48 Henry III - 50 Henry III (nos 148–180)
Pleas of the crown 48 Henry III [1263–4] (fn. 3)
148. Thomas de Cambridge killed Walter servant of Ralph Basset of
Sapecote in the ward of Richard de Ewell [Farringdon ward]. He at once
fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed. Chattels *2s.
(deodandum [sic]) for which the sheriffs are to answer. He was harboured in
the ward outside frankpledge, so *to judgment on the whole ward. Because
the sheriffs and chamberlains held no enquiry concerning the chattels, *to
judgment on them. All the neighbours have died, so nothing from them. [cf.
623]
Nota [unnumbered]. Ad iudicium pro defectu franci plegii. 14th cent.: Scribatur [but not in 524].
149. In the same year, Reginald de Suffolk being chamberlain and the same
being sheriffs; Philip son of Geoffrey killed Colin Wyther in the ward of
Cheap. He at once fled and took sanctuary in the church of Wolmarechirche.
Afterwards he escaped from the church and has now absconded and is
suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed. No chattels nor frankpledge
because he was a clerk. All the neighbours come and are not suspected.
Afterwards it is found in the chamberlain's rolls that Isabel de Hildringham,
Colin's sister, appealed Philip of the death, but she does not come or
prosecute her appeal, so let her be arrested and her pledges to prosecute are
in *mercy, viz. Robert Poygnant 'cordeler' and John de St. Salvators.
Nota 61. Quod non oportet clericis esse in franco plegio. 14th cent.: Scribatur [cf. 524 no. 61].
150. Simon de Hauvill killed John de Chesterhunte. Simon comes now and
proffers a royal charter (fn. 6) testifying that King Henry pardoned him his suit
for breach of the peace arising from his death, on condition that he stands
to right if anyone wishes to implead him. And there is no one, so he is
granted firm peace; but because previously he absconded for the death, his
chattels are to be confiscated for the flight. No chattels. All the neighbours
have died, so nothing from them.
151. David de Bristoll and Juliana wife of Richard le Cordwaner were
playing chess (ad scaccarium) together in Richard's house, with several
others present; a quarrel arising between them, David struck Juliana in the
thigh with a sword, so that she died forthwith. He at once fled and is
suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed. No chattels nor frankpledge
because he was a stranger. All the neighbours have died. Because the
chamberlain held no enquiry concerning the men who were in the house
with David and Juliana when the incident occurred, * to judgment on him.
[cf . 624]
152. Simon le Parker was found killed in the ward of Adam de Brunyng
[Farringdon ward]; Robert le Peleter and Walter le Fruter were arrested for
the death, imprisoned at Newgate and delivered there before Hugh Bygot
justice [of gaol delivery], Walter comes and, asked how he wishes to clear
himself, says that previously he was delivered by jury before Hugh and was
acquitted by judgment of the king's court. The mayor and aldermen testify
to this in the faith in which they are bound to the king so he is quit. Saer de
Harecourt, Geoffrey de Crek, Philip de Nothlethe and Robert de Lastebyr'
were attached for the death because they were present when Simon was
killed, but they do not come. They [sic] were attached by Geoffrey de
Roynges [and] Richard le Coffrer, Geoffrey by John de Shordich and James
le Botiler, Philip and Robert by Saer. (fn. 9) So they are in mercy. The mayor and
aldermen say that they do not suspect them of the death. All the neighbours
have died.
Nota 62. Quod cum aliquis attachiatus pro felonia deliberatus fuerit coram justiciariis de
Newegate, non tenetur respondere coram justiciariis itinerantibus. 14th cent.: Scribatur [cf. 524 no. 62].
153. Hugh de Stamford killed John de Wautham in the ward of John de
Norhampton [Aldgate ward]. He was at once arrested and handed over to
Constantine le Brokour, Richard le Mercer and Henry Deubeny, then
keepeis of Alegate. Afterwards he escaped from their custody, so to judgment on them for the *escape. Hugh has now absconded and is suspected, so
*let him be exacted and outlawed. No chattels nor frankpledge because he
was a stranger. All the neighbours have died, except the fourth, Thomas de
Suthwerk, who does not come. Thomas was attached by Walter Gaunter
and Roger de Huntingdon. So they are in *mercy. [cf. 625]
154. John Skyleman encountered Thomas servant of Beatrice Allor and
Alan le Prute baker and Thomas at once assaulted John and wounded him
in the stomach with his knife, so that he died forthwith. Thomas was
arrested and hanged at Newgate before Hugh le Despencer. Alan has
absconded for the death; the mayor and aldermen say in the faith in which
they are bound to the king that he is not guilty, so let him return if he wishes,
but his chattels are to be confiscated for the flight. No chattels. Beatrice was
attached for the death, comes and is not suspected, so she is quit. Geoffrey
le Cordwaner and John the Smith, two neighbours, do not come and are not
suspected. Geoffrey was attached by John the Smith and Adam de Wynepol
tailor, and John by the same. So they are in *mercy and the other neighbours
have died. Because the sheriffs attached John by the same pledges, to judgment on them.
Nota 63. Quod vicini debent attachiari per diversos plegios et non per eosdem. 14th cent.: Scribatur [cf. 524 no. 63].
155. In the same year, (fn. 12) the same being chamberlain and Edward le Blund
and Peter Aungers being sheriffs; his son John answers for Edward and no
one answers for Peter; on Wednesday after Michaelmas [1 Oct. 1264] John
le Suur was driving two pigs on a rope when he was dragged into a ditch and
was drowned. Value of the pigs 2s. 8d. for which the sheriffs are to answer.
Because the wards of Stephen Bukerel and John Blakeney (fn. 13) [Cripplegate and
Aldersgate wards] falsely valued the deodand before the chamberlain and
sheriffs, * to judgment on them. The neighbours have died. John, to whom
the pigs belonged, was attached for the death but does not come and is not
suspected. He was attached by William de Gloucester and Robert de St.
Giles butcher. So they are in *mercy. [cf. 626]
Pleas of the crown 49 Henry III [1264–5]
156. Richard le Canner of Hattefeld encountered Thomas le Gardiner of
St. Katherine's hospital at dusk in the ward of Portsok; a quarrel arising
between them, Thomas struck Richard with a knife so that he died forthwith. He at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed.
No chattels nor frankpledge, but he was in the mainpast of the master of
St. Katherine's hospital. So he is in *mercy. John de Kent and Roger le
Tuler, two neighbours, do not come and are not suspected. John was
attached by Stephen de Hundesdiche and Robert de Retherhethe, Roger by
Nicholas le Tanur. So they are in *mercy. Stephen le Tanur, the third
neighbour, comes and is not suspected, so he is quit. The fourth neighbour
has died. [cf. 627, 629]
157. Roger Rumpyng fell into a ditch and was drowned. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. William Camelyn who was previously in a
house drinking with him was attached for the death, but does not come and
is not suspected. He was attached by Walter Bole and John Stacy. So they
are in *mercy. The neighbours have died. [cf. 630]
158. Hugh Scott goldsmith and Agnes wife of Robert de E . . ., were
drinking together in Agnes' house when a quarrel arose between them and
Hugh killed Agnes with a knife. He at once fled and is suspected, so let him
be exacted and outlawed. No chattels nor frankpledge because he was then
under age. All the neighbours have died, so nothing from them.
159. [m. 8d] Thomas de Stratford, Godfrey de Halistelle, John son of
Godfrey, Geoffrey Tirrel, Walter de Sutht', Robert de Dovere and Walter
de Essewell were keeping watch in the City to keep the peace according to
custom; they were quarrelling together outside the door of Henry Russell,
who came out of his house and struck Thomas de Stratford with a sword so
that he died. Henry at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and
outlawed. Chattels 18d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. He was not in
frankpledge, but was harboured in the ward of John Gisors [Vintry ward].
So [the ward] is in *mercy. Godfrey, Walter, Robert and William were
attached for the death, but do not come and are not suspected. Godfrey was
attached by Faukes le Bedel and William le Flaoner, Walter de Sutht' by
John de Suht' and John de la Lade, Robert by Stephen le Gorger and Alan
le Karl', Walter by Hugh Syppond and Godfrey de Haliwell. So they are in
*mercy. John son of Godfrey and Geoffrey Tyrel were attached for the
death, come and are not suspected, so they are quit. Robert de Derby in
whose house Thomas was found dead does not come and is not suspected.
He was attached by John de Godyngton and John de Karl'. So they are in
mercy. Alan de Carl' and William le Flaoner, two of the neighbours, do not
come and are not suspected. Alan was attached by William le Flaoner and
Geoffrey Monquey 'pessoner' and William by the same. So they are in
*mercy. To judgment on the sheriffs because they attached William by the
same pledges. The other neighbours come and are not suspected, so they
are quit. Afterwards it is found in the chamberlain's rolls that Ralph de
Stratford appealed Henry of the death, but he does not come or prosecute
his appeal, so let him be arrested and his pledges to prosecute are in *mercy,
viz. Robert de Derby and John le Lung. [cf. 628, 631]
160. William son of Robert de Gravesende wanted to cross the Thames in
a boat and was drowned. Value of the boat 3s. for which the sheriffs are to
answer. All the neighbours have died. No one is suspected. Judgment:
misadventure.
161. John de Neuport wanted to water a horse near the house of the bishop
of Salisbury (fn. 14) and was drowned. Value of the horse 20s. (deodandum) for
which the sheriffs are to answer. The chamberlain and sheriffs did not attach
the neighbours, so to judgment on them. No one is suspected. Judgment:
misadventure.
162. John de Suthwerk, while roofing the belfry of St. Paul's London, fell
from the chair suspended by a rope in which he was sitting, and was killed.
Value of the chair and the rope 20s. (deodandum) which the dean and
chapter of London took without warrant, so *to judgment on them. The
sheriff is ordered to cause them to appear. The chamberlain made no mention on his roll of the deodand, so to judgment on him. No neighbour was
attached, so to judgment on the sheriffs. No one is suspected. Judgment:
misadventure. Afterwards the dean and chapter come and say expressly
(presise) that they claim nothing, so nothing.
163. Henry Hors, Cecily his wife, Maud wife of Henry le Lokyere, Roger
Byssop, Adam son of Roger de Pampesworth and John son of Reginald le
Buteler beat Thomas le Keu to death. Roger Bhissop and Cecily wife of
Henry Hors were arrested and hanged at Newgate before Hugh le Despenser. Henry Hors, Maud wife of Henry le Lokier, Adam de Pampesworth
and John le Buteler at once fled and are suspected, so let them be exacted
and outlawed and Maud be outlawed [sic] and exacted (exigatur et weyvetur).
Maud had no chattels, Henry le Hors *10s., Adam *½ mark, John 1 mark
for which the sheriffs are to answer. Nothing is known of the frankpledge of
Henry, Adam and John, but they were harboured in the ward of Portesokon
outside frankpledge, so [the ward] is in *mercy (defectus franci plegii). All
the neighbours have died. [cf. 632]
164. Andrew Byssop fell from a step (gradu) in the house of Henry le
Waleys and died. Value of the step 5s. (deodandum) for which the sheriffs
are to answer. Because the chamberlain and sheriffs did not make a valuation of the deodand when they held the inquest into the death, to judgment
on them. All the neighbours have died, so nothing from them. No one is
suspected. Judgment: misadventure.
165. William de Kyngeston was found dead, apparently of starvation
(inedia), in the ward of Castle Baynard. No one is suspected. Judgment:
misadventure. John le Barber, a neighbour, does not come and is not
suspected. He was attached by Walter de Brakeleye and John le Paumer.
So they are in *mercy. Robert le Suer, the second neighbour, comes and is
not suspected, so he is quit. The men of the ward falsely presented the
neighbours, so to judgment on them. [cf. 633]
Nota [unnumbered]. Ad iudicium quia falso presentaverunt vicinos.
166. Unknown malefactors waylaid Robert de Blankmester, servant of
Master Robert de Fridaystrete, at Smethefeld by night and at once assaulted
and wounded him. They immediately fled and it is not known who they
were. Afterwards Robert went to the house of his master Robert and there
died on the morrow. Master Robert de Frydaystrete, in whose house he
died, was attached for the death, but does not come and is not suspected.
He was attached by Hubert the Goldsmith and Robert de Wynton' taverner.
So they are in mercy. The neighbours have died, so nothing from them. [cf.
634]
167. In the same year, Reginald de Suffolk being chamberlain and Walter
Hervy and Gregory de Roqesle being sheriffs; (fn. 16) on Friday before the feast of
SS. Simon and Jude [23 Oct. 1265] unknown malefactors killed John Ballard
in the ward of Richard de Ewell [Farringdon ward]. They at once fled and
it is not known who they were. All the neighbours come and are not
suspected. Because it is testified that they were Thomas de Clare's men, the
mayor and aldermen are told to enquire into their names. Afterwards the
mayor and aldermen say in the faith in which they are bound to the king
that they are unable to enquire who they were, so nothing.
Pleas of the crown 50 Henry III [1265–6]
168. In the same year, the same being chamberlain and John Adrien and
Walter Hervy being sheriffs; on Monday before the feast of SS. Simon and
Jude [26 Oct. 1265] Ralph Bekerannike was found dead without a wound.
No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Nicholas Poyntel, a neighbour, does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by Hugh le
Cuver and Robert de St. Brides. So they are all in *mercy. [cf. 635]
169. Nicholas de Suffolk 'chapeler', Adam le Milneward and William de
Cambridge cappers, were fighting with Thomas de Cirencestre in the aldermanry of Richard de Ewelle [Farringdon ward] and eventually they killed
him. They at once fled and are suspected, so let them be exacted and outlowed according to the custom of the City. No chattels, but they were
harboured in the aldermanry of Richard de Ewell outside frankpledge, so
the alderman and the whole aldermanry are in mercy. All the neighbours
have died.
At foot of membrane (14th cent.): Placita corone de tempore E.R. primi et de appellis
et aliis materiis.
170. [m. 9] Maurice Crammok, William the Cook, Henry Child and William
Dun waylaid Robert de Newcastle in the aldermanry of Robert de Meldebourne [Coleman Street ward] and assaulted him with intent to kill; Adinett (fn. 20)
the king's tailor came up with Alan le Scot because of the noise to go to
Robert's assistance and in the ensuing fight Robert de Newcastle [and the
others] wounded Maurice so that he died on the third day after. Robert and
the others have now absconded. The chamberlain and sheriffs proffer a
writ (fn. 21) of King Henry in these words: 'Henry [III] to Hugh son of Otto,
warden of the City of London, and to Walter Hervy and John Adrian; at
the instance of our son Edward we have pardoned his tailor Adinett, Alan
Scot and Robert de Newcastle their suit for breach of the peace arising from
the death of Maurice Crammok of which they are accused and have granted
them firm peace on condition that they stand to right in our court if anyone
wishes to implead them; in the matter of this death no action shall be taken
against them contrary to the form of our pardon; at Westminster, 12
November 50 Henry III [1265]'. Because this happened in time of war and
the king pardoned them their suit and no one prosecutes them, nothing.
Nota [unnumbered]: Perdonacio secte regis. 14th cent.: Scribatur.
171. William Stoil and Richard le Orfeverer killed Ranulf de Stratton in
the ward of Cheap. They at once fled and are suspected, so let them be
exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels and
they were not in frankpledge. All the neighbours come and are not suspected, so they are quit.
172. Robert son of Walter the Carpenter of Wys in Worcestershire took
sanctuary in the church of St. Nicholas by the Shambles, confessed that he
had committed many thefts and abjured the realm before the chamberlain
and sheriffs. Chattels 9s. 6d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. He also
had chattels in Worcestershire in the house of his father Walter worth 28s.
6d. for which the sheriff of Worcestershire is to answer, [cf. 636]
173. Albreda de Wycoumbe was found killed in the house of William
Basely and it is not known who killed her. William Basely in whose house
she was found does not come and was not attached, so to judgment on the
sheriffs. The mayor and aldermen say that William is dead, so nothing from
him. All the others who were attached for the death do not come and are
not suspected, so they are quit.
174. Alice de Hanyngton fell into a vessel (cuva) full of hot water in the
house of William de Bixele. Value of the vessel 12d. (deodandum) for which
the sheriffs are to answer. William de Bixle, Agnes de Chenduth, Richard
de Hanyngton, John de Brokenford and Robert Patrik [of] Burton were
attached for the death because they were in the house, but they do not come
and are not suspected. William was attached by Adam Peperer capper and
Hamo the Moneyer, Agnes by Richard le Chapeler and Henry the Baker,
and the others by William de Bixle, William de Haversham, William le
Chapeler and Richard le Chapeler. So they are in *mercy. All the neighbours
except Walter le Ewer and Richard the Smith come and are not suspected.
Walter was attached by Alexander le Fevere and William le Keuter, Richard
by William the Hosier and William Page. So they are all in *mercy. No one
else is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. [cf. 637]
175. Hugh de Dunstable fell from a step in his house and died. Value of the
step 12d. (deodandum) for which the sheriffs are to answer. The neighbours
come and are not suspected. No one else is suspected. Judgment: misadventure.
176. Roger le Tuler killed Elicia his wife in his house and at once absconded
for the death. Afterwards he was arrested and taken to Newgate, where he
was imprisoned and then escaped, so to judgment on the sheriffs for the
escape. Roger comes and proffers a royal charter testifying that King Henry
pardoned him his suit for breach of the peace arising from this death, on
condition that he stand to right if anyone wishes to implead him. And there
is no one, so he is granted firm peace. Because previously he fled for the
death, his chattels are to be confiscated for the flight. Chattels 54s. for
which the sheriffs are to answer. Reginald de Canterbury, a neighbour, does
not come and is not suspected. He was attached by John de Canterbury
'cordwaner' and Miles de Ireland. So they are in *mercy. [cf. 638]
Nota 64. Catalla confiscata pro fuga. 14th cent.: Scribatur nota [cf. 524 no. 64].
177. Roger servant of John de Pysyng killed Adam son of William de
Colecestre near the churchyard of St. Paul's London. He at once fled with
two other unknown malefactors who were with him and is suspected, so let
him be exacted and outlawed. No chattels nor frankpledge because he was a
stranger. Because it is found in the rolls of the chamberlain and sheriffs that
Adam was found in the house of Agnes la Cufrere and the sheriffs did not
attach her nor did the chamberlains hold an inquest concerning those who
removed the body from the place where he was killed, *to judgment on them.
All the neighbours have died except Geoffrey le Fruter who does not come
and is not suspected. He was attached by Thomas le Tayllur and John le
Peleter. So they are all in *mercy. [cf. 639]
Nota 65. Quod non licet alicui amovere corpus interfecti a loco in quo interficitur. 14th cent.: Scribatur [cf. 524 no. 65].
178. In the same year, Reginald de Suffolk being chamberlain and William
son of Richard being sheriffs [sic]; (fn. 26) on the eve of the feast of St. John the
Baptist [23 June 1266] a horse killed William le Pacbyndere in the seld of
Edward le Blunt. Value of the horse *8s. (deodandum) for which the sheriffs
are to answer. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. The aldermanry of Edward le Blunt [Bassishaw ward] falsely valued the deodand
before the chamberlain and sheriffs, so *to judgment on the whole aldermanry. The neighbours have died.
179. Adam Russel, William le Harpur, John (Johanne) le Somoter and
William ... were fighting together in the market of Westchepe and William,
John and William killed [Adam]. . . They at once fled and are suspected, so
let them be exacted and outlawed. No chattels nor frankpledge because they
were strangers. All the neighbours have died, so nothing from them.
180. Amisius le Poloter beat Bartholomew le Poluter at Winchester fair
and afterwards Bartholomew returned to London and at once died of the
beating in the City. Amisius has now absconded for the death and is
suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed. Because he was from Middlesex the sheriff of Middlesex is ordered to enquire into the chattels and
frankpledge. Geoffrey le Mareschal and John le Chaucer, two neighbours,
come and are not suspected, so they are quit. The other neighbours have
died.