Crown Pleas: 25 Henry III - 27 Henry III (nos 152-180)

25 Henry III - 27 Henry III (nos 152–180)

De anno vicesimo quinto.

152. Eodem anno W. de [Haverhille] existente camerario et Thoma de Dunhelmia et Johanne Viel juniore existentibus vicecomitibus, accidit quod quidam clericus Londoniarum, Martinus nomine, inventus fuit occisus in vico Sancti Martini de Otteswyche pro cuius morte capti fuerunt Johannes capellanus Sancti Martini in Vinetria et Willelmus subdiaconus eius et imprisonati apud Newegate, ubi postea coram justiciariis ad predictam gaolam deliberandam assignatis venerunt Willelmus et Walterus fratres predicti Martini et eos de predicta morte appellaverunt. Ita quod liberati fuerunt ordinario loci, coram quo purgaverunt se. Et quidam Willelmus le Keb laicus fugit pro morte illa et male creditur. Ideo exigatur et utlagetur secundum formam etc. Catalla eius v s. unde vicecomites respondeant. Et Willelmus fuit in franco plegio. Ideo francus plegius in misericordia.

Of the twenty-fifth year [Mich. 1241—Mich. 1242].

In the same year, W. de Haverhill being chamberlain, and Thomas of Durham and John Viel, junior, sheriffs, a certain clerk of London, named Martin, was found murdered in the street leading to St. Martin Outwich.

John, chaplain of St. Martin Vintry and William his subdeacon were arrested and imprisoned at Newgate for the death. Afterwards, William and Walter, Martin's brothers, came thither before the justices appointed to deliver the gaol, and appealed them of the death. They were accordingly delivered to the ordinary of the place, before whom they purged themselves. A certain William le Keb, a layman, fled for the death and is suspected. Therefore let him be put in exigent and outlawed according to the form etc. He had chattels worth 5s., for which the sheriffs are to answer. William was in frankpledge; therefore the frankpledge is in mercy.

153. Eodem anno quidam homo Jordanus nomine inventus fuit (fn. 1) occisus in vico Sancti Johannis Zakarie in Goderuneslane. Nescitur quis eum occidit. Claricia uxor ipsius Jordani attachiata fuit et venit et non male creditur. Et quesitum fuit ab ea si aliquem male credit de morte predicti viri sui, dicit quod male credit Alanum filium Simonis Mauntel et Laurencium fratrem suum qui sunt in comitatu Middelsexie et non de Civitate Londoniarum, qui veniunt et ponunt se super xlij homines de tribus aldermaneriis (fn. 2) propinquioribus loco ubi predictus Jordanus inventus fuit occisus qui veniunt et jurati coram justiciariis de veritate dicenda, dicunt super sacramentum suum quod predicti Alanus et Laurencius non sunt culpabiles de predicta morte nec in aliquo [eos] (fn. 3) male credunt, nec aliquem alium quia nesciunt qualiter ipse fuit occisus nec quis eum occidit. Ideo consideratum est quod predicti Alanus et Laurencius sint inde quieti. Et vicini attachiati pro morte illa veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

In the same year, a man named Jordan was found murdered in the street leading to St. John Zachary in Gutter Lane. It is not known who killed him. Clarice his wife was attached. She comes and is not suspected. Asked if she suspects anyone of the death of her husband, she says that she suspects Alan, son of Simon Mauntel, and Laurence his brother, who belong to the county of Middlesex and not to the City of London. They come and put themselves upon the oath of forty-two men of the three aldermanries nearest to the place where Jordan was found murdered. The men come, and having been sworn before the justices to tell the truth, say upon their oath that Alan and Laurence are not guilty of the death, and that they do not hold them or anyone else suspect of anything, because they do not know how Jordan was killed or who killed him. Therefore it is adjudged that they be quit. The neighbours attached for the death come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

154. Quidam capellarius inventus fuit submersus in Holebourne. Nullus inde male creditur. Judicium fortunium [sic]. Vicini attachiati pro morte veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

A certain capper was found drowned in the Holborn. No one is suspected. Judgment: [mis]adventure. The neighbours attached for the death come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

155. Quidam homo Alanus Paulin nomine inventus fuit occisus in quodam fossato extra murum Turris. Willelmus serviens Ricardi clerici qui eum occidit fugit et malecreditur. Ideo exigatur et utlagetur. Nulla habuit catalla. Non sunt in franco plegio nec de manupastu alicuius quia extranei. Ideo nichil. Vicini attachiati pro morte illa veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

A man named Alan Paulin was found murdered in a ditch outside the wall of the Tower. William, servant of Richard the Clerk, who killed him, fled and is suspected. Therefore let him be put in exigent and outlawed. He had no chattels. [? William and Richard] are not in frankpledge nor in anyone's household, because they are strangers. Therefore nothing. The neighbours attached for the death come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

156. Quidam homo Johannes de Loundoneston (fn. 4) percussit Agnetem uxorem suam quodam gladio die Pasche, ita quod die Veneris proxima sequente ex plaga illa obiit et Johannes fugit post mortem et male creditur. Judicium: exigatur et utlagetur secundum formam etc. Catalla eius iiij s. vj d. unde vicecomites respondeant. Et quia convictum est quod idem Johannes per quinque dies postquam eam percussit moram fecit in domo inter vicinos suos et non fugit nisi post mortem suam et Johannes Clericus dubbur et Thomas de Marisco de Berckingges, Willelmus de la Cheniere, Radulfus de Sabrithteworthe, Matildis de Suthwerke et Matildis de Shenleghe, qui fuerunt de familia ipsius Johannis et fuerunt cum eo quando hoc factum fuit et post donee fugit, nec ipsi levaverunt huthesiam vel clamorem nec aliquid inde constare fecerunt camerario aut (fn. 5) vicecomitibus, ob quam causam justiciarii habent suspicionem de eis, committantur gaole, et interim (fn. 6) loquatur cum domino rege.

John de Loundoneston struck Alice his wife with a sword on Easter Day [20 April 1242], and on the Friday following [25 April] she died of the wound. John fled after the death and is suspect. Judgment: let him be put in exigent and outlawed according to the form etc. He had chattels worth 4s. 6d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. And because it has been proved that for five days after he struck her, John remained in the house among his neighbours, and did not flee until after her death, and John Clerk, 'dubber', Thomas Marsh of Barking, William de la Cheniere, Ralph of Sawbridgeworth, Maud of Southwark and Maud of Shenley, who were members of John's household and were with him when the deed was done, and afterwards until he fled, and did not raise the hue and cry, or give any information to the chamberlain or sheriffs, the justices hold them suspect. Let them be committed to gaol, and in the meantime let a discussion be held with the king.

157. Isabella (fn. 7) uxor Serlonis appellat Willelmum Bertone quod die Sabbati ante clausum Pasche anno eodem in domo sua verberavit eam et male tractavit, ita quod filium suum peperit abortivum, et quod fecit nequiter et contra pacem domini regis, offert disracionare, per quod curia consideraverit etc. Et Willelmus venit et defendit baturam illam, feloniam et quicquid est contra pacem domini regis, quod non sit inde culpabilis, et quod ipsa appellat ipsum per odium et athiam, ponit se super veredictum maioris et civium Londoniarum. Et quesitum fuit a camerario et vicecomitibus si predictum puerum viderunt abortivum. Et vicecomites dicunt quod non. Et camerarius dicit (fn. 8) quod vidit predictum puerum habentem capud quassatum, et brachium sinistrum in duobus locis fractum, et totum corpus per baturam illam denigratum. Et quia camerarius habet recordum et hoc testatur, non videtur justiciariis quod possit se defendere per veredictum maioris et civium, maxime de morte hominis ubi aliquis sequitur, vel cum magna suspicio fuerit, nullus debeat ponere se super veredictum eorum. Postea venit idem Willelmus et ponit se super legem magnam et eam justiciarius vadiavit. Habeat ergo legem suam, et defendat se cum tricesima sexta manu, unde decem et octo sint ex una parte de Walebroke et decem et octo ex alia parte; cras eligantur coram maiore et aldermannis, absentibus camerario et vicecomitibus in folkemannemote apud Sanctum Paulum partibus presentibus. Et veniat cum lege a crastino eleccionis in octo dies per concessionem justiciariorum ad peticionem baronum. Aliter veniret in crastino quia sic inventum est in ultimo itinere de Johanne Herlizun.

Isabel, wife of Serlo, appeals William Bertone of having beaten and illtreated her in her own house, on Saturday before the close of Easter [26 April 1242], so that she gave birth prematurely to a still-born male child; and that he did this wickedly and against the king's peace she offers to prove by whatever means the court shall appoint. William comes and denies the beating and the felony and whatever is against the king's peace, and declares that he is not guilty thereof, and puts himself upon the verdict of the mayor and citizens of London that she appealed him out of hatred and malice. Asked by the justices if they saw the aforesaid still-born child, the sheriffs say that they did not, but the chamberlain says that he saw it with its head crushed and its left arm broken in two places and its whole body blackened by that beating. And because the chamberlain has the record and testifies thus, it does not seem to the justices that the accused can clear himself by the verdict of the mayor and citizens, but rather that, particularly in a case of homicide, where someone prosecutes, or where grave suspicion exists, no one ought to be allowed to put himself upon their verdict. Afterwards William came and put himself upon the great law, and the justice took pledges from him accordingly. Therefore he was to wage his law and defend himself thirty-six-handed, eighteen compurgators being chosen from one side of the Walbrook and eighteen from the other side, the election to be made next day before the mayor and aldermen, the chamberlain and sheriffs being absent and the parties present, in the folkmoot at St. Paul's. And he was to appear with his law eight days after the morrow of the election, by special permission of the justices on petition of the barons. Otherwise he would have had to come on the morrow, because such was found to have been the procedure at the last eyre, in the case of John Herlizun.

158. Plegii de lege: (fn. 9) Willelmus de Haliwelle, Augustinus de Haddestoke, Robertus Herlicun, Johannes Shouke, Jacobus Beaupyne, Rogerus le Demur, Ranulfus de Balesham, Ricardus le Rous, diller, Stephanus le Paumer, Simon le Teinturer, Godefridus le Frutur, Ricardus de la Mare; in crastino fuerunt electi xxxyj apud folkemanmote in forma predicta, versus orientem de Walbroke, scilicet Ricardus le Brayere, Abel de Colecestre, Johannes de Ramesey, Willelmus Cocus, Willelmus de Oystresgate, Benedictus de Waltham, Willelmus Scot, Warinus Vinetarius, Ricardus Rad, Alexander de Waleworthe, Rogerus filius Willelmi, Thomas Pertriche, Walterus de Coggeshale, Galfridus Canele, Willelmus de Lenne, Johannes Souke, Robertus Scot taillur et Galfridus Wysdom; versus occidentem, scilicet Radulfus de Ely, Augustinus de Hadestoke, Jacobus Beaupine, Johannes de Kayo, Willelmus de Cudingtone, Galfridus de Stratford le fauconer. (fn. 10) Veniat cum lege in octabis istius eleccionis et predicta mulier committatur (fn. 11) vicecomitibus et habeant ipsam ad predictum diem; ad quem diem venit (fn. 12) Willelmus cum lege sua et eam fecit coram justiciariis in hunc modum. Primo iuravit Willelmus in hec verba, quod nunquam ipsam Isabellam verberavit unde puerum de quo fecit aborsum propinquior fuit morti et remotior a vita. Postea iuraverunt sex in hunc modum quod secundum scientiam suam sacramentum quod fecit fidele est. Et postquam predicti sex iuraverant, iterum iuravit idem Willelmus prius, sacramentum suum repetendo, et post ipsum, iterum iuraverunt (fn. 13) alii sex et sic sexies iuravit idem Willelmus et sic fecit legem suam. Et ideo consideratur quod Willelmus sit inde quietus imperpetuum. Et Isabella committatur gaole.

Pledges of the law: William of Holywell, Austin of Hadstock, Robert Herlicun, John Shouke, James Beaupyne, Roger le Demur, Ranulph of Balsham, Richard le Rous, 'diller', Stephen le Paumer, Simon le Teinturer, Godfrey le Fruter, Richard de la Mare. On the morrow there were chosen in the folkmoot thirty-six, according to the form aforesaid, viz. from the east side of the Walbrook, Richard le Brayere, Abel of Colchester, John of Ramsey, William Cook, William of Oystergate, Benet of Waltham, William Scot, Warin the Vintner, Richard Rad, Alexander of Walworth, Roger son of William, Thomas Pertriche, Walter of Coggeshall, Geoffrey Canele, William de Lenne, John Souke, Robert Scot, tailor, and Geoffrey Wysdom; from the west side Ralph of Ely, Austin of Hadstock, James Beaupine, John of the Wharf, William of Cuddington, Geoffrey of Stratford, the falconer. He (William) was to come with his law on the octave of the election, and the woman was to be committed to the sheriffs, who were to produce her on that day. On that day William came with his law and waged it before the justices as follows. First he swore to the following effect—viz. that he had never beaten Isabel so that the child of which she had been prematurely delivered was nearer to death and further from life. After that six of the compurgators swore in this wise, viz, that to the best of their knowledge his oath was a true one. After they had sworn, William swore as before, repeating his oath, and after him another six compurgators; and thus he swore six times and so waged his law. It was therefore adjudged that he should be quit in perpetuity, and that Isabel should be committed to gaol.

De anno vicesimo sexto.

159. Eodem anno Willelmo de [Haverhulle] existente camerario et Roberto filio Johannis et Radulfo de Asshwy iuniore existentibus vicecomitibus accidit quod duo homines scilicet Edmundus et Johannes ceciderunt de quodam batello in Tamisiam et submersi sunt. Nullus etc. Judicium infortunium. Precium batelli v s. unde vicecomites respondeant. Vicini attachiati veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti. (fn. 14)

Of the twenty-sixth year [Mich. 1242—Mich. 1243].

In the same year, William of Haverhill being chamberlain and Robert fitz John and Ralph de Asshwy, junior, sheriffs, two men named Edmund and John fell from a boat into the Thames and were drowned. No one etc. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the boat 5s. for which the sheriffs are to answer. The neighbours attached come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

160. Quidam homo Radulfus nomine cecidit de quodam batello in Tamisiam et submersus est. Nullus etc. Judicium infortunium. Precium batelli v s. unde vicecomites respondeant. Vicini attachiati veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

A man named Ralph fell from a boat into the Thames and was drowned. No one etc. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the boat 5s. for which the sheriffs are to answer. The neighbours attached come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

161. Accidit in vigilia Cathedre Sancti Petri in vico de Wallebroke quod Johannes le Gaunter vulneravit Alexandrum de Holebeches ita quod obiit in crastino, et Johannes fugit et male creditur. Ideo exigatur et utlagetur secundum formam etc. Catalla eius x s. unde vicecomites respondeant. Et fuit in franco plegio in warda Reginaldi de Bungaye. (fn. 15) Ideo inquiratur de franco plegio et sit in misericordia; (fn. 16) et dictus Alexander obiit in domo Johannis de Cardoil tailliatoris et Johannes fuit attachiatus pro morte illa et venit et non male creditur; (fn. 17) et Rogerus de Cantebrigge et Ricardus de Hereford servientes ipsius Johannis similiter attachiati, veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti. Vicini similiter attachiati, sint quieti, quia non male creduntur. Et quia camerarius et vicecomites non fecerunt sufficientem inquisicionem de predicta morte, quia nullam fecerunt inquisicionem ubi vulneratus fuit set fecerunt inquisicionem ubi inventus fuit quod multum distabat a loco ubi vulneratus fuit, et preterea non attachiaverunt Walterum de Sancto Albano in cuius domo predictus Johannes conversabatur, ideo sint in gravi misericordia. (fn. 18)

On the vigil of the feast of St. Peter's Chair [21 Feb. 1243] John le Gaunter wounded Alexander of Holbeach in Walbrook Street so that he died next day. John fled and is suspected. Therefore let him be put in exigent and outlawed according to the form etc. He had chattels worth 10s. for which the sheriffs are to answer. He was in frankpledge in the ward of Reginald of Bungay. Therefore let enquiry be made of the frankpledge, and he is to be in mercy. Alexander died in the house of John de Cardoil, tailor. He was attached for the death, as were Roger of Cambridge and Richard of Hereford, his servants. They come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit. The neighbours, likewise attached, are quit because they are not suspected. And because the chamberlain and sheriffs did not make a sufficient inquest concerning the death, since they held it not where Alexander was wounded but where he was found, which was a long distance away; and moreover failed to attach Walter of St. Albans, in whose house John lived, therefore they are to be heavily amerced.

162. Accidit die Dominica proxima ante Annuntiacionem Beate Marie quod Alexander de Chalyz occidit Willelmum de Bentheleghe in venella Sancti Nicholai et fugit et male creditur. Judicium: exigatur et utlagetur secundum formam etc. Catalla eius xiiij d. Et Nicholaus de Molendino qui fuit socius ipsius Alexandri fuit in eodem conflictu cum eo et antequam idem Willelmus fuit occisus, voluit repercutere ipsum Alexandrum et percussit predictum Nicholaum ita quod obiit. Isti duo nulla habuerunt catalla. Et ideo nichil. Et Alexander fuit in franco plegio in warda Stephani Bukerel. (fn. 19) Ideo in misericordia.

On Sunday before the Annunciation of Our Lady [22 March 1243] Alexander de Chalyz killed William of Bentley in St. Nicholas' Lane. He fled and is suspected. Judgment: let him be put in exigent and outlawed according to the form etc. He had chattels worth 14d. Nicholas of the Mill, who was his companion, was with him in the affray, and William before he was killed, wishing to hit back at Alexander instead struck Nicholas, who died as a result. These two had no chattels. Therefore nothing. Alexander was in frankpledge in the ward of Stephen Bukerel. Therefore the frankpledge is in mercy.

163. Simon films Thome Carpentarii de Ilfeud occidit Galfridum le Cordwaner et fugit ad ecclesiam Sancti Magni Martiris et cognovit mortem et abiuravit regnum. Nulla habuit catalla, et fuit manens in Suthwerke. Ideo ibidem inquiratur de franco plegio.

Simon, son of Thomas the Carpenter of Ilford, killed Geoffrey le Cordwaner and fled to the church of St. Magnus the Martyr, where he acknowledged the death and abjured the realm. He had no chattels and was living in Southwark. Therefore let enquiry be made there concerning the frankpledge.

164. Henricus le Tornur occidit Edwardum de Gaydone et fugit et male creditur. Ideo exigatur et utlagetur secundum formam etc. Nulla habuit catalla. Ideo nichil. Et fuit de manupastu Roberti le Tornur. Ideo in misericordia. Vicini attachiati veniunt et non male [creduntur]. (fn. 20) Ideo inde quieti.

Henry le Tornur killed Edward of Gaydon and fled and is suspected. Therefore let him be put in exigent and outlawed according to the form etc. He has no chattels. Therefore nothing. He belonged to the household of Robert le Tornur, who is therefore in mercy. The neighbours attached come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

165. Quidam homo Jacobus de Huntindone nomine oppressus fuit quadam mola usque ad mortem. Nullus inde male creditur. Judicium infortunium. Precium mole xx s. unde vicecomites respondeant. Vicini attachiati pro morte illa veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

A man named James of Huntingdon was crushed to death by a millstone. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the millstone 20s. for which the sheriffs are to answer. The neighbours attached for the death come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

166. Accidit quod quidam garcio qui postea obiit equitavit quemdam equum male frenatum et incurrendo equum ilium contra voluntatem suam licet omnem diligentiam quam potuit apposuisset, idem equus percussit quemdam hominem in calcitrando sub auditu, ita quod obiit. Precium equi xxiiij s. unde vicecomites respondeant. Vicini attachiati veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

A groom, who afterwards died, was riding a horse insecurely bridled, and when he spurred it on, although he employed all the care he could, the horse, against his will, struck a man, kicking him under the ear, so that he died. Value of the horse 24s. for which the sheriffs are to answer. The neighbours attached come but are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

167. Quidam carpentarius Rogerus nomine in carpentando per infortunium vulneravit seipsum securi sua, ita quod vulnere illo obiit. Judicium infortunium. Precium securis viij d. unde vicecomites respondeant. Vicini attachiati veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti. (fn. 21)

A carpenter named Roger accidentally wounded himself with his axe while working, and died of the wound. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the axe 8d., for which the sheriffs are to answer. The neighbours attached come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

168. Accidit die Exaltacionis Sancte Crucis quod Mabilia uxor Johannis le Fundur, Juliana et Matilldis la Mareschale et quedam Pavia verberavit quamdam mulierem Galienam in parochia Sancti Egidii extra Krepelgate ubi predictus Johannes supervenit [m. 4d] et percussit eam in vertice cum quadam hachia inter humeros, ita quod inde obiit. Et quidam Willelmus Mocke interfuit morti illi et ipsam male vulneravit. Johannes, Mabilia, Juliana et Matilldis fugerunt. Et Willelmus et Pavia attachiati pro morte illa quia forinseci fuerunt, (fn. 22) coram justiciariis ultimo itinerantibus in comitatu Middlelsexie venerunt et ibidem quieti fuerunt. Et quia factum istud contigit infra libertatem Civitatis, dictum est vicecomiti Middelsexie quod faciat eos venire. In crastino venerunt Willelmus et Pavia et defendunt precise mortem illam sicut alias fecerunt et bene ponunt se super veredictum maioris et civium, aldermanni et visneti ubi factum illud accidit. Et quia de facto illo nichil constare potest aldermanno et visneto quia extra Civitatem factum fuit et Willelmus et Pavia penitus eis sunt ignoti et alii coram justiciariis in comitatu Middelsexie ubi factum istud contigit, fuerunt quieti.

On the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross [14 Sept. 1243] Mabel, wife of John le Fundur, Juliana and Maud la Mareschale, and a certain Pavia, beat a woman named Galiena in the parish of St. Giles without Cripplegate. John, coming up, struck her upon the head and between the shoulders with an axe, so that she died. William Mocke was present at the death and badly wounded her. John, Mabel, Juliana and Maud fled. And William and Pavia, because they were foreigners were attached for the death and appeared before the justices of the last eyre in the county of Middlesex and were there acquitted. But because the deed was done within the liberty of the City, the sheriff of Middlesex was ordered to cause them to appear. Next day William and Pavia came, and expressly denied the death as they had previously done, and put themselves upon the verdict of the mayor and citizens, and the alderman and venue where the deed was done. And because the alderman and venue could discover nothing concerning the said deed, since it was done outside the City, and William and Pavia are completely unknown to them, as were the others [tried] before the justices in the county of Middlesex where the deed took place, they were acquitted.

169. Quidam homo Martinus nomine cecidit de quodam batello in Tamisiam et submersus est. Nullus inde male creditur. Infortunium. Precium batelli xxviij d. unde vicecomites respondeant. Et Willelmus le Wepere qui fuit cum eo in predicto batello venit et non male creditur. Ideo inde quietus. Vicini attachiati veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

A man named Martin fell from a boat into the Thames and was drowned. No one is suspected. Misadventure. Value of the boat 28d., for which the sheriffs are to answer. William le Wepere who was with him in the boat comes, but is not suspected. Therefore he is quit. The neighbours attached come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

De vicesimo septimo anno.

170. Eodem anno Willelmo de Haverhulle existente camerario et Ada de Basingge et Hugone le Blunt existentibus vicecomitibus accidit quod quedam mulier Dionisia nomine cecidit in quandam cuvam plenam gruto calido in domo cuiusdam Emme la Brune et scaldizavit seipsam, ita quod infra triduum obiit. Nullus inde male creditur. Judicium infortunium. Precium cuve xviij d. unde vicecomites respondebunt. Et predicta Emma et vicini attachiati pro morte illa veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

Of the twenty-seventh year [Mich. 1243—April 1244].

In the same year, William of Haverhill being chamberlain and Adam of Basing and Hugh le Blunt sheriffs, a woman named Denise fell into a tub full of hot mash in the house of Emma la Brune and scalded herself, so that she died within three days. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the tub 18d. for which the sheriffs will answer. Emma and the neighbours attached for the death come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

171. Quidam homo Galfridus nomine cecidit de quodam batello in Tamisiam et submersus est. Nullus inde male creditur. Judicium infortunium. Precium batelli iiij s. vij d.; vicecomites respondebunt. Et vicini attachiati pro morte illa veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti. (fn. 23)

A man named Geoffrey fell from a boat into the Thames and was drowned. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the boat 4s. 7d. for which the sheriffs will answer. The neighbours attached for the death come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

172. Quedam mulier Matilldis uxor Johannis Cocke inventa fuit occisa in domo sua in vico Sancti Thome Apostoli, nescitur quis eam occidit. Et Nicholaus de Warewyke, Johannes Clericus pistor, Robertus de Kancia et Thomas Niger gaunter, vicini attachiati pro morte illa inde secreto examinantur. Et quesitum est ab eis qua hora predicta Matilldis fuit occisa, qui dicunt quod hora vesperarum. Et quesitum fuit ab eis quis fuit in domo cum ea quando occisa fuit, qui dicunt quod predictus vir suus non fuit tunc in Civitate set fuit apud Redingges, set quedam mulier fuit tunc in domo cum ea cuius nomen adhuc ignoratur que capta fuit et liberata vicecomitibus et imprisonabatur apud Newegate. Et postea fuit deliberata per justiciarios gaole. Et quia camerarius et vicecomites testantur quod occisa fuit de nocte, nec aliquam rectam fecerunt inquisicionem, nec aliquid presentant in rotulis suis nec aliquid recordantur de predicta muliere, ideo in misericordia. Et veniet predicta mulier ut aliquod certum per ipsam inquiratur.

Maud, wife of John Cocke was found murdered in her house in the street of St. Thomas the Apostle. It is not known who killed her. Nicholas of Warwick, John Clerk, baker, Robert of Kent, and Thomas Black, 'gaunter', neighbours attached for the death, were privately examined concerning it. Asked at what time Maud was killed, they say at the hour of vespers; and asked further who was in the house with her when she was killed, they say that her husband was not then in the City, but was at Reading, but that a certain woman was there with her, whose name they do not at present know. She was arrested and handed over to the sheriffs and imprisoned at Newgate, and was afterwards delivered by the justices of gaol [delivery]. And because the chamberlain and sheriffs testify that Maud was killed at night, and they neither made a proper inquest, nor present anything in their rolls, nor have any record concerning the said woman, they are in mercy. The woman is to appear, so that enquiry may be made of her concerning the facts.

173. Accidit die Dominica proxima post Purificacionem Beate Marie quod quedam mulier Alditha nomine oppressa fuit ad mortem quodam muro lapideo qui cecidit super eam. Nullus inde male creditur. Iudicium infortunium. Precium muri iiij s. unde vicecomites respondebunt. Vicini attachiati veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti. (fn. 24)

On Sunday after the feast of the Purification of Our Lady [7 Feb. 1244] a woman named Aldith was crushed to death by a stone wall which fell upon her. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the wall 4s. for which the sheriffs will answer. The neighbours attached come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

174. Quedam mulier Sibilla nomine scaldizata fuit ad mortem per quamdam tynam plenam grutto calido que cecidit super eam. Nullus inde male creditur. Judicium infortunium. Precium tyne iiij s. unde vicecomites respondebunt. Vicini attachiati pro morte illa veniunt et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti.

A woman named Sybil was scalded to death by a tine [i.e. tub] full of hot mash which fell upon her. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the tine 4s. for which the sheriffs will answer. The neighbours attached for the death come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit.

175. Christiana filia Stephani (fn. 25) appellat Willelmum de Denecastre (fn. 26) et Willelmum Baggard et Robertum Coperberd quod ipsi in festo Purificationis hoc anno verberaverunt Stephanum fratrem suum in Aldricthesgate et male vulneraverunt, ita quod obiit. Et quod hoc fecerunt nequiter et in feloniam, offert etc. Et Willelmus et alii venerunt et Willelmus et Willelmus qui non sunt de libertate Civitatis defendunt mortem illam et ponunt se super veredictum aldermanni et visneti, quod non sunt culpabiles de morte illa. Et quesitum fuit a maiore et civibus si veredictum aldermannorum et visneti sufficiat ad eorum liberacionem vel dampnacionem, qui dicunt quod non sufficit, set dicunt quod ex quo extranei sunt, bene sufficit veredictum xlij hominum de tribus aldermanneriis propinquioribus et vicinioribus illi loco ubi factum accidit. Ita quod de unaquaque aldermanneria eligantur xiiij per quorum sacramentum de veritate est inquirenda, super quorum veredictum predicti Willelmus et Willelmus libenter se ponunt de bono et de malo. Et dictum est aldermannis, quod in crastino faciant eos venire ad veredictum illud faciendum. Et interim predicti custodiantur. Post venerunt quadraginta et duo homines in forma predicta et jurati (fn. 27) coram justiciariis de veritate dicenda, dicunt super sacramentum suum, quod predicti Willelmus et Willelmus non sunt culpabiles de predicta morte. Ideo inde quieti. Et Christiana in misericordia pro falso clamio versus eos. Vicini attachiati veniunt, et non male creduntur. Ideo inde quieti. Et Robertus Coperberd venit et precise defendit mortem illam. Et quia est de Civitate, offert se defendere per legem Civitatis. Et consideratum est quod vadiat legem (fn. 28) et defendat se cum xxxvjta manu sua, et fiat eleccio in forma etc.; plegii Roberti de lege, Walterus Hordintune et alii etc.

Christine, daughter of Stephen, appealed William of Doncaster, William Baggard and Robert Coperberd of beating and badly wounding her brother, Stephen, at Aldersgate on the feast of the Purification [2 Feb. 1244], so that he died; and that they did this wickedly and feloniously she offers etc. William and the others come, and William and William, who do not belong to the liberty of the City deny the death and put themselves upon the verdict of the alderman and venue that they are not guilty thereof. The mayor and citizens, asked whether the verdict of the aldermen and venue is sufficient to secure their liberation or condemnation, say that it is not; but they say that, since they are strangers, the verdict of forty-two men from the three aldermanries nearest to the place where the deed was done, fourteen being chosen from each aldermanry and sworn to tell the truth, will fully suffice. Thereupon, the aforesaid William and William freely put themselves upon their verdict for good and ill. The aldermen are told to cause the men to come next day to give their verdict, and in the meantime the accused are to be taken into custody. Thereafter forty-two men came in the form aforesaid, and having been sworn before the justices to tell the truth, say upon their oath that the said William and William are not guilty of the death. Therefore they are quit and Christine is in mercy for a false plaint against them. The neighbours attached come and are not suspected. Therefore they are quit. Robert Coperberd comes and expressly denies the death; and because he belongs to the City, offers to defend himself by the law of the City. It is adjudged that he wage his law and defend himself thirty-six handed. The election is to be made according to the form etc. Robert's pledges of the law: Walter Hordintune and others etc.

176. Jordanus de Coventria et Robertus Hardel quia non venerunt ad respondendum de tempore suo. Ideo in misericordia. (fn. 29)

Jordan of Coventry and Robert Hardel in mercy because they did not come and answer for their time.

177. Walterus films Hervei venit coram justiciariis et peciit pacem domini regis de Ricardo de Hayo et habet.

Walter fitz Hervey came before the justices and prayed the king's peace of Richard of Hay and he has it.

178. Accidit eodem anno quod quidam homo Gilbertus nomine inventus fuit occisus in vico de Candelwikestrat. Robertus le Taillur de Civitate Londoniarum eum occidit, et fugit. Ideo exigatur et utlagetur, secundum etc. Nulla habuit catalla. Et fuit in franco plegio. Ideo in misericordia. Et Alicia uxor ipsius Gilberti venit et sequitur versus duos garciones et versus uxorem ipsius Ricardi [sic], qui veniunt et non male creduntur in aliquo, nec aliquis alius. Ideo inde quieti.

In the same year, a man named Gilbert was found murdered in Candlewick Street. Robert le Taillur of the City of London, killed him and fled. Therefore let him be put in exigent and outlawed according [to the form]. He had no chattels. He was in frankpledge, therefore the frankpledge is in mercy. Alice, Gilbert's wife comes and prosecutes two grooms and the wife of the said Richard [sic]. They come and are not suspected of anything nor is anyone else. Therefore they are quit.

179. Thomas de la Faleyse et Robertus Trace capti et imprisonati pro morte Simonis le Blund occisi, veniunt et precise defendunt mortem illam. Et quesitum est ab eis qualiter volunt se defendere de morte illa, dicunt quod volunt se defendere secundum legem Civitatis. Et ideo concessum est quod vadeant legem suam (fn. 30) et defendat unusquisque eorum se cum xxxvjta manu, et fiat elecio in forma etc. Plegii Thome de Faleyse de lege sua, Thomas de Budeleghe et alii, quibus predictus Thomas committitur donec legem suam fecerit. Plegii Roberti Trace de lege sua, Nicholaus de Stanes pistor et alii quibus similiter predictus Robertus committitur donee legem suam fecerit. Et veniant cum legibus.

Thomas de la Faleyse and Robert Trace, arrested and imprisoned for the death of Simon le Blund, who was murdered, come and expressly deny the death. Asked how they wish to defend themselves of the death, they say that they wish to do so according to the law of the City. Therefore it was allowed that they wage their law, each defending himself thirty-six handed; and the election is to be made in the form etc. Pledges of Thomas de [la] Faleyse for his law, Thomas of Budleigh and others, to whose custody Thomas is committed until he shall have waged his law. Pledges of Robert Trace for his law, Nicholas of Staines, baker, and others, to whose custody likewise he is committed until he shall have waged his law. And they come with their laws.

180. Eodem anno accidit eadem die quod pro morte predicti Simonis captus fuit quidam homo Galfridus nomine, et ductus fuit ad prisonam de Newegate, et Johannes Shep serviens vicecomitis Londoniarum sicut debuit ipsum deliberare in prisonam, ita nequiter proiecit eum in fundum prisone, quod predictus Galfridus fregit collum et mortuus est, et Johannes Shep fugit pro morte illa. Ideo exigatur et utlagetur. Catalla eius xij d. unde vicecomites respondebunt et fuit in franco plegio in warde Ricardi de Hadestoke. (fn. 31) Ideo in misericordia et inquiratur de franco plegio.

In the same year, on the same day, there was arrested for Simon's death a man called Geoffrey. He was conducted to the prison of Newgate, and John Shep, serjeant of the sheriff of London, whose duty it was to commit him to prison, flung him so violently into the deepest part of the prison that he broke his neck and died. John Shep fled for that death. Therefore let him be put in exigent and outlawed. He had chattels worth 12d.. for which the sheriffs will answer, and he was in frankpledge in the ward of Richard of Hadstock. Therefore his frankpledge is in mercy, and let enquiry be made concerning the pledge.