Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 1 Edward I

Coram Rege Roll, Michaelmas, 1 E. I.

Headed, "Placita coram Consilio Domini Regis." (fn. 1)

Staff. Henry de Weston sued Henry de St. Maur in a plea of robbery and breach of the peace. The defendant did not appear; his sureties are in misericordiâ, and the Sheriff is ordered to produce him at fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 2, dorso.

Derb. James de Shyrle (Shirley) sued Clemence the widow of Henry de Irton in a plea that whereas the custody of the lands and of the heir of Henry, who had been killed fighting against the King in the conflict at Chestrefeld, belonged to him in consequence of Henry having held his lands of him by knight's service, and King Henry had given to him the said custody on condition of his redeeming the lands according to the Dictum of Kenilworth, and the King had given to his beloved and faithful William Wyther all the lands of the said Henry in Iyton, Yalegrave, and Weston, to hold according to the said Dictum, the aforesaid Clemence had redeemed the lands from the said William, and now detained them, thus depriving him of the custody; and notwithstanding the said James had made frequent overtures to William, offering to satisfy his claim under the Dictum, and had gone to considerable expense in the matter. Clemence did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to produce her at fifteen days from Hillary. m. 8.

Staff. Richard de Loges was sued by Thomas Corbet in a plea that whereas King Henry had given to the said Thomas the redemption according to the Dictum of Kenilworth of all the lands, etc., of Richard in Rodbaldeston and Wirlegh, on account of his transgressions during the late disturbances in the Kingdom, and whereas Richard had been the King's enemy, an adherent of Ralph Basset in all his enterprises, and had led the army of the said Ralph, and had taken with it the town and castle of Bridgenorth, and the town and castle of Radnor, and the town and castle of Salop, and had been with the said Ralph all his life, and after his death (fn. 2) had committed many other robberies and transgressions, and although he redeemed the vill of Getyngton for 10 marks, the said Richard now refused to pay any redemption for his other lands, to the great loss and detriment of the said Thomas.

And Richard appeared and stated he ought not to be forced to redeem his lands at five years' value, because he was not in arms against the King in any of the battles or sieges, although he did not deny he was of the household and in the company (de familiâ et societate) of Ralph Basset. As Thomas did not controvert this, it was decided that Richard should redeem his lands at two years' value, and an extent (valuation) should be made of them and returned into Court on the morrow of the Purification.

A postscript adds that the Sheriff of Staffordshire returned the value of the said manors at £11 3s. 4d., and Richard appeared and fined for them at £22 6s. 8d., half to be paid at the Octaves of Michaelmas in this year, and the other half at the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing, coram Domino Rege. m. 11.

Derb. Staff. Geoffrey de Greselegh was sued by Thomas Corbet and by Peter Corbet in a plea that whereas King Henry had given to them the redemption according to the Dictum of Kenilworth of all the lands of the said Geoffrey in Greselegh, Draggelawe, Lollington, and Linton, in co. Derby, and in Kyngeston and Morton in co. Stafford, on account of the transgressions committed by him during the late disturbances in the Kingdom, and the said Geoffrey had been the King's enemy, and had been made a prisoner at Chartley Castle by Hamon Lestrange, and then taken to Bridgenorth Castle, and he had afterwards acquired horses and arms, and had joined Simon de Montfort, junior, at London, and had adhered to him in all his enterprises, and had gone with him to Winchester, taking, plundering and burning that town, and had afterwards gone with him to Oxford and taken the town and castle there, and he had likewise taken the town and castle of Northampton, and then had gone to Kenilworth, and there he had been lost his armour (hernesium) and two horses which had been taken by the King, and which Robert le Lou, a Knight of Reginald de Grey, now had, and notwithstanding which the said Geoffrey now refused to redeem his lands, to the great loss and damage of the said Thomas.

Geoffrey appeared and denied he had appeared in arms against the King, and appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury of twelve from Staffordshire who had faithfully adhered to the King for the morrow of the Purification. m. 11.

Salop. Hugh de Weston was sued by Henry de Pembrugge for entering his free warren at Tonge with Hugh son of the Parson of Weston, and Simon son of the Chaplain of Blemynhull, and William de Ritton, and with dogs, and bows and arrows killing his hares. Hugh appeared and denied the trespass, and appealed to a jury. A jury to be summoned for the morrow of the Purification. Adam de St. George of co. Salop, and John de Pendeford of co. Stafford, were bail for Hugh. m. 11, dorso.

Staff. John fitz Philip, Adam de Chetewynde, Leon son of Leon, Ralph le Westeneys, William de Overton, Roger de Hekstule (Extall), Henry de Hekstule, and four others named, are in misericordiâ because they did not produce Hugh de Caldewelle whom they had bailed. They are fined 10 marks. m. 12.

Staff. Ralph de Crumwell, Henry de Erdynton, John de Clynton, Alured de Sulneye, Thomas de Brumwyc, and John de Heronvill are in misericordiâ for a trespass. They were fined Ralph 10 marks, Henry 20s., John de Clynton 100s., Alured de Sulny 2 marks, Thomas 20s., John de Heronvill 1 mark. m. 12.

Staff. William son of John de Littlebyri, Richard le Botiller, and William Trumwyne sued John de Grendon, Thomas Meverel, Roger de Marchynton, Thomas de Wytemore, John de Clyfford, Ralph de Munjoyne, and thirty-eight others named, for entering his fields at Sondon vi et armis with bow and arrows on the Tuesday after St. Barnabas in this year, and destroying his growing crops with their cattle. John appeared, denied the trespass, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the morrow of the Purification. None of the other defendants appeared, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain and to produce them at the same date. m. 14.

Banco Roll, Easter, 1 E. I.

Headed "Pleas at Westminster on the Quindene of Easter," 1 E. I.

Staff. Nicholaa the widow of Robert de Esington sued William Aylwyn for a third of two acres of land in Essington, and she sued William son of Robert for a third of two acres of land in the same vill, and another tenant for a third of a rood of land as her dower. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned, and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 1.

Staff. Ela the widow of James de Audelegh sued James son of James de Audelegh for a third of the manor of Audelegh, except the castle of the manor, and for a third of the vills of Betelegh (Betley), Bokenhowe (Bucknall), Talk, Wryneford (Wrinehill?), and Baltrydelegh (Balterley), and for a third of the manor of Helegh, excepting the castle of the manor, and for a third of the vills of Torefeld (Thursfield), Cestreton (Chesterton), Bradewell, Whytefeld (Whitfield), Olecote (Oldcott), Borewardeslyme (Burslem), Chaddendelle (Chatterley), Coldemorton (Cold Norton), Enedon (Endon), Grytton (Gretton), Hyrton (Horton), Badegenhall (Bagnall), Stanle (Stanley), Longesdon (Longsdon), Ruston (Rushton), and for a third of half the manor of Alstanefeld (Alstonfield), and for a third of the chase of Horton as her dower. James de Audley appeared, and by the permission of the Court conceded the dower claimed. m. 3, dorso.

Derb. Salop. Staff. Ela the widow of James de Audelegh sued Geoffrey de Sheftyngton for a third of a messuage and twenty librates of land in Bredeshale in co. Derby, and she sued Geoffrey de Thorp for a third of ten librates of land in Ashton in co. Salop, and John de Baskerville for a third of sixty solidates of land in La Laheved, as her dower.

The defendants called to warranty James son of James de Audelegh, who appeared and warranted the land to them; and a concord was made by which Ela remitted her claim to dower in the above lands, and James conceded to her two parts of the manors of Horseye in co. Cambridge, and Hanewyke in co. Middlesex, to be held for her life. m. 4.

Staff. Agnes the widow of Richard de Stratton (Stretton), sued Richard son of Richard de Stratton for a third of twenty-nine messuages, a hundred and four acres of land, and seventeen virgates of land, a hundred acres of wood, seven acres of pasture, and of a watermill and 24s. and 8 farthings of rent in Stretton, and for a third of eleven messuages, two and a half virgates of land, etc., in Donneston (Dunston), and a third of 10s. of rent in Donne, and for a third of 20s. of rent in Mulewyz (Millwich), as her dower. Richard appeared by attorney, and prayed a view. Adjourned to the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 18, dorso.

Coram Rege Roll, Easter, 1 E. I.

Placita coram Consilio Regis.

Buck. Roger de Somery, Ralph de Crumbwell and Margaret his wife, John Le Estrange and Joan his wife, Walter de Sully and Mabilla his wife, Henry de Herdington and Matilda his wife, appeared against Isabella Countess of Arundel in a plea that she should complete the chirograph of a fine levied in the Court of King Henry III. between the said Roger and the other coparceners heirs of Nicholaa formerly wife of Roger, respecting the advowson of the Church of Olney, and she did not appear. The Sheriff is ordered to distrain and produce her at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 6.

Pleas "coram tenentibus Locum Domini Regis" at Westminster, Trinity Term, 1 E. I.

Warw. The suit of Hugh son of Hugh de Loges versus Richard de Loges for unjustly disseising him of three virgates of land in Cestreton, is concluded by a verdict against Richard; damages twenty marks. The verdict was delivered at Trinity Term, 2 E. I., and is entered as a postscript. m. 1, dorso.

Banco Roll, No. 3, Trinity, 1 E. I.

Pleas at Westminster on the Octaves of Trinity, 1 E. I.

Staff. Nichola the widow of Robert de Essington sued John de Billeston for a third of six acres of land in Molleston (Moseley), and eight other tenants in the same vill for a third of their lands as her dower. The defendants appeared and stated that Robert her husband was not in seisin of the tenements in question as of fee when he married her nor at any other time. A jury to be summoned for the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 11, dorso.

Staff. An assize of last presentation to the Church of Uttokeshather (Uttoxeter), the advowson of which Edmund the brother of the King claimed against Robert de Ferrars. The jury say that Edmund had last presented Theobald de Verdun his Clerk, who had been admitted and instituted. Verdict for Prince Edmund. m. 18, dorso.

Staff. Nicholas son of John de Salt sued Hugh son of Eudo de Salt for a messuage and forty acres of land in Bradelegh. Hugh did not appear, and the land is to be taken into the King's hands. Adjourned to Michaelmas. m. 24.

Staff. Roes Doyly by her attorney appeared against William Sturnell, Michael de Burgo, William de Onecotes, Hamo de Burgo, William son of Michael de Burgo, and five others, for breaking open her house at Rompton (Ranton) vi et armis, and killing her cattle with bows and arrows. The defendants had made default several times, and the Sheriff is ordered to have their bodies in Court at three weeks from Michaelmas. m. 29, dorso.

Staff. William de Wyrle appeared against the same defendants for beating and illtreating him on the above occasion. The Sheriff is ordered as before. m. 31.

Staff. Constance the widow of Ewyn (fn. 3) de Salt sued Hugh son of Ewyn for a third of a messuage and a carucate of land, and twenty acres of wood in Salt, and she sued Nicholas de Salt for a third of half a virgate of land, and six other tenants in Salt for a third of their respective tenancies in the same vill; and she sued the Prior of St. Thomas outside Stafford for a third of a messuage and a carucate of land in Brodeleye, and Richard Spygurnel and Petronilla his wife, and Richard Bacun and Alice his wife, for a third of their tenancies in Burton, and Richard son of Thomas de Bradele for a third of a messuage and a virgate of land in the same vill; and John Karles. William de Wollaveston, and Henry de Wollaveston, and five others, for a third of their tenancies in the same vill, and four tenants in Levedale for a third of their tenancies in the same vill; and Agatha the widow of Nicholas de Salt for a third of a messuage and half a virgate of land in Burton, which she claimed as dower. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff is ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hands, and to summon them for Michaelmas. m. 37.

Banco Roll, No. 5, Trinity Term, 1 E. I.

Staff. Robert son of Gervase of Wednesbyri, Richard de Beneytleye, and eighteen other tenants of Wednesbury, which is of the ancient demesne of the Crown, appeared by attorney against John de Heronvill in a plea that he exacted from them other customs and services than they used to render when the manor was in the hands of the ancestors of the King. John did not appear, and is to be attached for the Octaves of St. Martin. m. 26.

Staff. The Prior of Stanes sued Philip de Draycote to acquit him of the service which William de Cavereswell and Maria his wife exacted from him for the free tenement which he holds of the said Philip in Stalinton, and of which Philip is mesne tenant between them. Philip did not appear. The Sheriff to produce him at fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 36.

Banco Roll, No. 6, Trinity Term, 1 E. 1.

Staff. Scolastica the widow of Robert de Grendon sued the Abbot of Oseney for a third of forty acres of demesne land, and a third of forty acres of land held in villeinage in Stanhale, as her dower. The Abbot appeared by attorney and prayed a view. Adjourned to Michaelmas Term. m. 41.

Staff. Constance the widow of Iwin de Salt sued Hugh de Weston for a mill in Neweton, which she claimed as her right against him. Hugh did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to take the mill into the King's hands, and to summon Hugh for a month from Michaelmas. m. 44, dorso.

Staff. Scolastica the widow of Robert de Grendon sued John Le Matetres, William de Hyntes, William de Pakenton, Hugh de Aston, and other tenants in Cestrefeud (Chesterfield in Shenston), for a third of their tenancies as her dower. The tenants appeared by attorney and prayed a view. Adjourned to Michaelmas.

The same Scolastica sued Ralph de Grendon for a third of a messuage and six carucates of land, etc., and £19 7s. of rent in Scheneston, and she sued Robert Banastre and Alesia his wife for a third of a water-mill in the same vill, and Thomas de Weseham for a third of fifty acres of land, etc., in Cestrefeud, and Adam de Gresbrok for a third of four acres of land in Stonhale, and William Bagot for a third of a messuage and a carucate and a half of land in Barre, and for a third of £20 of rent in Fulverle (Footherley), and she sued Philip de Draycote, Reginald the Parson of the Church of Legh, and Richard de Sanbache, (fn. 4) for a third of ten marks of rent in Badesle, and many other tenants in Wall and Stonhale for a third of their lands, all which she claimed as dower. The tenants did not appear. The dower claimed therefore to be taken into the King's hands, and the defendants summoned for Michaelmas Term. m. 47.

Warw. The same Scolastica sued Ralph de Grendon for a third of a messuage and four carucates of land, a water-mill, fifty acres of park, three hundred acres of wood, a fishery, and £10 of rent in Grendon, and Henry Parson of Grendon for a third of fifteen acres of land in the same vill, and she sued William Bagot for a third of £21 of rent in Derdon, and William de Waverton for a third of half a virgate of land in Waverton, and four other tenants in Waverton for a third of their lands, and she sued Roger le Fraunkleyn for a third of half a virgate of land in Wateleye, and four other tenants in the same vill for a third of their tenancies. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hands, and to summon them for Michaelmas Term. m. 47.

She also sued John de Grendon for a third of a messuage and a carucate of land, etc., in Derstill, and a third of a water-mill, and of a fuller's mill in Stratford, and the Abbot of Mirival for a third of ten acres of land in Grendon. The defendants appeared and prayed a view. Adjourned to Michaelmas. m. 47.

Leyc. The same Scolastica sued Ralph de Grendon for a third of a messuage and six carucates of land, etc., in Gopsille as her dower; and Ralph did not appear. The dower claimed therefore to be taken into the King's hands, and the defendant summoned again for Michaelmas Term. m. 47.