Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 31 Edward I

Banco Roll. Hillary, 31 E. I.

(Apud Ebor.)

Staff. Henry de Grey and Joan his wife sued Edmund son and heir of Robert de Somerville, in a plea that he should warrant to them the third part of twenty-six tofts and six virgates of land and seventy-nine acres of land in Corbrugge and Scirescote, which Isabella formerly wife of Robert claimed as dower. Edmund did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to summon him for three weeks from Easter. A postscript further adjourns the suit to Trinity term. m. 49.

Staff. Henry de Rolleston sued Thomas son of Robert de Pype, John de Miners, Mathew de Vilers, William son of Robert de Caverswell, and Henry de Alrewas for a debt of £40 owing to him. Adjourned to Trinity term. m. 49.

Staff. Margaret daughter of Agnes de Norton sued Hugh de Audeley for £300 owing to her. Adjourned to Trinity, and afterwards to Michaelmas term. m. 64.

Staff. Roger de Burghton sued Cecilia formerly wife of Adam son of Robert de Swyneshed, in a plea that she should render up to him the custody of the land and heir of Adam son of Robert de Swyneshed, which belonged to him, because the said Adam held his land of him by military service. Agnes did not appear, and is to be attached for the Octaves of Trinity. m. 66.

Staff. In the suit of Geva formerly wife of William Russel, of Bradewelle, against Thomas le Forester, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, for dower, Thomas appeared and called to warranty Thomas the son and heir of Nicholas de Aldytheleye, who is under age and in ward to Hugh le Dispenser, and whose lands are in the custody of Amadeus, Count of Savoy (Sabaudiæ) and he produced a deed of the said Nicholas, granting the tenements to him and his heirs with a clause of warranty. The custodes are to be summoned for a month from Easter. A postscript further adjourns the suit to Trinity term. m. 79.

Staff., Ebor. Grimbald Fraunceys sued Richard de Vernun in a plea that he should warrant to him a messuage, one hundred and sixty acres of land, six acres of meadow, and half a mill in Barton near Melsanby in co. Ebor, which John de Hertford claimed against him; and Richard did not appear, and the Sheriff of York was ordered to take land belonging to him into the King's hand to the value of the tenements claimed; and as the value was not known to the Court, to send an extent of them at Easter term. A postscript states that the Sheriff sent an extent at Trinity term which showed the tenements were worth £15 a year. He was therefore ordered to take land of Richard to that value into the King's hand and to summon him for the Octaves of St. Martin, on which day the Sheriff sent no writ, and the suit was adjourned to the Easter term following. m. 186.

Letters of protection enrolled for John de Ferrars, who was about to proceed to Scotland in the service of the King. Dated from Odiham 12th January, 31 E. I. m. 216, dorso.

Staff. The executors of Magister Robert de Stafford sued Magister Robert de Fyleby for 30 marks; and the custos of the Spiritualities of the See of Ely had been ordered to produce the said Robert at this term, and had done nothing in the matter, and it was testified that the said Robert held a lay fee in co. Kent. The Sheriff of that county is therefore ordered to produce him at Trinity term. A postscript adjourns the suit to the Quindene of St. Martin. m. 150, dorso.

Staff. Ralph de Hengham sued Katrine formerly wife of Nicholas de Aldythele, William de Stafford, Knight, Geoffrey de Walpole, and William de Weston, the executors of the will of Nicholas, for a debt of 208 marks. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce them at the Quindene of Easter. m. 79, dorso.

Staff. The Sheriff had been ordered to distrain Isabella formerly wife of Ralph de Grendon, and to produce her at this time to acknowledge what right she, together with Theobald de Neville, claimed in the third part of the manor of Shenstane, which Ralph de Grendon had conceded to John de Clynton of Coleshille by a fine, and she did not appear. He is therefore ordered as before, and to produce her at Easter term. The same day is given to the said Theobald in banco. m. 27, dorso.

Gaol delivery of co. Stafford before Robert de Bures and Roger de Bellafago, Justices assigned, etc., on the Monday after the Feast of St. Cedde. 31 E. I. (4th March, 1303.)

(Extracts.) (fn. 1)

Richard de Wolselega, taken and detained in the gaol of Stafford for the death of Geoffrey de Heiwode, being asked how he wished to acquit himself, put himself on the country; and he produced a writ from the King, which stated that if the said Richard chose to put himself on the country, his case was to be tried (deliberationem de eo fiat); and Robert de Pype, Robert de Bromlega, Ralph Basset, Roger Trumwyne, Richard de Draycote, Robert de Grendon, Richard de Barton, Clericus, John de Wenlok, William de Freford, William de Lee, John de Perton, Philip de Luttelega, John de Tresel, Robert le Megere, Thomas de Engleton, Robert de Horselega, John de la Bourne, Richard le Mortimer, Ralph de Bromelega, Clericus, Ralph de Pype, Roger le Rouz, Henry de Caverswell, Robert de Esenington, and Nicholas de Ambriton, Clericus, jurors, say on their oath that Richard is not guilty.

Roger de Alstone, taken and detained in gaol for the death of the said Geoffrey de Heywode, put himself on the country; and he produced a writ of the King (as before), and Robert de Pype and the other jurors named above say he is not guilty.

William Schenestal was tried by the same jury and acquitted for the death of Adam Hergin of Ruggele.

Thomas son of William de Charnes and Roger de Alston were tried and acquitted by the same jury for the death of the same Adam Hergin of Ruggele.

Simon Stoch of Kyngesbromley was tried and acquitted for the death of William Gerard of Stafford, and likewise for the death of William Jurdan, a tenant of the Abbot of Chester.

John de Byssopiston, Chaplain, and Richard his son, detained in gaol for the death of Geoffrey de Heywode, are remitted to gaol because they have no writ of the King, de bono et malo.

Robert Neythekyn of Onileye was tried and acquitted for a burglary in the house of Richard de Thilkenes, and taking goods of the value of £20.

Elianora de Maddele, taken and detained in gaol, and found in the possession of cloth taken by breaking open the house of Williams on of Elias of Bromle, put herself on the country, and the jury say she did not break into the house, but entered by the door, and took goods to the value of 3d. and not exceeding 12d. She was therefore acquitted.

Roger de Levynton, detained for robbing Robert de Veston (Weston) of two colts, put himself on the country and was acquitted.

William, the Parson of Norburi (Norbury), detained for fishing by night in the fish-ponds and marl pits of Ralph le Botiler, Robert de Veston, Roger de Levynton and others, stated he was a Clericus, and upon this Magister Richard de Norhampton and John Pippard, acting for the custos of the See of Coventry and Lychfield claimed him as a clerk, and in order that the status in which he was to be handed over might be known, let the truth be investigated by the country. The jury found he was not guilty.

Adam de Clayton, Chaplain, detained for divers robberies, stated he was a Clerk. The same process was followed as in the last case, and the jury said he was not guilty.

Adam de Mulnegreve of Longenlore (Longnor), detained for harbouring Henry le Ku who killed Henry de Norton, is remitted to gaol because the principal had not been committed.

Thomas Dorilot of Little Onne was tried and acquitted for a burglary at the house of Simon de Parva Onne, and stealing cloth to the value of 10s.

John Sauvage of Thomeworth taken by Henry de Alrew as the Coroner on suspicion of a robbery committted at Great Barre, was acquitted.

Avice de Hereford who was living at Thamworth, taken for harbouring William le Pestour of Atherstone, Jordan de Pollesworth, Walter the servant of William le Bret, and Henry Colkyn of Thamworth, who killed William le Fremon of Barre, was remitted to gaol, because the principals had not been committed.

Roger Alwyne of Longedon was tried and acquitted for the death of Adam de Bentele.

Thomas de Alsacher, detained for a robbery near Matherfeld (Mayfield) being asked how he wished to acquit himself, stated he would not put himself on the country, and because he refused the common law (quare refusavit communam legem), he is to be remitted to gaol et ponitur ad penam.

Henry de Caldewall, detained for stealing oxen and cows and for divers robberies, put himself on the country, and all the aforesaid jurors say he is guilty, ideo, etc. The word suspensus is in the margin; he had no chattels.

Roger the Vicar of Sondon (Sandon), detained for harbouring Robert de Oxele a common robber, is remitted to gaol, because the principal was not committed.

Thomas son of Richard de Blythefeld, taken and detained for the death of Thomas son of William de Lutteleye, put himself on the country; and Robert de Pype and the other jurors say that on the day of the Circumcision of the Lord, 30 E. I., a dispute arose at Blythefeld between Thomas son of William de Lutteleye and Thomas son of Richard de Blythefeld, and Thomas son of William de Lutteleye drew his bow with an arrow in it, meaning to shoot (sagitare) Thomas son of Richard, and Thomas son of Richard perceiving his malice, drew his dagger (cultellum), and Thomas son of William tried to kill him, and Thomas son of Richard then ran away as far as the cemetery close of the vill and attempted to climb over the fence in order to escape from the other, and he could not climb over the fence owing to its height, and he fell to the ground, and the said Thomas son of William was pursuing him all the time with his knife drawn, meaning to kill him as he lay on the ground, and Thomas son of Richard perceiving he could escape death in no other way, struck Thomas son of William with his knife in the stomach, as he was lying upon him, so that he died, and they say positively that the said Thomas son of Richard de Blythefeud killed Thomas son of William de Luttele in self defence, and not feloniously or by malice aforethought (se defendendo occidit et non per feloniam aut maliciam excogitatam). He is therefore remitted to gaol to await the King's pardon.

John Schayl of Pessale, taken and detained in Stafford gaol for the death of William de Pessale (Peshall), put himself on the country, and Robert de Pype and the other jurors say that on the Thursday before the Feast of St. Katherine, 30 E. I., a dispute arose in the vill of Ecclesale on the high road, between John Schayl and William de Pessale, and the said William drew his knife and assaulted the said John meaning to kill him, and John perceiving this ran away as far as the house of Ralph de Berithone, and William followed him with his knife drawn, and John fled through the house into a curtilage and as far as a high hedge of thorns, and tried to get over the hedge in order to escape; and he could not climb over the hedge owing to its height, and fell to the ground, and William pursued him ferociously with his knife drawn, and struck the said John through the middle of the arm with it; and the said John was on his knees shouting and supplicating for peace, and William de Peshale said he should have no peace and he would kill him; and John then attempted a second time to climb over the hedge, and William again attempted to strike him with his knife; and John perceiving he could escape in no other way, then struck William on the head with an axe, so that he died, and they say positively that John killed him in self defence, and not feloniously or with malice aforethought. He is therefore remitted to gaol to await the King's pardon.

Banco Roll, Trinity, 31 E. I

(Coram R. de Hengham, etc., apud Ebor.)

Staff. Henry Colyn of Offeleye sued Nicholas le Mareschal, Canon of the Church of St. Lawrence of Gnoushale, in a plea that whereas by the King's close writ of right it was commanded to the said Nicholas that he should do full right to the said Henry respecting a messuage and eighteen acres of land in Gnoushale according to the custom of the manor of Gnoushale, the said Nicholas had maliciously suppressed the King's writ, and up to this time had refused justice to him, in contempt of the King and to the disinheritance of the said Henry. Nicholas did not appear, and the Sheriff returned he was a Clerk and held no lay fee. The custos of the See of Coventry and Lichfield is therefore ordered to produce him at the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 1.

Salop. Roger de Peulesdon sued Adam Briayn in a plea that he should render to him a reasonable account for the time he was his Bailiff in Peulesdon, Killeshall, and Lyndon. Adam did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to arrest and produce him on the morrow of All Souls. m. 6.

Salop. The Sheriff was ordered to arrest Isabella formerly wife of Robert de Beysin and Hugh le fitz Aer, and keep them in prison till they had paid Agnes formerly wife of Lawrence de Lodelowe and the other executors of Lawrence a sum of £8 0s. 8d. which they had acknowleged to owe to them. m. 6.

Staff. The suit of Isabella formerly wife of William Bagot against Robert son of John de Grendon for 17s. of rent in Chesterfeld, remanet sine die, because Robert had King's letters of protection whilst in the King's service in Scotland. m. 7.

Staff. John de Grendon sued Edmund de Stafford in a plea that he should carry out a covenant by which he was bound to find him reasonable sustenance both in time of war and peace, for his life. Edmund did not appear, and the Sheriff returned he held nothing within his bailiwick, but it was testified he held sufficient. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to attach him as before, for the morrow of All Souls. m. 42.

Staff. The Sheriff had been ordered to produce Stephen, Parson of the Church of Swynnerton, to answer to the King as well as to the Prior of Stanes, that whereas the said Prior had recovered from him in Court a certain annual rent of 2 marks together with the arrears of the same, and damages, the said Stephen had dragged the Prior into Court Christian respecting the same rent, to the contempt of the King and to the loss of the Prior; and the Sheriff returned that Stephen was a Clerk and held no lay fee; the custodes of the See of Coventry and Lichfield are therefore ordered to produce the said Stephen at the Quindene of Michaelmas. m. 42.

Staff. Emma formerly wife of John son of Roger Wauter of Little Ridware, sued Robert Adecok and Agnes his wife and Nicholas brother of Robert, in a plea that they had come vi et armis and cut down and carried away the trees of the said Emma in Little Rideware. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce them on the morrow of All Souls. m. 42.

Staff. Roger de Aston and Sibilla his wife give half a mark for licence of concord with Adam de Ruggeleye respecting tenements in Hoghcesdon (Hixon). m. 55. (fn. 2)

Staff. William de Salford and Agnes his wife, and John de Lappeley and Juliana his wife, sued Richard Levesone of Wylenhale and Margaret his wife for two parts of a messuage, four bovates and two acres of land, two acres of wood, and 36s. of rent in Wulvrenehampton, as their right, and the reasonable purparty of the said Agnes and Juliana, of the inheritance which formerly belonged to Hervey son of Clement of Wulvrenehampton, the father of the said Agnes, Juliana, and Margaret, whose heirs they are, and who had lately died. Richard and Margaret stated that the said Hervey the father did not die seised of the tenements, because before his death he had enfeoffed them of them, and had put them into seisin of them, and they appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the morrow of St. Martin. A postscript states that at the date named the plaintiffs did not appear, and they and their sureties were in misericordiâ. m. 65.

Staff. In the suit of Isabella formerly wife of Robert de Somerville versus Henry de Grey and Joan his wife for dower in Corbrugge and Scirescote, Henry and Joan did not appear, but afterwards came and called to warranty Edmund son and heir of Robert de Somerville. The dower claimed is therefore to be taken into the King's hand, and they are to appear to hear judgment at the Quindene of Michaelmas, m. 132.

Staff. John de St. Maur sued Thomas de Pyvelesdon and Alianora his wife for twenty acres of land and two of meadow in Felde (Field), and they did not appear, but they afterwards came into Court and called to warranty Philip de Chetwynd. The tenements are therefore to be taken into the King's hand, and they are to be summoned to hear judgment on the morrow of St. Martin. m. 138.

Staff. John de Swynerton sued Katrine formerly wife of Nicholas de Aldithelegh and James de Stafford for a sum of £40 which they owed to him. They did not appear, and are to be attached for three weeks from Michaelmas. By W. Howard. (fn. 3) m. 140.

Staff. Roger Coyne and Lettice his wife sued Alice formerly wife of Henry de Wonynton for a third of six acres of land in Gravenhungre near Woure as the dower of Lettice of the dotation of Thomas de Hulle formerly her husband. Alice called to warranty Thomas son and heir of Roger son of Philip de Wonynton, who is to be summoned for three weeks from Michaelmas. The summons to be served in co. Stafford. m. 145.

Staff. Magister John Burguylhun gives half a mark for licence of concord with Peter de Arderne respecting tenements in Knotton. m. 145.

Wygorn. The suit of the Prior of Sandwell against William de Elmhurst and Christiana his wife respecting a messuage in Doddeleye (Dudley), is respited till the morrow of All Souls, through defect of a jury. m. 146.

Staff. Simon Basset of Hadden sued Roger Basset of Caune and Joan his wife for two messuages and a carucate of land in Ovre Elkesdon, and they did not appear. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to take the tenements into the King's hand, and to summonthem for the Quindene of St. Martin. m. 211.

Staff. The essoignor of Elizabeth daughter of Richard de Loges sued Adam de Staneye and Elizabeth his wife for causing waste and destruction in the woods which they held belonging to the said Elizabeth the wife of Adam, and which are of the inheritance of the said Elizabeth daughter of Richard, in Wyrleye. The defendants did not appear, and are to be attached for the Quindene of St. Martin. m. 211.

Letters of Protection enrolled for Thomas Corbet, who was about to proceed to Scotland in the King's service, in the suite of Fulk Lestrange. m. 221.

Staff. The essoignor of William Bagot appeared against Bertram de Burgh in a plea respecting a messuage and half a carucate of land in Wilbrighton. Bertram did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the tenements into the King's hand, and to summon him for the Octaves of St. Martin. A postscript further adjourns the suit to a month from Easter. m. 166, dorso.

Staff. Isolda formerly wife of Richard de Pyrye, sued John son of Robert de Wirleye for two and a half acres of moor in Pyrye near Honesworth (Perrybarr, near Handsworth). John did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the land into the King's hand, and to summon him for the Quindene of St. Martin. m. 160, dorso.

Staff. The suit of Thomas son of Nicholas de Aldithelye against William de Rycher and Lucy his wife, for causing waste and destruction in the houses and woods which they hold of the dower of Lucy and of the inheritance of the said Thomas in Enedon, remanet sine die, because William had letters of protection whilst in the King's service in Scotland, to last till the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing. m. 137, dorso.

Staff. William Sauvage and Lucy his wife sued Richard Costantyn for a third of the manor of Thorp-Costantyn and of the advowson of the Church as dower of Lucy of the dotation of Geoffrey Costantyn her first husband. Richard stated that Lucy had no claim to dower, because Geoffrey was not in seisin as of fee of the tenements at the date he married her, nor afterwards, and he appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for a month from Michaelmas. m. 135, dorso.

Staff. Alice formerly wife of William le Sauvage and Philip de Bray the executors of William le Sauvage, sued Ralph le Butiller for 4 marks. Ralph did not appear and is to be attached for the morrow of St. Martin. m. 70, dorso.

Staff. Roger de Clungenford, Clerk, was summoned by Edmund de Stafford and Margaret his wife, in a plea that he should carry out an agreement made between them respecting the manors of Stafford, Bradeleye, and Madeleye.

Roger appeared and a concord was made, and Edmund and Margaret gave a mark for licence of concord, and prayed that a fine should be levied; and the King sent a writ giving licence to the said Edmund de Stafford to enfeoff the said Roger of the above-named manors, which were held in capite, and likewise to the same Roger to re-enfeoff the said Edmund and Margaret of the same manors. The parties therefore had a chirograph. m. 4, dorso. (fn. 4)