. His chattels were forfeited. Margery, Benet and Henry Schirlok, who had all been attached, came and were acquitted, but they were amerced for not arresting the felon although they were present: J.I.1/10, m. 40.]

County Court of 18 Dec. 1273 149. On 23 Oct. Robert son of Margery of Eggington fled to Eggington church from fear, because the township wished to arrest him because they suspected him of thefts. He stayed there until 29 Nov., when he confessed before the coroner that he was a thief, having stolen half a ham worth 2s., hens, geese and many other things. He was unwilling to surrender to the king’s peace, and so he abjured the realm according to law and custom and chose the 1 30 Oct. should probably be 6 Nov.; see Nos. 161 and 203 below. 2 MS. has 1 instead of 2 Edward I. 3 MS. has 2 instead of 1 Edward I. 4 MS. has Henry. 5 This sentence precedes the one before in the MS.

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port of Dover. He had chattels worth 2s., which were delivered to Eggington. [At the eyre, when the abjuration was said to have been made from Leighton Buzzard church—probably correctly, since the case is entered under Leighton Buzzard—Robert’s chattels were forfeited; John Mayster was amerced for taking them without warrant. He was in John’s tithing, which was therefore amerced. His mother had withdrawn on suspicion of receiving him after the abjuration and was thought to be guilty. It was therefore ordered that she be exacted and waived; she had no chattels: J.I.i/io, mm. 40, 4od.J County Courts of 22 Jan., 19 Feb. and 19 March: nothing new. County Court of 16 April 1274 150. On 1 April John son of William the Miller of Linslade went near the river Lovat in ‘Wlfhall’ in the parish of Leighton Buzzard, had the falling sickness, fell into the river and drowned by misad­ venture. Inquest before G. Rodland, coroner, by Leighton Buzzard, Eggington, Herne and Reach, who knew nothing except that this was a misadventure and that he died because he was ill of the said sickness. His mother Alice first found him dead and found pledges, Henry Child and Robert le Touwe, both of Eggington.

151. Look on the dorse [for another case] of this county court: this refers to the next case and is written in the margin.

County Court of 14 May 1274: nothing new. County Court of 11 June 1274 Membrane 152. John of Stanford, servant of Peter de Basinges, rector of Cauldwell, came to the co[unty court of 16 April 1274----- William], a chaplain, that he secretly carried away from his (John’s) custody 2 altar-towels and a----- and Adam Alof and he was found with the mainour. William was present, denied the whole felony and said ----- to him to keep until Michaelmas by Thomas vicar of Sandon, and that he did not carry them away secretly or feloniously, but ----- those who delivered them to him; and he submitted to a jury from both the neighbourhood where the theft was supposed to have been committed and that where he was arrested. [This is the case referred to in the last entry.]

Membrane 5 County Courts of 9 July and 6 Aug. 1274: nothing new.

[County Court] of 3 Sept. 1274 153. On 24 Aug. [Ralph]----- wyte of Broughton and Henry of Stewkley [were in] a marl-pit in ‘le Wewelond’ of Woburn in the

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parish of Birchmore. Henry left the pit, leaving Ralph in it -----washing. After Henry had left, Ralph fell into a deep marl-pit and [drowned], ------Ralph Bissop first found him drowned and found pledges, Roger Brixy and Roger Wyteved. [Inquest before G. Rod]land, coroner, by Birchmore with Woburn Chapel, Potsgrove------ [who said] that neither Henry nor anyone else was guilty of Ralph’s death, which was due to misadventure. County Court of 1 Oct. 1274 154. On 17 Sept. William Slanoch of Eaton Bray, Simon Morice of Whipsnade and Richard of Hatch of Studham came together from Houghton Regis to a tavern at Markyate. Later, in the night, with Simon carrying ‘apik’ axe and Richard a spade or an auger or twibill {yongiam for vangam, or vougiam for volgum), they left and came into Whipsnade wood in the parish of Houghton Regis, where Richard and Simon slew William. Nicholas Maynard of Studham first found him dead, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Adam Est and Simon Suonild, both of Studham. Inquest before the same coroner by Houghton Regis, Eaton Bray, Studham and Whipsnade: as above. Asked about the felons’ chattels, they said that Richard had a house, of which the year and waste were worth 4s. 8d., and in the barn there were 6 bushels of wheat worth 6d. a bushel and | acre of vetch worth 6d.; and Simon had a horse worth 6s. 8d., a quarter of wheat worth 4s., 2 bushels of vetch worth 8d., | quarter of oats worth 8d. and year and waste worth | mark. They were delivered to Houghton Regis. [At the eyre the felony was said to have been committed in ‘Bokwode’ wood and Simon and Richard to have immediately fled. It was therefore ordered that they be exacted and outlawed. It was later found that Simon had died in prison. Richard’s chattels, worth 3s. 7d., the year and waste of his freehold land, worth 4s. 6d., and its issues in the meantime, worth 6s., were forfeited; Walter of Bottesford was amerced for taking the last without warrant: J.1.1/io, m. 37d.] County Courts of 29 Oct., 26 Nov. and 17 Dec. 1274, and 21 Jan., 18 Feb., 18 March and {Membrane 61) 2 Sept. 1275: nothing new.

County Court of 23 Sept. 127512 155. Inquest before Geoffrey Rodlond, coroner, by Woburn Chapel, Husborne Crawley, Crawley, Eversholt, Aspley Guise and Birchmore, who said that soon after nones on 15 Sept. Henry of Newport Pagnell came from Woburn Chapel, met Richard the Baker of Fenny Stratford and demanded compensation from him and his fellows for a trespass done to him by them. Henry drew his sword and tried to strike him, but Richard fled to Henry the Cobb­ ler’s house and shut the door after him. Henry [of Newport Pagnell] 1 There are the bottoms of some letters at the top of membrane 6. 2 MS. has Monday after St. Matthias in error for Monday after St. Matthew.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 70 came and broke the door, but withdrew peacefully and took the road towards Newport Pagnell with his sword unsheathed. The bailiffs of Woburn Chapel came and asked him to go peacefully. He later returned to Woburn Chapel and met Robert de la Felde of Cranfield, who ordered him to go to his lodgings. Some strangers immediately came and insulted Henry verbally. Robert wished to check their stupidity and made Henry return towards Newport Pagnell. Godfrey le Stedeman came and struck Robert on the head with ‘apyk’ axe; he immediately died and Godfrey im­ mediately fled. William le Stabler and John of Gravenhurst were at this mêlée, as the townships said, except that Aspley Guise said that they did not know William le Stabler. Maud daughter of Alice of Herne first found Robert, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Roger Brixi and Walter Winston. H. of Stapleford was ordered to arrest Godfrey, William and John. Cecily wife of Hugh of Holcot came into the full county court and appealed Godfrey le Stedeman in that soon after nones on 15 Sept, he came into Woburn Chapel to Hugh Rachel’s door with ‘apik’ axe of iron and steel with a hazel-wood handle and assaulted her brother Robert de la Felde, striking him near the crown {grevam) of the head, so that his brains flowed forth and he immediately died. She also appealed William the Baker of Newport Pagnell in that he held Robert by the left arm while Godfrey slew him. She also appealed Hugh Rachel of Woburn Chapel in that he received Godfrey and William after they had committed the felony. She offered to prove against all three and to deraign as a woman ought or can and as the king’s court should award. Cecily had at once raised the hue, which was followed from township to township and so to the sheriff and coroners and to the county court. She found pledges to prosecute, her husband and John de la Felde of Cran­ field. Cecily came to the county court of 28 Oct. and sued. Godfrey, William and Robert {sic) were exacted for the first time and did not come. Therefore by judgment of the county court they were given a day in a month’s time. Printed in part in Gross, p. 32. For later stages of this appeal see below, Nos. 211, 214, 216, 221, 226. [At the eyre it was presented that immediately after the felony Godfrey had fled to Hugh Rachel’s house, there took his arms and fled. It was ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels, but was in the mainpast of Reynold de Grey, who was amerced for not having him at the eyre. It was ordered that Cecily be arrested and her pledges amerced because she had only prosecuted her appeal against William at 2 county courts. She had prosecuted against the other 2 at 4 county courts and then her appeal had ceased by award of the county court on the receipt of a royal writ stating that nobody should be imprisoned or arrested on a woman’s appeal of homicide unless of her husband slain in her arms. Hugh, who had been freed from Bedford gaol on bail by a writ dated 19 March 1276 {Cal, Close Rolls, 1272-1279, p. 276), came to the

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71 eyre and was acquitted by a jury. The 13 men who had gone surety for his appearance at the eyre were amerced for not producing him on the first day: J.I.1/10, m. 37d.J Membrane 7 156. At this county court Robert of Creakers took his oath in full county court to do [all things which belong to the office of coroner]. Printed ibid,

[County Court] of Monday before 22 Feb. (sic). 157.--- Maud Cok of Eversholt found pledges, Richard Phelipp and Roger le Ride, to prosecute [for] her stolen (elong’) chattels and ------ingdon, who is in gaol. Wixamtree Hundred

County Courts of [28 Nov.] 12721 and [2 Jan.] 1273: nothing new from this hundred. County Court of [23 Jan.] 1273 158. About nones on Wednesday after------ 1 Edward I Robert Mic------ to knock down a wall ------ of Stephen de L------ in Northill. The wall fell------ and he immediately died. Alice daugh­ ter first found William dead------ and Richard Juel, both of Thorn. The pick was appraised at 3d. and delivered to Beeston. Inquest before Geoffrey Rofdland], coroner, by Northill, Beeston, Moggerhanger and Old Warden: [as above].

County Court of 20 Feb. 1273 159. On 11 Jan. Robert Haring and his wife Juliana were at lunch at the house of Robert’s brother Hugh Haring in the hamlet of Aston in Old Warden. On the night of 12 Jan. a quarrel arose between Hugh and Robert, and Robert struck Hugh on the head to the brain with an axe------ , so that he fell by the fire in the house. Robert immediately fled and Hugh’s wife Sibyl and [Juliana] were ill in the house, got up as soon as they could and called the neigh­ bours. Hugh died on 22 Jan. The hue was raised and followed. Inquest before the same coroner by Old Warden, Northill, Beeston and Southill, who said that Robert killed Hugh as above. The neighbours were attached: Lawrence of Aston by Robert son of the reeve and William Gilemyn; William Hareng by Henry Pedef’ and Luke of Aston. Asked about Robert’s chattels, the jurors said that he had 3 bushels of wheat and rye worth i8d., 6 bushels of dredge worth 2i|d., hay worth 3d., forage worth 2d., a dung-cart (cartam ad fens) and a set of shafts (limons) worth 6d., straw worth 6d., a tub worth 6d., 2 ?tubs and baskets worth 3d., a table with 2 trestles worth i|d., a foal in poor condition worth 6d., 2 acres sown with maslin worth i8d. an acre, i| acres of meadow 1 MS. has the year A.D.

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worth ?i2cL, a plough with a ?yoke worth 8d. and the year and waste of the house worth 3s. T. of Bray, sheriff, was told to arrest Robert. [It was presented at the eyre that Robert Hareng and his wife Sibyl (sic) were quarrelling in the house of Sibyl’s brother Hugh Hareng, that Robert tried to strike Sibyl, Hugh went between them and was fatally struck by Robert. It was ordered that Robert be exacted and outlawed. His chattels, worth 13s. iod., were forfeited, and he was in the tithing of William Ordewy in Old Warden, which was amerced. The 4 (sic) neighbours came and were not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The 4 townships were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest: J.1.1/io, m. 32d.J

Membrane 8 County Courts of 20 March, 17 April, 15 May, 12 June, 10 July and 7 Aug. 1273: nothing new from this hundred.

County Court of 4 Sept. 1273 160. At dawn on 28 Aug. a woman named Richolda went from her house towards Dean and found Roger Capill, a man feeble with age, lying dead opposite John Parent’s house in Old Warden, raised the hue, to which the township came and which was followed, and found pledges, John Parent and William of Salph End. Inquest before the same coroner by Old Warden, Cople, Northill and Southill, who said that they knew nothing except that it was a misadventure and that he died from weakness. Southill did not come fully before the coroner in Pcontempt of the king. County Court of 2 Oct. 1273: nothing. County Court of 6 Nov. (alteredfrom 30 Oct.) 1273 161. At twilight on 2 Oct. William son of Richard was at Henry Clement’s sheep-fold in PTirliemade forlong’ in Southill field, when unknown thieves came and took hold of him, robbed him and then gave him 2 mortal wounds, one in the head apparently with an axe and the other in the stomach to the heart apparently with a knife, so that he immediately died. The next day his mother Lettice searched for him, because he had not come to his lord’s house that night, found him dead in the said place, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Roger of Cringleford and Simon Dammesone of Southill. Inquest before the same coroner by Northill, Old Warden, Stanford and Southill, who said that the thieves were unknown and that they knew nothing more. [At the eyre, when William was called the son of Roger, it was presented that the felons, who were still unknown, had fled immediately. The first finder came and was not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the

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73 hundred. Southill and Stanford were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. The coroner was amerced for not attaching the neighbours at the inquest: J.I.i/io, m. 32d.J 162. On the night of 18 Oct. Raymond le Tailur and Eve his daughter killed his wife Emma, Eve’s step-mother, cutting her throat and shins, and buried her in a dung-pit outside Raymond’s house in St. Macute in Eastcotts. She remained buried for a fort­ night before being discovered by Nicholas son of Richard le Shereve, who raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, William dil Helle and Richard le Shereve. The neighbours were attached: William le Monkesman by Ralph of Eastcotts and William dil Helle; William dil Helle by William le Monkesman and William Dorman; Geoffrey le Bercher by Simon le Porcher and Hugh del Brach; [Hugh del BJrach by Ralph of Eastcotts and Hugh Scherove. [Inquest before] the same coroner by Eastcotts with Wilshamstead, Cardington, Elstow and [Houghton Conquest]: as above. Thomas of Bray, sheriff, was ordered to arrest the said felons. Asked about their chattels, they said that Raymond had 2 chests worth i8d., a basket with a bushel of beans worth 6d. and an axe worth 2d., which were delivered to Eastcotts. [At the eyre it was presented that Raymond’s son Robert helped kill Emma and that he, Raymond and Eve immediately fled. It was ordered that they be exacted and outlawed. Their chattels, worth 2s., were forfeited. Raymond was not in a tithing but had been received in Eastcotts without a tithing; Eastcotts was therefore amerced. The first finder and neighbours did not come and were not suspected; therefore their pledges were amerced. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Wilshamstead, Elstow and Houghton Conquest were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. Redbornstoke hundred presented that Raymond had chattels there worth 2s. id., which were forfeited. His son Robert was in the tithing of William le Cupere in Wilshamstead, which was therefore amerced: J.I.i/10, m. 33.] 163. Q ?Quneberg: written at the foot of the membrane in a different hand.

Membrane 9 County Court of 27 Nov. 1273 d nothing.

County Court of 18 Dec. 1273 164. On 30 Nov. Alice daughter of Richard le Bercher of Cople, aged 1 J, was sitting by the fire in her father’s house in Cople, when a dish full of boiling water, which stood on a trivet on the fire, by misadventure fell on her, so that she died on 8 Dec. The dish was 1 MS. has 1 in error for 2 Edward I.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 74 appraised at 6d. and the trivet at 2d.; they were delivered to Cople. Inquest before the same coroner by Cardington, Cople, Willing­ ton and Northill: a misadventure. Richard found pledges, Richard son of Simon and Robert le Punder. [The first finder (female) had died before the eyre. Nobody was suspected of Alice’s death. The dish, which was of brass, and trivet were adjudged deodand. Cardington, Cople and Willington were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest: J.I.i/io, m. 32d.J County Court of 15 Jan. 12741 165. On 1 Jan. Emma of Hatch {dil Hacche) came from Beeston, where she had been begging bread from door to door, and towards vespers she returned towards Beeston to seek lodging. She came to a piece of cultivated land called ‘Pokebrokforlong’ in Northill, was seized by the cold and died by misadventure. Ranulf le Cras came towards Northill, found her dead, raised the hue in Northill and found pledges, Robert le Heide and Robert Pertessuyl of Beeston. Inquest before the same coroner by Northill, Old Warden, Beeston and Southill: as above. County Courts of 19 Feb., 19 March, 16 April, 14 May, 11 June and 9 July 1274: nothing. Membrane 10 County Court of 6 Aug. 1274 166. Towards vespers on 26 July Hugh son of John Buk of Ramerick, aged over 6, went near the river Ivel in Beeston to play, fell into it by misadventure and drowned. The next day his father went to look for him, found him drowned in the river, raised the hue, to which the township came, and found pledges, John Dendon and Hugh Markere, both of Beeston. Inquest before the same coroner by Northill, Moggerhanger, Blunham and Beeston: as above.

County Courts of 3 Sept., 1 and 29 Oct., 26 Nov. and 17 Dec. 1274, and 21 Jan. and 18 Feb. 1275: nothing.

County Court of 18 March 1275 167. On 26 Feb. a quarrel arose in Rowney in Southill between Robert of Clifton and Geoffrey of Stonely over a seat {pro cessione eorum). Robert struck Geoffrey on the head with a strickle {strucella: sc. a piece of wood for levelling grain), and Geoffrey turned round and struck Robert on the head with a staff used for carrying veget­ ables {oler'\ so that he fell and twice rolled in the straw. He then got up and they both went to court, but not together. Geoffrey sought licence to bring a claim of evasit {peciit licenciam injungendi 1 Altered from 22 Jan., which is correct: see before Nos. 150 above and 204 below.

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75 evasit: perhaps meaning that he was only able to escape himself by striking Robert), and Robert became ill and returned to the byre, where he died at vespers. William of Eynesbury came by chance into the byre to seek straw for his horse and found Robert dead, raised the hue and found pledges, Richard Glove of Stanford and Josep of Broom. William of Walden found pledges, William Cappe and Miles Atwater (ad aquam), both of Stanford. Hugh Sueteblod found pledges, John le Coupere and William Canun of Broom. Inquest before the same coroner by Southill, Old Warden, Stanford and Cardington, who said that Geoffrey slew him as above. H. of Stapleford, sheriff, was told to arrest him. He had no chattels. Therefore Hugh of Stapleford, sheriff, was told (sic). [At the eyre it was presented that Geoffrey slew Robert in the abbot of Old Warden’s barn in Southill and immediately fled. It was ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels and was not in a tithing, but was in the mainpast of the said abbot, who was therefore amerced. The first finder came and was not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. Eastcotts and Beeston (sic) were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. William of Eynesbury, William of Walden and Henry Swetblot came and were acquitted, but they and their pledges were amerced because they did not come on the first day of the eyre as the coroner’s rolls showed that they should have done: J.I.i/io, m. 32d.J

County Courts of 8 April, 13 May, 10 June, 8 July, 5 Aug., 91 and 23s Sept, and 28 Oct. 1275: nothing. Barford Hundred

Membrane 11 County Court of 12 June 1273 168. Inquest before R. of Goldington by Renhold, Great Barford, Wilden and Roxton, who said that on 18 May Robert Pippard, the king’s bailiff, came from St. Neots into a lane towards the dwelling­ house of the prior of the hospital in Eaton Socon and wished to make an attachment. Richard Pricke, hayward, Richard le Chasur of the prior and Hugh Flur of Eaton Socon came from the court­ yard of the said house and assaulted Robert, Richard Pricke striking him a fatal blow on the head under the right ear, between the ear and the hattrel, with a black-thorn staff, Richard le Chasur giving him another fatal blow above the left eye with a staff, and Hugh striking him to the heart with a ‘denesch’ axe. They later returned to the prior’s court-yard and remained there in the prior’s service, each in his office, until they were arrested on 20 May.1 2 1 An error for 2 Sept.; see No. 177 below. 2 MS. has Monday after St. Matthias the Apostle in error for St. Matthew the Apostle.

76

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Certain unknown men were present at the felony, about whom inquiry was to be made. It was ordered that the prior and brother Alexander], master of the hospital, be attached. Asked about the felons’ chattels, they said that Richard Pricke had two-thirds of an acre of oats worth i6d., a robe worth 2s. 6d. and a sword worth 6d.; Richard le Chasur had no goods. [At the eyre it was presented that Robert, Richard and Rich­ ard had been coming together from St. Neots fair quarrelling, when Richard Prik struck Robert on the head, of which blow he died 4 days later; and that the 2 Richards had immediately been arrested by the hue and cry of the neighbourhood, taken to Bedford and hanged before Simon of Pattishall, justice of gaol delivery. Richard Prik’s chattels were forfeited. Roxton was amerced for not coming fully to the inquest. The prior of the hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England was amerced for taking 3od. of the said chattels without warrant: J.I.1/10, m. 28.] County Court of 10 July 1273 169. On 14 June William of Upper Stondon came by an old house in Eaton Socon, looked inside and saw Agnes daughter of Robert of Abbotsley lying dead under a wall. Eaton Socon said that she was alive in the township on 2 June and that they only knew that it was a misadventure and that the wall fell on her. William found pledges, John son of William the Smith and William Fraunk; the neighbours were attached: John Godard by Richard of Hard­ wick and Henry son of Walter; Alan son of the Smith by Ellis son of Walter and Philip atte Wynyerd; all the pledges were of Eaton Socon. Inquest before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Sudbury and Colmworth: as above.

County Court of 15 Jan. 1274 170. On the night of 20 Dec. 1273 John de la Marche, a poor man, went below John of Pavenham’s wood in Wilden field, had the falling sickness, fell and died by misadventure. At that time Alice le Rimur came to look for sheep there, found him dead, raised the hue, to which the neighbours came, and found pledges, Walter and William Wygod. Inquest before the same coroner by Wilden, Great Barford, Goldington and Roxton: as above.

County Court of 9 July 1274 171. About midday on 22 June John Madur of Wyboston rode on a mare from Eaton Socon mill with a sack containing 2 bushels of flour. As he rode in Wyboston on the highway between Eaton Socon and Wyboston he fell from the mare, breaking his neck, and immediately died by misadventure. His wife Margaret first found him dead, raised the hue, to which the neighbours came, and found pledges, Walter Madur and Reynold Mariot of Wyboston.

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77

The mare was appraised at 3s. and the sack with the flour at 8d.; they were delivered to Wyboston. Inquest before the same coroner by Wyboston, Eaton Socon, Chawston, Colesden and Roxton: as above. [The first finder came to the eyre and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. The mare was appraised at 3s. 8d. and adjudged deodand; Staploe was amerced for falsely appraising it before the coroner: J.I.1/10, m. 28.]

County Court of 26 Nov. 1274 172. On 30 Oct.1 William son of Geoffrey the Reeve of Ravensden went to Renhold to essoin to (or for) Hugh Pippard at Sir John of Howbury’s court. He had been ill for the last 6 months, and through illness fell in Renhold field and died by misadventure. His sister Maud searched for him, found him lying dead, raised the hue, to which the neighbours came, and found pledges, her brothers Richard and Thomas. Inquest before the same coroner by Renhold, Ravensden, Great Barford and Goldington: a misadventure.

173. On 6 Nov. Hugh Bel, servant of Richard le Chanu of Colmworth, came from Richard’s plough and met John dil Brok in ‘Grenecroft’ in Colmworth, where a quarrel arose between them and John drew his bow and shot Hugh in the left thigh with a barbed arrow so that he immediately died. Hugh’s mother Mabel Veskunte first found him dead, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Richard and Simon le Chanu. Inquest before the same coroner by Roxton, Chawston, Golesden, Wilden and Colmworth: as above. The neighbours were attached: William le Ghanu by Thomas atte As and Roger le Ber; Peter le Chanu by William and Simon le Chanu; Richard le Chanu by Roger le Ber and Peter le Chanu; Ralph Ball by Simon and Peter le Chanu. Asked before the coroner concerning the felon’s chattels, they said that he had 6 bushels of wheat worth gd. a bushel, 2 bushels of peas worth 5d. a bushel, 2 horses worth 4s., 2 pigs worth 2s. and a cart worth 3s.; they were delivered to Colmworth. [At the eyre it was presented that John had immediately fled. It was ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. His chattels, worth 15s. iod., were forfeited. He was in the tithing of Ralph Caperun in Colmworth, which was therefore amerced: J.1.1/10, m. 28d. See also No. 177 below.] County Court of 21 Jan. 1275 174. On 13 Feb. 1275 (sic) Maud of Abbotsley came towards St. Neots, having been ill, and in Duloe field by ‘Salettesbrugge’ she was seized with the cold, fell down by misadventure and died. Her daughter Beatrice first found her dead, raised the hue, which 1 MS. has anno predicto, i.e. 3 in error for 2 Edward I.

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was followed, and found pledges, Robert le Halte and Robert le Gilur. Inquest before G. Rod’, coroner, by Eaton Socon, Duloe, Wyboston and Staploe: a misadventure.

175. Evildoers came to the house of John of Burdelys and forcibly took Richard Colbern and William Cruk on the route (initerne). They therefore found pledges: Richard found William Cruk and John of Brytvilles, and William found Henry Coyntrel and Richard Golbern. [This case is written in a different hand and is uncancelled. At the eyre William Bluberd, Richard Colbern and William Gruk, who had been arrested for robbing John of Burdelys and for stealing a horse, came and were acquitted. Richard and William and the pledges whom they had found in the time of Hugh of Stapleford, sheriff, for their appearance on the first day of the eyre, were amerced because they did not come then; the pledges were named as above, except that Richard’s second was given as Richard le Lord of Great Barford: J. 1.1/10, m. s8d.] Membrane nd County Court of 13 May 1275 176. At twilight on 25 April an unknown felon was standing among the black-thorns below Putnoe by the king’s highway at Putnoe in the parish of Goldington, when brother Ralph the Carpenter, a wood-seller, came with Henry the Hayward, a servant-boy. They wished to go to their lodging at Putnoe, but the felon stole a good coat of ‘blanket’ and 4d. in coin from brother Ralph and a coat of ‘rosset’ (sc. russet) from the said hayward and then ordered them to go home. They went to their lodging and immediately raise the hue, which was followed. The neighbourhood came, pursued the felon, found him below Putnoe wood fleeing with the stolen goods and tried to arrest him, but could not because he defended himself with a bow and arrows and would not surrender. Therefore brother Henry le Granger’s servant Peter slew him in flight. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Goldington, Renhold, Ravensden and Wilden: as above. Asked about the felon’s chattels, [they said that he had] a bow with arrows worth 3d., a coat in poor condition worth 6d., a horn worth 4d., a belt in poor condition with a white purse and a piece of horn worth i|d. and 2 knives worth 3|d., which were delivered to Goldington. [At the eyre it was presented that the unknown thief stole from brother Ralph as above, and that Hugh the Hayward of Putnoe and the said Peter then came and slew him in flight. Ralph, Hugh and Peter came to the eyre and were acquitted. The thief’s chattels were appraised at 2s. and forfeited. Putnoe was amerced for not coming to the inquest: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.]

CORONERS’ ROLLS

79 County Court of 2 Sept. 12751 177. Richard le Chanu of Colmworth came into the full county court and appealed Wymund le Chanu in that on 13 Nov. 1274 he came into the middle of a headland in ‘Grenecroft’ in the south of Colmworth with a bow of £eu’ (jr. yew) drawn, the cord being of hemp, and assaulted Hugh Bel of Colmworth, shooting him with a barbed arrow of peacock feathers, of which ‘la flecche’ {sc. the fletch or shaft) was of beech-wood {fou)} striking him on the left thigh and giving him a wound in ‘le braun’ {sc. the brawn or muscle) 3 inches deep, 1 inch wide and 3 thumbs long, whereof he immediately died. Richard immediately raised the hue, which was followed from township to township and so to the king’s bailiff and from him to the county court. He was ready to prove against Wymund as against a felon and to deraign however the king’s court should award, and found pledges to prosecute, William le Chanu and Reynold Cornyn of Colmworth. Wymund was present in court and was delivered to Hugh of Stapleford, sheriff, [to commit] to prison, and Richard was given a day on the arrival of the justices. [Richard did not come to the eyre to prosecute his appeal; it was therefore ordered that he be arrested and his pledges amerced. Wymund came and was acquitted by a jury: J.I.1/10, m. 28d. See also No. 173 above.] Still Flitt Hundred

Membrane 12 County Court of 18 March 1275 178. Inquest before the coroner by Ion, Gravenhurst, Silsoe, Glophill, Cainhoe and Shillington, who said that on 22 Feb. Thomas Kek of Oxford came into Shefford market, cut Walter Sparuwe of Meppershall’s purse, which contained 7s. in coin, and was immediately captured with the mainour by John of Flegg, bailiff of Shefford, and put in the pillory. When he was later taken down from the pillory, Alan le Kachepol of Shefford cut off his ear and then led him outside the liberty of Shefford. Thomas took the road towards Shillington, and on 24 Feb. Robert le Vavasur of Ion came to ‘Tedwey’ in the middle of Ion and found him dead, immediately raised the hue, which was followed by the said town­ ships, and found pledges, John le Vavasur and William Saly of Ion. The townships said that Ralph Otuy of Pulloxhill struck Thomas with a ‘spitspade’ outside the liberty of Shefford, but that he did not die of this blow. Another inquest was later taken before the sheriff and coroners in the full county court of 8 April by Walter the Clerk and Walter Hode, both of Stotfold, Robert Reynold, John de Claydich, Robert son of Chiche, Richard le Noble, John Ruffe, William le Grant, Henry Paulyn, Roger of Cringleford, Roger Pessun and Ralph de 1 Altered from 9 Sept.

8o

CORONERS’ ROLLS

la Hulle, who said that Ralph Otuy was guilty of the death because he struck Thomas with the ‘spitspade’. The sheriff was therefore told to arrest him. Summarised in Gross, p. 33. [At the eyre it was presented that Ralph had withdrawn because of Thomas’s death but was not suspected. It was therefore ordered that he might return if he wished; he had no chattels. Nothing was known of his tithing, but Gravenhurst was amerced because he was received there outside a tithing: J.I.i/10, m. 39d.J County Court of 13 May 1275 179. On the night of 24 April felons and thieves came to the house of Thomas of Barton in Stopsley within the parish of Luton, tied Thomas up, gave him a wound in the head on the left side of the crown (grevam) with ‘apik’ axe and left him for dead, so that he died soon after lunch the next day. The same night the said felons gave Thomas’s daughter Joan, aged 12, a wound near the crown (grevam), so that her brain issued forth and she lay speechless, dying on 30 April, wounded his other daughters Cecily and Agnes, leaving them for dead, and then carried away all the goods of the house. At dawn the next day the said Agnes went to Richard de Sedefold’s house, raised the hue, to which the neighbours came, and found pledges, Richard Norht and Ralph Tebold. Inquest before G. Rodland, coroner, by Luton, Stopsley, Biscot and Limbury, who said that the felons were unknown. The hue was raised and followed. The neighbours were attached: Alexander de Sedefold by Richard de Sedefold and Ralph North; Richard de Sedefold by John de la Hay and Alexander de Sedefold; Ralph North by William of the Pit (de puteo) and John Aeymere; Ralph Tebold by Robert le Gaunter and John de Sedefold.

County Court of 2 Sept. 1275 180. About midday on 14 Aug. Sarah daughter of James at Mill (ad molendinum), aged 2|, was near the south side of the pond of the water-mill at Cainhoe, fell into a well near the pond and drowned by misadventure. Her mother Alice searched for her, found her drowned, immediately shouted, at which the neighbours came, and found pledges, Nicholas le Hunte and John the Reeve of Cainhoe. Inquest before the same coroner by Cainhoe,1 Clophill, Haynes, Silsoe, Ion and Gravenhurst: a misadventure.

181. On 7 Aug. Amice of Aspley End of the went to fetch water in Shillington with a pot, into the water and drowned. Her sister Alice and found pledges, Nicholas le Hunte and Cainhoe. 1 Shillington is added here but is struck through.

parish of Shillington by misadventure fell first found her dead John the Reeve of

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81

Inquest before the coroner by Sou thill, Clophill, Cainhoe, Ion and Silsoe: as above.

County Court of 16 Sept. 1275 182. Towards vespers on 5 Sept. Geoffrey son of Richard, aged 3, went out of his father’s house at Wardhedges in Silsoe and by misadventure fell into a well outside his father’s door and drowned. His father came from the field and first found him dead, shouted, at which the neighbours came, and found pledges, Robert of Barton and Henry Loccing of Ion. Inquest before the coroner by Silsoe, Flitton, Clophill and Cainhoe: as above. 183. Flitton------ presented that a glass vessel was found on------and an old ladle at Shillington; they were appraised at 3d. and delivered to Shillington until the arrival of the justices. [At the eyre treasure trove found at Shillington, worth 3|d., was forfeited: J.I.i/io, m. 3gd.J Clifton Hundred

[Nos. 129-131 above are repeated here.] Stodden Hundred

Membrane i2d County Court of 27 Nov. 1273 184. About tierce on 4 Nov.1 Richard son of Thomas le Caretter, aged 2, went into his father’s court-yard in Little Staughton, by misadventure fell into a ditch and drowned. His father first found him drowned and found pledges, Hugh son of William and William son of Philip of Little Staughton. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Little Staughton, Keysoe, Pertenhall and Bolnhurst: as above.

County Court of 19 Feb. 1274 185. On 20 Dec. 1273 John son of Ralph, a servant-boy aged 10, came on horseback (venit eques) from Dean mill, wished to cross the river in Tilbrook, by misadventure fell into it and drowned. He lay under the water until 16 Feb., when his sister Rose came about tierce and first found him, raised the hue, to which the township came, and found pledges, Walter of Stonely and Peter son of William. Inquest before the coroner by Shelton, Dean, Tilbrook and Pertenhall: a misadventure. The horse was appraised at 2s. and delivered to Tilbrook. [At the eyre the deceased was called John son of Geoffrey. 1 As in the heading, the regnal year here has been altered from 1 to 2 Edward I, but in this case erroneously.

82

CORONERS’ ROLLS The first finder came and was not suspected, nor was anyone else. The horse, which was feeble at the time of the misadven­ ture, was adjudged deodand. Shelton was amerced for not coming to the inquest {sic): J.I.i/io, m. 35.]

County Court of 19 March 1274 186. John of Little Staughton was brought into the full county court with a stolen surcoat. Maud de Wyldebof found pledges to sue against him, William Scot and William Lauwe. [This was] in the time of T. of Bray. [A hand is drawn in the margin to indicate this case, which is squeezed in between the last one and the next.] County Court of 14 May 1274 187. About prime on ?ig April1 Joan, a poor child aged 5, went through Riseley to beg for bread, came to a bridge called ‘Fordebrugge’ and, as she tried to cross it, fell into the water and drowned by misadventure. Her mother Alice daughter of Bicke first found her drowned and found pledges, Walter Fode and Walter Tumby of Riseley. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Riseley, Knotting, Bolnhurst and Keysoe: as above. County Court of 17 Dec. 1274 188. On 3 Dec. John of Rushall, knight, and his esquire Henry of Hastings were entertained at the parson of Melchbourne’s house and Henry took provisions necessary for his lord’s use from many men in Melchbourne. Those whom they owed money for food and oats came and asked for it. John and Henry said that they had no ready money in Melchbourne and asked them to send a man with them to Cambridge and [said] that they should have the ready money there. They unanimously sent Ellis of Astwood with them. Ellis followed them from Melchbourne to ‘le Rode’, where John and Henry and others unknown ofJohn’s household cut his throat. Robert le Blunt of Melchbourne came from Melchbourne mill, first found him slain in the said place, immediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, William Hautman and Ambrose Godefrey. The neighbours were attached: Walter Est by Nicholas Hosebern and William Seward; Ralph del Haycroft by Nicholas de Fengers and Walter Est of Melchbourne. Inquest before the same coroner by Melchbourne, Dean, Shelton and Riseley: as above. The sheriff was told to arrest them if they were found. [At the eyre it was presented that Ellis was found slain in Melchbourne field. The first finder came and was acquitted. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon 1 MS. has Thursday before St. Martin (i.e. 8 Nov. 1274), probably in error for St. Mark.

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83

the hundred. John of Rushall came and was acquitted by a jury: J.I.1/10, m. 33d.]

County Court of 18 Feb. 1275 189. On the night of 20 Feb. (sic) thieves and evildoers came to John Pagel’s house in Pertenhall, broke its wall and entered. John heard the noise they made, got up because he thought that his horses had made it, came from the chamber where he lay and entered the house. One of the thieves struck him on the head with ‘apik’ axe, giving him 5 mortal wounds, of which he died on 24 Feb. Inquest before the same coroner by Little Staughton, Pertenhall, Colmworth and Keysoe, who said that Griffin the Cobbler, William Lemman,John Leytlegand his brother William were guilty ofJohn’s death. William Lemman fled to St. Neots; he was arrested there and imprisoned in Huntingdonshire. Griffyn le Suur and William Leytleg were arrested and delivered to the sheriff [for committal] to Bedford gaol. The sheriff was told to arrest John Leytleg. The neighbours were attached: Roger of Bolmere by Ellis of Bolmere and Richard son of Richard; Ellis Motte by Roger of Bolmere and William of Turvey; Roger le Neuman by William Josimas and Hugh le Bel; Roger of Radley by William Josimas and Roger son of Richard. The axe was found inside the house, appraised at 2d. and delivered to Pertenhall. County Court of 8 April 1275 William le Suur of Little Staughton and William Gowel, who were arrested and taken to Bedford gaol for the death of John Pagel of Pertenhall, of which they were accused, brought the king’s writ de odyo et hatya. [At the eyre it was presented that the said 4 felons had burgled John Paggel’s house by night and wounded him so that he died 3 days later. William Lemman, William Lyghtleg and William le Suur had been arrested and imprisoned at Bedford in the time of H. of Stapleford, sheriff, who was made answerable for the escape of the first 2 from gaol, and William le Suur had been delivered by the king’s writ on bail to 11 men (see Cal. Close Rolls, 1272-1279, p. 160), but he died before the eyre. The said 4 felons were suspected, and therefore it was ordered that they be exacted and outlawed. William Lemman had chattels worth iod., which were forfeited. They were all in the tithing of William le Fevere in Little Staughton, which was therefore amerced. It was later found that William Lemman and William Lyghtleg had fled to St. Paul’s church, Bedford, and had there abjured the realm before the Bedford coroners. It was therefore ordered that inquiry be made of Bedford concerning their chattels, and it was later found that they had none: J.I.1/10, m. 35.] County Court of 13 May 1275 190. John of Twywell, Northamptonshire, was arrested at Riseley

CORONERS’ ROLLS 84 with a surcoat of ‘russet’, a wimple (guynpla) ------ of linen cloths and a hood of ‘blu’ {sc. blue) lambs-fur and brought into the full county court before the sheriff and coroners. Margery le ------ of Riseley------the said theft against him as against a felon, and John confessed before the coroners that he was a thief and said that the whole ?township received him and Richard of Huntingdon with their stolen goods. The sheriff was told to arrest Maud Pollard and Richard of Huntingdon. John of Twywell was delivered to gaol. The fardel------and delivered to Riseley.

County Court of 9 Sept. 12751 191. On 22 Aug. William E------, who was poor and weak, went into the court-yard of Richard ------ in Pertenhall------pot to fetch water. When he came to a stream below the court-yard, he tried to draw water, fell into the stream and drowned by misad­ venture. His wife Agnes first found him drowned, raised the hue and found pledges, ?William son of Nicholas and Richard Silvestr. Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Pertenhall, Little Staughton, Keysoe and Riseley: a misadventure. County Court of 23 Sept. 1275 192. On 27 Aug. Simon le Long of Wilden and Richard son of Henry of Holme went together to Robert dil Brok’s cart, in which there was a horse, and came into Robert’s court-yard in Bolnhurst with the cart full of sheaves of barley. The cart stuck in a ditch. Richard went to the wheel and tried to raise the cart, which fell on him, breaking his whole body. He died at midday on 1 Sept. Alice daughter of Robert dil Brok saw that the cart had fallen, shouted and found pledges, her father and Roger of Bedford. Inquest before the same coroner by Little Staughton,------and Wilden: a misadventure. Simon le Long fled from fear. Robert dil Brok [found pledges] ----- and Nicholas de la Lound. The horse was appraised at 7s., the cart at i8d. and the corn at 2s.; they were delivered to Bolnhurst. [It was presented at the eyre that Richard was crushed when the cart ran backwards. The first finder came and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. The horse and cart were appraised at ns. 6d. and adjudged deodand. Wilden was amerced for falsely appraising them. Robert dil Brok came and was acquitted: J.I.i/io, m. 35d.J Willey Hundred

Membrane 14 County Court of 28 Nov. 12721 2 193. Maud of Chellington did not come to the county court and prosecute her appeal on behalf of her brother, John son of Simon 1 An error for 2 Sept.; see No. 177 above. 2 MS. has this as a year A.D.

CORONERS’ ROLLS

85 of Chellington, against Robert Atwater (ad aquam, juxta aquam), Henry le Drivere and Edith Smart, who were mainperned at the previous county court, but Robert came into the full county court and found pledges, Robert son of Hugh and William Atwater (juxta aquam), both of Gravenhurst; Henry came and found pledges, Simon son of Adam and Geoffrey son of John of Gravenhurst; and Edith came and found pledges, her father Roger Smart and Robert Atwater (ad aquam) of Gravenhurst. [For the earlier stages of this appeal see No. 125 above.] County Courts of 2 and 23 Jan. 1273: nothing. County Court of 20 Feb. 1273 194. After lunch on 30 Jan. John le Man of Harrold went by the river Ouse between Harrold and Carlton, found an old boat, boarded it and crossed the river. He then wished to return the boat with his hand, went too near the water, fell in and drowned by misadventure. On 2 Feb. his mother Maud Waukeleyn first found him dead, raised the hue and found pledges, Waukelin the Smith and William son of Waukelyn of Harrold. Inquest before Ralph of Goldington, coroner, by Harrold, Carl­ ton, Turvey and Odell: a misadventure. The boat was appraised at 8d. and delivered to Harrold. [At the eyre the first finder came and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. This boat and that of No. 196 below were appraised at 2s. and adjudged deodand: J.I.1/10, m. 36d.] County Court of 20 March 1273 195. About midday on ? 16 Feb.1 Ellis le Wodeward of Olney came from Yaxley towards Holmes and his man Ralph Pillok with him. At Yelden Ellis was ill on the route and said that he was locked in the bottom of the back (tenuit se in lumb") so that he could not walk and he asked Ralph to go immediately to his lodging with a fish which he had bought at Yaxley, which he did. Ellis stayed at Yelden and on 22 Feb.12 his brother Ralph went towards Yelden to look for him, came below Ralph Morin’s wood in Harrold towards Bozeat, looked into the ditch of the wood and saw Ellis lying dead with his feet tied with his belt, his hands tied behind him and his throat strangled by a rope. He immediately raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Robert le Wodeward and Richard son of Stephen of Olney. Inquest before the same coroner by Harrold, Carlton, Podington and Odell, who only knew that this was done by unknown male­ factors.

County Court of 17 April 1273 196. On 24 March Stephen son of William le Caretter of Snelson 1 MS. has Thursday the feast of St. Peter’s Chair, which fell on a Wednesday this year; Thursday before the feast is probably meant. 2 Here MS. has Wednesday the feast of St. Peter’s Chair, which is correct.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 86 and William son of Ralph of Radwell boarded a boat, intending to cross the river Ouse to Sir Simon of Pattishall’s mill at Bletsoe, and by the strength of the wind the boat was overturned and Stephen and William fell into the river and drowned by misadventure. Stephen’s mother Isabel of Turvey searched for her son daily by the river and on 2 7 March found him drowned, raised the hue and found pledges, Simon le Blake of Snelson and Roger Clement of Turvey. William had not yet been found. The boat was appraised at 12d. and delivered to Bletsoe. Inquest before the same coroner by Bletsoe, Radwell, Sharnbrook and Felmersham: a misadventure. [At the eyre the first finder came and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. This boat and that of No. 194 above were appraised at 2s. and adjudged deodand: J.I.1/10, m. 36d.]

County Court of 15 May 1273 197. Before prime on 28 April Geoffrey le Wodeward, who had been ill for 9 days with the hot sickness, rose from his bed in Thurleigh as well as he could, went from the house into his court-yard in a frenzy, stood by a well and through the sickness and by mis­ adventure he fell in and drowned. His mother Alice le Wodeward later came, entered his house, could not see him there, searched for him, found him drowned in the well, immediately raised the hue, to which the township came, and found pledges, Walter le Ledbetere and Simon the Shepherd of Thurleigh. Inquest before the same coroner by Thurleigh, Bletsoe, Radwell and Sharnbrook: a misadventure. [At the eyre this was adjudged a suicide. The first finder came and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. Geoffrey’s chattels were appraised at 9s. 2d. and forfeited. The 4 townships were amerced for concealing part of the chattels. Judgment was passed against the coroner for not attaching the neighbours: J.I.1/10, m. 36d.] [County Court] of 12 June 1273 198. On 13 May------Odell church and stayed there until------before R. of Goldington, coroner, and Odell, Harrold, Felmersham and Pavenham------ confessed that he had stolen a sheet worth 6d. at ?Sharnbrook and had committed many other thefts. He refused to surrender to the king’s [peace] and therefore he abjured [the realm] according to law and custom, choosing the port of Dover.

County Court of 19 March 1274 199. About midday on 26 Feb. William------of Stevington came from Bedford towards Stevington------the pond------ at Bromham. When he was in the middle of the pond, his feet slipped, he fell into the water and drowned by misadventure. His wife Alice found him drowned on ------ and found pledges, John ------nons and John ——an.

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87

Inquest before the same coroner by Bromham, Stevington, Turvey and Stagsden: a misadventure. 200. On 21 Feb. Robert of Cardington went towards Newnham on a ?message for [his brother] Ralph of Cardington. He had the falling sickness, fell in Stagsden field and [died] by misadventure from cold and------because he was alone and without help. Ralph first found him dead and found pledges, Geoffrey Ba------ and Walter ?Permafrey. Inquest before the same coroner by Stagsden, Turvey, Stevington and Bromham: a misadventure. Membrane 13 County Court of 10 July 1273 201. After vespers on 23 June Richard son of Thomas of Newnham of Stevington went by the river Ouse between Stevington and Pavenham to set fish-hooks to catch eels, fell in and drowned by misadventure. His mother Juliana wife of Gilbert le Frankeleyn first found him drowned, raised the hue and found pledges, Robert le Longe and Robert dil Estende, both of Stevington. Inquest before the same coroner by Stevington, Pavenham, Carlton and Bromham: as above.

County Courts of 7 Aug. and 4 Sept. 1273: nothing. County Court of 2 Oct. 1273 202. On 14 Sept. Beatrice Bone, a poor woman, went from door to door in Turvey begging food, came to Amice Mordant’s house in ‘Arneburwey’, fell down because she was weak and infirm and died there by misadventure between prime and tierce. On 16 Sept, her kinswoman Bone (sic) found her dead, raised the hue, to which the whole township came, and found pledges, Richard Bune and William Martel of Turvey. Inquest before the same coroner by Stagsden, Carlton, Stevington and Turvey: as above. County Court of 6 Nov. 1273 203. On 18 Oct. Alice Cok, a poor woman, lay ill in the said small house (sic) in Bletsoe, in which she and her sister Agnes------. At twilight that night Agnes went into Bletsoe to seek milk (lac) for Alice------in her absence a fire broke out and by misadventure burned the whole house and Alice inside it because she could not move or help herself. As soon as they saw the fire the whole township came, [but] could [not] ------ before Alice and the whole house were burned. Agnes first found Alice dead and found pledges, Simon of Cainhoe and Michael le Estraunge of Bletsoe. Inquest before the same coroner by Bletsoe, Thurleigh, Sharn­ brook and Radwell: as above.

88

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County Courts of 27 Nov.1 and 18 Dec. 1273, 22 Jan., 19 Feb., 19 March, 16 April and 14 May 1274: nothing. County Court of 11 June 1274 204. About vespers on 17 May Robert le Herdeman of Riseley came into a piece of cultivated land called in Carlton field ------a foot-path, which extends towards Harrold bridge, and through weakness and illness------. The next day Maud daughter of Robert searched for him and found him dead in the said place ----- [and found pledges], Jordan Serie and Richard son of Robert of Carlton. Inquest before the same coroner by Carlton------: a misadventure. [There is a cross in the margin against this case—possibly against the first finder’s name. Cf. No. 215 below.] 205. William and Roger of Chicheley were brought into the full county court with the mainour of a theft------against them the said theft. William and Roger confessed in full county court that they had committed the theft. Therefore------.

County Court of 9 July 1274 206. On Tuesday after------- son of Ralph son of Roger of Pavenham came by the river Ouse between Milton Ernest [and Pavenham] ------entered the water, fished with a ‘trip’ net, fell into the water [and drowned by misadventure]. His father Ralph son of Hugh (sic) first found him drowned and found pledges, Simon West and William W------1 of------ . Inquest before R. of Goldington, coroner, by Pavenham and Radwell, who said ------. Felmersham and Stevington said the same. The ‘trippe’ was appraised at |d. and delivered to Pavenham.

County Courts of 6 Aug., 3 Sept., 1 and 29 Oct., 26 Nov. and 17 Dec. 1274 and 21 Jan. [1275]: nothing. County Court of 18 Feb. [1275] 207. Agnes daughter of Stacy of Stevington and Peter of Kington, Wiltshire, were arrested------to Bedford gaol.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2) 4 [This roll is sewn in Chancery fashion, with membrane 2b probably a schedule originally. None of the cases is cancelled. The dorses are blank, except for membranes 2d and 3d and a small part of membrane id, which contains at the foot a small addition to the first case on membrane 2d and at the head the repetition of a case enrolled elsewhere. Written upside down in a 1 MS. has 1 in error for 2 Edward I for this county court.

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89

seventeenth-century hand at the top of membrane id is: Placita Coronator’ presentata ad com’ Bed’ 4to E Imi.]

Membrane 1 The first roll of R. le Creuquer, coroner, in the time of H. of Stapleford, sheriff.

County Court of 25 Nov. 1275 208. Barford Hundred. On 19 Nov.1 Arnulf Argent of Ravensden, who was poor, weak and infirm, went from door to door to seek bread, came to ‘Botildestrate’ in Ravensden field, intending to go to his house in Ravensden, and by misadventure died of weakness. The next day his wife Emma Pace searched for him, found him dead and found pledges, John Aylmar and Hugh le Wyte. Inquest before Sir R. le Creuquer, coroner, by Renhold, Ravens­ den, Wilden and Goldington: a misadventure. [At the eyre Emma, who was suspected, came, denied every­ thing and was acquitted by a jury: J.I.1/10, m. 28d.] 209. Robert of Croydon waged peace to Nicholas of Sandy and found pledges, Henry of Blunham and Henry son of Maurice. 210. Brother John de Halinges came into the full county court and sought the king’s peace of Henry of Flitwick by the king’s writ, because he threatened him of life and limb. [Henry] was attached by Maurice and did not come. It was therefore ordered that he be attached to come to the next county court to wage peace to John. His pledges for [keeping] the peace were Edmund of Bray and Hugh of St. Edward.

211. Cecily wife of Hugh of Holcot came to the said county court and prosecuted her appeal against Godfrey le Stedeman and Hugh Rachel for the death of her brother Robert. They were exacted a second time. She ceased from her appeal against William the Baker of Newport Pagnell. Printed in Gross, p. 33. For other stages of this appeal see above, No. 155, and below, Nos. 214, 216, 221 and 226. 212. Richard le Messer came to the said county court and sought the king’s peace of Everard of Beeston and Richard le Wodeward, because they threatened him of life and limb and had beaten and ill-treated him; he produced his suit. It was therefore ordered that they be attached to come to the next county court to wage peace to him. Printed ibid. See also No. 217 below.

County Court of 23 Dec. 1275 213. Willey Hundred. On 17 Dec. William Hest of Pavenham felled a willow at the head of the township of Pavenham and his 1 The regnal year is erroneously given as 4 Edward I, which began the following day.

CORONERS’ ROLLS 90 son John, aged 13, was standing near him on the other side of a wall. The willow fell on John, who died by misadventure the next day, having had the rites of the church. William found pledges, Gilbert at Hall (ad aulam) and William of Colmworth of Pavenham. The willow was appraised at 2d. and delivered to Pavenham. Inquest before R. of Creakers, coroner, by Pavenham, Stevington, Clapham and Milton Ernest: as above. [William came to the eyre and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. The willow was appraised at 3d. The coroner was amerced for performing his office insufficiently: J.1.1 /1 o, m. 36d.]

214. Cecily wife of Hugh of Holcot came to the said county court and prosecuted her appeal against Godfrey le Stedeman and Hugh Rachel for the death of her brother; they were exacted a third time. Printed in Gross, p. 34. For other stages of this appeal see above, Nos. 155 and 211, and below, Nos. 216, 221 and 226. 215. Willey Hundred. On 12 Nov. 12751 Oliver Daubeney’s cart, loaded with wood, stuck in a ditch outside his gate in Turvey. Nicholas Bonde, carter, got out of the cart and pushed upon it, so that the front horse pulled it so much that it ran over Hugh son of Henry, aged 6, who shouted. His mother Agnes came, raised the hue, took him in her arms and carried him to her house in Turvey. He died by misadventure the next day. Agnes found pledges, Adam Cugel and Richard Peyt of Turvey. It was ordered that Nicholas be attached. They also said (sic) that the 2 horses, cart and wood were worth 8s. id. and they were delivered to Turvey, but it was never­ theless ordered that the horses and cart be at the next county court. Inquest at the county court of 23 Dec. by Turvey, Stagsden, Stevington and Carlton: as above. [At the eyre Hugh was said to have been 10. The first finder came to the eyre and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. The horses and cart were appraised at 10s. and adjudged deodand; Clapham, Milton Ernest, Stevington and Pavenham (sic) were amerced for appraising them falsely. Maud daughter of Robert of Carlton did not come to the eyre and so her pledges, Jordan Serie and Richard son of Robert, were amerced: J.1.1 / io, m. 36d. Cf. No. 204 above.]

216. Walter Weysum and Michael Rachel went surety for the appearance at the next county court of Hugh Rachel, who was exacted a third time on the appeal of Cecily wife of Hugh of Holcot for the death of her brother Robert. Printed in Gross, p. 34. For other stages of this appeal see above, Nos. 155, 211 and 214, and below, Nos. 221 and 226. 217.

Everard of Beeston came to the said county court and waged

1 The regnal year is erroneously given as 4 instead of 3 Edward I.

CORONERS’ ROLLS

9i peace to Richard Fader of Beeston and found pledges, John Dendene and Geoffrey of Beeston. Printed ibid. See also No. 212 above.

County Court of 20 Jan. 1276 218. Willey Hundred. On 31 Dec. 1275 Robert son of Robert Dolle of Milton Ernest was at William Passelewe’s house at Brom­ ham, and after lunch, shortly before midday, he got into a small boat, intending to cross the river Ouse. By misadventure he fell into the water and drowned. His father first found him drowned, raised the hue and found pledges, Richard Dreu of Milton Ernest and William Portejoye of Clapham. Inquest before R. of Creakers, coroner, by Bromham, Stevington, Stagsden and Milton Ernest: a misadventure. The boat was appraised at iod. and delivered to Bromham. [The first finder came to the eyre and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. The boat, which was said to be in poor con­ dition, was adjudged deodand: J.I.1/10, m. 36d.] 219. Barford Hundred. Towards vespers on 16 Jan. 1276 Philip the Tailor of Roxton was coming from St. Neots towards Chawston, and came to ‘Chalvesternebroc’, tried to cross it on a plank, fell from the plank into the stream and drowned by misadventure. The next day his daughter Ellen searched for him, found him dead, raised the hue and found pledges, Richard of Thurleigh (Legd) and Henry Toroid of Roxton. Inquest before the same coroner by Chawston, Wyboston, Roxton and Great Barford: a misadventure. 220. Richard son of William of Biddenham avowed before the coroner that Richard le Vaus, his brother Ralph, Henry Compray and Walter Cugel, all of Turvey, broke the house of William Jon of Biddenham furtively and by night, carried away all William’s and Richard’s goods and cut the sinews of their legs. Printed in Gross, p. 34. See also No. 223 below.

221. Cecily wife of Hugh of Holcot came to the said county court and prosecuted her appeal for the death of her brother Robert against Godfrey le Stedeman and Hugh Rachel. Hugh Rachel had been mainperned to come, appeared and was delivered to the sheriff [for committal] to gaol. Godfrey was exacted a fourth time, and Ralph le Laner of Bedford went surety to produce him at the next county court. Printed ibid., pp. 34-5. For other stages of this appeal see above, Nos. 155, 211, 214, 216, and below, No. 226. 222. John Moryn waged peace to the prioress of Harrold and found pledges Ralph at Ash {de fraxino) and Henekyn of Harrold. Printed ibid., p. 35. 223. Richard son of William and William Jon, both of Bidden­ ham, came to the county court and sued against Walter Cugel,

CORONERS’ ROLLS 92 who had been arrested and brought into full county court because he had robbed and maimed them; they jointly found pledges to prosecute, Payn de Ford and Thomas son of Marsilius of Biddenham. Printed ibid. See also No. 220 above. Membrane 2 County Court of 17 Feb. 1276 224. Willey Hundred. On the night of 22 Jan. felons and evil-doers came to William Bevetoun’s house at Farndish, broke a wall on the west side with a plough-share and entered. William saw them and went out from his chamber towards them; they immediately assaulted him, giving him a wound with a staff on the crown (grave) of his head 4 inches long and to the depth of his skull and 2 wounds with a knife under the right breast to the depth of his heart, tied up his wife Muriel, wounded Robert of Rushden, a boy who was in the house with them, and carried away all the moveable goods of the house. Muriel saw them departing, immediately untied herself, found her husband lying in pain and wounded to [the point of] death, immediately raised the hue and then sought the chaplain of the township. William received all the rites of the church from the chaplain and died at dawn. Muriel found pledges, Roger son of Simon and Henry the Merchant, both of Farndish. Inquest before Farndish, Podington, Odell and Wymington: the same. The neighbours were attached: Roger son of Simon by Richard and John sons of Richard; Richard son of Richard by John son of Richard and Roger son of Simon; John son of Richard by Robert son of Roger and Richard son of Richard; Roger son of Roger by John son of Richard and Roger son of Simon. 225. Biggleswade Hundred. After nones on 6 Feb. Henry of Pincote in the parish of Tadlow, servant of John Taylard of Wrestlingworth, came to ‘Mullelane’ in the parish of Wrestling­ worth on his return from the field carrying dung in a cart drawn by 2 horses, when the right wheel cf the cart left the axle and by misadventure Henry fell from the cart, breaking his head. Never­ theless he brought the cart to his lord’s house and then went to his bed and died the next day after nones. John Taylard, the lord of the house where he was found, found pledges, John Nichole and John Reyner of Wrestlingworth. Inquest before P. le Loreng by Cockayne Hatley, Wrestling­ worth, Potton and Eyworth: as above. The cart, with wheels not bound with iron, was appraised at 8d., its harness at 3d. and the 2 horses at 10s.; they were delivered to Wrestlingworth. [This is also the first case in J.1.2/265. At the eyre it was presented that Henry was crushed by the cart. The horses, which were said to be in poor condition, and the cart were adjudged deodand. Alice Sarmon, the first finder, did not come and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. Cockayne Hatley was amerced for not coming fully to the inquest: J.I.1/10, m. 29.]

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93 226. Cecily wife of Hugh of Holcot came to the said county court and prosecuted her appeal against Godfrey le Stedeman, who had been mainprised and was exacted a fifth time and did not come. But a royal writ addressed to the sheriff of Bedfordshire [ordered] that all the provisions of Magna Carta should be observed, including the provision, that nobody should be arrested on the appeal of a woman except for the death of her husband. [Cecily’s] appeal was for the death of her brother Robert, and so by judgment of the county Godfrey’s outlawry ceased. Nevertheless a day was given to Cecily to appear before the justices. Printed in Gross, p. 35 and enrolled again on membrane id. For earlier stages of this appeal see above, Nos. 155, 211, 214, 216, 221.

County Court of 16 March 1276 227. Barford Hundred. After lunch on 18 Feb. Henry Bechard came to the pond of Eaton Socon and climbed a willow to cut its branches. One branch broke and [Henry] fell into the river Ouse and drowned by misadventure. His daughter Ellen found him drowned, raised the hue and found pledges, John Bechard and John the Carpenter. Inquest before R. of Creakers, coroner, by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Roxton and Chawston: as above. The price of the willow was 1 jd., for which Eaton Socon will answer. [This is also the second case in J.I.2/265.] 228. Biggleswade Hundred. About prime on 28 Feb., while William Sagar of Sutton was at the plough, his wife Emma took a bundle of straw inside the court-yard of his house in Sutton, intend­ ing to go to heat an oven. She came to a part of the court-yard which was near their dwelling-house and near a well on the north of the house, and by misadventure fell into the well and drowned. Maud daughter of Ellis Batte of Sutton was sitting in William’s house guarding Emma’s child Rose, who was lying in a cradle, heard the noise made by Emma as she sank, immediately went outside, found Emma drowned and continuously raised the hue and cry. The township came and followed the hue according to the custom of the realm. Maud found pledges, Ellis Batte and Geoffrey son of Maud. William Sagar, because his wife was drowned in his own court-yard, found pledges, Reynold le Ginnur and Arnold atte Grene. Inquest before P., coroner, by Sutton, Potton, Sandy and Wrestlingworth: as above. The straw was appraised at |d., for which Sutton will answer. [This is also the third case in J.I.2/265.] 229. Redbornstoke Hundred. Hugh of St. Edward sought the king’s peace of John Enslye. Sir John was present, waged peace to Hugh and found pledges [to keep] the peace, Andrew of Roxhill and Hugh Brun of Wootton. Printed in Gross, pp. 35-6. [This is also the fourth case in J.I.2/265.]

CORONERS’ ROLLS 94 230. Redbornstoke Hundred. Hugh of St. Edward and William Freman of Wootton came to the full county court and sought the king’s peace of William Astel of Wootton, because he had threatened them of life and limb [and] with burning their houses. They pro­ duced suit and it was ordered that William be attached. Printed ibid., p. 36. [This is also the fifth case in J.1.2/265. The letter A is written in the margin below this case. It may have been an indication that this membrane was to be sewn to the head of membrane 3, near the top of which there is a similar marginal B.]

County Court of 20 April 1276 231. Flitt Hundred. Towards vespers on 10 April Richard son of Andrew son of William of Faldo, aged 2, went near a pit on the east of Walter Wmfrey’s dwelling house in Silsoe, by misadventure fell into the water and drowned. His father first found him drowned, continuously raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Richard Andr’ and John of Stoke of Silsoe. Walter Wmfrey, in whose pit he was drowned, found pledges, Hugh the Merchant and William the White (album) of Silsoe. Inquest before P., coroner, by Silsoe, Pulloxhill, Barton-in-theClay and Gravenhurst: as above. [This is also the ninth case in J.1.2/265.] 232. Willey Hundred. On 4 April Agnes daughter of Ralph le Litle went into her father’s court-yard in Bromham and gathered straw under a weak wall, which by misadventure fell upon her and broke the whole of her body so that she immediately died. Her father first found her dead and found pledges, James Patun and Richard the Thatcher of Bromham. (Membrane 3) Inquest before R. ofCreakers, coroner, by Bromham, Stagsden, Stevington and Biddenham: as above. [This is also the eighth case in J.1.2/265. The letter B is written in the margin below this case. See above, No. 230.]

Membrane 2 b 233. John Spendelowe, who is mentioned below, was brought into the full county court on 20 April 1276. John Spendelowe of Tixover, Rutland, who was arrested at Knotting with goods stolen at Great Addington, Huntingdonshire, and brought to Bedford gaol, confessed before the coroner that he was a thief and had committed the said robbery at Great Addington and another at Stoke, Oxfordshire, where a reeve was slain, and appealed Simon Keylmers, Gretehobbe and Walter of Hertford, who were dwelling at Stanground, Huntingdonshire, of receiving. He also appealed Roger le Bereward, Geoffrey le Poo and William le Furneys of being with him at the said robberies and homicide, William le Messer and William le Reve, both of Keyston, and John

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95 brother of the lord of Southwick of receiving many stolen goods, and Robert le Tinneke of Elstow, Maud le Purssere and Maud Kek, both of Bedford, and Felicia le Wytererre of Gamlingay of receiving and buying stolen goods from him, knowing that they were stolen. Summarised in Gross, p. 36. [This is also the eleventh case in J.1.2/265, where the first sentence is omitted.]

Membrane 3 (ctd} 234. Stodden Hundred. Inquisition before R. of Creakers, coroner, by Tilbrook, Dean and Pertenhall concerning the goods of Eustace Puche of Tilbrook, who had abjured the realm at Spaldwick, Huntingdonshire, according to the custom of England; he did this because he had been arrested on suspicion of theft, placed in the king’s prison at Huntingdon, had broken out of the prison, fled to Spaldwick, been arrested there in the bishop of Lincoln’s liberty, had broken out of the bishop’s prison at Spaldwick and fled to Spaldwick church. The townships said that on the day on which he committed the felony Eustace had at Tilbrook a dwelling house, held in villeinage of Sir Peter of Hardwick, of which the year and waste were worth, with the curtilage, 2s.; 9 acres of land, held likewise of the same, of which the year [and waste] were worth 4d. an acre; 2| acres of land, held as freehold of the prior of Stonely, of which the year and waste were worth iod.; a horse worth i8d., which Roger de Rollinges had taken away before the coroner’s arrival, 2 chests and 2 tubs worth 6d., 6 bushels of wheat worth 2s. 6d., a quarter of the summer crop worth 2s. 6d., a quarter of peas worth 2s. and a brass pot worth 12d.; total 15s. iod.; they were delivered with a horse to Tilbrook. Note that ------ did not come before the coroner from Pertenhall except Richard ?Sulvestr. Printed in part in Gross, p. 36. [This is also the first case on J.I.2/255/1A, m. 2, and the sixth and seventh cases in J.1.2/265, where the sixth is can­ celled. This last version is the only one to have the last sentence; it also has 20 instead of 9 acres of land, 3 instead of 2| acres, whose year and waste were worth 8d. instead of iod., and i8d. instead of 2s. as the value of the peas. At the eyre the sheriff was made answerable for 7s. 7d. worth of Eustace’s chattels and for iod., the year and waste of the freehold of the fee of the prior of Stonely, who was amerced for entering thereon without warrant. Roger de Ralinge was made answerable for chattels worth 3s. and was amerced for taking them without warrant: J.I.1/10, m. 35.] 235. Geoffrey Rodlond came into the full county court and sought the king’s peace of Richard le Trayly, because he had threatened him of life and limb, and produced his suit. Richard was present, waged peace and found pledges [to keep] the peace, Hugh of Shelton and William le Gardener of Shelton. [This is also the tenth case in J.1.2/265.]

CORONERS’ ROLLS 96 County Court of 11 May 1276 236. Stodden Hundred. On 29 April Geoffrey son of Lyne Gyne of Souldrop and his wife were heating the oven in Geoffrey’s court-yard in Souldrop, Geoffrey’s son John, aged 3, being with them, when, without their knowledge, John went near a well in the court-yard, fell in and drowned by misadventure. After he had put his food in the oven, his father went away, came to the well to wash his hands, found his son drowned there, raised the hue and found pledges, William Bi the Re and William Brutun, both of Souldrop. Inquest before R. of Greakers, coroner, by Souldrop, Knotting, Melchbourne and Riseley: as above. [This is also the second case on J.1.2/255/1 A, m. 2.] 237. Manshead Hundred. On 20 April John son of William of Westfields of Windridge, Hertfordshire, a hayward in Houghton Regis in the liberty of Eaton Bray, was arrested on suspicion of theft, imprisoned by Houghton Regis, escaped from the prison of that township and fled to Houghton Regis church. On 27 April he abjured the realm according to the custom of the kingdom before P. le Loreng, coroner, Houghton Regis, Totternhoe, Tilsworth and Chaigrave, and the king’s bailiff, and was assigned the port of Dover, because he confessed before the coroner and townships that he was a thief, having robbed Sir William of Gorhambury at Westwick, Hertfordshire, and he refused to surrender to the king’s peace. On the same day he set forth on his journey, was followed by Houghton Regis after fleeing from the highway and was beheaded in the hue and the suit of the whole township. Inquiry was made by the said townships concerning John’s chattels. They said that he had sold 4 sheep to Matthew son of Stephen of Thorn of the parish of Houghton Regis for 4s. id., which sale John recognised and warranted; he said that he had bought these sheep, but did not have his warranty nor was he known; the sheep were therefore delivered to Houghton Regis at the said price. Matthew found pledges, Richard son of William and John Alwynne of Thorn. [John] also had 2 sheets and a carpet worth 2s., a horn, a bow with 2 arrows, and a belt with a knife worth 6|d., which were delivered to Houghton Regis. They said that he had chattels at Dunstable, and the coroners of that liberty were ordered to inquire concerning them. Printed in part in Gross, P- 37[At the eyre Houghton Regis was made answerable for John’s escape. His chattels, worth 6s. 7|d., were forfeited and the said 4 townships with Battlesden were amerced for appraising them falsely. It was also ordered that inquiry be made concerning his chattels in Dunstable: J.I.1/10, m. 37.] 238. Master Walter de Covylye came to this county court, waged the king’s peace to Hugh of St. Edward and found pledges for [keeping] the peace, John of Northwood and Richard the Clerk of

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97 Wilshamstead. The said Hugh waged peace to the said Master Walter and found pledges for [keeping] the peace, William le Wreman of Wootton, Warren of Houghton and Richard of Chawston.

County Court of 8 June 1276 239. Clifton Hundred. On the night of 17 May Henry of Barring­ ton of Gloucestershire, a stranger, was a thresher at Henlow, and he and Walter son of Thomas le Bere of Arlesey came together to ‘Schurchecruh’ in Henlow, fighting and quarrelling. Robert son of Walter Cripps of Henlow came and assaulted Henry, striking him in the throat to the heart with a knife, of which he immediately died. Robert and Walter, the felons, immediately fled. At dawn the next day Adam atte Churche, intending to go to Henlow priory to seek his bread, came to the said place and found Henry slain, continuously raised the hue, to which the township came and which was followed according to the custom of the realm, and found pledges, Richard at Hall (de aula) and Reynold Henneto of Henlow. The neighbours were attached: Richard at Hall (de aula) by William le Neuman and Adam Phelipp; Reynold Henneto by William atte Ree and John Ruff; Richard atte Louwe by Richard son of Geoffrey and Walter le Yunge; Richard Slott by Richard le Noble and John Slotte; all the pledges were of Henlow. Inquest before P. le Loring, coroner, by Henlow, Clifton, Arlesey and Meppershall: as above. (Membrane 4) The said townships inquired about the chattels of the said felons and said that Robert had a sheet and a carpet worth 2d., which were delivered to Henlow; and 14 bushels of dredge worth 2s. a quarter at Ralph Dike’s house in Willington and the bailiff of Willington was there­ fore ordered in full county court [to see] that Willington answered for the dredge. Walter had no goods except the clothes on his back. Summarised in Gross, p. 37. [This is also the first case on J.1.2/255/1 A, m. 1, where Reynold Henneto’s first pledge is called Walter atte Re and the dredge is said to be worth 3s. 6d.; the last 6 words are on this roll only. At the eyre Henry was called Henry of Wermyngton. It was ordered that Walter and Robert, who was called the son of Robert Crisp, be exacted and outlawed. Walter had no goods and was not in a tithing. Robert had chattels worth 3s. 8d., which were forfeited, and was in the tithing of Reynold le Rus in Henlow, which was therefore amerced. The first finder and neighbours came and were not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. All 4 townships were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest: J.1.1/io, m. 32.] 240. Redbornstoke Hundred. About midnight on 17 May Osbert le Wuayl son of William Crustemasse of Elstow, who was drunk and disgustingly over-fed, came from Bedford from door to door 10

CORONERS’ ROLLS 98 towards his house, which was on the north of Elstow bridge. When he arrived at his house he had the falling sickness, fell upon a stone on the right side of his head, breaking the whole of his head, and died by misadventure. The next day Agnes Ade of Elstow opened his door and found him dead, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, John Jacob and John Duffonn. The neighbours were attached: Robert the Brewer by John Appik and Ralph le Messer; Gilbert the Cobbler by Roger Belewe and Simon le Wytte; Richard of Norfolk by Ralph son of William and John son of John; Robert the Smith by Roger the Clerk and Richard of Henlow; all the pledges were of Elstow. Inquest before the same coroner by Elstow, Kempston, Houghton Conquest and Wilshamstead: as above. 241. Willey Hundred. About nones on 17 May Robert son of Margery and John son of Richard of Harrold were riding on Ralph Morin’s horses in Harrold and came to some water intending to water the horses. Robert entered the water first and stationed himself in a deep pool on the south of Harrold mill, fell over The horse’s head into the pool and drowned by misadventure. John tried to save Robert and entered the water, but could do nothing. Robert’s mother Margery immediately came, found him drowned, raised the hue and found pledges, Geoffrey Hounting and Geoffrey le Cuvere of Harrold. John found pledges, Henry Hunting and Robert son of Stephen of Harrold. The horse was appraised at 3s. and delivered to Harrold. Inquest before R. of Greakers, coroner, by Harrold, Odell, Pavenham and Carlton: as above. [The first finder came to the eyre and was not suspected. The horse was appraised at J mark and adjudged deodand: J.1.1 / io, m. 36d.J

242. Stodden Hundred. About prime on 3 June Richard Wygod of Bolnhurst came from Bolnhurst church into his court-yard and stood under the wall of an old and weak building. By misadventure the building fell on him, breaking the whole of his body. His daughter Maud came into the court-yard, saw him lying under the timber, raised the hue and dragged him from the timber. He died by misadventure about vespers on 6 June. Maud found pledges, Walter Macelin and Robert of Brickhill, both of Bolnhurst. Inquest before the same coroner by Bolnhurst, Keysoe, Colmworth and Wilden: as above. The timber was appraised at 6d. and delivered to Bolnhurst. [This is also the last case on J.1.2/255/1 A, m. 2.]

County Court of 6 July 1276 243. Clifton Hundred. On the night of 4 June Stephen son of Geoffrey Yve of Stotfold came from the house of Hugh the Smith of Stotfold with the irons of his plough, which had been made there, towards his own house. In a field in ‘Churchepayd’ in Stot-

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99 fold he met a smith, Geoffrey son of William Scot of Stotfold, who because of an old hatred immediately assaulted him, wounding him on the crown {grave) of the head to the bone and also over the left ear with a staff called ‘spitspade’, depriving him of his right eye and cutting off his tongue. The next day Stephen’s wife Alice came and searched for him, found him wounded to [the point of] death in the said place, raised the hue, which was followed, and brought him to his house. He had the rites of the church and died about vespers on 6 June. Alice found pledges, John the Marshal of Moggerhanger and John Kenet of Blunham. The neighbours were attached: Alan son of Katherine by Walter Hode and Robert Reynaud; William Colle by William Hunfrey and William Godefrey; Geoffrey Bate by William of Stagsden and Reynold atte Tounesende; Adam the Carter by Hugh the Smith and William son of Geoffrey; all the pledges were of Stotfold. Inquest before P. le Loring, coroner, by Stotfold, Henlow, Arlesey and Holwell: as above. Geoffrey, the felon, had a cow worth 4s., the crop of | acre of dredge worth i8d. and of 3 roods of oats worth i8d., and goods worth 12d., total 8s., which were delivered to Stotfold, which was to answer for them. Summarised in Gross, p. 38. [This is also the second case on J.1.2/255/1 A, m. 1. At the eyre it was ordered that Geoffrey, who had immediately fled and was suspected, be exacted and outlawed. His chattels were forfeited. He was in the tithing of William son of John in Stotfold, which was therefore amerced. The first finder and neighbours came and were not suspected. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The 4 townships were amerced for not coming fully to the inquest: J.I.1/10, m. 32.]

244. Roger the Reeve of Blunham and the others named in the king’s writ came into the full county court and sought the king’s peace of Sir Ralph de Beauchamp {Bello Campo) and his men, also named in the writ, without suit but with the writ, because they had threatened them of life and limb. Sir Ralph was present and found pledges for himself and his men for [keeping] the peace to them, William Brugge and Henry Sprot, both of Sandy, Merlin of Kin­ wick and William atte Hoo of Wootton. Sir Ralph likewise sought the king’s peace of Richard the Bailiff of Blunham because he had threatened him of life and limb; he produced suit. Summarised ibid.

County Court of 3 Aug. 1276 245. Manshead Hundred. After nones on n July Walter of Willowhale in Sussex was in Dedmansey wood in the liberty of Eaton Bray felling a tree and Richard atte Felde was also there felling another. Alice daughter of John Queneld of Kensworth, Hertfordshire, and her son Nicholas were seeking old wood because they were poor, and Walter asked them and Richard to come and

IOO

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help him pull on his tree with a rope. They went with him and pulled the tree to the ground with the rope. It fell on Alice, breaking her whole body so that she immediately died by misadventure. Richard immediately went to his house and did not raise the hue. Walter took Alice’s body from the place of her death to another part of the wood without raising the hue and then immediately fled; the bailiff of the hundred and liberty was therefore ordered to arrest him. [Alice’s] sister Edeburthe searched for her the next day, found her, raised the hue and found pledges, Nicholas son of John of Dunstable and Nicholas Ruard of Eaton Bray. (^Membrane 5) Alice’s son Nicholas found pledges, Nicholas son of John of Dun­ stable and William son of John of Kensworth. Richard atte Felde found Ralph le Mortimer and Simon Swoneld of Studham. Inquest before P. le Loreng, coroner, by Eaton Bray, Totternhoe, Studham and Houghton Regis: as above. The tree was appraised at 2d. and delivered to Eaton Bray. Nothing could be discovered concerning Walter’s chattels or his body. Summarised ibid. [At the eyre the misadventure was said to have occurred in ‘Nineshey’ wood. Walter was not suspected and it was therefore ordered that he might return if he wished. He had no chattels and nothing was known about his tithing because he was a stranger. The first finder came and was not suspected; nor was anyone else. The tree was appraised at 5d. and adjudged deodand. The 4 townships were amerced for falsely appraising it: J.I.i/io, m. 37d.] 246. Manshead Hundred. Soon after nones on 23 July Isabel daughter of Thomas Derbe of Shillington, a poor woman, came by a stream called ‘Foteseyebroc’ in Asp ley Guise and found her daughter Alice, aged 8, drowned by misadventure, raised the hue and found pledges, Simon of Fotsey and John le Eyr of Aspley Guise. Inquest before the same coroner by Aspley Guise, Crawley, Husborne Crawley, Holcot, Salford, Birchmore and (e) Woburn Chapel: as above. 247. Wixamtree Hundred. About midday on 28 July brother Richard of Newnham priory, obedientiary of Fenlake, came to the head of ‘Lesmoldeforlong’ in Eastcotts field, saw Philip son of Nicholas le Wannere of Fenlake, aged 13, gathering ears of corn, jokingly told (imbuit) him [that it was] the prior of Newnham’s corn and in jest threw a stone, which by misadventure fell on Philip’s head above his left ear, giving him a wound an inch long. He afterwards got up and ran to his mother Amice, who was in the same furlong, and died at vespers. Amice found him, raised the hue and found pledges, John of Fenlake and William de la More of Fenlake. Inquest before the same coroner by Eastcotts, Cardington, Cople and Willington: as above. Nothing could be discovered concerning Richard’s chattels or his body.

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IOI

[At the eyre brother Richard was called brother Richard of Sharnbrook, a lay brother of the prior of Newnham, and he was said to have thrown the stone in Fenlake field when moved by anger. It was presented that he later returned to the priory, where the prior and his men divested him of his habit and vest­ ments and expelled him by the priory gate. The sheriff was there­ fore ordered to arrest the prior for receiving him and to inquire of the names of those who took him to the gate and allowed him to depart. Because brother Richard was suspected it was ordered that he be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels. Afterwards it was testified that the priory was dedicated and that religious accused of such an offence as to imperil their life and limb should not be arrested; nothing was therefore to be done concerning the prior, but he was amerced because Richard was in his mainpast. The presenting jurors later said that they could not discover the names of the others: J.I.i/io, m. 33d.] 248. Redbornstoke Hundred. Master Matthew of Dunstable came to the said county court and sought the king’s peace of Geoffrey of Carlton by the king’s writ because he had openly threatened him of life and limb. Geoffrey was present, waged peace to him and found pledges, Hugh of Willey, Robert Ammory and John Haring. Sir Ralph Pirrot found pledges for [keeping] the peace towards Miles Thekin, parker of John of Pattishall, viz. Robert Godefrey, Simon the Reeve of Carlton and Philip of Roxhill; and Miles found pledges for [keeping] the peace towards Sir Ralph, William the Reeve and Ralph Aren, both of Bletsoe. Membrane 2d County Court of 31 Aug. 1276 249. Redbornstoke Hundred. At twilight on 4 Aug. Simon Burde was in his croft below the abbot of Reading’s wood in Houghton Conquest, when 3 unknown felons and evil-doers came and assaulted and badly wounded him, bound him and drove him before them into his house. There they wounded his wife Isabel and brother Robert and tied them up, and gave his mother Alice one wound on the back of the head 3 inches long and to the depth of the brain and another on her forehead 4 inches long and to the depth of the bone, both with a sword; Alice died the next night. Finally the felons carried off all the goods they could find in the house. Maud daughter of Richard Burde, who had hidden inside the house from fear, when she saw the felons departing with the stolen goods immed­ iately went out, raised the hue, to which the township soon came and which was followed, and found pledges, Richard Gerrard and Richard of Sewell, both of Houghton Conquest. {Membrane id) Simon Burde found pledges, Richard Gerrard and Henry the Cook; Robert son of Simon found Geoffrey Munbray and Richard of Sewell; Isabel found Robert Seward and Nicholas the Smith; all these pledges were of Houghton Conquest. {Membrane 2d) The neighbours were attached: Robert son of William by David son of

CORONERS’ ROLLS 102 Neil and William le Rous; Reynold son of the reeve by Samson of Houghton and Clement the Cook; Neil le Newman by Nicholas the Smith and Richard Salemz; Robert Seward by Geoffrey Munbray and William Wigod; all the pledges were of Houghton Conquest. Inquest before P. le Loreng, coroner, by Houghton Conquest, Ampthill and Millbrook, Maulden, Eastcotts and Wilshamstead: as above. Summarised in Gross, p. 38. [There are marks in the margin on both membrane id and membrane 2d for the insertion of the section written on the first, above the body of the case, in the place where it appears above. At the eyre, when the felons were still unknown, it was said to be Simon Burde who died the day after the felony. The 4 neighbours came and were not suspected. The coroner was amerced for performing his office insufficiently: J.1.1/10, m. 38.]

250. Liberty of Luton. Soon after nones on 5 Aug. Richard of Runley, ploughman, William the Carter, Simon the Driver and their servant, Robert of Luton, entered a stable in the abbot of St. Albans’ manor at Dallow, intending to get down cart-shafts, which were lying upon beams. Richard climbed up to the shafts and fixed a cord onto them, but as they came down the cord broke so that Richard fell by misadventure, breaking the whole of his body. He had the rites of the church and died on the night of 7 Aug. His wife Agnes found him, raised the hue and found pledges, Herbert of Runley and William Hereberd of Runley. The serving­ men were attached: William the Carter by Robert Sprot and Robert the Little {parvum); Simon the Driver by William Hereberd and Gilbert de Chepperesdonne; Robert of Luton by William le Wyse and Robert Sprot; all the pledges were of Runley. Inquest before the same coroner by Luton, Runley, Limbury and Biscot: as above. The shafts were appraised at iod. and the cord at 2d.; they were delivered to Luton to answer for. 251. Manshead Hundred. About midnight on 12 Aug., when John Clarice was lying near his wife Joan daughter of Richard le Freman, as was his custom, in his bed in the chamber of his house at Houghton Regis in the liberty of Eaton Bray, madness took possession of him, and Joan, thinking that he was seized by death, took a small scythe {falxsiculum) and cut his throat. She also took a weapon called ‘vonge’ {sc. a bill-hook) and struck him on the right side of the head, so that his brain flowed forth and he immediately died. The next day Joan fled to Houghton Regis church. About prime on that day John’s son Ralph was troubled that his father was lying in bed so late, entered the chamber, called him, found him dead, raised the hue, to which the township came and which was followed, and found pledges, Simon Pouel and John le Wodeward, both of Houghton Regis. The neighbours were attached: Ralph Tympon by Herbert at Lane {de venella) and John de Locwode; Gregory the Mercer by Walter Alwyne and Robert son of John; Thomas

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103 Cimson by Ralph Tympon and Robert Wenge; John Helewys by Adam Aleyn and Alexander son of Ralph; all the pledges were of Houghton Regis. Inquest before the same coroner by Houghton Regis, Chaigrave, Hockliffe and Tilsworth: as above. The scythe and ‘wonge’ were appraised at i|d. and delivered to Houghton Regis to answer for. On 15 Aug. Joan was asked about this felony in the said church before the same coroner and townships. She openly confessed that she had committed it alone without any help. The port of Dover was assigned to her by the road called €le Kokevey’, which enters into the king’s highway. She then abjured the realm according to the custom of England. Inquiry was made about the felon’s chattels by the same town­ ships, who said that on the day of the felony John and Joan jointly had 2 horses worth 5s., a mare with a foal worth 5s., a stirk worth 2od., a calf worth I2d., 3 pigs worth 4s., 3 young pigs worth i8d., household goods worth i8d., 3 acres of wheat worth 4s. 6d. an acre, 3 acres of maslin worth 4s. an acre and 11 acres of dredge worth 4s. an acre, total£4. 9s. 2d., which were delivered to Houghton Regis pending the decision at the justices’ discretion. Summarised in Gross, p. 38. [At the eyre John Clarice was called ‘of Dunstable’. Joan was found to have no chattels. John’s were distributed among his boys: J.I.1/10, m. 37.]

252. Biggleswade Hundred. After nones on 16 Aug. John son of Robert Coubuk came to Eyworth windmill with a bushel of maslin and found William son of Ralph Sucel of Great Gransden, Hunting­ donshire, a servant-boy aged 12. Against the boy’s will John poured the maslin with a basket into cle binne’ (jr. the bin), made the mill grind and went near the wheel and ‘cogges’ (sc. cogs), which seized him by the left arm and dragged the whole of his body so that he immediately died by misadventure. William saw that he was dead, went out of the mill, raised the hue, which was followed, and found pledges, Walter and Nicholas the Smith of Eyworth. Inquest before the same coroner by Eyworth, Dunton, Wrestling­ worth and Cockayne Hatley: as above. At the said hour there were in the mill (a bushel of ?charcoal (coll') or toll-corn (toll') worth 3|d., the said maslin worth 3|d.), the wheel with ‘cogges’ worth i8d. by themselves, the sails with cloth worth 2s. by them­ selves, the mill with the mill-stone worth 10s. and (the said basket worth i|d.); the said values and the issues of the mill were delivered to Eyworth to answer for. [The passages in round brackets are struck through. At the eyre the wheel, worth i8d., was adjudged deodand. The first finder came and was not suspected; nor was anyone else: J.I.1/10, m. 29.] Membrane 3d 253. Barford Hundred. Before prime on 26 Aug. Hugh the Car­

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penter of Great Barford was at Great Barford church, and as he stood on the belfry to do his carpentry he fell from it by misadventure, thus receiving his death. He had the rites of the church and died by misadventure about vespers on the same day. His wife Beatrice found him fallen and found pledges, John of Brytvilles and Henry Coyntterel of Great Barford. Inquest before R. of Creakers, coroner, by Great Barford, Roxton, Renhold and Wilden: as above. [At the eyre it was presented that Hugh fell from a stone, worth 2d., which was adjudged deodand. Judgment was passed against the coroner for not appraising the stone at his inquest. Beatrice came to the eyre and was not suspected: J.1.1/10, m. 28.] 254. Clifton Hundred. On 1 Aug. John son of Moses of Henlow and William Hunfrey of Stotfold came from London to Shoreditch, where a quarrel arose between them. John struck William with a staff on the top of the head, [giving him] a wound 3 inches long. They were reconciled and came to a house in Stotfold. [William] died about midday on 26 Aug. Inquest before P. Loring, coroner, by Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow and Clifton, who said as above and that he died of the said wound. Inquiry was made concerning John’s chattels by the said townships, who said that he had 7 roods of land sown with oats worth 3s., 12 bushels of wheat worth 6s., a quarter of dredge worth 2od., a horse worth i6d. and 4 sheep worth 4s., total 16s., which were delivered to Stotfold. [This is also the last case on J.1.2/255/1 A, m. 1. At the eyre it was presented that, after wounding William, John left him for dead and went away; no mention was made of a reconciliation. William was also said to have died almost half a year after the wound. John had withdrawn on account of his death, but was not suspected at the eyre. It was therefore ordered that he might return if he wished, but his chattels, worth 30s. 4d., were forfeited on account of his flight. Nothing was known of the first finder and neighbours because the coroner did not attach them; judgment was therefore passed against him: J.1.1/10, m. 32.]

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2) 255/1A

[This roll is sewn in Exchequer fashion. All the cases are can­ celled by single lines and all are also on J.1.2/4. The three cases on membrane 1, which is headed Clifton Hundred, are the same as Nos. 239, 243 and 254 above; the three on membrane 2, which is headed Stodden Hundred, are the same as Nos. 234, 236, and 242. Below the cases on membrane 1 is written 30s. 4d., altered from 27s. 4d. (the total value of the goods forfeited in the three cases is correctly 27s. 8d. by the valuations on this

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roll). At the foot of membrane 2 there is written in a different hand: D. Dominus domine nostre quam ad mirabile. Both dorses are blank.]

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2) 265 [This is a roll of one membrane, in very bad condition. Only one case is cancelled (the sixth) and that because it is rewritten. The cases on the dorse are written upside down from the foot. The cases, which are under county court headings, are all also on J.1.2/4. The first case is the same as No. 225 above; the second to the fifth are as Nos. 227-230; the sixth and seventh are as No. 234; the eighth is as No. 232, ninth as 231, tenth as 235 and eleventh as 233. The seventh is the first entry on the dorse.]

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2) 5

[This roll is of one membrane, with a schedule sewn to the side of the dorse. The cases on the dorse are written upside down from the foot. All the cases are cancelled, by single unbroken lines drawn down the centre of the face, dorse and schedule. The marginalia and interlineations are in a different hand.] Membrane 1 255. At twilight on 4 Sept. 1300 Nicholas le Swon of Bedford came to his house there, when his wife Isabel was at Robert Asplon’s house giving milk to Robert’s son, and asked his daughter where her mother was. She said: at Robert Asplon’s house; whereupon he immediately went after her because she stayed there too much. As he left his house he met his wife and told her to come home to sleep, saying that he wanted to go to his bed. While Isabel was making his bed, Nicholas drew his sword and struck her in the back so that she immediately died. He immediately fled. His chattels were 3 bushels of corn worth i5d., 2 bushels of oats worth 4d., 8 lbs. of wool worth 2s., wood worth 4d., 2 pigs worth 3d. and a chest worth 4d., for which Bedford will answer. His daughter Joan, the first finder, raised the hue and was attached by William Cope and William Whyteman. The neighbours were attached: John le Fruttere by John the Cook and William Funt; Robert Asplon by Thomas Asplon and Robert Berard; William Tydens by Roger le Tannour and Ralph Daubour; Robert of Leicester by Robert le Swon and Thomas le Hore. [At the eyre it was ordered that Nicholas] be exacted and outlawed; his chattels, worth 5s. 7d. [were forfeited on account of his flight]. The first finder and neighbours had died: In the margin. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 8d.

256. On 8 Aug. 1300 a quarrel arose between William le Messer

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of Bedford and John of Harrold in Bedford. Later they both with­ drew into the town fields and it broke out again. William struck John on the crown (greva) of his head to the brain with an axe called ‘sparth’ and again on the back of the head so that he fell down, and on 15 Aug. he had the rites of the church and died. William fled immediately after the felony and had no chattels. The axe was appraised at 2d., for which Bedford will answer. The neighbours were attached: Robert Thurmed by William Bryht and William le Combe; William Abbot by Thomas Asplon and Walter Sutore; Simon Scot by Simon Corby and Henry Berard; James the Butcher by Robert Berard and William the Shepherd. [At the eyre it was ordered that William] be exacted and outlawed; [he had] no chattels [nor was he in a tithing because he was a stranger]; nothing [was done] about the finder and neighbours because he had the rites of the church; [Bedford was amerced for not arresting him although this happened by day]: In the margin. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 8d.

257. On 15 Oct. 1300 a quarrel arose between John le Sharman, Richard le Foller’s servant, and Geoffrey Bery in Bedford, so that Geoffrey struck John on the left arm almost through the middle with a knife and so he suddenly died. Geoffrey immediately fled and had no chattels. The knife was appraised at id., for which Bedford will answer. John’s wife Maud, the first finder, raised the hue and was attached by Osbert le Ganter and John ate Mor. The neigh­ bours were attached: Richard Fullo by Simon Corby and William Gardyner; Robert Huldemere by Richard de Chieftowe and William Monipeny; John of Ely by Roger Love and Hugh Scot; Henry le Eyr by John son of Eudes (Odonis) and Ralph of Stagsden. [At the eyre it was ordered that Geoffrey] be exacted and outlawed; [he had] no chattels [nor was he in a tithing because he was a stranger]. Since this happened by day and the hue was not raised (sic: there is no mention in the eyre roll of the hue not being raised) [and Geoffrey was not arrested, Bedford was amerced. Murdrum was imposed upon it because Englishry was not presented]. Richard Fullo and Robert Huldemere [came to the eyre and] were not suspected; [the first finder] and the other neighbours had died: In the margin and interlined. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 8d. 258. About vespers on 3 Sept. 13011 a quarrel arose between Walter le Skynner and Robert of Towcester, ‘portour’, in Bedford so that Robert struck Walter in the throat with a knife and he immediately died. Robert immediately fled and had no chattels. Walter’s wife Margery, the first finder, raised the hue and was attached by Richard Dye and William Monipeny. The knife was appraised at id., for which Bedford will answer. The neighbours were attached: John of Lindsey by Walter the Clerk and Nicholas 1 Sunday before the feast of St. Mary 29 Edward I.

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le Costun; Reynold the Miller by Robert the Webbe and Thomas le Chacour; Robert le Noreys by Robert le Solyer and Richard Roggele; Adam Russel by Henry le Rendour and John of Odell. [At the eyre it was ordered that Robert] be exacted and outlawed; [he had] no chattels [nor was he in a tithing because he was a stranger]. The first finder and neighbours had died. [No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon Bedford, which was also amerced for not arresting Robert although this happened by day]: In the margin and interlined. Cf. J.I.1/26, m. 8d. 259. On 10 Sept. 1301 William son of Peter of Bromham, nephew of the vicar of Wootton, Stephen de Rivers, William the Cobbler and Margery le Wyte came together from a tavern in Bedford towards Wootton, and as they came into Cauldwell road a quarrel arose between them. William the vicar’s nephew, seeing John Hokerynge, who was following them but with no ulterior motive, drew his bow and shot at him with a barbed arrow. Margery went between them in order to stop the quarrel and by misadventure received a blow from the arrow in her throat so that she immediately died. William immediately fled and had no chattels within the liberty of Bedford. The arrow was appraised at id., for which Bedford will answer. Margery’s daughter Juliana, the first finder, raised the hue and was attached by Geoffrey le Wyte and Peter de Merton. The neighbours were attached: Roger of Goldington by Thomas Pokok and Walter the Cobbler; Henry of Fenlake by Richard of Elstow and Roger Fourner; Walter of Thurleigh {de Lega) by Adam le Boltere and Walter Pekkebone; Walter Scotard by Adam the Miller and Thomas the Baker. [At the eyre, when Margery was said to have been struck in the stomach, it was found that William] was living in the neighbourhood and so [the sheriff was ordered] to arrest him. [His chattels were forfeited on account of his flight, and the jurors said that he had some in] Redbornstoke hundred, [the jurors of which were ordered] to inquire about them. Stephen, William the Cobbler and John Hokerynge were not suspected, [but John was amerced for not arresting William]. The first finder and neighbours had died. [Later William son of Peter was brought into court by the sheriff and produced letters patent dated 23 Feb. 1302 (cf. Cal. Pat. Rolls> 1301-1307, p. 23), pardoning him for the death of Margery of Wootton {sic) and his consequent outlawry because of his service in Scotland]: In the margin and interlined. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 8d. 260. On 22 Aug. 1302 John Picot wanted to cross a river to the door of his mill called ‘Fordemulne’ in Bedford, his feet slipped and by misadventure he fell into the river and drowned. His mother Mabel Picot, the first finder, raised the hue and was attached by Richard Sparwe and Roger Picot. The neighbours were attached: Geoffrey le Lavender by Alexander of the Prebend {de prebend9) and

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Walter Bucston; Henry de Wygateshale by William the Hayward and John Wonbake; Nicholas Bucston by Ralph le Conibien and John Thonn; Walter Bucston by Thomas le Hore and Nicholas le Saltere. The first finder and neighbours died [before the eyre]: In the margin.

261. On the afternoon of 16 May 1302 Thomas son of Robert Halyday came to ‘Gosedichlane’ in Bedford and assaulted William Halyday, striking him with a ‘trenchour’ knife under the right breast, of which he died soon after nones on 31 May, when he had had the rites of the church. Ralph le Cartere held him by the throat and covered up his eyes with his hood while Thomas struck him. Roger [of Moggerhanger] took from him a staff with which he would have defended himself. Henry Haliday------him by the ?nose only after the blow. Robert Haliday ordered them to commit this felony. Thomas fled immediately after the felony and had no chattels. The knife was appraised at id., for which Bedford will answer. The neighbours were attached: Simon le Carpenter by Thomas le Dreper and John le Knave; Richard Halyday by Thomas Asplon and John son of William; John Prentis by John Cok, skinner, and Simon Bascot; Richard le Marchal by Nicholas le Lavender and Nicholas Bocston. [At the eyre it was found that Thomas had chattels worth] 2s., [which were forfeited on account of his flight]. Roger was arrested [immediately after the felony and delivered to the bailiffs of Bedford, but nobody could say what became of him; as the coroners’ rolls did not record that he died in prison judgment was passed against Bedford for his escape and it was ordered that he be exacted and outlawed]. Thomas and Ralph were living in the neighbourhood and so their arrest was ordered. [Thomas later appeared in court and brought letters patent dated 10 Nov. 1303 (cf. Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1301-1307, p. 182; cf. p. 122. Henry was pardoned on the same day: ibid., pp. 166-7) pardoning him for William’s death on account of his good service in Scotland]. Ralph [also appeared and] was acquitted by a jury. Henry and Robert [were suspected and so it was ordered that they be successively] exacted and outlawed; [Henry was exacted for the fourth time and outlawed in the county court at Bedford on 1 April 1331, when process against Robert began]. Inquiry was ordered concerning the lands and chattels [of Henry and Robert; it was found that on the day of the felony Robert had a messuage and 12 acres of land in Bedford worth ns. yearly, of which the year and waste were worth 77s. 8d. and the issues in the meantime £15. 19s., which sums were forfeited]. Nothing [was done] about the finder and neighbours because William had the rites of the church: In the margin and interlined. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 11. [It was found by an inquisition held by the sheriff in 1331 that Robert Haliday had died a natural death. The exigent against

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him was therefore superseded and in 1334 the year and waste and the meantime of his lands were cancelled: Chancery, Inquisitions Miscellaneous (C.145) 125, No. 29.] 262. On 7 July 1303 Richard son of Geoffrey Ston took a horse from Ralph Marchal’s smithy (fabrica) in Bedford and rode it as if to ride to Peter Haliday’s house. And because it did not seem to him that the horse was going quickly he struck it and, running quickly, it entered John Calt’s gate, when Richard struck his head upon ‘le spore’ (jt. the spur or supporting timber), from which he died about prime the next day having had the rites of the church. The horse was appraised at 5s. and ‘le spore’ at id., for which Bedford will answer. The neighbours were attached: Guy the Baker by Robert of Bletsoe and William the Carpenter; Thomas le Hore by William le Messer and Henry Oliver; Thomas Legat by John Cocebel and William Bascat; Ralph le Comber by Richard Sparwe and Roger the Smith. [At the eyre] nothing [was done] about the finder and neigh­ bours [because Richard had the rites of the church. The horse was adjudged] deodand: In the margin. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 8d. Membrane id 263. On 12 Nov. 1303 Henry Bobbe of Lower Caldecote hanged Robert le Bole on his gallows towards Biddenham. When Henry returned towards Bedford Thomas son of Gervase the Cobbler came and gave him three blows with his hand, whereupon Simon son of Roger le Bercher of Wilshamstead came and struck Henry between the shoulders with a staff of black-thorn. Henry then sat in William Bascat’s croft and could not go any further. Richard of Old Warden then came and struck him in the chest with an iron fork, so that he immediately died. Immediately after the felony they [all] fled and had no chattels. Ralph the Webbe, the first finder, raised the hue and was attached by Peter de Merton and John le Bole. The neighbours were attached: Simon Ravenyg by Roger Sourdow and Robert le Corder; Walter the Clerk by Robert le Webbe and Richard Dye; Walter Scotard by Ralph le Toller and Guy le Tumour; Robert le Corder by Geoffrey le Lavender and Nicholas le Messer. Simon son of Roger le Bercher, who was arrested and imprisoned for this death, broke Bedford gaol, fled to St. Paul’s church and said that he was at the death and [abjured the realm before Nicholas] Feron, coroner of Bedford. He had no chattels. [At the eyre Robert le Bole was said to have been convicted of divers felonies before the Bedford Gaol Delivery justices, Henry to have been slain under the wall of the Friars Minors of Bedford and Simon to have confessed that he was a felon and that he had broken the gaol. It was ordered that Thomas and Richard] be exacted [and outlawed; they had no chattels nor were they in a tithing because they were strangers. Judgment was passed against the tenants of the lands and tenements of]

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William Molesworth, sheriff, for Simon’s escape [from his custody. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon Bedford]. The first finder and neighbours died: In the margin and interlined. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 9, where the sheriff is called Walter of Molesworth. 264. About------on 15 Dec. 1303 William of Stowe and Peter le Bereward came together from John the Painter’s house in Bedford and a quarrel arose between them in the high street between the churches of St. Mary and St. Paul. [Peter] struck William on the head with a staff so that he fell down and on 25 Dec. he had the rites of the church and died. Immediately after the felony Peter fled and had no chattels. The neighbours were attached: William Whyteman by John Coleman and Robert of Leicester; Robert de Merton by John le Frutter and John son of Philip; William Tydens by Robert Berard and Richard de Chieftowe; William Cope by Matthew de G------and Henry Ossins. [At the eyre William and Peter were said to have come from John the Painter’s tavern and the felony was said to have been committed in St. Mary’s parish. It was ordered that Peter] be exacted and outlawed. [He had no chattels nor was he in a tithing because he was a stranger.] Murdrum {sic: not mentioned in the eyre roll). [Nothing was done about the finder and neighbours because William] had the rites of the church: In the margin. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 9. 265. John of Woodcroft, who was arrested for [the theft of] two horses at Oakley, broke Bedford gaol, fled to St. Paul’s church and on 11 May 1304 abjured {abjuraverunt) the realm of England before Alan Marchal and Nicholas Feron, coroners. He had {habuerunt) no chattels. [At the eyre it was said that John confessed to the theft and escape and that the escape was on 4 May. Judgment was passed] against [the tenants of the lands of Walter of] Moles­ worth, [sheriff of Bedfordshire, from whose custody John made] the escape: In the margin. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 9. 266. About vespers on 2 July 1304 Henry son of Philip le Chapeler was sitting on the side of a vat full of boiling ale from the second grout {plene granomelP secundo servisia bullient') called ‘grout sopes’ {sc. grout sops) in his father’s house in Bedford, and by misadventure he fell into it and scalded the whole of his body. He was removed from the vat and died about midday on the next day. The vat was appraised at 4d. and the ale, because it was weak, at 3d., for which Bedford will answer. The neighbours were attached: John of Rad­ well by Robert le Boltere and John Chalonner; Simon le Boltere by Richard Nodynan and Geoffrey Stokfysh; Robert le Parchemyner by John the Tailor and Robert Dod; Walter Joppe by Geoffrey Nodynan and William le Seler. Robert le Parchemyner did not come [to the eyre and was not

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suspected; therefore his pledges, John the Tailor and Robert Mone {sic), were amerced. The first finder] and the other 3 neighbours had died. [The vat and ale were adjudged] deodand: Interlined. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 9. 267. William of the Isle of Ely was found in St. Paul’s church, Bedford, confessed to several thefts and to the burglary {sic) of Bedford gaol, and on 1 May 1304 abjured the realm of England before Alan le Marchal and Nicholas Feron, Bedford coroners. He had no chattels. [At the eyre judgment was passed] against [the tenants of the lands of Walter of] Molesworth, [sheriff of Bedfordshire, from whose custody William made] the escape [on the day of his abjuration]: In the margin. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 9.

268. On 20 Jan. 1305 Arnold of Tyringham stood at the cross in Bedford in order to be hired {conductus) and Richard the Dyer hired him and gave him a horse and cart to carry manure in the fields. When he had emptied the cart he wanted to ride the horse, and in mounting it his shin slipped between the shafts and the horse and he thus fell with his head hanging towards the ground and the horse dragged him along so that he died. The horse was appraised at 10s. and the cart at 3s., for which Bedford will answer. Arnold’s wife Cecily, the first finder, raised the hue and was attached by William Arnold and Nicholas Segresteyn. The neigh­ bours were attached: Guy le Tumour by William Netesheved and Lawrence the Tailor; Richard Ruggele by Ralph the Forester and Lawrence the Cowherd; Richard le Tumour by Roger Sourdew and Ives the Skinner; Lawrence the Cowherd by Peter Froward and Walter Scotard. [At the eyre Richard was said to have had the accident. The cart and horse, which was described as in poor condition, were valued at] 1 mark and adjudged deodand. The first finder and neighbours had died: In the margin. Cf. J.1.1/26, m. 9. Schedule 269. John Wimound struck a man, of which he is accused, but he lived for over 6 months and died of a natural illness and not other­ wise. The coroner took nothing.

270. Robert Podifat and Alan Scalle wished to rob the abbess of Elstow and robbed a woman of a horse. Robert was unwilling to surrender and so was killed in his own felony by the hue, which was raised against them. Alan surrendered to an under-bailiff and was killed by Robert and Hugh le Percer, William and Thomas of Houghton and others unknown. [At the eyre the robbery was said to have occurred at Elstow abbey in the year 2 Edward III (1328-9) and the horse to have been worth | mark. It was ordered that the 4 felons, who had

I 12

CORONERS’ ROLLS immediately fled], be exacted [and outlawed; they had no chattels]: Interlined. Cf. J.I.1/26, m. nd.1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, CORONERS’ ROLLS (J.I.2) 6 [This roll is sewn in Exchequer fashion. The membranes are only fragments and very badly decayed. Cases at the foot of some membranes, of which only a few words survive, are not calendared. The dorses are all blank. Membrane 7 is the original cover of the roll. On it is written in a ?seventeenthcentury hand: Rotul’ Coronator’ in com’ Bed’ annis 90 io° 11° Edwardi secundi.]

Membrane 1 271. Willey Hundred. Inquest at Stagsden before W. Mordaunt, county coroner, by Stagsden, Bromham, Stevington and Turvey. On the night of 22 March 1316 unknown men came to William of Willey’s house, broke the door------, entered, assaulted him and struck him on the head above the right ear with a ‘balstaf’ (sc. balghstaff or a stout stick), of which he immediately died. The thieves (sic) immediately fled. William’s daughter Agnes first found him, raised the hue and found pledges, Robert of Dilwick and John [the Cook]. The neighbours [were attached]: Roger le Plouwrhit by Nicholas Ratele and William Terry; Robert le Shepherde by John le Knhit and Walter Hert; Walter Pynnok by Nicholas of Covington and Robert Vallet; David the Carpenter by John the Carpenter and John of Covington. The staff was appraised at i|d., for which Stagsden will answer. [At the eyre the jurors did not know who the felons were or where they went. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The first finder did not come and was not suspected, and so her pledges were amerced. Two neighbours had died; the others came and were not suspected: J.I.1/26, m. 36.]

272. [Willey Hundred.] Inquest at Thurleigh before the same coroner by Thurleigh, Bletsoe, Sharnbrook and Radwell. On the night of 30 March 1316 Robert Basely, with Hugh Bene and another unknown, came to Richard le Noble’s house at Thurleigh and broke it with a coulter, but as they tried [to enter] Richard saw them and raised the hue, to which the constables and neighbours of Thurleigh came. They assaulted the thieves and wished to attach them, but they were unwilling to surrender to the king’s peace. When Hugh was defending himself [against] the constables, by misadventure he struck Robert on the head to the brain with a ‘balstaf’ and he 1 In 1329 William of Houghton killed Richard of Bray in Bedford, aided by the same Robert, Hugh and Thomas, all 4 called clerks. For this their exaction and outlawry were ordered: J.1.1/26, m. nd.

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n3 immediately died. Hugh immediately fled. The 4 townships found that he had no chattels and [J.] de le Hay, sheriff of Bedfordshire, was ordered to attach him. Agnes Payn first found him, raised the hue and found pledges, William Ace and Richard le Noble. The neighbours [were attached]: Geoffrey le Gardyner by Simon de Bockelowe and William Aspeye; Adam Wendynal by Richard Syred and Lawrence Polecar; Peter Partrych by Robert the Webbe and John de Brykb------1; Hamo Aleyn by Nicholas Towole and Walter Ma------. The staff was appraised at 1 jd., for which Thurleigh will answer. [At the eyre it was ordered that Hugh be exacted and out­ lawed. He was found to have chattels worth 2od., which were forfeited. The first finder and neighbours came and were not suspected: J.1.1/26, m. 33d.]1 273- [Stojdden Hundred. Inquest at Melchbourne before the same coroner by Melchbourne, Dean, Shelton and Yelden. On 26 March 1316 Richard of Hogshaw mounted a horse of Thomas son of Neil in his master’s stable at Melchbourne. While the horse was without reins he wished to ride out of the stable door and in doing so [struck] his head against the door beam, from which he died on the following ------day, having had the rites of the church. [The neighbours were attached]: Robert ------ by Richard Bron and Hugh Beneyt;------otteson by John------and Richard Davy. [The horse] was appraised at 1 mark and |d., for which Melchbourne will answer. [At the eyre it was said that Richard died from falling from the horse, which was adjudged deodand. The first finder and 4 (sic) neighbours had died: J.1.1/26, m. 39d.]

274- [Willey Hundred.] Inquest at Radwell before the same coroner by Radwell, Sharnbrook, Felmersham and Bletsoe. On 6 May 1316, as Adam son of Robert [Prest] tried to catch fish in the river [Ou]se in the parish of Rad well with a ‘tryp’ (sc. trip) [net], he fell [into] the water by misadventure and drowned. ----- first found [him, raised] the hue [and] found [pledges],------ate------. [The neighbours were attached]: ?Hugh Testard by Gilbert ------1------ gg------; ?Richard Broye by Nicholas atte------ . [The net was appraised at 3d. and adjudged deodand at the eyre, when the first finder and 4 (sic) neighbours had died: J.I.1/26, m. 35.]

Membrane 2 275. Barford Hundred. Inquest at Renhold before the same coroner by Ravensden with Renhold, Wilden, Great Barford and Goldington. On 12 May 1316 Maud Avenel entertained an un­ 1 At the eyre it was also presented that Hugh and another had slain Gilbert the Reeve at Radwell during a burglary 10 years before the above homicide: J.I.1/26, m. 35. 11

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known pauper, who let in other unknown men in the night. They wounded and robbed Maud and struck her daughter Cecily to the heart with a knife, and she immediately died. They immediately fled. Simon Typin first found her, raised the hue and found pledges, John Galyon and Walter the Smith. The neighbours [were attached]: Thomas le Long by Robert the Smith and Ralph Fraunkeleyn; Thomas le Reve by John Peres and Henry Nel; Henry Gosse by William Gosse and Hugh Botun; William Sabyn by Richard Collesden and Thomas Galyon. The knife was appraised at i|d., for which Renhold will answer. [At the eyre it was not found who the felons were or where they had gone. The first finder and 3 neighbours had died. Thomas le Longe did not come and was not suspected, and so his pledges were amerced. Before the eyre Maud had been killed by misadventure by a cart in Goldington fields: J.1.1/26, mm. 15c!, 16.] 276. Willey Hundred. Inquest at Stevington before the same coroner by Stevington, Bromham, Turvey and Stagsden. On 22 May 1316 Roger B[rid] was digging in a quarry called ‘Henhull’, when by misadventure a stone fell on his head and he immediately died. The quarry was ordered to be enclosed (defendatur). John Alolf first found him, raised the hue and [found] pledges, John de Gynes and Reynold de Pollescroft. The neighbours [were attached]: William Cryps by Stephen Strumpe and Thomas le Fraunkeleyn; William le Carter by John the Smith and Gilbert the Clerk. The stone was appraised at i|d., for which Stevington will answer. [At the eyre the stone was appraised at 2d. and adjudged deodand. The first finder and one neighbour came and were not suspected; the other neighbours (sic) had died: J.1.1/26, m. 35.]

277. Stodden Hundred. Inquest at Yelden before the same coroner by Yelden, Shelton, Dean and Melchbourne. On 15 June 1316 Emma le Bere had an illness called ‘frenesye’ (sc. frenzy) and was lying down, but rose from her bed, took an instrument called ‘boleax’ (sc. bole-axe, a large axe) and cut the throats ofJohn, Helen, Felise and Maud, the son and daughters of John le Bere. Immed­ iately afterwards she hanged herself in her house on a beam with two cords of hemp. Nicholas son of John le Bere first found them all, raised the hue and found [pledges], John le Bere and Nicholas le Murye. The neighbours [were attached]: Roger ate Stones by Adam the Reeve and Ralph the Carter; Simon Abel by John le Eyr and Hugh Russel; Richard of Riseley by William le Messer and Nicholas Brunne; Geoffrey Wyrun by John Heyne and John Abel. The beam was appraised at 3d. and the cords at 2d., for which Yelden will answer. [There are] no chattels because she had a husband. Membrane 3 278. Willey Hundred. Inquest at Biddenham before the same

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115 coroner by Biddenham, Bromham, Stagsden and Stevington. On 14 June 1316 Sibyl Aldyth entertained two unknown thieves, and at night they strangled her by the throat with a belt, so that she immediately died. The thieves immediately fled. Margery Aldyth first found her, raised the hue and found pledges, Henry Alddyth and Robert Frelove. The neighbours [were attached]: William Byktons by William of Crosshall and William Muryel; William Lanaleye by Robert Drew and Nicholas the Miller; Robert Pyrot by William Frelove and Robert Davy; Robert the Smith by Walter the Shepherd and Roger le Coupere. The belt was appraised at 1 jd., for which Biddenham will answer. [At the eyre the year was given as 10, not 9, Edward II. The jurors did not know who the felons were or where they went. The first finder and 2 neighbours had died. William Bickons and Robert the Smith did not come and were not suspected, and so their pledges were amerced; the pledges of William Lanaleye were assigned to William Bickons: J.1.1/26, m. 36d.J

279. Barford Hundred. Inquest at Eaton Socon before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Wyboston, Chawston with Colesden, and Sudbury. On the night of 16 Oct. 1316 John Dyne of Harrowden, John de Cravene, cobbler, William the Cobbler of Great Staughton and Robert le Tannour of St. Ives came to Thomas Pykot’s house at Eaton Socon and at dawn Thomas went with them towards Huntingdon market. As they were coming into Eaton Socon fields the others killed Thomas, striking him to the heart with a knife called ‘miserycord’ {sc. misericord), and he immediately died. They then returned to his house, carried away all his goods and chattels and immediately fled. J. de le Hay, sheriff of Bedfordshire, was therefore ordered to attach them. Hugh Swyft first found him dead, raised the hue and found pledges, John Osbern and Richard the Baker. The neighbours [were attached]: Simon Wastel by Nicholas Flote and William le Rede; Geoffrey Sauecomb by Richard Baxter and William de le Wrhithous; Simon le Webbester by Adam of Duloe and John le Ropere; John the Baker by Walter the Carpenter and William Madur. [There are] no chattels of the fugitives, as the townships found. The knife was appraised at 3d., for which Eaton Socon will answer. [John Dyme {sic; Robert le Tannour was also called le Taillour at the eyre) was later arrested and delivered to John del Haye, sheriff, who was answerable for him at the eyre, when it was ordered that the other 3 felons be exacted and outlawed. No Englishry was presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. The first finder came and was not suspected. Geoffrey Sacomb did not come and was not suspected and was therefore amerced. The other 3 neighbours had died: J.1.1/26, m. iqd.] 280. Willey Hundred. Inquest at Turvey before the same coroner by Turvey, Stagsden, Carlton with Chellington, and Stevington.

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On the night of 15 Dec. 1316 Richard of Wick came from Bedford [towards] Turvey, and as he was walking in Turvey field he met unknown thieves, who assaulted him, struck him on the head to the brain with a ‘balstaf’, robbed him, carried away all his goods and immediately fled. Richard Gygg first found him, raised the hue and found pledges, Richard le Ballede and Robert le Stoker. The neighbours [were attached]: William Sauar by Simon de le Pertre and John ate Hulles; Robert Red by John de Evervine and Geoffrey Atwood {de bosco); William Golefynch by Robert of Lavendon and Stephen Collesweyn; Peter Caym by William the Smith and Philip le Proude. The staff was appraised at i|d., for which Turvey will answer. 281. [Willey Hundred.] Inquest at Felmersham before the same coroner by Felmersham, Rad well, . On the night of Saturday after ------ 10 Edward II unknown thieves came to Sibyl B[ele]’s house at Felmersham, burgled it, [stealing her goods and chattels, cut her] throat [with a knife so that she immediately died, and themselves immediately fled]. Richard------ [first found her, raised the hue] and found pledges------ . [The neighbours were attached]: John Bernard by Ralph [Fellesson and John Clerc]; William Gyllessone by------ ; [Henry] Ber[nard] by Robert [le Mercer and Robert of Hardwick];------ le Z------- . [At the eyre the jurors did not know who the thieves were or where they went. The first finder and 2 neighbours had died. Henry and John Bernard did not come to the eyre; they were not suspected and so their pledges were amerced; the pledges of John were assigned to Henry and vice versa', J. 1.1 /26, m. 34d.]

Membrane 4 282. Stodden Hundred. Inquest at Dean before the same coroner by Dean, Melchbourne, Shelton and Yelden. On 17 March 1317 John le Long came to Maud Bolle’s house at Dean, took a ladder, climbed up the house, burgled {sic) and entered it and took a ham. As he left with it Maud saw him and raised the hue, and through fear of the hue he fell from the house with the ham and thereby died. William the Cobbler first found him, raised the hue and found pledges, Richard le Marschal and John Broun. The neighbours [were attached]: Geoffrey Edward by Geoffrey Broun and Walter Hurde; Reynold of Clifton by Simon of Witham and Robert le White; Henry the Miller by Reynold the Smith and Robert Adam. The ham was appraised at i8d., for which Dean will answer. [At the eyre the ham was said to have been hanging on a beam, the burglary to have occurred at night, John to have fallen from the ladder and to have died of a broken neck. Nobody was suspected. The ham was forfeited and the ladder was appraised at 2d. and adjudged deodand. The first finder and 3 {sic) neighbours had died. One neighbour came and was not suspected: J.1.1/26, m. 38.]

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283. Barford Hundred. Inquest at Eaton Socon before the same coroner by Eaton Socon, Wyboston with Beggary, Chawston with Colesden, and Sudbury. On 9 March 1317 William Rungefer, having an illness called ‘frenesye’, hanged himself with a part of his sheet upon a beam of the solar ofJohn de Mansington, chaplain. Helewise wife of John Brayn first found him, raised the hue and found pledges, Walter le Toye and Ralph Wodecok. The neigh­ bours [were attached]: John Brayn by William Pytyl and Ellis Brayn; Alexander the Smith by Richard the Shepherd and Thomas Gamenman; John Pagon by Henry le Marschal and Hugh ate Brok; Roger Bio we by John Gamelot and William of Gamlingay. The beam was appraised at 2d. and the piece of sheet at i|d., for which Eaton Socon will answer. The 4 townships found that William had no chattels.

284. Willey Hundred. Inquest at Podington before the same coroner by Podington, Odell, Wymington and Harrold. On 15 March 1317 Maud of London lodged at Emma Harlewyne’s house and with a knife cut the throats of Emma’s daughters Amice and Nichola, so that they immediately died. Maud immediately fled and carried away Emma’s goods. J. de le Hay, sheriff of Bedford­ shire, was therefore ordered to attach her. Emma first found them, raised the hue and found pledges,------Harlewyn [and]------- Gos. The neighbours [were attached]: John Ponay by William Unwyne and Thomas le Walker; Nicholas Dekne by Henry of Podington and Walter le Bray; William Scot by William le Cartere and Gilbert the Shepherd; John of Wymington by Robert and Simon Croyser. The knife was appraised at i|d., for which Podington will answer. [At the eyre the house and goods were said to belong to Amice and Nichola daughters of Amice and the felony was said to have been committed in the middle of the night. It was ordered that Maud be exacted and waived. She had no chattels. The first finder and neighbours had died: J.1.1/26, m. 35.]

285. Stodden Hundred. Inquest at Bolnhurst before the same coroner by Bolnhurst, ?Riseley (------sle), Pertenhall and Keysoe. On Wednesday------10 Edward II Richard [Cok of Sandy], servant, and William le Waryner, who was a servant of Roger de Beauchamp (de Bello Campo) at Sandy, met Ralph Herberd in Bolnhurst, and a quarrel arose between them so that Richard and William struck Ralph with a sword on the right ear. Ralph recovered, but the next day he had the rites of the church and then died. Immediately after the felony [Richard] and William fled. [J.] de le [Hay, sheriff of Bedfordshire], was therefore ordered to attach them. The town­ ships said that they had no chattels. The neighbours [were attached] [At the eyre the date of the felony was given as 9 Edward II and William was called William Campioun Rogeres Warner de Beauchaump. It was ordered that Richard and William be

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exacted and outlawed. At first it was said that they had no chattels and were not in a tithing because they were strangers, but it was later found that William had a messuage and curtilage in Sandy worth i2d. yearly, the waste of which was worth 6s., the year and waste 6s. and the meantime 13s. Roger de Beuchamp had occupied them without warrant and was therefore amerced; he later came and paid a fine of 4od. to the king to have entry. Nothing was done about the finder and neighbours because Ralph had the rites of the church: J.1.1/26, m. 38d.J Membrane 5 286. [Stodden Hundred.] Inquest at Shelton before the same coroner by Shelton, Yelden, Melchbourne and Dean. On the night of 6 March 1317 certain unknown strangers lodged in an empty house of William le Engleys at the head of the township of Shelton. They cut the throat of one of their number with a ‘trencheour’ knife and he immediately died. The rest immediately fled. Geoffrey Gosse first found him, raised the hue and found pledges, John ate Yate and John de Coten. [The neighbours were attached]: John ate Feld by William Yvot and John son of Hugh; John of Croxton by Robert ate Grene and Hugh of Keys ton; Walter ate Ridye by Robert ate Persones and Thomas Gosse; John of Keys ton by Simon le Wylde and William Matheu. [The knife] was appraised at i|d., [for which] Shelton will answer.

287. Willey Hundred. Inquest at Ghellington before the same coroner by Chellington with Carlton, Harrold, Odell and Turvey. On 24 May 1317 William of Thurlby was walking in Dungee in Harrold field and there met Thomas Crykhole, assaulted him, struck him on the head on the right ear with a ebal[st]af’ and after­ wards cut his tongue with a knife. Thomas recovered, went from Dungee to Cogswell and there died. William immediately fled. J. de le Hay, sheriff of Bedfordshire, was therefore ordered to attach [him]. John Edward and Richard Daunger went------to Cogswell and there found Thomas dead and removed him to Chellington before the coroner’s arrival. [John and Richard were immediately arrested, delivered to the said sheriff and] were attached: [John by] John of [Knotting and Robert le Wodeward]; Richard by —• [At the eyre it was said that Thomas Crilhole {sic) died im­ mediately after the attack. It was ordered that William, who was described as John of Pavenham’s hayward, be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels and was not in a tithing because he was a vagrant. Englishry was not presented and so murdrum was imposed upon the hundred. John Edward did not come as first finder and was not suspected, and so his pledges were amerced. The sheriff said that John and Richard could not be found and therefore they were amerced at I2d. each, but he was not as they were not felons. One neighbour came and was not suspected; the others had died: J.1.1/26, m. 34.]

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Membrane 6 288. [Willey Hundred.] Inquest at Turvey before the same coroner by Turvey, Stagsden, Carlton with Chellington, and Stevington. On 27 Dec. 1317 John [son of Roger] le Cok played with a sword in Roger of Willey’s hall and by [misadventure it] escaped from his hand, fell upon Roger’s son John and wounded him in the left side. John recovered, had the rites of the church and died of the wound on 29 Dec. J. de le Hay, sheriff of Bedfordshire, was therefore ordered to attach John------. They say that he had no chattels. [The neighbours were attached: ------ by] Gervase Thongo----- and Walter Abelun; ------- by Ralph le Webbe and William Fydessowle;------dessoule by Adam Malet and John le Coupere; ------yer by John le Hulyer and Robert of Lavendon. [The sword was appraised at] ------, for which Turvey will answer. [At the eyre it was ordered that John, who had fled immediate­ ly after the event, be exacted and outlawed. He had no chattels and was not in a tithing because he was a vagrant. Nothing was done about the first finder and neighbours because of the rites of the church: J.1.1/26, m. 33.]

GONVILLE AND CAIUS COLLEGE, ROLL 26

[This roll is sewn in Chancery fashion, with a schedule sewn to the side of membrane 1. At the top left corner of membrane id. there is written in a ?seventeenth-century hand: Rot’ coron’ de Bedford.] Membrane 1 Roll of William Fancotes, county coroner, of outlawries in Bedford­ shire in the year 1 Richard II (1377-8). 289. County Court at Bedford, 29 March 1378 John son of Nicholas Ropere of Thurleigh was exacted for the fifth time by a writ of exigent returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Trinity to answer Reynold de Grey of Ruthin in a plea of trespass against the form of the statute. He did not appear. Therefore on a judgment given by Philip Pertessoyl and William Fancotes, county coroners, he was outlawed. 290. County Court at Bedford, 21 June 1378 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Ralph Godefrey for not coming to answer the king in King’s Bench in the Octave of Michaelmas for certain felonies of which he was appealed by an approver who was recently in King Edward Ill’s gaol in Lincolnshire.

291. Same County Court Joan wife of Richard Burgeys of Wymington appealed John Collessone of Souldrop, ‘scepperde’ (sc. shepherd), of the death of her husband, saying that at midday on 21 June, when Richard was at

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Wymington, John came and struck him to the heart with a knife called ‘thwytel’ (sc. thwittle), of which he immediately died. Pledges to prosecute: John Wymengton and William atte Water.

292. County Court at Bedford, 19 July 1378 Fifth exaction of William Cartere, servant of John Bate, by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Michael­ mas to answer John Bate in a plea of trespass against the form of the statute, and his outlawry for non-appearance by judgment and in the presence of Philip Pertesoyl and William of Fancott, coroners. 293. On 4 Aug. 1378 Richard Tebbe of Steeple Morden, Cam­ bridgeshire, fled to Eyworth church in Bedfordshire and stayed there for 5 days. On 8 Aug. he was clearly and openly examined before William of Fancott, county coroner, before whom and Eyworth, Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley he confessed that on the night of 3 Aug. he killed John Muleward of Hook’s Mill, Cambridgeshire, for which felony he sought the liberty of the church. On the same day before the coroner at the gate of the church he chose his route to the port of Dover and in the presence of all the people he was given the port of Chester and abjured the realm of England. Inquisition was taken before the coroner by the same 4 (sic) townships, who said that he had no chattels. 294. County Court at Bedford, 16 Aug. 1378 Margery widow of John Webbe of Ridgmont appealed Lawrence Warner of Ampthill and his son William of killing her husband at Ridgmont on 20 Sept. 1377. Pledges to prosecute: John Berne the younger and Thomas Barbut. (Schedule) Lawrence and Wfilliam ------ before] John Cavendissh ------and submitted [to the verdict of a jury]------- .

Membrane 1 (ctd) 295. County Court at Bedford, 13 Sept. 1378 Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Kybbell the elder at the suit of John Bate by a writ returnable in King’s Bench on the morrow of All Souls to answer both the king and John Bate for divers trespasses of which he was indicted. 296. County Court at Bedford, 11 Oct. 1378 Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Rothewell, chaplain, at the suit of John Lyncolle, clerk, by a writ returnable on the morrow of All Souls at Westminster to answer both the king and John Lincoll for divers trespasses of which he was indicted. Membrane 2 297. County Court at Bedford, 8 Nov. 1378 Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Donmowe, servant of William Venour, at the suit of Richard Esket of Biscot by a writ returnable before the king’s justices in the Octave of Martinmas to answer both

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the king and Richard for divers trespasses of which he was indicted.

298. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Nicholas Walcote, John of Abingdon, John Tumour of Turvey, William Writhe of Carlton, John Drynkewel, chaplain, William Wrythe of the county of Stamford (de com" Staunford)^ Thomas Tumour and his servant Robert, Maurice Teraunt of Fen Stanton, John North, John Godwyne, William Clogon of Cambridge, John chaplain of the parish church of Wistow, Thomas Threyster of Reading, Richard Irysche, chaplain, dwelling at Cambridge, and John Godewyne of Kempston by Bedford at the king’s suit by a writ returnable in King’s Bench in the Octave of Hilary for divers felonies of which they were appealed by an approver in the Marshalsea. 299. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Fysscher of Henlow at the suit of the abbot of Old Warden by a writ of account returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Hilary to answer both the king and the abbot for divers trespasses of which he was indicted.

300. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Spenser at the suit of Edward Boteler by a like writ returnable as the last to answer both the king and Edward etc. (sic), 301. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Breyne the younger at the suit of John Broune of Wrestlingworth by a like writ returnable as the last to answer both the king and John Broune etc. (sic), 302. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Robert Clerk of Bedford at the suit ofJohn Lageby and his wife Beatrice by a writ of trespass returnable as the last to answer John and Beatrice for divers trespasses of which he was indicted.

303. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Scheppherd of Ravensden, John Bukkeworthe, John Personessone of Houghton Conquest, Henry Hawk of Little Barford, chaplain, William Smyth of Bolingbroke, Simon Bate of Biddenham and Robert Polbrok, recently servant of William Harewold, at the king’s suit by a writ of felony returnable before Reynold de Grey, the king’s justice, at Bedford on 13 Dec. 1378 to answer the king for divers felonies of which they were indicted. 304. County Court at Bedford, 28 March 1379 Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Julian of Bourn at the suit of

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the prioress of St. Helen’s, London, by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Quindene of Easter etc. (sic). 305. On 24 May 1379 William Palmere, dwelling in Leighton Buzzard, who was indicted and outlawed for the death of Thomas Wydenhale of Wrestlingworth, was arrested at Leighton Buzzard and put in the stocks, but he broke them, escaped, fled to Leighton Buzzard church and stayed there for 13 days. On 6 June he was examined before William of Fancott, county coroner, and confessed that on 5 June 1370 he killed Thomas at Wrestlingworth, for which felony he sought the liberty of the church and it was granted to him. On the same day before the coroner at the church gate he chose his route and the port of Chester and was given the port of Dover, and he abjured the realm of England.

306. County Court at Bedford, 20 June 1379 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Stephen Smyth, chaplain, at the suit of Alan Russheby by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Michaelmas to answer both the king and Alan in a plea of trespass against the form of the statute. 307. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Cut at the suit of the same by a like writ returnable as the last to answer both the king and Alan in a plea of trespass. 308. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Nicholas Walton by a writ returnable in King’s Bench in the Octave of Michaelmas for certain felonies of which he was indicted.

309. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Henry Cade, chaplain, by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Quindene of St. John the Baptist to answer Robert Howet and his wife Emma in a plea of trespass. [Henry’s outlawry was pardoned on 16 Oct.: Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1377-1381, p- 387-] 310. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John, formerly servant of John atte More, and John Pekesden by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Michaelmas to answer William la Zouche of Harringworth, knight, in a plea of trespass.

311. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry ofJohn Hanvyle, chaplain, and Walter Schefforde by a writ returnable as the last to answer Robert atte Hoo in a plea of debt.

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312. County Court at Bedford, 18 July 1379 Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Moigne of Abingdon, recently servant of John Bron, by a writ returnable before Reynold de Grey and his fellows, the king’s justices, at Bedford on 26 Sept, to answer both the king and John Bron in a plea of trespass against the form of the Statute of Labourers. Membrane id 313. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Maydeford, labourer, John Thressher, formerly servant of Alice Cras of Southill, John Mordon, carter, Simon vicar of Southill, William Burgeylon, labourer, John Bromham, ploughman, Thomas servant of William Tacchere, William Pursere, William Cartere, Nicholas Lekke, John Smyth of Shefford, ‘taylour’, Walter Thresshere, labourer, William Irissh, thresher, Thomas servant of John Clogon the elder, William Whitchurch, William Pipere and Geoffrey Carpenter of Toddington by a writ returnable as the last to answer the king for divers con­ tempts and trespasses of which they were indicted.

314. County Court at Bedford, 12 Sept. 1379 Fifth exaction and outlawry of William servant of John Merton, John Weldon of Shillington, labourer, Stephen Panelmaker, William Boynon, labourer, John Smyth, parson of Milton Bryant, William Bolewyk, ‘thressher’, and Richard Rose by a writ returnable as the last to answer the king for divers contempts and trespasses against the form of the statute of which they were indicted. [The outlawry of John Smyth was pardoned on 12 Nov., he having surrendered to the county gaol and the custody of Thomas Peyvre, sheriff, on 8 Oct.: Chancery Miscellanea 47/6, No. 178; Cal. Pat. Rolls. 1377-1381. pp. 406-7. Cf. No. 341 below.] 315. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Rudde, recently servant of William Godfrey the younger, by a writ returnable as the last to answer the king for divers felonies of which he was indicted.

316. Same County Court. Fifth [exaction and] outlawry of John Coleman the younger of Barton-in-the-Clay by a writ returnable as the last to answer both the king and Ralph Fitz Richard in a plea of trespass against the form of the statute. 317. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John of L[?am]port by a writ re­ turnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Martinmas to answer John Swanton in a plea of debt. 318. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Smyth of Shefford, ‘taylour’,

CORONERS’ ROLLS 124 by a writ returnable in King’s Bench in the Octave of Martinmas to answer Henry Clerk of Langford in a plea of trespass.

319. County Court at Bedford, 10 Oct. 1379 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Robert of Stoke Albany, ‘flesshewer’ (sc. flesh-hewer or butcher), and John of Stoke Albany, ‘draper de Welshcloth’, by a writ returnable as the last to answer the king for divers felonies of which they were appealed by an approver in the king’s Marshalsea. 320. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Thacchere, recently carter of the prior of Dunstable, by a writ returnable before Reynold de Grey and his fellows, the king’s justices, at Bedford on 12 Dec. to answer both the king and the prior in a plea of contempt against the form of the statute.

321. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Simon Watte, ‘brasier’ (sc. brazier or brass-worker), by a writ returnable in King’s Bench in the Octave of Martinmas to answer Simon Wilye in a plea of trespass. 322. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Thaccher, recently carter of the prior of Dunstable, by a writ returnable as No. 320 above to answer both the king and the prior in a plea of trespass and contempt. [This entry is struck through and quia supra is written in the margin. Cf. No. 320 above.] Membrane 2d 323. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Hare of Silsoe, William Pany of Luton, John Barbour, servant of Thomas Daventr, knight, and John Fuller, recently dwelling in the parish of Dunton, by a writ returnable as the last to answer the king for divers felonies of which they were indicted. [William Hare had been indicted of raping Maud wife of Richard Boynton at Silsoe on 15 March 1377 and of abducting her with Richard’s goods. He was pardoned for this on 2 March 1383: Cal. Pat. Rolls. 1381-1385, p. 232.]

324. County Court at Bedford, 7 Nov. 1379 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Rose, ‘cartere’, by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Martin­ mas to answer both the king and Thomas Frembaud in a plea of trespass and (sic) against the form of the statutory ordinance etc. (sic). 325. County Court at Bedford, 5 Dec. 1379 Fifth exaction and outlawry ofJohn Bron the younger of Tempsford

CORONERS’ ROLLS

125 by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Hilary to answer both the king and Geoffrey Drayton in a plea of trespass against the form of the statute.

326. Same County Court. Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Rambrigge by a writ returnable as the last to answer both the king and John Rambrigge of London in a like plea. [On 2 March 1381a writ of supersedeas issued to the sheriff in favour of Robert Craule of Luton at the suit of the king and of John Rambrigge of London for retaining in his service William Rambrigge, who left John’s service at London before the term agreed: Cal. Close Rolls, 1377-1381, p. 502.] 327. County Court at Bedford, 27 Feb. 1380 Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Mathewesson, Nicholas Knoston and John Woleston by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Trinity to answer John Curteys of Wymington in a plea of debt. [The debt of each was of £20 and the outlawries of all three were pardoned on 12 June, on which day they had surrendered to the Fleet: Chancery Miscellanea 47/6, No. 177; Cal. Pat. Rolls, ^377-13^1, P- 493-1 328. County Court at Bedford, 26 March 1380 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Thomas Cady by a writ returnable as the last to answer Peter atte Bourne in a like plea.

329. County Court at Bedford, 23 April 1380 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Thomas Kauston, ‘mulleward’ (sc. millward or miller), and Robert Flour by a writ returnable before Reynold de Grey of Ruthin and his fellows, the king’s justices, at Bedford on 21 May to answer the king for divers felonies of which they were indicted.

330. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Cope of Oakley in the parish of Bray, Berkshire, by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Quindene of Trinity to answer master John Evot, clerk, in a plea of debt. [There were two debts, of 35 marks and 60s., and John’s outlawry was pardoned on 13 May 1381: Cal. Pat. Rolls, 13771381, p. 622.] 331. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Dryver by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of St. John the Baptist to answer the prioress of St. Helen’s, London, in a plea of trespass.

126

CORONERS’ ROLLS

332. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Aleyn, ‘theker’ {sc. theeker or thatcher), by a writ returnable in King’s Bench in the Octave of St. John the Baptist to answer Thomas Wrythte in a like plea. 333. County Court at Bedford, 21 May 1380 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Ralph vicar of Stotfold by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Trinity to answer John Vynter, clerk, in a like plea. 334. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Taylour of Dunton, William Wryth, ploughman of Geoffrey Chyld, Thomas Stanford, servant of John Baldewyne, Thomas Irisch, ploughman, and John Clerk, servant of Adam Abel, by a writ returnable before Reynold Grey and his fellows, the king’s justices, at Bedford on 21 May to answer the king for divers trespasses of which they were indicted.

335. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of Adam Irisch [and] John Irysch, servants of John Bate, William tenant of William Pykard, John ?the Carter {car") of John Bury, Richard son of William Yuttes of Paxton, William Barker, servant of William Sacombe the elder, John the Carter of William Sacomb the elder, John Aungevyn, servant of Henry Abbot, Richard servant of Henry Abbot, William Tressher, Treshman’, of Ravensden, John Tressher of Chaiton, John Colle of Keysoe, labourer, and Richard Thornton, ‘shepherd’, by a writ returnable as the last to answer as the last. 336. County Court at Bedford, 18 June 1380 Fifth exaction and outlawry of Benet Ward by a writ returnable before the same justices at Bedford on 18 June to answer both the king and Geoffrey Child in a plea of trespass. 337. Same County Court Philip Pertesoil was removed from the office of coroner and William French was elected in his place. [This entry, which begins in the left margin, was probably inserted later. The election was made in execution of a writ de coronatore eligendo of 11 May 1380 for the replacement of Philip Persore {sic) who was insufficiently qualified: Cal. Close Rolls, 1377-13^1, P- SiS-J 338. Same County Court Fifth exaction and waivery of Emma Daye of Holme and fifth exaction and outlawry of Richard Mason by a writ returnable as the last to answer the king for divers felonies of which they were indicted.

CORONERS’ ROLLS

127

339. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Broy by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of St. John the Baptist to answer both the king and Nicholas Westerdale in a plea of trespass against the form of the statute. 340. County Court at Bedford, 16 July 1380 Fifth exaction and outlawry of William Writhecole, cwebbe’ (sc. weaver), by a writ returnable in the court of Common Pleas in the Octave of Michaelmas to answer John Wandeford in a plea of debt.

341. Same County Court Fifth exaction and outlawry of John Smyth, parson of Milton Bryant, by a writ returnable as the last to answer Robert Spaldyng, parson of Graveley, in a like plea. [The debt was of £20, and John’s outlawry was pardoned on 2 May 1382, he having surrendered to the Fleet the day before. He had also on 11 May 1381 been pardoned his outlawry in Bedfordshire for not appearing to answer John Jurdan of Eversholt concerning a trespass: Chancery Miscellanea 47/6, No. 158; Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1381-1385, pp. 2, 90. Cf. No. 314 above.] 342. On 18 July 1380 John Taverner of Atherstone, recently servant of William Pykard, turned approver in the presence of Sir Giles Dawbeney, sheriff of Bedfordshire, and before William Frensch and William of Fancott, county coroners, confessed that on the night of 1 Dec. 1379 together with Stephen Cartere, servant of William Pykard, he came to William’s hall at Goldington and struck William in the head with an axe as he was sitting in his chair by the fire, so that he fell in the fire; and afterwards Stephen struck him to the heart with a ‘trenchour’ knife, of which he immediately died. He also said that Joan, William’s wife, allowed and procured Stephen to commit the felony, of which he appealed them. Stephen was brought before John Caundychs and his fellows at the Dunstable Gaol Delivery in the year 4 Richard II (1380-1) by the appeal of the said Joan, was found guilty of the homicide by a jury and so was hanged. John was hanged at Bedford before the same justices in the same year, because he was suspected. [A cross is drawn through the left side of this case. Joan was imprisoned, and on 20 Nov. was pardoned for her part in the homicide; she was said to have acted with Stephen Carter, John Clerc of Willingham, John Trescher, Trisman’, and others: Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1377-1381, p. 557; Cal. Close Rolls, I377-I381, P- 492-1

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES [Arabic numbers refer to cases and romans to pages.] Abbot, Henry, and Richard his servant, 335; Ralph, 89; William, 256. Abbotsley (Alboldele, Alboldesle, Aubodele, Auboldesle), Hunts, 32, 169. Helewise of, 2; Maud of, and Bea­ trice her daughter, 174. Abel, Adam, 334; Ellis, 139; John and Simon, 277. Abelun, Walter, 288. Abingdon (Abyndon, Abyngdon), Berks, 312. John of, 298. Ace (Asa), Thomas son of, 72; William, 272. Cf Ash. Achedene, John de, 134. Acun, Philip, 97; William, 92. Adam, Henry son of, 54; Nicholas son of, 93; Robert, 282; Simon son of, 193. CfAddy. Addington, Great, (Adington, Adingtonne in Hunts), Northants, 233. Addy (Ade), Agnes, 240; Arnulph, 114, 122. Cf Adam. Aeymere see Aylmar. Agnes, Roger son of, 89; Simon son of, 116. Agu, William, 43. Ailbric, Nicholas, 31. Ailwine (Ailwyne, Alwine, Alwyne, Alwynne, Aylwyne), Hugh, 34; John, 237; Walter, 251. Ailwit (Aylwit), Henry, and Alice his wife, 22. Alan, 129. Albin, Simon, 43. Cf Blaunche; White. Aldyth (Alddyth, Ayldithe, Ayldrith), Henry and Margery, 278; Richard (de), 96; Sibyl, 278. Alexander, Simon son of, 120; William, 78. Aleyn, Adam, 251; Hamo, 272; William (of Staploe), 3; William (thatcher), 332. Cf Eleyne. Alfred (Aylfret), Walter, 36. Alice (called ‘Swetealys’), 71. Alice, daughter----- (ofBeeston), 158; John son of, 120; Nicholas son of, 12

97; Simon son of, 120. Alof (Alolf), Adam, 152; John, 276. Alsey, John, coroner, xxviii, xl, xlv; Simon, coroner, xxxix. Alsop, Richard of, or Richard Auf, 51. Alwyne, Alwynne see Ailwine. Ami see Amy. Amice, John son of, 120; Richard son of, or Richard son of Avis, 120. Ammory, Robert, 248. Ampthill (Amethull, Ampthull, Hamethulle, Hamptull), 89, 249, 294. John, coroner, xli. Amy (Ami), John (of Dunton), 137, 139; John (ofRiseley), 120. Anable, William, coroner of Dun­ stable, xliv. Andrew (Andr’), John son of, 100; Richard, 231; William son of, or William de Burtone, William son of, 137Appik, John, 240. Aren, Ralph, 248. Argent (Orgent), Arnulph or Arnold, 4, 33, 208; Emma Pace his wife, 208. Arlesey (Aelrich, Alrich, Alricheseye, Alrichiseye, Arles, Aylricheseye, Aylrichesheye, Aylrichesseye, Aylrrischeseye), xxxiv, 50, 52-4, 100, 109, 239, 243, 254. Walter of, 120. Arnebur (Erneboru, Ernebur), Ellis, 134; William, 78, 107. Arnold, John, 102; William, 268. As see Ash. Asa see Ace. Ash (As), Ralph at, 222; Thomas atte, 173Cf Ace. Aspeley, John, 120. Cf Aspley. Aspeye, William, 272. Aspley End (Aspele), Amice of, and Alice her sister, 181. Aspley Guise (Aspele, Asspel, Asspell, Asspol, Asspoll), 92, 94, 97-8, 144, 155, 246; ‘Foteseyebroc’ in, 246; ‘Swetewell’ in, 94. Philip of, 144. Cf Aspeley. Asplon, Robert, and his son, 255; Thomas, 255-6, 261. 129

i3°

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Astil (Astel), John, Reynold and Rich­ ard, 78; William, 230. Aston (Astone), 159. Lawrence and Luke of, 159. Astwick (Estwik), 100, 102, 106. Astwood (Estwode, Estwoud), Ellis of, 188; Nicholas of, coroner of Bed­ ford, xlii; Walter of, 37. Ategren see Grene. Ateputtes see Pit. Atherstone (Athereston), Hants or Warwicks, 342. Attechurchegate see Churchgate. Attegrene see Grene. Atteponde, Geoffrey, 120. Attethuln, Peter, 49. Atwater see Water. Atwell, Daniel, Agnes daughter of, 114; Hugh, Hugh son of, 21; Sibyl, *35Cf. Funt. Atwood, Geoffrey (of Riseley), 120; Geoffrey (of Turvey), 280; John, 82. Aufre (Aubre, Auf, Auvore, Auvre), Hugh, 101; Richard, or Richard of Alsop, and Simon, 51. Augul, Nicholas de, Maud daughter Of, 59Aungevyn, John (servant of Henry Abbot), 335; John, coroner of Dun­ stable, xliv; Stephen, coroner of Dunstable, xliii. Aunsel, Agnes, 17. Auvore, Auvre see Aufre. Avenant, John, 60. Avenel, Maud, and Cecily her daugh­ ter, 275. Avis or Amice, Richard son of, 120. Awle, Robert, 98. Cf Hall. Aye see Hay. Ayldithe, Ayldrith see Aldyth. Ay line see Ay Hine. Ay lie (Hayl), William, and Geoffrey and Stephen his sons, 52. Aylline (Ayline), John and William, 101. Aylmar (Aeymere), John (of Ravensden), 208; John (of Stopsley), 179; John (of Salford), William Brien son of, and Denise his wife, 98; Nicholas, 97. Aylywe, Robert, 84. Aynells in Westoning, manor, xxix. Ba----- , Geoffrey, 200. Bacun, John and Robert, 120. Cf Baysun. Bailiff, Richard the, 244. Bakehare, Walter, 120. Baker, Guy the, 262; John and Richard the (of Eaton Socon), 279; Richard

the (of Fenny Stratford), 155; Thomas the, 259; Walter the, 32; William the, 155, 211. Bakewell (Baukewell, Baukwell), Der­ byshire, Nicholas of, 120. Balbe, William, 42. Baldewyne, John, 334. Ball (Balle), Hugh, 125; Hugh, coroner of Bedford, xlii; Ralph, 173; Robert, 114, 116. Ballede, Richard le, 280. Balliol, Dervergoyl de, liberty of, 78. Banbury (Bannebur), Oxon, Adam of, 115, 128. Barbot see Barbut. Barbour, John, 323. Barbut (Barbot), Thomas, 294; Wil­ liam, 57. Barentyn see Parentyn. Cf Barrington. Barford (Bereford), hundred, xv, xxxi, 1-44, 168-77, 208, 219, 227, 253, 275, 279, 283. Barford, Great, (Bereford), xvii, 1, 5-7, 11, 14-6, 18-9, 22, 25, 27-30, 34, 37, 42, 44, 46, 108, 168, 170, 172, 175, 219, 253, 275; church, 253; ‘Lytlemade’ in, 30; ‘Mulnemade’ and ‘Waleforlig’ in, 29. Henry of, coroner, xxxix; Henry of {another), coroner, xl; Sir Humphrey of, 46; Miles of, 6; William of, 46. Barford, Little, (Bereford, Bereford, Berkef, Berkeford, Berkford), xxiii, 23, 62, 104-5, IIO> J32, i34> j36, 303; ‘Hulleweye’ in, 134; ‘le Mulneput’ in, 105; ‘Norcroftisende’ in, 104. Azeline lady of, 104, 134; brother John of, 105; Lawrence of, 134. Barker, William, 335. Barre, Adam de le, 84. Barrington (Barenton), Cambs, Robert of, 136. Barrington (Bermington, Bernintonne, Berunton, Wermyngton), Glos, Henry of, 239. Barton-in-the-Clay (Barthonne, Bar­ ton), 68, 231, 316. Robert of, 182; Thomas of, and Agnes, Cecily and Joan his daugh­ ters, 179. Barun, Gervase, 97; Gilbert and Robert, 106. Bascat (Bascot), Simon, 261; William, 262-3. Basely, Robert, 272. Basinges, Peter de, rector of Cauldwell, 152. Basmead (Bassemey), 136. Adam of, 40. Bate (Batte), Ellis, and Maud his daughter, 228; Geoffrey, 243; John,

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES 292, 295, 335; Simon, 303. Bath (Ba, Bathon, Baton), Somerset, Nicholas and Osbert of or le, 40-1. Battlesden (Badelesdon, Badelisdon), 83,147,237. Bauzan, John, 120. Baxter, Richard, 279. Baysun, Richard, 139. Cf. Bacun. Beachampstead (Bichhamstide), Hunts, Thomas of, and Margery his wife, John his son and Margery’s sister Margaret, 2. Beauchamp (Beauchaump, Bello Campo, Beuchamp), Lady Juliana de, 35; Sir Ralph de, 244; Roger de, 285. Bechard, Henry, and Ellen his daugh­ ter, and John, 227. Beche, Thomas atte, coroner, xl. Becok see Pekoe. Bedel (Bedellus), Hugh le, 22; Walter le, and Isabel his wife, daughter of Reynold of Ravensden, and Maud her mother, 36. Bedford (Bed, Bedef, Bedeford), xviii, xix, xxiii, xxviii, xxx, xxxiii, 5, 34, 36-7, 59> 78, 84-5, 108, 129, 136, 168, 189, 199, 207, 221, 233, 240, 255-68, 270, 280, 289-92, 294-304, 306-342; bailiffs of, xix, 261; St. Mary’s church in, 264; St. Paul’s church in, 189, 263-5, 267; coroners of, xviii, xix, xxiii, xxviii, xxx, xlii, xliii, 189; dean of, 65; Friars Minor of, 263; mayor of, xviii; ‘Fordemulne’ in, 260; ‘Gosedichlane’ in, 261; High Street of, 264; St. Mary’s parish in, 264. Roger of, 192. Beedon (Beyden), Berks, John of, 122. Beer see Bere. Beeston (Bestone, Buston), xvii, 58, 63, 65, 9L WJ, 138, 158-9, 165-7, 217. Everard of, 212, 217; Geoffrey of, 217. Beggary (Bekerye), 283. Bel (Bele), Hugh (of Golmworth), 173, 177; Hugh le (of Pertenhall), 189; Sibyl, 281. Belamy (Beleamy), Robert, Amice daughter of, 35. Bele see Bel. Belebouch, Richard, 134. Belewe, Roger, 240. Cf. Blowe. Bendel, William, 100. Bene, Hugh, 272; Ranulf, 65. Benefield (Benifeld), Northants, Roger of, 15. Beneyt (Beneit), Hugh, 273; John, 134. Benin see Bey nun. Ber see Bere.

Berard, Henry, 256; Robert, 255-6,264. Bercher see Shepherd. Bere (Beer, Ber, Berre), John le, and Emma his wife and Felise, Helen, John, Maud and Nicholas his sons and daughters, 277; Roger le, 46, 173; Thomas le, Walter son of, 239. Berecroft, Simon de, 122. Bereward, Peter le, 264; Roger le, 233. Berkshire (Bark), 330. Bernard, Henry, 281; Isabel, 66; John, 281; Robert (of Houghton Con­ quest), 56; Robert (of Wootton), 123; William, 66, 69. Berne, John, the younger, 294. Berringer, Agnes, Gilbert son of, 115. Bertram, Adam, 52. Berwick-upon-Tweed (Berwik), x, 108. Bery, Geoffrey, 257. Cf. Bury. Bethewater see Water. Beuchamp see Beauchamp. Beucors, 134. Beufrere, Andrew, 15. Bevetoun see Bovetoun. Beynun (Benin, Beynin), John, 69; Philip, Richard and Walter, 97. Bicke, Alice daughter of, and Joan her daughter, 187. Cf Buk. Bickons see Byktons. Biddenham (Bedenham, Bideham, Bidenham, Bidinham, Budinham, Bydeham, Bydenham), 123, 126, 220, 223, 232, 263, 278, 303. Bidim, Philip, 78. Bidwell (Budewell), 83. Bigge, William, and Isabel his wife and Maud his daughter, 109. Biggleswade (Bikelesue, Bikelesuede, Bikeleswad, Bikeleswade, Bikeleswede, Bikelewerd, Bykeleswade), 140, 225. (See also Stratton.) hundred, xxxiii, xxxiv, 37, 53, 62, 100-11, 132-41, 228, 252. Bikeman, Anselm, 43. Billington (Bilindon, Billyngdon), 95-6. Hugh, the elder, coroner of the liberty of Eton College, xliv. Binde, John, 78. Birchfields see Brytvilles. Birchmore (Birchemor), 92-4, 97, 144-5, 153, 155, 246; ‘le Wewelond’ of Woburn in, 153. Biscot (Biscote, Biskote), 179, 250, 297. Bissop (Byssop), Ralph, 153; Walter, 120. Blake, Richard le, and Alice Brumeye his mother, 96; Simon le, 196; William le (of Clifton), 47; William (of the Temple), 120; William (of Wootton), 78. Blanfrunt (Blanfrumt, Blaunkfrount),

i32

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Henry, 101; Walter, coroner, xxxix, xliv; William, 46. Blaunche, William, and Muriel his wife and Muriel and Beatrice his daughters, 14. Cf. Albin; White. Blaunkfrount see Blanfrunt. Bleche, Reynold and Richard, 96. Bletsoe (Belnishoa, Bleteshoa, Bletnesho, Bletneshoa, Bletnishoa, Blettesho, Blettneshoa, Bletttheshoa), 118, 120, 196-7, 203, 248, 272, 274. (See also Whitwick.) Robert of, 262. Biowe, Roger, 283. Cf. Belewe. Bluberd, William, 175. Blund see Blunt. Blundel (Blundell), Benet, coroner, xvi, xxix, xl; Simon, 63; Thomas, coroner, xvi, xli. Blunham (Bluenh, Bluenham, Bluham, Blunenham), 61, 63, 104, 132, 134, 138, 166, 243-4; ‘Stikelak’ in, 132. (See also Chaiton, South Mills.) Henry of, 209; John of, 1, 6, 42; Robert of, 67. Blunt (Blund), Robert le, 188; Walter, 71; William le (of Campton), 49; William le (of Steppingley), 84. Bobbe, Henry, 263. Bockelowe, Simon de, 272. Bocston see Bucston. Bokehorn, John de, 120. Bole (Bolle), John le, 263; Maud, 282; Ranulf, 37; Robert le, 263; Thomas, coroner of Bedford, xliii; Walter, 120; William le, 140. Bolewyk, William, 314. Bolingbroke (Bolingbrok), Lincs, 303. Bolle see Bole. Bolmere (Bolemere), Ellis and Roger of, 189. Bolnhurst (Bolehurst, Bolenhurst, Bolenurst, Bolhurst, Bollenhurst, Bollenourst, Bollenurst), xvii, 4, 10, 15, 27, 31, 36, 72, 85, 184, 187, 192, 242, 285; church, 242. Robert of, 1. Boltere, Adam le, 259; Robert and Simon le, 266. Bonchevaler, Sibyl, 34. Bonde, Benet, 148; John le (of Hough­ ton Regis), 143; John le (of Milton Ernest), Geoffrey son of, 39; Nicholas, 215; Richard le, 83. ‘Bonde Edewarde’, 120. Bone (Bune), Beatrice, and Bone (sic) her kinswoman, and Richard, 202. Cf. Good. Borgelun see Burgeylon. Bossard, Giles, coroner, xxxix, xliv, xlv; Hugh, 120; John, 71; John,

coroner, xxxviii. Boteler (Bothelere), Edward, 300; John le, 31. Bottesford, Lincs, Walter of, 154. Botun, Hugh, 275. Boulton (Buton), Derbyshire, Thomas of, sheriff of Lincs, xxiii, 45. Bourn (Brunne), Cambs, 304. Bourne, Peter atte, 328. Bovetoun (Bevetoun, Bovetun), Philip, 34; Ralph, Alice and Margaret daughters of, 34; Roger, 28; Wil­ liam, and Muriel his wife, 224. Bowels (Bueles), Adam of, 125. Boylun, Reynold, and Maud his daughter, 74. Boynon, William, 314. Boynton, Richard, and Maud his wife, 323Bozeat (Boseyate, Bosiate), Northants, H3> 195Humphrey of, and Richard his son, ii3Braceresse see Brewer. Brach, Hugh del, 162. Brackley (Brakele), Northants, 95. Bracur see Brewer. Brand, William, 120. G/'. Brund. Branduz, Robert, 126. Brat esun, Roger, 82. Bray (Brai), Berks, 330. Edmund of, 210; Richard of, 270; Roger of, coroner, xxxviii; Thomas le or of, sheriff, 37, 51, 118, 120, 123, 136-7, 142-4, J59, j62, 186; Walter le, 284. Brayn (Breyne), Ellis, and John (of Eaton Socon) and Helewise his wife, 283; John, the younger, 301. Brewer (Braceresse, Bracur, Brewere), Hugh le, 92; Muriel le, 100; Peter le, 52; Richard the, 13; Robert the, 240; William the, 134. Breyne see Brayn. Brian (Brien), Roger, 123; Walter, 120; William, son of John Aylmar, and Denise his wife, 98. Brickhill (Brichull, Brikhull, Prikhulle), Bucks, 96. Robert of, 85, 242. Brid see Burde. Bridge (Brugge), Arnold of the, 13; Nicholas of the, Maud daughter of and William son of, 122; Richard ate, 79; Walter of the, 13; William, 244. Brien see Brian. Brixy (Brixi), Roger, 153, 155. Brodey, John, coroner of Bedford, xviii, xxx, xlii. Brok, Adam del, 144; Hugh ate, 283; John dil, 173; Robert dil, and Alice

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES his daughter, 192. Bromham (Bruham, Brumham), 119, 123, 126, 199-201, 218, 232, 259, 271, 276, 278; church, 123; Ralph vicar of, and Nichola his daughter, Ralph the Clerk and William his sons, and Agnes wife of Ralph the Clerk, 123; ‘le Linge’ in, 126. John, 313. Bron see Broun. Broom (Brom), 167. Josep of, 167. Broughton (Brutton Passelewe), Bucks, 153Broun (Bron, Broune, Brun, Brunne), Geoffrey, 282; Hugh, 229; John, 312; John (of Crawley), 97; John (of Dean), 282; John (of Wrestling­ worth), 301; John, the younger (of Tempsford), 325; Nicholas, 277; Richard, 273; Stephen, 75. Broy (Broye), ?Richard, 274; William le (of Radwell), 116; William {another), 339. Brugge see Bridge. Brumay (Brumeye), Alice, and Richard le Blake her son, 96; Stephen, 73. Brun see Broun. Brund, William, 37. Cf. Brand. Brunne see Broun. Bruton (Brutonn, Bru tun), Warren le, 120; William, 236. Bryht, William, 256. Brykb----- 1, John de, 272. Brytvilles (Brittevile, Brutevil, Brutevile, Brutevill, Bruttevile, Bruttewill, Bruuttevill: now Birchfields in Great Barford), Geoffrey of, coron­ er, xxxviii; John of or le, 1, 6, 42, 46, 175, 253; Emma his wife, 42; Henry his son, 1. Bubbel, Henry, 84. Buckinghamshire, xviii, 93, 96, 108; coroner of, xviii. Bucklesham (Buskleham, Bus kiesham), Suffolk, William of, son of Robert le Erl, 136. Bucston (Bocston), Nicholas, 260-1; Walter, 260. Budell, William, 59. Budna (Bodinhoa), 65. Stephen of, 65. Buk, John, and Hugh his son, 166. Cf Bicke. Bukkeworthe, John, 303. Bulbeck (Bolebek), Cambs, brother William of, 134. Bune see Bone. Burde (Brid), Richard, Maud daughter of, 249; Roger (of Dunton), 139; Roger (of Stevington), 276; Simon, and Alice his mother, Isabel his

133

wife and Robert his brother, 249. Burdelys (Bordeleas, Bordeleis: now Netherbury in Great Barford), John of, 42, 175. Burgeylon (Borgelun, Burgilun), Rob­ ert, 34; William, 313. Burgeys, Richard, and Joan his wife, 291. Burk {Burgo), John le, the elder, 54. Burtone, William de, or William son of Andrew, William son of, 137. Bury (Bur), Adam of, 88; John, 335. C/ Bery. Bushmead (Bismede, Bissemade), xxv, 24; prior of, 24. Butcher, James the, 256. Byktons (Bickons), William, 278. Byssop see Bissop. Cadbury (Cadbiry), 13. Cade, Henry, 309. Cady, Thomas, 328. Cainhoe (Caynhoa, Kainho, Kainhoa, Kanynhoa, Kaynhoa), 27, 42, 125, 178, 180-2. Andrew of, 125; Philip of, 27; Simon of, 203. Cainhoe, Little, 42, 125; ‘Broybur’ in, 125. Caldecote (Caudecot, Kaudecot), 63. Alexander and Osbert of, 107. Caldecote, Lower (Nethercaldecote), 263. Calt, John, 262. Cambridge (Cantebr, Cantebrug, Cantebrugg, Cauntebrigg, Cauntebrigge), Cambs, 141, 188, 298; Gonville and Caius College in, xxix. John of, 11. Cambridgeshire (Cantebr), 141, 293. Gampayn, Simon, coroner of Dun­ stable, xliv. Campton (Camelt, Camelton, Camel­ tone, Kamelton), 49, 51, 129; ‘le Inlond’ in, 49. Adam of, 120. Canmori, Gregory (de), and Richard his servant, 13. Canun, William (of Broom), 167; William (of Honeydon), 20. Cf Caum; Caym; Chanu. Cap see Cappe. Caperun, Ralph, 173; Robert, 120. Capill, Roger, 160. Cf Chapelein. Cappe (Cap), John, and Hugelina his wife, 68; Jordan, 42; Walter, 103; William, 167. Carbonel, Robert, coroner of Bedford, xxviii, xliii. Cardington (Kerdington, Kerdingtone, Kerdinton), 56-7, 59, 63, 162, 164, 167, 247; ‘Wilputtesburne’ in, 59.

134

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

{See also Eastcotts, Fenlake, Harrowden). Robert of, and Ralph his brother, 200. Cardun (Cardoun), Roger, 133; Wil­ liam, coroner, xl. Careles, Robert, 28. Caretter see Carter. Carlel, Maurice, 6. Carlton (Carleton, Karletone, Karletonne, Karlington, Karlin ton, Karlton), 114-5, 117, 122, 128, 194-5, 201-2, 204, 215, 241, 280, 287-8, 298. Geoffrey of, 248. Carpenter (Charpenter), David the, 271; Geoffrey, 313; Hugh the, and Beatrice his wife, 253; John the (of Eaton Socon), 227; John the (of Stagsden), 271; Kyn the, 52; brother Ralph the, 176; Richard le (of Bromham), 123; Richard the (of Goldington), and Hawise his wife and Henry and William his sons, 28; Richard the or le (of Toddington), 146; Robert the, 30; Simon le, 261; Walter the (of Chawston), 34; Walter the (of Eaton Socon), 279; William the (of Bedford), 262; William the (of Dean), 120; William the (?of Mill­ brook), Basile wife of, 79; William the (of Wilshamstead), and Emma his wife and Cicely his daughter, 77. Carter (Caretter, Cartere), Adam the, 243; Geoffrey the, 134; Gilbert the, and Alice his wife and Emma his daughter, 10; Hugh le, 46; John the (of John Bury), and John the (of William Sacomb the elder), 335; Ralph le (of Bedford), 261; Ralph the (ofYelden), 277; Stephen, 342; Thomas le, and Richard his son, 184; William, 313; William (ser­ vant of John Bate), 292; William the (of Colmworth), 10; William the (of Dunstable), 143; William the (of Odell), 120; William le (of Podington), 284; William the (of Runley), 250; William ‘ le (of Snelson), and Isabel of Turvey his wife and Stephen his son, 196; William le (of Stevington), 276. Carun, Ralph le, William son of, 23. Carver, Walter le, 107. Castle, Richard at the, 120. Caswyn, Walter, 72. Cauldwell (Caldewelle, Caudewelle, Chaldewell, Kaudewell), 85, 259; church, 85; priory, 85; John of Dunstable, canon of, 39; prior of, 34, 39, 85; Peter de Basinges, rector of, 152-

Richard of, 78. Caum, William, 47. Cf. Canun; Caym; Chanu. Cavendissh (Caundychs), John, justice, 294, 342. Caym, Peter, 280. Cf. Canun; Caum; Chanu. Cecely, William, 78. Chacour see Driver. Chaigrave (Chaugrave, Scalegrave, Scalgrave, Scallegrave, Schalgrave), 83, 143, 146-7, 237, 251; manor, xvii. Chalonner, John, 266. Chaiton (Chaltene, Chartone, Chelton, Scharton), 335. John of, 39. Ghamberleyn (Chaunberlayn), John, coroner, xli; Thomas, coroner, xvi, xli. Champiman, Hugh le, or Hugh of Stanford, 48. Champiun (Schanpiun), Benet le, 127; Nicholas, 119. Channel, English, x. Chanu (Schanu), John, king’s bailiff, 40; Peter le, 173; Richard le, 173, 177; Simon le, 173; William le, 173, 177; Wymund le, 177. Cf. Canun; Caum; Caym. Chapelein, William le, 131. Cf. Capill. Chapeler, Philip le, and Henry his son, 266. Charpenter see Carpenter. Chasur see Driver. Chaunberlayn see Chamberleyn. Chawston (Chalvestern, Chalvesterne, Chalvisterne, Scalvisterne, Schalvisterne, Scholvisterne, Shalvesterne), 8-9, 20-1, 23-4, 26, 34-5, 38, 43, 46, 171, 173, 219, 227, 279, 283; ‘Chalvesternebroc’ in, 219. Richard of, 238. Chellington (Chelewenton, Chelewynton, Chelington, Chelinton, Chelunton, Chelwenton, Chelynton, Schelington, Schilulngton), 114, 122, 125, 127-8, 193, 280, 287-8. William of, and Geoffrey his son, 114. Chelsham (Chelesham, Chelisham, Cholesham), Surrey, brother Hu­ bert of, master of Melchbourne hospital, and brother Walter of, 120. Chepperesdonne, Gilbert de, 250. Chester, Cheshire, xxvii, 293, 305; castle, xx, xliii. Chiche, Robert son of, 178. Chicheley (Checcheleye, Checchell, Chechele, Schilchele), Bucks, Roger of, 205; Robert of, 96; William of, 205.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Chicksands (Chekesond, Chikesaund, Chikesond), 49, 129; prior of, 49, 101. Galopinus and Simon of, 129. Chieftowe, Richard de, 257, 264. Child (ChyId, Schild), Geoffrey, 334, 336; Henry, 150; John, coroner, xl; John le, 49; Richard le, 113. Chog, Philip, 134. Christian, Hugh son of, 32. Christiana, 109. Churche (Schurche), Adam atte, 239. Churchgate (Churchegate), Gilbert atte, 62; Ralph atte, 61; Richard at, 84; William atte, 31. Chy Id see Child. Gimson, Thomas, 251. Clapham (Clopham), 213, 215, 218. Clarice, Gilbert son of, 91; Hugh son of, 78; John, and Joan daughter of Richard le Freman his wife and Ralph his son, 251; Ralph son of, 78. Claydich, John de, 178. Clement, Henry, 161; Roger, 196. Clerk (Clerc), Alexander the, 134; Gilbert the, 276; Henry (of Lang­ ford), 318; Henry the (of Goldington), 5, 28; Henry the (of Kempston Hardwick), 78; Hugh the (of Clipstone), 96; Hugh the (of Crawley), 92, 97; John (servant of Adam Abel), 334; John the (of Great Barford), 6; John the (of Edworth), 102; John (of Felmersham), 281; John (of Willingham), 342; Nicholas the, 63; Ralph, coroner, xli; Ralph the (of Brom­ ham), son of Ralph vicar of Brom­ ham, and Agnes his wife, 123; Ralph the (of Tempsford), 42; Reynold the, 120; Richard the (of Astwick), 100; Richard the (of Steppingley), and Geoffrey his son, 84; Richard the (of Wilshamstead), 238; Robert (of Bedford), 302; Robert the (of Kinwick), 101; Roger the, 240; Walter the (of Bedford), 258, 263; Walter the (of Edworth), 102; Walter the (of Stotfold), 178; William the (of Crawley), and Ralph his son and Denise Ralph’s wife, 97, 142; William the (of Eaton Socon), 43; William the (of Gravenhurst), 125; William the (of Millbrook), 79. Clifton (Cliftone, Cliftonne, Clyfton, Sclifton), 47, 50-2, 54, 58, 109, 129, 131, 239, 254; fee of the hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in, 47. hundred, xxxii-iv, 47-54, 129-31, 183, 239, 243, 254. Reynold of, 282; Robert of, 167.

135

Clipstone (Clipston, Clipston in Leigh­ ton Buzzard, Sclipston), 95-6, 148. Clogon, John, the elder, Thomas servant of, 313; William, 298. Clophill (Clophull), 125, 178, 180-2. {See also Cainhoe.) Lawrence of, 89. Cobbe (Kobbe), John, 34, 46. Cobbler (Sewester, Su tore, Suur), David the, 71; Dogge the, and Kynne Flye his brother, 143; Gervase the, Thomas son of, 263; Gilbert the, 240; Griffin the, 189; Henry the, 155; Hugh the, and Muriel his wife, 61 ; John the, and Alma or Azeline his wife and Agnes and Alice his daughters, 34 ; Lawrence the, 120; Robert le, 56; Walter (the), 256, 259; William the (of Bedford), 259; William the (of Dean), 282; William the (of Great Staughton), 279; William the (of Little Staughton), 189. Coc see Cook. Cocebel, John, 262. Codenot, John, and Alice his wife, and Robert, 107. Coffyin, Geoffrey, 144. Cogswell (Cockeswell), 287. Cointerel (Coyntrel, Coyntterel, Cunterel), Agnes, and Hugh her son, 6; Henry, 6, 29, 46, 175, 252; Hugh, 6. Cok see Cook. Cokere, Geoffrey le, 28. Colbern (Colbrun, Colrun), Agnes, 47; Geoffrey and Hugh, 43; Henry, and Agnes his mother, and Richard his brother, 6; Richard, 175. Cole (Colle), Emma, and Henry her son, 104; Geoffrey, 13; John (of Keysoe), 335; John (of Sutton), 13; Lawrence, 120; William, or William Dolle, 243. Coleman, John (of Bedford), 264; John, the younger (of Barton-in-the-Clay), 316. Colesden (Colesdene, Collesden, Kolesden), 8, 20-1, 23, 26, 34, 38, 43, 46, I7L 283. Richard, 275. Colestone (Colstone, Kolston), Richard (de), 40-1. Colibof, Adam, 97. Colle see Cole. Collesden see Colesden. Collessone, John, 291. Collesweyn, Stephen, 280. Colmworth (Colmmorth, Colmmorthe, Colmord, Colmorde, Colmorht, Colmorthe, Colmworthe, Colnmorthe, Colworthe, Coumorthe), 2, 7, 9-10, 12-3, 17, 20, 24, 26,

136

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

3>-2> 35, 4°, 43, 45, 169, 173, 177, 189, 242; ‘Grenecroft’ in, 173, 177; ‘le Sutende’ of, 26. William of, 213. Colrun see Golbern. Colstone see Colestone. Colyere (Koliere), Richard le, 49. Combe, William le, 256. Comber, Ralph le, 262. Comberton (Cumberton), ?Worcs, Reynold of, 103. Compray, Henry, 220. Cornyn, Reynold, 177. Conestabel, Andrew le, 120. Conibien, Ralph le, 260. Conquest, John, the elder, coroner, xxxviii; John his son, coroner, xxxix. Constance (Custance), Margery daugh­ ter of, 97; Nicholas, 98. Cook (Coc, Cok, Kek, Keu), Alice, and Agnes her sister, 203; Clement and Henry the (of Houghton Conquest), 249; Henry the (of Melchbourne), 120; John (the) (of Bedford), 255, 261; John the (of Dunton), 139; John the (of Stagsden), 271; Lawrence son of the, 120; Maud (ofBedford), 233; Maud (of Eversholt), 157; Ralph the, 120; Richard (of Sandy), 285; Richard, or Richard Toky (of Sou thill), and Emma his wife and Emma his daughter, 58; Robert the (of Blunham), 63; Robert the (?of Lidlington), 79; Robert the (?of St. Neots), 134; Robert the (of Stagsden), 119; Roger le, John son of, 288; Thomas le, 82; Thomas (of Oxford), 178; William (of Goldington), 5; Wil­ liam the (?of Wyboston), 40; Wyot, or Wyot of Holwell, 51. Cope, John, 330; William, 255, 264. Cople (Coupol), 56-7, 59-60, 63, 66, 68, 160, 164, 247; ‘le Englesgrave’ in, 57; ‘le xx acres’ and Wood End (‘le Wode Ende’) in, 56. brother Gregory of, 68; Nicholas of, Hawise wife of, 67. Corbin, Adam, Alan and Simon, 34. Corby, Simon, 256-7. Corder, Robert le, 263. Coreye see Curray. Cornwall (Cornwayl, Cornwayle), Henry of, 148. Corweys, William (le), 54. Cosin (Cosyn), John, 96; Richard, 114, 116. Costentin, Geoffrey, 63, 67; Henry, 17; Richard, 20. Costun, Nicholas le, 258. Cosyn see Co sin. Coten, John de, 286. Coterel, Margery, and Gilbert her son,

6; Robert and William, 63. Coubuk, Robert, John son of, 252. Coupere (Cupere, Cuvere), Geoffrey le, 241; John le (?ofRowney), 167; John le (of Turvey), 288; Roger le, 278; William le (of Bedford), 85; William le (of Wilshamstead), 162. Courtepie, William, 20. Coventry (Coventre), Warwicks, Philip of, and Thomas his son, 107. Coverour, William le, 13. Covington (Covyngton), John and Nicholas of, 271. Coyntrel see Cointerel. Covylye, master Walter de, 238. Cowherd (Facher, Vacher, Wacher, Waker), John (le), 122; Lawrence the, 268; Roger, 122; Thomas le, 5 1Cf. Netesheved. Coyntterel see Cointerel. Crane, Rose, 138. Cranfield (Cranfeld, Craunfeld), xvii, 98,155John of, 94. Cras, Alice, 313; Ranulf le, 165. Craule see Crawley. Cravene, John de, 279. Crawley (Craule, Crauwele, Crawele), 92-4, 97-8, 144-5, i55> 246; ‘Bran den don’ in, 97. Robert, 326. Creakers (Creuker, Creuqr, Creuquer, Crevequer), manor, xvii. Sir Robert of or le, 15; coroner, xv, xvii, xxii, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxviii, 156, 208, 213, 218-9, 227, 232, 234, 236, 241-2, 253; justice, xviii, 46, 108; M.P. and sub-escheator, xviii. Crilhole see Crykhole. Cringleford (Cringelford, Cringgelford), Norfolk, Roger of, 161, 178. Cripps (Crips, Crisp, Cryps, Scrips), Walter or Robert, Robert son of, 239; William (of Astwick), 100; William (of Stevington), 276. Cross, Nicholas at the, 97. Cf. St. Croix. Crosshall (Croxhale), William of, 278. Croxton, Cambs, John of, 286. Croydon (Creudone, Croudon), Cambs, 134Robert of, 209. Croyser, Robert and Simon, 284. Cruche, William atte, 135. Cruk, William, 175. Crustemasse, William, Osbert le Wuayl son of, 240. Crykhole (Crilhole), Thomas, 287. Cryps see Cripps. Cugel, Adam, 215; Walter, 220, 223. Culbel, William, 6. Cunterel see Cointerel.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Cupere see Coupere. Curray (Coreye), Henry, 78; Walter, coroner of Bedford, xlii. Curteys, John, 327. Custance see Constance. Custrere, Agnes la, and Margery le Superere her sister, 49. Cut, John, 307. Cf. Sut. Cuvere see Coupere. Daelbert, Simon, 102. Daffe, Simon, and Margery his wife, 29-30. Daintry (Daventr, Daventre), 47. Thomas, knight, 323. Dallow (Dolowe), abbot of St. Albans’ manor at, xx, 250. Dally, Michael, 120. Damm esone, Simon, 161. Dasingges, Henry de, 3. Daubeney (Daubeneye, Dawbeney), Sir Giles, sheriff, 342; Oliver, 215; Simon, and Andrew his servant, 125. Cf. Stoke Albany. Daubour, Ralph, 255. Daudewill, Gilbert de, 107. Daunger, Richard, 287. Daventr see Daintry. David, Andrew, 86; John, 89; Thomas, 123. Davy, Hugh, 120; Richard, 273; Robert, 278. Dawbeney see Daubeney. Daye, Emma, 338. Deacon (Decne, Dekene, Dekne), Henry the, 34, 46; Nicholas, 284. Dean (Dene, le Dene), 71, 74-5, 120, 160, 185, 188, 234, 273, 277, 282, 286. Decne see Deacon. Deddington (Adington), Oxon, Adam of, 108. Dedmansey (Dodenineshey, Nineshey), wood, 245. Dekene, Dekne see Deacon. Deliver Us, 134. Dendon (Dendene), John, 166, 217. Denton, Northants, brother Nicholas of, 120. Derby, earl of, xvi, xxxviii. Derby (Derbe), Hugh, 120; Thomas, Isabel daughter of, and Alice her daughter, 246. Derbyshire, 120. Despense, Roger de la, 120. Despenser, Walter le, 63. Cf. Spenser. Deviveleshoa see Duloe. Diddington (Dodingtone), Hunts, 2. Dike, Ralph, 239. Dilwick (Delewyk), Robert of, 271.

137

Dimmesford, Thomas de, coroner of Bedford, xlii. Dipere, Robert le, 39. Dod or Mone, Robert, 266. Doddington (Dodingtone), Cambs, John of, Roger servant of, 134. Doget, Ralph, 120. Dolle, Robert, and Robert his son, 218. Donmowe, John, 297. Dorman, William, 162. Doune, Thomas, 42. Dover (Daverie, Douwer, Douwere, Dovere, Dower), Kent, xxvii, 21, 108, 121, 149, 198, 237, 251, 293, 305Doy, William, 145. Cf. Toye. Drayton, Geoffrey, 325. Dreper, Thomas le, 261. Drew (Dreu, Dru, Drue), Gilbert, 65; John or John son of, 91, 107; Mary his wife, 107; Richard, 30, 218; Robert, 278. Dreye, Geoffrey, 27. Driver (Chacour, Chasur, Drivere, Dryver), Henry le, 27, 125, 193; Richard, 331; Richard le (of St. Neots), 168; Simon the, 250; Thomas le, 258. Dru, Drue see Drew. Drynkewel, John, 298. Dryver see Driver. Due, Michael and Thomas le, 120. Duffonn, John, 240. Duloe (Develho, Deviveleshoa, Divelho, Duvelhoa), 8, 174; ‘Salettesbrugge’ in, 174. Adam of, 279; William, 82. Dungee (Donyngho), 287. Dunstable (Donestapl, Dunstapel, Dunstapele, Dunstapell, Dunstapl), xix, xx, xxviii, xliv, 83, 90, 95, 143-4, 237, 245, 251, 342; bailiffs of, xx; coroners of, xix, xx, xxx n. 2, xliii, xliv, 237; marshal of, 143; prior of, xix, xx, 93, 143, 320, 322. John of, canon of Gauldwell, 39; master Matthew of, 248. Dunton (Don ton, Dun tone, Dunttone), 108, 137, 139-40, 252, 323, 334; church, 108; ‘Buggewe----- ’ in, 137; ‘Godeshull’ in, 108. (See also Millow.) Durant, Alexander, coroner of Dun­ stable, xliv. Dyer (Dye), Richard (the), 258, 263, 268. Dyne (Dyme), John, 279. E----- , William, and Agnes his wife, 191. Eastcotts (Cotes, Cottes), 57, 59, 66, 77, 162, 167, 247, 249; ‘Lesmolde-

138

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

forlong’ in, 247. Ralph of, 162. Eastrea, Cambs, Robert of, sheriff of Hunts, xxiii, 45. Eaton Bray (Eyton, Eytone, Eytonne, Eyttone, Heyton), 90, 154, 245; liberty, 237, 245, 251; its bailiff, 245Eaton Socon (Eton, Etone, Etonne), 2-3, 8, 12-13, 17, 20-1, 23-4, 32, 35, 38, 40, 43, 168-9, I71, 174, 227, 279, 283; castle, 136; hospital, brother Alexander master and the prior of, 168; ‘Twedescroft’ in, 17; ‘Weston’, ‘Westone’, in, 38; ‘Witewelle’, ‘Wytewelle’, in, 32. (See also Basmead, Beggary, Bushmead, Cad­ bury, Duloe, Honey don, Staploe, Sudbury, Wyboston.) Edeline or Unbeeve, John, 78. Edewarde see Edward. Edlesborough (Edelbur), Bucks, 126. Edward, lord (later King Edward I), sheriff, 15. Edward (Edewarde), ‘Bonde’, 120; Geoffrey, 282; John, 287; Richard, 51Edworth (Eddewureye, Edewurze), 100, 102-3, iq6Eggington (Ekendon), 95-6, 148-50; church, 149. Margery of, and Robert her son, 149. Eleyne, Robert (of Ravensden), 37; Robert (of Steppingley), 84. Cf. Aleyn. Ellis, William son of, 120. Elstow (Aumstouwe, Aunestowe, Elmstouw, Elmstouwe, Elnestowe, Helnestoue, Helnestowe), 34, 77-8, 85-6, 88, 162, 233, 240; abbey and abbess of, 270. Richard of, 259. Eltisley (Eltesle), Cambs, Richard of, 3Ely, Cambs, John of, 257. isle of, William of, 267. Enderby, Richard, coroner, xli. Engayne, William, 36-7. Engleys, Roger le, 145; William le, 286. Enslye, Sir John, 229. Erl, Robert le, William of Bucklesham son of, 136. Ermer, Agnes, and Thomas the Miller her husband, 79. Erneboru, Ernebur see Arnebur. Erwy see Yarwy. Esket, Richard, 297. Esquire, Lawrence the, 134; Simon the, 47. Essex (Esex), 54. Robert of, 42. Est (Hest), Adam, 154; Walter (le),

120, 188; William, and John his son, 213. Estende, Robert dil, 201. Estraunge (Estrantge), Michael le, 203; Sir Roger les, 60. Estyne, Ellen, 5. Eton, Bucks, college, xxi; its coroners, xxi, xliv. Eudes, John son of, 257. Eustace, Geoffrey son of, 2. Eversholt (Everesholt), 84, 93, 97, 145, *55, 157, 341Everton (Evertone), 62, 101, 104-5, 107, no, 133-4, x36, 139Evervine, John de, 280. Evot (Yvot), John, 330; William, 286. Eye (not Ion), 95-6. Eyer see Eyr. Eynesbury (Eynesbur), Hunts, William of, 167. Eyr (Eyer), Henry le, 257; John le (of Aspley Guise), 94, 246; John le (of Yelden), 277; Reynold le, 120; Stephen le, 94. Eyworth (Egworth, Eyworthe, Eywurze), 137, 139, 225, 252, 293; church, 293.

Facher see Cowherd. Fader, Richard, 217. Faldo (Faldho, Faudho), 231. William of, coroner, xxxviii. Fale see Wale. Fancott (Fancotes, Fencotes), xvii. William (of), coroner, xvii, xxvii, xxix, xxxiii-v, xl, 289, 292-3, 305, 342. Farndish (Farnedygs), 224; chaplain of, 224. Faukes, Hugh, 120. Faytewastel (Faytwastel), Gilbert and Ralph, 56. Feaks Well (Fageswell, Fageswelle, Faukeswell), 51, 130. John of, and Gomulda his wife and John his son, 130. Fcclc

spp

Widp

Feld (Felde), John ate (of Shelton), 286; John de la (of Cranfield), 155; Richard atte, 245; Robert de la, and Cecily wife of Hugh of Holcot his sister, 155, 211, 214, 216, 221, 226. Fellesson, Ralph, 281. Felmersham (Felmsham, Folmersham), 114-7, 127-8, 196, 198, 206, 274, 281. (See also Radwell.) Felmersham Hardwick (Herdwik), 115. Cf. Hardwick. Felun, Ralph le, 5. Fengers, Nicholas de, 188. Fenlake (Fanlake), 37, 247. Henry of, 259; John of, 247; brother

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Richard of Newnham priory obed­ ientiary of, 247. Feron, Nicholas, coroner of Bedford, xxx, xlii, 263, 265, 267. Fevere see Smith. Figge, Henry and Maurice, 41; Walter, 40; William, William son of, 41. Fililere, Joan la, 20. Fine, Adam, 47; Joan, and Henry her son, 147. Fisher (Fisshere, Fysscher), Hugh the, and Alice his daughter, 114, 116; Richard and Simon his sons, 116; John (of Henlow), 299; John the (?of St. Neots), 134; John the (of Wyboston), and Richard his son, 23; John le, coroner of Dunstable, xliii; Thomas the, 114, 122; Edith his daughter, 114; Robert his son, 122; Walter the, Juliana daughter of, 116. Fitz Richard, Ralph, 316. Cf. Richard. Flamwells (Flanwile, Flanwille, Flaunvile), Henry of, coroner, xxxix; John of, 134; William le, 63, 104. Flegg (Fleg), Norfolk, John of, bailiff ofShefford, 178. Flitt (Flitte, Flytte), hundred, 178-83, 231. Flitton (Flitte, Flitten), 182-3. {See also Wardhedges.) John of, 125. Flitwick (Flittewik, Flyttewik), 84, 89. {See also Priestley.) David of, coroner, xxxix; Henry of, 210. Flore see Flour. Florence, John, 146. Flote, Nicholas, 279. Flour (Flore, Flur), Gilbert de, 89; Hugh, 168; Robert, 329. Flye, Joan, 147; Kynne, and Dogge the Cobbler his brother, 143. Fode, Walter, 187. Foller see Fuller. Ford (Forde), Maud del (de le), 34; Payn de, 223; Robert del (de le), 34Forester, Adam le, 120; Ambrose the, 71; John the (?of Clipstone), 96; John the (of Melchbourne), 71; John, coroner of Bedford, xliii; Ralph the, 268. Fornival see Furnevall. Fotsey (Foteseye), Simon of, 94, 246. Fourner, Roger, 259. France, x. Francis (Franceys, Fraunceys), John (of Eaton Socon), 12; John (le) (of Radwell), 116; Luke, 134; Thomas, 120; William (of Budna), William son of, and Hugh his son, 65; Wil-

*39 liam (of Great Barford), Maud his wife and William his son, 18. Frankelyn (Franckelein, Franckeleyn, Franckelyn, Frankeleyn, Fraunkeleyn), Adam le, 56-7; Gilbert le, Juliana wife of, and Richard son of Thomas of Newnham her son, 201; Ralph, 275; Thomas le, 276; Walter (le), 56, 63. Fraunceys see Francis. Fraunk, William, 169. Cf. French. Fraunkeleyn see Frankelyn. Frelove, Robert and William, 278. Freman (Wreman), Richard le, Joan daughter of, and John Clarice her husband and Ralph her son, 251; William (le), 230, 238. Frembaud, Thomas, 324. Fremond, John, coroner of Dunstable, xx, xliii. French (Frensch), William, coroner, xl, 337, 342Cf. Fraunk. Frereman, John le, 128; Richard, coroner of Bedford, xliii. Fresharing, William, and John his son, 46. Froward, Peter, 268. Frutter (Fruttere), John le, 255, 264. Fulk, Bateman or Reynold son of, 78. Fuller (Foller, Fullo), John, 323; Richard (le), 257. Funt, William, 255. Cf Atwell. Furnevall (Fornival), (Lady) Christine de, 13, 103; Emma her washer­ woman, 13. Furneys, William le, 233. Fydessowle ([Fyjdessoule), William, 288. Fynegod, Robert, 120. Fysscher see Fisher.

G----- , Matthew de, 264. Galyon (Galien), John, 275; Robert, 37; Thomas (of Renhold), 275. Galyon or Julian, Thomas or Robert (of Crawley), and Thomas his son, 92. Gamelot (Gamelet, Gomelot), John, 283; Robert, 56-7; William, 56. Gamenman, Thomas, 283. Gamlingay (Gamelegeye, Gamelinghye, Gamelogeye), Cambs, 2, 233. William of, 283. Gan ter (Gaunter), Osbert le, 257; Robert le, 179. Gardener (Gardiner, Gardyner), Alex­ ander le, and Alice his wife, 103; Geoffrey le, 272; William (of Bedford), 257; William le (of Shelton), 235. Garglof or Quitol, Walter, 58.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Garthorpe (Garthorp), Leics, William of, 136. Gate (Yate), Andrew at, 139; John ate, 286. Gaunter see Ganter. Genys, John, coroner, xl, xlv. Geoffrey, 124; Ralph son of, 17, 20; Denise his mother, 20; Reynold son of, 3; Richard son of, 87; Richard son of (of Henlow), 239; Richard son of (of Ravensden), 36-7; Roger son of, 100; William son of, 243. Geoffrey or Ralph, John son of, and Rose his sister, 185. Gerrard (Gereward), Richard, 249; Thomas, 89. Gerwas, Robert, 104. Gilbert----- 1------gg----- , 274. Gilbert (Gilebert), David son of, 89; Ralph son of, 27; Richard, 52. Gilemyn, William, 159. Gillyng, William, coroner of Dunstable, xliv. Gilur, Robert le, 174. Ginnur, Reynold le, 228. Girtford (Gretteford), 132. Gloucester (Glouecestr), Glos, 54. Gloucester, earl of, 21. Gloucestershire, 239. Glove, Richard, 167. Gobiun, Hugh, and Ansel his son, and Hugh his father, and Roger, 82. Godard, John, 169. Godde (Gode), Alfred or Alfred son of, 44. Godefrey see Godfrey. Godewyne see Godwyne. Godfrey (Godefrey), Ambrose, 188; Gerard son of, 26; Ralph, 290; Richard son of, 63; Robert, 248; William (of Stotfold), 243; William, the younger, 315; William son of, 56. Godrich, Robert, 78. Godricheseye, Roger de, 85. Godwyne (Godewyne), John (ofKempston) and {another} John, 298; Richard, 134; Robert, 98. Golde, Roger, 17, 20; Philip his son and William, 20. Golding (Goldyng), Ralph, coroner of Bedford, xliii; Richard of Saxham called, 21. Goldington (Gold, Golding, Goldingtone, Goldyngton, Goldynton, Goudington, Goudingtone, Goudinton), 4-5, 11, 15-16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 33, 36-7, 42, 44, 170, 172, 176, 208, 275, 342; green of, 16, 19, 44; manor, xvii. {See also Putnoe.) Michael of, or Michael Ode, and Robert his son, 110; Ralph of, coroner, xv, xvii, xxviii, xxxi,

xxxii, xxxviii, 33-7, 39-47, 71-5, 113-20, 122-3, 127-8, 168-73, 176, 184, 187-9, I9I“2, 194-204, 206; Roger of, 259. Goldstan (Golstan, Golston), Michael, 42; Ralph, 42, 119; Richard, 139; Robert, 123. Goldyng see Golding. Golefynch, William, 280. Golstan, Golston see Goldstan. Gomelot see Gamelot. Gomuld, William, 139. Good, William the, coroner of Bedford, xlii. Cf. Bone. Goodwick (Godynewik), 20. Gorhambury (Gorraham), Herts, Sir William of, 237. Gos see Gosse. Gosefot, Walter, 37. Gosse (Gos),----- , 284; Geoffrey, 286; Henry, 275; Thomas, 286; Wil­ liam, 275. Cf Goys. Gowel, William, 189. Goys, Adam le, 119. Cf Gosse. Granger, Henry le, Peter servant of, 176. Gransden, Great, (Granttesdene), Hunts, 252. Grant, William le, 178. Cf Grunt. Graveley (Gravele), Cambs or Herts, Robert Spaldyng parson of, 341. Gravenhurst (Grantgravenhurst, Gravenurst, Great Gravenhurst), 125, 178, 180, 193, 231. {See also Ion.) Alfred of, 125; John of, 155. Grene (Gren), Arnold atte, 228; John atte (of Houghton Regis), 147; John de la (of Campton), 51; Richard de la, 93; Robert ate (of Shelton), 286; Robert del (of Sou thill), 58; Walter ate, 116; William atte, 75. Gretehobbe (Grette Hobbe), 233. Grey, John le, 96; (Sir) Reynold de or le, 93, *555 Reynold (de) (of Ruthin), 289; justice, 303, 312-6, 320, 322-3, 329, 334-6, 338. Grigori (Grigorie), Geoffrey, 94; Nich­ olas, 52. Gronde, Richard, 123. Grovebury (la Grave), manor, xxi; prior of, 95-6. Grunt, Richard le, 93. Cf Grant. Gunhild, Ellis son of, 134. Gygg, Richard, 280. Gyllessone, William, 281. Gyne, Lyne, or Lyyeweye, Geoffrey son of, and his wife and John his son,

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES 236. Gynes, John de, 276.

Haddon, Hunts, ?William of, coroner of Dunstable, xliv. Haliday (Halyday), Henry, 261; Peter, 262; Richard, and Robert and Thomas his son, and William, 261. Halinges, brother John de, 210. Hall, Gilbert at, 213; Richard at, 239. Cf. Awle. Halte, Robert le, 174. Halyday see Haliday. Hamylden, William, coroner, xlii. Hanger, Gilbert of, 56, 80. Hanvyle, John, 311. Hardwick (Herdwik), Bucks, 93. Hardwick (Erdwike, Herddewyk, Herdewik, Herdewyk, Herdwik, Herdwyk), Geoffrey of, 12; Gerard of, 78; Gregory of, 47; John of, 41; Sir Peter of, 234; Richard of, 169; Robert of, 281; Thomas of, 134. Cf. Felmersham Hardwick; Kempston Hardwick. Hardy, Richard, 120. Hare, William, 323. Hareng see Haring. Harewaker, John, 114. Harewold see Harrold. Hargrave, Northants, 120. Haring (Hareng, Harengg), Hugh, and Sibyl his wife, 159; John, 248; Robert, and Juliana or Sibyl his wife, 159; Simon le, 129; William, 159Harlewyn (Harlewyne), Emma or Amice, and Amice and Nichola her daughters, and another, 284. Harlington (Herlingdon), 146. Harringworth (Haryngworth), North­ ants, 310. Harrold (Arewold, Har, Harewold, Harewolde, Harewoud, Harewoude, Harwold, Harwolde, Herewold), 113-4, 117, 121-2, 194-5, 198, 204, 241, 284, 287; church, 121; prior­ ess of, 222. Henekyn of, 222; Henry of, 120; John of, 256; Margery of, and Robert her son, 241; Robert of, 82; William, 303. Harrowden (Arwedon, Harwedon), 66, 69, 77, 279Hastings (Hasting, Hastinges), Sussex, Henry of, esquire, 188. Hatch (Hacche, Hacche in Beeston), in Northill, 65. Emma of, 165; Lucy atte, 49. Hatch (Ache, le Ache, Hacche, la Hacche), in Heath and Reach, 95-6Richard of, 154.

141

Hatley, Cockayne, (Beryhattelle, Hattele), 133, 135, 141, 225, 252, 293. Hautman, William, 188. Hawk, Henry, 303. Hay (Aye, Haye), John de le or de la or del, 179; sheriff, 272, 279, 284-5, 287-8; Robert, 84. Haycroft, Ralph del, 188. Haye see Hay. Hayl see Aylle. Haynes (Hauwenes, Hauwenis), 76, 180. Richard of, 76. Cf. Heyne. Hayward (Messer), Henry or Hugh the, 176; John le, 134; Matthew le, and Isabel his wife, 20; Nicholas le, 263; Ralph le, 240; Raymond the, 47; Richard le, 89, 212; Roger le, 22; Simon le, 25; Thomas the, William son of, 129; William le (of Bedford), 256, 260, 262; William le (of Clip­ stone), 96; William le (of Keyston), 233; William le (of Souldrop), 120; William le (of Yelden), 277. Haywode, Richard, coroner, xli. Hazeldean (Asselden, Hasseldon, Hasseweld), Maud of, 97; Richard of, 93. Heide, Robert le, 165. Hele, Thomas, coroner of Dunstable, xliv. Helewys, John, 251. Helle see Hill. Hendeman, Henry, Henry son of, 21. Henlow (Enlauwe, Henelowe, Henlauwe, Henlowe), 47-8, 50, 52, 54, 109, 131, 239, 243, 254, 299; church, 54; priory or the prior of Lanthony’s house in, 54, 239; brother Philip, canon of Lanthony, its warden, 54; Richard vicar of, 54; ‘Schurcheruh’ (crucem ‘atte churche’) in, 239; ‘Sepesdich’ in, co­ Richard of, 240. Henneto (Hannetho, Hennetho), Rey­ nold, 239. Henry I, king, xix. Henry III, king, xxx. Henry, Geoffrey son of, 23; Henry son of, 113; Hugh son of, and Agnes his mother, 215; John son of, 78; Richard son of, 192; Robert son of (of Boz eat), 113; Robert son of (of Wyboston), and Rose his sister, 23; Simon son of, 92; William son of, coroner of Bedford, xlii. Herbert (Herberd, Hereberd, Herebert), Ralph, 285; Richard, John son of, 2; Walter son of, coroner of Dunstable, xliii; William, 250. Herdeman, Robert le, 204. Hereberd, Herebert see Herbert.

142

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Herne (Hare, Hore), 150. Alice of, 144; Maud her daughter, 155. Hert, Walter, 271. Hertford (Hertteford), Herts, Walter of, 233. Hertfordshire (Hertteford), 131, 237, 245Hervy, John, coroner, xl. Hest see Est. Heydon (Eydon), Cambs, William of, 56Heyne, John, 277. Cf. Haynes. Heynon, William, 134. Heyron, John, 120. Hilary, Lady, Hugh son of, 97. Hill (Helle, Hull, Hulle, Hulles), Henry atte or ate, 126; John ate, 280; Jordan de le, and Agnes his wife and Emma his daughter, 7; Ralph de la, 178; William at (of Clipstone), 96; William dil (of Eastcotts), 162. Hingram, Robert, 75. Hinwick (Hinewik), 113, 117. Walter of, 117. Hinxworth (Engstewurze, Hengsteworthe), Herts, 100, 133. Hockliffe (Hocclive, Hockelive, Hokeluwe, Hokkele), 83, 143, 251. Richard of, and Richard, 134. Hode (Hod, Hude), John le, and Thomas his son, 114; Robert, 28; Walter (of Keysoe), 72; Walter (of Stotfold), 178, 243. Hog see Huge. Hogshaw (Ogshawe), Bucks, Richard of, 273. Hokerynge, John, 259. Hokes, Geoffrey ate, 123. Hokkele see Hockliffe. Holcot (Holecot, Holecote, Holegot, Hollecot, Holocote), 94, 97-8, 144, 246. Hugh of, 155; Cecily his wife, sister of Robert de la Felde, 155, 211,214, 216, 221, 226. Holdebert, Robert, 59. Holme (Holm, Houme), in Biggles­ wade, 102, 106, 136, 140, 192, 338. Holmes (Holm), in Stevington, 195. Holwell (Great Halewel, Great Halewell, Great Holewell, Great Holewelle, Holewell, Holewelle, Holowelle), now in Herts, 47, 50, 130-1, 243John of, 131; Wyot of, or Wyot Cok, 5 1Holwell, Little, (Halewell, Holewell, Holewelle, Little Halewell, Little Holewelle), 130. Honeydon (Honidene, Honidone), 3,

17, 20, 32. Honnewyne see Unwyne. Hoo (Hoa), Godfrey of, 47; Robert atte, 311; William atte, 244. Hook Wood (Hokewol, Hokewold), Aubrey of, and Maud her daughter, 41; Walter her son, 40-1. Hook’s Mill (Hokesmulle), Cambs, 293. Hore, Thomas le, 255, 260, 262. Horseman (Horsseman), Reynold and Robert (le), 37. Hosebern see Osbern. Houge see Huge. Houghton (Hougton, Houton, Houttonne), Samson of, 249; Thomas of, 270; Thomas of {another), Lucy Pofot widow of, 94; Warren of, 238; William of, 270. Houghton Conquest (Houton, Houttone, Houttonne, Howton Con­ quest, Hutton, Outton), 56, 78, 80, 89, 162, 240, 249, 303. Houghton Regis (Houton, Houton Cantelou, Houton near Dunstable, Houtone, Houtton, Houtton with­ out Dunstable, Houttone, Houttonn, Houttonne, Outon, Outon Kanteleu),83, 143, 147, 154, 237, 245,251; church, 237, 251; ‘Bokwode’ in, 154; Puddle Hill (‘Pondehull’) in, 143. {See also Bidwell, Sewell, Thorn.) Hounting see Hunting. Howbury (Horbur), Sir John of, 172. Howet, Robert, and Emma his wife, 309Hude see Hode. Hudina, Geoffrey, 56-7. Huge (Hog, Houge), John, 37; Richard le, 93Hugh, Alexander son of, 89; John son of, 286; Nicholas son of, 90; Ralph son of (of Great Barford), 6; Richard son of (of Kempston Hard­ wick), 78; Richard son of (of Maulden), 89; Richard son of (of Souldrop), 120; Robert son of (of Gravenhurst), 193; Robert son of (of Kempston Hardwick), 78. Hugh or Roger, Ralph son of (of Pavenham), and his son, 206. Huldemere, Robert, 257. Hull, Hulles see Hill. Hulyer, John le, 288. Hunestere see Huxtere. Hunfrey (Umfrey, Wmfrey), Walter, 231; William, 243, 254. Hunt (Hunte), Nicholas le, 125, 180-1; Thomas, coroner of Bedford, xliii. Hunting (Hounting), Geoffrey and Henry, 241. Huntingdon (Hodindone, Hontingdon, Hundyngd, Huntedon, Huntidon,

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Huntingdone), Hunts, 2, 234, 279. Richard of, 190. Huntingdonshire (Hontindon, Hontingdon, Hundindone, Huntedon, Huntindonnee, Hunting, Hunttedon), xxii, 2, 21, 24, 45, 105, 189, 233-4, 252; coroners of, xxv, 21, 24; Robert of Eastrea, sheriff of, xxiii, 45Hurde, Walter, 282. Husborne Crawley (Husseburn, Husseburne), 92-4, 97-8, 144-5, 155, 246; ‘Horssepol’ mill in, 92. Husser see Usser. Huxtere (Hunestere), Christiana le, 102. Inge, Fremund, coroner of Dunstable, xx, xliv; Thomas, coroner of Dunstable, xix, xx, xliii. Ion (Eye), in Gravenhurst, 178, 180-2; ‘Tedwey’ in, 178. Ireland, x. Irissh (Irisch, Irysch, Irysche), Adam and John, 335; Richard, 298; Thomas, 334; William, 313. Ivel (Givele, Givile, Yivell, Yivill), river, 104, 107, 166. Ralph of, 125.

Jacob, John, 240; Thomas, 134. John----- (of Melchbourne), 273. John----- an and John------nons, 199. John (Jon), Geoffrey son of, 193; Isabel daughter of, 4; John son of (of Colmworth), 26; John son of (of Elstow), 240; Nicholas son of, 245; Robert son of, 251; William (of Biddenham), 220, 223; William son of (of Kensworth), 245; William son of (of Moggerhanger), 63; William son of (of Stotfold), 243. Jolwytre, Alan de, 58. Jon see John. Joppe, Walter, 266. Jose, John, 79. Josimas, William, 189. Juel, Richard (of Beeston), 91, 107; Richard (of Thorn), 158; William, 133Julian, John, 304. Julian or Galyon, Thomas or Robert, and Thomas his son, 92. Jurdan (Jurdon), John, 341; Ralph, 147; William, coroner, xli; William, coroner {another), xlii. Juven, Juvenis see Young. Kachepol, Alan le, 178. Katherine, Alan son of, 243. Kaus, Simon de, 84. Cf Kus. Kauston, Thomas, 329.

143

Kek see Cook. Kempston (Kempston by Bedford, Kemston, Kemstone), 5, 78, 85, 123, 240, 298. Kempston Hardwick (Herdwik), 78. Cf. Hardwick. Kemstere, Isabel le, 23. Kendals (Kendal), William of, 75. Kenet (Keneyt), John, 243. Kensworth (Kenesworthe), formerly in Herts, 245. Keu see Cook. Keylmers, Simon, 233. Keysoe (Gaisho, Cayisho, Caysho, Cayshoa, Kaisho, Kaishoa, Kaysho, Kayshoa), xvii, 27, 45, 72-5, 120, 184, 187, 189, 191, 242, 285, 335. Keyston (Keston, Kestonne), Hunts, 233Hugh and John of, 286. Kimbolton, Hunts, 120. Kingston (Kingeston), ?Cambs, John of, 49. Kington, Wilts, Peter of, 207. Kinwick (Kenemundeswyk, Ky ne­ mo dewik, Kynemodewyk), 101. Merlin of, 107, 244. Knave, John le, 261. Knhit see Knyth. Knoston, Nicholas, 327. Knotte (Sonotte), Simon, 34. Knotting (Cnotinge, Cnottinges, Knot­ tinges, Knottingge), 71, 120, 187, 233, 236; ‘Welsat’ in, 71. John of, 287. Knyth (Knhit), John le, 271; Ralph, 120. Kobbe see Cobbe. Koliere see Colyere. Kus, William, 6. Cf Cook; Kaus. Kybbell, John, the elder, 295. Kyneman, Robert, 63. L----- , Stephen de, 158. Lageby, John, and Beatrice his wife, 302. Lamport, Bucks or Northants, John of, 3*7Lanaleye, William, 278. Lane, Herbert at, 251; Michael of the, 120; Richard in le, and his maid­ servant, 135. Laner, Ralph le, 221. Langetot, Alan de, coroner of Dun­ stable, xix, xliii. Langford (Langefor, Langeford), 47-8, 52, 54, 100, 102, 318. Langnoe (Langenby, Langenhoa), Simon of, 39. Lanthony by Gloucester (Lantoney outside Gloucester), Glos, brother Philip canon of, warden of the

144

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

prior of Lanthony’s house in Henlow, 54; prior of, xxiii, 54. Lauwe see Louwe. Lavender, Geoffrey le, 260, 263; Nicholas le, 261. Lavendon (Lavenden), Bucks, Robert of, 280, 288. Lawrence (Lorence), William (son of), 71, 120. Leagrave (Lintlegrave), Ralph of, 83. Leche, Margery, 133; William, coroner of Bedford, xlii. Cf. Lekke. Ledbetere, Walter le, 197. Lee, Nicholas, coroner, xli. Legat, Thomas, 262. Legeman, Walter, and Robert his son, H7. Leicester (Leycestr), Leics, Patun of, 107; Robert of, 255, 264; Thomas of, 121. Leicestershire (Leycestr), 136. Leighton Buzzard (Leygthonbusard, Leygton, Leyton, Leytonbusard, Ley tone), xxi, 95-6, 148-50, 305; church, 149, 305; ‘Herkelouwe heywey’ in, 95; ‘Wlfhall’ in, 150. {See also Billington, Glipstone, Eggington, Grovebury, Hatch, Reach, S tanbridge.) Lekke, Nicholas, 313. Cf. Leche. Lemerch, William, Geoffrey son of, 95. Cf Marche. Lemman, William, 189. Cf Man. Lesseawe, William de, 95. Letchworth (Leccheworthe), Herts, 129, 131. Leuwy, Robert, 78. Levesone, Simon, 25. Levot, Margery, 20. Leytleg see Lyghtleg. Lidlington (Litlington), 47, 79, 97. Ralph of, and Ralph his father, 97. Limbury (Limbur, Lumbury), 179, 250. Lincoll (Lyncolle), John, 296. Lincoln, bishop of, liberty of, 234. Lincolnshire, 45, 290; Thomas of Boulton, sheriff of, xxiii, 45. Lindsey (Lyndeseye), Lincs, John of, 258. Linslade (Lincelade), Bucks, 150. John of, 120. Litle see Little. Littegrom, William, and Joan his wife, 100. Little (Litle), Ralph le, and Agnes his daughter, 232; Robert the, 250. Littlebury (Litlebur, Lyttelbury), Es­ sex, John, coroner of Bedford, xliii; M. of, 82.

Loccing, Henry, 182. Locwode, John de, 251. Lodday (Lodey, Lodsey), Ellis de or del, 20; Hugh de, 20; John his son, 8; William de, 20. Lokersden, Robert de, 72. London (Landres, Lund), 254, 326; prioress of St. Helen’s in, 304, 331; Tower of, 41. Maud of, 284; Stephen of, 128; William of, 120. Long (Longe), David the, 89; John le, 282; Robert le, 201; Simon le, 192; Thomas le, 275. Lord, Richard le, 175. Lorence see Lawrence. Loreng see Loring. Lorimer, William le, Amice daughter Of, 59Loring (Loreng), John and Neil, 86; Peter (le), knight, xviii; coroner, xv, xvii, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxviii, 225, 228, 231, 237, 239-40, 243, 245-7, 249-52, 254; Roger, 86. Lorings in Sharnbrook, manor, xvii. Lound (Lounde), Nicholas de la, 192; Walter, coroner, xlii. Louwe (Lauwe, Lowe), Ralph del, and Millicent his wife, 48; Richard atte or atthe, 239; William, 75, 186. Lovat (Lovente), river, 150. Love, Roger, 257. Lucas, Robert, 120. Lucy, Henry son of, 120. Luton (Louytone), xx, 179, 250, 323, 326; liberty, 250. {See also Biscot, Leagrave, Limbury, Stopsley.) Robert of, 250. Lyghtleg (Leytleg), John, and William his brother, 189. Lyncolle see Lincoll. Lyttelbury see Littlebury.

Ma----- , Walter, 272. Macelin, Walter, 242. Machun, Michael le, 134. Madinman, Nicholas, 128. Madur, John, and Margaret his wife, and Walter, 171; William, 279. Malebur see Marlborough. Malerbe (Malirbe), Geoffrey, 6; Hugh, 78; William, 123. Malet, Adam, 288. Malin (Malyn), Robert, and Malina or Maud his wife, 123. Malirbe see Malerbe. Malyn see Malin. Man, John le, 194. Cf. Lemman. Manshead (Man, Mann, Manneseved, Manniseved, Mannisheved), hun­ dred, 56, 83, 90-8, 142-57, 237, 245-6, 251; bailiff of, 245.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Mansington, John de, 283. Marchal see Marshal. Marchant see Merchant. Marche, John de la, 170. Cf. Lemerch. Margery le----- , 190. Margery, Simon son of, 50. Mariot, Ellis son of, 13; John, 41; Reynold, 23, 171; Maud his wife, sister of Aytrop Stalun, and Maud her daughter, 134; Robert, 78. Marisall, Mariscall see Marshal. Markere, Hugh, 166. Markyate, Herts, 154. Marlborough (Malebur), Wilts, 99. Marshal (Marchal, Marisall, Mariscall, Marscal, Marscall, Marschal), Alan (le), coroner of Bedford, xxx, xlii, 265, 267; Beatrice le, and Agnes her sister, 132; Clement le, 120; Henry le,283; John the (of Moggerhanger), 243; John (?of St. Neots), 134; Ralph (of Bedford), 262; Ralph le (of the Temple), 120; Richard le (of Bedford), 261; Richard le (of Dean), 282; Robert the, 132. Marsilius, Thomas son of, 223. Marston Moretaine (Merston), 76, 79. (See also Roxhill.) Richard of, coroner, xxxix. Martel, Robert, 116; William, 202. Mason (Masun), Nicholas le, 134; Richard, 338. Mastref, Edmund le, and Maud his wife and Sarah his housemaid, 47. Masun see Mason. Matheu, John son of, 120; Richard, coroner of Bedford, xviii, xlii; Wil­ liam, 286. Mathewesson, William, 327. Maud, Geoffrey son of, 228; Henry son of, 78. Maulden (Maldon, Maldone), 89, 249. Walter of, and Parnel his sister, 49. Maurice, 210; Henry son of, 209; Thomas son of, 43. May (Mey), Adam le, 109; Robert le, 140; Roger le, and Beatrice le Tippere his wife, 120; William le (of Tilbrook), 74; William, coroner of Bedford, xliii. Maydeford, Richard, 313. Maynard (Mainard), Gilbert, 34; Nicholas, 154. Mayster, John, 149. Meadows, Richard of the, 95. Melchbourne (Melch, Melcheborn, Melchebourn, Melchebur, Melcheburn, Melcheburne), 71, 120, 188, 236, 273, 277, 282, 286; hospital, and brother Hubert of Chelsham its master, 120; parson of, 188; cle Rode’ in, 188. 13

145

Bruing of, 120. Meppershall (Maperteshale, Mepershale, Meperteshal, Meperteshale, Mepertishal, Mepertishall), 5, 49, 51-2, 129-30, 178, 239; lady of, 51. (See also Polehanger.) John of, coroner, xxxix, xliv; Robert of, 129. Merchant (Marchant), Henry the (of Farndish), 224; Henry the (of Great Barford), 6; Hugh the, 231; William le, 101. Mercer, Gregory the, 251; Robert le, 281. Merton, John, William servant of, 314; Peter de, 259, 263; Robert de, 264. Messager, Simon le, 134. Messer see Hayward. Mewes, John de, 28. Mey see May. Mic----- , Robert, 158. Michael (Michel), Hugh, 52; John, 134; Robert, 48, 58; William son of, 120. Midelton, R. de, justice in Somerset, 99. Mile, Henry, 23; Stephen and Walter, ,84Mill, James at, Alice wife of and Sarah daughter of, 180; John at, 134. Millbrook (Mulebroc, Mulebrok), 79, 89, 249; Gilbert vicar of, 84; ‘Brokforlong’ and ‘Fordebruge’ in, 79Miller (Monner), Adam the, 259; Henry the (of Dean), 282; Henry the (of Little Barford), 105; John the, and Richard his son, 26; Michael the, 79; Nicholas the, 278; Ralph le, 23; Reynold the, 258; Richard le, 22; Thomas le (of Little Barford), 23; Thomas the (of Millbrook), and Agnes Ermer his wife, 79; Walter the, and Agnes his daughter, 114; William the, Alice wife of and John son of, 150. Millow (Mulhoa, Mulneho), 102, 106, 137, 139. Milton Bryant (Midelton, Midilton, Miltonbrian, Miltonbryan), 83, 145, 147; John Smyth parson of, 314, 341. Milton Ernest (Middelton, Middeltone, Midelton, Mideltone), 39, 118, 206, 213, 215, 218; hermitage, 39. Modersone, Robert, 120. Mody, Maud, 73. Moggerhanger (Mogerhanger), 60-1, 63, 65, 158, 166, 243. Roger of, 261. Moine (Moigne), Ralph or Robert le, 35; William, 312. Molesworth, Hunts, Walter of (once called William), 263, 265, 267.

146

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Mone or Dod, Robert, 266. Monipeny, William, 257-8. Monkesman, William le, 162. Monner see Miller. Mor see More. Moraunt, Richard, 120. Mordaunt (Mordant), Amice, 202; Robert, knight, coroner, xvi, xvii, xxxix; William, coroner, xv, xvii, xxx, xxxix, 271-88; William, coron­ er {another), xl, xlv. Mordaunts in Turvey, manor, xvii. Morden, Steeple, (Stepelmordon), Cambs, 293. Mordon, John, 313. More (Mor), John atte, John servant of, 310; John ate (of Bedford), 257; Richard de la (of Maulden), 89; Richard (of Radwell), Robert and Simon de la or del, 116; William de la, 247. Moreton (Morton), Bucks, Isabel of, 108; Thomas, coroner, xli. Morice (Morise), Simon, 154. Morin (Moring, Moryn), John, 222; Ralph, 121, 195, 241; William, 3. Mortimer, Ralph le, 245. Morton see Moreton. Moryn see Morin. Moses, John son of, 254. Motte, Ellis, 189; John, 20, 32; William, 20. Muleward, John, 293. Munbray, Geoffrey, 249. Muriel (Muryel), Richard, 101; Robert son of, 92; William, 278. Murye, Nicholas le, 277. Muryel see Muriel. Mustard, Walter, and William his son and Maud his daughter, 25.

Neil (Nel), David son of, 249; Henry, 275; Thomas son of, 273; William son of, 120. Netesheved, William, 268. Cf. Cowherd. Neubonde see Newebonde. Neuman see Newman. Nevile (Neywile), Richard de, 34. Newebonde (Neubode, Neubonde), Roger (le), 36. Newman (Neuman, Neweman), Neil le, 249; Robert le, 39; Roger (of Colmworth), 9; Roger le (of Pertenhall), 189; Simon le, 56-7; William le, 125; William (of Colmworth), 9-10; William le (of Henlow), 239. Newnham (Neuenham, Neuham, Neunham), 200-1; cellarer of, Robert the man of, and Henry his brother, 67; priory, 247; brother Richard of, obedientiary of Fenlake, 247; brother Richard of Sharnbrook of,

247; prior of, 34, 119, 247. Newport Pagnell (Neuport, Newport), Bucks, 155, 211. Henry of, 155. Neyer, William le, 96. Nicholas atte----- (of Radwell), 274. Nicholas (Nichole), John, 225; Nicho­ las son of, 118; Thomas, coroner of Dunstable, xliv; ?William son of, 191. Noble, Richard le (of Henlow), 52, 178, 239; Richard le (of Thurleigh), 272. Nodynan, Geoffrey and Richard, 266. Noreis, Noreys see Norreys. Norfolk (Northfolk), xxix. Richard of, 240. Norht see North. Norman (Nortman), Richard, 123; William, 23. Norreys (Noreis, Noreys), Alice le, 118; John le, 61, 63; Richard le, 31; Robert le (of Bedford), 258; Robert le (of ?St. Neots), 134; Simon le, 43. North (Norht), John, 298; Ralph and Richard, 179. Northamptonshire (Norham, Norham­ ton), 51, 113, 190. Nor thill (Norgivel, Nortgivel, Nortgivele, Nortgivil, Northgivel, Noryivill), 60, 63, 65, 68, 107, 158-61, 164-6 ‘ Pokebrokforlong’ in, 165. {See also Budna, Caldecote, Hatch.) Northwood (Northuode), John of, 238. Nortman see Norman. Nowers, Thomas de, 120.

Oakley (Hocle, Ockle, Okie), 39, 265. Oakley (Okie), Berks, 330. Ode, Michael, or Michael of Goldington, and Robert his son, no. Odell (Wahille, Wahull, Wahulle, Wodele), 113-4, 117, 120, 122, I94"5> 224, 241, 284, 287; church, 198; ‘Smezewold’ in, 117. John of, 258; Terri of, 118. Odell, Little, 117. Offord, Hunts, Roger of, 134. Oliver, Henry, 262. Olney (Holneye), Bucks, 195. Opperere, William le, 60. Ordewy, William, 159. Orgent see Argent. Oringtseye, Andrew, 84. Osbern (Hosebern), John, 279; Nicho­ las, 188. Ossegor, Walter, 94. Osseylur (Oyselier), Gilbert le, 107, 138. Ossins, Henry, 264. Oter, Agnes, and Annora her daughter, 106; Maud, and Geoffrey her son,

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES 11. Othin, Hubert, coroner of Bedford, xlii. ----- otteson, 273. Otuy, Ralph, 178. Ouse (House, Huse, Use), river, 23, 29-3°, 38, 105, 114, 128, 194, 196, 201, 206, 218, 227, 274. Oxford (Oxon), Oxon, 178. Oxfordshire, 108, 233. Oyselier see Osseylur.

Pace, Emma, wife of Arnulph Argent, 208. Page, John, 134; Michael, 2; Robert, 18; William (of Cople), 57; Wil­ liam (of Knotting), and William his son, 71. Pagel (Paggel), John, 189. Pagon see Payn. Painter, John the, 264. Palmere (Paumer), Martin le, 91; Ralph le, 134; William, 305. Panelmaker, Stephen, 314. Pany, William, 323. Parchemyner, Robert le, 266. Parent, John, 160. Parentyn (Barentyn), Ralph de, 120; Robert, coroner, xli. Parker, William le, 125. Parmenter, Alexander le, 143; Nicholas the and Ralph (le), 134. Parson (Persun), Richard, 83; Thomas son of the, 94. Cf Personessone. Partrich (Partrych), Peter, 272; Walter, 100. Passeforrere, Alice, and Margaret her daughter, 97. Passeleuwe, Robert, 126; William, 123, 126, 218. Paternoster, John, 137, 139; Richard, and Margery his wife and Maud his daughter, 139. Pattishall (Pateshull, Pateshulle), North­ ants, John of, 248; (Sir) Simon of, 125, 196; justice of gaol delivery, 37, 168. Patun, James, 232. Paulin (Paulyn), Henry, 47, 178; Thomas, coroner of Dunstable, xliv. Paumer see Palmere. Pavenham (Babeham Pabeham Pabenham, Pabinham), 115-6, 127-8, 198, 201, 206, 213, 215, 241. Lady Emma of, Simon son of, 127; John of, 113, 170, 287. Paxton (Paxston), Hunts, 335. Payn (Pagon), Agnes, 272; John, 283; William, 50, 52. Peeke, Hugh, 56. Pedef see Podifat. Pekesden, John, 310. Pekkebone, Walter, 259.

147

Pekoe (Becok), John, coroner of the liberty of the abbot of St. Albans, xliv; Walter, 120. Peleter, Richard le, 75. Pencurt (Pinnecunte), Nicholas, 120, 126. Cf. Pincote. Percer see Pursere. Peres, John, 275. Cf. Peter. ?Permafrey, Walter, 200. Persones, Robert ate, 286. Personessone, John, 303. Cf. Parson. Persore see Pertsoills. Persun see Parson. Pertenhall (Pertenh, Pertenhal, Pertenhale, Perthenhale, Pertinhal), xxxix, 45, 72-3, 75, 85, 184-5, 189, 191, 234, 285; rector of, 75. (See also Balmere.) Pertesoil, Pertesoyl, Pertessoyl, Pertessuyl, Pertissoyl see Pertsoills. Pertre, Simon de le, 280. Pertsoills (Persore, Pertesoil, Pertesoyl, Pertessoyl, Pertessuyl, Pertissoyl) in Riseley, manor, xvii. Philip, coroner, xvii, xl, 289, 292, 337; Robert, 165; Simon of, 71. Pessun, Roger, 178; Stephen, 94. Peter, Margery daughter of, and Sarah her daughter, 146; Robert (of Harrowden), 66; Robert son of (of Kempston Hardwick), and Christ­ iana and Juliana his daughters, 78; William son of (of Bromham), nephew of the vicar of Wootton, 259; William son of (of Great Bar­ ford), 18; William son of (of Kempston Hardwick), 78. Cf Peres. Petit (Petyt), Martin, 101; William le, ii5Cf. Peyt. Peverel, John, 134. Peyt, Richard, 215. Cf. Petit. Peyvere (Peyvre), John, coroner, xxxix; (Sir) Nicholas, 75; justice, 34; Gerles or Gerleys his servant, 75; Roger, coroner, xxxix; Thomas, sheriff, 314. Philip (Phelipp, Phelippe), Adam, 239; John son of, 264; Richard, 157; William son of, 184. Phuch see Puche. Pichorn see Pikhorn. Picot (Pycot, Pykot), Mabel, and John her son, 260; Robert, 27; Roger, 260; Roger, coroner of Bedford, xliii; Thomas, 279; William (of Cople), 56; William (ofRavensden), and Mabel his wife, 27.

148

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Pikhorn (Pichorn, Pykhorn), Agnes and Maud, 37, 64; Richard, 37. Pilling Rowsberry in Wootton, manor, xvii. Pillok, Ralph, 195. Pinceware, William, 20, 32. Pincote (Pinnecote), Cambs, Henry of, 225. Cf. Pencurt. Pinnecunte see Pencurt. Pipere, William, 313. Pipolory, Philip, 78. Pipparci, Hugh, 37, 172; Robert (of Goldington), 42; Robert (of Ravensden), 37; Robert, king’s bailiff, 168. Pirrot, Sir Ralph, 248. Pirton, Herts, William of, coroner of Dunstable, xliv. Pit (Puttes), Robert del, or Robert Ateputtes, 34, 46; William of the, 179Pitcher (Pichere, Pitchere), William le, 129. Plane, Maurice, 6. Plouman, Walter le, 107. Plouwrhit, Roger le, 271. Plumat, John, 134. Plumber, Richard the, 85. Podifat (Pedef), Henry, 159; Robert, 270. Podington (Podingtone, Podyngton, Potyngton), xli, 113, 195, 224, 284. (See also Hinwick.) Henry of, 284. Pofot, Lucy, widow of Thomas of Houghton, 94. Pokok, Thomas, 259. Polebrook (Pokebrok, Polbrok), North­ ants, Reynold of, 34; Robert, 303. Polecar, Lawrence, 272. Polehanger, 49. Warren of, and Margery le Superere his wife and Agnes la Custrere her sister, 49. Polet, Bertram, 60, 63. Pollard, Maud, 190. Pollescroft, Reynold de, 276. Ponay, John, 284. Ponton (Pontone), Lincs, Gilbert of, 42. Poo, Geoffrey le, 233. Porcher, Simon le, 162; Walter le, 98. Portejoye (Portjoie), Walter, and Hen­ ry his servant, 134; William, 218. Poter, Ede, Kynne, Simon and William le, 84. Potsgrove (Potesgrave), 153. Potton (Pottone, Pottonne, Pottounne), 101, 103, 133, 135, 139, 225, 228; ‘Churcheweye’ in, 133. Rose of, 102. Pouel, Simon, 251. Poynaunt, John, 3.

Prebend, Alexander of the, 260. Prechur (Prechour), Nicholas, William son of, and Edith his sister, 2. Prentis, John, 261. Pressade (Pressindene, Pressude, Presynd, Presynde), Alice, 34. Prest see Priest. Prestisman, Simon le, and Agnes his wife and Richard his son, 102. Pretins, Robert, 50. Pricke (Prik, Prikke), Richard, 168. Priest (Prest), Hugh le, 45; Robert, Adam son of, 274; Roger the, 134. Priestley, 83. Prik see Pricke. Produmme, Adam, 125. Proude, Philip le, 280. Pulloxhill (Pollokeshull, Pulluxhulle), 178, 231. Punder, Robert le, 164. Purney, Thomas, coroner, xli. Pursere (Percer, Purssere), Hugh le, 270; Maud le, 233; Robert le, 270; William, 313. Puche (Phuch, Pucche), Eustace, 234; Ralph, and John his son, and Robert, 74. Putnoe (Pottenh, Pottenhoa), 38, 176. Puttes see Pit. Puttoc, Ralph, 20. Pykard, William, and Joan his wife, 342; William his tenant, 335. Pykhorn see Pikhorn. Pykot see Picot. Pynnok, Walter, 271. Pyrot, Robert, 278. Pytyl, William, 283. Quarel, Humphrey and Thomas, 6. Queneld, John, Alice daughter of, and Nicholas her son and Edeburthe her sister, 245. Quitol or Garglof, Walter, 58. Rachel, Hugh, 145, 155, 211, 214, 216, 221; Michael, 216. Radley (Rodele), Berks, Roger of, 189. Radwell (Radewel, Rad ewell), 114-6, 118, 120, 127-8, 196-7, 203, 206, 272, 274, 281. John of, 120; John of (of Bedford), 266; Robert of, coroner, xxxviii. Rakebert, Henry, 102. Ralinge see Rollinges. Ralph----- wyte, 153. Ralph, Alexander son of, 251; Geoffrey son of (of Cople), 57; Geoffrey son of (of Stagsden), 123; Philip son of, 42; Richard son of, coroner, xxxviii; Robert son of, 120; William son of, 196. Ralph or Geoffrey, John son of, and Rose his sister, 185.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Rambrigge, John and William, 326. Ramerick (Rammordewyk), Herts, 166. Ramsey (----- seye), Hunts, 15. Ratele, Nicholas, 271. Raulet, Gilbert, 114. Raulyn, Gilbert, 116. Ravensden (Ravenedene, Ravenesd, Ravenesden, Ravenesdene, Ravenisden), 4-5, 7, 11, 19, 27-8, 31, 33, 36-7, 39, 44, 172, >76, 208, 275, 303, 335; ‘Botildestrate’ in, 208; ‘Longemade’ in, 36; ‘Nomanneslond’ in, 4; ‘Ravenesbrok’, ‘Ravenesbroc’, in, 36; ‘Sturteslowe’, ‘Sturtelouwe’, in, 33. Alfred of, and Walter his son, 4. Ravenyg, Simon, 263. Rawy, Thomas, 120. Re see Ree. Reach (Rach, Reche), 148, 150. Reading (Redinges, Redyng), Berks, 298; abbot of, 249. Red (Rede, Reyd, Ris, Rous, Ruff, Ruffe, Rus), family, xvii; (Sir) Geoffrey the, 56, 68, 80; sheriff, 6, 76; John, 178; John (of Henlow), 239; John (of Ravensden), and Maud his wife and Richard his son, 37; John Timpan called, 76; Nicholas the, 123; Reynold the, 239; Richard (of Henlow), 52; Richard (of Houghton Regis), 147; Robert, 280; Simon the, 15, 37; coroner, xv, xvii, xxxviii, 2, 4-7, 9-12, 14, 16-26, 28-33; John his son, Maud his daughter and Sabina his wife, 15; William le (of Eaton Socon), 279; William the (of Goldington), and Margery his wife, 19; William le (of Houghton Conquest), 249. Cf Ride; Rudde. Redbornstoke (Redbur, Redburistok, Redburnestok, Redburnestoke, Redburstok), hundred, 56, 76-89, 93, 162, 229-30, 240, 248-9, 259. Rede see Red. Redman (Redeman), Geoffrey, 57; John, 56. Ree (Re), Roger at or ate, 105, no; Thomas ate, Alan son of, 105; William or Walter atte (of Henlow), 239; William Bi the (of Souldrop), 236. Reeve (Reve), Adam the, 277; Geoffrey the (of Chellington), 114; Geoffrey the (of Ravensden), Maud daughter of and Richard, Thomas and William sons of, 172; Geoffrey the (of Wrestlingworth), 135; Gilbert the, 272; Henry the, 133; John the (of Cainhoe), 180-1; John the (of Tilsworth), William son of, 83;

149

Peter son of the, 79; Reynold son of the (of Houghton Conquest), 249; Reynold the (of Ravensden), 33, 36-7; Alice his wife and John his son, 33; Richard the (of Chaigrave), and Gilbert his son, 83; Richard the (of Pertenhall), Mariot wife of and Henry and William sons of, 73; Richard the (of Wilden), 31; Robert son of the (of Aston), 159; Robert the (of Staploe), Richard son of, and Ivette the Sempstress his wife, 32; Roger the, 244; Simon the (of Carlton), 248; Simon the (of Radwell), 116; Thomas le, 275; William the (of Bletsoe), 248; William the (of Chawston), 23; William the (of Dunton), 139; William le (of Keyston), 233. Rendour, Henry le, 258. Renhold (Ronha, Ronhal, Ronhale), xvii, 1, 4-6, 11, 14-6, 18-9, 22, 25, 28-31, 33, 36-7, 44, 168, 172, 176, 208, 253, 275. {See also Salph End.) Reve see Reeve. Reyd see Red. Reymund, Walter, 47. Reynaud see Reynold. Reyner, John, 225. Reynold (Reynaud), Hugh son of, 49; Isabel daughter of, wife of Walter le Bedel, and Maud her mother, 36; John (of Eaton Socon), 43; John son of (of Henlow), and Margery his mother, 50; Ralph, 98; Robert, 178; Robert (of Salford), 98; Robert, or Robert Kenneward (of Stotfold), 243; Walter son of, or Walter le Teler, 72. Richard----- (of Felmersham), 281. Richard----- (of Pertenhall), 191. Richard, Henry son of, 73; John son of (of Farndish), 224; John son of (of Harrold), 241; Richard son of (of Farndish), 224; Richard son of (of Pertenhall), 189; Richard son of (of Silsoe), coroner, xxxviii; Robert (of Arlesey), 52; Robert son of, 63; Roger son of, 189; William son of, 73Cf Fitz Richard. Richer, Nicholas, 97. Richolda, 160. Ride, Roger le, 157. Cf Red; Rudde. Ridgmont (Richemond, Rugemud, Rugemut, Rychemond), 84, 97, 294. {See also Segenhoe.) Ridye (Rydy), Robert de la, 82; Walter ate, 286. Rikeld, Hugh, 101. Rimur, Alice le, 170. Ris see Red.

15°

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Riseley (Risl, Risle, Rissele, Rysle), xvii, 42, 71, 74, 120, 187-8, 190-1, 204, 236, 285; ‘Fordebrugge’ in, 187. Richard of, 277; brother William of, 68. Rivere, Simon de la, 22. Rivers, Stephen de, 259. Rixeband, Richard, 63. Robert----- (of Melchbourne), 273. Robert, Agnes daughter of, 169; German, 78; Maud daughter and Richard son of (of Carlton), 204, 215; Richard (son of) (of Edworth), 102; Robert son of (of Keysoe), 72; Robert (of Edworth), Maud daugh­ ter of, 102; William son of (of Honeydon), 20; William son of (of Wootton), and John his son, 86. Rod, Rodland, Rodlond see Rouland. Roger, Richard son of, 31; Robert and Roger sons of, 224; Simon son of, 42. Roger or Hugh, Ralph son of, and his son, 206. Roggele see Ruggele. Roland see Rouland. Rolle, Henry de, 54. Rollinges (Ralinge), Roger de, 234. Rondes, John de, 39. Ropere, James le, 52; John le, 279; Nicholas, John son of, 289. Rose, Richard, 314; Richard, carter, 324Rossel see Russel. Rothewell, John, 296. Rotoun, Ralph, 98. Rotour, Simon, coroner, xli. Rouland (Rod, Rodland, Rodlond, Roland, Roulaund, Rouldlond, Roulond), Geoffrey, 235; coroner, xv, xvii, xxi, xxxi, xxxii, xxxv, xxxviii, 1, 8, 13, 15, 20, 38, 48-52, 54, 56-63, 65-6, 77-9, 83-5, 88, 90, 92, 94-8, 100-8, no, 121, 126, 129, 139, 143-8, 150, 153-5, 158-62, 164-7, J74, 179-8o; justice and sub-escheator, xviii; Andrew his clerk, xxxv. Rous see Red. Rowney (Runhey), 167. Roxhill (Wroxhulle), Andrew of, 229; Philip of, 248. Roxton (Rockesd, Rockesdene, Rockesdon, Rockesdone, Rogedene, Rokesden, Rokesdon, Rokesdone, Rokkesdone), 1, 6, 14, 18, 29-30, 34, 46, 168, 170-1, 173, 219, 227, 253. (See also Chawston, Colesden.) Simon of, Walter the Smith son of, 134; Walter of, 16, 28; William of, 20. Ruard, Nicholas, 245.

Rudde, William, 315. Cf Red; Ride. Rudlonds in Cranfield, manor, xvii. Ruff, Ruffe see Red. Ruggele (Roggele), Richard, 258, 268. Rundel, Walter (le), 34. Rungefer (Rungefir, Rungifer), John, 20, 40-1; William, 283. Runley (Rinddele, Rindele), 250. Herbert of, and Richard of and Agnes his wife, 250. Rus see Red. Rushall (Riveshale), Norfolk, John of, knight, 188. Rushden (Russedane), Northants or Herts, Robert of, 224. Russel (Rossel), Adam, 258; Henry, 78; Hugh, 277; Ralph, 134; Robert, 82; William (?of Millbrook), 79; William or Richard (of Cople), William son of, 57. Russheby, Alan, 306. Ruthin (Ruthyn, Rythyn), Denbighs, 289, 329. Rutland (Rotelond, Rottelond), 233. Rydy see Ridye.

Sabinia and Henry her son, 9. Sabyn, William, 275. Sacomb (Sacombe, Sauecomb), Geoff­ rey, 279; William, the elder, 335. Sadelere (Seler), Eustace le, 134; Wil­ liam le, 266. Sagar, William, and Emma his wife and Rose his daughter, 228. St. Albans, Herts, xx; abbot of, xx, xxi, 250; his liberty, xx, xxi; its coroners, xx, xxi, xliv. St. Croix (de Sancta Cruce), Peter, coroner, xxxix. Cf. Cross. St. Edward, Hugh of, 210, 229-30, 238. St. Ives, Hunts, 279. St. John of Jerusalem in England, hospital, 47; prior of, 120, 168. St. Macute in Eastcotts, 162. St. Neots, Hunts, xxiii, 2, 62, 134, 168, 174, 189, 219; priory, 38; monk of, 134; prior of, 38, 65, 134; Gilbert and his other servants and Walter his esquire, 134. Walter of, 34. Saleman, Ralph, 62. Salemz, Richard, 249. Salford (Saleford), 94, 98, 144, 246. Hugh of, coroner, xiv, xxxviii. Salph End (Saleuho, Saleuhoa, Saluhoa), 37, 44. William of, 160. Saltere, Nicholas le, 260. Saltewelle, John de, 139; Cecily his maid-servant, 137. Saly (Sayly), Richard and Thomas (of

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Kempston Hardwick), 78; Thomas (ofRiseley), 71; William, 178. Sampson (Sampsun, Saunsun), Walter son of, 102; William, 134. Sandon, Herts, Thomas vicar of, 152. Sandy (Sandeye, Saundeye, Sondeye, Sondheye, Sondhye, Sondye), 46, 61-3, 101, 103, 105, 107, no, 132, 134, 136, 138, 228, 244, 285; heath (Sondeye Hayt), 101; ?‘Redegigis’ in, 138; parson of, Robert son of, 138. {See also Beeston, Girtford, Kinwick, Stratford.) Nicholas of, 209. Sarman (Sarreman, Sarmon), Alice (of Wrestlingworth), 225; Beatrice le (of Clifton), and Alice her daughter, 47. Sauar, William, 280. Cf. Seer. Sauecomb see Sacomb. Saunsun see Sampson. Sauser, Adam le, 31. Sautemareis (Sautemareys), William, 43Savage (Sauvage, Sauwage), John (le), 36; John, coroner, xli. Sawtry (Sautre), Hunts, abbot of, 23, 105,110. Saxham (Saxam), Suffolk, Richard of, called Golding, 21. Sayly see Saly. Scalle, Alan, 270. Schaler, Reynold de le, 121. Schanpiun see Champiun. Schanterel, William, 145. Schefforde see Shefford. Scheppherd see Shepherd. Scherove see Shereve. Schild see Child. Schirlok see Sirlok. Scot, Hugh, 257; Reynold, 75; Roger, 100; Simon, 256; Walter, and Joan of Stratford his wife, 108; William, 186; William (of Podington), 284; William (of Stotfold), Geoffrey son of, 243. Scotard (Scutard), Richard, 78; Walter, 259, 263, 268. Scotland, x, 259, 261. Scryveyn, Thomas le, coroner of Bed­ ford, xlii. Scutard see Scotard. Seaton (Seytone), Rutland, Jordan of, 3°Sedefold (Sedefelde, Sedefolde), Alex­ ander, John and Richard de, 179. Seer, William, and Alice and Mabel his daughters, 97. Cf. Sauar. Segenhoe (Segehoa, Segenhoa), 79, 84, 93> 97Segresteyn, Nicholas, 268.

Seler see Sadelere. Selverloc (Sulverlok), John, 139; Law­ rence, 102. Sempstress, Ivette the, and Richard son of Robert the Reeve her husband, 32. Serjeant, Abel and Robert the, 96. Serie, Jordan, 204, 215; Robert, 72. Seward, Ellen, 71; Emery, 120; Robert, 249; William, 71, 120, 188. Sewell (Sexwelle), Richard of, 249. Sewester see Cobbler. Sharman, John le, and Maud his wife, 257Sharnbrook (Sarnebrok, Sharnebrok), xvii, 113, 116, 196-8, 203, 272, 274; brother Richard of, a lay brother of Newnham priory, 247. {See also Temple.) Shefford (Schefforde, Seford, Sefford), 49, 88, 129, 178, 313, 318; John of Flegg bailiff of, 178. Robert of, 123; Walter, 311. Shelton (Sei ton, Seitone, Sei tonne), 74-5, 185, 188,235, 273, 277, 282, 286. Gervase of, 35; Hugh of, 235. Shepherd (Bercher, Scheppherd, Shepherde), Geoffrey le, 162; Gilbert the (of Kinwick), and Rose his wife and Hugh his son, 101; Gilbert the (of Podington), 284; John le, 63; Peter the, 1 o 1; Richard the or le (of Cople), 56, 164; Alice his daughter, 164; Richard the (of Eaton Socon), 283; Richard (of Ravensden), 303; Robert the (of Moggerhanger), 63; Robert le (of Stagsden), 271; Roger le (ofWilshamstead), Simon son of, 263; Simon the (of Thurleigh), 197; Stephen the, Ralph son of, 120; Walter the, 278; William the (of Bedford), 256; William le (of Great Barford), 29; William le (of Rox­ ton), Ralph son of, 46; William the (of Sudbury), 2. Shereve (Scherove, Sereve), Hugh, and Richard le and Nicholas his son, 162. Shillington (Shutlyngdon, Sutlindon, Sutling, Sutlingd, Sutlingdon, Sutlingdone), 49, 51, 130-1, 178, 180-1, 183, 246, 314. {See also Aspley End, Feaks Well.) Shir don, Michael of, 120. Shoreditch (Schorisdich, Scordich), Middlesex, 254. Silsoe (Siveleshoa, Sivelshoa, Souelsho, Syvelesho, Syvelleshoa), xxxviii, 178, 180-2, 231, 323. Silvester (Silvestr, Sulvestr), Richard (son of), 75, 191, 234.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Simon, Andrew son of, 94; John son of, and Maud his sister, 125, 193; Ralph son of, 128; Richard son of, 164; Robert son of, 249; Roger son of, 224; Simon son of, 23, 63. Sirlok (Schirlok), Henry, Richard, and Robert and Margery or Margaret his wife, 148. Skinner (Skynner), Ives the, 268; Walter le, and Margery his wife, 258. Slanoch (Slanoche, Sloneche), William, 154Slott (Sclot, Slotte), John and Richard, 239Smart, Edith, 125, 193; Roger, 193. Smith (Fevere, Smyth), Alan son of the, 169; Alexander the, 283; Bartholo­ mew the, 134; Geoffrey the, 48; Hugh the (of Riseley), 120; Hugh the (of Stotfold), 243; John (of Shefford), 313, 318; John the (of Stevington), 276; John, parson of Milton Bryant, 314, 341; Nicholas the (of Campton), 49; Nicholas the (of Eyworth), 252; Nicholas the (of Houghton Conquest), 249; Ralph the, 117; Reynold the (of Dean), 282; Reynold the (of Goldington), Eleanor wife of and Maud daughter of, 44; Richard the (of Bletsoe), 118; Richard the (of Ravensden), 36; Robert the (of Biddenham), 278; Robert the (of Elstow), 240; Robert the (of Renhold), 275; Roger the (of Bedford), 262; Roger the (?of St. Neots), 134; Stephen, 306; Walter (of Eyworth), 252; Walter the (of Renhold), 275; Walter the, son of Simon of Roxton, 134; Waukelin the, 194; William the (of Biddenham), 123; William (of Bolingbroke), 303; William the (of Eaton Socon), John son of, 169; William le (of Little Staughton), 189; William the (of Salph End), 37; William the (of Souldrop), 120; William the (of Turvey), 280. Smod (Smot), Walter, 40-1. Smyth see Smith. Snelson (Snelleston, Snelliston), Bucks, 196. Snou (Schnou), Thomas, 40-1. Solyer, Robert le, 258. Somerford, Nicholas de, 65. Somerset (Somerc, Somersetie, Somersote, Somerssat, Somerssate), xxxiii, 40-L 99Someter see Sumeter. Sonecok, Simon, and William his son, 127. Sook, William, coroner, xl, xliv, xlv. Souldrop (Soldrop, Suldrop, Sulthrop),

120, 236, 291; church, 120. John of, 120. Sourdew (Sourdow), Roger, 263, 268. Sourdival, John, 31. Sourdow see Sourdew. Southill (Southyevell, Suggivel, Suggivell, Sugivile, Sugiwele, Sutgivel, Sutyivell, Sutyivill, Suzgivel, Suzgivele), 48, 58, 68, 159-61, 165, 167, 181, 313; ‘Houleden’ in, 58; ?‘Pirliemade for long’ in, 161; Simon vicar of, 313. (See also Broom, Stan­ ford.) Everard of, 63; brother Henry of, 68; Richard or Roger of, Lettice wife of and William son of, 161; Seman of, 58South Mills (Sutmolyn), 63. Southoe (Sutho), Hunts, church and manor, 21. Geoffrey of, 120. Southwick (Sutwyk), Northants, lord of, John brother of, 233. Spaldwick (Spaldewik, Spaldewyk, Spalduik, Spaudewik, Spauduiges, Spauduik, Spaudwik, Splalduik), Hunts, 234; church, 234. Spaldyng, Robert, parson of Graveley, 341Sparuwe (Sparwe), John, 113; Richard, 260, 262; Walter, 178; Nicholas his son and Emma his daughter, 51. Spayne, John, 73; Tefayne, 75. Spekerel see Spikerel. Spendelowe, John, 233. Spenser, William, 300. Cf. Despenser. Spicer, Richard le, coroner of Dun­ stable, xx, xliv. Spikerel (Spekerel), Richard, 56-7. Spitel, Hugh, 52. Sporoun, John, coroner, xvi, xl. Sprot, Henry, 244; Robert, 250; Simon, 31Stabler, William le, 155. Stacy, Agnes daughter of, 207. Stad, Geoffrey, and Alice his wife, 12. Stagsden (Stach, Stached, Stacheden, Stachedene, Stachedenne), xvii, 42, 119, 123, 126, 199-200, 202, 215, 218, 232, 271, 276, 278, 280, 288; prior of Newnham’s manor in, 119. (See also Dilwick.) Ralph of, 257; William of, 243. Stalun, Aytrop, and Maud wife of Reynold Mariot his sister, 134. Stamford (Staunford), Lincs, county, 298. Stan bridge (Stanbrugg), 90. Stanford, 48, 58, 161, 167; ‘Hageyorfurlong’ in, 48. Hugh of, or Hugh le Champiman, 48; John of, 152; Thomas, 334.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Stanground (Stangrun, Stangrund), Hunts, 233. Stanton, Fen (Fennistanton), Cambs, 298. Stanwick, Northants, Simon of, 120. Stapleford (Stapelford, Stapell), Hugh of, sheriff, 155, 167, 175, 177, 189, 208. Staploe (Stapelho, Stapelhoa, Stapello, Stapolho), 3, 32, 35, 40, 43, 171, 174. Staughton, Great (Great Stoutton), Hunts, 279. Staughton, Little (Little Stoutona, Little Stoutton, Stotton, Stouton, Stoutton, Stouttone), xvii, 10, 45, 72-3, 184, 189, 191-2; ‘le Keu’ in, 45John of, 186. Stedeman, Geoffrey le, 155, 211, 214, 221, 226. Stephen, Matthew son of, 237; Richard son of, 195; Robert son of, 241. Steppingley (Stepingl, Stepingle), 84; Luke of Swaffham chaplain of, 84. Henry, John and Walter of, 84. Stevington (Steventon, Stewenton, Sthevendone), 119, 123, 126, 199202, 206-7, 213, 215, 218, 232, 271, 276, 278, 280, 288; ‘Henhull’ in, 276. Stcwkley (Stivecle), Bucks, Henry of, 153Stile (Stil), Herbert ate, and Emma his wife and William his son, 119; Walter de le, 120. Stilton (Stiltone), Hunts, manor, xxv, 24; Peter its bailiff, 24. Giles and Hugh of, 24. Stodden (Stoddene, Stodenne, Stotden, Stotdene), hundred, xv, xxxiii, 39, 71-5, 120, 184-92, 234, 236, 242, 254> 273, 277, 282, 285-6. Stoke (Stok), John of, 231. Stoke (Stokes), Oxon, 233. Stoke Albany (Stokedawbeney), North­ ants, John and Robert of, 319. Cf Daubeney. Stoker, Robert le, 280. Stokfysh, Geoffrey, 266. Ston, Geoffrey, Richard son of, 262. Cf. Stones. Stondon, Upper (Standon, Stondon, Stondone), 131. William of, 169. Stonely (Stonle), Hunts, prior of, 234. Geoffrey of, 167; Walter of, 185. Stones, Roger ate, 277. Cf Ston. Stopsley (Stopesleye in Luton), 179. Stotfold (Estotfaud, Stotfolde, Stotwolde, Stotwoud, Stotwoude), 51, 100, 109, 178, 243, 254; ‘Churche14

*53

payd’ (‘Schurchepayt’) in, 243; Ralph vicar of, 333. Stowe, ?Bucks, William of, 264. Stratford, 107. Stratford (Stratford outside London), Essex, Joan of, and Walter Scot her husband, 108. Stratton (Strattone), 106, 140. Strumpe, Stephen, 276. Studham (Stodham), 154, 245. Sucel, Ralph, William son of, 252. Sudbourne (Subburne), Suffolk, Rich­ ard of, 20. Sudbury (Sutbiri, Sutbiry, Sutbur, Sutbury, Sutbyri), 2, 8, 12-3, 17, 21, 38, 40, 96, 169, 279, 283; leper hospital in, 2; Hail Bridge (‘Hailebruge’) in, 2. Richard of, 12; Sir William of, 2. Sueteblod (Swetblot), Hugh or Henry, 167. Sulverlok see Selverloc. Sulvestr see Silvester. Sumeter (Someter), Adam le, 116; Robert le, and Alice or Denise his wife and Rose his daughter, 72; Roger le, 134. Suonild see Swoneld. Superere, Margery le, and Warren of Polehanger her husband and Agnes la Custrere her sister, 49. Susan, Nicholas son of, 74. Sussex (Suthsex), 245. Sut, John, 96. Cf Cut. Sutore see Cobbler. Sutton (Sotton, Sottounne, Suttone, Suttonne, Suttounne, Suttunne), 13, 101, 103, 133, 135, 137, 139, 228. Suur see Cobbler. Swaffham (Swopham), Cambs, Luke of, chaplain of Steppingley, 84. Swansley (Suuasle), Cambs, John of, 134Swanton, John, 317. Swetblot see Sueteblod. ‘Swetealys’, 71. Sweyn, John le, 86. Sweynissone, Alexander, and Juliana his wife, 90. Swon, Henry, 77; Nicholas le, and Isabel his wife and Joan his daugher, and Robert le, 255. Swoneld (Suonild), Simon, 154, 245. Swyft, Hugh, 279. Swynt, William, 78. Syred, Richard, 272.

Taburer, Nicholas le, 95. Tacchere see Thatcher. Tadlow (Tadelowe), Cambs, 225. Tailor (Taillour, Tailur, Taylour,

154

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Taylur), Adam le, 50; John the (of Bedford), 266; John the (of Rad­ well), 116; John the (?of St. Neots), 134; John the (of Souldrop), 120; Lawrence the, 268; Philip the, and Ellen his daughter, 219; Raymond le, and Emma his wife, Eve his daughter and Robert his son, 162; Richard, 334; Robert the (of Blunham), 132; Robert le (of Kempston Hardwick), 78; Robert le, or Robert le Tannour (of St. Ives), 279. Tannour, Robert le, or Robert le Taillour, 279; Roger le, 255. Tappe, Richard, 116. Taverner, John, 342. Taylard, John, 225. Taylour, Taylur see Tailor. Tebbe, Richard, 293. Tebold, Ralph, 179. Teesdale (Tesdale), co. Durham, John of, 87. Teler see Tylere. Temple in Sharnbrook, 120. Temple in Little Staughton, 45. Roger del, and Beatrice his wife, 45. Tempsford (Temeford, Temeseford, Temesford, Temseford, Temsseford), xxxiii, xxxiv, 42, 61—2, 64, 104-5, iio-i, 132, 134, 136, 138, 325; parson of, Richard and Robert sons of, 134; ‘Austines Croft’ in, 132; ‘le Lakedich’ in, 62; ‘Walefurlong’ in, 136. Teraunt, Maurice, 298. Terry, William, 271. Tesdale see Teesdale. Testard, ?Hugh, 274. Teste, William, 75. Teystur, Walter le, 92. Thatcher (Tacchere, Thaccher, Thacchere), Richard (carter of the prior of Dunstable), 320, 322; Richard the (of Bromham), 232; William, Thomas servant of, 313. Thekin, Miles, 248. Thoet, Agnes, 137. Thomas, Alan son of, no; Henry son of (of Chawston), 38; Henry son of (of Duloe), 8; Matthew son of, 34; Reynold son of, and Richard his son, 62; Richard son of, and Juliana wife of Gilbert le Frankeleyn his mother, 201. Thongo----- , Gervase, 288. Thonn, John, 260. Thorn (Thorne), 158, 237. Thornton, Richard, 335. Thorp, John atte, 146. Thressher (Thresshere, Threyster, Trescher, Tressher), John, 313, 335, 342; Thomas, 298; Walter, 313;

154

William, 335. Thurlby (Thurleby), Lincs, William of, 287. Thurleigh (la Legh, la Leigh, Lega, Therleye), 27, 39, 118, 197, 203, 272, 289; constables of, 272. {See also Whitwick.) John of, coroner, xl; Richard of, 219; Robert of, 32; Roger of, coroner, xxxix; Walter of, 259. Thurmed, Robert, 256. Tilbrook (Tilbroc, Tilebrok, Tylbroc, Tylebrok), Hunts {formerly in Beds), 73-5, i85> 234Tilsworth (Thulesworth, Tulesworthe, Tuleswurze, Tuliswurze), 83, 90, 143, 147, 237, 251. Timpan (Timpon, Tympon), Alice, 66, 69; Agnes her daughter, 69; John, called Rus, 76; Ralph, 251. Tingrith (Tingreve, Tingreze), 83-4, 146; parson of, Robert son of, 97. Peter of, and Peter his servant, 97. Tinneke, Robert le, 233. Tippere, Beatrice le, and. Roger le May her husband, 120. Tirel, Thomas, 31. Tixover (Tikesore, Tykesore), Rutland, 233Toddington (Todingdon, Todingedon, Todington, Todyngdon), xvii, 97, 142, 145-6, 313. {See also Fancott, Herne.) Toft, Cambs, William of, 141. Toky, Richard, or Richard Gok, and Emma his wife and Emma his daughter, 58. Toller, Ralph le, 263. Torail (Toral, Torayl), Peter del or dil or de or du, and Juliana his wife and John and Richard his sons, 129. Toroid, Henry, 219; Henry or Thomas, 38; Hugh, 134. Totternhoe (Thoternho, Toternhoa), 90, 237, 245; ‘Schalkputtes’ in, 90. Tounesende see Townsend. Toutere, John le, 47. Touwe see Towy. Towcester (Toucestr), Northants, Robert of, 258. Townsend (Tounesende, Tunesend), Godfrey atte, 134; Reynold atte, 243; Thomas atte (of Holwell), 130; Thomas at (of Riseley), 120. Towole, Nicholas, 272. Towy (Touwe), Maud, 118; Robert le, 150; Walter, 118. Toye, Walter le, 283. Cf. Doy. Trayly (Trayli), Richard le, 235. Trescher, Tressher see Thressher. Trip, Hugh, 56-7. Trobbe, Robert, 118.

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES Tuand (Tuhand), Simon, 72. Tumby, Walter (?of Blunham), 61; Walter (of Riseley), 187. Tupping, Walter, 84. Tuprest, Geoffrey, 49. Turnet, John, 134. Turnur (Tumour), Guy le, 263, 268; John le, 78; John (of Turvey), 298; Richard le, 268; Thomas, and Robert his servant, 298. Turvey (Torveye, Turveye, Turweye), xvii, 119, 194, 196, 199-200, 202, 215, 220, 271, 276, 280, 287-8, 298; ‘Arneburwey’ in, 202. Isabel of, wife of William le Caretter, and Stephen her son, 196; William of, 189. Twywell (Turwelle), Northants, John of, 190. Tydens, William, 255, 264. Tylere (Teler), Simon le, 90; Walter le, or Walter son of Reynold of Keysoe, 72. Tympon see Timpan. Typin, Simon, 275. Tyringham (Tyryngham), Bucks, Ar­ nold of, and Cecily his wife, 268.

Unbeeve or Edeline, John, 78. Unwyne (Honnewyne), Ellis, 120; William, 284. Upton (Hopton, Hupton, Uptone), ?in Shillington or in Hunts, Robert and William of, 43. Usser (Husser), Richard le, 100.

Vacher see Cowherd. Vallet, Robert, 271. Vaus, Richard le, and Ralph his brother, 220. Vavasur, John and Robert le, 178. Venur (Venour), Adam and John le, 120; Nicholas le, 125; William, 297. Verdele see Werdal. Veskunte, Mabel, 173. Veyere, Geoffrey le, 5. Vinour, Robert le, 27. Vynter, John, 333. Wacher see Cowherd. Wade, Roger, 134. Waker see Cowherd. Walcote, Nicholas, 298. Walden (Waleden), Herts, William of, 167. Wale (Fale, Feele, Wuayl), Osbert le, son of William Crustemasse, 240; Robert, 97, 142. Waleis (Waleys), Geoffrey and Richard le, 27; Robert le, 74. Waleman, William, 134. Walerien, William, 63. Waleys see Waleis.

155

Walker, Thomas le, 284. Walter----- , 143. Walter, Abraham son of, 120; Alan son of, 2; Ellis and Henry sons of, 169; Robert son of (of Henlow), 54; Robert and Roger sons of (of Keysoe), 72. Walton, Nicholas, 308. Cf. Welton. Walyngton, William, coroner of Bed­ ford, xliii. Wandeford, John, 340. Wannere, Hugh le, 92; Nicholas le, Amice wife of and Philip son of, 247. Ward, Benet, 336. Warden, Old (Wardon), 56-8, 65, 68, 158-61, 165, 167; abbot of, 15, 36, 44, 48, 56, 68, 167, 299; brother Henry of, 68. Richard of, 263. Park (‘le Park’) in, 56, 68; brother Richard of, 68. Wardeyes {not Wardhedges), 113. Wardhedges (Wardegge in Silsoe), in Flitton, 182. Richard of, and Geoffrey his son, 182. Warner (Waryner), Lawrence, 294; William le, or William Gampioun Rogeres Warner de Beauchaump, 285. Wastel, Simon, 279. Water (Watre), Henry at, John son of, 27; Miles at, 167; Richard be the, coroner of Bedford, xliii; Robert at, 125, 193; William at (of Campton), 49; William at (of Gravenhurst), 125, 193; William atte (ofWymington), 291; William atte, or William Bethewater, coroner, xli. Watte, Simon, 321. Cf Wayte. Waukelyn (Waukeleyn), Maud, 194; William son of, 194. Wautons, Robert of, coroner, xxxix. Wavendon, Bucks, 93. Wayte, John, coroner, xlii. See also White and cf. Watte. Webbe, John, and Margery his wife, 294; Ralph the (of Bedford), 263; Ralph le (of Turvey), 288; Richard le, 52; Robert the or le (of Bedford), 258, 263; Robert the (of Thurleigh), 272. Webbester, Simon le, 279. Weedon, Bucks, Edmund of, coroner, xviii, xxxix; coroner of Bucking­ hamshire, xviii. Weldon, John, 314. Welton, Lincs or Northants, William of, xvii n. 1. Cf Walton. Welyryte (Welyritte), Richard le, 73, 75-

156

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES

Wendynal, Adam, 272. Wenge, Robert, 251. Werdal (Verdele), John, 134; William de, and Maud his wife, 76. Wermyngton see Barrington. West, Simon, 206; Walter, 98; William, 96. Westerdale, Nicholas, 339. Westfields (Westfeld), Herts, 237. Westminster, Middlesex, xiv, xxviii, xxxvi, 41, 82, 296. Weston, Hail (Haylewestone), Hunts, 21. Westoning (Weston, Westton), xxix, 93j '4ÖWestwick (Westwik), Herts, 237. Weysum, Walter, 216. Whipsnade (Wybesane, Wybesnaze, Wybesnaze by Markyate), 154. Whitchurch, William, 313. White (Wayte, Wite, Wyt, Wyte, Wytte), Geoffrey le (of Bedford), 259; Geoffrey le (of Maulden), 89; Henry, 75; Hugh le (of Hail Wes­ ton), 21; Hugh le (of Ravensden), 36-7, 208; Isabel le, 89; John le, 78; John (of Campton), 129; Margery le (of Maulden), 89; Margery le, or Margery of Wootton, and Juliana her daughter, 259; Reynold le (of Maulden), 89; Reynold le (of Wilden), 31; Robert le, 282; Simon le, 240; Thomas le, 69; Walter le, 78; William the (of Silsoe), 231; William le (of Wilden), and John his son, 31. Cf. Albin; Blaunche. Whitwick (Wytewik in Bletsoe), in Thurleigh, 118. Whyteman (Witteman, Wyteman), Robert, 34; William, 255, 264. Wick (Wyk, Wyke), Richard of, 280; Simon le, 126. Wigein (Wygein, Wygeyn), Henry, 16, 28; Agnes or Alice his wife and Alice his daughter, 16. Wigod see Wygod. Wildebuf (Wyldebof), Maud de, 186; Richard de, coroner, xxxviii. Wilden (Wildene, Winhale, Wylden, Wyldenne), 1, 4, 6-7, 9-11, 14-16, 18-19, 22, 25-6, 28, 30-3, 36-7, 44, 46, 168, 170, 173, 176, 192, 208, 242, 253, 275. Joce of, 31. Willey (Welie, Welye, Willye, Wilye, Wylye), hundred, xv, 113-28, 193207, 213, 215, 218, 224, 232, 241, 271-2, 274, 276, 278, 280-1, 284, 287—8. Hugh of, 248; Roger of, and John his son, 288; Simon, 321; William of, and Agnes his daughter, 271.

William----- , chaplain, 152. William ----- (of Stevington), and Alice his wife, 199. William, 129; Andrew son of, and Richard his son, 231; Geoffrey son of, 114; Hugh son of, 184; John son of (of Bedford), 261; John son of (of Chellington), 114, 122; John son of (of Goldington), 19; John son of (of Westfields), 237; John son of (of Westoning), 146; Peter son of, 185; Ralph son of, 240; Richard son of (of Biddenham), 220, 223; Richard son of (of Edworth), 102; Richard son of (of Pertenhall), 75; Richard son of (of Thorn), 237; Robert son of (of Houghton Conquest), 249; Robert son of (of Knotting), 120; Walter son of (of Felmersham Hardwick), 115; Walter son of (of Thurleigh), 118; William son of, coroner of Dunstable, xix, xliii; William son of, Agnes wife of, 16. Willingham, Cambs, 342. Willington (Wiliton, Wilitonn, Wilitonne, Williton, Willi tone, Wyliton, Wyllitonne), 56, 59-60, 63, 66, 164, 239, 247; bailiff of, 239; Sheerhatch Wood (boscum del Syre), containing ‘Swurzewes’, in, 60. Nicholas of, 120. Willowhale (Wilinghale), Sussex, Wal­ ter of, 245. Wilshamstead (Wilsamstod, Wilsamstode, Wilshamstede, Wilshamstude), 77, 85, 162, 238, 240, 249, 263. Wiltshire (Wilton), 96, 207. Wilye see Willey. Wimound see Wymond. Windridge (Winringe), Herts, 237. Winston, Walter, 155. Wistow (Whystou), Hunts, church, John chaplain of, 298. Witbred (Wytbred), Ralph, 63. Wite see White. Witham (Wytham), Simon of, 282. Witside (Wytside, Wytsyde), Hugh, and William his son, 38. Wixamtree (Wix, Wixstonestre, Wixstonstre, Wyxston, Wyxstonestre), hundred, xxxiii, xxxiv, 48, 56-69, 111,158-67,247. Wlky, William son of, 27. Wmfrey see Hunfrey. Wobely, Geoffrey, 56. Woburn (Woburne, Wuburn), 145; abbot of, 92-3, 145. (See also Birchmore). Woburn Chapel (Capella, Capella de Woburn, la Chapele), 92-3, 144-5, 153, !55, 246; bailiffs of, 155. Ellis of, coroner of Dunstable, xix,

INDEX OF PERSONS AND PLACES xliii. Wodecok, Ralph, 283. Wodeward, Alice le, and Geoffrey her son, 197; Ellis le, and Ralph his brother, 195; John le, 251; Richard le, 212; Robert le (of Chellington), 287; Robert le (of Olney), 195; Thomas le, 34. Wole, Thomas a, coroner of Bedford, xliii. Woleston, John, 327. Wonbake, John, 260. Woodcroft (Wodecroft), John of, 265. Woodham (Wodeham), Bucks, Robert of, 120. Wootton (Wotton, Wottone, Wottounne, Wottunne, Wouton, Woutton), xvii, 56, 78, 85-6, 123, 229-30, 238, 244, 259; vicar of, William son of Peter nephew of, 259. Arnold of, 78; Henry of, 27; Hugh of, coroner of Dunstable, xliv; John of, coroner of Dunstable, xx, xliii; Margery of, or Margery le Wyte, and Juliana her daughter, 259; Philip of, 123; Roger of, 122. Wootton Pillinge (Poling, Polingg), 80. Worsley, John, coroner, xlii Wreman see Freman. Wrenche (Wreng), Alice, 6; Robert, 18; Warren de, 120. Wrestlingworth (Wrastingworthe, Wrastlinguorth, Wrastlinguorthe, Wrastlingwor, Wrastlingworth, Wrastlingworthe, Wrastlingwurze, Wrastlyngworth, Wrastlyngworthe), 103, 133, 135, 139, 225, 228, 252, 293, 301, 305; ‘Mullelane’ in, 225. Wrhithous, William de le, 279. Writhe see Wryte. Writhecole, William, 340. Wryte (Writhe, Wryth, Wrythe, Wrythte), Thomas, 332; William le, coroner of Bedford, xlii; William (of Carlton) and William (of Stamford county), 298; William (ploughmanof Geoffrey Child), 334. W----- 1, William, 206. Wuayl see Wale. Wulfhall, Richard de, 96. Wulfston, Richard de, 96. Wybet, Ralph, 101. Wyboston (Wibaldestone, Wibaudaston, Wibaudeston, Wibaudestone, Wibaudiston, Wybaudeston, Wybaudestone, Wybaudiston, Wybaudistone, Wybold, Wyboldeston, Wyboldistone), 2, 8-9, 12-13, 17, 20-1, 23-4, 29, 32, 34-5, 38, 40-b 43, 63, 169, 171, 174, 219, 227, 279, 283.

157

Wydenhale, Thomas, 305. Wygateshale, Henry de, 260. Wygod (Wigod, Wygot), Richard, and Maud his daughter, 242; Walter and William (of Wilden), 170; William (of Houghton Conquest), 249Wyke see Wick. Wylde, Simon le, 286. Wyldebof see Wildebuf. Wymark (Wymarc), Simon, 100; Thomas, 77. Wylur, William le, 95. Wymington (Wymengton, Wymingtone, Wymitton, Wymyngton), 120, 224, 284, 291, 327. John, 291; John of, 284. Wymond (Wimound), John, 269; John, the elder, coroner of Bedford, xlii. Wynch, William, 73. Wynyerd, Philip atte, 169. Wyrun, Geoffrey, 277. Wyse, William le, 250. Wyt see White. Wytbred see Witbred. Wyte see White. Wyteman see Whyteman. Wytererre, Felicia le, 233. Wyteved, Roger, 153. Wyther, Thomas, 43. Wytpintel, Eustace, 134. Wytte see White.

Yarwy (Erwy), Nicholas, 60; Robert, 123. Yate see Gate. Yaxley (Jekesle), Hunts, 195. Yelden (Givelden, Givilden, Gyvelden, Gyveldon, Yivelden, Yiveldon), 71, 120, 195, 273, 277, 282, 286. Yelling (Yvillinge), Hunts, Robert of, 105. Yethere, William le, 47. Yorkshire, 136. Young (le Juven, le Juvenis, Youngge, Yun, Yunge), Bartholomew, (under)-sheriff, 15, 37, 51; John, 33; Robert (of Crawley), Robert (of Husbome Crawley) and Robert (of Segenhoe), 97; Walter le, 239. Yuttes, William, Richard son of, 335. Yve, Geoffrey, Stephen son of, and Alice his wife, 243. Yvot see Evot. Yzer, Hugh, 36. Z----- ,----- le, 281. Zouche (Zuche), Henry la, 65; William la, knight, 310.

INDEX OF SUBJECTS [Arabic numbers refer to cases and romans to pages.] Abduction, 323; pardoned, 323. Abjurations of the realm, vii, ix-xiii, xxii, xxvii, xxxiv, 21, 108, 121, 134, 149, 189, 198, 234, 237, 251, 263, 265, 267, 293, 305; inquisitions at, xi, xxii, xxvii, 293. Abjurors of the realm, dress of, x; harbouring of, 149; oath of, x; ports assigned to, x, xxvii, 108, 121, 237, 25 b 293, 305; ports chosen by, x, xxvii, 21, 149, 198, 293, 305; roads assigned to, xxvii, 251; slain on the highway, xxiii, 21; straying, be­ headed in the hue and cry, ix, xxiii, 237Account, pleas of, xxviii; writs of, q.v. Al tar-towels, 152. Anatomy: arms, 15, 20, 34, 41, 47, 52, 54, 56, 7 b 75, 92, 96-7, 125, 134, 155, 252, 257backs, 24, 58, 78, 123, 195, 255. blood, 40-1, 66, 119, 123, 134. bodies, 85, 90, 103, no, 145, 192, 232, 242, 245, 250. bowels, 34, 52. brains, 2, 6, 32, 34, 36-7, 40-1, 46-8, 65, 71-2, 83, 89, 96, 113, 116, 120, 123, 125, 134, 142, 155, 159, 179, 249, 251, 256, 272, 280. breast, 224, 261. chest, 263. chin, 6. collar-bones, 86. ears, xxiii, 2, 34, 36, 40-1,46-7, 65-6, 74, 108, 113, 129, 142, 148, 168, 178, 243, 247, 271, 285, 287. elbows, 15, 41, 56, 86, 97, 125. eyes, 44, 120, 125, 168, 243, 261. faces, 19, 78. feet, 195; tendons of, 119. fingers, 56; index, 3; leech, bones of, 42; little or auricular, sinews of, 42. forehead, 58, 134, 249. fundament, 17. hands, 15, 37, 41, 195. hattrels, 19, 34, 43, 48, 56, 71, 101, 168. heads, 6, 15, 19, 21, 34, 36-7, 40-2, 45-7, 49, 5 b 56, 65, 72, 78-9, 83, 89, 98, 98, 100, 103, 113, 115-7, 123, J3b 134, r39, r43, 155, 159, 161, 167-8, 179, 189, 224-5, 240, 243,

247, 249, 251, 254, 256, 271-2, 280, 342; crowns of, 19, 37, 40-1, 47, 49, 96, 123, 134, 142, 155, 179, 224, 243, 256. hearts, 5-6, 21, 34, 37, 54, 75, 94, 102, 136, 143, 161, 168, 224, 239, 275, 279, 29b 342. legs, 41, 85; sinews of, 220. loins, 41, 123, 125. mouths, 47. necks, 41, 84, 126, 137, 171, 282. noses, 66, 261. ribs, 8, 123. shins, 162. shoulders, 15, 24, 40, 86, 97, 123, 125, 263; bones of, 86; tendons of joints of, 86. sides, 48, 58, 75, 100, 131, 288. skull-bones, 40-2, 96, 123, 125, 224, 243. stomachs, 6, 8, 34, 52, 58, 161, 259. thighs, 15, 173; bones of, 96; muscles of, 177throats, 6, 43, 60, 66, 102, 108, 136, 162, 188, 195, 239, 251, 258-9, 261, 277-8, 281, 284, 286. tongues, 243, 287. Annals of Dunstable, xix. Appeals, vii, xi, xii, xxii, xxviii, xxxiv, xxxv, 91; agreed and withdrawn, 86; by women, limited by Magna Carta, xxviii, 226; denied, 3; dis­ continued or withdrawn, xxviii, 27, 67, 123, 125, 134, 142, 155, 177, 193, 211; of battery, xxviii, 27, 67; of homicide, xi, xxviii, xxxiv, 41, 69, 97, 120, 123, 129, 134, 142, 155, 177, 211, 214, 216, 221, 226, 291, 294; of mayhem, xxviii, 3, 27, 42, 86, 125, 220, 223; of robbery, xxviii, 27, 42, 82, 86, 125, 220, 223; of theft, xxviii, 76; quashed, xi; removed to Westminster, xxviii, 41. Appeals of approvers, vii, xii, xiii, xxii, xxviii, xxxiv, 233, 290, 298, 319, 342; false and forced, xiii; un­ successful, xiii. Appellors, alternative, xxviii, 41, 123, 125, 134; favoured by coroners, xxviii, 41. Arrests, viii, xi, xxi, 34, 49, 56, 76, 78, 84, 108, 120, 129, 134, 189, 207, 223, 234, 237, 261, 263, 265, 279,

158

INDEX OF SUBJECTS 287, 305; failure to make, 5, 48, 56, 66, 72, 120, 134, 148, 256-9; homicides committed during at­ tempts to resist, 96, 176; in the hue and cry, 2, 136, 168; ordered, viii, xxxv, 5, 21, 28, 32, 37, 40, 46, 48-9, 5i-2, 54? 56, 65-8, 83-4, 97, 116, 123, 134, 142-4, 148, 155, 159, 162, 167, 177-8, 188-90, 245, 247, 259, 261; orders for countermanded, 247; religious exempt from, 247; with the mainour, 121, 152, 178, 190, 205, 233. Arson, 20. Assault (battery), xxviii, 2, 27, 67, 125, 212. Cf. Wounds. Attachments, viii, and text passim; bailiffs slain while making, xxiii, 168; failures to make, xxv, 35, 115, 139, 161, 197, 254; ordered, xxxv, 8, 19? 23, 39-40? 44, 49, 74, 96-7, 115, 128, 134, 137, 168, 210, 212, 215, 230, 272, 279, 284-5, 287-8. Cf. First finders; Neighbours. Bailiffs (serjeants), xxv, xxvii, 40-1, 44, 131? J47> T55? 177? 237, 239; of boroughs, xix, xx, 261; of hundreds, xi, 245; of liberties, xx, 178, 245; of manors, 24; slain in execution of duty, xxiii, 168; under, 270. Barns, 36, 39, 63, 147, 154, 167. Battery see Assault. Beams, 250, 273, 277, 282-3. Bench see Common Pleas. Boats, xxiii, 23, 38, 105, 114, 122, 194, 196, 218. Bodies, buried in dung-pits, xxvi, 162; removed before inquests, xxvi, 49, 68, 245, 287; thrown into streams, 36; thrown into wells, 32. Boroughs, bailiffs and coroners of, q.v.; courts of, vi, xix; mayors of, q.v. Brewhouses, 35. Bridges, 2, 61, 187, 204, 240. Burglary, xxi, xxiii, xxvii, xxviii, 7, 20, 22, 34? 37? 47? 52, 72, 78, 84, 89, 96, 98, 100, 121, 139, 179, 189, 220, 224, 249, 272 note, 279, 281-2. Byres see Cowsheds.

Castles, 136; constables of, q.v. Chalk, 90. Chancery, v, vi, xiv, xix; clerks of, xvi. Chapels, 39. Charcoal, 252. Charters, royal, xix-xxi. See also Magna Carta. Church, rites of, xxv, 8, 13, 17, 20, 22, 24, 35, 40, 52, 58, 65-6, 83, 100, 115, 213, 224, 243, 250, 253, 256, 261-2, 264,273, 285, 288; requested,

159

96. Churches, 25, 54, 85, 102, 118, 120, 242, 253, 264, 298; belfries of, 85, 253; besieged, xxiii, xxiv, 120; gates of, 120, 293, 305; lordship and advowsons of, 120; purchase of, 120; sanctuary in, q.v. Churchyards, 123. Clergy, benefit of, pleaded, 65. Clergy and religious: abbesses, 270. abbots, xx, xxi, xliv, 15, 23, 36, 44, 48, 56, 68, 92-3, 105, no, 145, 167, 249-50, 299. bishops, 234. canons, 39, 54. chaplains, xxv, 35, 84, 95-6, 152, 224, 283, 296, 298, 303, 306, 309, 311; clerks of, 84. clerks, 2, 270 note, 296, 330, 333; convicted, 65; of chapels, 39; of chaplains, 84. deans, 65. Friars Minor, 263. monks, 68, 105, 134. obedientiaries, 247. pardoners, 115. parsons, 94, 97, 134, 138, 188, 314, 341prioresses, 222, 304, 331. priors, xix, xx, xxiii, 24, 34, 38-9, 49, 54, 65, 85, 93, 95-6, 101, 119-20, 134, 143, l68? 234? 247, 320, 322. rectors, 75, 152. vicars, 54, 84, 123, 152, 259, 313, 333. wardens of religious houses, 54. Cloth, 88, 252. Clothing, 239. belts, 8, 125, 176, 195, 237, 278. caps, 64, 103. coats, 108, 176. gloves, 125. haquetons, 45, 107. helmets, 107. hoods, 64, 125, 190, 261. robes, 168. rochets, 108. shoes, 125. surcoats, 100, 103, 121, 186, 190. veils, 108. wimples, 190. Colleges, xxi, xxix, xliv. Common Pleas, court of (the Bench), xxviii, 41, 289, 292, 299-302, 304, 306-7, 309-u, 317, 324-8, 330-1, 333, .339-4’• Concubines, 2. Confessions, vii, xii, xiii, xxii, xxviii, 15, 76,190, 205. Constables, 272; of castles, xx, xliii. Coroners, acting jointly, xv, xviii, xix, 20; amerced, 72, 213, 249; amerced for not appraising deodands, 253;

160

INDEX OF SUBJECTS

amerced for not making attach­ ments, xxv, 35, 115, 139, 161, 197, 254; amerced for unlawfully allow­ ing bail, 120, 129; appellors favour­ ed by, xxviii, 41; appointments of, vi, xviii-xxi, xliii; clerks of, v, xv, xxi, xxxiii-v; districts of, v, vi, xv-xvii, xxxviii-xlii; duties of, vii-xiii; elections of, v, vi, xvi, xviii-xx, xxxviii-xl, xliv, xlv, 337; exempted from office, xvii n. 1; failure to replace, xviii, xix; in­ sufficiently qualified, xvi, xxxviii— -xlv, 337; misdeeds of, vi, xxx; numbers of, v, xiv, xviii, xix; oath of office taken by, xxxii, 156; of boroughs, vi, vii, xviii-xx, xxiii, xxviii, xxx, xlii-iv; of the Forest, vi; of King’s Bench, vi, vii; of liberties, vi, vii, xix-xxi, xliii, xliv; of the verge, vi, vii; office taken into the king’s hand, xviii; origin of office of, v; other offices of, xvi-xx, xxxviii, xliii; qualifications of, v, vi, xvi, xvii, xx, xl, xliv, xlv. Cottagers, 39. Council, the king’s, 99. County court, v, vii, xi, xii, xvi, xvii, xxi, xxiv, xxv, xxviii, xxx-xxxiv, xlv, 3, 6, 15, 27, 37, 40-2, 52, 54, 67, 76, 82, 86, 91, 96-7, 120, 123, 125, 129-254, 261, 289-341; failure to attend, 123, 147; periodicity of, xxxii. Court-yards, 1, 16, 25-6, 35, 37, 39-40, 54, 60, 73, 103, 107, 116, 118, 123, 125-6, 130, 135, 140, 168, 184, 191-2, 197, 228, 232, 236, 242; imprisonments in and escapes from, 121. Cowsheds (byres), 24, 167. Crops: barley, 65, 192. beans, 93, 162. corn, 23, 59, 97, 107, 131, 134, 247, 255; toll-corn, 252. dredge, 65, 80, 93, 137, 159, 239, 243, 25 b 254. hay, 93, 116, 159. line, 93. malt, 92-3. maslin, 159, 251-2. oats, 49, 80, 93, 136, 148, 154, 168, 188, 243, 254-5. peas, 65, 93, 173, 234. rye, mixed with wheat, 64, 93, 159. summer crops, 234. vetch, 154. wheat, 17, 36, 65, 80, 88, 148, 154, 234, 251, 254; mixed with rye, 64, 93> 159Debt, pleas of, xii, xxviii, 311, 317,

327-8, 330, 340-1. Debts, 28, 36. Deodands, viii, ix, xxvii, xxxv; failure to appraise, 253; falsely appraised, ix, xxvii, 35, 92, 126, 137, 171, 192, 215, 245; taken without warrant, 85, 92» 95ale, 266. axes, pick, 11 o, 140, 158. boats, xxiii, 23, 38, 105, 114, 122, 194, 196, 218. bowls, 13. carts, xxiii, 17, 126, 137, 192, 215, 225, 268; shafts of, 250. cords, 250. dishes, 164. harness, 17. horses, xxiii, 17, 95, 126, 137, 185, 192, 215, 225, 241, 262, 268, 273. ladders, 85, 145, 282. mares, 171. mills, spindles of, 92; wheels of, 92, 252. nets, fish, 107; trip, 206, 274. Pigs, 77. spades, 103. staffs, cowl, 35. stones, 253, 276. straw, 228. timber, 242. trees, xxiii, 245; branches of, 145; willow, 213, 227. trivets, 164. tubs, 35. vats, 13, 35, 266. vessels, wooden, 135. wheat, 17. Distraint, by seizing cows, 40. Ditches, xxiii, 1, 10, 18, 33, 46, 50, 62, 77, 106, 109, 127, 130, 137, 147, 184, 192, 195, 215. Dovecotes, 103. Dung, 225, 268. Dung-hills, 74. Englishry, viii, ix, xxvi, 6, 31 -2, 56, 61, 79, 113; abolition of, viii, xxvi; failure to present, ix, xxvi, 71. See also Murdrum. Escheators, sub, xviii. Essoining, 172. Exactions, vii, xi, xii, xxviii, xxix, 3, 41-2, 67, 82, 86, 91, 97, 120, 123, 125, 134, '55, 211, 214, 216, 221, 226, 289-90, 292, 295-304, 30636, 338-41; unlawfully delayed, 42. Exchequer, xxix, xxxi. Exigent, awarded, 6, 11, 15, 36-7, 44, 49, 5', 54, 56, 58, 65-6, 75-6, 83, 93, i°°, "5-6, '34, 148-9, '54-5, '59, ‘62, 167, 173, 189, 239, 243, 247, 255-8, 261, 263-4, 270, 272, 279, 284-5, 287-8; renewal of

INDEX OF SUBJECTS allowed, 42; superseded, 261; writs of, q.v. Eyres, general, passim', clerks of, xxxiii, xxxiv; coroner’s relationship with, xiii, xiv, xxix-xxxi; elections of coroners at, v, xvi, xx; failures to attend, viii, 16, 42, 51, 72, 75, 78-9, 89,92, 95, 100-1, no, 113, 120, 129, 155, 162, 167, 175, 215, 266, 271, 275, 278-^9, 281, 287; rolls of, q.v. Eyres, ‘superior’, xiv, xxviii, xxix.

Fairs, 168. Farm equipment: bridles, 15. carts, xxiii, 17, 93, 107, 126, 137, 173, 192, 215, 268, 275; axles of, 225; dung, 159, 225; shafts of, 159, 250, 268; wheels of, 192, 225. coulters, 272. folds, sheep, 20, 101-2, 161. harness, 17, 93, 225. ladders, 85, 145, 282. ploughs, 40, 73, 173, 228; irons, 65, 243; shares, 224; yoked, 65, 93, 159saddles, 15. strickles, 167. See also Tools. Fees, 47-9, 56, 120, 234. Files, coroners’, xiii, xxix, xxxv. Fines, 27, 65, 78, 86, 134, 285. First finders, viii, xxiii, xxv, xxvi, xxxiv, and text passim', failure to attach, 254; unable to find pledges, xxv, 147. Fish-hooks, 201. Fodder see Forage. Food and drink, 236; begging for, 9, 165, 187, 202, 208, 239. ale, 6, 18, 102; boiling, 266. bread, 9, 77, 165, 187, 208, 239. eels, 201. fish, 195, 274. flour, 23, 49, 171. grout, 35. hams, xxvii, 149, 282. milk, 203, 255. vegetables, 119. Forage and fodder, 63, 88, 93, 159. Fords, 38. Forest, royal, vi. Forfeited lands and chattels, vii, ix, xi, xii, xxi, xxii, xxv, xxvii, xxxv, 15, 22, 36-7, 45, 49, 51-2, 56, 58, 64-5, 76, 80, 84, 88, 93, 96, 116, 136, 141, 148-9, 154, 159, 162, 168, 173, 176, 189, 197, 234, 237, 239, 243, 251, 254“5> 259, 261, 272, 282, 285; falsely appraised, 15, 237; not appraised because felon had hus­ band, xxvii, 277; not brought to the eyre, 56; partly concealed, 197;

161

taken without warrant, 15, 65, 93, 96, J49> 154, >68, 234, 285. Fuel, 106. Gallows, 263. Gaol deliveries, xxxiv; justices of, xiv, xvi, xviii, 34, 37, 46, 168, 263, 294, 342. Gaolers, xiii. Gaols, xiii, xxii, xxiii, 34, 156, 290; committals to, viii, xi, xxi, 6, 37, 78, 84, 86, 108, 120-1, 123, 129, 136, 143, 168, 177, 189-90, 207, 221, 233-4, 237, 263, 342; deaths in, vii, xxii, xxiii, 129, 141, 154; delivery from, 141, 155; escapes from, ix, xiii, xxvii, 21, 78, 121, 189, 234, 237, 261, 263, 265, 267; heads sent to, ix; of manors, 21; surrenders to, 314, 327, 34iGranges, 56, 68. Grease, 92.

Halls, 288, 342. Hanging, 36-7, 78, 84, 88, 108, 168, 263, 342. Harbouring of felons, outlaws and abjurors, 41, 45, 48, 65, 123, 125, 144, 149, 155, 190, 247. Hedges, 125. Homicides, viii, ix, xv, xxiii-viii, xxxiv, 6, 11, 20, 24, 32, 36, 41, 43, 46, 48, 56-7, 60, 63, 68-9, 71, 78, 97, 101-2, 113, 116, 129, 143, 154-5, 162, 177, 188, 195, 211, 214, 216, 221, 226, 261, 263, 270-1, 278, 286-7, 291, 293-4, 3°5, 342; accidental, xxiii, 247, 259, 272, 288; aiding, 41, 46, 134, 155, 162, 342; committed when ill, 277; during attempts to resist arrest, 96, 176; during burglary, xxiii, 7, 20, 22, 34, 37, 47, 52, 72, 84, 89, 96, 98, 139? *19, i89, 224, 249, 272 note, 279, 281; during quarrels, xxiii, 28, 40, 49, 51, 54, 65-6, 83, 108, 134, 148, 159, 167-8, 173, 239, 254, 256-9, 264, 285; during quarrels after drinking, 5, 123; during robbery, xxiii, 79, 144, 161, 233, 275, 280, 284; during sieges of churches, 120; in attempted rape, 58; in the hue and cry, ix, xxiii, 2, 45, 100, 176, 237, 270, 272; in self-defence, xxiii, 15, 65, 75, 96; in self-defence and in defence of lords, 40; incitement of, 37, 41, 123; of lawful abjurors, xxiii, 21; of mad­ men, 251; of officials, 233; of officials while performing duties, xxiii, 168; of straying abjurors, ix, xxiii, 237; pardoned, 259, 261. Horns, 237.

162

INDEX OF SUBJECTS

Household articles: basins, 88. baskets, 34, 66, 88, 159, 162, 252. bowls, 13. carpets, 237, 239. chairs, 342. chests, 34, 49, 64, 80, 88, 162, 234, 255cloths, linen, 121, 190. cradles, 228. dishes, 164. ewers, 88. knives, 6, 8, 22, 24, 34, 36, 43, 47-8, 52, 60, 78, 94, 102, 119, 144, 161, 176, 224, 237, 239, 257-8, 275, 281, 284, 287; called thwittles, 108, 291; sheathes of, 8; trencher, 125, 261, 286, 342; with points, 125. ladles, 183. pitchers, 73. posnets, 88. pots, 88, 118, 181, 191, 234. purses, 42, 54, 86, 125, 176; cut, 178. sheets, 108, 121, 198, 237, 239, 283. stoups, 39. tables, 159. torches, 49. trestles, 159. trivets, 37, 164. troughs, 93. tubs, 35, 65, 93, 159, 234. utensils, wooden, 88. vats, 13, 35, 93, 266. vessels, glass, 183; wooden, 135. Hue and cry, vii, ix, xxvii-viii, 6, 13, 15, 20-1, 23, 25-6, 28, 32, 34-7, 39, 41-3, 46-52, 54, 56-8, 60, 62, 65-6, 71-5, 78-9, 83-5, 89-90, 92, 94-8, IOO-IIO, 116, 120, 122, 126, 129-39, I43-5, 147-8, I54-5, 159-62, 165-7, 17O-4, 177-80, 182, 185, 188, 191-2, 194-7, 201-2, 215, 218-9, 224, 227-8, 231, 236, 239-43, 245-7, 249-52, 255, 257-60, 263, 268, 271-2, 274-84, 286; arrests in, 2, 136, 168; failure to raise, xxvi, 245; homicides in, ix, xxiii, 2, 45, 100, 176, 237, 270, 272; led by sheriffs, xxiii, 45; raised out of spite, 19; wounds given in, 96, 134. Illnesses, 133, 159, 172, 174, 202-4, 208; from pregnancy, 44. ague, 19. falling sickness, 4, 12, 150, 170, 200, 240. fever, acute, 74, 115; quartan, 131. flux of the stomach, 8. frenzy, 197, 277, 283. hot sickness, 197. locking of bottom of back, 195. madness, 251. mal de flanc, 39.

palsy, 95. Infangenetheof, xviii. Inquests, vii-ix, xxii-vii, and text passim^ before two coroners, xv, 20; failures to attend, xxiv, 10, 37-8, 46, 49, 5b 54, 68, 72, 75, 83, 89, 98, 101, 105, 122, 129, 139, 143, 159-62, 164, 167-8, 176, 185, 225, 234, 239, 243; held in the county court, xxv, 178, 215; two held into the same death, xxv, 24, 60, 63, 178. See also Gaols, deaths in; Homicides; Misadventures; Natural deaths; Suicides. Judgments of death, vii. Juries, coroners’, viii-xi, xxiii, xxiv, and text passim. Justices, of oyer and terminer, xiv; of the peace, xii, xxviii, 303, 312-6, 320, 322-3, 329, 334-6, 338. King’s Bench, vi, vii, xiv, xxviii, xxix, 290, 295, 298, 308, 318-9, 321, 332. Kitchens, 119.

Lands: arable, 134. crofts, 20, 40-1, 132, 249, 263. cultivated, 136, 138, 165, 204. fields, 4-5, 14, 17, 19, 32, 34, 40, 46, 50, 56, 58-9, 68, 71, 75, 79, 83, 95, 101, 107-8, 117, 134, 136, 138, 161, 170, 172, 174, 182, 188, 204, 208, 225, 243, 247, 256, 268, 275, 279-80, 287; corn-fields, 45. freehold, 234. gardens, 31, 103. greens, 16, 19, 44. groves, 57. headlands, 177. heaths, 101. meadows, 12, 30, 36, 38, 51, 132, 159. pasture, 65. villeinage, 234. woods, 46, 59-60, 63, 65, 71, 106, 113, 144-5, 154, 170, 176, 195, 245, 249. Liberties, 32, 34, 78, 178, 234, 237, 245, 250-1; bailiffs and coroners of, q.v.; courts of, vi, xix, xx, 78; forfeited, 78. Livestock: calves, 251. cattle, 65, 117. cows, 39-40, 46, 80, 93, 243. fillies, 126. foals, 159, 251. geese, 65, 93, 149. heifers, 46, 93. hens, 65, 148-9. horses, xxiii, 15, 17, 24, 45, 65, 71, 88, 95, 107, 126, 128, 137, 148, 154,

INDEX OF SUBJECTS 167, 173, 175, i85, i89, j92, 215, 225, 234, 241, 251, 254, 262, 265, 268, 270, 273. lambs, 31, 36, 113. mares, 93, 171, 251. oxen, 65, 93. pigs, 77, 173, 251, 255. sheep, 19, 32, 36, 49, 65, 80, 93, 101, 116, 141, 170, 237, 254. stirks, 93, 251. stots, 93. Magna Carta, xxviii, 226. Cf. Charters. Mainpast, xxvi, xxvii, 36-7, 40, 44, 51, 56, 120, 155, 167, 247. Manors, courts of, 167, 172; rolls of, q.v. Manure see Dung. Markets, 2, 19, 62, 83, 144, 178, 279. Marshals, 143. Marshalsea, 319. Mayhem, xxviii, 3, 27, 42, 86, 125, 220, 223; viewed by coroners, xxviii, 42. Mayors, xviii. Measures, keepers of, xix. Mills, xxiii, xxvii, 23, 48-9, 92, 104-5, 107, no, 171, 185, 188, 196, 241, 260; bins of, 252; rinds of, 92; sails of, 252; small utensils of, 92; spindles of, 92; stones of, 92, 252; water, 180; wheels of, 92, 252; wind, 252. Misadventures, viii, ix, xxiii, xxv-vii, xxxiv. by dropping knives, 119. by drowning, xxiii, 181; from bridges, 187; in ditches, xxiii, 1, 10, 18, 33, 50, 62, 77, 106, 109, 127, 130, 147, 184; in pits, 153, 231; in ponds and pools, 199, 241; in rivers and streams, xxiii, 9, 23, 29-31, 38, 104-5, 107, 114, 122, 128, 150, 166, 185, 191, 194, 196, 201, 206, 218-9, 227, 246, 260, 274; in wells, ix, xxiii, xxvii, 16, 25-6, 73, 118, 135, 146, 180, 182, 197, 228, 236; through ice, 61; when drunk, 107. by falling earth, 90. by falling from beams, 250. by falling from belfries, 85, 253. by falling from ladders, xxvii, 282. by falling walls, xxiii, 103, no, 140, 158, 169, 232, 242. by lightning, xxiii, 59, 117. by scalding with boiling ale, 266. by scalding with boiling water, 13, 35, >64. during burglaries, xxvu, 282. in burning houses, xxiii, 14, 203. in mills, xxiii, 92, 252. in quarries, xxvii, 276. with boats, xxiii, 23, 38, 105, 114, 122,

163

194, 196, 218. with horses and/or carts, xxiii, 17, 95, 126, 137, 171, 192, 215, 225, 241, 262, 268, 273, 275. with trees, xxiii, 145, 213, 227, 245. See also Natural deaths. Money, 42, 54, 84, 86, 125, 176, 178; claimed for provisions, 188; found, 76. Murdrum, 5, 37, 46-9, 51-2, 54, 56-8, 60, 65-6, 68, 72, 98, 100-1, 108, 129, 143, 159, 161-2, 167, 188, 239, 243, 257-8, 263-4, 271, 279, 287.

Natural deaths, xxiii, 172, 261, 269. from ague, 19. from cold, 165, 174. from cold and falling sickness, 200. from cold and weakness, 30, 132. from falling sickness, 4, 12, 170; when drunk and over-fed, 240. from fevers, acute, 74, 115; quartan, 131. from flux of the stomach, 8. from illness, 133; because of preg­ nancy, 44. from mal de flanc, 39. from weakness, 138, 160. from weakness and illness or infirm­ ity, 202, 204, 208. Neighbours, viii, xxv, xxvi, xxxiv, 6, 20, 22, 28, 31, 34, 36-7,43,46-7,49-50, 52, 56-8, 72, 75, 78, 84, 89, 94, 96, 98, 100-2, 106-7, I09> ”6, 130, ■35, 139, '59, i62> 169-73, 179-80, 182, 188-9, 224> 239-40, 243, 249, 251, 255-64, 266, 268, 271-88; failure to attach, xxv, 115, 161, 197, 254Nets, fish, 107; trip, 206, 274. Occupations: brazier, 321. carpenter, 123. carter, 96, 126, 215, 313, 320, 322, 324cellarer, 67. cobbler, 279. draper of Welsh cloth, 319. flesh-hewer, 319. glover, 34. hayward, 12, 176, 237, 287. labourer, 313-4, 335. miller (millward), 37, 49, 329. parker, 248. ploughman, 250, 313, 334. porter, 258. servant (serving-man), 13, 20-1, 24, 34, 36-7, 39-40, 42, 47, 49, 5b 54, 56, 60, 80, 94-5, 97, 103, 105, 107, 118, 126, 134, 145, 152, 173, 176, 225, 250, 257, 285, 292, 297-8, 303, 310, 312-5, 323, 334-5, 342;

164

INDEX OF SUBJECTS

servant-boy, 75, 176, 185, 252; maid-servant, 47, 135, 137. shepherd, 56, 63, 291, 335. skinner, 261. smith, 243. tailor, 313, 318. thatcher (theeker), 332. thresher, 239, 313-4washerwoman, 13. weaver, 340. wood-seller, 176. See also Index of Persons and Places. Outlawries, vii, xi, xii, xxviii, xxix, xxxiv, 41, 120, 123, 261, 289-90, 292, 295-336, 338-41; not promul­ gated, 226; pardoned, xxxvi, 259, 3°9s 3H> 327, 33°, 341; unlawfully superseded, 42. Outlaws, xxvii; beheaded in the hue and cry, ix, 45. Ovens, 236. Pardons, xxxvi, 259, 261, 309, 314, 323, 327, 33°> 341-2. Parliament, members of, xviii. Pelts, 108. Pigeons, 85. Pillory, thieves put in, xxiii, 178. Pits, 8, 231; chalk, 90; dung, 162; marl, 153. Planks, 219. Ponds and pools, 199, 227, 241; mill, 180. Quarries, xxvii, 276; to be enclosed, xxvii, 276.

Rape, 323; attempted, 58; pardoned, 323Receiving stolen goods, 233. Reeves, 21, 79, 159; slain, 233. Religious houses: abbeys, 270. hermitages, 39. hospitals, 47, 120, 168; leper, 2; masters of, 120, 168. priories, 85, 239, 247; gates of, 247; lay brethren expelled from, 247. Rentals, xxix. Rivers and streams, xxiii, 9, 23, 29-31, 36, 38, 104-5, 107, 114, 122, 128, 150, 166, 185, 191, 194, 196, 201, 206, 218-9, 227, 246, 260, 274. Robbery, xxiii, xxviii, 27, 42, 79, 82, 86, 113, 125, 144, 161, 175-6, 178, 223, 233, 270, 275, 280, 284, 323; attempted, 2; pardoned, 323. Rolls: Close, xvi, xliv. Coram Rege, xxviii, xxxvi. coroners’, xiii, xiv, xxviii-xxxv; ad­ ditions made to, xxxiii-vi; arrange­ ment of, xxix-xxxiii; bags of, xxx;

compilation of, xiii, xxix-xxxv; ownership of, xxix-xxxiii; uses of, xiii, xiv, xxix, xxx, xxxiii. De Banco, xxxvi. eyre, xiv, xxix, xxxi, xxxvi. of manorial courts, xxix. Patent, xxxvi.

Sales, unwarranted, 237. Sanctuaries, ix. Sanctuary in churches, ix, x, xxvii, 2, 21, 108, 121, 149, 189, 198, 234, 237, 251, 263, 265, 267, 293, 305. Serjeants see Bailiffs. Sheriffs, v, xi, xii, xvii n. 1, xix, xx, xxii, xxiii, xxv, 6, 15, 37, 41-2, 45, 48, 51, 68, 76, 82, 96, 120, 123, 134, 136-7, 142-4, 155, 159, 162, 167, 175, *77-8, 188-9, 208, 221, 226, 234, 247, 259, 261, 263, 265, 267, 272, 279, 284-5, 287-8, 314, 342; amerced, 120; heirs of, amerced, 76; tenants of, amerced, 263, 265, 267; under, 15. Smithies, 262. Stables, 250, 273. Staffs, 3, 15, 28, 40-1, 51, 58, 79, 123, 129, 131, 134, 168, 224, 254, 261, 263-4; balgh, 271-2, 280, 287; cowl, 35; for carrying vegetables, 167. Statutes, xxviii, 289, 292, 306, 314, 316, 320, 322, 324-6, 339of Labourers, xxviii, 312. of Marlborough, 99. See also Magna Carta. Stocks, escapes from, xxvii, 305. Straw, 159, 167, 228, 232. Streams see Rivers. Suicides, ix, xxiii, xxvii. by drowning in wells when ill, 197. by hanging from beams when ill, 277, 283. Targets, 44, 74. Taverns, 5, 84, 94, 123, 154, 259, 264. Taxes, assessors of, xviii; collectors of, xvi, xviii. Theft, xxi, xxii, xxvii, xxviii, 76, 93, 108, 149, 156, 175, 186, 190, 198, 205, 234, 237, 265, 267; alleged, 49, 141, 152. Thieves, ears of lopped, xxiii, 178; horse, 96. Threats, xxi, 75, 84, 100. of burning houses, 230. of life and limb, 210, 212, 230, 235, 244, 248. Tithes, collectors of, 34. Tithings, xxvi, 58; amerced, 6, 22, 58, 66, 75, 83, 93, 115-6, 149, 159, 162, 173, 189, 239, 243; unlawful receiving of men not in, 49, 162,

INDEX OF SUBJECTS 178. Tools: augers, 154. axes, 15, 19-21, 34, 37, 43, 47, 100—1, 116, 144, 159, 161-2, 342; bole, 277; pick, 6, 11, 32, 65, 71, 89, no, 140, 154-5, 158, 179, 189. See also under Weapons. forks, 263. hammers, 139. shovels, no. sickles and scythes, 5, 251. spades, 103, 154; spit, 96, 178, 243. See also Farm equipment. Towers, 41. Treasure trove, vii, xxi, 183. Trees, xxiii, 245; black-thorn, 176; oak, 145; willow, 213, 227. Trespass, xii, xxviii, 155, 295-7, 299-302, 307, 309-10, 313, 318, 321, 331-6, 341; against statutes, xxviii, 289, 292, 306, 314, 316, 320, 322, 324-6, 339; against the Statute of Labourers, xxviii, 312; writs of, q.v.

Verderers, vi. Verge, vi, vii. Vigils of dead men, 8.

Waging of peace, xxi, 209, 212, 217, 222, 229, 235, 238, 244, 248; sought, 210, 212, 229-30, 235. Waivery, 338. Walls, collapse of, xxiii, 103, no, 140, 158, 169, 232, 242; of houses, broken, 22, 34, 43, 52, 72, 78, 100, 189, 224. Wash-houses, 38. Weapons, ix, xxiii, xxvii. an laces, 20. arrows, 15, 44, 54, 58, 100, 120, 131, 176, 237; barbed, 75, 120, 173, 177, 259augers or twibills, 154. axes, 15, 19-21, 34, 37, 43, 47, ioo-i, 116, 144, 159, 161, 342; bole, 277; Danish, 34, 47, 52, 72, 83, 86, 123, 125, 168; pick, 6, n, 32, 65, 71, 89, I54~5, 179, i895 Scottish, 49; sparth, 19, 40-1, 65, 123, 125, 256; Welsh, 49. belts, 278. bolts, 74. bows, 44, 54, 58, 74-5, 120, 134, 148,

165

173, 176-7, 237, 259; cross, 120. falchions, 2, 34. forks, 263. gisarmes, 49. hammers, 139. knives, 6, 8, 22, 24, 34, 36, 43, 47-8, 52, 60, 78, 94, 102, 119, 144, 161, 224, 239, 257-A 275, 281, 284, 287; called misericords, 279; called thwittles, 108, 291; trencher, 261, 286, 342. lances, 107, 136. rods, 98. sickles and scythes, 5, 251. spades, 154; spit, 96, 178, 243. staffs (maces and clubs), 3, 15, 28, 40-1, 5b 58, 79, I23, 129, 131, 134, 168, 224, 254, 261, 263-4; balgh, 271-2, 280, 287; for carrying vegetables, 167. stones, 247; coilun, 41. strickles, 167. swords, 15, 20-1, 34, 42, 45, 56, 75, 96-7, 143, 155, 168, 249, 255, 285, 288. vonges, 251. Wells, ix, xxiii, xxvii, 16, 25-6, 32, 73, 94, 118, 135, 146, 180, 182, 197, 228, 236. Wills, xxv, 52, 58. Windows, of houses, broken, 34. Wool, 64, 255. Wounding, xxiii, 7, 15, 20, 34, 37, 72, 100, 113, 136, 139, 179, 224, 249, 269, 275; accidental, 8, 74; in the hue and cry, 96, 134; in quarrels, 19, “5Wreck of the sea, vii. Wrestling matches, 19. Writs, xxxiii, xxxiv, 99, 123, 210, 226, 244, 248; allowing bail, 155; appeals stopped by, xxviii, 155, 226; removing appeals to Westminster, 41. account, 299-301. de coronatore eligendo, v, vi, xvi, xviii-xx, xxxviii-xlv, 337. exigent, xii, xxii, xxviii, xxxvi, 82, 289, 292, 295-304, 306-36, 338-41. de odio et atia, 78, 189. supersedeas, 326. trespass, 302. Year, day and waste, xii, 65, 154, 159, 234, 261, 285; cancelled, 261.

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