R.O. Welsh Records. Glamorganshire Gaol Files, &c.
Latin until 1740.
[Gaol File.] No. 1. 33 Hen. VIII. 1542.
Kalendar of Gaol Delivery of our Lord the King, at his Castle of
Glamorgan, of the persons who are therein, made at Cardif in the
county aforesaid, before John Packington, esquire, Justice of our said
Lord the King for holding the Great Session at Cardif in the county
aforesaid, on the fifth day of June and in the thirty-third year of the
reign of Henry the eighth by the grace of God of England, France
and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, and on earth of the Church
of England and of Ireland Supreme Head.
[N.B.—The early files, which all bear a Latin heading similar to
the above, as a rule merely state that the accused was arrested on
suspicion of felony at such a place. Thus:—]
Jankin ap Ieuan ap Howell, otherwise Jankin Vachan, of Kevencarnau in the county of Glamorgan, labourer, for the theft of two
pairs of spurs at Brygend. (Pleads guilty.)
[At the end of each bundle is a large skin of parchment containing
the name of every Coroner, Constable, Steward, Judge and Bailiff,
and of every person entitled to act as a Justice of the Peace, within
the County. Thus:—]
Res Manxell, Knight, Steward of Anthony, Bishop of Llandaff,
for his Lordship of Llandaff.
Henry, Earl of Worcester, Mayor of the Town of Cardif and
Constable of the Castle of the same.
William Yoman and John White, Bailiffs of the Town of Cardif.
Thomas Avan, Bailiff of the Hundred of Kerdiffe.
No. 5. 1 Marie. 1553.
James Mathewe of Sweldon, gentleman, and Henry Mathewe
of Canton, gentleman, and Llewelin John, of Canton, yeoman, are
bound in recognizances that the said James Mathewe shall keep the
peace of our Lady the Queen within the town of Cardif. [The other
two were similarly and mutually bound, each for other.]
Glamorgan Calendar Roll. No. 1. 1 Marie. 1554.
Calendar of Indictments of the Great Session of the County of
Glamorgan, holden at Cardyff in the county aforesaid on Monday, to
wit, the seventh day of May in the first year of the reign of the Lady
Mary, the now Queen of England.
John ap Ieuan, of Cardyff, merchant, was indicted for a trespass
by the straying of his cattle, and their eating his neighbours' grass.
Gaol File. No. 6. 2 and 3 Phil. & Marie. 1555.
Philip and Mary, by the Grace of God King and Queen of
England, France, Naples, Jerusalem and Ireland, Defenders of the
Faith, Princes of the Spains and Sicily, Archdukes of Austria, Dukes
of Milan, Burgundy and Brabant, Counts of Haspurg, Flanders and
Tyrol, unto the Sheriff of Glamorgan Greeting, &c.
Inquisition taken at Cardif before John Roberts and William
Colchester, Bailiffs and Coroners in the town aforesaid, upon a view
of the body of Thomas Avane late of Peterstone in the county of
Monmothe, gentleman, at Cardif aforesaid feloniously slain, then and
there lying dead, by the oath of upright and liege men, for inquiring
how and in what manner he met with his death; [who] say that the
aforesaid Thomas Avane, on the twenty ninth day of July in the year
aforesaid, at Cardif aforesaid, in a place there called the Weaststrete,
about the third hour after noon of the same day, being in the peace
of God and of our said Lord the King and Lady the Queen, thither
came a certain Griffin James, formerly of Llangrallo in the county of
Glamorgan, yeoman, and Hugh Taylor, formerly of the town of
Cardiff aforesaid, tailor, as felons of our said Lord the King and
Lady the Queen, of their malice aforethought, in the said year, hour
and place, [and] by force and arms made assault upon the aforesaid
Thomas Avane; and that the aforesaid Griffin James then and there,
with a sword of the price of 2s. 8d., which the said Griffin then and
there held in his right hand, struck the said Thomas Avane, giving
him a wound on his upper lip, which said wound was of the depth of
one quarter of an inch and of the length of two inches; and that the
aforesaid Hugh Taylor then and there, with a certain sword, in
English "a rapier," of the price of 2s., struck the aforesaid Thomas
Avane on his thigh, giving him a mortal wound; of which wounds
the aforesaid Thomas Avane then and there instantly died. And
so they say that the aforesaid Griffin James and Hugh Taylor
feloniously slew and murdered the aforesaid Thomas Avane, against
the peace of our said Lord the King and Lady the Queen, their
crown and dignities. And lastly they say that a certain Jevan ap
John, of Cardyf aforesaid, tailor, threw a stone at the aforesaid
Thomas Avane. And also they say that a certain Leonard Lambert,
of Cardif, yeoman, was guilty of the assault aforesaid, in that he
fought with one Rainold ap Morris who was on the part of the
said Thomas Avane. And that that the aforesaid Griffin James,
Hugh Taylor and Jevan ap John have fled and withdrawn themselves, for the cause aforesaid.
4 and 5 Phil. & Marie. 1557.
Eighteen persons were tried for feloniously slaying Ann Manxell,
widow, as found by a Coroner's Jury. Among the accused were
George Herbert of Swansey, knight, and William Herbert of
London, gentlemen. Most of the others were of Swansea. All
pleaded pardon and allowance.
2 Eliz. 1560.
Margaret Williams, of Cardiff, spinster, was tried for felony.
She was ordered to be taken before the Council.
William ap Howell of Cardiff, gentleman, was tried as an
accessory in the above felony.
Thomas ap Thomas, of Cardiff, corviser, for felony and murder,
and Thomas ap Jevan, otherwise Ridbrwe, shoemaker, as accessory.
4 Eliz. 1562.
Nicholas Cleg, of Cardiff, clerk, for misdemeanour—trespass.
John Thomas ffrankelyn of Pennarth, gentleman, was indicted,
with many other persons, for treason felony.
Richard Bagotte, of Cardiff, yeoman, for trespass and affray.
Robert William, of Cardiff, tucker, for trespass and assault.
5 Eliz. 1563.
John Lyre, of Cardiff, yeoman, for felony. Pleaded a pardon.
John Owen, of Llanyssen, was convicted of murder and sentenced
to be hanged.
Coroner's Inquest upon a view of the body of Philip Robyn;
whom the Jury say that Edward Vaughan of llandowe, gentleman,
William Vaughan of Roth, gentleman, accessory, and others,
feloniously slew and murdered. (See the Inquisitio tenementorum,
Vol. I., p. 396.)
6 Eliz. 1564.
Hoell Mathewe of Kayre, gentleman, was indicted for trespass
and riot.
Rice Jones of Cardiff, gentleman, for trespass and affray.
Gwenllian Morgan, of Cowbridge, spinster, and Jane Thomas, of
Eglwysbrues, spinster, were sentenced to be burnt for murder and
treason.
9 Eliz. 1567. Part 1.
Rouland Morgan and William Nicholas, of Rompney in the
county of Monmouth, pleaded guilty to a charge of felony and rape,
and were sentenced to be hanged.
Coroner's Inquest on the body of John Hewes, finds that Thomas
Dauid, of Ewenny, accidentally and against his will killed the said
deceased with a stone. At the Great Session, David was found
guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to be flogged.
10 Eliz. 1568. Part 2.
Coroner's Inquest on the body of Griffin ap Powell, found that
Thomas ap Morgan, otherwise Spanyshe, of llandaffe, labourer, killed
him accidentally.
Roger Roberts, of Cardiff, jerkinmaker, convicted of felony, was
reprieved.
18 Eliz. 1576. Part 1.
Coroner's Inquest on the body of Rice Jones of Cardiff, gentleman, found that he was feloniously slain by Rice Herbert of St.
Andrews, gentleman. The latter received a general pardon.
Gaol File. 18 Eliz. 1576.
This year occurs the first record of the prosecution of
"recusants," i.e., Catholics who refused to satisfy the law by an
occasional attendance at Protestant worship in the parish church.
Thus, the Bishop of Llandaff presents divers persons within the
jurisdiction of his Court, namely, among others:—
"William Bylson, clerk, in the County of Glamorgan, for that he
contumaciously absents himself from the celebration of divine service,
and from his parish church, for four years past."
Then follows a long schedule of persons presented in the
Bishop's Court, for fornication and adultery.
"Joan Powell, of Cardiff, hath not any lands, neither exerciseth
any lawful merchandise, craft or industry, whereby she may gain her
livelihood, nor can give a reason or account in what manner she
useth to gain her livelihood, against the form of the statute in the
like case published." (The Clerk of the Court marks the Presentment "Vagrant. To be flogged and branded.")
Joan Raffe, and five other women and two men, at Cardiff, and
a large number in other parts of the country, were similarly adjudged
vagrants and sentenced to be flogged and burnt in the hand.
"Jane vergh Thomas, formerly of Llangonoyd, for petty larceny.
Judgment, that she be placed in the stocks for two hours in Cardiff
market."
"Morgan ap Morgan, formerly of Laleston. Judgment, that
he be flogged in Cardiff market."
Gaol Calendar. 19 Eliz. 1577.
John Llangened and James Kurrye, of Plymouth, imprisoned for
vagrancy.
Jenkin Jevan, of Llandaff, sailor, hanged for felony.
Florence Powell, otherwise White, of Cardiff, spinster hanged
for the murder of Thomas White.
23 Eliz. 1581. Part 2.
Before a Special Commission of the same Court of Great
Sessions, six persons were tried for piracy. All of them were
from other parts of the realm. Of these, only Henry Moore, of
London, sailor, was sentenced to be hanged.
24 Eliz. 1582.
The inhabitants of Canton, Leckwith and Cardiff were presented
for not mending their roads.
David Turbill, of Llandaff, and John ap Ieuan, otherwise Llandabea, of Fairwater, were presented "for selling ale without a
licence, against the form of the Statute."
25 Eliz. 1583. Part 1.
Lewis Hoell, otherwise ffletcher, of Cardiff, was presented for
incontinence.
John Thomas Bengoh, of Cardiff, was imprisoned "for assault
and affray."
Thomas Herbert, presented for selling beer at Cardiff without a
licence, was to be prosecuted.
Robert Cocke and William Thomas, of Cardiff, were prosecuted
for "trespass concerning vicinage."
William Sackeford, of Cardiff, was presented for "trespass in
his own house by evil conversation."
Ib. Part 2.
William Morgan, of Rothe, was presented "for evil conversation
in his house."
Hoell Morgan, of Whitchurche, for selling ale.
Lewis Powell ffletcher, of Cardyff (a second time), and Katherine
Deane, of Cardyff, for incontinency.
Elenor William, of Cardyff, widow, for being "a bawde."
Thomas Phelipps, of Cardiff, for selling beer and "for unlawful
games in his house."
Germyn Cullen, of Cardiff, and other men and women, for being
"pedlers against the form of the Statute."
John Hughes, of Cardyff, and Lewis Jenkyns alias Tanner, of
the same place, were presented "for affray in a churchyard." (A
common offence at this period.)
William Hughes, of Cardiff, and Katherine his wife, "for forestalling and regrating."
26 Eliz. 1584. Part 1.
Coroner's Jury present that Lewis Thomas, otherwise Taylor,
was feloniously slain by Lewis David, of Whitchutch.
Ann Riccards, of Cardiff, widow, was presented for "trespass
by an unlawful game in her house."
Eleven strangers were tried for piracy.
By the Presentment of the Burgesses.
"Dionysia, the wife of Thomas Wyndham, of Cardyff," and six
others of the same town, for selling beer.
"Thomas Jenkyn, of Cardyff, Tayler," was prosecuted on the
same presentment, for being "a vagrant and a common player in
the time of divine service."
Margaret Jerom, of Cardiff, was prosecuted for being "a bawde
& keper of ill rule in her house." (These words are in English.)
John Hughes, of Cardyff, yeoman, was fined 5l for "trespass
by negligent escape" (of a prisoner in his custody).
Joan John, of Llysvroneth, spinster, for "trespass by absence
from church," was prosecuted, with several others indicted for the
like offence. (See Gaol File post.)
Presentment of the Burgesses of Cardiff.
Lewis Powell is presented a third time for incontinence; this
time with Katherine, wife of William Watkyn, glover.
Thomas Phelipps and John Lewys "cordyner," both of Cardiff,
for unlawful games in their houses.
Rise Jones, of Kellygaer, and others, "for playing at tennis in
the time of the Service."
Margaret Thomas, of Cardiff, widow, for "bawdry" in her
house.
27 Eliz. 1585. Part 1.
Eleven persons were presented for non-attendance at church.
By the Presentment of the Grand Jury.
"The bridge of Eley.
The highway between the villages of Cogan and Denyspowes.
Margaret Collyns, of Roth, for selling ale.
The highway between Coggan and Landogh, and to be
repaired by the inhabitants of St. Andrewes, Llandogh and
Coggan."
John Robert ap Ieuan and Lewis ffrowde, Bailiffs of Cardyff,
made presentment on behalf of the Burgesses.
Ib. Part 2.
Miles Bawdrippe of Splott, yeoman, prosecuted for trespass and
assault.
John Hughes was again prosecuted for trespass and assault.
Gaol Files. 27 Eliz. 1585.
Robert Phillipp, of Llangevellach, yeoman, was charged for that
he, at the Court of Great Sessions holden in the Shire Hall of
Cardiff, being one of the Sheriff's bailiffs, allowed the Jury to go
whither they would, instead of keeping them safely until they had
delivered their verdict in a certain cause.
Nine Catholics of both sexes, belonging to Llancarvan and
Colston, and Jane John of Llysorney, spinster (see Kalendar, supra)
were indicted in the following terms:—
"For that they did not frequent or resort to their parish
churches or to any other church, chapel or usual place of common
prayer and service, but contemptuously and voluntarily have
absented themselves and forborne the same for the space of six
months, without having any lawful or reasonable excuse." (The
indictment was prepared by and bears the signature of John
Walsham.)
Among the above recusants were William Griffith of Llancarvan,
gentleman; and Lewis Turberville of Llancarvan, gentleman; Mary
his wife, and Ann his servant.
"Henry Llewelyn, of Llystallabontt, yeoman, on the 12th day
of April, by force and arms, &c., a bridge of elm-tree, containing in
length eight feet, of the value of 4s., of the goods and chattels of
Richard Thomas, at Llystallabont within the parish of St. Johns in
the county aforesaid, with a certain saw did saw and cut down, to
the grievous loss of the said Richard Thomas and against the peace
of our said Lady the now Queen," &c.
Kalendar. 28 Eliz. 1586. Part 1.
William Thomas, of Whitchurch, yeoman, and several other
recusants, mostly of Llancarvan, were presented and ordered to be
prosecuted for absence from church.
John Hughes, of Cardyff, yeoman, was once more prosecuted;
this time for "felony and breaking gaol."
John Roberts and John Robert ap Ieuan, "Bailiffs of Cardyff,
for permitting one Thomas Parry to transport butter into foreign
realms," were presented, together with Thomas Mott, of Cardiff,
searcher, and William Wood, comptroller, abettors; and John
Tanner and Richard Bagott, both of Cardyff, "for not executing
their office in the town of Cardyff, as in the Presentment."
Ib. Part 2.
For non-attendance at their parish churches, nineteen recusants
were prosecuted. Of these, nine belonged to Llancarvan, five to
Colston, and one (William Thomas, yeoman) to Whitchurch.
29 Eliz. 1587. Part 1.
Prosecuted for absence from church: William Thomas, yeoman,
and Jane, his wife, and Juliana Dauid, all of Whitchurch. The last
named "submitted herself to justice."
Rice Dauid, Walter Griffith, Thomas Edwards and William
Jones, of Cardiff, labourers, were tried for felony. The first three
were hanged, the last escaped through benefit of clergy.
Coroner's Inquest found that Roger Phelip of Cardyff, gentleman, was murdered by the following persons:—
Henry Thomas, of Llandaf, tailor.
Thomas Bawdrippe of Splott, gentleman.
Henry Mathew of Rothe, gentleman.
George Mathewe of Llantrissent, gentleman.
Thomas Mathewe of Canton, gentleman.
William Thomas, of Rader, yeoman.
Reginald Gwyn, of Llandaf, yeoman.
Christopher Morgan, of Rothe, yeoman.
John Thomas, of Llandaff, tailor.
Thomas Jones, of Rader, yeoman.
Joseph Powell, of Rader, yeoman.
Miles Bawdrippe of Splott, gentleman.
William Morgan, of Rader, yeoman.
Thomas Bawdrippe, Henry Mathewe and William Thomas were
then in gaol. Process was stayed for murder, by warrant from the
Privy Council.
Ib. Part 2.
The Burgesses presented John Vine, of Cardiff, for absenting
himself from church, and he was prosecuted.
The Grand Jury presented divers persons collectively, for not
maintaining the bridges of Cardiff and Ely.
30 Eliz. 1588. Part 1.
Thomas Llewelyn, of Lisvane, husbandman, slew Morgan
Richard. Jury found that he did so in self defence.
John Evan, of Cardiff, was presented by the burgesses "for
selling drink without a licence, and for incontinence in his house."
John Robert ap Ieuand and Robert Adams, Bailiffs of Cardiff,
were presented "for permitting sorcerers."
Ib. Part 2.
Felicia Selephant, of Cardiff, spinster, was prosecuted as a
"common barettor."
32 Eliz. 1590. Part 1.
Grand Jury presented insufficiency of bridges in the Hundred of
Cardiff.
Ib. Part 2.
Jevan David, of Whitchurch, yeoman, presented as "absent from
church."
Grand Jury Presentments (English).
"A bridge called place Dortons bridge to be insufficient in the
p'ishe of Cardyff.
A highe waye ledynge from Cardyff bridge to Eley bridge to be
insufficient in llandaff p'ishe.
A highe Waye from Eley bridge to Nicholas-town at a place
called y greos lloyde in llandaff & kayre insuff.'
The high Waye from Cardyff to ye bridge to be insufficient.
The Wayes insufficient in the p'ishes of Mighaelston landoghe
leckwith & landaff."
Borough Presentments.
Katherine Harrye, of Cardiff, "a bad woman of evil life."
Dauid ap Owen Wever, of Cardyff, "p' le concubyne."
Morgan, labourer, of Cardiff, "for that he works upon the Lord's
Day."
33 Eliz. 1591. Part 1.
John David, of Whitchurch, yeoman, again presented "for
absence from church."
Richard Longemeade, of Cardiff, was hanged for stealing a
horse.
Grand Jury Presentments (English).
"The bridge of landaff insufficient in defalt of the townshipp of
landaff.
The want of a bridge near Tivertons place nere Cardyff w'ch
ye country hath p'd for it.
The high waye betwene Cardyff & llandaff insufficient."
Ib. Part 2.
The bridge of llandaff insufficient.
Deficiency of the bridge at Placeterton near Cardyff.
"The waye from Placeterton to Elye bridge in ye p'ishe of
landaff insufficient.
"All the bailiffs of the Hundred this year, for Commortha
against the Statute &c. (And because the presentment thereof is
insufficient: No judgment thereon by the Court.)"
34 Eliz. 1592. Part 1.
John Mathew Miles of Cardyff, gentleman, keeper of the gaol,
was indicted for felony in voluntarily permitting the escape of a
prisoner. He was committed to prison.
Ib. Part 2.
Jury present "The Portwaye from Eley bridge to Sterton
bridge insufficient.
John Andrew, gentleman, and John Tanner, Bailiffs of Cardiff,
were indicted and prosecuted "for sufferyng litle mesures in ye towne
& also for sufferynge vnholsom fleshe & vyctualls to be sold," &c.
James Bowthe, otherwise "fydeler," of Cardiff, was prosecuted
for selling drink against the Statute.
"Cardyff. The highe Waye betwene the highe crosse & ye
myddell Pynnyon in Cardyff to be insufficient."
35 Eliz. 1593. Part 1.
"The bridge of llandaff in great decaye in defalt of Whitchurch
& llandaff."
"No order for the carrying of arms and bucklers to the fairs,
markets &c., but commonly used in the whole county.
"Thomas Taylor of Cardyff for vsynge ye lib'tyes of Cardiff
beyinge forryn and not free.
A P'sentm't for sufferyng certayn donghills to lye in Cardff.
"John Gybon de Cardyff for not provydynge butts in Cardyff
for Shootynge iuxta officium suum."
36 Eliz. 1594. Part 1.
William Lewis, of Llandaff, yeoman, was with others charged
with murder. He pleaded guilty of manslaughter, claimed benefit of
clergy, and appears to have been discharged. The others were
punished.
Bailiffs of Cardiff presented "for maintaining of misdemeanours."
Richard William, otherwise Bushe, of Cardyff, "pro Evesdropper."
The two Bailiffs of Cardiff, "for suffrynge dyu's abuses in
Cardyff as donghills & nott cawsynge ye highe wayes in Cardyff.
"It'm bothe ye Seriants of ye towne of Cardyff," for the sale of
drink, and for not using lawful measures."
The bridge of Cardyff insufficient.
Rosser James, of Cardyff, for the sale of bad beer.
"Antonius Coxe de Cardyff for kyllynge of fleshe in ye Shambles
to ye infecc'on of the towne of Cardyff."
Gaol File. No. 10. 36 Eliz. 1594.
Jevan Richard and Morgan John, formerly of Whitchurch,
yeomen, at Whitchurch aforesaid, by force and with arms in and
upon one David Richarde made assault and affray, and with a
reaping-hook called "a welshe hooke," of the value of two shillings,
which the said Jevan Richarde held in both his hands, cruelly beat
and wounded and ill entreated the said David Richarde, in such
sort that his life was despaired of. (True Bill.)
Elizabeth Rees of Cardiffe, spinster, entered the dwellinghouse
of one Morgan William, and feloniously took and carried away six
"shirte bands," two "corner kerchiffes," three "partletts," one
"shete," one "quayle" of "hollande" and two "pewter disshes."
William Dyo, of Penhill in the county aforesaid, was accessory to
the felony.
William Lewys, of Landaff, yeoman; John Llewelin of Llanwynno, gentleman; William Hancocke, of Cardiffe, yeoman; and
Walter Philip, otherwise Cooke, of Cardiff, yeoman, at Cardiff
aforesaid, upon one Thomas Comyn made assault; and the aforesaid
William Lewys, with a certain staff, having an iron joined thereto,
called in English "a mayne piked staffe," feloniously struck the said
Thomas Comyn on his left leg, below the knee of the said Thomas,
giving him a wound whereof he instantly died. (The other accused
were accessories.)
Coroner's Inquest on the body of John Philpot, found that he
died in Cardiff gaol, by the visitation of God.