CP40/579: Michaelmas term 1405

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 031

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (loan)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Loan

Pleading: William C. claims that Hugh F. owes him 8m on a loan. Damages are claimed at £10.

Pleading: HF says that he does not owe WC the said 8m nor any other monies and puts himself upon the country, and WC puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff of London etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 059

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Case type: Assault

Pleading: John D. claims that John, son of Thomas Hauk, used force and arms to assault his servant John W. at London so that JD was without his service for four weeks following the said assault. Damages are claimed at £10.

Pleading: John son of Thomas says that he is completely innocent and puts himself upon the country, and JD puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 120

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Detinue
Damages claimed: £300
Damages awarded: £20
Case type: Detention of goods; Real action / rents / damage to real estate

Pleading: John S. claims that chaplain John Peek, executor of the will of another chaplain John Peek of London, detains one chest containing charters and other muniments. JS claims that a certain William B. granted to William S. (Sen.) and his wife Matilda S. three messuages with appurtenances in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, by a certain charter. Also, by way of another charter, the same WB granted to the same WS (Sen.) and his wife MS 200 acres of land, 40 acres of meadow, and 20 acres of pasture in Welby, Leicestershire. WS (Sen.) and MS later died, seised of this property, with two living sons, William S. (Jr.) and Robert S. After the death of WS (Sen.) and MS, their son and heir WS (Jr.) made entry into the said messuages and tenements, and this same WS (Jr.) was then in possession of the aforesaid chest containing the said two charters and other muniments. WS (Jr.) then made his wife Julia S. his executor. And, after the death of WS (Jr.) with no issue at London, parish of St Giles without Cripplegate, ward of Cripplegate this same JS ought to have delivered the said chest to the plaintiff John S. (son of RS) cousin and heir apparent of the aforesaid WS (Jr.) in the same parish and ward. However, Julia S. came into possession of the said chest and charters after the death of WS (Jr.) and subsequently named the late chaplain John Peek of London as executor of her own will. Thus, after Julia S.'s own death the chest and charters passed into the possession of the late chaplain John Peek of London, after whose death the same chest and charters passed into the hands of his own executor the present chaplain John Peek. Chaplain John Peek now detains this chest and charters from the plaintiff John S. Damages are claimed at £300.

Pleading: Chaplain JP says that he does not detain the said chest with charters and puts himself upon the country, and John S. puts himself likewise. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Postea text: postea 1 - case respited as far as Easter term 1406 so that the jury may be placed, unless heard before justice William H. at the assize at St Martin le Grand on 18/02/1406.

Postea text: postea 2 - case heard before justice WH and associate justice John C. at the assize of St Martin le Grand on 18/02/1406. Chaplain JP does not come and so he is in default. The jury say on oath that chaplain JP detains the said chest with charters. Damages are set as follows: if JP returns the said chest with the two charters named then John S. shall receive £20 damages; if JP does not return the said chest and charters named then John S. shall receive 200m damages. However, the jury finds that JP does not detain any other diverse writings or muniments etc. except the said chest and two named charters. JP is in mercy.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 125

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: 100s
Case type: Bond

Pleading: Geoffrey A. and Ralph A. claim that John G. owes them 10m on a bond, payable at 'Aysshe' [no county given]. Damages claimed at 100s. Plaintiffs state that the bond was made in London.

Pleading: JG says that the bond is not of his making and puts himself upon the country, and GA and RA put themselves likewise. Pledges are named for the defendant. The bond is put in the safe keeping of William P.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 128

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (sale of goods)
Damages claimed: 40s
Case type: Sale of goods

Pleading: Alan E. claims that Nicholas G. owes him 40s arising from the sale of linen cloth which NG bought but did not pay for. Damages are claimed at 40s.

Pleading: NG says that he does not owe AE the said 40s nor any other monies and offers his law. Pledges of law are named, and it is decided that NG's attorney William A. should have his master to this court in Hilary term 1406 etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 131

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (against statute)
Damages claimed: £300
Case type: Breach of Statute; Embracery

Pleading: John G. claims that John S., Stephen A., John D., John Macche, John T., William I., John Broket, and Eustace D. have breached the statute against embracery and corrupt jurors, namely the Westminster statute of 38 Edward III (Stat. Realm, 38 Edw. III, Stat 1, c.12). JG says that JS, SA, JD, John Macche, JT, and WI were jurors in a certain inquest which was lately summoned before the justices of the bench concerning a case in which JG with his wife Joan G. on the one part sought certain lands from John Berden with his wife Elizabeth B. - daughter and heir of John C. -, John A. with his wife Joan A., and John Marchaunt on the other part. The lands sought were one messuage, 100 acres of land, 12 acres of meadow, 60 acres of pasture, 12 acres of wood, 12 acres of moor, and 20 shillings of rents in Lingfield, Crowhurst, and Limpsfield, Surrey. During this inquest John Broket and ED committed embracery towards the aforementioned jurors who were called to warrant, on behalf of John Berden and EB, and they (all the defendants) took diverse sums of money and other gifts at London in contempt of the king and to the damage of plaintiff JG. Namely, at London in the parishes of St Mary Colechurch and 'All Hallows', ward of Cheap the defendants received from the hands of John Berden and EB: to JS 26s 8d in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast ('jantaculum') worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows; to SA 26s 8d in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows; to JD 26s 8d in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows; to John Macche 20s in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows; to JT 20s in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows; to WI 20s in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows; to John Broket 4m in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows; and to ED 40s in the parish of St Mary and one breakfast worth 40d in the parish of All Hallows. JG claims damages of £300.

Pleading: JS comes in his own person, and defendants SA, John Macche, JT, JD, and WI come by attorney Gilbert H. They all deny taking the above said monies, or any other monies, in exchange for being embracers. They also say, concerning the said breakfast, that after they delivered the verdict they ate and drank with John Berden and his wife EB out of friendship, at London in the parish of St Peter Westcheap, ward of Farringdon Within, as they had good licence to do. They deny that they ate with John Berden and EB before the verdict or that they engaged in embracery.

Pleading: JG says that the defendants did dine with John Berden and EB prior to the giving of the verdict and seeks inquiry upon the country, and the defendants seek likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 160

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Assault

Pleading: John D. and his wife Margaret D. claim that William S., Agnes B., Henry W., John S., and William B. assaulted them with force and arms. Damages are claimed at £40.

Pleading: WS, AB, HW, JS, and WB say that they are innocent and put themselves upon the country, and JD with MD put themselves likewise. Order to the sheriff etc. Defendants put attorney Nicholas W. or attorney William K. in their place against JD and MD.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 160

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £100
Damages awarded: £11
Costs: £2
Case type: Assault; Taking of goods

Pleading: William W. claims that John Barton used force and arms to seize and carry off £40 of WW's cash money as well as assault WW's servant John Brampton so that the same John Brampton was out of WW's service for three weeks. Damages are claimed at £100.

Pleading: John Barton says that he is completely innocent and puts himself upon the country, and WW puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Postea text: postea 1 - continuance between the parties as far as Easter term 1406 for a jury to be placed, unless first heard before justice William H. at the assize at St Martin le Grand on 18/02/1406.

Postea text: postea 2 - Case heard before justice William H. and associate justice John C. at the assize at St Martin le Grand on 18/02/1406. The jury come and say on oath that John Barton did seize and carry off £10 of WW's money and assess his damages at £10. They assess WW's costs at 20s. WW asks the justice to increase the amount he is to receive for costs, and he is awarded and additional 20s. WW is to have a total of £13 costs and damages fort he theft. However, John Barton is found innocent of assaulting WW's servant and so WW is in mercy for false claim.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 160d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Bond

Pleading: William Wangford, lately citizen and draper of London, is in mercy for many defaults. John O. and his wife Lettice O., executors of the will Lettice's late husband William Waddesworth, claim that William Wangford owes them £20 on a bond made between William Wangford and a certain John C. on the one part, and the late William Waddesworth on the other part. Damages are claimed at £20. The bond is shown in court. It is noted that the bond says nothing of where it was made but that the plaintiffs claim it was made at London etc. The plaintiffs also show letters of executry.

Pleading: William Wangford asks that the bond and its endorsements be read out in the court. It says that if JC and William Wangford should pay William Waddesworth or his heirs or executors in London £10 then the bond shall be null and void. William Wangford says that the case against him ought not continue because he paid this £10 to William Waddesworth at London in the parish of St Peter Cornhill, Cornhill ward.

Pleading: JO and LO say that this money was not paid and seek inquiry upon the country, and William Wangford seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 194

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond); Debt (loan)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Bond; Loan

Pleading: The abbot of Welbeck claims that John M. owes him 46m arising from a 26m bond, which was payable at Welbeck, and a 20m loan, also payable at Welbeck. Damages are claimed at £20. Bond shown in court.

Pleading: JM says that the 36m bond is not of his making and puts himself upon the country, and the abbot of Welbeck puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff of London etc. The bond is put into the safe keeping of William P. Concerning the supposed 20 loan, JM says that he does not the abbot the said 20m not any other monies and offers his law. Pledges of law are named.

Postea text: postea 1 - the sheriff does not send the writ (concerning the 26m bond) and so the matter of the bond if forwarded as far as Easter term 1406. Concerning the 20s loan JM makes essoin as far as Easter term 140566.

Postea text: postea 2 - concerning the supposed 20s loan JM makes his law, and so the abbot is to have nothing. The abbot is in mercy for false claim concerning the supposed 20s loan. Concerning the 26m bond the sheriff does not send the writ and so the matter is forwarded as far as Trinity term 1406.

Postea text: postea 3 - concerning the 26m bond, the sheriff did not send the writ and so the case is forwarded as far as Michaelmas term 1406.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 220d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Case type: Bond

Pleading: Drew B. claims that Alice the widow of Edward S., administrator of the goods and chattels of Roger D. who died intestate, owes him 11m 6s on a bond made between DB and the late RD. Damages are claimed at 20m. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond says nothing of where it was made, but DB says it was made at London etc.

Pleading: AS protests that she does not acknowledge that the said bond is of the making of the late RD, and says that she did not administer any of the goods or chattels of RD after his death. AS seeks judgement.

Pleading: DB says that AS did administer goods and chattels which were of the late RD at Southwark, Surrey, and that she ought to have made satisfaction concerning the said debt. DB seeks inquiry and As seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Postea text: postea 1 - continuance between the parties so that a jury can be placed, as far as the octave of St John the Baptist 1406 (Trinity term 1406).

Postea text: postea 2 - a jury comes and says on oath that AS was not administrator of the goods of RD after his death. As is without day and DB is in mercy for false claim.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 290

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: 40s
Case type: Bond

Pleading: Thomas P. claims that John B. owes him 40s per a bond. Damages claimed at 40s. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond says nothing of where it was made, but TP says it was made at London etc.

Pleading: JB says that the bond is not of his making and puts himself upon the country, and TP puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc. Pledges are named for the defendant. The bond is put into the safe keeping of William P.

Postea text: 7 posteas - all say that the sheriff did not send the writ, forwarding the case as far as Hilary term 1408.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 290

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Abduction; Taking of goods

Pleading: John C. claims that Joan W. used force and arms to seize and carry off his goods and chattels to the value of £20 as well as abduct his servant John G. so that JC was without JG's service for two days. The goods taken were namely: 20 pounds of pepper; 20 pounds of ginger; and 20 pounds of cinnamon, cloves, and mace. Damages are claimed at £40.

Pleading: JW says that she is innocent and puts herself upon the country, and JC puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 302

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (against statute)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Breach of Statute; Contract (service/employment)

Pleading: Robert T. claims that he hired Robert H. on 09/02/1404 to work for him as a carpenter for a period of one year, commencing Easter 1404 (30/03/1404). However, RH left his service prematurely on 31/03/1404 (i.e. he did not come to work when the term of service should have begun). Damages are claimed at £40.

Pleading: RH says that he was never retained by RT puts himself upon the country, and RT puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 304d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: Norfolk
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £200
Damages awarded: 200m
Costs: 60m
Case type: Assault

Pleading: William L. claims that Richard T. John C. John A., John D., Thomas S., William S., and Richard C. assaulted him with force and arms at Shouldham, Norfolk. Damages are claimed at £200.

Pleading: RT, JC, JA, JD, TS, WS, and RC say that William Lok is their villein from the manor of Sparham, called 'Sparham Hall', in Necton (Norfolk). The defendants say that all of them were seised of the said manor and thus of William Lok and his antecessors as villeins of the manor from time immemorial, and seek judgement.

Pleading: William Lok says that he is a free man and not a villein. William Lok seeks inquiry upon the country, and the defendants seek likewise. Order to the sheriff of Norfolk etc.

Postea text: postea 1 - Continuance between the parties as far as Easter term 1406 unless the case is first heard by justice John C. on 21/04/1406 at the assize of Stoke Ferry, Norfolk.

Postea text: postea 2 - Case is first heard before justice John C. and associate justice Richard L. on 21/04/1406 at the assize of Stoke Ferry, Norfolk. A jury comes and says that William Lok and his ancestors from time immemorial are and were free men of free condition, not villeins. Hence, the jury awards William Lok 200m damages for the said trespass, and 60m costs. And upon this William Lok relaxes his damages etc.

Case notes: outcome appealed on CP40/582 rot.117

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 316

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Taking of goods

Pleading: Thomas C. claims that William H., William O., and Peter P. used force and arms to seize and carry off two colts/foals and five bullocks worth 60s, at Sutton next to (juxta) Dover. Damages are claimed at £10.

Pleading: WH, WO, and PP come per their attorney [un-named] and defend … [no further information]

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 320

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Bond

Pleading: William S., Ralph L, and Agnes A. - executors of the will of William A. - claim that Robert M., John W., and Edith G., executors of the will of William G., owe them £20 on a bond made between the late William A. and the late William G. Damages are claimed at £40. Bond shown in court, as well as the testamentary letters of WG.

Pleading: RM, JW, and EG say that the late WG, at Bristol, named not only themselves but also a certain John, servant of the late WG, as his executors, and that the present writ does not name this John.

Pleading: The plaintiffs say that the late WG named only RM, JW, and EG as his executors and no one else.

Pleading: RM, JW, and EG reiterate their claim that the late WG also named his servant John as an executor and put themselves upon the country, and the plaintiffs put themselves likewise. Order to the sheriff of Bristol etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 328

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Other
Case type: Negligence

Pleading: John E., bailiff of the franchise of The Savoy, Westminster, claims that there was a conspiracy between John P. with his wife Joan P., William . and Thomas H. that JE had arrested a certain William B. on suspicion of treason and larceny on Savoy Street, Westminster, held him for six hours, and wilfully allowed him to escape. Also, the conspiracy suggested that the same WB had in his purse at that time half a noble (gold coin) of counterfeit money made of copper and countours (coper & countours) overlaid with gold to deceive the people of the lord king. As a result of this conspiracy JE himself was put into the prison of the marshal, as is the custom, until he was acquitted of the charges against him. [here ends the entry]

Pleading: [no counterplea entered]

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 410

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £10
Damages awarded: 26s 8d
Case type: Bond; Imprisonment

Pleading: Richard W. claims that William K. owes him 15m per a bond made 21/02/1405, which was to be paid in payments of 5m on 22/03/1405 and 10m on 07/06/1405. Damages are claimed at £10. Noted that the bond does not say where it was made but RW says it was made at London etc.

Pleading: WK says that the force of the bond ought not hold because he was imprisoned by RW at the time of its making.

Pleading: RW says that WK made the bond of his own free will and seeks inquiry upon the country, and WK seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Postea text: postea 1 - continuance between the parties as far as Easter term 1406 unless first heard at the assize of St Martin le Grand before justice William H. on 10/02/1406.

Postea text: postea 2 - case heard at the assize of St Martin le Grand before justice William H. and associate justice John C. on 10/02/1406. WK does not come and so is in default. The jury thus finds that WK made the bond of his own free will and so RW is to recover the said debt plus damages of 26s 8d.

Postea text: postea 3 - 22/06/1406 WK, present in this court, has been committed to the Fleet prison.

Postea text: postea 4 - 03/07/1406 RW comes and acknowledges satisfaction of the debt and damages and so WK is to be released from the Fleet and the warden is quit of him.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 410d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Detinue
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Detention of goods; Safe keeping

Pleading: Thomas R. claims that John Lyndsey detains a certain bond showing that John Laver senior and Henry atte Hyde of Ewell parish Surrey are held to TR in £20. TR claims that he put this bond into the safe keeping of John Lyndsey who now refuses to return it.

Pleading: John Lyndsey brings the said bond before the court and says that he is prepared to deliver it with the court's decision, but that it was put into his safe keeping with the mutual assent of TR, John Laver, and HH. only to be returned under certain conditions. John Lyndsey says that he is unaware, on the part of John Laver and HH, if those conditions have been met. The decision of the court is that John Laver and HH should be made to come to this court in Hilary term 1406, and so order to the sheriff of Surrey etc.

Postea text: 1 postea - the sheriff of Surrey returns that the writ reached him too late and so the case is forwarded as far as Easter term 1406

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 468

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: Sussex
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Taking of goods; Trespass (chattels)

Pleading: John B. claims that John P. used force and arms to seize and carry off his hay at Pulborough worth 100s, and with his animals destroyed his hay lately growing there worth 40s. Damages are claimed at £20

Pleading: JP says that he is innocent of the use of force and arms and puts himself upon the country, and JB pus himself likewise. JP also that at the time and place of the supposed trespass he took the said hay from land which was his own free tenement etc., as he had good licence to do.

Pleading: JB says that the trespass took place on land which was his free tenement, and not the tenement of JP. JB seeks inquiry and JP seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 483

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (account)
Damages claimed: 100s
Case type: Reckoning of account

Pleading: Baldwin C. claims that Walter H. owes him £10 as determined by a reckoning of the account between them concerning diverse monies of BC, received by WH by the hands of a certain Walter P. Damages are claimed at 100s.

Pleading: WH says that he does not owe BC the said £10 nor any other monies and offers his law. Pledges of law named.

Postea text: postea 1 - WH comes and makes his law and so is without day. BC is in mercy for false claim.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 493

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (sale of goods)
Damages claimed: 100s
Case type: Sale of goods

Pleading: Henry O. claims that Thomas D. owes him £6 as the unpaid residue of a £12 8s 10d debt arising from the sale of one cask of woad and 100 pounds of alum which TD bought but has not fully paid for. Damages are claimed at 100s.

Pleading: TD says that he does not owe aforesaid £6 nor any other monies and offers his law. Pledges of law are named.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 493d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (account)
Damages claimed: £20
Damages awarded: 20s
Costs: 40s
Case type: Reckoning of account; Sale of goods

Pleading: John T. claims that John R. owes him £8 5s as determined by a reckoning of the account between them before auditors John J. and John S. This debt arose from the sale of two furs of miniver worth 7m, one sheet worth 40s, one lamb's fur worth 3s, and other diverse monies and receipts. Damages are claimed at £20.

Pleading: JR says that he did not have an accounting before the said auditors and puts himself upon the country, and JT puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Postea text: postea 1 - continuance between the parties as far as the octave of the Purification of St. Mary 1406 (late Hilary term 1406) unless the case is first heard at the assize of St Martin le Grand before justice William B. on 04/02/1406.

Postea text: postea 2- The case is first heard at the assize at St Martin le Grand before justice William B. and associate justice Richard H. on 04/02/1406. The jury come and say that there was an accounting before the said auditors at which JR was indeed found to be in arrears to JT, but that this accounting found JR to be in arrears by only 7m 6s 8d and not more. The jury awards JT damages of 20s and costs of 40s. Hence, JT is to recover the actual debt of 7m 6s 8d plus 60s costs and damages. JR is in mercy. JT is in mercy for false claim concerning the remainder of the debt he claimed to be owed.

Postea text: postea 3 - 11/07/1406 writ of error issued by William T. at Westminster.

Case notes: 'Error' in margin next to counterplea

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 496

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (loan); Debt (sale of goods)
Damages claimed: 20m
Case type: Loan; Sale of goods

Pleading: Thomas S. claims that Lawrence M. owes him £12 arising from a £4 loan and the sale of goods worth £8. The goods were namely, 300 stockfish, three casks ('cados') of herrings, and four casks of oil. Damages are claimed at 20m.

Pleading: LM says that he does not owe TS the said £12 nor any other monies and offers his law. Pledges of law are named.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 509

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (against statute)
Damages claimed: £10
Case type: Breach of Statute; Contract (service/employment)

Pleading: John H. claims that on 1 November 1404 he hired John L. to work for him as cap maker for one whole year, but that JL left his service without reasonable cause on 7 November 1404. Damages are claimed at £10.

Pleading: JL says that both at the time when JH claims to have retained him, and at the date of his supposed withdrawal from JH's service, he was in fact the apprenticed to Ralph B. and his wife Agnes B., learning the art of cap making from Agnes B. This he is prepared to verify.

Pleading: JH says that he did retain JL and seeks inquiry upon the country, and JL seeks likewise. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 509d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (account)
Damages claimed: 100s
Case type: Reckoning of account

Pleading: John Massyngham claims that Margery M. owes him £4 as determined by a reckoning of the account between them before auditors John Moredon and Richard V. Damages are claimed at 100s.

Pleading: MM says that she did not have an accounting before the said auditors and puts herself upon the country, and John Massyngham puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc. Noted that MM puts in her place, concerning this case versus John Massyngham, a certain Richard E.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 521d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (sale of goods)
Damages claimed: 40s
Case type: Sale of goods

Pleading: William K. claims that Nicholas P. owes him 40s arising from the sale of one wooden table (tabulas ligneas) which he bought but did not pay for. Damages are claimed at 40s.

Pleading: NP says that he does not owe WK the said 40s nor any other monies and makes his law.

Postea text: NP makes his law and so WK is to have nothing per his writ. NP is without day.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 525d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Bond

Pleading: William T. claims that Thomas M., executor of the will of Robert S., owes him £40 as the unpaid residue of a £213 6s 8d bond made between WT and the late RS. Damages are claimed at £20. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond says nothing of where it was made, but WT says it was made at London etc.

Pleading: TM says that the action against him ought not continue because he had already made full administration of the goods and chattels of RS prior to the making of the writ against him.

Pleading: WT says that when his writ was obtained on 12/04/1405, and afterwards, TM had in his hands various un-administered goods and chattels up to the value of the said debt at the manor of Kirkton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire. Wt seeks inquiry upon the country and TM seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff of Lincolnshire etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 552

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Assault; Housebreaking; Taking of goods

Pleading: Geoffrey C. claims that Robert C. used force and arms to commit housebreaking against him, assault him, and steal his goods to the value of £10 at London. The goods taken were namely woollen and linen cloth. Damages are claimed at £20.

Pleading: RC says that he is innocent of the use of force and arms and puts himself upon the country, and GC puts himself likewise. Concerning the other charges RC says that on the aforesaid day and year he had been summoned by [blank space] archdeacon of the bishop of London and was sent by licence of the archdeacon to enter the close and house of GC for the summoning of a certain Alice R. who was remaining there, herself being of ill repute (ipsa defamata fuit) for fornication with a certain chaplain John B. and other diverse men. RC was to summon her so that she might be brought before the archdeacon's court in Milk Street, London, to respond to charges of fornication and defamation.

Pleading: GC says that he has no knowledge of this summoning nor fornication nor defamation and reiterates his claim that RC committed housebreaking against him and seeks inquiry upon the country, and RC seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 609

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: Hertfordshire
Writ type: Trespass (force and arms)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Assault

Pleading: Thomas K. and his wife Matilda K. claim that Robert S. assaulted them with force and arms at Much Harham ('Great Hadham), Hertfordshire. Damages are clamed at £20.

Pleading: RS says that he is innocent and puts himself upon the country, and TK with MK put themselves likewise. Order to the sheriff etc. Pledges are named for the defendant.

Postea text: postea 1 - the sheriff did not send the writ and so the case is forwarded as far as Easter term 1406.

Postea text: postea 2 - continuance between the parties so that a jury can be places, forwarding the case as far as Easter term 1409!

Postea text: postea 3 - a jury comes and says on oath that RS is innocent, and so is without day. TK and MK are in mercy for false claim and have nothing for their writ.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 623

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (other)
Damages claimed: 100m
Damages awarded: £40
Case type: Bond

Pleading: William Powe, executor of John Stacy, former cofferer to Richard II, amerced for many defaults. William Multon and his wife Joan, daughter of Robert Coupere of Barton upon Humber, claim that William Powe, executor of the will of John Stacy, late cofferer of Richard II, together with his fellow executors Andrew de Bondeby, sub-dean of St Peter's, York, Ralph Repyngton, William Asshurst, Thomas Lekyngfeld and John Astbury, owe him 83m. WM and JM say that they brought a certain writ of debt against the said executors for 100m, which writ was returnable here at the quindene of Martinmas 1404. Process was then continued to the octave of Hilary 1405, when the parties appeared in person and the plaintiffs claimed that on 21 October 1392, in London, the testator JS made a bond which they show in court, with Robert Coupere of Barton upon Humber, then deceased, and his daughter Joan in 100m, payable at Michaelmas then next. However, JS did not pay, and nor had his executor John Astbury, either during RC's lifetime, or while Joan was single, or after her marriage to William Multon, to their damage of £20. Astbury admitted that he was one of the executors of JS, and that the bond was made by Js, and that 80m was outstanding. However, he said that JS had paid the other 20m in his lifetime. Order that WM and Joan recover from WA and the other executors the said 100m [sic], and damages of 40s from the goods formerly of JS. WM and Joan released 20m of this sum, but the executors have not paid the remaining 83m, to their damage of 100m.

Pleading: WP, not acknowledging that the bond recited was of the making of JS, states that he has fully administered all the goods and chattels formerly of JS, and has none left in his hands, and did not on the day of the plaintiffs' first writ in the original case or afterwards.

Pleading: Plaintiffs state that on the day of their first original writ, on 24 October 1404, WP had various goods and chattels which were of the late JS at the time of his death, to the value of the said debt, namely at Thornton next to Wooton, Elsham, and Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire, Blunham in Bedfordshire, Masham in Yorkshire, Coventry in Warwickshire, and in the parish of St Bartholomew by the Exchange, Broad Street ward in London. Enquiry by country, sheriffs of Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire, and London to have juries here at octave of Hilary.

Postea text: postea 1 - sheriffs of Bedfordshire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire and London do not send writ, sicut prius to octave of the Purification 1406.

Postea text: postea 2 -again the sheriffs of Bedfordshire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire and London do not send writ, to quindene of Easter 1406. [different postea same term (Hilary 1406)] Continuance between the parties for a jury to be placed in Lincolnshire for Easter in fifteen days 1406, unless the case is first heard before chief justice William T. at the assize of Lincoln on 15/04/1406.

Postea text: Process continued, jury in respite to quindene of Easter 1406, nisi prius they come before William Thirnyng, CJCP, at Lincoln on 15 April 1406. On that day, plaintiffs came, WT sent record that on that day, before WT and John Copuldyk, plaintiffs came in person, defendant by attorney, jury says that on the day of the plaintiffs' original writ, namely 24 October 1404, WP had various goods and chattels in his possession formerly of the late JS, sufficient to satisfy the said debt, namely at Thornton by Wooton, Elsham, and Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, as claimed by plaintiffs. Damages assigned at £40. Order that plaintiffs recover the debt of 83m, and the damages of £40 from WP and the other executors, from the goods of JS at the time of his death. WP amerced.

Case notes: Earlier related case on CP 40/576, rot 263.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 624

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £20
Case type: Bond

Pleading: John B., administrator of the goods and chattels of Nicholas N., claims that Stephen M. and his wife Matilda M. (lately the wife of John A.) owe him £10 per a bond which was made between the late NN and MM whilst she was a single woman. Damages are claimed at £20. The bond is shown in court along with proof that JB is the administrator of NN.

Pleading: SM and MM say that at the time of the making of the said bond MM was the wife of SM, and not a single woman.

Pleading: JB says that MM was not the wife of SM at the time of the making of the bond, but was in fact a single woman. JB seeks inquiry upon the country, and SM with MM seek likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 626

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (account)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Reckoning of account; Sale of goods

Pleading: John D. claims that Richard S. owes him £38 as determined by a reckoning of he account between them before auditors John G. and John H. This debt arose from the sale of diverse victuals, namely stockfish, salt-fish, salted salmon, red herring, and white herring. Damages are claimed at £40.

Pleading: RS comes and seeks that the plaintiff JD, present in this court, be examined to determine if the action he has brought is true ('vera'). Upon this the justices examine JD and determine that he is not able to maintain his action, and so is to have nothing per his writ and is amerced for false claim.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 653

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (loan)
Damages claimed: £30
Case type: Loan

Pleading: John F. claims that John S. owes him £30 per a loan. Damages are claimed at £30.

Pleading: JS says that he does not owe JF the said £30 7s 3d nor any other monies and offers his law. Pledges of law are named. JS's attorney, Nicholas C., is to have his master here to make his law in Hilary term 1406.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 658d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Detinue
Damages claimed: 100s
Case type: Detention of goods; Safe keeping

Pleading: Henry C. claims that Thomas H. and Eleanor H., executors of the will of Henry B, together with co-executor chaplain Richard A., detain from him a certain cup (ciphum) worth 100s. HC says that on 20/06/1402 he gave the said cup to HB for safe keeping, after which time HB died leaving EH, chaplain RA, and a certain late chaplain William B. as his executors. HC says that he often asked for the return of the said cup, both before and after the death of chaplain WB and EH's subsequent marriage to TH. Damages are claimed at 100s.

Pleading: TH and EH say that they do not detain the said cup and put themselves upon the country, and HC puts himself likewise. Order to the sheriff etc.

Court of Common Pleas, CP 40/579, rot. 665d

Term: Michaelmas 1405
County: London
Writ type: Debt (bond)
Damages claimed: £40
Case type: Bond; Imprisonment

Pleading: Isabel H. claims that Walter B. owes her £10 on a bond made on the Thursday after Pentecost [year lost]. Damages claimed at £40. Bond shown in court. Noted that the bond does not say where it was made, but IH claims it was made at London etc.

Pleading: WB says that the force of the bond ought not hold because at the time of its making he was imprisoned by IH and others at Elsworth, Cambridgeshire.

Pleading: IH says that WB was a free man at the time of the making of the bond and seeks inquiry upon the country, and WB seeks likewise. Order to the sheriff of Cambridgeshire etc.

Postea text: postea 1 - the sheriff of Cambridgeshire did not send the writ and so the case is forwarded as far as Easter term 1406.