Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 27 Edward I

Banco Roll. Hillary, 27 E. I.

Warw. The Sheriff was ordered to distrain Isabella formerly wife of Ralph de Grendon, and to produce her in Court to acknowledge what right she claimed in a fourth part of the manor of Grendon which John de Clynton of Coleshull had conceded by fine to Ralph de Grendon and Joan his wife. Adjourned to three weeks from Easter. m. 92.

Warw. Eustace de Holeweye sued Isabella formerly wife of William de Burmingham, Thomas de Wykham, Parson of the Church of Swaleweclyne, Andrew de Evenefeld, and Brother Thomas, Master of the House of St. Thomas of Birmingham, the executors of William de Burmingham, for a sum of £10 owing to him. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to attach them for the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 136.

Staff. Hawise formerly wife of Robert de Etewelle sued Ralph de Rolleston and Lucy his wife for a third of six acres of land in Rolleston as her dower. Ralph and Lucy called to warranty Richard son and heir of Robert de Etewell, who is to be summoned for a month from Easter. The same Hawise sued Richard the elder son of Robert de Etewell for a third of a messuage and four bovates of land and an acre and a half of meadow in the same vill; and she sued Richard the younger son of Robert de Etewell for a third of two messuages in the same vill. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon them for the same date. A postscript further adjourns the suit to the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 129, dorso.

Staff. Robert son of Walter de Burton and Agnes his wife sued Henry de Verdun, Philip de Blakelowe, and Robert son of William de Blakelowe for a third of a virgate of land in Blakelowe as dower (of Agnes). The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to re-summon them for the Quindene of Easter. m. 89, dorso.

Staff. Felicia de Barre and Robert her son sued Walter de Aust for causing waste and destruction in the houses, gardens, woods, etc., at Alrewych (Aldridge), which they had demised to him for his life. Walter did not appear, and is to be attached for the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 55, dorso.

Staff. Richard de Duddelegh sued Walter le Fraunceys and Isolda his wife, and Joan and Cristiana, sisters of Isolda, for two acres in Lychefeld as his right and inheritance. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the land claimed into the King's hand, and to summon them for the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 52, dorso.

Staff. Edith formerly wife of Thomas de Chaveleye sued Thomas le Wodeward of Lychefeld and Sarah his wife for a messuage in Lychefeld. William and Sarah called to warranty John son of Adam Fynche, who is to be summoned for the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 35, dorso.

Staff. The Abbot of Cumbremere sued William de Bagenholt for half the manor of Bagenholt (Bagnall), which the said William held of him by certain service, and which should revert to him by the Statute, owing to William not having performed his service for two years, and he stated that the said William held of him half the manor by homage and fealty and the service of 6s. annually; and he had ceased to perform the service for two years before the issue of the writ, viz., 18th July, 26 E. I. William took exception to the writ because he did not hold the whole of the half manor, Margaret formerly wife of William de Bagenholt holding the third part of it, and William de Hancherch holding thirty acres of land, and Nicholas de Tykneshe holding twenty acres, and he appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 24, dorso.

Staff. Richerd atte Chircheyerd of Alrewiche had summoned William de Strangelford and Walter his brother, the custodes of the person and lands of William son of William de Alrewiche, to be present in Court and to produce the said heir to warrant to him the third part of a messuage and two crofts, eight acres and a half of land and an acre and a rood of meadow, which Lettice formerly wife of William de Alrewiche claimed as dower; and they did not appear, and had previously made default at Easter, and the Sheriff had been ordered to take into the King's hand land belonging to the heir to the value of the dower claimed, and to summon them for this term. And they did not appear. Richard is therefore to hold his land in peace, and the said Lettice is to be compensated from the land of the heir. m. 5, dorso.

Banco Roll. Easter, 27 E. I.

Leyc. Thomas de Stafford and Emma his wife withdrew their writ of dower against David de Fletewik. m. 1.

Staff. Ralph le Botiller and Alexander de Friville withdrew their writ respecting twelve acres of land in Northbury, against Jordan de Flosbrok, and another writ respecting ten acres in the same vill against Thomas de Burghton. m. 7.

Staff. John Trumwyne appealed Ralph Phoun of Lychefeld for the death of William son of Adam Trumwyne his brother. Ralph did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to arrest and produce him at the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 19.

Staff. Alice formerly wife of John son of William de Cherlton sued William son of John de Bromleye of Whytemore for a third of five acres in Bromleye and Whytemore; and she sued Walter son of Agnes de Trentham for a third of five acres in the same vill as her dower. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon them for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 22.

Staff. William de Rychere appeared against Hugh Vicar of the Church of Tyso in a plea that he should render to him a reasonable account for the time he was his bailiff in Coldenorton, Endon, Tyssington, Neuport, and Wychio. Hugh did not appear, and the Sheriff returned he was a Cleric and had no lay fee by which he could be attached. A mandate is therefore sent to the Bishop to produce him at the Octaves of St. Michael. m. 22.

Staff. Matilda formerly wife of Philip Burnel sued Ralph Springehose for a third of a messuage, four carucates of land, forty acres of meadow, eighty-two acres of wood, two hundred acres of pasture, and £10 of rent in Wolvernehampton. And she sued Robert Tromoyle for a third of two acres in the same vill as her dower. The defendants did not appear, and had previously made default, and the Sheriff had been ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand. And the Sheriff returned they held no land in Wulvernehampton, and it was testified they held land at the date the writ was sued out, viz., 24th day of September, 26 E. I. The Sheriff is therefore ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon them for the Octaves of Trinity.

The same Matilda sued Philip de Oldefalling for a third of an acre of land in the same vill as her dower, and he did not appear, and the land had been taken into the King's hand; and he had been summoned again and did not appear. She therefore recovers it by his default. m. 31.

Staff. Matilda formerly wife of Philip Burnel sued the following tenants in Wolverhampton for a third of their holdings in that vill as her dower, viz.:—

Richard son of Moyse of Waltham, for a third of two acres.

Geoffrey de Byleston, for a third of three acres.

William le Segersteyn, for a third of four acres.

John le Deye of Ettyngeshale, for a third of four acres.

John son of John le Taillur of Bileston, for a third of two acres.

Walter son of Richard Adam of Bileston, for a third of one acre.

Richard Godman, for a third of one acre.

Walter le Leche, for a third of two acres.

Richard le Neweman, for a third of one acre.

Peter Attechirchegate, for a third of two acres.

Adam de Covene, for a third of two acres.

Nicholas de Trescote for a third of six acres.

Richard de Ruston, for a third of one acre.

Clement de Wylenhale, for a third of two acres.

Henry de Prestwode, for a third of four acres.

Adam son of Adam Attemore, for a third of one acre.

John de Westerne, for a third of one acre.

Henry Attemore, for a third of one acre.

Geoffrey Attemore, for a third of one and a half acres.

William Attecheles, for a third of five acres.

Geoffrey Attehalle of Wylenhale, for a third of three and a half acres.

William Mitty of Wylenhale, for a third of one and a half acres.

Robert atte Pyrie, for a third of one acre.

Richard son of Nicholas atte Pyrie, for a third of one acre.

Agnes Attemere, for a third of one acre.

John de Mumjevie, for a third of one acre.

Richard and the other defendants appeared by attorney, and pleaded that Matilda had no right to the dower claimed, because a rent of £16 from the same tenements had been assigned to her for dower by the King, and as Matilda could not deny this, her suit is dismissed. m. 42.

Salop. The essoignor of Nicholas de Aldy theleye appeared against Edmund de Wasteneys in a plea that whereas the said Edmund had bound himself for a sum of £50 to remain in the service of the said Nicholas during the war between the King and the King of France, and to follow him (the said Nicholas) anywhere he might be sent during the war; and he having taken the money, although required to carry out the agreement, utterly refused to do so. Edmund did not appear, and is to be attached for the Quindene of Michaelmas. m. 63.

Staff. William son of Adam de Chetewynde appeared against Richard de Prestwode in a plea that he caused waste and destruction in houses and woods in Prestwode, which William had demised to him for term of his (Richard's) life. Richard did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce him at the Quindene of Michaelmas. A postscript adjourns the case again to the Quindene of Hillary. m. 105. (fn. 1)

Staff. Joan formerly wife of Roger de Cavereswell, the executrix of Roger de Cavereswell, together with her co-executors, viz., William Godfrey of Bylinton and Thomas de Bradelegh, Clerk, sued Henry de Cavereswell in a plea that he, together with Roger son of Henry de Cavereswell and James de Sewallefeld, on the Wednesday after the Feast of St. Bartholomew, 26 E. I., had taken vi et armis the goods of the defunct at Dulverne, viz., wheat and oats, to the value of 40s. Henry denied the trespass, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Quindene of St. John the Baptist. m. 110.

Wigorn. Thomas de Bermyngham appeared against Roger Barbast and the other executors of the will of William de Beauchamp formerly Earl of Warwick, custodians, together with Guy Earl of Warwick, and Matilda Countess of Warwick, their co-executors, of a portion of the lands of William son and heir of William de Bermyngham, in a plea that they should be present in Court this day to warrant to him together with Agnes formerly wife of Roger de Somery the custos of other lands of the said heir (to be summoned in Warwickshire), Oliver Bishop of Lincoln, custos of other lands of the said heir (to be summoned in co. Oxon), and Joan formerly wife of William de Valence, custos of other lands of the said heir (to be summoned in co. Bucks); the third part of the manor of Maydecote in co. Berks, and the third of a rent of 19s. in Bermyngham in co. Warwick, and the third of a rent of 6 marks in Morf, in co. Stafford, which Isabella formerly wife of William de Bermyngham claimed as dower. None of the custodians appeared, and the Sheriffs of the above counties are ordered to summon them again for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 118.

North. A writ superseding a Great Assize which Hugh de Mortimer had arraigned against Felicia formerly wife of Philip de Monte Gomery, respecting two parts of the manor of Whelton, and which Hugh claimed as his inheritance, giving the following pedigree from one William his ancestor, who was seised of it temp. Henry III. (fn. 2)

The King's writ states that Robert Burnel formerly Bishop of Bath and Wells had granted the manor to Philip de Monte Gomery and Felicia his wife, and to the issue of Felicia; and if Felicia should die s. p., to remain to Philip and the issue of his body, and if Philip should die s.p., to revert to the heirs of Robert. Felicia had a daughter Anne, who was under age and in ward to the King; and if the issue of Felicia should fail, the manor would revert to Edward son of Philip Burnel the kinsman and heir of Robert, who was also under age and in ward to the King. The Justices are therefore not to take the assize or proceed in any other manner which might be to the injury of the King's wards whilst they are under age. Dated 11th April, 27 E. I. m. 131.

Derb. The plea of dower of Agnes formerly wife of Oliver de Langeford (Longford) versus Nicholas son of Roger de Marchinton is adjourned to the morrow of St. John, on the prayer of the parties, and without essoin (prece partium sine essoniâ). m. 163.

Carta Regis facta Magistro Henrico de Bray. The King in consideration of a grant made to him by Henry de Bray of a messuage, sixteen virgates of land, sixteen acres of meadow, and 19s. of rent in Watford and Synelesworth, pardons him all debts, fines, amercements, etc., owing to the King for the time during which Henry held the office of Eschaeter citra Trent. Dated 25th May, 27 E. I. m. 172, dorso.

Ebor. Isabella formerly wife of Robert de Somerville appeared against Agnes formerly wife of Thomas Romund of Thirnom in a plea that she should give up to her Alan the son and heir of Thomas, whose wardship belongs to her in consequence of Thomas having held his land of her by military service. Agnes did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce her at a month from Michaelmas. m. 144, dorso.

Staff. The Sheriff had been ordered to record in full county the suit which was before the County Court by the King's writ between Swane le Fevre of Blythefeld and Hugh de Weston and others, respecting the unjust detention of the cattle of Swane, and regarding which the said Swane complained a false judgment had been delivered in the County Court, and to send the record into Court at this day under his seal, and by four lawful Knights of the County who were present at the record. And the Sheriff returned that he had recorded the suit, and had delivered it to four Knights, viz., Robert de Colton, Simon de Brusenhulle, Richard lord of Pyrye, and Warine de Penne, to convey it to the Court, and they did not appear. The Sheriff is therefore ordered to distrain and to produce the said Knights at three weeks from Michaelmas, in order to testify respecting the said record. m. 142, dorso.

Staff. Isabella formerly wife of Robert de Somerville sued Nicholas de Hulle of Abbotes Brenleye (sic, Abbots Bromley) for a third of a rent of 16s. in Neubold and Tunstall as her dower. Nicholas called to warranty Edmund son and heir of Robert de Somerville, who now appeared and prayed it might be shown why he ought to warrant her dower. And Nicholas produced a deed of Robert the father of Edmund, by which he enfeoffed the said Nicholas in a rent of £10 in Tunstall and Neubold for a space of eight years from the Feast of the Annunciation, 33 E. I., after which he was to render £15 annually; and he stated that Edmund was the heir of Robert, and the dower claimed was part of the rent of £10. Edmund then admitted the claim to warranty, and it was agreed that Isabella should receive the dower she claimed from land belonging to Edmund. m. 96, dorso.

Staff. Joan formerly wife of Roger de Caureswell sued William de Tillington of Bedenhale for a third of a messuage, and forty acres of land, ten acres of meadow, and 20s. of rent in Bedenhale; and she sued Margaret de la Dale of Billington for a third of a messuage, thirty acres of land, eight acres of meadow, and 10s. of rent in Billington as her dower. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand and to summon them for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 96, dorso.

Staff. Thomas Dorilod, Robert Dorilod, Sibilla sister of William de Hanlegh, and Julia Joudith were attached to answer the plea of John le Leche that, together with William de Hanlegh, Roger son of William de Draicote, Robert his brother, Hugh son of Richard de Stretton, and Richard Brun, they had taken vi et armis, viz., with swords and bows and arrows, his wheat and oats at Little Onne, on the Wednesday before the Feast of St. Bartholomew, 26 E. I. The defendants appeared and denied the trespass, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for three weeks from Michaelmas. m. 48, dorso.

Assizes taken at Stafford before Adam de Crokdayk and William Inge, Justices assigned, etc., in co. Stafford, on the Monday the Vigil of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary, 27 E. I. [7th September, 1299].

An assize, etc., if John Bagod of Bromleye, Hugh his brother, and Nicholas son of Edith, had unjustly disseised Hugh de Weston of an acre of land in Cromberleye.

John stated the land was in Bromley and not in Crumberley, and as Hugh could not deny this, the suit was dismissed. m. 1.

Felicia de Badenhale withdrew her writ of novel disseisin against Robert son of Robert Hastang respecting a tenement in Badenhale. Her sureties are in misericordiâ, viz., Thomas de Whytinton and William de Badenhale, Thomas had died. m. 1.

An assize, etc., if Henry de Bray, William le Ridere, Richard de Duffeld, Alan Norman of Boterdon ( ) son of Isabella de Calton, had unjustly disseised William de Wrottesleye, Benedict de Boterdon, and William Poutrel of twenty acres of heath in Boterdon (Butterton-on-the-Moors). Henry stated that he was capital lord of Boterdon, and the plaintiffs held their tenements of him, and the heath in question was part of the waste of the vill which belonged to the demesne, and he prayed judgment on the point whether as the said William, Benedict, and William showed no special title to the waste, an assize would lie for a part of it. And William, Benedict, and William stated that their ancestors held the entire manor of Boterdon, and which manor they now hold, and by reason of the manor they were seised of the said heath until Henry and the others named had disseised them. And Henry stated that in the time of King John, viz., in the fifth year of his reign, a fine was levied at Lichfield between one Henry de Deneston, complainant (whose status the said Henry de Bray now holds) and a certain William son of Eda, and Ingrith, who was sister of Eda, and Roger Poutrel and Margery his wife and Hawys de Waterfal, tenants of fourteen bovates of land in Boterdon of the freehold belonging formerly to Robert de Waterfall the father of the said Eda, Ingrith, Margery, and Hawise in the said vill, the ancestor of the said William, Benedict, and William, by which fine it was settled that the said William, Ingrith, and the others held and ought to hold the said tenements of the said Henry de Deneston; and he produced the fine in question, in which there was no mention of any manor but of bovates of land only, and he prayed judgment, etc.; and as the said William, Benedict, and William did not deny that they and their ancestors held their tenements in Boterdon of the said Henry de Deneston and his heirs, nor that they hold now of the said Henry de Bray, nor show any special title to the said waste which pertains to the capital demesne, it is considered that they should take nothing by this writ, and they are in misericordiâ for a false claim.

An assize, etc., if William de Stafford had unjustly disseised Richard son of Richard de Caureswelle of fourteen messuages, seven virgates of land, sixty acres of wood, two hundred acres of moor and heath, £12 of rent, a watermill, and half a water-mill in Dulverne (Dilhorne) and Flotesbrok (Forsbrook).

William stated that Richard de Caureswell the father of Richard, whose heir he is, held the tenements of him by military service, viz., for the service of half a Knight's fee of Mortein, and after his death he had taken the said tenements into his hand by reason of the minority of the said Richard son of Richard, and he claimed only the custody of them. Richard stated he was of full age, viz., twenty-one years, at the date that William took possession, and he appealed to a jury. The jury found that Richard was not yet of full age, and that the tenements were held of William by the service of half a Knight's fee. Richard is therefore in misericordiâ for a false claim; but his fine was remitted because he was under age. m. 1.

Henry son of William Herdenheved withdrew his writ of mord ancestor against Simon Crowe and Margaret his wife and others respecting a tenement in Kingesleye. m. 1.

Richard Gamel of Brerdon withdrew his writ of novel disseisin against William son of William de Hondesacre and others respecting a tenement in Hondesacre (Handsacre).

An assize, etc., if Henry son of Henry de Verdun had unjustly disseised the Prior of Stone of twelve acres of heath in Derlaston. Henry stated he held the capital demesne of Derlaston to which the said heath was appurtenant. The Prior stated that the vill of Derlaston was divided between the ancestor of Henry and two coparceners, and that the heath in dispute fell to the purparty of one of the co-parceners who had enfeoffed his predecessor in it, and he put himself upon the assize; and Richard de Verney one of the recognitors did not appear, and is in misericordiâ. The jury found in favour of the Prior, who is to recover seisin. m. 1.

An assize, etc., if William son of Roger de Caureswelle, Henry de Caureswelle, Roger son of Henry de Caureswelle, and John de Wotton had unjustly disseised Joan formerly wife of Roger de Caureswelle of four messuages, two virgates, and fifteen acres of land and ( ) of rent in Levedale, Stretton, and Brewode. Henry stated he only claimed a messuage and ten acres of the land, and denied he had done the plaintiff any injury. John de Wotton stated as regards one messuage he found his wife Margaret in possession when he married her, and he took exception to the writ as she was not named in it; and as regards the rest of the land, William son of Roger stated Joan had never been in seisin of it. The jury stated that John de Wotton had found his wife seised of one messuage, and as regards the residue that William son of Roger and Roger son of Henry had unjustly disseised the plaintiff. Joan is therefore to recover seisin, and 10s. as damages. m. 1.

Staff. An assize, etc., if William de Boweles and Robert his brother, Richard Serle, Simon son of Robert de Walsale, John de Walsale, John Gladwyn, Alan Lyne, Richard Coleman of Rushale, Paul de Medewey, Robert de Ortesey, and two others. had unjustly disseised John de Cave of a messuage, two carucates of land, twenty acres of meadow, forty acres of pasture, and two hundred acres of wood in Rusale (Rushall).

William de Boweles answered as tenant, and pleaded that John never was seised of the tenements. The jury state that William and the other defendants with the exception of Robert de Ortesey had unjustly disseised John of the tenements vi et armis. John is therefore to recover seisin, and his damages are taxed at 40s. The Sheriff is ordered to arrest all the defendants with the exception of Robert de Ortesey. m. 1, dorso.

An assize, etc., if Thomas de Crombrugge, John de Flamstede, John de Bromeshull, and three others, had unjustly disseised Robert son of Thomas de Combrugge of a messuage and sixty and ten acres of land and six acres of meadow in Combrugge. John de Flamstede answered as tenant and stated he had entered by the said Thomas, and the others said nothing against the assize. The jury state that the said Thomas had unjustly disseised Robert of the tenements, but that the other defendants had done him no injury. Robert is therefore to recover seisin, and his damages are taxed at two marks. m. 1, dorso.

An assize, etc., if William Wyther and Agnes his wife, John son of William de Ipstones, Robert de Bromlegh, Roger de Pycheford, Richard his son, Thomas de la Hyde, Thomas his son, Ralph Strech, Magister John de Weston, Peter de Jonestone and Roes his wife, Richard Crambel and Pavia his wife, Robert de Swynesclo, Stephen de Bromlegh, Thomas de Hibernia, (Ireland), and Walter Caghelegh had unjustly disseised Richard de Brunton of common of pasture in forty acres of heath and ten acres of wood in Blumenhulle (Blymhill), in which he used to common for all the year, with all manner of beasts (left unfinished). m. 1, dorso.

An assize, etc., if Adam de Blorton, Chaplain, and Robert de Blorton, had unjustly disseised Adam Wygar of half a messuage in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Robert answered as tenant, and stated he held the tenement conjointly with Joan his wife, who was not named in the writ, by the feoffment of the said Adam de Blorton; and as Adam Wygar could not deny this, the suit was dismissed. m. 2

Reginald Schirlok withdrew his writ of novel disseisin against Magister Alan le Bretun and others respecting a tenement in Whytinton. m. 2.

An assize, etc., if Robert de Leghes and William del Hurst had unjustly disseised Geoffrey son of Sampson de Legh of two parts of a messuage and sixteen acres of land in Leghe near Chetelton. William answered as tenant, and stated he had entry by Robert, and that Geoffrey never was seised of the tenement. The jury found in favour of the defendants. John de Casterne, Roger de Hales in Denstone, William Phelippe, Hugh de Dokeseye, Simon Pare of Fotesbrok, Robert de la Mere, William de Tettesworth, Robert son of Stephen de le Brodeok, recognitors, never appeared, and are in misericordiâ. m. 2.

An assize, etc., if Gilbert de Aston had unjustly disseised Thomas de Aston of a messuage and two carucates of land in Aston, Burghston, and Stoke near Stanes. Gilbert pleaded that Thomas never was in seisin of the tenement, and the jury found in his favour. Thomas is in misericordiâ for a false claim. John de Whitemor, one of the recognitors, never appeared, and is fined xxd. m. 2.

An assize, etc., if Adam de Bromhale and Lettice his wife, John son of Richard de Woure, Richard Broun of Stretton, Hugh his brother, and Roger son of William de Draycote had unjustly disseised John de Bromhale of a messuage, three acres of meadow, four acres of moor and wood, and half a virgate of land in Bromhale. Adam and Lettice took exception to the writ on the ground that Bromhale was not a vill nor a hamlet, and also pleaded that they had entered by a feoffment made to them by John. The jury say that Bromhale is a hamlet, and that the said John had enfeoffed Adam and Lettice by a deed; but it was agreed between the parties that they should have seisin for forty days, after which John was to come back and retain possession for his lifetime as lord, and Adam and Lettice as his servants as it were (tanquam ejus servientes); and that John had come back under this agreement and remained in the tenement from the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist until the following feast of the Annunciation, when disputes arose between them because John sold six oxen and two cows he had received as a gift of the said John son of Richard de Woure, and John had then expelled the said Adam and Lettice, who, with the assistance of John son of Richard and the others had then ejected John, and they say that the deed was made with the above condition, and that Adam had burnt it. Verdict for John de Bromhale, who is to recover seisin, and 20s. as damages. m. 2.

An assize, etc., if Stephen, the Parson of the Church of Swynnerton, had unjustly disseised Roger son of Roger de Swynnerton of seventeen acres of land in Acton near Whitemor. Stephen stated the tenement in question contained only ten acres, and that Roger the father of Roger had held the tenement of the Baron of Stafford by military service, and the Baron after the death of Roger had taken it into his hand by reason of the minority of the said Roger son of Roger, and had demised the custody of it to him, the said Stephen, until the lawful age of the said Roger son of Roger. Roger stated he had entered into the tenement after the death of his father, and had held it until he had been unjustly disseised of his own house (de mansurâ suâ propriâ) by the said Stephen.

The jury say that Joan the mother of the said Roger son of Roger had entered into the said tenement after the death of his father in the name of Roger, and held it for a year, when Stephen took possession; and that the said Baron after the death of Roger had set up no claim to the tenement by reason of wardship, nor in any other manner. Roger is therefore to recover seisin of the ten acres which Stephen admitted he had taken possession of; and his damages are taxed at half a mark. m. 2.

Staff. An assize, etc., if Richard son of Richard Freman, the brother of Amice wife of Alan son of Adam de Scatculne (Chatcull), and of Edith the sister of Amice, was seised as of fee, etc., when he died, of a messuage and eleven acres of land and half an acre of meadow in Oldenton near Stone, and of which Henry son of Edith and Richard le Ro hold a messuage and eight acres, and Nicholas Spandray three acres and half an acre of meadow. Adjourned for a view of the land. m. 2, dorso.

An assize, etc., if Robert son of Thomas de Chatculne, and Agnes daughter of the said Robert, and Henry son of Adam and Felise his wife, had unjustly disseised Margaret daughter of Robert son of Thomas de Chatculne of half a messuage in Etokeshale (Eccleshale). The jury say that Robert son of Thomas had disseised Margaret as stated, but that Agnes had done her no injury. Margaret is therefore to recover seisin, and 2s. as damages. m. 2, dorso.

Staff. An assize, etc., if Ralph de Wevereston had unjustly disseised John de Brewode and Margaret his wife of an acre of land in Brewode. Ralph pleaded the tenement was in Covene and not in Brewode; and further that the plaintiff had never been in seisin of it. The jury stated the tenement was in Coven, and the suit was dismissed. m. 3.

An assize, etc., if Thomas Corbet, John Serche, and Robert Gaunsil had unjustly disseised Ralph de Roucestre of an acre of land in Alveton. Thomas pleaded he was Sheriff of the County, and had put Robert Gaunsil into possession by the King's writ, of an acre of land in Alveton, which he had recovered against Nicholas Bradeheved, and that John was his bailiff who had acted for him.

The jury say that the said Robert Gaunsil had brought a writ against Nicholas Bradeheved (Broadhead) respecting the said tenement, and which the said Ralph had demised to him for a term of years; and whilst the case was pending in the King's Court, Nicholas had reconveyed the tenement to the said Ralph, and Robert had afterwards recovered seisin of it against Nicholas by the default of the latter; and the said Thomas and his bailiff John in order to put him into seisin of it by the King's writ, had removed the said Ralph from it. And as it was found by the Assize that the said John and Robert had disseised Ralph of the tenement as stated, it is considered that Ralph should recover seisin, and his damages are taxed at 2s. Robert and John are in misericordiâ, and Ralph is in misericordiâ for a false claim against Thomas the Sheriff. m. 3.

An assize, etc., if William le Hunte of Honeford and Agnes his wife, William Jouet and Agnes his wife, Richard Griffyn and Simon his son, Richard le Knave and Margaret his wife, Margaret formerly wife of John Lenton and Agnes her daughter, and four others, had unjustly disseised the Prior of Trentham of eighty acres of heath and moor in Trentham. The defendants denied any injury to the Prior, and stated that Thomas Earl of Lancaster held the tenement at the date that the Prior had sued out his writ, viz., 21st June, 26 E. I., and that the tenement was not in Trentham but in Honeford (Hanford); also that one Roger de Honefort held the tenement together with William le Hunte and the other defendants, and he was not named in the writ. And if these exceptions to the writ are not valid, they pleaded that the Prior never was in seisin of the tenement. The suit was adjourned through defect both of recognitors and claimants. John Coyne one of the recognitors, who never appeared, is in misericordiâ. m. 3.

An assize, etc., if John de Asshmerebrok, Henry de Stocton, Richard Cardun, and Adam le Clerk of Ruggele, had unjustly disseised William Othehill of Lychefeld of common of pasture in nine acres of land in Great Pype. Henry de Stocton answered for all as bailiff, and stated that Richard held no part of the land, that he himself held four acres, and John held two acres, and Adam held two acres, and that Roger formerly Bishop of Coventry and Lychfeld, the lord of the soil, had enfeoffed them with power of approvement, and that William had sufficient pasturage elsewhere. The jury found in favour of the defendants. Geoffrey de Greseleye, William de Statculne (Chatcull), Hugh de Chaveldon, and Robert Gervayse, recognitors, who did not appear, are in misericordiâ. m. 3.

An assize, etc., if Robert Poun, Robert de Pype, Knight, Peter de Colecestre, Henry de Alrewas, Henry Michel, William de Freford, Thomas de Hilton, Richard Attewelle. Reginald Shirelok, William le Taverner, Nicholas Savage, John Finch, Reginald le Rus of Longedene, Peter son of Peter de Colecestre, John de Sheynton, William de Cleydon, and John le Forester of La Burne, had unjustly disseised Ralph Poun of Lychefeld of a messuage and twentysix acres of land, three acres of meadow, and a mill in Lychefeld. Robert Poun as tenant and bailiff of Peter de Colecestre, answered for all the defendants, and stated that Robert de Pype and the other defendants made no claim to the tenements, and had inflicted no injury to Ralph, and that he held the tenements conjointly with one Joan his wife, who was not named in the writ, and he produced a deed which testified to this. As Ralph could not contradict this, the suit was dismissed. m. 3, dorso.

An assize, etc., if Thomas Prior of Ronton, Walter de Evesham and Brother Warine de Ichynton had unjustly disseised Magister Richard de Colleshulle of a corrodium of meat and drink, viz., for himself as for a Canon, and for a groom, as for a groom of the Prior, and for a palfrey as of the Prior and a chamber for himself for life. The defendants stated that Magister Richard was in seisin of the corrodium if he chose to demand it, but he had voluntarily quitted the Priory owing to a quarrel with Brother Warine. The jury stated that Brother Warine had disseised the plaintiff as he stated, and they taxed his damages at 1 mark. m. 3, dorso.

An assize, etc., if Henry de Verdun of Serlaston (sic, Darlaston) had unjustly disseised Hervey Underwode of Derlaston of reasonable estover in twenty acres of heath and jennet (broom) for burning and for enclosure of his hedges in Derlaston. Henry stated that Hervey never was seised of the estovers claimed, and appealed to a jury. The jury state that Hervey was seised of estovers until the Prior of Stanes had recovered twelve acres out of the twenty by a writ. It is therefore considered that Hervey should recover his estovers in eight acres, and he is to sue the Prior for estovers in the remainder if he chooses. John de Wytemore, Nicholas de Thycknes, and Nicholas Meverel, recognitors, did not appear, and are in misericordiâ. (The word eger is written above the name of Nicholas Meverel.)

An assize, etc., if Thomas de la Hulton and Thomas de la Sale of Stichebrok and Felicia his wife, had unjustly disseised William de Cleydon of two acres in Stychebrok. Thomas de Hulton stated he made no claim to the land, and that John de la Sale the father of Thomas died seised of it, and after his death Thomas had entered as son and heir. William acknowledged that he had entered as son and heir, but stated that Thomas de la Sale had enfeoffed Thomas de Hulton of the tenement, and Thomas had enfeoffed him (William) by a deed which he produced, and he had been in seisin of it until ejected by Thomas and the others.

The jury say that William never was seised of the tenement, and he is therefore in misericordiâ for a false claim. m. 3, dorso.

An assize, etc., if Richard Prior of Trentham, John de Colton, John de Derlaxton, Canon of the said House, and Richard Cutfox of Blorton, had unjustly disseised John son of Geoffrey de Cokenage of forty acres of wood and pasture in Cokenage.

The Prior stated that John son of Geoffrey never held anything in the wood but common of pasture, and that if it was held otherwise, he pleaded that he held conjointly with Margaret his wife, who was not named in the writ. Adjourned to the Thursday after the Feast of St. Valentine. m 3, dorso.

Essoins taken at Stafford before the same Justices on Monday the Vigil of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary, 27 E. I.

Extracts.

Staff. Robert son of Hugh de Borweston (Burston) and Roysia his wife versus William de Stafford, in a plea of mort d'ancestor by John son of William.

Peter Seman and Margaret his wife in the same by William son of John.

Joan de Venables in the same by Henry Jordan.

The Prior of Stone in the same by Geoffrey Cok.

Emma la Marechale in the same by William Hamond.

Robert le Marechal in the same by Henry Bek.

Gilbert son of Geoffrey de Aston in the same by William de Weston.

Staff. Nicholas de Mercington versus William ( . . . ) in a plea of mort d'ancestor by Adam Polle.

Ralph de Monjoye in the same by ( . . . . ).

Isolda wife of Ralph in the same by Adam ( . . . . ).

John de Grondon in the same by Robert Grenne.

Thomas Meverel in the same by Adam Pye.

Nicholas Meverel in the same by Robert Fat.

John le Sweyn in the same by Adam Cut.

Stephen de Sondon in the same by Adam Put.

Staff. Margaret de Coven versus William de Penne, William son of Richard de Gorscote, William son of Alan, and Richard de Horreye, in a plea of novel disseisin by Henry Fox.

Staff. Roger de Rideware, Chaplain, versus Thomas son of Walter de Rideware Hamstal, Thomas de Arderne and Elena his wife, Thomas Halfsweyn, Thomas le Archer, Simon le Marchaund, Robert son of Henry de Colton, Ralph Griffin of Colton, and thirty others named, in a plea of novel disseisin by John Cut.

Banco Roll, Michaelmas, 27 E. I.

(Apud Ebor.)

Staff. The suit of John de Cokenage versus the Prior of Trentham for cutting down his trees at Cokenage is dismissed, John not appearing to prosecute it. m. 6.

Staff. Edmund de Stafford sued Henry de Harecurt and Alianora his wife for one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bradelegh near Stafford as his right and inheritance, and in which Henry and Alianora had no entry except by William son of Robert de Caverswelle, to whom William de Caureswelle had demised the land, and who had unjustly disseised Robert de Stafford the grandfather of Edmund of it; and he stated that Robert his grandfather held the said tenements in peace, temp. H. III., and from Robert the right descended to one Nicholas as his son and heir, and from Nicholas to Edmund as son and heir, who now sues.

Henry and Alianora stated that Robert the grandfather of Edmund had given to the said William de Caureswell all his land in Littewood and Littimore to be held by William and his heirs and assigns, and they produced the deed of Robert to that effect, and they stated that the lands in question were included in this deed, and they were the assigns of the said William.

And Edmund being asked by the Justices if the above deed had been executed by his grandfather Robert, declined to answer, but said that William had unjustly disseised his grandfather of the tenements, which he was prepared to prove. Henry and Alianora appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 10.

Staff. William Griffyn and Alianora his wife sued John Griffyn of Colton for causing waste and destruction in the houses, woods, etc., in Colton, which they had demised to him for his life. John did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to attach him for the Octaves of Hillary. A postscript further adjourns the suit till Trinity term. m. 24.

Staff. Philip de Chetewynd sued the Prior of St. Thomas the Martyr near Stafford for sixty-two acres of meadow in Abbeton (Apeton) near Gnoussale, in which the Prior had no entry except by an unjust disseisin which Ralph de Mutton had made of Ralph son of Adam de Mutton the grandfather of the said Philip de Chetewynde, whose heir he is; and he stated that one Ralph his grandfather was seised of the said tenements as of fee, etc., in the time of King Henry the King's father, and from Ralph the right descended to one Isabella his daughter and heir, and from Isabella to Philip who now sues, as her son and heir. The Prior prayed a view, and the suit was adjourned to the Quindene of Hillary. m. 34.

Staff. Robert son of Walter de Burton and Agnes his wife sued Henry le Verdun, Philip de Blakelawe, and Robert son of William de Blakelawe, for a third of a messuage and half a virgate of land in Blakelawe as the dower of Agnes by the dotation of William her first husband. Henry and Philip stated they held nothing in the land, and Robert stated that Agnes was in seisin of her dower by an assignment made by Henry the chief lord whilst Robert was under age and in ward. Robert and Agnes denied this, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 34.

Staff. Henry Fleting of Daddeslegh sued William fitz Philip of Thene, Robert Machen, and Walter son of Ralph de Thene for insulting, illtreating, and imprisoning him at Thene, and taking his chattels to the value of £10. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce them at the Quindene of Hillary. m. 50.

Staff. The Sheriff had been ordered to arrest Richard de Stratton, Knight, and to keep him in safe custody till he had paid Andoen de MonteGomery, Clerk, a sum of 6 marks which he had acknowledged to owe to him; and the Sheriff returned that Richard was dead. He was therefore ordered to hand over to the said Andoen the goods and chattels of the said Richard according to statute. m. 94.

Staff. Joan formerly wife of Roger de Cavereswelle recovers a third of three messuages, two virgates and sixty acres of land, twenty acres of meadow, and four acres of wood in Billinton, Leyes, Dunston, Levedale, Stretton, and Bedenhale as her dower, by default of William son of Roger de Cavereswelle. m. 101.

Staff. William Trussel of Cubelesdon sued Roger de Aston to give up to him the custody of the land and the heir of Roger de Waleton, who had held his land of him by military service. Roger did not appear, and is to be attached for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 111.

Warw. Richard de Farndon sued Magister Henry de Bray for 20 marks owing to him under an obligatory deed by which Henry had bound himself to provide the equipment of Michael if he assumed the religious habit of the Hospitallers, and he produced the deed of Henry in these words:—

Universis, etc., me Henricum de Bray pro me et heredibus meis tenuri Michaeli filio domini Thome de Farendon, cum idem Michael religionem Hospitalarem ingredi voluerit, ipsorum habitum assumendo in viginti marcis sterlingorum ad equitaturam suam et alia necessaria sua inde providendum, vel ad inveniendum eidem Michaeli, etc., rationabilem equitaturam, etc. Henry acknowledged the deed and could not contest the debt; it is therefore considered that the said Michael should recover from Henry the said debt, and 40s. as damages. m. 117.

Staff. Ralph de Rolleston and Lucy his wife appeared against Richard son and heir of Robert de Ettewell in a plea that he should warrant to them the third part of six acres of land in Rolleston which Hawyse formerly wife of Robert de Ettewell claimed as dower. Richard did not appear, and the dower claimed had been taken into the King's hand, and Richard again made default. Ralph and Lucy are therefore to hold their land in peace, and Hawyse is to be compensated from land belonging to Richard. m. 126.

Staff. William Engessone of Rossinton and Matilda his wife sued Benedict de Botyrdon the custos of the land and of the heir of Thomas de Hudlesdale, for the third of three messuages, forty acres of land, and ten acres of meadow in Hudlesdale as the dower of Matilda of the dotation of Thomas de Hudlesdale her first husband. Benedict denied that he was the custos of the land and heir on the date the writ was sued out, viz., 7th May, 27 E. I., and the plaintiffs appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Quindene of Hillary. m. 113.

Staff. Hawyse formerly wife of Robert de Ettewelle recovers the dower she claimed in Rolleston against Richard the elder son of Robert de Ettewell, and Richard the younger son of Robert de Ettewelle, by the default of the defendants. m. 142.

Staff. The suit of Cecilia formerly wife of Roger de Narudale for dower in Narudale (Narrowdale), versus Thomas de Pencrich, is dismissed, Cecilia not appearing. m. 178.

Staff. John Swayn of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Avice his wife appeared against Edmund son of Robert de Somerville in a plea that he should carry out a covenant made between the said Avice and Robert de Somerville, the father of Edmund, respecting a rent of £16 in Benton and Kelingworth in co. Northumberland. Edmund did not appear, and is to be attached for the morrow of the Purification. m. 192.

Staff. Joan formerly wife of John de Brok sued William de Miravalle for a third of a messuage and six acres of land in Hildreston; and she sued John son of Hugh de Draycote for a third of a messuage and eight acres in Fulford, and William son of Hugh de Draycote for third of a messuage and ten acres of land in the same vill as her dower. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand and to summon them for the Quindene of Hillary. m. 254.

Derb. The Coroners for the County were ordered to diligently make inquiry after Alan son and heir of Robert de Ocovere of Westbroghton, who was under age and whose marriage belongs to William Wyther, and whom John son of John de Bentleye had abducted from Lychefeld in co. Stafford, and if they should find him to keep him in safe custody and to bring him into Court on this day; and the Coroners returned they could not find him, and it was testified that he was with Ralph de Shyrleye the Sheriff of the County. The Coroners are therefore commanded (as before) to produce the heir at five weeks from Easter. m. 321.

Salop. Thomas de la Hyde and Isolda his wife, executors of the will of Geoffrey le Orfevre of Lodelowe, sued Roger Lestraunge for £52 owing to them. Roger did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce him at the Octaves of the Purification. m. 336.

Staff. A jury came to make recognition if four messuages and six bovates of land in Lek were the free alms of the Church of the Abbot of Deulacresse, Parson of the Church of Lek, or the lay fee of Ralph de Rodyerd, Alice formerly wife of Richard de Rodyerd, Henry de Rodyerd, William son of Alan, and Alice formerly wife of Alan de Bothes, and of which Ralph holds a messuage and two parts of four bovates, and Alice formerly wife of Richard holds a messuage and the third part of four bovates, and Henry holds a messuage and a bovate of land, and William holds two parts of a messuage and of a bovate of land, and Alice formerly wife of Alan holds the third part of a messuage and of a bovate of land. The Abbot stated that Ralph his predecessor was seised of the tenements in fee in the time of King John. Ralph answered for himself and Alice formerly wife of Richard, and pleaded the land was in Rodyerd and not in Lek; but if it should be found to be in Lek, he stated it was a lay fee and not free alms of the said Church, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for three weeks from Easter.

And Henry called to warranty the said Ralph; and William answered for Alice formerly wife of Alan, who held her land in dower of his inheritance, and called to warranty the said Ralph, who is to appear at the same date. m. 241, dorso.

Staff. The suit of Robert Gaunsile versus the Abbot of Crokesdene for four bovates of land in Dogge Chedle (Cheadle) is dismissed, Robert not appearing. m. 149, dorso.

Staff. Richard le Foun the executor of the will of Joan formerly wife of William de Cavereswell, appeared against Theobald de Verdoun in a plea that whereas he had demised by a deed to William de Cavereswell a messuage, a mill, a carucate of land, four acres of meadow, thirty acres of moor, and £10 of rent in Athelaxton (Ellaston) for the life of William, and if he should die within a term of twenty-four years, William should have the power to demise it till the end of the said term, and the said William by his last will had left the same tenements to the said Joan, and she being in peaceful seisin of them, had left them in her last will to the said Richard to hold to the end of the term, for the execution of her will, the said Theobald immediately after the death of Joan and within the term aforesaid had intruded himself, to the grievous damage of the said Richard and to the retarding of the execution of her will. Theobald did not appear, and is to be attached for the Quindene of Hillary. m. 116, dorso.

Staff. Joan formerly wife of Roger de Cavereswelle sued Robert son of Robert de Cavereswelle for a third of a messuage and ten acres of land in Levedale as her dower. Robert appeared by his custos and prayed a view. Adjourned to the Octaves of Hillary. m. 94, dorso.

Staff. The same Joan recovers a third of a messuage in Bylington versus Margaret de la Dale of Bylington as her dower, by default of Margaret. m. 91, dorso.

Warw. Ela formerly wife of William de Oddingeseles sued Ralph de Whyteleye of Solihul for a third of a messuage and twenty-five acres of land in Solyhull as her dower; and Ralph called to warranty John de Clynton and Ida his wife, Peter de Bermyngham and Alice his wife, Morice de Kaunton and Ela his wife, and John de Gray and Margaret his wife, because the said women were the daughters and heirs of William de Oddingseles; and John de Clynton and Ida appeared and stated that the said Peter had no wife named Alice, nor had Morice a wife named Ela, but that Peter had Ela to wife and Morice had Alice. Ralph denied this, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Quindene of Hillary. A postscript shows adjournments to Trinity term, 28 E I. m. 61, dorso.

Staff. Philip de Chetewynde recovers ten acres of land in Albeton (Apeton), near Gnousale, from Philip son of Philip de Mutton through default of the latter. m. 21, dorso.

Staff. William de Westwode and Agnes his wife sued William son of James de Esing and Richard brother of William, for a messuage in Lek, and they sued Margaret de Rudeyerd for an acre in the same vill, as their right, etc. The defendants called to warranty Ralph son of Richard de Rudeyerd, who is to be summoned for the Octaves of Hillary. A postscript shows adjournments to Trinity, 28 E. I. m. 10, dorso.