Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 8 Edward I

Coram Rege Roll, Hillary, 8 E. I.

Hibernia. Writ of recordari addressed to Robert de Ufford, Justiciary of Ireland, moving the suit for dower of Basilia the widow of Nicholas de Verdun versus Theobald de Verdun from the Banco Court of Dublin into the King's Court of Westminster, from which it appeared that Basilia claimed dower in Lexmedy, Inchillestre, Kevill, Coulok, La Roche, Dunkul, Dundalk (new and old), Statmanmatheian, Elemor, Rath, and Rodebank, viz., onethird of the above vills as her dower, of which Nicholas son and heir of John de Verdun formerly her husband had endowed her at the door of the church when he married her.

Theobald stated John de Verdun was present at the marriage of Basilia, and it was then arranged between him and John de Cogan the father of Basilia, that John de Verdun should endow her with 100 librates of land, but that if the said Nicholas reached his full age and recovered the residue of his inheritance which was in the custody of the Queen, the said John de Verdun should be quit of the said dower of £100 in land, and he produced a deed to that effect.

Basilia said that whether such a deed was made or not, she was prepared to prove that her husband had endowed her as stated, and appealed to a jury. A jury of Knights and freemen of the vicinage of Lothsyuedi, where the said Nicholas married her, is to be summoned at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 9.

Staff. Alice the widow of William son of Geoffrey fitz Warine sued William de Hundesacre and Richard le Wodeward of Berdon for insulting her at Tibbenton (Tipton), and taking her goods and chattels to the value of £10. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain and produce them at Easter Term. m. 24.

Staff. John le Faukener (for the King) sued John de Hereville (Heronville) in a plea that whereas the King had commanded him not to distrain his tenants in the manor of Wodnesbery, which is of the ancient demesne of the Crown, for other services than they were accustomed to render in former days, and to restore to them their goods and chattels which he had seized; and whereas pending the suit between him and his tenants the Crown was suing him for the same manor, in which the said John was causing great waste and destruction, refusing to permit his tenants to cultivate their lands etc., the Sheriff is ordered to produce the said John to answer for his contempt at Easter.

Banco Roll, Hillary, 8 E. I.

Staff. Richard de Chavenes (Charnes) and Alice his wife were summoned to acknowledge by what service they held their tenement in Great Suggenhull (Sugnall) of Henry de Tudekerton, and which service the said Henry had conceded in court to Roger the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and his successors.

Richard and Alice appeared and acknowledged they held three messuages and twenty-six acres of land, 7s., and a pound of pepper of rent of the said Henry by homage and the service of a farthing annually, and being asked if they were willing to attorn themselves to the said Bishop for the said homage and service, they said that they were not willing to do homage to the Bishop for the said tenements during the lifetime of Henry, though they would render the farthing. It is ordered therefore that they tender the aforesaid service to the Bishop, and they performed feality. m. 12.

Staff. Isabella the widow of Ralph de Grendon sued Robert the Bishop of Bath and Wells for a third of the manor of Schestan (Shenstone) as her dower.

The Bishop appeared and stated he only claimed the manor for a term of four years by a demise of the said Ralph, and he called to warranty Ralph the son and heir of the said Ralph, who is under age and in ward to him, and because the said heir has no other land by which he could be held to warranty, it is considered that Isabella should recover seisin of her dower, and that the Bishop should hold the other two parts of the manor for a further term beyond the four years to the value of the said third part. m. 19.

Staff. Alice the widow of William de Bydulf sued Jordan le Brenner for a third of two messuages in the vill of Newcastle-under-Lyme as her dower. Jordan called to warranty Nicholas Coly the Parson of the Church of Bydulf, and Adam Coly, who are to be summoned for Easter Term.

She also sued John Doysel for a third of two messuages in the same vill, and he did not appear. The dower claimed is therefore to be taken into the King's hands, and John is to be re-summoned for the same term. m. 24.

Staff. John de Eton and Joan his wife sued William de Oseneye and Margaret his wife for two virgates of land, and half a virgate and an acre of land, and 8s. of rent in Hymele (Himley) and Segesleye, what they claimed as the right of the said Joan. And the defendants did not appear, and had previously made default, and the tenement had been taken into the King's hands. It is therefore considered that John and Joan should recover seisin. m. 29.

Staff. Sarra the widow of Thomas de Coule sued Bertram de Burgo Sancti Petri (fn. 1) for a third of two parts of half the vill of Coule as her dower. Bertram appeared and called to warranty Richard the son of Thomas de Coule, who is to be summoned for Easter Term. m. 40.

Staff. Lucy the widow of Henry de Aldidelegh was attached to answer the plea of William de Audithelegh that whereas when she held a carucate of land and a park in the vills of Enedon, Donewode, and Harecheles, in dower of the inheritance of the said William, and the said William on the Thursday after the Feast of St. Margaret, 6 E. I., in full County of Stafford had handed to her the royal prohibition against causing waste and destruction within the said inheritance, she had, spurning the prohibition, pulled down two houses of the value of £10 and sold sixty oaks, by which he had been damaged to the extent of £20, and he produced evidence to this effect.

Lucy appeared by attorney and denied she had made any waste or destruction, and appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to go in his own person to the said lands, and there to summon a jury and return their verdict into Court on the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 46.

Staff. Matilda the widow of William del Mos sued Richard son of William del Mos for a third of a messuage and two virgates of land in Eddeshale as her dower. And he did not appear, and had previously made default, and the dower claimed had been taken into the King's hands. It is therefore considered that she should recover seisin against him. m. 46.

Staff. David de Pakynton sued Peter de Colecestre for three virgates of land in Pakynton, and he sued Adam le Cordur for a virgate in the same vill. The defendants appeared, and Adam called to warranty Henry de Pakynton, who is to be summoned for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist; and Peter stated he held nothing of the land claimed, but one Peter son of Peter held it on the day the writ was sued out, viz., on the 14 October, 6 E I., and he appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury for Trinity Term. m. 47.

Staff. David de Pakinton withdrew his writ in a plea of land against Henry son of David de Pakinton, John Selvyn, and William le Sponere. m. 55.

Salop. Richard le Urs of Mokeliston sued John de la More and Petronilla his wife to permit him common of pasture in Hidishale appurtenant to his free tenement of Mokeliston (Muxton), and of which Walter de Dunstanevill the father of Petronilla, whose heir she is, had unjustly disseised William the father of the said Richard. The defendants did not appear, and are to be attached for Trinity Term. m. 71.

Staff. William son of Robert de Wyrleye sued Richard son of Henry de Pyrie for two parts of the manor of Pyrie (Perry Barr), and Richard did not appear, and had previously made default, and the land had been taken into the King's hands. William is therefore to recover seisin. m. 82, dorso.

Salop. Margaret (fn. 2) the widow of John le Botiller appeared against William de Perton in a plea that he should hold to a convention made between them respecting the third part of two carucates of land in Perton and Sterchesle (Stirchley). William did not appear, and is to be attached for Trinity Term. m. 39, dorso.

Staff. The essoin of Robert the Parson of the Church of Rolleston appeared against Ralph de Rolleston and William de Rolleston in a plea as to whether two messuages and two bovates of land in Rolleston are the free alms belonging to the Church of the said Robert at Rolleston, or a lay fee of the said Ralph and William. Ralph and William did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for Trinity Term; a jury to be summoned for the same date. m. 7. dorso.

Coram Rege Roll, Easter, 8 E. I.

Staff. William de Hondesacre was attached to answer the complaint of Alice the widow of William fitz Warine that he had insulted her at Tybinton (Tipton), and taken her goods and chattels, for which she claimed £40 as damages ; and Alice stated that on the Thursday of the Feast of St. Simon and Jude, 6 E. I., he had taken a horse from her worth 20s. and an ox worth one mark, and had driven away and killed and eaten two of her pigs, and had taken other goods belonging to her to his house at Hondesacre viz., three brass pots worth 20s. and other utensils specified. William appeared and denied the trespass, and appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury for the Quindene of Michaelmas. m. 24, dorso.

Oxon. On the 22nd May, 8 E. I. a convention was made between Sir Robert de Staundon, Knight, on one part, and Magister Walter de la Mare, Clerk in the other, by which Magister Walter bound himself to prosecute at his own costs the right of Sir Robert to the lands and tenements which formerly belonged to Sir Henry de la Mare, Knight, in Alingscote, Pighmundecote, Burmarcote, and Astcote, in co. Oxon, which should revert to Sir Robert as his eschaet, inasmuch as the said Henry had committed a felony, and had died a felon, and as soon as the said lands and tenements were recovered by judgment of the King's Court or by any other way, the said Sir Robert conceded that he would enfeoff the said Magister Walter of them to be held by the same services as Gunnora de la Mare was accustomed to perform to the ancestors of the said Robert; and the said Magister Walter shall pay to Sir Robert 60 marks within a year of the said feoffment, etc. m. 19, dorso.

Staff., Ebor., Salop. Margaret the widow of Ranulph de Pertone remitted to Magister Walter de Haselschawe of co. Salop all her dower in Pertone and Stirchele until the full age of John son and heir of William de Perton for 8 marks, of which half was to be paid to her at the Quindene of Michaelmas, and the other half at the Quindene of Easter. m. 10, dorso.

Banco Roll, Easter, 8 E. I.

Staff. Thomas de Peshale sued William de Sogenhulle (Sugnall) and Dora his wife for £100 owing to him ; and they did not appear. To be attached to appear at Trinity Term. m. 18.

Staff. Robert Corbet and Petronilla his wife give half a mark for licence of concord with Richard Corbet. (fn. 3) m. 20.

Staff. The Sheriff was commanded to produce at this date William de Kaveriswell, Wolekin Godfrey, Roger de Kauriswell, Henry de la Lega, Robert son of Roger and William Fraunkevill to acknowledge the services by which they held their tenements in Bilington and Raunton of Roes the widow of John de Oylly, and which services Roes had conceded in Court to John son of John and the heirs of his body ; and the Sheriff had done nothing in the matter. He is therefore ordered to summon them for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 30.

Staff. Isabella the widow of Ralph de Grendon sued John le Rus for a third of two carucates of land and 40s. of rent in Haneton (Haunton) as her dower. John appeared and prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at the Quindene of Trinity. m. 32.

Staff. The Abbot of Roucestre appeared by attorney against Robert de Akovere (Okeover) in a plea that he should warrant to him half the manor of Swinescohe (Swinscoe), which he holds and claims to hold of him, and for which he holds the charter of Hugh de Akovere the father of the said Robert, whose heir he is. Robert did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to attach him for the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 41.

Staff. Roger de Kaverswelle Parson of the Church of Chekeleye sued Richard de Draycote and Lettice his wife in a plea that whereas he was entitled to take reasonable estover in their woods of Tene, the said Richard and Lettice made such waste and destruction in them that he could not have the estover to which he was entitled. Adjourned to Michaelmas Term. m. 46.

Staff. In the suit of dower of Margaret widow of Nicholas de Wolveleye versus Robert le Venur, Robert appeared and called to warranty Alexander son and heir of Nicholas de Wolvenelegh, who is within age, and who is in ward to Margaret. Margaret is therefore to be summoned for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist, and to bring with her the heir. m. 55.

Staff. Richard son of William del Mos appeared against Matilda the widow of William del Mos, Richard de Paleshale, and Baldwin de Henhyrst sic (Elmhurst), and three others, for insulting, beating, and illtreating him at Pype, and carrying away his goods and chattels to the value of 40s. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain and produce them at Michaelmas Term. m. 62.

Warw. Isabella the widow of Ralph de Grendon sued Geoffrey de Caunvill for a third of two parts of the manor of Grendon as her dower, and William de Middleton and Hugh de Cave, to whom the custody of Ralphson and heir of Ralph had been committed by the Justices whilst the question of the wardship of the heir was discussed, came and stated that the lands were the inheritance of the said Ralph, and that the said Geoffrey held nothing in them except by right of custody. The suit is dismissed. m. 65.

Derby. John the Abbot of Burton-upon-Trent was attached to answer the complaint of Robert son of Robert Perecok and thirty-five others (named), the men of the said Abbot in the manor of Great Overe, which is of the ancient demesne of the Crown, that he exacted from them other customs and services than those which were owing, and which were rendered whilst the manor was in the hands of the King's predecessors.

The Abbot appeared by attorney and denied the injury, and appealed to Domesday. (The entry from Domesday is here quoted at length), and as it appeared from it the manor was not of ancient demesne, the suit is dismissed. m. 79, dorso.

Staff. Philip son of Philip de Draycote gives half a mark for licence of concord with Philip de Draycote in a plea of warranty of charter. (fn. 4) m. 50, dorso.

Essex. Henry de Bohun sued Theobald de Verdon and Margaret his wife for the manor of Castell Waledene, excepting £10 of rent, and the advowson of the Church; and he sued Joan de Bohun for £10 of rent in the same, in which they had no entry except through Humphrey de Boun formerly Earl of Hereford, who had unjustly disseised him of them. (A long and interesting suit, by which Henry at length recovered seisin.) m. 44, dorso.

Staff. In the plea of dower of Alice the widow of William de Bydoulph versus Jordan le Brenner, a day is given to them at the Advent of the Justices. m. 43, dorso.

Staff. Dyonisia the widow of John Attebriggende sued Walter de Grendon for one-third of a messuage and thirty acres of land in Bispeton (Bishton), Roger de Aston for a third of a messuage and twenty acres of land, and John son of Reyner for a third of six acres of land, John son of Robert de Wolseley for a third of six acres of land, Robert a la funtaine for a third of two acres, and other tenants named for a third of their holdings in the same vill. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff is ordered to summon them again for Michaelmas Term, and the dower claimed to be taken into the King's hands. m. 31, dorso.

Staff. Roger de Pywelesdon (Puleston) withdrew his suit against Nicholas de Stafford (in a plea of custody). m. 27, dorso.

Staff. Joan the widow of William de Perton sued John de Uverton (Overton) for a third of six acres of land and two acres of meadow in Perton, and Adam son of John de Alverton for a third of seven acres of land and two acres of meadow in the same vill, and fourteen other tenants named for a third of their holdings in the same vill as her dower. None of the defendants appeared, and they are to be summoned again for the Octaves of Trinity, and the dower claimed to be taken into the King's hands.

Leye. and Suff. Philip de Chetewynt appeared against Alexander Comyn Earl of Boghan and Elizabeth his wife in a plea that jointly with Margaret de Ferrars and Elena la Zouche, (fn. 5) they should warrant to him the third part of eight messuages, eighty acres of land, and 20s. of rent in Tudenham near Camham in co. Suffolk, which Roger de Trumpington claimed against him. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 17, dorso.

Banco Roll, Trinity, 8 E. I.

Staff. Thomas Pany and Alice his wife appeared against Thomas de la Hyde and Alice his wife in a plea that they should carry out the terms of a fine levied respecting a messuage and half a carucate of land and the sixth part of the advowson of the Church of Blemenhulle (Blymhill). The defendants did not appear, and are to be attached for the morrow of All Souls. m. 19.

Staff. Thomas Pany and Alice his wife appeared against Ralph son of Robert de Pendeford in a plea that he should carry out the terms of a fine levied respecting a messuage and half a carucate of land in Covene. Ralph did not appear, and is to be attached for the morrow of All Souls. m. 19.

Staff. Thomas Meverele and Agnes his wife, Ralph de Monjoyne and Isolda his wife, John de Grendon and Joan his wife, Henry de Knyveton and Isabella his wife, Roger de Mercynton and Alienora his wife, and Richard Draycote and Agnes his wife sued Roger de Mercynton and Alienora his wife (fn. 6) for a messuage and four bovates of land in Gayton. The defendants did not appear, and are to be summoned for the morrow of St. Martin, and the tenements to be taken into the King's hands. m. 38.

Staff. Margaret the widow of Henry son of Geoffrey de Walton not appearing to prosecute her claim for dower against John de Houton and others, the suit is dismissed. m. 72.

Banco Roll, Michaelmas, 8–9 E. I.

Staff. Emma the widow of Griffin fitz Madok of Brumfeld appeared against William de Audithele in a plea that he should warrant to her a messuage and a carucate of land in Boershardon (Bere Sardon) which Robert de Saunton (Standon) claimed against her ; and he did not appear. To be re-summoned for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 6.

Staff. Geoffrey de Scheftington appeared against William de Audithelegh in a plea that he should warrant to him half the manor of Braydeshale which he claimed to hold of him, and for which he holds his charter. William did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain and produce him at Hillary Term. Roger Sprenchehose the Sheriff is fined £10 for an insufficient return, but his fine is afterwards remitted by the Chancellor. m. 20.

Staff. The Sheriff is ordered by writ of fieri facias to raise 50 marks from the lands and chattels of William de Audithelegh, and to bring them into Court in part payment of a sum of 80 marks which William had acknowledged he owed to Geoffrey de Scheftington. m. 20.

Staff. Thomas Inthewesthende, Henry Ernaud, Ralph Parys, and twentyfive other tenants of Kings Bromley, appeared against Thomas Corbet of Tasseleye in a plea that whereas the Lord the King had lately commanded the said Thomas not to exact from them other customs and services than used to be rendered when the manor of Kyngesbromleye was in the hands of the King's predecessors, he, the said Thomas, had not ceased to exact from them customs and services which were not due, and had grievously distrained them to perform them. Thomas did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce him at Easter. m. 25.

Warw. Alice the widow of William de Harecurt sued Walter de Rudon and Isabella his wife for a third of a messuage and toft, and four acres of land and an acre of meadow in Coleshulle as her dower. The defendants pray a view. Adjourned to Hillary. m. 34.

Staff. Godfrey de Bellomonte and Cecilia his wife sued William de Essebi for customs and services owing for the free tenement he holds of them in Gundesleye ; and he did not appear. The Sheriff is ordered to distrain and produce him at the Octaves of Hillary. m. 40.

Staff. Margaret the widow of Henry le Flemming sued William de Ecling for a third of a messuage, a carucate of land, six acres of meadow, six acres of wood, and 100s. of rent in Rouleye as her dower. William appeared and stated she had no claim to dowry as her husband had never been seised of the lands, so that he could not have endowed her from them, and that he held them only for his life. A jury to be summoned for Hillary Term. m. 45.

Leyc. Ralph Basset sued Nicholas de Segrave, whom John Percevall called to warranty, for eighteen virgates of land in Wytherdeleye, of which Ralph his ancestor was seised as of fee in the time of King John, and from Ralph the right descended to Ralph as son and heir, and from that Ralph to another Ralph as son and heir, and from the last Ralph to Ralph who now sues as son and heir.

Nicholas called to warranty Baldewine Wake, who appeared to his summons and warranted the land to him ; and as regarded one virgate of the land he denied the right of Ralph, and offered to defend his right by the body of his free man Thomas son of Gervase. Ralph stated he was prepared to deraign his right by the body of his free man Robert son of William. It is therefore considered that a duel should be fought between them. A day is given to them on the Tuesday next after the Feast of the Purification, and then the champions are to come armed.

And as regarded another virgate of the land, Baldwine Wake put himself on a Great Assize. A day is given to them on the morrow of the Purification, and the four Knights are to come (to elect the jury).

And as regarded the sixteen other virgates, he called to warranty Robert de Cantilupe, who was present and warranted them to him, and who offered to defend his right by the body of his freeman Walter son of Walter, and Ralph stated he was ready to deraign his right by the body of his freeman Richard son of Hugh. It is therefore considered a duel should be fought between them. And the sureties of Walter are Gerard de Insula and Richard le Rus, and the sureties of Richard, are Thomas de Eyvill and Roger Basset. A postscript adds a concord was afterwards made respecting the whole land in dispute, and Ralph gave 40s. for licence of concord, and had a chyrograph. m. 49.

Staff. Will de Boweles and Isabella his wife sued William de Eclinges for 26s. of rent in Rogeleye (Rowley Regis), which Henry le Flemyng held of them, and which should revert to them as their eschaet, inasmuch as Henry died without heirs. William did not appear, and is to be summoned for the morrow of the Purification, and the tenement to be taken into the King's hands. m. 91.

Staff. Geoffrey de Greslegh appeared by attorney against Thomas Grim in a plea that he should declare by what right he claimed common of pasture in the land of Geoffrey at Morton, when Geoffrey held no common of pasture within the lands of Thomas, and Thomas performed no service to him by which he could claim common of pasture within his lands. Thomas did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain and produce him at three weeks from Easter. m. 96.

Staff. Juliana the widow of Robert de Esyngge sued Robert Batayle for a third of five acres of land in Alveton as her dower, and recovered seisin of it by default of Robert. m. 96.

Staff. Alice de Dokeseye appeared against Henry Wymer in a plea that he should warrant to her a third of forty acres of land and twenty acres of meadow in Cotes, which Richard de Turvile and Albreda his wife claimed as dower ; and he did not appear, and had made previous default. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to take land of Henry to the value of the dower claimed into the King's hands, and to summon him for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 101.

Staff. Roger de Levynton and Petronilla his wife sued John son of Simon le Lord for four acres in Cherleton ; and they sued Walter de Wytemore for an acre and a half of land in the same vill. The defendants pray a view. Adjourned to the Octaves of the Purification. m. 102.

Derby. Geoffrey de Griseleye (Gresley), Geoffrey Waleraund, Swane of Griseleye, and eight others named, were attached to answer the complaint of Ralph le Messer that they had beaten, wounded, and imprisoned him at Lullington. Adjourned to the coming of the Justices. m. 120.

Derby. Geoffrey de Gryseley was summoned to answer the Prior of Gryseley in a plea that he should permit him to present a fit Parson to the Church of Lullington which is vacant, and of which the donation belongs to him, inasmuch as one Geoffrey de Gryseley the grandfather of the said Geoffrey, whose heir he is, had presented one William his Clerk, who is now dead, and after that presentation had given the advowson of the said Church to the Church of St. George of Grisele and the Prior and Canons serving there, and he produced the deed of the said Geoffrey and which had been confirmed by Geoffrey who now impeded the presentation.

Geoffrey appeared and stated he had made the last presentation, and appealed to a jury. A concord was subsequently made by which Geoffrey acknowledged the advowson to be the right of the Prior, and the Prior remitted all claim to damages for the impediment. m. 133.

Hereford. William de Ebroicis (Devereux) sued Elizabeth the widow of Henry de Penbrugge for a messuage, a mill, and three carucates of land, etc., and £13 8s. of rent in Stoke Lacy, in which Elizabeth had no entry except by a demise made by William de Ebroicis his father, whose heir he is, to Roger de Mortimer in time of war on the occasion of the redemption of Adam le Despencer, and which should revert to him according to the provisions of the Act, etc. Elizabeth stated she did not hold the whole of the manor, and the suit was dismissed. m. 133.

Staff. Roger de Levyngton and Petronilla his wife sued Hugh de Swynesheved for an acre of land in Cherleton (Chorlton); and they sued Philip de Bromlegh for an acre in the same place, and Alice daughter of Lettice of Swynesheved for an acre in the same place. None of the defendants appeared, and had previously made default, and the land had been taken into the King's hands. Roger and Petronilla are therefore to recover seisin of it. m. 142, dorso.

Staff. William Trumwyne sued William de Stafford of Bromshulf (Bramshall) to acquit him of the service which Constance de Alemannia exacted from him for a free tenement which he held of the said William in Wymundewolde and Wysho, and of which William who is medius between them ought to acquit him. William did not appear, and is to be attached for Easter Term. m. 142, dorso.

Staff., Warw. William de Attelberge sued Robert the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the custos of the person and part of the lands of Ralph son and heir of Ralph de Grendon, and the Abbot of Reding, Philip Marmion and Geoffrey de Caunvill, custodes of other parts of the said lands, for a third part of a rent of 5 marks and 16s. 3d. in Whatelegh which Isabella the widow of Ralph de Grendon claimed against him as dower. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff is ordered to take into the King's hands lands to the value of the dower claimed. But as it is not known how much each of the custodes holds of the lands of the inheritance of Ralph, the Sheriff of Staffordshire is ordered to make an extent (i.e., valuation) of the lands in question held by the Bishop and the Abbot, and the Sheriff of Warwickshire to make an extent of the lands of the same inheritance held by the said Philip and Geoffrey, and to return the extents so made into Court at Easter Term. m. 103, dorso.

Staff. Isabella the widow of Ralph de Grendon sued John le Rus for a third of a messuage, two carucates of land, and 40s. of rent in Hauneton as her dower. John appeared and stated he only held the messuage, one carucate of land, and 24s. of rent, and he called to warranty Ralph the son and heir of Ralph de Grendon, who is within age, and part of the land is in the custody of Robert the Bishop of Bath and Wells ; and that another part is in the custody of Geoffrey de Caunvill by a deed of the said Ralph the father of Ralph, which he produced, and which testified that the said Ralph had given him the said tenement, and that he and his heirs warranted the same to him. The custodes therefore are to be summoned for Easter Term, and the Bishop to produce the heir at the same time. As regards the residue John stated he held nothing. Isabella pleaded he held it at the date the writ was sued out, and a jury is to be summoned to decide this point at the same term. m. 100, dorso.

Derb. William de Hendesacre appeared against Milo de Menton in a plea that he should render him a reasonable account for the time he was his Bailiff in Repyndon, Tyrynton, Hondesacre, and Cherleton. Milo did not appear, and is to be attached for Hillary Term. m. 99, dorso.

Staff. Robert de Marisco appeared against Robert de Dokeseye in a plea that he should acquit him of the service which Nicholas de Stafford exacted from him for the free tenement he held of the said Robert de Dokeseye, in Merse, and of which Robert de Dokeseye, who is medius between them, ought to acquit him. Robert did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to attach him for Easter Term. m. 73, dorso.

Staff. John son of Elias de Cherelton (Chorlton) appeared against John de Swynnerton in a plea that he should permit him to raise (sic) (exaltare) a certain stank in Cherleton to its lawful and ancient state, and which Roger de Swyneverton the brother of the said John, whose heir he is, had unjustly raised (exaltarit) to the injury of the free tenement of the said John son of Elias in the same vill. Adjourned to Easter Term. (fn. 7) m. 73, dorso.

Staff. William son of Thomas de Eston appeared against the Abbot of Cumbermere in a plea that he should acquit him of the service which the King exacted from him for the free tenement which he held of the Abbot of Eston near Erlode (Yarlet). Adjourned to Hillary Term. m. 73, dorso.

Warw. Henry de Bray appeared against Adam de Gresebrok (Grasebrook) in a plea that he should warrant to him a third part of half a virgate of land in Holm which Gilbert de Newenham and Alice his wife claimed as dower of the said Alice. Adam did not appear, and had previously made default, and the Sheriff had been ordered to take land belonging to him to the value of the dower claimed into the King's hands, and he had done nothing in the matter, and returned no writ. The Sheriff is commanded (etc., as before) to summon him for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 55, dorso.

Staff. Sarra the widow of Thomas de Coule recovers dower (viz., a third part of two parts of the vill of Coule) against Bertram de Burgo through default of the latter. m. 44, dorso.

Staff. Alienora the widow of Robert de Ferars sued Robert de Bures for one-third of a carucate of land and 100s. rent in Chartelegh as her dower. Robert appeared and called to warranty John son and heir of Robert de Ferrars, who is in ward to the King, and he produced a deed by which Robert de Ferrars Earl of Derby, the father of John, gave to him the said tenement, with a clause of warranty. A day is given to them on the morrow of All Souls, and in the meantime loquendum est cum Domino Rege. m. 34, dorso. (fn. 8)

Staff. Thomas son of Thomas of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Hugh le Marescall, William de Routisley, William de Thicnes, and seven others named, were summoned by William de Pykestoke for taking and illegally detaining his chattels, viz., four ells de rayo assorsato of the value of 40d. per ell. The defendants appeared and admitted they had taken the cloth, and said they were burgesses of the town of Newcastle-under-Lyme, and that in that borough there was a merchant's guild by grant of King Henry the father of the King, with all liberties and customs pertaining to it, and it was the custom in the said borough appertaining to the guild that it was not lawful for anyone but the burgesses of the said borough to cut cloth (pannum seindere) nor to sell by the ell (per ulnas vendere), nor to keep a shop (schoppam tenere) unless he was in the guild of the said borough, and because the said William had kept a shop in the said town, and cut cloth and sold it by the ell against the liberties of the said borough, they had taken the four ells in question, and they produced the charter of King Henry the King's father.

William admitted he did not belong to the guild, but stated he was a burgess of Stafford, and that all the burgesses of Stafford possess all liberties and free customs the same as any other burgess of England, saving within the City of London, by the grant of King John the grandfather of the King. He stated moreover that it pertained to the guild that merchants coming into the said vill of Newcastle could not cut their cloth nor sell by the ell, nor could sell wool excepting by large weight and by sacks, and not by small weight and by fleeces, unless they belonged to the said guild; nevertheless he and other burgesses of Stafford by reason of the liberties and customs they possess by the aforesaid charter, which was sued out (impetrata) on the 1st May, 7 John, always after the grant of the said charter had freely cut their cloth in the said borough of Newcastle, and had sold by the ell wool and fleeces by small weight without having been received into the guild, until a year ago, when they were prevented by Thomas and the other defendants who had seized their chattels.

The defendants stated that neither the said William nor the other burgesses of Stafford had cut cloth, etc., within the said vill since the grant of the charter of King Henry, which was dated 18th September, 19 H. III., and they appealed to a jury. The Sheriff was therefore commanded to summon a jury for the morrow of the Purification. A postscript adds that after several adjournments through defect of a jury, at length at Trinity Term 13 E. I. a jury came who stated on their oath that the said William and the other burgesses of Stafford had always been accustomed to cut cloth in the said vill and sell it by the ell, and likewise to sell wool by the fleece and to keep shops without being received into the said guild, until they had been prevented seven years ago. It is therefore considered that William should recover his chattels, and his damages were taxed at 40s. m. 30, dorso.

Staff. Thomas Gerbod of Stafford sued the same defendants for taking from him and illegally detaining two ells of russet (duas ulnas de russeto) and two fleeces of wool, of the value of 18d. per ell for the russet, and 2s. for each fleece. The same pleadings are repeated verbatim, and a jury at the same term, viz., Trinity, 13 E. I., find in favour of Thomas, with 60s. for damages. m. 30, dorso.

Staff. Roger de Burghton and Juliana his wife appeared to answer the plea of Reginald son of John de Chavernes (Charnes) claiming from them four messuages, a carucate of land, and twenty acres of wood in Burghton (Broughton); and Reginald did not appear, and was the plaintiff. The suit is therefore dismissed, and the deed of Roger and Juliana which had been given into the custody of E. de Bek is given back again to them. m. 30.

Staff. Ralph de Rocheford and Agnes his wife appeared against Philip de Draycote in a plea that he should give up to them the custody of two carucates of land in Tyllington, inasmuch as Richard de Tillington held the land in soccage, and Agnes is his nearest heir. Philip did not appear, and is to be summoned for the morrow of the Purification. m. 64.

Staff. William Shirard and Petronilla his wife sued Nicholas de Aldithelegh (Audley) for a third of a water-mill in Gretton, and they sued Hugh de Aldethelegh for a third of a messuage and a carucate of land, and Robert de Bagenholt (Bagnall) and Agnes his wife for a third of two messuages and seven acres of land, and an acre of meadow, and Adam Coly and Margaret his wife for a third of an acre of land and half an acre of meadow, and Cecilia de Gretton for a third of a messuage, and Hugh de Aldethelegh and Nicholas le Mouner for a third of a messuage and an acre of land, and a rood of meadow, and Hugh de Aldethelegh and Robert de Chelle for a third of a messuage and an acre of land and two acres of meadow, and Hugh de Aldethelegh and John de Petesworth for a third of a messuage and an acre and a half of meadow, and Robert de Bagenholt and Agnes his wife and William Bakun for a third of six acres of land and an acre of meadow, and Robert de Bagenholt and Agnes his wife and William Gerart for a third of a messuage and an acre of land, and Robert de Bagenholt and Agnes his wife and Richard Jolifee for a third of a messuage and an acre of land and a rood of meadow, and Adam Coly and Margaret his wife, and Henry Ofthehalle for a third of a messuage in the same vill as dower of Petronilla. None of the defendants appeared, and are to be summoned for the Quindene of St. Martin, and the dower claimed to be taken into the King's hands. m. 134.

Staff. John de Cuveley sued William son of the Parson of Northebury and Isabella his wife for waste and destruction in houses and woods they hold in custody of the inheritance of the said John in Couveley (Cowley) and Little Onn. The defendants did not appear, and are to be attached for the Quindene of Hillary.