Glamorgan Calendar Rolls and Gaol Files: 1542-94

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 12^th 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 y^e 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 y^e 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 y^e 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 y^e 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 & y^e 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 y^e 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 y^e highe wayes in Cardyff.

"It'm bothe y^e Seriants of y^e 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 y^e Shambles to y^e 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.