Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 1261-65

Roll No. 116.

Headed, "Adhuc de Assisis captis apud Waleford" (Hillary Term, 45 H. III.). [January, 1261.]

Leye. An assize of last presentation to the Church of Raggedale (Rakedale), the advowson of which Ralph Basset of Drayton claimed against Beatrice de Coleville and the Prior of Kanewell; Ralph stated that Ralph Basset his grandfather had presented his Clerk Richard to the Church, who had been instituted, and had lately died Parson of it. Beatrice admitted this, but stated that Ralph Basset had assigned to her the manor of Raggedale in dower, after the death of Ralph his father. The Prior withdrew his claim. A postscript states a verdict was given for Ralph by a jury summoned at Windsor. (fn. 1) m. 1.

Rolls Nos. 117 and 118 contain no Staffordshire suits.

Banco Roll No. 16.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: coram G. de Preston et . . . . in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, anno regni Regis H., filii Johannis, XLV., incipiente XLVI." [6th October, 1261.]

Oxon. The Abbot of Hales sued Baldwyne de Insula to warrant to him 100s. of rent, and forty acres of wood in Horeburn, which Giles de Erdington claimed of the said Prior by an assize of mordancestor in the King's Court; and the Sheriff had been commanded to summon him for this day, and had done nothing therein, but returned that he had notified the Bailiff of the Liberty of Boulogne, who had done nothing. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to summon the Bailiff to be in Court at three weeks from Hillary; and the same day is given to Giles de Erdington in Banco. m. 12.

Staff. Lecia, the widow of Richard de la More, sued William de Mere for one-third of two acres of land in Sibiton, and Robert le Marschall for onethird of one acre, and three others, for one-third of three small parcels of land as dower. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for fifteen days from St. Martin; and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 14.

Staff. Margaret, the widow of William Bisopp, sued Thomas de Bramsculf for one-third of an acre of land in Forelhaye, and Ralph de Draycote for one-third of a seldetum in the same vill, and the Prior of St. Thomas of Stafford for one-third of three acres of land in Herbreton, and two tenants in Stafford, for one-third of their tenements, as dower. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for fifteen days from St. Martin; and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 14.

Staff. The Sheriff was commanded (fieri faceret) to raise out of the lands and chattels of Ralph Basset of Drayton, 24 marks and 40d., and bring the sum into Court in order to pay it to Roger de Sumery as part of the debt of 48½ marks which the said Ralph had acknowledged in Court he owed to the said Roger, and of which he ought to have paid half, and had paid nothing; and the Sheriff returned that the men of the said Ralph would not permit him to have entry into his lands to distrain the said Ralph. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to (as before), and return the sum into Court on the Octaves of Hillary, et si quos resistentes, &c.

Staff An assize, &c., if Robert Aysulf, the father of Robert Aysulf, was seised, &c., of half a virgate of land in Gnousale when he died, which Nicholas de Leye holds; who came and stated he could not answer to the writ, because the land belonged to his prebend of Gnoushale, which he holds of the Church of Gnoushale; and he cannot plead without the Dean and Chapter. The Dean and Chapter to be summoned for fifteen days from St. Hillary. m. 18.

Staff. Margaret, the daughter of John de Warewick, sued Warine Brun for a messuage and half a virgate of land, excepting four and a half acres in Heywude, in which Warine has no entry except through John Leche, to whom Matilda de Heywude, the mother of Margaret, whose heir she is, demised it for a term now expired, viz., for the lifetime of John only. Warine denied that John had ingress by Matilda, and stated that Matilda never was seised of the land as of fee, because the tenement was the inheritance of one Reyner, the father of John, and that after the death of Reyner, John had entered into the land as his son and heir; and on this he appealed to a jury, and Margaret likewise. A jury to be summoned for the advent of the Justices. m. 18.

Staff. Ralph Wymer and Henry his brother, appeared on the fourth day against Brother Richard de Faverwell, Brother Roger de Faverwell, Richard le Colyere, and four others, for beating, wounding, and illtreating them in the park of the said Ralph at Havering. The defendants did not appear, and are to be attached by better sureties to appear at three weeks from St. Hillary. m. 28.

Staff. Cecilia, the widow of Ralph le Porter, sued the Abbot of Roffa for one-third of fifteen acres and a half in Roucestre, and John de Combruge for one-third of a messuage and three acres in the same vill, and two other tenants (named) in the same vill, for a third of their tenements as her dower. And the defendants did not appear; and they had made default previously at the Quindena of St. John; and the land taken into the King's hand; and the Sheriff had notified the day on which he had taken the lands, and that he had re-summoned them for this day. It is therefore considered that the said Cecilia should recover her seisin against them; and the Abbot and the other defendants are in misericordiâ. m. 31.

Staff. The suit of Matilda, the widow of Richard de Kamvill, against Geoffrey de Kamvill and Lucy, the widow of William de Kanvill, and other tenants in Clifton, for her dower, is adjourned to three weeks from St. Hillary. Geoffrey appeared in Court, and warranted their land to all the tenants who were first sued by Matilda. m. 35, dorso.

Staff. The Abbot of Roucestre sued Robert de Akoure and Margaret his wife, for entering his wood of Northull and destroying the herbage of it. Robert and Margaret did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for the Octaves of the Purification. (fn. 2) m. 43, dorso.

Staff. Petronilla, the widow of Thomas de Clayton, sued Ralph de Sheperigg and five others, for her dower out of tenements held by them in Newcastle-under-Lime, and Nicholas, son of Henry, for one-third of a messuage in Feld, as her dower. The defendants did not appear; and to be re-summoned for the Octaves of St. Hillary; and their tenements to be taken into the King's hands. m. 45.

Staff. Petronilla, the widow of Thomas de Cleyton, sued Adam de Lavendun, Nicholas, son of Thomas de Cleyton, and Simon de Pykestoke, for her dower out of tenements held by them in Newcastle-under-Lime. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for fifteen days from St. Hillary; and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 61.

Staff. William le Mathun sued Geoffrey de Camvill in a plea that he should warrant to him a virgate of land in Clifton, for which he holds the charter of William de Camvill, the father of Geoffrey. Geoffrey did not appear; and to be attached for three weeks from St. Hillary. m. 69.

Staff. The Sheriff had been commanded to raise (fieri faceret) 10 marks out of the lands and chattels of Robert de Grendon, and bring them into Court on this day, in order to pay them to Alice, the widow of Roger Guncy, who had recovered that sum against the said Robert in Court as damages; and the Sheriff had done nothing, and returned the writ came too late to execute. The Sheriff is therefore commanded (as before), at three weeks from St. Hillary, and to appear in Court himself on that day. m. 71, dorso.

Staff. Reginald, the son of Roger de Sadington, sued Martin Matel and Sibilla his wife, for half of two messuages, and of two carucates of land and 20s. of rent, twenty acres of pasture, and twenty acres of wood in Blythebiri, as his right and reasonable purparty. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff certified the summons. The half of the said tenements therefore to be taken into the King's hands; and they are to be re-summoned for five weeks from Easter. m. 76.

Staff. Geoffrey de Kamwill appeared to answer the plea of William de Hundesacre, that he should warrant to him a third of two virgates of land in Clifton, which Matilda, the widow of Richard de Canvill, claimed against him as dower. William did not appear. The land is therefore to be taken into the King's hands, to the value of the said third part; and William to be summoned for the Octaves of St. Hillary. m. 76, dorso.

Roll No. 33, Tower Records.

Headed, "Placita de Comitatu Warw., coram Martino de Lutlebiri et sociis suis, Justiciariis Itinerantibus, in crastino Sanctœ Trinitatis, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, quadragesimo sexto." [5th June, 1262.]

Warw. Alan de Romely sued Hugh de Loges for a hyde of land in Cesterton, of which Alan his ancestor was seised, &c. in the time of King Richard; and from Alan the right descended to Geoffrey his son and heir, and from Geoffrey, who died without issue, to Matthew his brother, and from Matthew to Alan, who now sues as son and heir. A concord was made. m. 1, dorso.

Warw. John de Somerville sued Thorald, son of Edwin, for half a virgate of land in Stokton, of which Walter his ancestor was seised, &c., in the reign of King Henry, the grandfather of the present King, and from Walter the right descended to Roger as son and heir, and from Roger to another Roger as son and heir, and from Roger to another Roger as son and heir, and from Roger to John, who now sues as son and heir. Thorald admitted that Walter was seised of the land as stated, but pleaded that he had enfeoffed Edwyn his father of the land, and put himself on a Great Assize. A concord was afterwards made. m. 2.

Warw. An assize, &c., if Robert Bagod and Margaret his wife had unjustly disseised Muriell de Stretton of her free tenement in Stretton. Ralph Bagod, the Bailiff of Robert, appeared for the defendants, and denied that Muriell ever was seised as of fee; but the jury find in her favour. m. 4.

Warw. William de Upton and Ralph Levelaunce sue Robert, son of Henry de Westcote, for a messuage and fourteen acres of land and two acres of pasture in Herdewik, of which one Alice de Stafford, their ancestress, was seised as of fee, &c., in the reign of King Henry the grandfather of the present king; and from Alice the right descended to one Robert, her son and heir, and from Robert to another Robert as son and heir, and from Robert, who died without issue, to Fluria and Alice his sisters and heirs, and from Fluria the right of her purparty descended to William as her son and heir, and from Alice the right of her purparty descended to Ralph as her son and heir.

Robert appealed to a Great Assize, which found in favour of the plaintiffs. m. 10, dorso.

Warw. An assize, &c., if Edward, the eldest son of the King, Magister Thomas de Pywelesdon, and others, had unjustly disseised Robert, son of Robert de Stafford of his free tenement in Tysho, viz., of a carucate of land and 4 marks of rent. Geoffrey de Langele, the Bailiff of Prince Edward, appeared and pleaded the assize ought not to be taken, as he claimed nothing in the land either in demesne or in services; that Robert de Stafford died seised of it, and the custody of the lands and the heir of Robert fell to the King, who gave them to Prince Edward to hold till the full age of Nicholas, son and heir of Robert. Verdict for Prince Edward. m. 11, dorso.

Warw. Ralph Basset of Drayton was summoned to answer the complaint of Jordan de Whitacre that he detained Nicholas, son and heir of Ralph de Sekendon, the wardship of whom belonged to Jordan, inasmuch as his father Ralph had held a fourth of a Knight's fee of him in Sekendon. The jury say that after the death of Ralph de Sekendon, Jordan had seisin of his land as of his lawful custody, and Ralph Basset sent his men, together with Nicholas, who was then under age, and ejected Jordan by force, and had from that time detained the land and the heir, who was now of full age; and they tax the damage to Jordan at 10l. m. 11, dorso.

Warw. An assize, &c., if Nicholas, son of Robert de Stafford, Edward, the eldest son of the King, Magister Thomas de Pynlesdon, and others, had unjustly disseised Robert, son of Robert de Stafford, of his free tenement in Tysho. Geoffrey de Langele, the bailiff of Prince Edward, stated that he (Prince Edward) held the land in custody by the King's gift, being of the inheritance of the said Nicholas, son and heir of Robert de Stafford, who is within age.

Robert pleaded that Prince Edward had no claim to the land by reason of his custody of the inheritance of the said Nicholas, because his father Robert de Stafford, three weeks before his death, had given him the tenement in question.

The jury say that when Robert de Stafford was taken ill in London of the illness of which he afterwards died, wishing to provide for his son Robert, he had made a charter of feoffment of the lands in question in favour of his son Robert, and at the same time issued letters patent to one John de Hercy, to proceed to the same lands and put Robert into full seisin of them, and that Robert was in seisin of them for fifteen days before the death of his father, and for some time afterwards, until Thomas de Pynlesdon came in the name of Prince Edward and ejected him; and the jury being asked if this was done by the orders of Prince Edward, said no, and that Prince Edward was not then in England; and being questioned if Robert de Stafford, the father, when he made the feoffment was of good memory, &c., said he was. (The rest illegible.) m. 13, dorso.

Warw. Ralph Basset of Drayton sued Philip Marmiun for sending his serviens William de Lemynstre with a great multitude of outlaws and Welshmen, and other armed men, to the mill of the said Ralph in Bitlescote, breaking open the doors, destroying the mill pool, and carrying away the flour in a cart belonging to the said Ralph, to his castle of Tamworth, and doing damage altogether to the amount of 100l.

Thomas de Hereford and other tenants of Ralph Basset, likewise sue Philip Marmium for injuries and trespasses. Philip pleaded that the complainants owed suit to his mill of Thamwurth, and conceded that all trespasses should be emended by the view and consideration of friends of himself and of Philip, with which Ralph declared himself to be content.

Ralph denied that his tenants owed suit to Philip's mill of Tamworth, and because the mill is on the confines of Staffordshire, the Sheriff of Staffordshire is commanded to summon at Tamworth before M. de Litlebyri on the day of St. Margaret, Geoffrey fitz Warin, Hugh de Weston, John de Chetewyng, Thomas de Thamehorne, Robert de Wystan, Richard de Grendon, Richard de Barre, and Robert de Hilton; and the Sheriff of Warwickshire to summon for the same time Richard Fukeram, Henry de Rokeby, William Maunsel, Thomas le Yrays, Thomas Comund, Walter Bretun of Stoke, Robert, son of William de Brumwyz. And Ralph and Philip conceded that in the interim Thomas and the other tenants should not be impeded from grinding their corn where they pleased.

A concord was afterwards made at Tamworth, but because the two counties of Warwick and Stafford had been disturbed by a multitude of Welshmen and others congregated on the part of Philip at Tamworth, and also on the part of Ralph at Drayton, it is considered that they should find sufficient security not to introduce or maintain such men in future. The rest is mostly illegible, but the following names can be distinguished amongst the sureties, John de Plessetis, Earl of Warwick, Peter de Montfort, Robert de Grendon, William de Morteyn, Adam de Wheleberg, Thomas de Arderne, jun., Roger de Morteyn, and Roger Illari, on one side; and on the other side, Henry Murdak, William de Cavereswall, Thomas de Clinton, John de Wyavill, William du Lay, Robert de Knigtele, Robert de Wystan, Richard fitz Herbert, and Robert Silveyn. m. 33.

Staff. Thomas de Ferrars sued Margaret, widow of William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, for the manor of Cherteslega (Chartley), excepting the advowson of Stowe in the same manor. Margaret appeared by attorney, and prayed a view. A day is given to them at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 40, dorso.

Staff. William de Lay and Isabel his wife sue William de Morteuk for an illegal detention of chattels to the value of 40s. The defendant did not appear, and is to be attached for fifteen days after St. John. m. 40, dorso.

Staff. Robert de Ferrars (fn. 3) sued Margaret, the widow of William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, in a plea of admeasurement of the dower of the said Margaret in Yoxhal, la Croiz (? Hoarcross) Weston, Stowe, Heywode, Ambricton (Amerton), and Chertelegh. Margaret did not appear. To be attached for fifteen days after St. John. m. 41.

Staff. The same Robert sued Margaret for waste and destruction made in the woods at Yoxhale and Chertelegh, which she held in dower of the inheritance of the said Robert; and she did not appear. To be attached for the same day. m. 41.

Staff. Reginald, son of Roger de Sadinton, sued Martin Martell and Sibilla his wife, for half a messuage and forty-eight acres in Blithebiri. The defendants did not appear. To be summoned again for fifteen days from St. John. m. 42, dorso.

Staff. Alice, the widow of William del Pyrie, sued Ingelran, son of Alan le Rus, for half of half a virgate of land in Acton, and Alan, son of Elias, for half of half a virgate of land in the same vill. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for fifteen days from St. John. m. 42, dorso.

Staff. Ralph Basset, of Drayton, was summoued by Philip Marmiun to surrender to him Giles, son and heir of Nicholas, son of Ralph, the wardship of whom belongs to him, inasmuch as Nicholas held his land of him by Knight's service, viz., Whitacre by the service of a Knight's fee. Ralph called to warranty Thomas de Clinton, who appeared and warranted the custody to him, and stated that the said Nicholas held a fourth of a Knight's fee of him in Glascote and Klingefelde; and the ancestors of Nicholas were enfeoffed by his ancestors of the vills of Glascote and Klingfelde before the ancestors of Philip had enfeoffed them in Whitacre. Philip pleaded that the tenure of Glascote and Clyngefeld was a soccage tenure; but a jury find in favour of Thomas.

Staff. Giles, son of Nicholas, was attached to answer the complaint of Philip Marmiun that he had come with others to the manor of Whitacre, which is in the custody of the said Philip, and had carried off the hay of the park of the said manor to the value of five marks, and had insulted and maltreated the servants of the said Philip, on the Monday before the Feast of Saint Cuberb (sic), in the forty-fifth year of the reign. Giles pleaded that the park in question belonged to him, because it was held in soccage of one James de la Launde, and it formed no part of the manor of Whytacre, but was of the "corpus" of the manor of La Lee, belonging to James de la Launde, and he appealed to a jury; and because the park in question lies within Staffordshire, let the truth be certified by a jury of that county. m. 43, dorso.

Leyc. William de Harecurt sued William Burdet for a Knight's fee, excepting one virgate of land in Hunecote, and also sued Richard, son of William Burdet, for a messuage and nine virgates of land in Lowesby; and he sued Robert Burdet for six virgates in the same vill, and Hugh, son of William Burdet, for six virgates, and William, son of William Burdet, for four virgates, and three other tenants (named) for other parcels of land in the same vill, of which William Burdet, the kinsman of the said William de Harecourt, whose heir he is, was seised as of fee, &c., when he died. A day is given to the parties at fifteen days from Michaelmas, at Bermundeshay, in co. Surrey. m. 44.

Staff. Reginald, son of Roger de Sadington, sued Martin Martel and Sibilla his wife for half a messuage and forty-eight acres of land, and 28s. of rent in Blithebyri, as the reasonable purparty of the inheritance of Sarra de Kylleby, formerly mother of Sibel, and grandmother of the said Reginald, viz., mother of Mary, mother of the said Reginald, whose heirs they are.

Martin and Sibel state that Reginald had no claim to the land in question, not being a coparcener of Sibel, because Reginald was born ten years before Roger de Sadington, the father of the said Reginald, married Sarra, the mother of the said Reginald. Reference to be made to the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield respecting the same. m. 45, dorso.

Staff. Alice, the widow of William del Pyrie, sued Ingeran, son of Alan le Rus, for half of half a virgate of land, excepting half a messuage and an acre in Acton; and also sued Alan, son of Elias, for half of half a virgate, excepting the same, in the same will. The defendants pray a view; and a day is given to the parties at fifteen days from Michaelmas. Elias de Cherleton to sue for the defendants, because they are under age. m. 46.

Staff. The Prior of Coventry sued Hugh de Bueles and Alice his wife for 40s. of arrears of an annual rent owing to him; the defendants did not appear. To be attached to appear at fifteen days from Michaelmas at Bermundeshay. m. 46.

Roll No. 119.

Headed, "Placita de diversis Comitatibus apud Gildeford, in Comitatu Surr: in crastino Sancti Hillarii, anno quadragesimo septimo." [14th January, 1263.]

Staff., Derb., North., Linc. Suit between Robert de Ferrars, plaintiff, and Margaret, Countess of Ferrars, respecting the dower of the Countess; Robert pleading that too much had been adjudicated to her; and he also sued her for waste and destruction in some of the lands she held. (In Staffordshire she held Yoxhale, La Croz, Weston, Stone, Heywod, Ambrytton, and Chertelegh.) A concord was made by which Robert acknowledged her right to the dower, together with the warranty of two parts of the manor of Certelegh, as adjudicated to her in the Curia Regis, and the Countess remitted to Robert twenty librates of land. m. 5, dorso.

"Assisa capta apud Burton, in Comitatu Stafford, die Mercurii proximâ ante festum Sancti Mathei Apostoli, anno regni R. H. XLVII." m. 17.

Staff. An assize, &c., if Robert de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, and six others named, had unjustly disseised Margaret de Ferrars, Countess of Derby, of her free tenement in Berton and Tatenhulle, viz., of forty acres of arable land in one place, four acres of land and ten acres of pasture in another place, a park of nearly a league (leuca) in length of boundary (haya), called Heghlindes, and a wood outside containing four leagues of boundary. The jury find in favour of the Countess. m. 17, dorso.

Roll No. 120.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: coram Gilberto de Preston et Johanne de Wyvill, Justiciariis de Banco, a die Paschæ in XV. dies, anno regni Regis H., filii Regis J., XLVII." [15th April, 1263.]

Staff. Isolda, the widow of Robert, son of Robert, sued Nicholas de Mere for one-third of twelve librates of land in Norton, and one-third of ten librates of land in Mere and Aston, and one-third of 100s. of rent in Hanchereh, and one-third of 40s. of rent in Aston; and she sued Roger de Surlton (? Swynnerton) for one-third of ten marks rent in Chelle Selton, which she claimed as dower. The defendants did not appear. To be summoned for the Octaves of Trinity, and the third parts claimed to be taken into the King's hands. m. 1, dorso.

Staff. Robert de Acovere and Margaret his wife sued Thomas Batayle for customs and services owing to them for the free tenement he holds of them in Deneston. Thomas did not appear. To be attached for the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 4, dorso.

Staff. Thomas Meverell and Agnes his wife, Roger de Mercinton and Alionora his wife, Amice, Isolda, Margaret, Alice, Joan, Elizabeth, and Nichola, sisters of Agnes and Alionor, sue Peter Meverell for two parts of the sixth part of a Knight's fee in Drengeton (Drineton), and two parts of four bovates of land in Gayton, into which Peter had no entry except by the custody he had of the land, whilst Agnes and her sisters were under age, and in ward to him. Peter appeared and prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 6.

Wygorn., Warw., Bucks., Oxon., Staff. Matilda, the widow of William de Bermingham, sued William, son of William de Bermingham, for one-third of the manor of Bermingham, and the advowson of the Church of the same, in co. Warwick, and one-third of the manor of Stoton and advowson of the Church in co. Wygorn, and one-third of the manor of Hogeston and advowson of the Church in co. Bucks, and one-third of the manor of Dorton in the same county, and one-third of the manor of Scesteford, in co. Oxon, and one-third of 44s. rent, twelve acres of wood, and twelve tenements held in villenage in Morf, in co. Stafford, and one-third of the service of half a Knight's fee in co. Warwick, and one-third of one and a half Knight's fee in Bissopisbyri, Penne, and Russale, and one-third of the service of a Knight's fee in Bernefeud (sic, Evenefeud), and one-third of half a Knight's fee in Morf, and one-third of a Knight's fee in Perey, and one-third of one-fourth of a Knight's fee in Barre, and one-third of one-fourth of a Knight's fee in Hamelee (Himley), in co. Stafford, as her dower.

William appeared by attorney, and admitted the claim; and as it was certified that the aforesaid William died seised of the said tenements, the Sheriff is to inquire into the amount of damage to her. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. Thomas, son of Roger de Bydolf, appeared on the fourth day against Thomas le Eyr, of Bydolf, in a plea that he should hold to a fine made in the King's Court between Roger, son of Vincent, the father of the said Thomas, whose heir he is, plaintiff, and Roger de Bydolf, father of the said Thomas, son of Roger, whose heir he is, tenant, of half the manor of Bydolf; and he did not appear, and had previously made default; and he had been first attached by Robert, son of Peter de Bydolf, and Roger his brother; and secondly by John de Langedon in Bydolf, and Henry de Middleston in Bydolf; they are therefore in misericordiâ; and the Sheriff is ordered is distrain them, &c., and to produce them at three weeks from Trinity. m. 13.

Staff. Margaret, the daughter of Hugh le Carpenter, sued Richard de Coleshill for two parts of a burgage in Alveton, and John, son of John de Verdon, for two parts of two acres of land, and Alice, the widow of Robert Gaunsil, for one-third of a burgage and two acres in the same vill as her maritagium. 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 St. John the Baptist. m. 13, dorso.

Staff. Robert de Buckingham, of Bissebyri, acknowledged he owed Isabella, the wife of William the Clerk, of Sarneshull (Shareshull), 11s. 4d.

The same Isabella appeared against the Bishop of Coventry in a plea that he should produce in Court Ralph Purcel, the Parson of the Church of Bissebyri, in a plea of a debt of 100s., which he unjustly detained. The Bishop did not appear; and is to be summoned for fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 16.

Staff. Elena Achilles appeared against Brice Achilles in a plea that he should hold to a convention made between them respecting 4s. rent in Waleshale. Brice did not appear; and is to be attached for the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 17, dorso.

Staff. Richard Brun appeared against Richard le Ryche, William de Shalton, Stephen de Hanchyrch, and six others, named, in a plea of customs and services for the land they hold in villainage in Hanchyrche of the heirs of Robert, son and heir of Mere (sic), in ward to him by the King's grant. The defendants did not appear; and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain them, &c., and produce them at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 20.

Staff. Isabella, the widow of William the Clerk, sued Ralph Purcel, Richard his brother, and Robert de Buckingham for chattels to the value of fifteen marks which they unjustly detained. The defendants did not appear; and are to be attached for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 20, dorso.

Staff. The Prior of Tutebyri sued Henry de Mersseton, Richard Burgoy, and Ralph, son of Walter de Bosco, for a debt of 10l.; the defendants did not appear; and are to be attached for the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 22.

Staff. A day is given to William de Harecurt, and to John de Olli and Roes his wife, in a plea of suit of mill, at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 23.

Staff. John le Butiler and Margaret his wife sued William de Perton for 10l., arrears of an annual rent of 100s. owing to them. William did not appear; and is to be attached for fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 24.

Roll No. 121.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: de termino Sanctæ Trinitatis, coram Gilberto de Preston et Johanne de Wyvill, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, quadragesimo septimo." [June, 1263.]

Staff. Hugh de Tymore was summoned to answer the complaint of the Abbot of Mirivale that he had taken and unjustly detained two oxen of the said Abbot, in the vill of Temor (Timmore). Hugh admitted he had taken the oxen, but stated that the Abbot held of him six acres of pasture in Tymor by the service of 40d. per annum, and the rent was in arrear 40d. at the Feast of St. Benedict, 46 H. III., when he distrained the Abbot.

The Abbot stated that he held nothing of Hugh in the said vill; that he held the meadow of one William de Tymore, the father of the said Hugh, who is still living. Hugh acknowledged he had formerly held the land of William his father, but stated his father had enfeoffed him of the said rent of 40d., and by this assignation the said Abbot was attorned to the said Hugh. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury in full County to decide the point, and to return the inquisition into Court at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 1, dorso.

Staff. Peter de Ardern was summoned to answer the complaint of the same Abbot, that he had unjustly taken and detained the cattle of the Abbot in the vill of Eleford, and had taken four oxen on the Saturday after the Feast of St. Philip and St. James, 46 H. III., and had driven them to his house at Eleford, and there detained them.

Peter stated the Abbot held of him four mills in the said vill by the service of 28s. per annum, and the above service being in arrear 28s. he had distrained the said Abbot by the four oxen; and he also stated that the Abbot owed him fealty for the mills, which had not been performed.

The Abbot admitted that he held the mills of Peter, but denied that the rent was in arrear, and stated neither he nor any of his predecessors had done fealty to the ancestors of Peter.

Peter stated that the rent was in arrear, and that the Abbot had done fealty to Walkeline de Arderne his father, whose heir he is. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury in full County to decide the facts, and to return the inquisition into Court at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 1, dorso.

Staff. The Sheriff was commanded to distrain Ralph Basset, of Dreyton, for a debt of 44 marks and 16d. owing to Roger de Somery, and he had done nothing therein, and stated that Ralph Basset defended all his goods "hostiliter et cum manu armatâ." The Sheriff is therefore ordered to take with him the posse comitatûs, and levy a distress for the said money, and to pay it into Court at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 5.

Staff. In the suit of Isolda, the widow of Robert son of Robert, versus Nicholas de Mere, for dower, the official of the Bishop of Hereford returned that Isolda was the legitimate wife of Robert. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to re-summon Nicholas for the morrow of the Purification to hear judgment. m. 5 dorso.

Staff. Robert fitz Nicholas appeared by attorney against John Morel, that he should render to him a reasonable account for the time he was his bailiff in Thurwardeston, Eginton, Langele, and Spondon. John did not appear, and had previously made default. The Sheriff is ordered to distrain him, &c., and to produce him in Court at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 6.

Staff. Isolda, the widow of Robert son of Robert, sued Roger de Swyneforton for one-third of two virgates of land in Atton (Hatton) and Selfton (Shelton), and one-third of a rent of 8 marks in Chelle, which she claimed as dower. Roger did not appear, and had previously made default, and the Sheriff had been commanded to take the land into the King's hands, but had done nothing in the matter, returning that the writ reached him too late. He is therefore commanded to execute it as before, and to summon Roger for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. Cecilia, the widow of William Cogan, sued Henry de Verdun for onethird of the manor of Chelle, which she claimed as dower. Henry did not appear. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to take the land into the King's hands, and to summon him for fifteen days after St. John the Baptist. m. 12.

Warw. Thomas, son of Roger de Budolf, sued Philip de Wileburne (fn. 4) to acquit him of the service which John de Verdun claimed of him for the free tenement which he holds of him in Bidolf, in co. Stafford, and in which Philip is medius between them, and ought to acquit him. Philip did not appear, and had previously made default. The Sheriff is ordered to distrain him by his lands, &c., and to produce him at three weeks from Michaelmas. m. 13, dorso.

Berks. Richard de Brithwalton and three other tenants of Westlaking sue Mabilla de Curcun, the custos of part of the lands of Stephen, son and heir of Stephen de Curcun, in co. Stafford, to warrant to them, together with William de Paveley, the custos of the body and lands of the same heir in Berks, the third part of their tenancies in Westlaking, which Agnes, the widow of Stephen de Curcun, claimed as dower against them; and as it was not known how much land the said Mabel held in custody in co. Stafford, nor how much the said William de Paveley held in custody in co. Berks, the Sheriffs of Staffordshire and Berkshire are commanded to make an extent, and to appraise all the lands which the said custodians held, and to return the extents at the Octaves of Trinity. m. 16.

Staff. An assize came to make recognition if Thomas de Erdington, the father of Giles de Erdington, was seised &c., of 100s. of rent and forty acres of wood in Horeburn and Smythewyk when he died, which rent and wood the Abbot of Hales holds. The Abbot appeared by attorney, and called to warranty Isabella, (fn. 5) the sister and heir of Baldwin de Lisle. Sibilla (sic) to be summoned in co. Northampton to appear on the morrow of All Souls. m. 18, dorso.

Staff. Robert de Blakeloue and Alditha his mother, sued Nicholas, son of Thomas de Cleyton, in a plea that he should hold to a convention made between them and Thomas, father of Nicholas, whose heir he is, respecting a messuage in Newcastle-under-Lime. Nicholas did not appear, and the Sheriff is commanded to distrain him, &c., and to produce him in a month from Michaelmas. m. 25.

Rolls Nos. 122 and 123 contain no Staffordshire suits.

Banco Roll No. 25.

A fragment, headed, "Adhuc de quindena Paschæ." (Probably of Easter, 48 H. III.)

Staff. Isolda, the widow of Stephen le Fevre, appeared against Geoffrey le Knic in a plea that he had insulted her in the public road at Duddesleg, and bound her, and carried her bound (ligatam) to his house at Etingall against her will, and had there beaten and illtreated and imprisoned her. Stephen did not appear, and is to be attached by better pledges for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 7, dorso.

Warw. (sic). Gilbert (sic), son of Roger de Bydolf, appeared against Philip de Wylleburn in a plea that he should acquit him of the service which John de Verdon claimed from him for the free tenement which he holds of him in Bidolf, in co. Stafford, of which Philip, who is mesne tenant (medius) between them, ought to acquit him. Philip did not appear, and had made several defaults. The Sheriff is therefore ordered to distrain him, &c., and to produce him on the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 8.

Staff. Petronilla, the widow of Robert de Melewys, sued Philip le Chapelayn for a third of fifteen acres of land in Melewyz, and John, the son of the Parson (fitz la Persone), for a third of fifteen acres in the same vill as her dower. The defendants appeared, and called to warranty Robert, son of Robert de Melewyz, who came to the summons, and asked that it might be shown why he ought to warrant the tenements to them. The defendants state that they hold the tenement for a term of ten years by the demise of the said Robert, and after the term is expired the tenements revert to the said Robert and his heirs. Robert, with the permission of the Court, admitted the claim to dower. Petronilla therefore is to have seisin, and the defendants to hold the two parts of their tenements after the end of the term of ten years to the value of the third part they now lose. m. 15.

Roll No. 124.

Headed, "Placita coram Domino Rege, in crastino Nativitatis Beatæ Mariæ, anno R. R. H., filii Regis Johannis, XLIX." [9th September, 1265.]

Staff. The Abbot of Hilton sued the Prior of Stanes, Ralph de Braeles, and three others named, for entering his pasture in Normancote and carrying away 300 of his sheep to Stalington, where they were detained and impounded; and for beating and ill-treating Robert de Havecle, his shepherd. The defendants did not appear, and had previously made default, and the Sheriff had been commanded to distrain them, &c., and to produce them at this date; and the Sheriff had done nothing in the matter, but returned that he could not execute the mandate of the Lord the King on account of the war. The Sheriff is therefore commanded as before to distrain them by their lands, &c., and to produce them at the Octaves of St. Martin. m. 2.

Staff. The same Abbot appeared by his attorney against the Prior of Stanes, Robert le Mareschall, Roger son of Ivo, Thomas de Venables, Thomas de Pyrie, and Nicholas, the serjeant (serviens) of Stanlinton, in a plea, that whereas by a verdict of the Court of the Lord the King of Newcastle-underLyme, he had recovered full and peaceable seisin of the said land, (fn. 6) the defendants had entered it vi et armis, and cut down, and reaped, and devastated, and carried away his growing corn. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff had been commanded to distrain them, &c.; and the Sheriff had done nothing, but returned that in consequence of the war he could not execute the mandate of the Lord the King. He is therefore commanded as before to distrain them, and to produce them on the Octaves of St. Martin. m. 2.

Staff. Thomas de Arderne appeared by attorney against William de Hondesacre, in a plea that on the occasion of the late disturbances in the kingdom, he had taken and carried away his goods and chattels from Cherlton, he, Thomas, having faithfully and constantly adhered to the Lord the King and his son Edward. William did not appear, and the Sheriff is commanded to distrain him, &c., and to produce him at fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 3, dorso.

Staff. Hugh de Acoure appeared against John de Auldithelega, in a plea that on the occasion of the late disturbances in the kingdom, the said John had taken and carried away his goods and chattels from Acoure. And John did not appear, and the Sheriff had been commanded to distrain him, &c., and had done nothing in the matter. The Sheriff is therefore commanded as before, and to produce him at fifteen days from St. Martin.

The same Hugh sued Henry, the Parson of Blore, for preventing the restitution of the said goods and chattels, and he did not appear; and the Sheriff had been ordered to distrain him, and returned he held no lay fee. The Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield is therefore commanded to produce him at the said term. m. 6, dorso.

Derb. The same Hugh appeared against Alexander the Mercer, Robert Pirim, of Esseburn, and three others named, in a plea that on the occasion of the late disturbances in the kingdom, they had taken and carried away his goods and chattels from Acovere, Shene, and Sneyleston; and they did not appear, &c. (as before). The Sheriff is ordered to distrain them, and to produce them at fifteen days from St. Martin. Hugh puts in his place William de Acovere his brother. m. 6, dorso.

M. 8. "Placita de tertiâ Septimanâ et mense Sancti Michaelis, coram R., apud Cantuariam, anno XLIX., incipiente quinquagesimo." [October, 1265.]

Salop. Odo de Hodinet appeared by attorney against William Trumwyne, Robert de Knyhtele, Thomas de Onne, William de Knytele, Robert Pipe, Henry de Chaunes, Ralph Wasteneys, Stephen de Wyreswell, John de Swynereston, Robert de Staundon, John de Clinton, Richard de Loges, Philip de Mutton, Philip Noel, Henry de Swynerston, Gilbert le Marescal, Henry de Verdun, and Stephen de Okle, in a plea that they with others had entered the manor of the said Odo, on the occasion of the disturbances in the kingdom, and had taken and carried away his goods and chattels. The defendants did not appear; and the Sheriff is commanded to distrain them, &c., and to produce them on the Octaves of Hillary. m. 8.

Staff. The Prior of Stanes sued Thomas de Venables and Nicholas, the serjeant of Stalington, for cutting down and carrying away his growing corn, &c. (as before). Thomas and Nicholas plead that the Prior had not stated in his narration any vill in which the alledged trespass took place. As the Abbot could not deny this, the suit is dismissed, and the Abbot is in misericordiâ for a false claim. m. 12.

Staff. The Prior of Stanes and the other defendants appear to answer the complaint of the Abbot of Hilton (as before), and deny the trespass complained of. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury for the morrow of the Purification. m. 13, dorso.