Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 1244-50

Plea Roll No. 8, Tower Records.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, coram R. de Lexinton, R. de Thurkelby, et sociis suis, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, XXVIII." [20th January, 1244.]

Staff. James de Blithefeud sued the Abbot of Rowecestre for the advowson of the Chapel of Kingestun. The Abbot called to warranty William; son of Geoffrey de Gresleg, who is to be summoued to appear at (date illegible). m. 2.

Roll No. 61 contains no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 62.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm.: coram Rogero de Thurkileby et sociis suis, a die Paschœ in XV. dies, anno R. R. H., filii R. Johannis, XXVIII." [18th April, 1244.]

Staff. William de Iwestan (Ipestane) gives a mark for license of concord with the Abbot of Deulacres in a plea of pasturage. (fn. 1) m. 2.

Staff. Juliana de Grysele puts in her place Richard de Draklawe or William de Morton, versus Petronella, widow of Geoffrey de Drenketon, in a plea of dower. m. 2, dorso.

Staff. Roesia de Verdun sued Roger de Sumery to hold to a convention made between them respecting two carucates of land in Seggeslega. Roger did not appear, and is to be attached to appear at a month from Trinity. m. 3.

Staff. William de Ipestane acknowledged he had conceded for himself and his heirs to the Abbot of Deulacresse, that he and his successors and their men of Lek have common of pasture in the whole pasture of Ipestanes; and the Abbot conceded for himself and his successors that William might maintain all the enclosures made up to the date of this convention; and if any animals of the Abbot, or his successors, or his men, enter the existing enclosures, it shall be lawful to William and his heirs to impound them. m. 4.

Oxon. Idonea, the wife of William Longespeye, acknowledged she had conceded to James de Audedele and Ela his wife the manor of Stratton, and all her demesne in Werthewyk, and two virgates of land in the same vill, in frank marriage with the said Ela. m. 4, dorso.

ROLL No. 63 is a Dorsetshire Assize Roll, and contains no suits referring to Staffordshire tenants.

Banco Roll No. 1.

Membrane 4, headed, "Placita apud (sic) coram Rogero de Thurkelby et sociis suis, Justiciariis Domini Regis, a die Paschœ in XV. dies anno R. R. H., filii R. J., vicessimo octavo." [17th April, 1244.]

Staff. Hawise, the widow of Richard de Sponne, sued Hawise, the widow of Henry de Esington, and Robert her son, for one-third of eight acres in Sponne; and Thomas the Baker and Juliana his wife, and three other tenants, for onethird of other tenancies in Sponne, as her dower. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for fifteen days from St. John the Baptist, and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 9, dorso.

Roll No. 65.

Headed, "Placita et assisæ capta apud Leycestriam, in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, tricessimo primo, coram R. de Thurkelbey et sociis suis." [20th January, 1247.]

Leic. William de Wasteneys, who brought an assize of novel disseisin versus Roes de Verdun and the Prioress de la Grace Deu (Dieu) of Belton, appeared and withdrew it. Therefore he and his sureties for the prosecution are in misericordiâ. m. 10, dorso.

Leic. Robert de Tateshale, junior, John fitz Alan, Ralph, son of Roger de Sumery, Roger de Monhaut and Cecilia his wife, sue Roger de Quency, Earl of Wynton, to hold to a fine levied in the Court of the King between Hugh de Albini, formerly Earl of Surrey, the uncle of the said Robert, John, and Ralph, and brother of Cecilia, whose heirs they are, and the said Roger, respecting the ingress and egress of the said Earl of Arundel in the wood called Le Chaleng, and concerning estovers in the same wood, and the running of their dogs in it. And the said Ralph complained that whereas when Roger de Somery his grandfather held the manor of Barewe by the courtesy of England, after the death of his mother Nicholaa, whose heir he is, he used to hunt in the forest of the said Earl at Groby with nine bows and with six huntsmen (berselettis), the said Earl had now enclosed a part of the said forest within his park of Bradegate, a quarentene in breadth, and a league in length, by which he has been damaged to the value of 100s., &c.

The Earl appeared, and a concord was made by which the said Roger (sic) de Somery conceded for himself and heirs that the said Earl and his heirs should retain his park of Bradegate as now enclosed, with the saltoribus now made in it, and that it should be lawful for the said Roger de Somery and his heirs to come into the forest of the Earl to hunt in it, with nine bows and six huntsmen, according to the terms of the fine originally levied between the Earls of Wynton and Arundel; and that when wounded game entered the park, it shall be lawful for the said Roger and his heirs to send a man, or two men, of those which pursued the said game, with their dogs, into the said park, without bow or arrow, and to take the animal on the same day it was wounded, but without injury to any other animal within the said park; and they may enter on foot or on horseback, according as the ground admits; and before they enter they shall blow a horn, for the parker to come up if he chooses. And the Earl likewise concedes for himself and heirs, that they will cause to be taken each year two fat bucks and two does at the time of firmationis, (fn. 2) and shall deliver them at the gates of the said park to any man of the said Roger de Somery and his heirs having a warrant to receive the same. And the said Earl further concedes for himself and heirs, that the said park shall not be further augmented; and the said Roger concedes that he and his heirs shall not hunt, except with nine bows and six huntsmen, and that his foresters shall not carry in the wood of the said Roger barbed arrows, but with piles only (sagittas barbalatas, set pilettos). m. 12, dorso.

Leic. The Abbot of Myrivalle sued Richard de Caunvill for diverting a course of water in Clifton to the injury of the free tenement of the Abbot in Seyle; and Ralph (sic) appeared and said that the vill of Clifton was in Staffordshire, and likewise the place where the water was diverted was in Staffordshire. The assize is therefore respited till fifteen days after Easter, at Warwick. And the Sheriff of Staffordshire was commanded to send there six or eight free and lawful men of the vicinage of Clifton, to make the recognition with other free and lawful men of the vicinage of Cheile. A postscriptum adds that the jury came, and returned a verdict in favour of Richard. m. 13.

Leic. Richard de Caunvill gives a mark for license of concord with Richard de Harecurt in a plea of convention and services. m. 14.

Leic. An assize, &c., if William de Rideware had unjustly disseised Robert de Leye of common of pasture in Great Scheile. Verdict for Robert. m. 14.

Leic. Richard de Caunvill sued William de Rideware for common of pasture in Scheile. William did not appear, and is to be attached in the county of Stafford to appear at Warwick at three weeks from Easter. m. 24.

Leic. Ralph Basset of Drayton, who sued Ralph Basset of Welledon to acquit him of the service which Simon, Earl of Leicester, claimed of him for the free tenement he holds of the said Ralph in Schoforton and Crowenho, withdrew his suit. m. 25.

Tower Records, No. 9.

Headed, "Placita apud Warwyk, in crastino . . . . . R. de Thurkelby et sociis suis, anno regni regis Henrici (filii Regis) Johannis, tricessimo primo." [A.D. 1248.]

Warw. An assize, &c., if Roger de Somervill, father of John de Somervill, was seised, &c., when he died, of 6s. of rent in Birchingbyri, and which Henry le Prester holds. Henry admitted that Roger died seised of the rent claimed, and he was ready to pay it, but stated that by default of John he had been distrained by Thomas de Clinton, the capital lord, for the relief of the said John, so that he had paid 6s. of the arrears of 9s. owing for three terms. Verdict for Henry. m. 4, dorso.

Warw. Hugh de Loges puts in his place Simon de Sowe versus Alicia Crok in a plea of a fine levied. m. 4, dorso.

Nott. Walter de Staunton gives half a mark for license of concord with Robert de Hundesacre and Alina his wife in a plea of customs and services. m. 11, dorso.

Warw. The Master of the Hospitallers, extra portam orientalem, Oxon, sued Robert Bagot to acquit him of the service which Geoffrey Damubly and Matilda his wife exacted from him for a free tenement which he holds of the said Robert in Westcote, and in which Robert is medius between them. Robert did not appear. To be summoned to be at Oxford on the Sunday after Ascension Day. m. 13, dorso.

Warw. Ela, Countess of Warwick, sued Philip Marmiun for hunting in her free chace of Sutton with horns and hounds, viz., with brachettis et leporariis cristatis, and taking two bucks, on the Wednesday after the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, 30 H. III., and for illtreating one John de Saleybury, her forester, and taking from him a bow and two arrows, a horn and a sword, &c.

Philip appeared, and denied he had hunted in the free chace of Ela, and stated he had hunted in his own wood of Middeltun.

The jury say that Philip hunted as deposed, on the day in question, but they are ignorant whether he took two bucks or not; that John the forester of the Countess captured two greyhounds of Philip, and committed them to one of the men of the Countess to conduct them to Sutton, and that the said Philip took away the greyhounds from him, and struck him on the head with his fist, and knocked him off his horse; and afterwards the men of Philip came up, of whose names they are ignorant, and took away from him his bow and arrows and horn, &c.; and the jury say that there has always been dissension between the ancestors of Philip and the Earls of Warwick respecting the said chace; and that when a certain man of the ancestor of Philip was taken hunting in the chace, and taken to Warwick, that Robert Marmiun, the father of Philip, had paid a fine for him of 20s.; and they say that the said chace is the free chace of the Countess, and is not appurtenant to the manor of the said Philip at Middeltun, and that the King had given the chace to Henry, Earl of Warwick, to hold as freely as he (the King) had ever held it. Verdict for the Countess, and Robert de Hundesacre, the attorney of Philip, is committed to prison because Philip was not present at the inquisition. m. 26.

Warw. An assize, &c., if Giles de Erdington had unjustly thrown down a fence in Erdington, to the injury of William Maunsell in the said vill. Giles pleaded the land was common of pasture of himself and his men of Erdington.

The jury say that the vill of Erdington was divided amongst three coparceners, viz., Thomas, the father of the said Giles, Roger de Erdington, and Walter Maunsell, the father of the said William, whose heir he is, and it had been agreed that the waste should be divided between them also, so that each of them might have a several pasture and do what he pleased with it, and Thomas, father of Giles, had given his share of it to one William de Wittelega in frank marriage with his sister, and Walter Maunsell had surrounded his part with a ditch, and William when he came into possession had enclosed his part with a ditch and a hedge, and had ploughed and sown the land, and when the corn was ripe the said Giles came and prostrated his fence so that his cattle had trodden under and destroyed the land. Giles is therefore in misericordiâ; damages 4 marks. m. 31.

The jury of the Hundred of Kinton presented that Hugh de Loges holds fifteen librates of land in Cestreton by the service of guarding the forest of Cannock at the cost of the said Hugh, and that Alan de Morcote holds seven virgates of the said Hugh in Morcote, and the Abbot of Stanle holds there of the said Hugh half a virgate of land of the said sergeantry, which is worth 4l. per annum. m. 34, dorso.

The same jury presented that the manor of Ilmedon is an escheat of the Lord the King by the death of Richard de Harcurt, and that Simon de Montefort, the Earl of Leicester, holds it as bailiff of the King, and it is worth 30l. per annum. m. 34, dorso.

The jury of the Hundred of Humilford presented that William the sumpter of Tybeton (Tipton) killed a certain woman, Ivetta de Brerelay by name, in the wood of Lovereshull, and fled and was outlawed. He had no chattels, and was in the manupastu of Geoffrey fitz Warin, of the county of Stafford. Geoffrey is therefore in misericordiâ for not producing him. m. 35, dorso.

The jury of the Hundred of Knittelawe presented that Ralph Chator held three virgates of land in Suckeberg of the sergeantry of Hugh de Loges, viz., for the custody of the forest of Cannock, and they are worth 3 marks.

Roll No. 64.

Headed, "Placita et Assisæ captæ apud Oxon. in crastino Ascencionis Domini, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, XXXI., coram Rogero de Thurkelby et sociis suis." [10th May, 1247.]

Staff. An assize of last presentation to the Church of Huneswurthe, the advowson of which John de Parles claimed against the Prior of Lonton. John pleaded the advowson belonged to him, and he had presented one William his clerk, who was admitted and instituted in the reign of the present King, and lately died Parson of the Church. The Prior stated he made no claim to one-half of the advowson, and with respect to the other half, he called the Prior of the Hospital of St. John to warranty; and now he pleaded that the next presentation belonged to him, because the said John had brought an assize of last presentation in the fourteenth year of the present King before the Justices in Banco, against the Prior of Schandewell (Sandwell) and the Prior of Lonton, the predecessor of the present Prior; and at that time John acknowledged that one-half of the advowson should remain to the said Prior and his successors for ever. A concord was afterwards made. (fn. 3) m. 5, dorso.

Staff. An assize, &c., if a messuage and eighteen acres of land in Colewik and Morton were free alms belonging to the Church of Colewyz, of which Simon is Parson, or the lay fee of Adam de Colewiz and Juliana de Greselega. Juliana called to warranty William de Greselega, and stated she only claimed dower in the land. William to appear at Northampton, and to be summoned in Leicestershire. Adam stated the land belonged to him by hereditary right, and his father Adam had died seised of it. A postscriptum gives a verdict for Adam. m. 9, dorso.

Staff. Margaret, the widow of Gilbert del Bek, sued Robert del Bek for one-third of two parts of the manors of Hopton and Tene as her dower. Robert appeared, and by leave of the Court conceded the dower; and because the said Gilbert died seised of the manors, inquiry to be made respecting the damage to Margaret. m. 9, dorso.

North. John Brun and Stephen de Fredewell sued Robert Baggot and Cecilia his wife for four virgates of land in Thorp, and half a knight's fee in Kersington. Robert and Cecilia called to warranty Robert de Grendon, who is to be summoned to appear at Northampton on the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. To be summoned in the county of Stafford. m. 10, dorso.

Robert de Hundesacre in misericordiâ for contempt. m. 11, dorso.

Staff. The Abbot of Cumbermere sued Ralph le Buteller and Matilda his wife to permit him reasonable estovers in the wood of Tyrle. Ralph and Matilda did not appear, and are to be attached to be at Northampton at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 12.

Staff. The Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England sued John de Parles to hold to a fine levied in the Court of King John at Lichefeld before the King himself, between William de Parles, the father of John, whose heir he is, and Brother Robert, formerly Prior of St. John, respecting the advowson of the Church of Huneswurth. John did not appear. The Sheriff to distrain him to appear at Northampton on the Sunday after the Feast of St. John the Baptist. m. 12, dorso.

Oxon. Juliana, the widow of Robert de Parles, sued Richard le Venur for one-third of two virgates of land and of two messuages in Great Rollanderithe, as her dower. Richard called to warranty John de Parles. Richard afterwards sued John to warrant to him the land in question, and John did not appear; and the Sheriff was commanded to take into the King's hands land of John to the value of the land in dispute. John afterwards appeared, and Richard never came into Court, and he was the plaintiff. It is therefore considered that Juliana should recover her dower against him by default, and John be quit of the warranty. m. 18, dorso.

Warw. Philip Marmiun was summoned to answer the complaint of Ela the Countess of Warwick, that he had constructed a pen (saltatoriam (fn. 4) ) in his park of Middelton, to the injury of the forest of the said Countess in Sutton. Philip admitted he had made a saltatoriam, but denied that the wood of Middeltun formed any part of the forest of Sutton, and it was therefore lawful for him to chase and capture animals in the said wood at his will, and to sell and to take estovers in the said wood without view of any forester. And it was ordered that a jury be summoned of Knights both from Staffordshire and Warwickshire, because the said forest was on the confines of Staffordshire. And a jury elected by the consent of both parties came to Oxford on the Octaves of Holy Trinity, and stated that Philip had erected a saltatoriam in his park of Middeltun to the injury of the forest of the said Countess in Sutton, because none of the ancestors of the said Philip had ever erected one in that wood before, and that the wood of Philip at Middelton is within the bounds and metes of the said forest, but that the said Philip and his ancestors could always give or sell the wood at their will so long as they made no destruction or exilium. It is therefore considered that the saltatoria should be pulled down at the cost of the said Philip, and Philip is in misericordiâ and the Countess is also in misericordiâ for a false claim, because she pleaded that Philip could not give away or sell the wood which is the several wood of Philip without her permission. The damage of the Countess was afterwards taxed at 100 marks. m. 19.

Oxon. A jury by consent of the parties came to make recognition if Thomas de St. Valery (Sancto Walerico) when he gave the Abbot of Oseney the homage and service of Robert Purcell (fn. 5) and his heirs for two hides of land in Newenton, was seised as of fee of 24s. annual rent besides the service of half a knight's fee, so that Robert Purcel during his lifetime always performed that service to the Abbot, and likewise Henry Purcel his son, or whether the said Thomas when he made the feoffment to the Abbot was only seised of the said 24s. of rent and of the service of holding the stirrup (estricum) of the said Thomas when he went backwards and forwards to the King's Court, and of expediting the business (expediendi negotia) of the said Thomas at the same Court, as Otovic Purcel averred. The jury state that Thomas de St. Valery was in seisin both of the half knight's fee and the annual rent in question, when he made the feoffment to the Abbot; and Otovic Purcel is therefore in misericordiâ.

Tower Records.

Assize Roll of Northamptonshire, 31 H. III, headed, "Placita et Assisæ captæ apud Norht: in crastino Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistæ, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, tricessimo primo, coram Rogero de Thurkelby et sociis suis." [25th June, 1247.]

North. Hugh deWeston (fn. 6) and Sibilla his wife sue Simon de Drayton and Ivetta his wife, for four virgates of land in Deseburg, &c., of which Agatha, daughter of Godfrey, the cousin of Sibilla, whose heir she is, was seised as of fee when she died; and from Agatha, who died without issue, the right reverted to one Richard, her uncle, brother to her father; and from Richard to Sibilla, as daughter and heir. The defendants stated there was a plea in the reign of King John between Agnes Aungevyn and Godfrey Aungewin, respecting ten virgates and two carucates of land in Deseburgh, and a fine was levied by which half the land was to remain to Godfrey, and if Godfrey died without issue of his wife to whom he was then married, it should revert to Agnes Aungevin; and as the said Simon and Ivetta did not show that Godfrey died without issue, by which, through default of heir, the land would fall to them, and could not deny besides that Godfrey had a son called William, who was seised of the said land, and died seised of it, and after whose death Agatha entered into it as his sister and heir, it is considered that Hugh and Sibilla should have seisin. m. 3.

Staff. Suit between the Prior of St. John and John de Parles terminated by a verdict in favour of the Prior, who recovers half the advowson and five marks for damages. m. 11.

Staff. The suit respecting eighteen acres in Colewyk, between Simon, the Parson of Colwich, and Adam de Colwyz, is respited, through defect of a jury. William de Gressele came and warranted the land to Adam. m. 11.

North. Henry Mauvaysin, (fn. 7) Richard son of Richard, and Clemence his wife, and Albreda de Bassingburn, the widow of William fitz Walkeline, were sued by John Baligan for right of fishery in the water of Pasham. John withdraws his suit. m. 22.

Roll No. 66.

Membrane No. 6, headed, "Placita apud Cauntebrig de diversis Comitatibus forinsccis, in Octabis Sancti Michaclis, anno regni Regis filii Regis Johannis tricessimo primo incipiente secundo, coram H. de Bathoniis et sociis suis, Justiciariis." [30th September, 1247.]

Staff. Ralph Basset, of Welledone, sued the Abbot of Crokesdone to hold to a fine levied in the Court of King Henry, the grandfather of the present King, before the Justices Itinerant at Leycester, between Geoffrey Ridel, the grandfather of Ralph, whose heir he is, and Bertram de Verdun, whose assignee the Abbot is, respecting the land of Madeleye; and the Abbot did not appear, and was attached by Adam de Calton and Simon of the Mount of Calton. To be attached by better sureties to appear at Huntedon (fn. 8) at fifteen days from St. Martin; and Ralph puts in his place Richard Basset or Thomas de Welham. m. 9, dorso.

Oxon. Otewyn Purcel acknowledged that he owed to Christiana, the widow of Henry Purcel, ten marks, half to be rendered at the Feast of the Purification (32 H. III.), and the other half at Pentecost following; and if he failed, the Sheriff might reclaim the debt from his lands. m. 11, dorso.

Staff. Adam de Ruston was summoned by the Abbot of Deulacresse to show cause why he claimed common of pasture in the land of the Abbot in Leke, when the said Abbot had no common in the land of the said Adam, nor did Adam perform any service to the Abbot by which he could claim common of pasture. And Adam appeared and stated that he held a messuage and four acres of land of the Abbot in the vill of Leke, rendering for them 3s., and that he and his ancestors had always had common in the land of the Abbot in Leke.

The Abbot admitted that Adam held the tenement as described, and did not deny that he ought to have common for his cattle in the vill of Leke (cubantia et levantia), but that Adam claimed to common in the vill of Leke with his cattle of Ruston, when the Abbot had no common right in the vill of Ryston (Rushton). Adam replied that he rightly claimed common in Leke with his cattle of Ryston, because long before the said Abbot held anything in the vill of Leke, both the manors of Leke and Ruston were in the hands of Ralph, Earl of Chester, and at that time the men of Leke commoned with their cattle in the vill of Ruston and e converso. And the said Earl afterwards gave the manor of Ryston to one Norman de Verdun, and during the whole of his time the men of both manors intercommoned, and for long afterwards, until the said Abbot withdrew his cattle because he did not wish to common with his cattle in the vill of Ryston, or the men of Ryston to common in the manor of Leke. The Sheriff is commanded to summon a jury at the coming of the Justices. m. 13.

Derby. Nicholas de St. Maur appeared against Hugh de Meynill, the custos of Geoffrey, son and heir of Adam de Ednesovere, to warrant to him a third part of three bovates of land in Brumiolveston, which Isolda, the widow of Adam de Ednosoure, claimed as dower against the said Nicholas. Hugh did not appear. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to take into the King's hands land of Hugh to the value of the dower claimed, and Hugh to be summoned to be at Huntingdon at fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 20. (fn. 9)

Roll No. 67 is the Record of the proceedings before the same Justices at Hertford, on the morrow of the close of Easter, 32, H. III. It contains no Staffordshire suits."

Roll No. 68.

The third membrane, headed, "Placita de diversis Comitatibus forinsecis, coram H. de Bathoniis et sociis, Justiciariis Itinerantibus, apud Bermundesi, a die Paschæ in quinque septimanas, anno XXXII." [24th May, 1248.]

Staff. William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, sued Matilda de Sidenham for a mill and twelve acres of land in Draycote. Matilda prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at Lewes on the morrow of All Souls. A view to be made in the interim. m. 8.

Staff. Adam de Mokeleston claimed the advowson of the Church of Mokeleston versus Geoffrey Griffyn, and stated his father Adam had presented the last Parson, one Thomas de Janeston, who was admitted and instituted, and had lately resigned the Church. As Geoffrey did not deny this, he is in misericordiâ. m. 9.

Roll No. 71, Temp. H. III.

No heading; supposed to be a fragment of the Iter of Roger de Thurkelby at Gloucester, 32 H. III. (fn. 10)

Staff. William de Pyrie sued Henry, son of Robert de Pyrie, for half a virgate of land in Pyrie, into which he had no ingress except through William de Birmingham, who had demised it to him whilst the said William de Pyrie was under age, and in ward to him. Henry stated that his father Robert was seised of the tenement as of fee. The Sheriff is commanded to summon a jury to inquire into the facts, and to return the inquisition to Reading on the Octaves of Holy Trinity. A postscriptum states that the jury found in favour of William. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. Geoffrey de Kingesle for himself and his wife Alice, and Basilia, sister of Alice, called upon Richard, son of Geoffrey de Rowell, to warrant to them four bovates of land in Kingesle, and for which they hold the charter of Geoffrey, the father of Richard. Richard did not appear, and is to be resummoned to be at Hereford on the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. A day is given to the Abbot of Cumbermare and to John le Fraunceys in a plea of mordauncestor at Reading, on the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. Robert de Melburn withdrew his plea against Bartholomew de Faucon and others respecting common of pasture in Horecross. m. 7.

Staff. Magister Robert, the official of the Archdeacon of Stafford, and Thomas, the Parson of the Church of Huttokeshather, were attached to answer the complaint of John de Verdun, that they had held a plea in Court Christian concerning chattels which were not the subject of any testament or marriage, against the King's prohibition; and John stated that whereas the said Thomas was suing him for a horse belonging to one of his freemen who died, and a mare which likewise belonged to one of his villains who died, in Court Christian before the said Magister Robert, he (John) had produced to him the Royal prohibition on the Monday after the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul in the Church of Alveton; the said Thomas nevertheless had continued the plea, and the said Robert had heard it. The defendants deny the statement of John, and the Court finds in their favour. m. 10, dorso.

Staff. William de Bentelega sued Giles de Erdington for twenty acres of land in Wendingfeld (Wednesfield). Giles had made default, and the land had been taken into the King's hands. He now appeared by attorney, but could not cleanse his default "sanare defaltam." William therefore recovers seisin. m. 10, dorso.

Warw. Richard, son of William de Barre, sued Robert, son of Christiana, and sixty others (named), for entering by night his land of Barre in co. Stafford, and prostrating a fence. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain them to appear at the coming of the Justices at Salop. m. 10, dorso.

Staff. Richard le Harpur called upon Philip Basset and Helewise his wife, John de Sulbiri and Ralph de Waschole, and William, son of Warine de Upton, (fn. 11) to warrant to him a virgate of land in Geyton, which John de Acton claimed of him; and they did not appear; and the Sheriff was ordered to take into the King's hands land belonging to the defendants of equal value; and because they held no land in co. Stafford, the Sheriff was ordered to make an extent (i.e., a valuation) of the land in question. A postscriptum states that the Sheriff of Staffordshire sent an extent of the land to Reading at the Octaves of St. John the Baptist, and the land was extended at 20s. per annum. The Sheriff of Essex is therefore commanded to take into the King's hands land of Philip to this value, and the Sheriff of Worcester land of William to the same value, and they are to be summoned to be at Salop at the coming of the Justices. m. 11.

Staff. Julia, the widow of William le Plumer, sued Ralph, son of Philip, for one-third of three and a half acres of land, and one-third of a noke of pasture in Burton, and she sued the Master of the Hospital of St. John of Stafford for one-third of three acres of land in Rikardescote as her dower. The defendants did not appear, and the land in dispute is to be taken into the King's hands, and the defendants to be re-summoned to be at Hereford at the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 11, dorso.

Staff. William le Marescal sued John de Verdun for fifty acres of land in Staunton, and an acre in Wutton, in which he had no ingress except through Roes de Verdun, who had disseised him unjustly of them. John stated he claimed only common of pasture in the land, and denied that Roes had unjustly disseised William. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury, and to return the inquisition at the advent of the Justices at Salop. m. 11, dorso.

Roll No. 69 contains no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 70.

No heading; but supposed to be a fragment of the proceedings of the Iter of Roger de Thurkelby at Reading, 32 H. III.

Staff. The suit of William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, versus William de la Force, respecting sixty acres of land in Yoxal. Adjourned to Salop at five weeks after Michaelmas. m. 5.

Staff. Suit of William de Meysham and John de Sumervill, versus William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, respecting four bovates of land in Barthon. Adjourned to five weeks after Michaelmas at Salop. m. 5.

Staff. Suit of Abbot of Deulacres versus Hugh le Despenser, respecting common of pasture. Adjourned to a month after Michaelmas at Salop. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. Suit of Warine de Vernun versus Abbot of Combermere. Adjourned to Salop at a month after Michaelmas. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. Lettice, daughter of Adam de Padingham, sued Robert de Padingham for two messuages in Newcastle-under-Lyme, of which Roger her ancestor had been seised, &c., in the reign of King Richard, and from Roger the right descended to Adam, as son and heir, and from Adam to Lettice, who now sues as daughter and heir. Robert admitted the seisin of Roger, but stated he had enfeoffed Robert his father of the tenement in question. The suit was adjourned to Salop. A postscriptum adds the jury found in favour of Robert. m. 8.

Staff. Robert de Waterfale withdrew his suit against Oliver de Doddingshale (Odingsele). m. 8.

Roll No. 19, Tower Records.

Headed, "Placita coram Rege, in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, anno R. R., filii Regis Johannis, XXXI., incipicnte secundo." [6th October, 1247.]

Staff. Laurence del Brok, who sued for the King, appeared against Magister Ralph de Laycok for pleading in Court Christian respecting the Church of St. Mary of Stafford, which is the free chapel of the Lord the King; and Ralph did not appear, and the Sheriff of Wyltes returned elsewhere that he was a Clericus, and the Bishop of Coventry had been commanded to produce him at this day; and the Bishop did nothing therein, and sent no brief. He is therefore to be summoned at Easter. m. 1.

M. 2. "Placita de quindena Paschæ, anno tricessimo primo." [14th April, 1247.]

Staff. The jury elected by consent of the parties between the Lord the King, plaintiff, and Pagan le Wasteneys, deforciant, viz., Robert de Grendon, Robert de Esinton, Robert Bagot of Holedale, William Griffin, Hugh de Caleton, Richard de Draycote, Thomas de Cressewell, Eudo de Saut, Richard Meverel, William de Tyllingham, William Meverel, Hugh de Acoure, and Richard de Saundon, to make recognition if Tykeshale had always been within the jurisdiction of the Dean of the Chapter of St. Mary of Stafford, and whether all the ancestors of Pagan le Wasteneys, on the occasion of a vacancy of the Chapel of Tykeshale, had been accustomed to present their Clerk to the said Dean, and not to the Bishop, as stated by Walter de Lenches, who sued for the King; or whether the ancestors of the said Pagan, on a vacancy, were accustomed to present their Clerk to the Bishop and not to the Dean, as Pagan stated, came and said on their oath, that all the ancestors of the said Pagan were accustomed to present their Clerk, on a vacancy of the Chapel of Tykeshale, to the Dean of the Chapel of the Lord the King of St. Mary of Stafford, and that the said chapel always had that liberty until one Geoffrey de Wasteneys, the ancestor of the said Pagan, in the reign of King John, carried away a certain corpse which ought to have been buried there, and caused it to be buried at (left blank in the original), and afterwards presented his Clerk to the Bishop against the liberty aforesaid. m. 3, dorso.

Roll No. 19, Temp. H. III.

M. 5. "De anno regni Regis H., XXXVII., de termino Sancti Michalis." [October, 1252.]

Staff. The Prior of Kenilleworth was summoned to shew by what warrant he holds the advowson of the Church of St. Mary in the Castle of Stafford, which pertains to the free chapel of the Lord the King of St. Mary of Stafford; and the Prior came and stated that the said church was never appurtenant to the King's chapel of Stafford; and the Sheriff was commanded to summon a jury before the King at three weeks from Easter, &c. An inquisition was afterwards taken before William de Wilton, which stated that from the Conquest of England the advowson of the Church of St. Mary in the Castle of Stafford had belonged to the free chapel of the Lord the King of St. Mary of Stafford, until the Lord Robert de Stafford, in the reign of King Henry, the grandfather of the present King, gave it to the Prior of Stanes. It is therefore considered that the Lord the King should recover seisin of the said advowson, and the Prior is in misericordiâ for an unjust detention. (fn. 12) m. 5.

Rolls Nos. 72 and 73 contain no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 74, Temp. H. III.

Headed, "Placita de diversis comitatibus apud Wynton, in Comitatu Suht. de itinere H. de Bathoniis et sociis suorum (sic) Justiciariis itinerantibus, in crastino Sancti Hillarii, anno R. R. Henrici, filii Regis J., XXXIII." [14th January, 1249.]

Staff. William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, sued Matilda de Sidenham for a mill and twelve acres of land in Draicote, of which William, his ancestor, was seised as of fee, &c., in the reign of the present King, and from William the right descended to William, who now sues. Matilda defends her right, and states that her ancestors had been enfeoffed by the ancestors of the Earl from the Conquest of England, and puts herself on a Great Assize. A day is given to them at three weeks from Easter at Wilton. m. 4.

Roll No. 75, Temp. H. III.

Headed, "Placita de diversis Comitatibus apud Exon, in Comitatu Devon" (supposed to be a portion of the Iter of R. de Thurkelby of 33 H. III.).

Staff. The suit of William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby, versus Matilda de Sidenham, adjourned to Westminster at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 1, dorso.

Derby. William de Greseleg was summoned to answer the complaint of Margaret, the widow of Ralph Grim, that he should surrender to her the custody of the manor of Hethcote and wood of Bulmek, belonging to her as mother of John, the son and heir of Ralph de Gresele, who is within age, and because Geoffrey de Gresele, the father of William, had remitted to the ancestors of John all his claim to the said manor and wood. William stated that the land was held by Knight's service and not by soccage, which Margaret admitted; she is therefore in misericordiâ for a false claim. m. 2.

Staff. Ralph, son of Hugh, for himself and Avice de Cotes and Julia her sister, sued Serlo Mauveysin to hold to a fine levied in the Court of King John at Arundel, between Cecilia, daughter of Nicholas, the mother of Avice and Julia, and aunt of the said Ralph, whose heirs they are, and Herlevin Mauveysin, the grandfather of Serlo, whose heir he is, respecting the manor of Cotes. Serlo did not appear. The Sheriff is ordered to distrain him and to produce him on the morrow of All Souls at Westminster. m. 4.

Roll No. 76, Temp. H. III.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, coram H. de Bathoniis et sociis suis, Justiciariis Domini Regis de Banco, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, tricessimo tertio, incipiente XXXIII." [6th October, 1249.]

Staff. William de Bentley's suit versus Giles de Erdington, respecting twenty acres in Wednesfend, adjourned to Hillary through default of Giles. m. 9, dorso.

Warw. John de Somervill claimed the advowson of the Church of Stocton, against the Prior of Hertford and Isabel de Somervill, inasmuch as one Matilda de Somervill, the grandmother of John, whose heir he is, and who held the manor of Stocton in dower of the gift of Roger de Somervill, the grandfather of John, had presented one Magister Philip to the Church, who had died parson of it.

The Prior stated the presentation belonged to him, and that Magister Philip had been presented by his predecessor William, and afterwards, on the arrival of Otto, the Legate, Philip had resigned the Church, and the Prior had then presented the same Philip to the Church who had been admitted and instituted. He stated also that Roger de Somervill, the father of John, had arraigned an assize of last presentation against the said Prior at Northampton, and it was then acknowledged that the Prior had made the last presentation. A verdict is found for the Prior. m. 29, dorso.

Staff. William, son of Guy, sued Hugh de Dockeseye for ten acres of land in Cotes, by writ of right, and did not appear to prosecute his claim; it is therefore dismissed. m. 39.

Roll No. 77 contains no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 78.

Headed, "Adhuc de Octabis Sancti Hillarii (Hillary Term, 34 H. III)." [20th January, 1250.]

Staff. William de Curtenay by his attorney, and the essoiner of Joan, wife of William, sue (Henry) de Lucton, for two parts of a carucate of land in Saundon, and Ralph de Vernun for the third part of a carucate in the same vill, as the inheritance of his wife Joan. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to take the land into the King's hands, and to summon them for fifteen days from Trinity. m. 6.

Staff. Richard le Harpur's suit versus Philip Basset and Helewise his wife, John de Subyri, William fitz Warin, and Ralph Wasevil, in a plea of warranty of a virgate of land in Geyton, claimed by John de Gaunt against the said Richard, is adjourned to Trinity Term. m. 8, dorso.

Staff. William Wymer sued Robert de Stafford to warrant to him four mills in Stafford, which he holds of him and for which he has the charter of Milisant de Stafford, the grandmother of Robert, whose heir he is. Robert did not appear, and is to be attached to appear at three weeks from Holy Trinity. m. 11, dorso.

Roll No. 79 is a duplicate of No. 78, but fuller and in better condition. It contains no further Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 80. Temp. H. III.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: coram R. de Thurkelby et sociis suis, Justiciariis, a die Paschæ, in XV. dies, anno regni Regis H., filii Regis J., XXXIIII." [10th April, 1250.]

Staff. The Dean and Chapter of Stafford sue Roger de Lacok and Elena his wife, for the manor of Wevereston, as the right of the Church of St. Mary. Roger and Elena pray a view; a day is given to the parties on the Octaves of St. John. m. 10.

Warw. Peter de Montfort sued Robert de Stafford, William de Albo Monasterio, John Giffard, and thirteen others, for entering vi et armis into the manor of Clopton, which Peter holds in custody, and beating and illtreating his men, &c., and carrying off his goods. The defendants did not appear, and are to be attached by better sureties to appear at fifteen days from St. John. m. 22, dorso.

Staff. Adam, son of Robert, sued Andrew le Blund for a messuage and half a virgate of land in le Park, of which Robert his father was seised as of fee in the reign of the present King. Andrew appeared and stated Robert had held the tenement for his life only and not in fee. The Sheriff is commanded to summon a jury to determine this issue, and to return the inquisition into Court at fifteen days from Michaelmas. A postscript states the jury found that Robert was seised as of fee of the tenement, and Adam recovers seisin. m. 23.

Roll No. 81, Temp. H. III., is a duplicate of Roll No. 80.

Roll No. 82, Temp. H. III.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: coram R. de Thurkelby et sociis suis, Justiciariis de Banco, in Octabis Sanctæ Trinitatis, anno regni H., filii Regis J., XXXIIII." [29th May, 1250.]

Staff. William de Curtenay and Joan his wife sue Henry de Lucton for two parts of a carucate of land in Saundon; and Henry prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at the Octaves of Michaelmas.

The same William and Joan sue Ralph de Vernun for one-third of a carucate of land in the same vill; and Ralph did not appear; and as he had previously made default, and the Sheriff had been ordered to take the land into the King's hands, it is considered that William and Joan should recover seisin. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. Roger the Bishop of Coventry and Lychefelde, was summoned to answer the plea of Richard de Harecurt, that he should permit him to have common of fishery in the water of Cockesmere, as he used to have. The Bishop by his attorney prayed a view. A day is given to the parties on the morrow of All Souls. m. 8, dorso.

Staff. William Wymer sued Robert de Stafford to warrant to him four mills in Stafford, &c. (as before); and William complained that Robert would not permit his men of Stafford to do suit to the said mills, and would not permit him to fish in the fishpools of the same mills; and he had besides destroyed a wood in which the said William had right of estovers for the maintenance of the same mills and stanks. Robert came and admitted the warranty, and pleaded that William had not before complained of the injuries now set forth. The suit is dismissed. William to sue by another writ, if he chose to do so. m. 9.

Staff. John de Aketon sued Richard le Harpur for a virgate of land in Gayton, and Richard had made default; and he had afterwards appeared and called to warranty Philip Basset and Helewise his wife, and their coparceners, and the land had been taken into the King's hands, and Richard had been summoned to hear judgment on this day; and John claimed the land by default; and Richard could not cleanse his default (sanare defaltam). The said John therefore recovers his seisin of the land. m. 12.

Staff. John Cuyne sued John fitz Alan to hold to a fine levied in the King's Court at Salopbiri, between the said John Cuyne and the said John fitz Alan, respecting the manor of Weston; and John did not appear, and he had elsewhere made default; and the Sheriff had been ordered to put in better sureties, but had done nothing. The Sheriff is again commanded to put in better sureties, and to produce John fitz Alan on the morrow of All Souls. m. 12.

Staff. Walter de Norhampton sued Robert de Stafford for a debt of 23l. A concord was made by which Robert agreed to pay half the money at the Festival of St. Giles in London, and the other half at the Feast of All Saints next following. m. 13.

Staff. Thomas de Hamstede sued William de Piry for waste and destruction in the woods of Hamsted which he holds in custody of the inheritance of Thomas. William did not come, and is to be attached by better pledges to appear on the morrow of St. Martin. m. 14, dorso.

Staff. Margaret, the wife of Warin the Carpenter, sued Swein of Heynford for one-third of two messuages in Lychefeld as her dower. Verdict for Margaret. m. 14, dorso.

Staff., Warw. Ascira, the widow of Robert Bagot, sued William Bagot for a third of two carucates of land in Moreton and Lockesle in the county of Warwick, and a third of two carucates of land in La Hide, Coppenhall, and Hildelveston in co. Stafford, as her dower. William did not appear; the land is therefore to be taken into the King's hands, and William to be summoned to appear on the morrow of St. Martin. m. 17, dorso.

Staff. Richard de Tykebrome sued Peter Giffard for twenty acres of land and five acres of wood in Guneston; he also sued Richard de Engelton for four acres, and seventeen other tenants in Gunston for small plots of land in the same vill. Peter and the other defendants pray a view, and a day is given to the parties at the Octaves of St. Martin. m. 18.

Staff. Robert de Aysholf sued Robert de Chachull and Julia his wife, for half a messuage in Eccleshale, and John de Large and Edith his wife, Agnes and Dionïsia, daughters of Edith, for half a messuage in the same vill. Adjourned to fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 23.

Salop, Staff. A day is given to Thomas Corbet, plaintiff, and to Nicholas Meverel, John le Poer and Amice his wife, tenants in a plea of land at the Octaves of Hillary, because Lucy, the wife of Nicholas, who had essoined herself de malo lecti, has not been seen by visors; and the Sheriff of Staffordshire is ordered to send four lawful Knights to Geyton to view the said Lucy. m. 26, dorso.

Staff. Warine de Vernun and Ralph de Vernun were summoned by Walter de Sumerville and Elena his wife, to acquit them of the service which Roger de Sumery exacted from them for the free tenement which they hold of the said Warine and Ralph in Askeby, Thedelthorp, Markeby and Hotoft, and in which they are mesne tenants and ought to acquit them; and the said Walter and Elena say they hold of them a fee of a Knight and a half and a fourth part of a Knight's fee in the said vills by homage and fealty, and performing forinsec service for the said Warine and Ralph. Warine and Ralph appeared, and a concord was made. m. 27, dorso.

Staff. Richard de Morton sued Robert de Stafford and William Baghot to give up to him a horse of the value of 10 marks which they unjustly detained. Adjourned to Octaves of Hillary. m. 28.

Staff. Robert de Stafford was attached to answer the complaint of Peter de Montfort that he had entered his manor of Clopton, which Peter holds in custody, on the Monday in Lent of this year, with many others armed with hauberks of mail, bows and arrows and swords, and had taken away his goods and beaten and illtreated his men, by which he had been damaged to the amount of 20 marks.

Robert appeared by attorney and denied the fact, and put himself on the country. A jury to be summoned for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 30.

Staff. The suit of Amice de Cotes and others versus Saer Mauveysin, adjourned to Octaves of Hillary; Saer making default. m. 31.

Staff. Margery, the widow of Henry de Lascy, sued Robert le Fletcher for one-third of seven acres of land in Tunstall, and William le Gugelur for one-third of an acre and a half in the same vill, as her dower. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for the Octaves of Hillary. Margery puts her brother Thomas in her place. m. 31, dorso.

Roll No. 83 is a duplicate of Roll No. 82.

Roll No. 84 contains no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 85.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, coram R. de Thurkelby et sociis suis, anno Regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, tricessimo quarto, incipiente tricessimo quinto." [6th October, 1250.]

Leic. Gaylardus, Parson of Scheyle, sued William de Rydeware for waste and destruction in the wood of Scheles, in which Gaylard has right of estover. William did not appear, and is to be attached for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 1.

Staff. The Dean and Chapter of St. Mary of Stafford sued Richard Roulaund and Emma his wife for eight acres in Whytegrave. Richard and Emma did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for a month after Michaelmas. m. 2, dorso.

Staff. William Wymer sued Robert de Stafford for not permitting his free fishery pertaining to his mills of Stafford, nor the use of turf from his meadows, nor pasture for his cattle, nor large wood from his wood of Madelegh, for the repair of the mills and outhouses belonging to the same mills, and for not distraining the men of his halimote of Bradelegh to repair the stanks of the said mills, and to do suit to the mills, which they owed according to the charter of Milisent his grandmother, whose heir he is. Robert did not appear. To be attached to be in Court at a month from Michaelmas. m. 2, dorso.

Staff. William Wymer puts in his place Adam Wymer or Geoffrey de Offele versus Robert de Stafford, in a plea of "quare non permittit." m. 3.

Staff., Warw. William Bagod sued to replevy his land, which had been taken into the King's hands in consequence of the default he made in the suit versus Azilia, the widow of Robert Bagod, and he had a writ. m. 4.

Staff. Hugh de Stanwurthin appealed William, son of John, for the death of Roger de Stanwurthin his brother, on the Friday after the Feast of St. Guthlac, in the house of Walter Bette in Stafford; and Stephen, son of Robert, appealed Richard, son of Edith, for the death of Aynulphus his brother, on the same occasion.

Richard de la Legh appealed Seman the Mercer for the death of his nephew Dacke, son of John de la Legh, on the same occasion.

Mabilia de Tateshull appealed Ralph, son of Philip, for the death of Howel de Meysebrok, her son, on the same occasion.

And the appellants likewise appeal William Wymer and nine others named, for assisting and abetting the above named defendants.

The defendants admit having killed the men named, but stated they were malefactors and highway robbers (latrones itinerantes), and that they had come to the house of the said Walter with the intention of robbing it, and had taken goods and cloth from it, and that they were killed with the stolen goods upon them, and whilst running away, and because they could not take them alive.

Hugh and the others say they were not robbers, but lawful men; and the Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury for fifteen days from Hillary, the defendants to be kept in custody in the meantime; and because the said Hugh Stephen, and the others acknowledge they were present at the time, and attempted to rescue them, they are also committed to custody. The appellants and defendants were afterwards admitted to bail. m. 5.

Staff. Robert de Stafford was sued by Philip Luvel to surrender to him Isabella, the daughter and heiress of Ralph de Mutton, the wardship of whom belongs to him by reason of the custody of the land and heir of Vivian de Staundon, which the King had conferred upon him, and inasmuch as the said Ralph held his land of the said Vivian by knight's service, and Philip complained that by Robert's detention of the heiress he was damaged to the amount of 40l. Robert appeared, and defended his right to the custody of Isabella, because Ralph, the father of Isabella, held of him Ingestraund, Gretewyz, and Ruwe (Rule), by knight's service, and because the ancestors of Ralph were enfeoffed by his ancestors before they were enfeoffed by the ancestor of the said Vivian.

Philip stated that the ancestors of the said Ralph were enfeoffed of their tenement in Mutton by the ancestors of Vivian before his ancestors were enfeoffed at Ingestraund, Gretewyz, and Rue; and the Sheriff was ordered to summon a jury at fifteen days from St. Martin to decide this point.

A concord was afterwards made, by which Robert acknowledged the wardship and marriage of the said Isabella to be the right of the son and heir of Vivian de Staundon, and surrendered her to the said Philip in the name of the said heir; and he further remitted to Philip the relief of the son and heir of the said Vivian in lieu of damages; and he pledged himself to deliver up the said Isabella at three weeks from the Purification of the Virgin, 35 H. III. (fn. 13) m. 10.

Staff. William, son of Robert de Wytele, sued Eudo de Salt for one-third of two virgates of land in Levedale, and Eugenia de Levedale for one-third of two virgates in the same vill. The defendants did not appear, and to be resummoned for fifteen days after St. Martin. m. 12, dorso.

Staff. The Dean and Chapter of St. Mary of Stafford sued Richard de Venables and Joan his wife for forty acres of land in Wytegrave, and Robert Marescall for twenty-six-and-a-half acres in the same vill, and Geoffrey de Waleton and Petronilla his wife for twenty-six-and-a-half acres in the same vill, as the right of their Church. The defendants appeared and prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 13.

Staff. Suit of Dean and Chapter of St. Mary of Stafford versus Richard Roland and Emma his wife, decided in favour of St. Mary's. Robert Mareschall was stated to hold the eight acres in dispute at farm from Richard and Emma. m. 16.

Staff The Lord the King sent word to the Justices that the suit between William de Benetlega and Giles de Erdington, respecting 30 acres of land in Wudesfeud (Wednesfield, is to be heard before himself on the Octaves of Hillary. m. 18.

Berks. An assize of last presentation to the Church of Dudecote, the advowson of which Andrew le Blund and Elena his wife claimed against Emma de la Mare. Andrew and Elena state that Hugh de la Mare, the father of the said Elena, whose heir she is, had presented Andrew Cutvel his Clerk, and who had been instituted and died Parson of the same. A concord was made by which Emma conceded the presentation for this time, saving her rights (si alias inde loqui voluerit). m. 19.

Staff. Suit of Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield versus Robert, son of Robert, for a carucate of land in Hakedon (Acton). Adjourned to a month from Easter. m. 20.

Staff. Ascira, the widow of Robert Bagot, sued William Bagot for onethird of two carucates of land and 50s. of rent in Holedale, and one-third of 60s. of rent in la Hyde, and one-third of 60s. of rent in Coppelade (sic) (Coppenhale), and one-third of 60s. of rent in Hydoleston, and one-third of a carucate of land, one hundred acres of wood, and thirty acres of pasture in Morton, in co. Warwick, as her dower.

William stated she had no claim to dower, because she was never legally married to the said Robert Bagot. William is dismissed from the suit, and Ascyra to have a writ addressed to the Bishop of Worcester to convene the parties before him, &c., and to make known the result of the inquisition by his letters patent (per literas suas patentes). m. 23.

Staff. Magister Thomas de Shyreford sued Nicholas de Langeford to hold to a fine levied before the Justices last Itinerant at Lichefeud, between Joan de Alkeston, the mother of Thomas, whose heir he is, plaintiff, and the said Nicholas, deforciant, of a mill at Alkeston. Nicholas did not appear. To be attached by better pledges to appear on the morrow of the Ascension. m. 28.

Staff. The suit between the Dean and Chapter of Stafford and Roger de Lackoke and Elena his wife, concerning land in Wynreston (Wiverston), remanet sine die, because Roger is dead. m. 28, dorso.

Staff. John, the Chaplain of Pencriz, was summoned to answer the complaint of Andrew le Blund, that he had taken fish, vi et armis, from the free fishery in Penkryz, to the value of half a mark, on the Friday before the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and by which he had been damaged to the extent of 10 marks, and he produced his proofs. John the Chaplain denied he had used any force, and stated it was a public fishery (comunis piscaria ad totam patriam). The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury at three weeks from Easter. m. 29.

Staff. Hugh de Tychebrome sued Richard de Tychebrome for the manor of Goneston (Gunston). Richard prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at fifteen days from Hillary. m. 29.

Staff. Robert Asschelf sued Robert de Chatchull and Julia his wife for half a messuage in Eccleshale, and John le Large and Edith his wife, and Dionisia, daughter of Edith, for half a messuage in the same vill. Robert and Julia prayed a view; and a day is given to the parties at the Octaves of Trinity. John and Edith say they only hold the half messuage in dower of the gift of Robert le Large, the first husband of Edith, and call to warranty the said Agnes and Dionisia, the daughters and heirs of Robert; and as the said Dionisia is under age, the suit is to remain until she is of age. m. 29.

Staff. William, son of Robert de Whitele, sued Henry de Verdun for two-and-a-half virgates of land in Levedale, and Eudo de Salt for two parts of two virgates, and Eugenia de Levedale (fn. 14) for one-third of two virgates of land, and ten other tenants for smaller pieces of land in the same vill. The defendants appear and pray a view. A day is given to the parties at three weeks from Easter. m. 30.

Roll No. 86 contains no Staffordshire suits.