Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 1223-24

Roll No. 16.

Headed, "Placita de termino Sancti Hillarii, anno R. R. H., filii Regis J., vii." [13th January, 1223.]

Staff. The Prior of Kenilworth appeared an the fourth day by his attorney against Robert, son of Elias and Philomena his wife, in a plea that they should warrant to him the moiety of the advowson of the Church of Stoke, which the Lord the King claimed against him; and Robert essoined himself (de malo lecti); and an essoin will not lie, because Robert has not yet warranted. It is therefore considered that the land of Robert and Philomena to the value of five marks should be taken into the King's hands for the value of the advowson of the said Church, and Robert to be summoned for the Quinzaine of the Purification of our Lady. The same day is given to Philomena, the wife of Robert, who puts in her place Reginald de St. Martin. (fn. 1) m. 3, dorso.

Staff. Geva, the widow of Richard fitz William, appeared on the fourth day against the Abbot of Bordesle, in a plea of the third part of twelve acres of land and a mill in Bromwyz, and against the Abbot of Halton for onethird of twenty-six acres and a mill in the same vill, and against Philip le Harpur for one-third of a virgate of land in the same vill, and against Hugh Longun for one-third of two acres in the same vill, and against Walter Totte one-third of three acres in the same vill, and against Alexander de Nova Haya for one-third of three acres in the same vill, which she claimed against them as her dower; and none of them appeared; and the summons was proved. Therefore the land to be taken into the King's hands, and the tenants summoned for three weeks after Easter. m. 3, dorso.

Wigorn. The same Geva appeared against Walter le Poer, in a plea for one-third of half a virgate of land and a messuage in Hamton, which she claimed as dower; and he did not appear, and the summons was proved. The land therefore to be taken into the King's hands, and Walter to be summoned for the same term. m. 3, dorso.

Staff. William de Butterdon appeared on the fourth day against Robert fitz Adam de Waterfale, in a plea of a messuage and four bovates of land in Waterfale, which he claimed as his right; and Robert did not appear, but essoined himself, and the essoignor did not wait for the judgment of the Court. Therefore the land is to be taken into the King's hands, and Robert to be summoned for a month after Easter. m. 6.

Staff. Luke de Buterden appeared on the fourth day against William de Wrotelega, in a plea that he should be present to complete the chirograph of the fine made between them before the Justices, &c., in the county of Warwick, respecting half a bovate of land in Buterdon, etc.; and William did not appear; and the summons was proved. Therefore he is to be attached to appear at a month from Easter. m. 6, dorso.

Staff. William Ruffus was summoned to answer by what right he claimed the advowson of the Church of Waleshalle which Magister Serlo de Sunning holds of the gift of King John, father of the King, and of which the King is the patron, and on account of which Serlo complained that the said William had distrained him by his goods, etc., and taken his cattle, and done him many other injuries, because he would never acknowledge him as patron of the said Church; and for twelve years past that he had held the said Church by gift of King John, William had taken every year from him the cattle and corn of his tythes, and wasted his land, and taken and imprisoned his men; and from one of his servants he took twelve marks, so that he has been damaged to the amount altogether of two hundred marks, and of this he produced proof; and William appeared and stated he made no claim to the advowson; that he held the manor from the ancestors of the Lord the King, and acknowledged the King was patron; and as to the rest of the complaint he denied it in toto, and offered to defend it by wager of battle, &c. And Magister Serlo stated that as regards the trespass, he had impleaded him, as a clericus, in Court Christian; and William had produced a writ of prohibe ne procedat in the said suit. A day is given to William Ruffus to hear judgment in the Octaves of St. Michael, "nisi Justiciarii," &c., and Magister Serlo to have a writ to the Justices of "ne procedat," if he wished. m. 2.

Staff. A day was given to the Prior of Kenilworth and the Earl of Chester to complete the chirograph (of a fine) on the Sunday next after the Octaves of the Purification; and the concord is that the Prior acknowledged half the advowson of the Church of Stoke to be the right of the Earl, and for this recognition, &c., the Earl gave 20s. of rent to the Prior in the same manor to hold in free alms for ever; and if he cannot warrant this to him, he will give a competent exchange out of his own inheritance. m. 9, dorso. (fn. 2)

Staff. Walter fitz Ralph, the essoigner of Robert de Thissington appeared on the fourth day against Robert de Accoure, in a plea that he should warrant to the said Robert one-third of four acres of land in Wahull, which Edith, the widow of Ralph de Wahull, claimed in dower; and Robert de Haccoure did not appear. Therefore land of the said Robert to the value of the third part in question to be taken into the King's hands, and Robert to be summoned for three weeks after Michaelmas; the same day is given to Edith in Banco. m. 15.

Salop. Roger de la Zuche sued the Abbot of Shrewsbury for the advowson of the Church of Twange (Tong), of which his ancestor Philip de Beumes was seised as of fee in the reign of King Henry, who was grandfather of the King's grandfather, and who had presented one Richard Bachun to it; and from Philip the right descended to Philip de Beaumes as his son and heir; and from Philip to Ralph, brother and heir, because Philip died without issue; and from Ralph to Alice, his sister; and from Alice to William de la Zuche, as son; and from William to Roger, as brother and heir. The Abbot appealed to a great assize. m. 15, dorso.

Roll No. 17.

Headed, "Placita de termino Sancti Michaclis, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, septimo et incipiente octavo." [October, 1223.]

Staff. The Abbot of Cumbremare was summoned to show what service was owing to him from Fromund de Tarenton for a tenement which he holds of him in Erlide (Arley), inasmuch as Walter de Baskerville, from whom Fromundus holds the tenement, as stated, claims arrears of service for five years, viz., 10s. or five sparrow hawks.

And the Abbot by his attorney stated that Walter de Baskerevill, father of the said Walter, gave the tenement to his House in free alms, rendering 40s. to the said Walter and his heirs, and the same Walter gave the rent of 40s. to the said Fromund, rendering to the said Walter and his heirs a sparrow hawk, and he produced deeds of the said Walter to that effect. Walter de Baskerville acknowledged this to be true; and because Fromund constantly made default, and is in arrear to the said Walter, it is considered that the Abbot should be responsible to the said Walter and his heirs for a sparrow hawk annually of the value of 2s., until Fromundus or his heirs should acquit the said Abbot of the aforesaid rent, and also that the Abbot should satisfy the said Walter for the five years' arrears, viz., of 10s., because the attorney of the Abbot elected to pay 2s. per annum in place of a sparrow hawk; and Walter declared himself satisfied; and the Abbot is informed that he should retain so much of the rent of Fromund. m. 2.

Staff. An assize came to make recognition if John de Gnoushale, uncle of Henry, (fn. 3) was seised in his demesne as of fee of twelve acres of land in Gnoushale on the day he died, which James de Tatenhale and Alditha his wife hold; who appeared and said they had called Adam, Chaplain of Gnoushale, to warranty, and he is dead, and therefore they now call to warranty Thomas, Parson of Gnoushale, because they hold the land of him. And Henry pleads that a warranty will not lie, because he had formerly sued by a writ of mordancestor the said Adam before the Justices Itinerant, and Adam then said that he did not hold the land, but the said Alditha held it in fee of him, &c. Suit respited till the Quinzaine of St. Martin. m. 3.

Wigorn. William de Merton, the essoigner of Simon de Merton, appeared on the fourth day against Geva Basset, in a plea of dower; and Geva did not appear, and was the plaintiff. Therefore the essoignor is dismissed from the suit, and Geva and her sureties, viz., Simon de Frankele and Clement de Selleg, are in misericordiâ. m. 7, dorso.

Staff. Alice, widow of William fitz Muriel, (fn. 4) sues William fitz William for one-third of a virgate of land in Aspele, and one-third of a messuage and a carucate of land in Newcastle as her dower; and she sues Thomas fitz Muriell for one-third of three messuages, and four acres of land in Newcastle as her dower. And William and Thomas appeared and stated she was not entitled to dower, because William her husband and she herself reddiderunt se religioni in the House of Bocland [Buckland], and she was a professed nun there, together with William her husband, and she wore the cross there (crucem ibi portavit), and they called to warranty the Prior of the House.

And Alice stated that by the command of her husband, and against her own will, she had been placed in that House, but she was not a professed nun, and she called the Prior to warranty. The Prior to be summoned for the Quinzaine of St. Hillary. m. 9, dorso.

Staff. Robert de Tiscunton appeared on the fourth day against Eda, widow of Ralph de Wichull, in a plea of dower; and she did not appear, and was plaintiff. Therefore Robert to be dismissed from the suit, and Eda in misericordiâ. m. 10.

Salop. Dionisia, widow of William fitz Geoffrey, appeared on the fourth day against William de Duston, in a plea of the one-third part of the vill of Langenhalre (Longner), which she claimed in dower; and William did not appear. The land therefore to be taken into the King's hands, and William to be summoned for the Quinzaine of St. Hillary. m. 10.

Staff. Sibilla, widow of Richard Ruffus, appeared on the fourth day against Emma de Blie, in a plea of dower, viz., for one-third of a messuage in Newcastle-under-Lyme; and Emma did not appear. The tenement to be taken into the King's hands, and Emma to be summoned for the next advent of the Justices. m. 13.

Staff. Geva, widow of Richard fitz William, sued Ralph Cocus for onethird of a fourth of a virgate of land in Bromwic as her dower; and Ralph did not appear; and the land was taken into the King's hands; and the Sheriff returned the date when the land was so taken, and that Ralph was duly summoned. It is therefore considered that Geva should recover seisin by default. Ralph is in misericordiâ. m. 13, dorso.

Oxon. The Master of the Knight Templars sued Hugh de Hoddingesel (fn. 5) and Basilia his wife, to warrant to him, together with David de Lindesi, six hides of land in Bradewell, for which he holds the charter of Alan de Lymesia, and of Gerard, his son, father of Basilia, and grandfather of David, whose heirs they are, and stated that Hugh and Basilia, and their bailiffs, and the bailiff of the said Hugh, had distrained him and his men to sow and to perform other customary services, by which he had been damaged to the extent of twenty marcs.

Hugh and Basilia appeared and acknowledged the charter, and denied that they had caused any damage to the Master of the Templars, or to his men. A day is given to the parties at a month from Easter. m. 15.

Warw. Walter Balam and Alditha his wife sue Richard de Berton for three virgates of land in Berton, as the right of Alditha, of which Ralph, her grandfather, was seised as of fee and in demesne in the reign of King Henry, grandfather of the King; and from Ralph the right descended to two daughters, viz., Felicia, mother of Alditha and Margaret, grandmother of Richard; and from Felicia the right descended to Alditha as her daughter and heir; and it was stated that William de Parles held half a virgate of the said land, and three parts of one virgate, and Robert de Essingetona and Sibilla his wife held a virgate in dower, and they called to warranty the said Richard.

Richard denied the claim, and stated that Felicia had remitted her right in the land to Simon, his father, and he produced the charter of Felicia to that effect. Walter and Alditha state that Simon never had seisin of the land, and the charter was fabricated. A jury to be summoned for the Quinzaine of Hillary. m. 16, dorso.

Staff. Suit of Henry de Reule versus James de Tatenhill and Alditha his wife; decided in favour of Henry, the jury stating that John de Gnoushale, the uncle of Henry, died seised of the land, and that Henry was his next heir. m. 24.

Warw. Hugh de Loges sued Robert del Broc for a hide of land in Cestreton, of which William Croc was seised, &c.; and Robert called to warranty the Master of the Knight Templars in England. A day given to them at the Quinzaine of Easter. m. 24, dorso.

Banco, Roll No. 2.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: in Octabis Sanctæ Trinitatis, anno R. R. Henrici, filii R. Johannis, octavo." [16th June, 1224.]

Oxon. The Prior of the Hospital of Jerusalem acknowledged that Richard de Harecurt had paid him 100s. for damages for the transgression of a fine levied between them. m. 2.

Staff. Nicholas Duredent was attached to answer the complaint of Hugh des Loges that he refused to hold to a fine levied in the King's Court between Hugh, the father of Hugh des Loges, and Margaret his mother, complainants, and William Duredent, brother of Nicholas, whose heir he is, respecting a hide of land in Fisserewic, and of which Hugh produced the chirograph, which showed that the said Hugh and Margaret conceded to the said William all that land to be held by him and his heirs of the said Hugh and Margaret, and heirs of Margaret, for the service of 15s., and all forinsec services; and Hugh complained that whereas the said William had done homage to his father Hugh, Nicholas now refused to perform homage or pay any relief to him. Nicholas admitted the facts as detailed by Hugh, and stated he was ready to perform homage to him if the Court considered it was due. It is therefore considered that he should perform homage to Hugh, and be in misericordiâ because he had not performed it before ; and Hugh accepted his homage, and Nicholas paid his relief. m. 2, dorso.

Staff. William des Parles sued William fitz William for half the advowson of the Priory of Sandwell, of which he had been seised in the time of King John, and had presented one Reginald, who had been admitted on his presentation. William fitz William defended his right to the advowson, and put himself on the great assize. A day is given to them at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 3, dorso.

Northt. Joan, the widow of Henry, son of Ralph, sued William de Duston for the third part of two carucates of land in Dustun as dower. Henry pleaded she had no claim to dower in the land, because her husband had never held the land in fee, inasmuch as King John when he was Earl of Moretein had disseised Walkeline, grandfather of Henry de Duston, for a debt he owed the said Henry, and afterwards King Richard had restored the land to William, the son of the said Walkeline, the father of the present William, as his right and inheritance, by a charter which William produced in Court. He produced also a charter of King John confirming to the same William the land which King Henry his father had given to the said Walkeline for his homage and service. Joan stated these charters should not prejudice her, because King Henry had given the land to Earl John, and the Earl gave it to Richard fitz Roger (sic), the brother of the said Henry; and Richard died seised of it, and after him Henry her husband held it by descent from Richard his brother.

And William stated that Walkeline his grandfather had assumed the habit of religion in the time of King Henry, and the land then remained in the hands of Alice his wife, who afterwards married one Peter, son of Ralph, who held the land conjointly with her until Earl John had disseised them, at the time he took the Honor of Peverel into his hands; and it was at that time he had conveyed the land to the said Henry, and to Richard his brother, for the debt which he owed to him. A day is given to the parties at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 4.

Staff. William de Parles sued William, son of Robert, to hold to a fine levied at Lichfield before the Justices Itinerant in the time of King John between them, respecting three acres of pasture in Hameswurth (Handsworth); and William, son of Robert, did not appear, and the Sheriff sent the names of no sureties. To be attached for three weeks from Michaelmas, and the Sheriff to be present to hear judgment on his default. m. 8, dorso.

Wygorn. Geva, the widow of Richard fitz William, sued Richard de Cofton for one-third of the rent of 8s. proceeding from the tenement which Adam de Fibedon held in Fibedon. Richard did not appear, and is to be resummoned for a month after Michaelmas.

Staff. The same Geva sued William, son of William fitz Guy, for onethird of five vivaries and one-third of 6s. rent, and the value of one-third of the capital messuage at Bromwic, as dower. William came and prayed a view, &c. A day is given to the parties at a month from Michaelmas. m. 9, dorso.

Warw. Richard de Puteo sued Robert de Puteo, who had essoined himself de malo lecti in a plea of land; and Robert did not appear, nor the knights visors. To be summoned again for a month after Michaelmas. m. 10.

Staff. Geva, the widow of Richard fitz William, sued the Abbot of Bordesle for one-third of three acres of land in Bromwich; and the Abbot of Hales for one-third of twenty-five acres of land and a mill in the same vill; and Roger Oligant for one-third of a virgate of land in the same vill, as dower. The defendants called to warranty William, brother and heir of the said Richard, who was present, and stated he held no land by which he could facere warantum. The Abbot and others say that at the time he was called to warranty he held sufficient land for the purpose, and if he had afterwards committed the land to anybody else, that ought not to prejudice them; and William acknowledged he had held land enough, and that after Christmas Day he had demised it to Henry (de Audley). It is therefore considered that out of the land which had descended to William, and which he had held, the value of the said third parts should be given to Geva, and the Abbot and the other defendants should hold their lands in peace. m. 10, dorso.

Bucks. Matilda, the widow of Ulian de Cheinduc, sued Simon de Frankele and Rose his wife for one-third of a hide of land in Langele, and one-third of seven virgates of land in Berleis, as dower, of which Ulian her husband had endowed her. The defendants called to warranty Elice de Cheinduc, who appeared and warranted the land.

And Matilda stated that it was unjust that she should warrant the land to them, because she had been wife to Ralph de Cheinduc, who gave the lands to the said Ulian for his homage and service. Elice stated that Matilda had no claim for dower in the land, because Ulian her husband never held the land, so that he could not endow her with it.

Matilda said that was spoken unjustly, because Ulian was seised of the land, of the gift of Ralph his father, formerly husband of the said Elice, and who held the land in fee and inheritance, and Ralph had accepted the homage of Ulian, and after the death of Ralph, William his son and heir had accepted his homage, and likewise after him Ralph de Cheinduc his heir had accepted his homage; and Elice had no ingress into the land except by permission of Ulian, who had demised it to her at will because she was his mother, and that Ulian was so seised well appears (bene patet), because he had given out of those lands to the said Simon [de Frankele] certain land in marriage with Rose his sister, and to James the Forester six acres, and to Wimarc one acre, who still hold those lands, and this she offered to prove, &c. And inasmuch as Elice was wife of the said Ralph who had enfeoffed the said Ulian, she could claim nothing in the land except in the form of dower, and this is clear (bene patet), because on the day she married Ralph, Ralph was seised, as of fee, &c., of the lands in question, and also before his marriage with her, and Elice never before her marriage held any part of those lands, and upon these facts she appealed to a jury.

Elice afterwards came and stated that Matilda had no claim to dower, because she was never married to Ulian. It is therefore considered that Matilda should have a writ to the Bishop of Lincoln to certify the truth respecting this matter. And it is to be noted that Elice never said whether Ralph her husband was seised, &c., of the land on the day he died, neither did she say whether she herself had any seisin of it. (fn. 6) m. 11, dorso.

Roll No. 18.

Headed, "Placita in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, anno regni R. Henrici, filii R. Johannis, octavo, incipiente nono." [6th October, 1224.]

Suff. (sic, but should be Staff.). William de Parles appeared against William, son of Robert, for not holding to the fine levied before the justices last itinerant at Lincoln, respecting four acres of meadow in Hamesworth (Handsworth), and William did not appear, and the Sheriff returned that he was not to be found in his county, (fn. 7) nor held any lands there, and it is said he resides in the co. of Warwick. William de Parles asked permission to recede from the plea, and it was dismissed sine die. m. 4, dorso.

Staff. The great assize between William de Parles, plaintiff, and William fitz William, tenant, (fn. 8) of the advowson of the Priory of Sandwell, remanet sine die, because William fitz William was dead. m. 4, dorso.

Staff. William, son of John, sued William, son of William de Albodestun (Adbaston), for half a virgate of land in Albodeston; and William, father of the said William, for half a virgate of land in the same vill, of which John his father was seised, &c., in the time of King Richard, and of which the right descended to him as son and heir of John; and this he was ready to prove by the body of his freeman, Roger de Frankevill, &c.

And William, son of William, came and called to warranty his father, who warranted the whole land to him, and defended his right to it, and offered to prove it by the body of his freeman, Gerard de Coleton, &c.

It is therefore considered that a duel should be fought between them, and that Gerard should give pledges for the defence, and Roger for the proof (dirationandi). The sureties of Gerard are Henry fitz Isabel, of Sondon, and Stephen Boncrestion. The sureties of Roger are Stephen de Standon and Remi (Remigius) de Bengeia. A day is given to the parties at the Quinzaine of St. Martin, and then they are to come armed. m. 10, dorso.

Staff. Geva, the widow of Richard fitz William, (fn. 9) sued the Prior of Saundewell for one-third of a mill and a virgate and a half of land in Bramwic; and she also sued Adam the Smith for one-third of ten acres of land in the same vill, and Herbert de Duddele for one-third of two acres of land in the same vill, as her dower, &c. And the Prior and the other defendants came by attorney, and called to warranty Richard, son and heir of William fitz William, (fn. 9) who is in ward to William de Bromle. A day is given to them at the Octaves of St. Hillary.

Wigorn. The same Geva sued Henry Luvet for one-third of two carucates of land and 25s. of rent in Hintun and in Wick, and Walter le Poher for onethird of half a virgate of land and a messuage in Hamton, and Thomas de Bosco for one-third of two bovates of land in the same vill, as dower. The defendants appeared by attorney, and called to warranty the same William. The same day is given to the parties.

The same Geva sued Simon de Mereton for one-third of half a virgate of land in Peywic (Powick), as her dower; and Simon came and prayed a view of the land. A day is given to him at the Octaves of St. Hillary, a view to be made in the meantime. Simon puts in his place Gilbert the Mareschall.

The same Geva sued Richard de Cofton for one-third of 8s. rent in Hampton, as her dower; and Richard prayed a view. A day is given to him at the same term.

The same Geva sued Amice Basset for one-third of half a virgate of land in Hampton, as her dower; and Amice did not appear; and she had a day given to her by her essoignor. Therefore the land is to be taken into the King's hands, and Amice to be summoned for the Octaves of St. Hillary. m. 13.

Bucks. Geva, widow of Richard fitz William, sued Adam de Berevill, whom Alan de Meidewell called to warranty, &c., for one-third of a virgate of land and one acre in Iseburgh (Ellesborough), as her dower; and Adam called to warranty Richard, son and heir of William fitz William, who is in ward to William de Bremsle. A day is given to them at the Octaves of St. Hillary; William to be summoned in co. Stafford.

The same Geva sued Henry de Sactrie for one-third of a virgate and a half of land and four acres in the same vill, as her dower; and Henry prayed a view of the land. The same day is given to him.

The same Geva sued Walter de Stoke for one-third of half a virgate of land in the same vill, as her dower; and Walter came and conceded it to her. m. 14, dorso.

Coram Rege Roll, No. 2, Tower Records.

The fourth membrane, headed, "Placita apud Westm: anno R. R. Henrici, filii R. Johannis (sic) de termino Sancti Michaelis." [October, 1224.] (fn. 10)

Oxon. The Master of the Knights Templars in England sued Hugh de Odingesal and Basilia his wife, to warrant to him ten librates of land in Bradewell, which he claimed to hold of them, and for which he holds the charter of Alan de Limesi, the grandfather of Basilia, and of Gerard de Limesi, her father. Hugh and Basilia appear and acknowledge the charters. m. 20.

Warw. Maurice le Butiller, Alexander de Bikehull, John de Abetoft, and Robert del Valle, four Knights summoned to elect twelve to make the recognition of a great assize between Hugh des Loges, plaintiff, and Hugh de Herdeberg, tenant of sixteen virgates of land in Herdeburgh, and respecting which Hugh the tenant puts himself on the great assize, and asks for recognition as to which had the greater right to the land in question, and whether William Croc, the ancestor of Hugh des Loges, was seised of the land as of fee and in demesne in the time of King Henry, the father of the Empress, appeared and elected William de Ardredeshull, Robert de Grendon, Robert de Bramcote, Robert de Chetwude, Richard de Egebaldestun, John Durvassal, Robert del Valle, William de Wilmecote, Adam de Napton, Henry de Buschervill, Philip de Elseley, Thomas Murdac, Walter fitz Ralph, Roger de Dun, Richard Peche, and Peter de Wulwardinton. A day is given to them at fifteen days from Easter. m. 25, dorso.

Staff. Gilbert de Vilers and Matilda his wife appeared against Bertram de Herteshorn and Alice his wife, for deforcing them of one-third of two bovates of land in Caldon, which Bertram and Alice had conceded to them in court as dower of Matilda. Bertram and Alice did not appear; and the Sheriff returned they were not to be found in his bailiwick, and that they resided in co. Derby. To be attached to appear at a month from Hillary. m. 32.