CP40/569: Easter term 1403

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 078

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (account)
Damages claimed: £10
Damages awarded: £3
Case type: Reckoning of account; Sale of goods

Pleading: Matilda C., widow and executor of William C., claims that John B. owes her £7 arrears as determined by a reckoning of account between the late WC (and assigns) and JB before auditor Thomas N., concerning bread, wine, beer, a room, a bed, hay, and oats in the household of the late WC. Damages are claimed at £10. Letters testamentary of WC are shown in the court, naming MC as executor.

Pleading: JB says that there was no such accounting to WC concerning the aforesaid parcels before the said auditor in the form claimed, and places himself upon the country, and MC places herself likewise. Order to the sheriff of London to make a jury come in the octave of Trinity term 1403. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Postea text: JB does not come and the case is placed in respite to the quindene of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, unless first heard at the assize at St Martin le Grand before justice William H. on 30/06/1403.

Postea text: Record is sent that the case was heard at the assize at St Martin le Grand before justice WH and associate justice Richard C. on 30/06/1403. The jury said that the supposed accounting did indeed take place, and finds that MC should recover the £7 debt and £3 damages. JB is in mercy.

Postea text: On 05/11/1407 (Saturday 'proxima post mensem St Michael' year 9 Henry IV) MC comes to the court to say that JB has made satisfaction of the debt and damages. JB quit.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 105

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (sale of goods)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Sale of goods

Pleading: Walter G. and Thomas B. claim that William A. owes them £17 for various pieces of woollen cloth of various colours bought from them in London on 24/02/1400, which should have been paid for at Easter 1400. Damages are claimed at £20.

Pleading: WA says that he is prepared to pay his debt and presents 8m to WG and TB in this court. WG and TB receive this money and WA is quit concerning 8m. Concerning the remaining 17m 6s 8d, WS says that he is not held to WG and TB and offers his law [in Trinity term 1403]. Pledges of law named for the defendant, as well as pledges for future appearance.

Postea text: WG and TB make essoin and the case is forwarded as far as Michaelmas term 1403.

Postea text: WG and TB do not come and so they and their pledges to prosecute are amerced. WA sent without day.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 107d

Term: Easter 1403
County: Middlesex
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: 40m
Case type: Bond

Pleading: The prior of the London Charterhouse claims that John H. owes him £27 6s on a bond [the place where the bond was made is omitted, but presumably in Middlesex, as this is the county in which the case was laid]. Damages are claimed at 40m. Bond shown in court.

Pleading: JH defends the force and tort etc. Day given at the octave of Trinity 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 108

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Detinue
Damages claimed: £200
Case type: Detention of goods; Safe keeping

Pleading: John Chelmesford claims that Robert Cheselden detains from him two bonds and two chirographs which were placed in his safe keeping at London on 18/10/1400. One of these bonds says that a certain Henry C. is held to JC in £100 under certain terms, while the other bond records that JC himself is held to HC for £100 under certain terms. The conditions under which either of these bonds is payable are contained in the bonds, namely: that if HC should be impleaded by William B. and his wife Alice B concerning lands and tenements in Berkhamsted with which they were enfeoffed by John M., then JC should deliver the said bonds to HC and HC shall then return them back to JC within 20 days, and if that agreement should be well and faithfully kept then the said bonds shall have no effect etc. JC says that he gave these bonds and chirographs into the safe keeping of RC in a chest in London and that now Richard Cheselden will not return them etc. Damages are claimed at £200.

Pleading: Richard Cheselden says presents the said two bonds and chirographs in the court and says that he is willing to deliver them according to the decision of the court. Richard Cheselden says that the documents were actually put into his safekeeping, on the said day, at Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, by the mutual assent of JC and HC under the agreement that he would deliver them back under certain conditions, but whether those conditions have been fulfilled on the part of HC he is unaware. Richard Cheselden says that he seeks HC be forewarned. Therefore, order to the sheriff of Hertfordshire etc.

Postea text: Sheriff did not send the writ, and so forwarded to the octave of Michaelmas 1403.

Postea text: Sheriff returns that the writ reached him too late, and so the case is forwarded to octave of Hilary 1404.

Postea text: Sheriff of Hertfordshire returns that he ordered Richard Cook, bailiff of the liberty of the honour of Berkhamsted, to forewarn HC but that he did nothing. Therefore, sheriff of Hertfordshire ordered to make this known to HC, notwithstanding the liberty, etc. Forwarded to quindene of Easter 1404.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 114

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Housebreaking; Real action / rents / damage to real estate

Pleading: Robert, bishop of London claims that Katherine W. and Ralph H. broke his close and houses at London with force and arms. Damages are claimed at £40.

Pleading: KW and RH deny force and arms; parties on country. Concerning the charge of housebreaking, KW says that before the time of the supposed trespass bishop RB demised the same close and house to a certain Richard S. for a term of fifty years beginning at Christmas 1385. KW says that RS later died, and that at the time of his death she was his wife. KW says the his will was enrolled in the Hustings of London and that she then entered the property to continue the term (of 50 years), as she had good licence to do. RH says that he is the servant of KW, and he entered the property only on the order of KW and in support of her during the aforesaid term (of 50 years). Upon this day is given between the parties at the octave of Trinity 1403. Pledges named for the defendants.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 163

Term: Easter 1403
County: Middlesex
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Taking of goods

Pleading: John Chelmesford claims that Richard K., John M., John Burgeys, William S., 'John the Bailly of Fynesbury', and John Caunterbury used force and arms to seize and carry off his goods to the value of 20m. The goods taken were namely 22 copper/brass jars ('ollas eneas'). Damages are claimed at £20.

Pleading: The defendants deny the trespass as claimed. Parties on country, jury here at octave of Trinity 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 196d

Term: Easter 1403
County: Bedfordshire
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Real action / rents / damage to real estate; Taking of goods

Pleading: Adam H. claims that Robert B., with Richard C. and Amice D., came with force and arms, reaped his wheat, barley, beans, peas, and oats lately growing, mowed and took away four carts of his hay, and carried off his grain, all worth 100s. Damages claimed at £10.

Pleading: RB, together with RC and AD deny force and arms, and put themselves upon the country, and AH puts himself likewise. Concerning the charge of taking the grain etc, RB says that at the time of the supposed trespass he held the said land as of free tenement and so reaped and removed the grain etc. in his own person, as he had good licence to do.

Pleading: AH says that at the time of the trespass this property was not the free tenement of RB, and seeks inquiry upon the country, and RB seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff of Bedfordshire to make a jury come in the octave of Trinity term 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 246d

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Detinue
Damages claimed: 40s
Case type: Detention of goods; Safe keeping

Pleading: William R. claims that William P. detains from him 1 pipe of wine worth 40s which was put into WP's safe keeping but which WP will not return. Damages claimed at 40s.

Pleading: WP says that he does not detain this said wine fore WR and puts himself upon the country, and WR puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff of London to make a jury come at Easter in five weeks, 1403. Pledges named for the defendant.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 246d

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Bond

Pleading: John B. claims that Robert L., lord of Heythrop, owes him £23 on a bond. Damages are claimed at £20. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond does not say where it was made, but JB says it was made at London etc.

Pleading: RL says that the action against him ought not continue because JB issued him a release from all real and personal actions at Heythrop, Oxfordshire. RL presents this release to the court.

Pleading: JB says that the release is not of his making and seeks inquiry upon the country, and RL seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff of Oxfordshire to make a jury come at the octave of Trinity term 1403. Pledges named for the defendant. The release is put into the safe keeping of clerk William P.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 252

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Bond

Pleading: Robert C. claims that Beatrice C., widow and executor of William C., owes him £9 12s on a bond made between RC and WC during his lifetime. Payments were to be made at the Cat and Fiddle ['Catfethele'] in London [in the parish of St Benet Sherehog], namely 72s within 15 days after Michaelmas 1398, 60s within 15 days after Christmas 1398, and 60s within 15 days after Easter 1399. Damages are claimed at £10. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond does not give a parish and ward, but that RC claims it was made at London, parish of St. Benet Sherehog, ward of Cheap.

Pleading: BC says that before the day of the making of the writ against her she had already made full administration of WC's goods and chattels.

Pleading: RC says that at the time of the making of the writ, namely the [omitted] day of April 1402, BC had various goods and chattels of WC in her hands in Chelmsford, Essex, sufficient to satisfy this debt. Enquiry on country, sheriff of Essex to have jury here at quindene of Trinity 1403. Pledges named for the defendant.

Postea text: Sheriff did not send writ, to quindene of Michaelmas 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 287

Term: Easter 1403
County: Kent
Writ type: Disseisin
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Contract (general); Real action / rents / damage to real estate

Pleading: Walter atte Gore, son of Robert atte Gore, states that on 02/101390, at Tunstall in Kent, Roger M. and a certain Dunstan H., now deceased, by an indenture of which he shows part in court, granted and demised at farm to Walter one messuage and 53 acres of land in Tunstall, Kent, by the name of all those lands which RM and DH had purchased from the late Robert in the said parish, to hold from Michaelmas 1390 for seven years. By virtue of this, Roger sic, recte Walter] was in possession of this property from Michaelmas 1390 until 26/10/1392, when RM re-entered the property and ejected him within the period of his demise, contrary to the form of the indenture. Damages claimed at £20.

Pleading: RM comes and defends the force and tort etc. Day is given between the parties at the octave of Trinity 1403, without essoin.

Postea text: Day given between the parties at the octave of Michaelmas 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 287d

Term: Easter 1403
County: Sussex
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £500
Case type: Housebreaking; Taking of goods

Pleading: Prior John L. of Michelham Priory, Sussex, claims that Richard Spice; together with: Robert M., William H., William L., Simon E., John S., Richard Sherman, Richard W., and Robert M.; came with force and arms, broke the close and house of prior JL at Arlington, Sussex, and carried off goods and chattels worth £200. The goods taken were namely: three gold brooches/buckles (firmacula), one gold table (tabulam), three ouches, six silver gilt cups with covers, six other silver cups with their covers, six dozen silver spoons, 20 decorated mazers, 6 entire beds, 20 pair of sheets, a dozen mattresses, 24 blankets, a dozen other beds, a dozen cellars with holders (cellas cum frenis), and one piece of worsted. Damages claimed at £50.

Pleading: RS says that he is innocent of the use of force and arms and puts himself upon the county, and JL puts himself likewise. Concerning the charge breaking the house and close of JL, and the seizing and carrying off his goods, RS says that he has no knowledge of this. RS says that when the present king (Henry IV) was the duke of Lancaster, after he last came to England and by the advice of his good counsel, he ordained on 03/08/1399 [ms. reads 3 August 3 Richard II, presumably an error for 23 Richard II] by way of his letters patent which RS offers in this court, that John Pelham, John Preston, RM, John W., WH, and WL should arrest prior JL and others which were against the duke (Henry IV). Hence, all of the prior's goods and chattels were taken and taken to the duke (Henry IV; precipiens omnes et singularos ipsi duci), and distrained at Pevensey, Sussex, where the said goods were put in the safe and secure keeping of Henry IV. And he says that in the parliament held at Westminster on 14 October 1399, it was ordained that no-one should be prosecuted for assisting the new king or pursuing Richard II, or taking goods to his use, from the time of Henry's return to the date of his coronation. Concerning these things RS is prepared to very and seeks judgement. Day is given between the parties in Trinity term. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Postea text: 11 posteas - all say 'to this day come the parties etc. And day is given in ...'. These forward the case as far as Hilary term 1407.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 355d

Term: Easter 1403
County: Middlesex
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: 100m
Case type: Real action / rents / damage to real estate; Taking of goods

Pleading: John R. claims that John D. broke his close at Tottenham, Middlesex, with force and arms, carried off his trees and underwood lately growing there (namely ash, crab-trees, hawthorn, and blackthorn) to the value of £20, and allowed his beasts (namely sheep, oxen, cows, horses, and pigs) to trample and consume his grain and hay/herbage (namely wheat, barley, beans, peas, and oats) to the value of £20. Damages claimed at 100m.

Pleading: JD says that he is innocent of coming with force and arms and places himself upon the country, and JR places himself likewise. Concerning the rest of the charges, JD says that a certain Roger W. is lord of the manor of Tottenham, with that part called 'Pembroke manor', within which manor RW holds diverse lands and tenements which are in turn held from him at his will according to the custom of the manor from time immemorial. The custom of the manor is that, at the manor court session next after Michaelmas, two tenants of the manor which hold at the will of the lord (RW) are chosen to present themselves to the steward. One of those tenants is chosen to be steward for the following year. And, if the tenant chosen to be steward should refuse, then the (present) steward of the lord of that same manor has good licence to seize all the lands and tenements of that same tenant which was chosen. JD says that JR held at the will of lord RW and according to the custom of the manor: one messuage, thirty acres, and one rod of land; as well as three acres and three rods of land; in Tottenham, where the supposed trees, grain, etc. of JR is claimed to have been growing. JD says that in the manor court next after Michaelmas year 4 Henry IV, namely on 04/01/1403, JR and a certain Thomas P. were nominated by the tenants of the manor to the office of seneschal for the coming year. Thereafter, the then seneschal Thomas B. chose of the two nominees, JR, to be seneschal for the coming year. JR then refused the office of seneschal and JD (the defendant), as bailiff of the manor, was ordered by the pre-existing seneschal TB to make entry into JR's land, cut the trees and underwood, and depastured the property, in the name of the lord RW. JD says that he intended no other injury to JR.

Pleading: JR says that these customs which JD describes are not the customs of the manor from time immemorial etc. and says that he is prepared to verify this.

Pleading: JD says that these have been the customs of the manor from time immemorial per the rolls of the court etc. and places himself upon the country, and JR places himself likewise. JR says that he is not able to verify these things himself, and seeks the assistance of his lord RW. Therefore, RW is summoned, along with JD, to come to this court in Trinity term 1403 for day between the parties etc.

Postea text: Continuance between the parties as far as Michaelmas term 1403, and the jury is placed in respite.

Postea text: JD and JU come, as well as the jury, but the jury has not yet made view of the matter if the form aforesaid etc. and so the jury is placed in respite as far as Hilary term 1404.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 374

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Housebreaking; Taking of goods

Pleading: Margery Cornewaill states that on 8/09/1400, Ellen atte Wode forcibly broke into her house in the parish of St Andrew Holborn in London and took and carried away goods and chattels worth £10, namely 3lb of silk, 25 pipes of gold [thread] of Cyprus and Venice, 8 purses, 8 slays ['slayos' - weaving tools] and other items. This was against the peace, and to her damage of £10.

Pleading: EW denies the trespass as claimed. Parties on country, jury here at the octave of Trinity 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 374

Term: Easter 1403
County: Middlesex
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Bond

Pleading: John C. claims that John L., son and heir of Robert L., owes him £10 per a bond. Bond shown in court. Damages claimed at £10. Noted that the bond does not say where it was made , but JC says it was made at Westminster, Middlesex.

Pleading: JL asks that the bond be read aloud, and it says that if JL should pay JC 8m in the feast of St Peter ad Vincula (01/08/1401) the bound would then be null and void. JL says that he paid JC 'the aforesaid £10' at Merstham, Surry, and so the suit against him ought not be continued.

Pleading: JC says that JL 'did not pay to him the aforesaid £10 as per the form force and effect' of the bond etc. and seeks inquiry upon the country, and JL seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff of Surrey to make a jury come in the quindene of Trinity term 1403.

Postea text: The sheriff of Surry returns that the writ reached him too late, and so the case is forwarded as far as Michaelmas term 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 374d

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £20
Damages awarded: 26s 8d
Costs: 73s 4d
Case type: Bond

Pleading: Gilbert de la Gariga claims that Robert de Ledys owes him £27 6s 8d per a bond. Damages are claimed at £20. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond says nothing of where it was made, but that GG says it was made at London etc.

Pleading: RL says that at the time of the making of the bond he was under-age, and so the force of the bond ought not hold.

Pleading: GG says that at the time of the making of the bond RL was full of age and seeks inquiry upon the country, and RL seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff of London to make a jury come in the quindene of Trinity term 1403.

Postea text: The jury is placed in respite as far as the quindene on St John the Baptist, unless first heard before justice William R. at the assize of St Martin le Grand on 07/07/1403.

Postea text: The case was heard on 07/07/1403 at the assize of St Martin le Grand before justice WR and associate justice Thomas S. RL brought to the court letters patent given at Westminster, Middlesex, on 25/06/1403 extending to him royal protection. However, it is decided that these letters of protection say that 'Robert de Ledys of Kingston Upon Hull' is to be protected from persecution whereas in this case he is being persecuted as 'Robert de Ledys of Kingston Upon Hull in the county of Yorkskire'. Thus, RL's letters of protection, which do not specify 'in the county of York', ought not obstruct the present inquiry. The jury found that RL was of full age at the time of the making of the bond, and so GG is to recover the said debt plus damages of 26s 8d and costs of 40s. And upon this, GG asks that his damages for costs be increased. The justice then decided that GG is to recover the debt, plus the 5m (26s 8d + 40s) damages and costs awarded by the jury, plus an additional 33s 4d for costs.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 386d

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £10
Damages awarded: 20s
Case type: Bond; Sale of goods

Pleading: Henry M. and Richard M., executors of the will of John S., say that John L. owes them 100s on a bond. Damages claimed at £10. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond does not say when or where it was made, but that the plaintiffs say it was made at London etc.

Pleading: JL asks for the bond and its endorsements to be read aloud in the court, and it says that if JL should pay HM and RM 10 quarters of 'dredge' (a mixture of barley and oats) and five quarters of peas at the feast of All Saints 1401 then the bond shall be null and void. JL says that he made this delivery at Ashwell, Hertfordshire. Concerning this JL seeks inquiry upon the country, and the plaintiffs seek likewise. Order to the sheriff of Hertfordshire to make a jury come in the quindene of trinity term 1403..

Postea text: The sheriff of Hertfordshire returns that the writ reached him too late and so the case is forwarded as far as the octave of Michaelmas 1403.

Postea text: The sheriff of Hertfordshire did not send the writ and so the case is forwarded as far as the octave of Hilary term 1404.

Postea text: Continuance between the parties and the jury is placed in respite as far as the octave of Hilary term 1406.

Postea text: Jury comes and says that JL did not pay HM and RM as he claims, and so HM and RM are to recover the said debt plus 20s damages. JL is in mercy.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 389d

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Bond

Pleading: William Shiryngham, John W., and John B.; executors of the will of William Sheryngham; claim that Peter C. and his wife Amy C., herself administrator of the goods of John E., owe them £60 on a bond which was made between WS and JE during their lifetimes. Damages are claimed at £40. The bond is shown in the court as well as letters showing the plaintiffs are the executors of William Sheryngham. Noted that the bond does not say where it was made, but the plaintiffs claim that it was made at London etc.

Pleading: PC and AC ask that the bond and its endorsements be read out in the court, and the endorsement says that if JE should pay to William Sheryngham £20 at Christmas 1384, £20 at Easter 1385, and £20 at the nativity of St John the Baptist 1385, then the bond shall be null and void. PC and AC say the suit against them ought not be continues because JE paid these monies to William Sheryngham during his lifetime, at Leicester (Leyc').

Pleading: William Shiryngham, JW, and JB say that JE did not make the £20 payment of Christmas 1384 and so their suit should continue.

Pleading: PC and AC say that JE did make the Christmas 1384, at Leicester, and put themselves upon the country, and the plaintiffs put themselves likewise. Order to the sheriff of Leicester to make a jury come at the quindene of Trinity term 1403.

Postea text: Continuance between he parties as far as Michaelmas 1403, unless first heard before John C., chief baron of the Exchequer, at the assize of Leicester on 02/08/1403.

Postea text: Record is sent that the case was heard at the assize of Leicester on 02/08/1403 before JC, chief baron of the Exchequer, and associate justice Reginald E. The jury found that JE did pay William Shiryngham the said £20 in Christmas 1385 and so the plaintiffs are to have nothing and the defendants PC and AC are without day.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 390d

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (against statute)
Damages claimed: 100s
Case type: Assault; Breach of Statute; Contract (service/employment)

Pleading: John G. claims that on 29/09/1402 he retained Agnes F. to work as his maid/servant (ancilla) for one full year next following. However, on 05/02/1403 she left his service without his consent etc. in breach of the statute of labourers. Damages are claimed at 100s.

Pleading: AF says that on the day JG claims she withdrew from his service, JG's wife Joan G. assaulted, wounded, and maltreated Agnes so that she withdrew from service with good licence and did not intend any other injury.

Pleading: JG says that AF left his service unjustly, and not for the reason she has given. JG puts himself upon the country, and AF puts herself likewise. Order to the sheriff of London to make a jury come in the quindene of Trinity term 1403.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 412

Term: Easter 1403
County: Kent
Writ type: Detinue
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Detention of goods; Safe keeping

Pleading: Adam G. claims that John H. ought to render to him 4 cows and 66 sheep worth £4 2s 6d which AG delivered to JH for safe keeping at Addington, Kent, on 05/05/1401. JH refuses to return these animals, and AG claims damages of £10.

Pleading: JH says that he does not detain these animals nor anything else from AG and puts himself upon the country, and AG puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff of Kent to make a jury come in the nativity of St John the Baptist 1403. Noted that AG puts in his place, concerning this case, attorney John E.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 412

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Debt (account)
Damages claimed: 100s
Case type: Reckoning of account; Sale of goods

Pleading: Robert C. claims that John W. owes 43s 4d arrears as determined by a reckoning of he account between them before auditors Robert T. and William B. RC claims that JW owes him this debt for iron and herrings (ferro et allece). Damages are claimed at 100s.

Pleading: JW says stat he did not have an accounting before the aforesaid auditors etc. and puts himself upon the country, and RC puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff of London to make a jury come in the octave of Trinity 1403. Pledges named for the defendant.

Postea text: Two posteas, both say that the sheriff did not send the writ and forward the case as far as Hilary term 1404.

Postea text: JW did not come, and so makes default. The jury did not come, and is placed in respite as far as the quindene of Easter term 1404.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 469d

Term: Easter 1403
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Assault; Contract (general); Housebreaking; Taking of goods

Pleading: Thomas C. claims that William O. used force and arms to break his house at London, where WO then beat wounded and maltreated him and carried off his goods and chattels to the value of 40s. The goods taken were namely one table/tablet ('tabeler') with all its apparatus., a basin, a laver, a copper/bronze vessel (vasa eneas) and other household utensils. Damages are claimed at £20.

Pleading: WO comes and defends, and upon this day is given between the parties in the octave of Trinity term 1403. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Postea text: 'Upon this day is given in the octave of Michaelmas 1403 etc.'

Postea text: (CP40/571 rot. 175) - Concerning the use of force and arms WO says he is innocent and puts himself upon the country, and TC puts himself likewise. Concerning the seizure and carrying off of goods WO says that on the day and year when this is supposed to have happened, he was chaplain of the chantry of St Thomas the Martyr within the church of St Mary at Hill. There he was ordained and appointed to celebrate services in the same chantry for the soul of a certain John de Canston citizen of London and the souls of others. WO says that he was to receive for this work and his sustenance 10m silver at the nativity of St John the Baptist, Michaelmas, Christmas, and Easter issuing from: one tenement within the parish of St. Mary at Hill [interlineation - where the supposed trespass took place]; one tenement the parish of St Andrew Hubbard; other shops, gardens, and one 'kayo' with appurtenances in the parish of St Leonard Eastcheap. And, if these monies should fall into arrears, WO claims that he like his predecessors since time immemorial had the right to make distraint on the aforesaid tenements. WO says that he was not paid in Easter 1401and so made distraint for the arrears in the form of the items named, at the place named, as he had good licence to do.

Postea text: TC reiterates his claim that WO seized and removed the said goods wrongfully and seeks inquiry upon the country, and WO seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff of London etc.

Case notes: result found on CP40/571 rot.175

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/569, rot. 471

Term: Easter 1403
County: Yorkshire
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Bond

Pleading: Robert M. claims that John S. and John H., executors of the will of Simon N., owe him £60 as the unpaid residue of a £104 bond made between RM and SN during his lifetime. Payment was to be made at Beverley. Bond shown in court. Damages claimed at £40. Noted that the bond does not say where it was made, but RM says it was made at Beverley, Yorkshire.

Pleading: JS says that SN during his lifetime, namely 02/05/1401, at London, parish of St Michael Bassishaw, ward of Bassishaw, granted all of his goods and chattels to [large hole in document] and a certain William H. So that all the goods and chattels which were in the possession of John Starlyng were... [damage] were administered. [It seems JS claims that SN had demised all his goods before his death so that there was nothing left to administer after his death.] This JS is prepared to verify this. JH says that he was never an administrator of the goods of SN.

Pleading: RM says that his action should continue because JS and JH did administer diverse goods and chattels of SN after his death, namely: wool, grain, beans, peas, and silver vessels at Beverley in Yorkshire. RM seeks inquiry upon the country, and the defendants seek likewise. Order to the sheriff of Yorkshire to make a jury come in the octave of Trinity term 1403.