1577
29 January, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day of
January, Giles Percy late of London yoman, being over eighteen years
old, took at Shoreditche and carried off a certain "cathenam auri
vocat' a cheene ad valenciam xxv li.," of the goods and chattels of his
master John Tanfeilde, who had confided the said chain to the same
Giles, to keep for his said master's use, before he (the said Giles)
carried it off with the intention of feloniously converting it to his own
use. G. D. R., 2 Aug., 19 Eliz.
20 February, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Harefeilde co.
Midd. on the said day, Henry Fleetewoode late of London yoman
stole a linen sheet worth sixteen pence, another linen sheet worth twelve
pence, and another linen sheet worth twenty pence, of the goods and
chattels of an unknown man; and further stole two linen sheets worth
two shillings and sixpence, of the goods and chattels of Francis
Weethered at Harefelde. Po se cul ca null' petit librum legit vt
clericus et deliberatur juxtaformam statuti. G. D. R., 22 April, 19 Eliz.
28 February, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Westminster on
the said day, Thomas Barlowe, late of London yeoman, stole a gold
ring worth thirty-six shillings, and also stole fourteen shillings in numbered money, of the goods chattels and moneys of Thomas Walthoe.—
Declaring himself 'Guilty,' and being asked by the Court how he would
acquit himself of the charge, Thomas Barlowe declined to put himself
on a jury of the country, but would put himself wholly on God and
Justice: whereupon it was decreed that he should go to punishment.
G. D. R., 30 Aug., 19 Eliz.
4 March, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Westminster on the
said day, Ralph Busbye late of London yeoman stole "novemdecim
camisias vocat' shertes ad valenciam xix li., duodecim mappas vocat'
handkerchers ad valenciam xxs., tresdecim pecias panni linei vocat'
bandes and ruffes ad valenciam xxxs., tres pecias panni linei vocat'
gorgets ad valenciam xs,." of the goods and chattels of some
unknown man, being in the keeping of John Maunchester and his
wife Agnes at Westminster. Po se cul ca null petit librum legit
vt clericus et deliberatur juxta formam statuti. G. D. R., 22 April,
19 Eliz.
11 March, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Est Smythfeld co.
Midd. on the said day, a certain Richard Blunt was killed by a certain
John Tarlton alias Thorneton, fighting in his (the said John's) lawful
self-defence, and after death was carried to a certain house belonging to
the Queen aforesaid in the same Est Smythfeld, and called "the Queen's
store house": and that thereupon Robert Hodeson of London gentleman, the Queen's coroner within the city of London, came to the same
storehouse, and then and there by color of his office, but unlawfully
and without any sufficient warrant, held and took an inquest, how and
when the said Richard Blunt came by his death. G. D. R., 22 April,
19 Eliz.
12 March, 19 Elizabeth.—Coroner's Inquisition-post-mortem,
taken on the said day at Est Smythfeld co. Midd., on view of the body
of Richard Blunt late of London yoman, there lying dead: With
Verdict that, whereas John Tarlton alias Thorneton, late of Est Smythfeld yoman, was with divers unknown persons on the 11th inst. in a certain close called Well Close in Est Smythfeld in God's and the Queen's
peace between three and five p.m., there came to the same place
Richard Blunt, having in his right hand "unum gladium de ferro et
calibe Anglice a raper," worth five shillings, and in his left hand a dagger
worth twelve pence, who with the same sword and dagger assaulted the
said John Tarlton with the intention of killing him; upon which the
said John withdrew from his assailant for the space of ten ells or more,
even to a certain ditch beyond which he could not retreat, by reason of
the multitude of persons then being there; And That the said Richard
with his sword and dagger drawn followed the said John, who, having
in his right hand a sword worth six shillings and in his left hand a
dagger worth sixpence, in his self-defence with the said sword struck
the said Richard a blow in the left eye, giving him a mortal wound
of which he instantly died, and so killing the said Richard in no other
way than that of self-defence; and That John Tarlton alias Thorneton
neither on the said day nor now has any lands tenements or chattels besides the sword and dagger afore-valued. At the foot of the Inquisition
this memorandum: Et cons est qd. Johes Tarlton alias Thorneton eat
inde sine die virtute perdonac' dce dne Regin' eidem Joh'i' concess
gerent dat xij die Aprilis anno regni sui xix°. G. D. R., 22 April,
19 Eliz.
20 March, 19 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Jasper
Fyssher esq. J.P., of William Gunter of Kynbereye co. Bark, gentleman
and Arthur Readinge of Underleigh co. Herts, gentleman, in the sum
of forty pounds each, and of Richard Chatterton of Carleton co. Wilts.
gentleman, in the sum of one hundred marks; For the said Richard
Chatterton's appearance at the next Gaol Delivery of Newgate.
G. D. R., 22 April, 19 Eliz.
6 April, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Westminster on the
said day, Hugh Aprise, William Davis and Thomas Caverly, all late of
London yomen, stole a gown of "tuffed mockadoe" worth four pounds,
a russet-coloured woollen-cloth cloak worth forty shillings, and "vnam
tuniculam de mockadoe ad valenciam xviiis.," of the goods and
chattels of . . . . "Po se cul ca null sus'." G. D. R., 22 April, 19 Eliz.
14 April, 19 Elizabeth.—Coroner's Inquisition-post-mortem, taken
at Seynt Katherins co. Midd., on view of the body of a certain female
infant, there lying dead: With Verdict that, at the dwellinghouse of
John Gott, her master, at the said parish hat-maker, Alice Saunders
late of the said parish, on the 12th inst. between seven and eight a.m.,
secretly brought forth the same infant, and forthwith slew and
murdered it by suffocating it. On her arraignment, Alice Saunders
put herself 'Guilty,' and was sentenced to be hung. G. D. R., 22 April,
19 Eliz.
20 May, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Wappynge co. Midd. on
the night of the said day, John Bootes late of London yoman (not in
custody) broke burglariously into the dwelling-house of Thomas Hampton gentleman (the said Thomas and his family being at that time there),
and stole therefrom "a medley grene" woollen-cloth cloak worth forty
shillings, of the goods and chattels of the said Thomas: And That
Susanna Quiney, late of London spinster, and Richard Quynney late
of London yoman (both being 'extra prisonem'), knowing that the
said John Bootes had committed the said burglary, received, aided
and comforted him on 8 June 19 Eliz. at Charingecrosse in the
parish of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. G. D. R., . . . . 20 Eliz.
9 June, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day of June,
Benjamin Dale late of London yoman, by certain false and counterfeit
letters addressed in the name of a certain Josias Meuse to James
Normanton of Milende, induced the said James to deliver into his
keeping a certain gelding with a bridle and a bit, of the goods and
chattels of the said Josias; and that having thus "per fraudem deceptionem et astutiam vocat' cosenynge" gained possession of the animal
he fraudulently sold it for the sum of five marks. It was ordered that
Benjamin Dale should pay a fine of forty shillings and be put in the
Cheapside pillory "Ponetur (sic) super pillorium in Cheapeside London
et taxatur (sic) fine ad xls." G. D. R., 2 Aug., 19 Eliz.
17 June, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the highway at Busshie
Heath co. Midd. on the said day, Francis Lawrence and John Cottingham, both late of London yomen, assaulted John Longe, then and
there in God's and the Queen's peace riding on the same high way, and
stole from him "unam bulgam vocat' a capcase cum diversis peciis
argenti fracti vocat' broken silver ad valenciam liiiis., et certa lapida
preciosa vocat' stones and perles ad valenciam xls., unum pilleum
vocat' a woollen cap et unum pilleum velvett' vocat' a velvett cappe
ad valenciam viiis.," a leather purse worth two pence, and four shillings
of numbered money. Confessing the indictment, Francis Lawrence was
sentenced to be hung. Et predictus Johannes Cottingham dicit quod
ipse de felonia predicta in nullo est culpabilis, Et quesito ab eo per
curiam qualiter se velit inde acquietare dicit quod ipse non vult super
aliquam juratam patrie ponere nisi solumodo in deo et seipso. Ideo
consideratum est quod idem Johannes Cottingham eat ad penam.
G. D. R., 2 Aug., 19 Eliz.
1 July, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Westminster on the said
day, Helen Parker late of London spinster, and Joan wife of Richard
Pound of Westminster bocher, stole a white cloak worth seven shillings,
"unum par caligarum coloris albi anglice vocat' a paire of white knite
hose ad valenciam duorum solidorum et quatuor denariorum," a felte
hat worth two shillings, and a shirt worth twelve pence. Confessing
the indictment, Helen Parker pleaded pregnancy. And afterwards at
the Gaol Delivery of Newgate, made on 30 August in the Queen's 19th
year, it was found by the oath of matrons that she was 'Not Pregnant':
whereupon it was decreed that she should be hung. G. D. R., 2 Aug.,
19 Eliz.
7 July, 19 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Sir Owyn
Hopton and Sir George Peckham knts. and Justices &c, of Paul Whyte
home gentleman and Thomas Russell cooke, both of the parish of St.
Sepulchre London, in the sum of five pounds each, and of William
Brooke of Wenlockes Barne co. Midd. gentleman, in the sum of ten
pounds; for the said William Brooke's appearance at the next Gaol
Delivery for the said county. G. D. R., 2 August, 19 Eliz.
10 July, 19 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Barnard
Randolph esq. and J.P., of John Jackson of Kentishtowne co. Midd.
tanner in the sum of forty pounds, and of Jasper Hill of the said
parish yoman, and Edward Cutte of the parish of St. Sepulchre's
London bocher, in the sum of twenty pounds each; For the said John
Jackson's appearance at the next Gaol Delivery, "for that he was
accused to abuse the bodie of one Jowan Hall beinge in his
house runynge frome her mystres in London." G. D. R., 2 August,
19 Eliz.
20 July, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day of July,
William Brynley of Wisterton co. Chester gentleman and Richard
Fowall of the same place gentleman, broke into the house of Robert
Baker at Westminster, and stole therefrom a black-and-tawney coloured
gown "of tuffed mockadowe," and "a kyrtell of black burratoe tuffed"
worth sixteen shillings, and a woollen-cloth petticoat worth twenty
shillings. G. D. R., 7 Oct., 19 Eliz.
6 August, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Hoxton co. Midd. on
the said day, Thomas Barlowe late of London yoman stole a leather
purse, worth two pence, and twenty-seven shillings in numbered money,
of the goods and chattels of John Bowen. At the foot of the bill this
memorandum,—" Et prefatus Thomas Barlowe dicit quod ipse de
felonia predicta in nullo est culpabilis; Et quesito ab eo per Curiam
qualiter se velit inde acquietare, dicit quod ipse non vult se super
aliquam juratam patrie ponere, nisi solummodo in deo et Justicia.
Ideo consideratum est quod Thomas eat ad penam." In brief and
English,—Declaring himself 'Not Guilty,' Thomas Barlowe was asked
by the Court how he would clear himself of the charge, when he said
he had no wish to put himself on any jury of the country, but would
rely on God and Justice. It was therefore decreed that he should go
to punishment. G. D. R., 30 Aug., 19 Eliz.
23 August, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day, Roger
Baker late of Islington co. Midd. yoman, over twenty years of age, the
servant of Thomas Pagitt of the Middle Temple gentleman, had in
his custody five pounds of the money of the aforesaid Thomas, which
five pounds Barbara Pagitt, wife of the said Thomas and mistress of
the said Roger, at the order of the said Thomas, gave to the said
Roger in order that he should keep it for her husband's use; and that
said Roger went off with the said money, with intention of defrauding
his master of the money, and putting it to his own use. G. D.,
. . . . Eliz.
19 September, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Harrowe on the
said day of September, William Agreenehill of Boxey, in the parish of
Harrowe co. Midd. yoman, ingrossed and bought ten quarters of wheat,
worth twenty shillings a-quarter, with the intention of selling the same
against the form of a certain statute of 5 Edward VI. G. S. P. R.,
Michaelmas, 19 Eliz.
19 September, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Harrowehille co.
Midd. on the said day, William Fuller alias Barnatt butcher ingrossed
and bought of divers persons one hundred sheep worth twenty pounds,
with the intention of selling the same against the form of a certain
statute of 5 Edward VI. G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 19 Eliz.
22 September, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day at
Edgeware, Roger Greves late of London yoman stole "vnum ventrale
et vnam ricam panni linei vocat' a neckercher ad valenciam xd., de
bonis et catallis Agnetis Dente." Putting himself 'Guilty,' Roger
Greves was sentenced to be flogged from Newgate prison to the Cross
of Cheape (a prisona de Newgate vsque Crucem de Cheape London).
G. D. R., 7 Oct., 19 Eliz.
28 September, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Tottenham co.
Midd. on the said day, Thomas Gorratt of London labourer stole and
carried off a dunne gelding worth forty shillings, of the goods and
chattels of Robert Chatterton at Tottenham co. Midd. G. D. R.,
. . . . Eliz.
16 October, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Grenewich co. Kent
and also at Stratforde-at-Bowe co. Midd., Thomas Dove of Stratforde-atBowe inholder and Thomas White of the same place baker conspired
to cheat and defraud Alice Carre of Grenewyche co. Kent widow of
her goods and chattels in this manner:—That on the aforesaid day and
at divers other times, before and afterwards, Thomas White was a suitor
to Alice Carre for marriage, who was assured by the same suitor's confederate that he (Thomas White) was a very rich man, having houses
and tenements at Stratford-at-Bowe, whereupon at the request of the two
conspirators she came from Grenewich to Thomas White's house, which
house she was made by Thomas Dove to think was the property of the
same Thomas White, though in truth he had no houses nor possessions
in Stratforde-at-Bowe or any where else, as Thomas Dove affirmed; and
That by this color and pretext of making and concluding a marriage
between her and Thomas White baker, Thomas Dove inholder on the
18th of the aforesaid October took into his hands divers of the said
Alice's goods and chattels, to wit a fetherbedd, a bolster, four pillowes
and the same Alice's household utensils, and conveyed them to his house
in Stratford-at-Bowe, with the intention of converting them to the uses of
himself and his confederate Thomas White; and that the more craftily
to cover their falseness and give it an appearance of truth the aforesaid
Thomas Dove and Thomas White on the same 18th of October at
Stratford-at-Bowe induced Alice Carre to sign, seal and deliver a certain
writing of bargain and sale of the same goods and chattels to Thomas
Dove for the sum of twenty-six shillings and eight pence (she being
illiterate and ignorant of the contents of the deed), under condition
that the writing should be void and of no effect, should she repay
before a certain day to Thomas Dove the said twenty-six shillings and
eight pence, no part of which sum she ever received to her own use; and
that thus by their falsity and craft, called 'cosonynge,' the said Thomas
Dove and Thomas White defrauded and despoiled the said Alice of
her goods and chattels. G. D. R., 14 Feb., 20 Eliz.
— October, 19 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Nortonfolgate co.
Midd. on the said day, William Smythe late of London yoman stole and
carried off three "oxehides dressed like buffe" worth five shillings, "a
buckeskyn" and "duos coreos vocatos soreskynnes" worth five shillings, a little coat and a pair of leather breeches worth ten shillings, of
Henry Etheridge. Po se cul ca null petit librum non legit vt clericus
sus. G. D., . . . . Eliz.
1 December, 20 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, Edward Dorrington
and Elizabeth Braunte, having been adjudged on 3 June 19 Eliz. to
be flogged and burnt on the gristle of the right ear, returned to vagrancy,
and on the aforesaid 1 Dec. 20 Eliz. were vagrants at Clarkenwell co.
Midd. Both vagrants put themselves 'Guilty'; Edward Dorrington
asked for the book, and reading like a clerk was delivered "secundum
formam statuti"; Elizabeth Braunte was committed for two years to the
service and government of Edmund Morraunt of London gentleman,
who bound himself in the sum of ten pounds to keep her for two years,
and at the end of the term to produce her at G. S. P., or produce proof
of her death. G. D. R., 2 Dec, 20 Eliz.
1 December, 20 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Islington between
ten and eleven of the night of the same day, Richard Male late of
London yoman broke burglariously into the house of Miles Kingemen,
and stole therefrom "unam libratam gariophilorum vocat' cloves ad
valenciam xiis.," half a pound of saffron worth ten shillings and six
pence, and a pound of aromatic nuts called "nuttemegges," worth ten
shillings. Cognovit indictamentum: Sus. G. D. R., 2 Dec, 20 Eliz.
6 December, 20 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at the parish of St.
Clement Danes co. Midd. on the said day, Richard Adams late of London yoman stole seven yards of silk called "silke damask" worth
twelve shillings a yard, and six yards of "silke grograine" worth twelve
shillings a yard, and six pounds six shillings and eight pence in numbered money; and That, Nicholas Ashebye of St. Clement's-Danes
baker, on the same 6th of December, took counsel with the said
Richard, before the commission of the said felony; and further That
the same Nicholas on the same day received, aided, and comforted the
said Richard after the commission of the felony, knowing him to have
committed it. Putting himself 'Guilty,' Richard Adams asked for the
book, read like a clerk, and was delivered according to the form of
the statute. To the charge of being an accessory to the felony before
its commission, Nicholas "po se non cull nee rec." In respect to the
charge of aiding and comforting Richard after the commission of the
felony, it is recorded that he put himself 'Guilty,' but was exonerated
by the principal's benefit of clergy. G. D., . . . . 20 Eliz.
16 December, 20 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Wenloxbarne co.
Midd. at a place called Mount Mill, about eight p.m. of the night of
the said day, Richard Paunsforthe, William Paunsforth and Giles Harmer, late of London yomen, with seven unknown disturbers of the
peace, refused to obey the orders of the watchers at Mount Mill aforesaid, viz. of William Dowdall, Nicholas Bettes, George Lawrens, Humfrey Price, William Scott and divers others keeping watch for the Queen
at Wenloxbarne, and with their swords drawn threatened the said
watchers, calling out to them, "Rascalles and drunken slaves cume and
ye dare and we wilbe your deathes"; and that afterwards the said
Richard Paunsforthe, William Paunsforthe, Giles Harmer and others
their companions fled from the said watchers, who, together with
Anthony Howson the constable of Wenloxe Barne, pursued them for
the purpose of arresting them, whereupon the same disturbers of the
peace with swords drawn assaulted the same watchers, and so handled
Anthony Howson that his life was despaired of, and then withdrew to
the house of Clementes Rigges yoman. G. D. R., . . . 20 Eliz.
17 December, 20 Elizabeth.—Recognizances of Giles Harmer of
Islington yoman in the sum of one hundred pounds, and of Robert
Wood of Islington gentleman and Edmund Hynde of the parish of St.
Sepulchre yoman, in the sum of fifty pounds each: for the said Giles
Harmer's appearance at the next Gaol Delivery of Newgate. G. D. R.,
23 Dec, 20 Eliz.
17 December, 20 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Jasper
Fyssher esq. J.P., of Walter Rawley of Islyngton co. Midd. esq., and
Martin Eyre of London gentleman, in the sum of fifty pounds each,
and of William Pansfurthe, servant of the aforesaid Walter Rawley, in
the sum of one hundred pounds; for the said William's appearance at
the next Gaol Delivery. G. D. R., 23 Dec, 20 Eliz.
19 December, 20 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Jasper
Fisher esq. J.P., of Thomas Cobham of Goldinge Lane co. Midd. esq.
and John Rigges of Davis (sic) Inne London gentleman, in the sum of
forty pounds each, and of Richard Paunsford yeoman, servant to Walter
Rawley esq. of the Court (de curia) in the sum of one hundred marks;
for the appearance of the said Richard at the next Session of the
Peace co. Midd., to answer to such matters as may be objected against
him. G. D. R., 23 Dec., 20 Eliz.