Crown Pleas: 51 Henry III - 53 Henry III (nos 181-206)

51 Henry III - 53 Henry III (nos 181–206)

Pleas of the crown 51 Henry III [1266–7]

181. Thomas de Stocton was lodging in the house of Gilbert [Makeheyte] (fn. 1) carpenter and brought with him there Dulcia de Gravesend, a prostitute. Because of this, a quarrel broke out between Thomas and Gilbert and Thomas hit Gilbert on the neck with an axe, so that he died forthwith. He at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. Chattels *18d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. He was [not] in frankpledge, but was harboured in the aldermanry of John de Gisors [Vintry ward] outside frankpledge, so the aldermanry is in *mercy. Henry de Kensyngton and Gilbert's widow Maud were attached for the death because they were in the house at the time, but they do not come and are not suspected. Henry was attached by Roger le Mareschall, (fn. 2) Geoffrey de Bow (de Arcubus) and William de Holebourn 'pessoner', Maud by Walter le Engleys and Roger le Mareschall. So they are in *mercy. Dulcia has absconded for the death and is not suspected, so let her return if she wishes. All the neighbours come and are not suspected, [cf. 628, 640]

Nota [unnumbered]. Defectus franci plegii.

182. [m. 9d] In the same year, the same being chamberlain and John Adrian and Luke de Batencurt being sheriffs; Austin de Burgh killed Beatrice maidservant of Thomasina de Ros in Thomasina's house. He at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according, to the custom of the City. No chattels nor frankpledge because he was a stranger. Alice de Brakeley was in the house at the time and was attached, but she does not come and is not suspected. She was attached by William Bengrant and William Swynhog. So they are all in *mercy. All the others and the neighbours attached for the death have died, so nothing from them. Be it known that no one answers for Luke de Batencurt, but it is testified that Alice la Blunde, Luke's widow, holds lands and tenements which belonged to Luke. So the sheriffs are ordered to distrain her to answer for Luke's term of office. She comes and says that all the lands and tenements which belonged to Luke are in the king's hand by order of the treasurer and barons of the exchequer; and that there she found the security to answer to the king for all that is owed to him. Brother William de Henry appears on behalf of the treasurer and barons and puts this fact on record on their behalf. (Memorandum.) [cf. 641]

183. On the eve of the feast of St. Mary Magdalene [21 July 1267] John son of Roger de Aungre killed Walter le Moyne in the ward of Thomas de Basyngges [Candlewick ward]. He at once fled and took sanctuary in the church of St. Lawrence Candelwykstrete, whence he later escaped. He is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels but he had a rent of one clove from a house which Roger le Jovene held of him in fee, year and waste worth nothing. The sheriff is ordered to take the rent into the king's hand. Stephen Boniur, a neighbour, does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by Simon de Norhamton and William le Callere. So they are all in *mercy. It is testified that Roger de Aungre and William son of Richard were arrested on suspicion of the death and imprisoned at Newgate; afterwards because they were of the liberty of the City they were released publicly according to the custom of the City. Roger was released to William Rime, Roger de Mareworth, Fulk de St. Edmunds, John le Jovene, Henry le Dubur, Nicholas Crispus 'hoder', William to Ayman [sic], William de Bakynge, John le Fraunceys, Nicholas de Hallyngbur', John Deneman, Reginald de Walden, James de Halstede, Thomas de Thorroke, William de Uggle, Nicholas Crispus, Roger Junior, Thomas de Torrock, Nicholas de Hallyngbury, Reginald de Walden, William de Bakynge and Peter le Hoder, William to William Hayman, William de Bakyngg, John le Fraunceys, Nicholas de Hallyngbur', John Deneman, Reginald de Waldene, James de Halstede, Thomas de Thurrek. William Ogele, Nicholas Crispes [sic], Roger and Robert le Jovene; (fn. 5) to have them here on the first day and did not have them. So they are all in *mercy, Roger and William come and, asked how they wish to clear themselves of the suspicion [blank. Cf. 642]

Nota 66. De hominibus indictatis de morte hominis et replegiatis [cf. 524 no. 66].

184. Walter Wan of Wendlesworthe was crossing the Thames in a boat near Westminster when he fell from the boat and was drowned. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Arnulf le Tayllur, a neighbour, comes and is not suspected, so he is quit. Value of the boat *10s. (deodandum) for which the master of the Knights Templar in England is to answer. Because the master took the deodand without warrant, *to judgment on him. The sheriff is ordered to cause him to appear. Because the chamberlain and sheriffs did not make a valuation of the boat * to judgment on them. Afterwards the master comes and makes satisfaction for the deodand.

185. John le Cuver killed Hugh de Norhampton in the aldermanry of Walter le Poter [Corahill ward]. He at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels, but he was in the frankpledge of William le Furmager and Walter le Furmager in the said aldermanry, so the frankpledges are in *mercy. Osbert le Poleter, a neighbour, does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by Henry Scot and Richard le Seler. So they are all in *mercy. All the others who were attached for the death have died, so nothing from them. [cf. 643]

[Nota unnumbered]: Franci plegii in misericordia.

186. John son of Robert de Euere took sanctuary in the church of All Hallows Bredstrete, confessed that he had stolen cloths and abjured the realm. Chattels *14d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. Nothing is known of frankpledge because he was a stranger, [cf. 644]

187. Philippa maid-servant of Mabel Louman appealed in the husting Henry son of Stephen the Clerk for the death of her son by abortion. She has now died, but Henry comes and, asked how he wishes to clear himself of the death, says that he is a clerk and is not bound to answer here. Thereupon Richard de Berwes minor canon of the church of St. Paul's London comes and claims him as a clerk and proffers letters of the bishop of London testifying that the bishop gave in turn to him and to William rector of the church of St. Christopher London his authority [for claiming clergy]. That it may be known for what he is to be handed over, let the truth be ascertained by the mayor and aldermen; they say on their oath that he is not guilty of the death, so he is quit and as such let him be handed over to the bishop. The bishop is forbidden to subject him to any purgation.

Nota 67. De clerico acquietato et liberato episcopo [cf. 524 no. 67].

188. From John Adrian and Luke de Batencurt sheriffs for the chattels of Geoffrey de Beverley, who has been hanged, (fn. 8) £40. [cf. 644]

Pleas of the Crown 52 Henry III [1267–8]

189. Jaket le Taylur and Thomas le Armurer came out of the house of Stephen le Taylur, keeper of the wardrobe of the earl of Gloucester, and encountered Geoffrey son of John de Hungrie; a quarrel arising between them, Jaket and Thomas attacked and beat Geoffrey, and Jaket struck him with a knife so that he died forthwith. Jaket at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels. Thomas comes and proffers a royal charter testifying that King Henry pardoned him his suit for breach of the peace arising from this death, of which he is accused, on condition that he stand to right if anyone wishes to implead him. And there is no one, so he is granted firm peace, but because previously he absconded for the death his chattels are to be confiscated. Chattels 5s. for which Stephen le Taylur is to answer. Because he took the chattels without warrant, he is in *mercy. [cf. 645]

190. Ralph de Ware and Thomas le Breton were in a boat on the Thames by night when John servant of Bartholomew le Brianzun appeared on the bank and a quarrel ensuing John shot Ralph with an arrow so that he died shortly after in the Tower of London. John at once returned to Bartholomew's house and afterwards fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels nor frankpledge but he was in the mainpast of Bartholomew. So he is in *mercy. Thomas was attached for the death, comes and is not suspected, so he is quit. No neighbour was attached because he died in the Tower of London.

191. John de Wynton' and Richard Sunit 'portur' were wanting to draw water from a well with a bucket when the rope by which they were pulling it up broke and they fell into the well and were drowned. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Value of the bucket 8d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. All the neighbours come and are not suspected.

192. [m. 10] John the Painter clerk and William clerk of the church of Colecherche killed Peter de Paris in the tavern of Henry de Coventre. They at once fled and are suspected, so let them be exacted and outlawed. No chattels nor frankpledge because they were clerks. Raymond de Burdagel was attached for the death because he was in the tavern at the time, and he comes and is not suspected, so he is quit. Peter le Cotiler, a neighbour, does not come. He was attached by Peter le Furbur and Godfrey le Botoner. So they are in *mercy.

193. In the same year, Walter de Capeles being chamberlain, for whom no one answers, and Walter Hervi and William de Durham being sheriffs, who answer now; on Friday the eve of the feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr [6 July 1268] Jolinet a king's clerk killed Nicholas servant of Philip parson of the church of Coneham (fn. 10) in the house of Henry Broning. He was at once arrested and taken to Newgate where he died in prison. Emery, Philip's brother, Henry Bruning and his wife Avice were attached for the death because they were in the house and now they have all died except Emery who does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by Thomas de Hormade and Solomon the Baker. So they are all in *mercy. All the neighbours come and are not suspected.

14th cent, heading: Walterus Hervi et Willelmus de Dunolmia [53 Henry III].

194. John Paternoster killed Nicholas le Paternoster in Nicholas' house in the ward of Anketin le Mercer [Farringdon ward]. He at once fled to the church of St. Mary Magdalene and afterwards escaped from there; he has now absconded and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. Chattels *22s. for which Walter Hervi is to answer. He was harboured in the ward of Aketin [sic] le Mercer outside frankpledge, so the alderman and the whole ward are in mercy. The four neighbours come and are not suspected. [cf. 646]

Nota [68]. Warda in miser icordia pro defectu franci plegii [cf. 524 no. 68].

195. Bartholomew the Carpenter, John de Breynford, William de Merton, carpenter, and Hugh le Clerk were making a wood-yard out of timber (lignarium de meremio) near a wall when they were crushed by the wall and the timber and died. Value of the wall and the timber 2 marks (deodandum) for which Walter Hervi is to answer. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Two neighbours come and are not suspected.

196. Muriel wife of William de Stanes fell from a bridge (ponte) into the Thames and was drowned. Value of the bridge 13d. for which Walter Hervi is to answer. John le Clerk, a neighbour, does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by Walter Odyn and William Pepes. So they are in mercy. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. [cf. 647]

197. John de Goldweye killed Peter Messeday in Langebourn ward and was immediately arrested and hanged on the following day at Newgate. No chattels. John de Norhampton, a neighbour, does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by Robert le Cordwaner of Chesterhunte and Hugh Bereman. So they are in *mercy. Edith wife of John was attached for the death, but does not come and is not suspected. She was attached by Robert le Hulder and Richard Roberd. So they are all in *mercy. The alderman and ward of Langebourne do not know the names of the neighbours, so to judgment [on them], [cf. 648]

[Nota unnumbered: Ad iudicium] quia nesciverunt nominare vicinos.

198. Stephen de Kemesyng and Thomas le Marcheys were fighting together in a house which they rented from Richard de Paris, and Thomas beat Stephen to death. Thomas at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels, but he was harboured in the ward of Cheap outside frankpledge, so the alderman and his ward are in *mercy. Richard de Paris was attached for the death because Thomas lodged in his house, and comes and is not suspected, so he is quit. Andrew de Dunster, a neighbour, does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by John de Berkhamstede. So he is in *mercy. [cf. 649]

[Nota unnumbered: Misericordia] pro defectu franci plegii.

199. William Russel was killed in the ward of Portesoken. Peter Baret absconded for the death and has now been arrested; he comes and, asked how he wishes to acquit himself of the death, says that for good or ill he puts himself upon the verdict of the mayor and aldermen. Because he is not of the liberty of the City it is permitted by licence of the justices. The mayor and aldermen say on their oath that he is not guilty of the death or of any crime, so he is quit.

200. Nicholas de Cullyng and Juliana de Ethelburg were walking together in a field outside London when John le Messer, servant of Thomas son of Adam de Basyng, came up and a quarrel broke out between him and Nicholas and John struck Nicholas on the head with an axe so that he died shortly afterwards in the City. John at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels nor frankpledge, but he was in the mainpast of Thomas de Basyng. So he is in mercy. The four neighbours have died. Because the chamberlain and sheriffs did not attach Juliana, to judgment on them.

Pleas of the crown 53 Henry III [1268–9]

201. Simon de la Brome door-keeper of the priory of St. Bartholomew killed John de Colecestre in the priory. He at once fled and is suspected, so let him be exacted and outlawed according to the custom of the City. No chattels nor frankpledge, but he was in the mainpast of the prior of St. Bartholomew, so to judgment on the prior. All the neighbours have died. Nicholas Abraham was attached for the death, but does not come and is not suspected. He was attached by Henry de Milkstrete and William son of Stephen. So they are in mercy. Likewise John le Bracour was attached for the death; he comes and is not suspected, so he is quit.

202. In the same year, Stephen de Edeworth being chamberlain and the same being sheriffs; on Monday before the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle [17 Dec. 1268] Roger le Bret and Thomas and William servants of John de Hertfeld were arguing together in John's house when John came up and, a quarrel arising between him and Roger, John struck Roger with a knife so that he died forthwith. John, Thomas and William were at once arrested and taken to Newgate and there before Laurence le [sic] Brok, Thomas and William were delivered by jury and John was convicted and hanged for the death. Chattels 54s. 6d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. All the neighbours have died, so nothing from them. Because the chamberlain did not come with his rolls on the first day on the arrival of the justices, but on the fifth day after, he is in mercy, [cf. 650]

[Nota unnumbered]. Camerarius debet venire primo die cum rotulis suis.

203. William de Portu, a Roman, killed Master James de Portu, a Roman, in the house of William de Essewy. He at once fled and carried off with him about fifty marks and when he reached Dover he was arrested there by Stephen de Pencestre constable of Dover Castle (fn. 16) and thrown from the cliff (phalizatus) (fn. 17) for the death. So let there be an enquiry there into the chattels. Because the chamberlain and sheriffs did not hold an enquiry into the chattels and did not attach William de Esewey in whose house the incident occurred, or a servant who was in the house at the time, to judgment on them. Thereupon it is testified by the mayor and the aldermen that Gerard Perot and Beren[gar], James' servants, were arrested for the death and before Laurence de Brok at Newgate delivered by jury, so nothing from them. The four neighbours came except Robert Wybert and he is not suspected. He was attached by Robert de Springham and Adam Picar'. So they are in *mercy. [cf. 651]

Nota 69. Omnes qui fuerunt presentes in domo ubi aliquis interfectus fuerit debent attachiari [cf. 524 no. 69].

204. In the same year, Hugh son of Otto being chamberlain and the same being sheriffs; Henry Walemund, bailiff of the City, arrested Roger de Coventre son of Gilbert de Grimsby for theft and imprisoned him in another house (in domo alia), from which prison he afterwards escaped. So to judgment on Henry for the escape. Afterwards Roger . . . [took sanctuary and] abjured the realm before the chamberlain and sheriffs. No [chattels]. (fn. 18) [cf. 652]

205. [m. 10d] In the same year, the same being chamberlain and Robert de Cornhull, for whom his son Robert answers, and Thomas de Bassynges being sheriffs; John the Cook and Robert the marshal of Hugh de Turbervill were fighting together in John's house and Robert killed John and at once returned to the house (hospicium) of his master Hugh; he left the City with him and stayed with him, until after the lapse of a year or more he returned to the City with Hugh and was then arrested and taken to Neugate, where he died in prison. Because he stayed with Hugh for a long time after the deed, Hugh is in *mercy. All the neighbours come and are not suspected, [cf. 653]

Nota 70. De Hugone de Turberville qui non fuit nisi amerciatus eo quod receptaverat quemdam secum per unum annum postquam interfecerat unum hominem [cf. 524 no. 70].

206. Simon Ferol hanged himself with a rope in a house at West Smethefeld. No one else is suspected. Judgment: suicide. Chattels *3s. 1d. for which the sheriffs are to answer. Because the ward of Richard de Ewelle [Farringdon ward] falsely valued the chattels before the chamberlain and now has falsely presented the neighbours, the alderman and the whole ward are in *mercy. All the neighbours have died. [cf. 654]