Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 1251-55

Plea Roll No. 15, Tower Records.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: coram Rogero de Thurkelby et sociis suis, Justiciariis Domini Regis de Banco, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, tricessimo quinto, de termino Sanctœ Trinitatis, tricessimo quinto." [June, 1251.]

Staff. William, son of Robert de Wytele, sued Henry de Verdun for two-and-a-half virgates of land in Levedale; Lucas, son of Stephen, for half a virgate; William Godman, for half a virgate; Richard, son of Richard, for twothirds of a virgate; Alice de Levedale for one-third of a virgate; Hugh le Inge for half a virgate; Eudo de Salt for two parts of two virgates; Eugenia de Salt for one-third of two virgates, and other tenants for land in the same vill, of which William his ancestor was seised in his demesne, &c., in the time of King Henry, the grandfather of the present King; and from the said William the right descended to Thomas as son and heir, and from Thomas to Robert as son and heir, and from Robert to him (William), who now sues. Henry de Verdun and the other defendants appeal to a Great Assize. (fn. 1)

Warw. Ralph de la More sued Robert Bagod (fn. 2) to hold to a convention respecting a carucate of land in Fenny Cumpton, &c. The rest illegible.

Staff. Hugh de Thikebrom sued Richard de Thickbrom for the manor of Gunestone, excepting two virgates of land, and of which he had been seised as of fee, &c., in the reign of the present King.

Richard appeared and stated that Hugh had no claim in the said land, because the land was the right and inheritance of one Roger, father of the said Richard and Hugh; and the said Roger had three sons, viz., Roger the eldest, Richard the second, and Hugh the youngest; and after the death of Roger, the right descended to Roger as his son and heir, and the said Roger was within age and in ward to the capital lord of the fee, and he died without issue, and after his death, the right descended to Richard, as his brother and heir.

Hugh pleaded that his father Roger before his death had enfeoffed him of the land to be held of the said Roger and his heirs, &c. The rest illegible, except the words that Richard appealed to a Great Assize.

Roll No. 87.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: coram Henrico de Mara . . . . . in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, anno R. R. H. XXXV., incipiente XXXVI." [6th October, 1251.]

Staff. Joan, wife of Thomas de Venables, puts in her place Richard de Venables versus Robert le Mareschall, in a plea of land. m. 1.

Staff. Thomas, son of Richard de Venables, puts in his place Richard de Venables versus the same. m. 1.

Staff. Margaret, the wife of Robert de Mere, puts in her place Robert her husband, or Robert de Weston versus Pavia, widow of Richard de Chell, in a plea of dower. m. 1.

Staff. The Dean and Chapter of Stafford sued Robert le Mareschal for 20 acres in Hundeacre (sic). Robert had previously made default, but now appeared; but as he could not sanare defaltam, the land is adjudged to the Deanery. m. 1, dorso.

Staff. William de Curtenay and Joan his wife, sued Henry de Luxton in a plea of land; and Henry had essoined himself de malo lecti, and the Knights Visors who had seen him did not appear, and had made several defaults. The Sheriff is therefore ordered to produce them, viz., Hugh de Weston, William de Hundredesacre, Richard de Venables, and Nigel de Langeford, at fifteen days from Hillary, ad certificandum, &c. m. 2, dorso.

Staff. The suit of the Dean and Chapter of Stafford versus Richard de Venables and Joan his wife, for twenty-three acres in Hundredesacre (sic), and versus Geoffrey de Walton and Petronilla his wife, for twenty acres in the same vill; decided in favour of the Dean and Chapter, through default of defendants. m. 3.

Staff. The Dean and Chapter of Stafford sue Simon de Alfyde (Halfhide), for an acre in Forsuonebuttes, and Elena de Wivelestun and Henry her son for an acre in the same vill, and Hugh de London for half an acre, and Petronilla de Halfide for half an acre in the same vill. Adjourned to the Octaves of St. Martin. m. 4, dorso.

Staff. William de Benteleya prosecuted twelve tenants of Wednesfield, for destroying his standing corn with their cattle, &c., on the Monday before the Feast of St. Peter and Paul, 34 H. III., by which he had been damaged to the extent of 20l, and of which he produced his proofs; and Giles de Erdington appeared in Court and stated that the tenants named were his villains, and that the land in question belongs to him as part of a serjeanty he holds by demise of the King; and William de Benteleye stated that he had impleaded Giles for the said land before the Justices Itinerant at Gloucester, and in consequence of a default of appearance of the said Giles he had recovered seisin of the land, and that he was in full seisin of the land by verdict of the Court when Giles had committed the trespass complained of.

Giles stated that the land being part of a serjeanty, a plea could only be held concerning it before R. Passelewe and H. de Wengham, and the Lord the King now sent to the Justices that Giles was not to be damnified through his default made at Gloucester, because pleas of serjeanty were not to be held before them. The parties are therefore informed that they must go before the Lord the King to prosecute their suit. m. 8.

Notts., Staff. The suit between John de Litelbiri and Margaret his wife, and William de Stafford, (fn. 3) respecting four bovates of land in Wyhowe, is respited till three weeks from Hillary, through defect of a jury; and the Sheriff of Staffordshire is commanded to produce at the same term William de Weston, Henry de Sundon, and Robert de Chavernes, the witnesses named in the charter which the said William produced, as executed by Margaret, the wife of John de Litelbiri. m. 13.

Staff. Philip de Pres sued Margaret, the wife of John de Swynnerton, to pay him, together with John her husband, 100 marks which she owed to him. Margaret did not appear; and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain her to appear on the Octaves of the Purification. m. 16.

Staff. William de Benetleye sued William, son of Gervase, for half a messuage and twelve-and-a half acres of land in Benetleg. And William fitz Gervase prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at the Octaves of the Purification. m. 18, dorso.

Staff. William de Parles sued William de Waure to render him customs and services due for the tenement he holds of him in Unesworth (Handsworth). William de Waure did not appear, and is to be re-summoned for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 18, dorso.

Staff. Alota, the widow of Ralph the forester, sued Thomas de Buckenhale and two others for dower out of land in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Adjourned to the Octaves of the Purification. m. 28.

Staff. Alexander de Bickford and Hawise his wife sued Robert de Whyston for a virgate of land in Bicford, and for two parts of half the manors of Medford (Meaford) and Oldeton (Oulton); and they sued Henry de Bardmerscote and Ismannia (Ismay) his wife for half a virgate and a third part of a virgate in the same vill; and a virgate and a half and thirty acres of land in Whyston, and for one-third of half the manors of Medford and Oldeton, and a virgate of land in Little Sardon; and they sued Reginald de Bicford for half a virgate of land in Bicford, and Richard de Bicford for half a virgate of land in the same vill, as the right of his wife Hawise. The defendants appeared, and, as regards the virgate of land in Bicford, Robert prayed a view, and the others likewise. A day is given to all the parties at three weeks from Easter.

And as regards the two parts of the manors of Medford and Oldeton, Robert de Whyston stated he ought not to be required to answer to the writ, because the plaintiffs had previously impleaded him in the County Court by the King's writ de recto, and through default of the said plaintiffs, the suit had been dismissed; and they had afterwards sued out a writ of pone, to bring the suit into this Court, and at that time there was no suit before the County. It is therefore considered that the said Robert be dismissed from the suit, and Alexander and Hawise are in misericordiâ. m. 31, dorso.

Staff. Dyonisia, the widow of Hugh le Weyt, sued Richard Moriz and two other tenants for her dower in Aston. Adjourned to a month from Easter. m. 36.

Staff. Elena, the widow of Roger de Wyveresdon, sued to replevy her land, which had been taken into the King's hands in consequence of her default in a suit against the Dean and Chapter of Stafford. A writ was given to her, and she put in her place Stephen de Wyveleston. m. 37.

Staff. The Dean and Chapter of Stafford recover seisin of the land in dispute at Forsworenbuttes between them and Simon Alfhyde, Hugh de London, and Petronilla de Alfhyde, through default of appearance of the defendants. m. 42.

Staff. Henry de Ylum sued Adam de Ylum for three bovates of land in Ylum (Ilam). Adam did not appear, and is to be re-summoned for five weeks from Easter. m. 42, dorso.

Staff. Simon the Dean and Chapter of St. Mary of Stafford, sued Elena, daughter of Henry, for two parts of the manor of Wyverston, and Alice, the widow of Henry de Wyverston, for one-third of the same manor. Elena and Alice prayed a view; and a day is given to the parties at the Octaves of Hillary; the view to be made in the interim.

Staff. The same Dean and Chapter sued Elena de Wyveleston and Henry her son, for an acre of land in Forswornebuttes. Elena and Henry pray a view. A day is given to the parties as before. m. 43.

Staff. Thomas Folegambe and Erneburga his wife sued John de Kanton for one-third of twenty-four acres of land in Lokele, and William de Kaverwell for one-third of sixty acres of land, and John de Bettele for one-third of eighteen acres of land in the same vill, as dower of Erneburga. John and the other defendants pray a view; and a day is given to the parties at five weeks from Easter. m. 48, dorso.

Rolls Nos. 88, 89, and 90 contain no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 91.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: coram R. de Thurkelby et sociis suis, Justiciariis de Banco, in Octabis Sanctœ Trinitatis, anno regni Regis H., filii Regis Johannis, XXXVII., et de crastino Sancti Johannis Baptistœ, anno codem." [22nd June, 1253, and 25th June, 1253.]

Staff. Nicholas, son of Adam, sued Adam, son of Robert de Oce, for a messuage and thirty acres of land in Oca (Oaken). Adam did not appear. The land is therefore to be taken into the King's hands, and he is summoned for a month from Michaelmas. m. 5.

Staff. The Dean and Chapter of Wulvorehampton appeared by attorney against Richard the Dyer, William de la Barre, Simon de Bilston, William, son of Ingrith, Brun son of Ingrith, Nicholas de Tunstall, and thirty-three others (named), for entering vi et armis into the lands of the Dean and Chapter in Wulvronehampton, and prostrating the fences, and trampling down the growing corn, &c. None of the defendants appeared, and their sureties made default, and they had been attached by Richard de Brottelegh, and ten others (named). Their sureties are therefore in misericordiâ, and the Sheriff is commanded to distrain them, &c. m. 6.

Leyc. Walter de Hugeford appeared against Peter de Nevill, William le Estrange, Robert de Arderne, William de Chawurth, William de Wasteneys, Hugh de Nevill of Blaston, and seven others (named), for coming to the manor of Shanketon, which was in the custody of Walter, with bows and arrows, swords, &c., and breaking open the locks of the hall, on the Sunday before the Feast of St. Margaret, 36 H. III., and staying there till Tuesday following, and taking four pigs, two quarters of wheat, a quarter of peas, ten cartloads of hay, and carrying away with them a stallion and a mare, thirteen oxen, and seven horses, and a cart full of warnestura, to the house of the said Peter at Athelakeston, by which he had been damaged to the extent of 100l. Peter came and denied the whole indictment; but a jury on being summoned, stated it was true, and assessed the damages at 15l. 16s. 4d. m. 6 dorso.

Staff. The Prior of Ware sued William Umfrey, Richard Umfrey, and four other tenants, for customs and services due for their free tenements in Foxiate. Adjourned to fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 7, dorso.

Salop. Margaret, the widow of Thomas Dun, and Avelina, the widow of Robert de Franketon, appealed James de Aldytheleye, Geoffrey de Thorp, and eighteen others (named), for the death of their husbands. None of the accused appeared except James de Aldythelegh and Geoffrey de Thorp, and because it appeared that they were accused of sending the others, and the appeal stated they were accused of the death of the said Thomas and Robert, and they now refused to plead to the indictment of sending the others until the others were indicted for the fact, a day is given to all the parties at the Octaves of St. Hillary. m. 11.

Staff. Margery, the widow of Henry le Blund, sued the Abbot of Deulecres for one-third of a bovate of land in Lek as her dower. The Abbot prayed a view; and a day is given to the parties on the morrow of All Souls. m. 12, dorso.

Staff. The suit between Bertred, the widow of Adam de Mukeleston, and Ivo de Paunton, respecting the custody of a carucate of land in Mukeleston, is respited till the Octaves of St. Martin through defect of a jury. m. 13.

Staff. William de Undesacre sued Robert de Stafford for 14 marks owing to him; Robert did not appear, and had made default several times, and the Sheriff had been commanded to distrain him, and to produce him at this date, and had done nothing in the matter. He is therefore commanded to distrain him by his lands, &c., and to have his body in Court on the morrow of St. Martin, and to be present himself to hear judgment on his own default. m.

Staff. Alexander de Bikeford and Hawise his wife sued Robert le Champyun for half a virgate of land in Little Sardon, and stated that Robert her ancestor was seised of it as of fee, &c., in the time of King Henry, the grandfather of the King; and from Robert the land descended to Osbert, his son and heir, and from Osbert to Richard, his son and heir, and from Richard to Richard, as son and heir, and from Richard to Hawise, his daughter and heir, who now sues. Robert appeared and called to warranty Robert de Wyston, who came and warranted the land to him, and put himself on the Great Assize; and he offered half a mark that mention should be made in the writ of the date pleaded, viz., Henry, the King's grandfather. (fn. 4) m. 22, dorso.

Staff. The Great Assize between William, son of Robert de Wytele, and Henry de Verdun, tenant of a messuage and half a virgate of land in Levedale, and between the same William and Thomas de Wyleburn and Felicia his wife, tenant of a messuage and half a virgate of land in the same vill, and between the same William and the said Thomas and Felicia, called to warranty by William Childeman, and who warranted to him a messuage and half a virgate of land in the same vill, is respited till the morrow of St. Martin, through defect of Knights (to form the jury). m. 24.

Staff. The same William, son of Robert, sued Richard de Penckrice and John his brother, for a messuage and a virgate of land in Levedale, and Dionisia de Langerig for a messuage and half a virgate of land in the same vill, and Thomas de Venables and Joan his wife for a messuage and twelve acres of land in the same vill, and Hawise, daughter of William the miller, for a messuage and twelve acres, and William de Lungridge for two acres in the same vill. Richard, and John, William, and Hawys pray a view of the land claimed. Thomas and Joan call to warranty James de Audedele, who is to be summoned for the morrow of St. Martin. Dionisia called to warranty Robert her son, who is under age and in her custody; she is therefore dismissed from the suit. m. 24.

Staff. The same William, son of Robert, sued William de Cotes for two parts of a mill in Levedale; and William did not appear, and had made default before at Easter; and the said two parts was ordered to be taken into the hands of the King. It is therefore considered that the said William, son of Robert, should recover seisin by default, and William de Cotes is in misericordiâ. m. 24.

Salop. John fitz Alan acknowledged that William Trussell had paid him 100 marks for the custody of Hales, which he holds with the wardship of William Pauntoft (the heir). m. 24.

Roll No. 92 seems to be a duplicate of Roll No. 76. The Staffordshire suits are the same verbatim.

Roll No 93.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: de termino Sancti Michaelis." [October, 1253.] (Supposed to be of Michaelmas Term, 37 H. III.)

Staff. The suit between Giles de Erdington and the men of Wulvren hampton, is respited till fifteen days from Easter by the King's command. m. 9.

Staff. The suit of the Prior of Ware against William Humfrey and others, adjourned to three weeks from Easter. m. 11.

Staff. Adam de Elkesdon sued the Prior of Trentham for the manor of Elkesdon. The Prior prayed a view, and a day is given to the parties at a month from Easter. m. 16, dorso.

Staff. Avice, the widow of Ralph le Charpenter, claimed one-third of a virgate of land in Haldoleston (Hilderston), as dower, against William Bagot. William stated that Ralph never held the land in fee, but at the will of William, from year to year, and could not endow her out of it. The Sheriff was commanded to summon a jury in full county to decide this point, and to return the Inquisition into Court at this date. The verdict is in favour of William Bagot. m. 17.

Staff. The suit of Adam le Bret and Alice his wife versus Richard le Bret, tenant of ten acres of land and half a curtilage in Opton (Hopton), is respited till a month from Easter, or to be taken before William Trussel, if he should come first into the county (si prius in partes, &c.), through defect of a jury. m. 21.

Staff. Roger, the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, sued Robert de Camera for a virgate and a half of land in Hakeden. Robert prayed a view; and a day is given to the parties at fifteen days from Easter. m. 28.

Staff. Philip de Bekkebyri gives half a mark for license of concord with the Prioress of the White Nuns of Brewude in a plea of rent. m. 38, dorso.

Staff. The Great Assize between William, son of Robert de Whytele, and Thomas de Welleburn and Felicia his wife, respecting a messuage and half a virgate of land in Levedale, remanet sine die, because the said Thomas is dead. (fn. 5) m. 38, dorso.

Staff. James de Aldithelegh, called to warranty by Thomes de Venables and Joan his wife, in the suit of Robert de Wytelegh versus Thomas and Joan, for a messuage and twelve acres in Levedale, did not appear to his summons. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to take into the King's hands land of James to the value of the land in dispute between the parties, and to re-summon James for fifteen days from Easter. m. 36.

Staff. John le Fraunceys appeared against Robert, son of Robert de Mulewiz, and Thomas his brother, in a plea that they, together with their father Robert, had taken ten cartloads of turf from his moor in Sandon. The defendants did not appear, and are to be attached by better sureties to appear on the morrow of the Purification. m. 43, dorso.

The Staffordshire suits on Roll 94 are the same as those on the Tower Roll No. 21 which follows.

Roll No. 24, Tower Records.

Headed, "Placita coram Domino Rege apud Turrim Londonii, in Octabis Sanctæ Trinitatis."

Dereby. Nigell de Longeford and Matilda de Grousell appeared against Roger the Bishop of Coventry in a plea that he should produce Magister Nicholas de Stanford to answer the complaint of Nigel and Matilda, that whereas the said Nicholas was lately attached in the Curia Regis coram Rege at Radinges, to answer the complaint of Matthew de Havereye, the uncle of the said Nigel, and brother of Matilda, whose heirs they are, that he had held a plea in Court Christian respecting the advowson of the Church of Barleburi, and that whereas the said Nicholas had appeared in Court and had pledged himself to revoke all the proceedings, he had afterwards, to the manifest contempt of the King, sued again respecting the said advowson in Court Christian. The Sheriff is commanded to distrain the said Nicholas, and to produce his body in Court at three weeks from Michaelmas. m. 8.

Staff. The Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry was attached to answer to the Lord the King for what cause he refused to admit a fit parson to the Church of Esseburn (Ashburne), the advowson of which the King had recovered in his Court against Robert de Marisco, the Dean of Lincoln, and had presented his Clerk, Peter de Winton.

The Bishop appeared by his attorney, and stated the Church was not vacant, and that Magister Robert de Marisco, the Dean of Lincoln, held it, and had been instituted by his predecessor.

The King's attorney denied this to be true, and stated he was prepared to prove that at the time the King recovered the presentation the Church was vacant. (The conclusion of the suit is illegible.) The last membrane, dorso. (fn. 6)

Roll No. 21, Tower Records.

The second membrane, headed, "Essonia coram Consilo Domini Regis, in crastino Sancti Martini, anno XXXVIII." [12th November, 1253.]

Staff. Hugh de Nonesle, Adam de Boscis, and John de Greynvill, put in their place Adam Bekac versus Richard de Esynton in a plea of trespass. m. 4, dorso.

Staff. The Lord the King by Laurence del Broc, his attorney, sued Robert de Wyston for 12s. rent in Little Sarden, alienated from the King's manor of Kenfare. Robert appeared and stated that he paid the rent to the Prior of Duddele, who is seised of it, and he, Robert, only holds the land from which the rent is paid.

The Lord the King also sued Elysandra de Burgo for a carucate of land and 25s. of rent in Little Onne, alienated, &c. Elysandra stated she only held half a virgate of land and 4s. of rent.

He also sued Reginald de Bykeford for half a virgate of land in Bykeford. Reginald stated he only held one-third part as dower of his wife Margaret, and the rest in custody with William, son and heir of Nicholas de Bykeford.

He also sued Robert de Wyston, Henry de Bermundeston, and Ismanna his wife, for three virgates of land in the same vill.

And they stated that they only held two virgates, and Robert de Wyston held two parts of them, and Henry and Ismay the third part in the name of dower.

He also sued Robert le Champyun for half a virgate of land in Little Onne and Abynton; and Robert stated he held no land there, but if he did he conceded it to the Lord the King.

He also sued Felicia de Enghelton, Henry de Bromle, and Elysanta his mother, Richard de Olne and Thomas of Great Onne, for three virgates and one-fourth of a virgate, viz. a noke of land, and a carucate of land in Abbenton; and Thomas stated he did not hold the land, because one Robert de Onne held of him half a noke for term of his life, and William de Onne holds of him a noke for term of his life. And Henry and the others stated they did not hold the entirety of the land, because, including the said noke and a half, they only held two virgates of land, of which Elysandra, the mother of Henry de Bromle, holds half a virgate in Little Onne, and Richard de Onne holds onefourth of half a virgate in Little Onne, and Symon le Grant of Albenton, and Symon le Petyt, of Albenton, Hugh de Albenton, and Sibill the widow of Ivo de Albenton, hold a virgate of land for term of life of the said Henry de Bromle.

He also sued Richard de Bykeford, for half a virgate of land in Bykeford; and Richard called to warranty Robert, son of Robert de Wyston, and he is to produce him at Hillary.

Laurence, the King's attorney, afterwards withdrew his suit against them all. m. 16, dorso.

Staff. Mathew de Hagherseg appeared against Magister Nicholas de Stanford, for holding a plea in Court Christian respecting the advowson of Barleburg ; and the Sheriff returned he was a Clericus; and the Bishop had been called upon to produce him, and had done nothing therein. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to distrain the Bishop by his lands, &c., and cause him to appear at the Octaves of Hillary. m. 16, dorso.

M. 23. "Adhuc de tertiâ septimanâ Paschœ, anno XXXVIII." [26th April, 1254.]

London, Salop. The horse of Robert de Grendon, the Sheriff of Salop, was taken by the Sheriff of London on suspicion that it belonged to a certain malefactor who, with others, had robbed some merchants, and on a statement made to the King that one of the robbers had a Spanish horse with a white star on the forehead and three white feet; and Robert appeared and stated that the horse belonged to him, and on the day the robbery was committed was at Scheneston near Lichefeld, to the knowledge of several Knights who were there with him at table, and who now appeared and testified to this; and the horse has no star on the forehead, and is entirely of a bay colour (est totus baucennus); and the Sheriff is therefore to have his horse in peace. m. 25, dorso.

Dereby, Linc. The heirs of Ralph Earl of Chester, appeared and claimed their reasonable purparties of the dower which had been held by Clemence the Countess, in the counties of Derby and Lincoln; and John de Baylliol, Henry de Hasting, Robert de Briws (Bruce), who are of the eldest line, claimed the capital messuage, viz., Repindon, and it is adjudicated to them; and because John de Baylliol had hitherto had no capital messuage, it is adjudicated to him, saving the value of the portions of the other coparceners; and each of the other coparceners elected to have a capital messuage in co. Lincoln, according to their ennecia, (fn. 7) viz., the heirs of Arundel and Robert de Tattershall, first; John fitz Alan, second; Roger de Somery, third; Roger de Monhaut and Cecilia his wife, fourth; and after these the Earl of Ferrars; and after him the Countess of Lincoln. They are to have the messuage at Wadinton, and let the heirs of Arundel therefore have seisin of it, because they had formerly no capital messuage. m. 28, dorso.

"Placita in crastino Ascensionis Domini, anno XXXVIII." [22nd May, 1254.]

Staff. The plea between the King and Robert, son of Robert de Wiston, is respited till a month from Michaelmas through defect of a jury. m. 31, dorso.

"Placita de crastino Sancti Johannis." [25th June, 1254.]

Staff. Sibilla la Custere appeared against Robert Graunseil, for insulting and illtreating her, and carrying away her goods to the value of 10 marks, and he did not appear; he is therefore to be attached by better pledges to appear at the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 41, dorso.

Warw. An assize, &c., if Henry de Erdington, son of Walter de Erdington, was seised, &c., of one-fourth of a virgate of land in Erdington when he died, and which John de Noufalk holds. John appeared and gave up the land. m. 43, dorso.

M. 44. "Placita coram consilio Domini Regis, apud Wygorn : in Octabis Sancti Johannis Baptistœ, anno XXXVIII." [1st July, 1254.]

Warw. William de Barre and Christiana his wife appeared in Court and acknowledged the grant to Giles de Erdington for his homage, &c., of a messuage, and one-fourth of a virgate of land in Brochurst, of the inheritance of the said Christiana; and Christiana being examined by the Justices, stated she had conceded the gift, &c. m. 44, dorso.

Staff. William le Peytevyn (Poitevin), the essoin of Hugh de Loges, appeared against Robert de Grendon, the Sheriff of Staffordshire, in a plea of replevin of the cattle of the said Hugh; and the said Sheriff had been ordered either to replevy the cattle, or to appear at this day to show cause why he detained them. Suit adjourned to a month from Michaelmas. m. 45.

Roll No. 99.

Headed, " Placita coram Consilio Domini Regis, in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, anno XXXVIII." [20th January, 1254.]

Staff. The suit of Mathew de Hathersege versus Magister Nicholas de Staunford, respecting the advowson of Berleburg, is concluded by a prohibition to Nicholas to pursue the suit further in Court Christian, and his consenting to withdraw his proctors (procuratores) on condition that Mathew foregoes his damages. m. 5.

Cestr. A long and interesting suit, in which the Abbot of Dieulacres recovers the advowson of Sandbach versus Roger de Sandbach, and in which the Domesday of Cheshire (Domesday Cestriœ) is referred to and quoted at length. (fn. 8) m. 10.

Warw. Roger le Fraunceys, William de Parles, and Alice de Parles, were attached to answer the complaint of Robert, Parson of Wadington, that they had come with others to the house of the said Robert in Wydehaye, which he held in custody, and had ejected him and his family from it, vi et armis, and had carried away his goods and chattels to the value of 20 marks.

Roger denied the accusation, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned in the county, and the inquisition returned on the Octaves of Trinity.

William de Parles and Alice appeared and admitted the fact; they are therefore committed to custody, and the Sheriff to return the amount of damage at three weeks from Easter. m. 12, dorso.

Rolls Nos. 95 and 96 contain no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 97.

Headed, "Jurata et Assisœ captœ apud Pontem Staunford, in Comitatu Northanton, in crastino Clausi Paschœ, coram Gilberto de Preston et Ranulpho de Kareby, anno XXXVIII." [20th April, 1254.]

M. 2. "Adhuc de assisis captis apud Brimgeston, in Comitatu Leyc."

Leyc. An assize, &c., if Ralph Basset of Drayton, Ralph his son, Eustace de Folevill, William Basset, Roger Basset, James his brother, Robert de Drayton, and nineteen others named, had unjustly disseised William de la Ferté of the manor of Overton Quatremars, which had been demised to him for term of his life by one William Maureward for 20s. yearly rent ; and he produced the charter of the said William Maureward to that effect. Ralph Basset answered for all, and stated that William Maureward had demised the manor to William de la Ferté for six years which had expired, and had never demised it to him for his life.

The jury state that William Maureward had formerly held the manor in his own hands, and had demised it to William de la Ferté for six years, which had expired at last Michaelmas day, and that the said William de la Ferté had come to Overton on the Saturday after the Nativity of the Virgin in this year, and had convoked the Curia of Overton, and had then produced a charter under the name of William Maureward which enfeoffed the said William de la Ferté of the manor for his life, and at the same time one Thomas de la Benneyfivere came into the Court and produced letters patent to put the same William de la Ferté in seisin of the said manor, according to the purport of the charter of the said William Maureward ; and that when Ralph Basset heard that William Maureward had died, he had come with the other defendants and taken the manor into his hands as capital lord ; and they say positively (precise) that William Maureward had never enfeoffed the said William de la Ferté of the said manor for his life, but that both the charters above named were drawn up by Thomas de la Benneyfevere without his knowledge, because he had been languishing in distant parts from that time until he died. Ralph Basset and the other defendants are therefore dismissed from the suit, and William and Thomas are in misericordiâ. Thomas was fined 20 marks ; the fine of William does not appear. m. 2.

Rolls Nos. 98 and 100 contain no Staffordshire suits. For No. 99 see ante

Banco Roll No. 12.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: de termino Sanctæ Trinitatis, coram Rogero de Thurkelby et sociis suis, Justiciariis Domini Regis de Banco, anno regni regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, tricessimo octavo." [June, 1254.]

Warw. Isabella, the widow of Henry de Carsewelle, sued the Abbot of Cumbe for one-third of half a virgate of land in Herdebergh as dower. The Abbot called to warranty Roger de Carsewelle, who is to appear on the morrow of All Souls. m. 4.

Staff. Helewise, the widow of Thomas de Hamsted, sued Richard fitz Guy for one-third of a rent of a pound of cummin in Estmeresbrok as dower. Richard appeared and conceded the claim. m. 8, dorso.

Staff. Richard de Hamsted for himself and Hawise his wife sued Geoffrey, son of Ralph de Huneswurth, for one-third of eight acres of land in Huneswurth, as dower of Hawise. Geoffrey did not appear. To be re-summoned for the morrow of St. Martin, and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 8, dorso.

Staff. Walter de Pulton sued Thomas de Hamsted for a messuage and six and a half virgates of land and half a mill in Swynefen ; and Nicholas, son of Alice, for a messuage and a virgate of land in the same vill; and Magister Henry Wyshawe for a messuage and twelve acres in the same vill. Thomas and the others appeared, and Thomas called to warranty Robert de Grendon, and Nicholas called to warranty Richard fitz Guy, and Magister Henry called to warranty the Abbot of Hylton. Let them therefore be summoned for the morrow of St. Martin. m. 11, dorso.

Staff. Avice, the widow of Ralph le Charpenter, sued William Bagot for one-third of a virgate of land in Hildeberston as dower. William did not appear, and is to be re-summoned for the morrow of St. Martin, and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 14.

Warw. The suit between John de Sumerville, plaintiff, and Richard the Prior of Herteford, tenant, respecting the advowson of the Church of Stokton, remanet sine die, because the said Prior is dead. m. 15.

Staff. Roger, the Bishop of Chester, by attorney, sued Robert de Camera for a virgate and a half of land in Haketon, as the right of his Church, and of which Geoffrey his predecessor was seised as of fee, &c., in the reign of King John. And Robert appeared and stated he ought not to be required to answer to the writ, because the Bishop had sued him in the County, and had then acknowledged that he ought to hold the said tenement of the Bishop for the service of 3s. yearly, the said Robert having put himself on the Great Assize in the County Court as to whether he owed the Bishop 3s. for the said land, or 4s. as the Bishop claimed. And Robert now put himself upon the record of the County Court. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to cause the said suit to be recorded in full County, and to return the said record into Court on the Octaves of St. Martin by four Knights who were present. m. 18.

Staff. Thomas de Venables and Joan his wife, sued Robert Marescall for waste and destruction in the lands, houses, and gardens, &c., which the said Robert holds in custody of the inheritance of the said Joan in Aston. m. 20, dorso.

Staff. Agnes, the widow of Ralph de Mutton, sued Hugh de London for one-third of a carucate of land in Brerdon as dower. And Hugh called to warranty James de Aldedele, who is to be summoned for the Octave of St. Martin. m. 22.

Staff. The Sheriff is commanded to cause to be recorded (facere recordari) in full County, the suit which took place by the King's writ between Elizabeth, the widow of William de Gresleg, complainant, and Philip de Clinton, deforciant, of the custody of two parts of the manor of Kingeston, inasmuch as Philip states that a false judgment was delivered against him in the said County, and to return the record into Court at this date, under his seal and by four Knights who were present at the record, and to summon the said Elizabeth to be present at the same time to hear the record ; and the Sheriff sent the record which is affixed on a cedula amongst the writs of the quindena of St. Hillary in the 38th year of the reign. (fn. 9) m. 23.

Staff. Ralph de Cotes, Juliana and Avice de Cotes, sued Hugh the Goldsmith, of London, for half of half a hide of land in Cotes, and Ralph de Newport for half of half a hide of land in the same vill. Hugh and Ralph called Saer Mauvaysin to warranty, who is to be summoned for fifteen days from St. Martin, and he resides in Salopshire. m. 29, dorso.

Banco Roll No. 13; is a fragment, much defaced, of Easter Term 43 H. III.

Roll No. 102.

Membrane 17, headed, " Placita forinseca apud Hereford, in crastino Animarum, coram Magistro Simone de Wauton et sociis suis, anno regni regis Henrici, filii regis Johannis, quadragesimo." [3rd November, 1255.]

Staff. Emma, the widow of Richard Rolaund, sued Robert le Mareschal for half a virgate of land in Eston, and half a virgate in Bureweston, her reasonable dower, which she had of the gift of Robert de Winton, her second husband, and in which Robert had no ingress, except through Richard Rolaund her third husband; and she sued the same Robert for an acre of pasture in Dorlaweston as her dower by another writ "de ingressu."

Robert appeared and prayed a view, and a day is given to them here at fifteen days from St. Martin. (fn. 10)

The same Emma sued Thomas de Venables and Joan his wife, for twelve acres of land in the same vill. Thomas and Joan appeared and prayed a view. A day is given to them at the same date. m. 17.

Staff. The Great Assize between Avice, daughter of William, plaintiff, and John, son of Cyprian, tenant, respecting two parts of a messuage and half a virgate of land in Tunstall, is respited till fifteen days from Hillary, through defect of Knights. m. 17.

Warw. Thomas de Farendon was attached to answer the plaint of Hugh de Loges, that he had entered vi et armis into his wood at Sowe, and cut down or carried away sixty oaks in 39 H. III. Thomas stated Hugh and himself held the wood in common, and appealed to the terms of a fine levied at Warwick between Alice Crok, his grandmother, whose heir he is, and the said Hugh. The suit is dismissed. Hugh to sue by another writ if he chooses. m. 17.

Staff. Alice, the widow of Robert de Fenneshay, sued Roger de Fenneshay for one-third of a messuage and fifty acres of land in Bromley, and Richard de Fennesey for one-third of two bovates of land in Ildelvestone (Hilderstone) as dower. The defendants did not appear; and as they had previously made default, the Sheriff had been commanded to take the land into the King's hands, and to summon them for this day. They did not appear, and the Sheriff returned the day the land had been taken into the King's hands, and that he had summoned them. It is therefore considered that Alice shall recover seisin by default, and Roger and Richard are in misericordiâ. m. 17, dorso.

Staff. Emma, the widow of Robert Rolland, sued Roger Hermy, Felicia de Leghton, and four other tenants in Derlaweston, for dower out of their lands and tenements. The defendants pray a view, and a day is given to the parties at fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 18.

Rolls No. 103, 104, 105, and 106, contain no Staffordshire suits.