Crown Pleas: 48 Henry III - 50 Henry III (nos 148-180)

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.