1576
26 February, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at the Stronde co.
Midd. on the said day, Thomas Bacon late of London yoman stole
two rapiers worth twelve shillings and sixpence, a sword called "a
three-edged swoorde" worth five shillings, another sword worth two
shillings and sixpence, "et vnum alium gladium de ferro et calibe
vocat' A Woodknyff blade" worth five shillings, and a knife worth
sixpence, of the goods and chattels of William Sellwoode at Stronde.
Putting himself 'Guilty,' Thomas Bacon was sentenced to be hung.
G. D. R., 4 April, 18 Eliz.
7 March, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day and
divers other days, Adam Chatterton of London inholder threw dung
on the highway of the parish of St. Pancrace at Kentishtowne.
G. S. P. R., Easter, 18 Eliz.
9 March, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Barnard
Randolph esq. J.P., of Thomas Gregorie of the parish of Box co.
Wilts. fremason, in the sum of forty pounds, and of George Prise
gentleman and William Hayes yoman, both of the parish of St.
Katherine, near the Tower of London, in the sum of twenty pounds
each: For the said Thomas Gregorie's appearance at the next Gaol
Delivery for Midd., he being "suspected to be privie to the robrye of
Albane Stepneth of Pembrokeshire esquyer." G. D. R, 4 April, 18 Eliz.
20 March, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day at
Ruyslippe co. Midd., Arthur Reynoldes husbandman, Robert Batte
yoman, Edward Bennett yoman, Richard Gadberrie husbandman,
John Murdoxe husbandman, all of Ruyslippe aforesaid, Thomas Darcye
of Woxbridge yoman, and William Davye taylor, Roger Okeley yoman,
Thomas Harker husbandman, Thomas Kerton harnismaker, Gybbens
Alkyns husbandman, William Rayner husbandman, and Richard
Parsonne husbandman, all seven of Woxbridge aforesaid, with unknown
malefactors to the number of a hundred, assembled themselves unlawfully and played a certain unlawful game, called footeball, by reason of
which unlawful game there rose amongst them a great affray, likely to
result in homicides and serious accidents. G. S. P. R, Easter, 18 Eliz.
26 March, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day and
divers other days, John Varneham of Westminster co. Midd. gardener
enclosed a piece of the highway, near the place called Pettie Fraunce
in Tuttell street in the said city. G. S. P. R, Easter, 18 Eliz.
29 March, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Westminster on the
said day, William Fann late of London yoman stole a black woollencloth gown called "an olde scollers gowne," worth eleven pence, of
the goods and chattels of John Maister at Westminster. Putting himself 'Guilty,' William Fann was sentenced to be whipt in Brydewell
(Po se cul ca null' et cons est qd. flagelletur in Brydewell). G. D. R.,
4 April, 18 Eliz.
1 April, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Pyckthatche in the
liberty of Fynnesbury co. Midd., the highway is foul and 'lutosa,' by
reason of the rain-water falling from certain houses built by Humfrey
Toye of London stacioner, which water cannot flow away, for want of
the watercourse, which the said Humfrey ought to make by reason of
his tenure of the said houses. G. S. P. R, Easter, 18 Eliz.
3 April, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day, Humfrey
Toye of London stacioner, built certain houses at Pykthatche within
the liberty of Fynnesbury co. Midd., and thereby encroached on the
highway, by thirty yards in length and one foot and half-a-foot in
breadth. G. S. P. R., Easter, 18 Eliz.
3 April, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Sir Owin
Hopton knt., lieutenant of the Tower of London and J.P., of John
Hall yoman and William Ward yoman, both of the parish of St.
Katherine, in the sum of five pounds each, and of Bartram Bewicke of
Newcasell navigator, in the sum of ten pounds; For the said Bartram
Bewicke's appearance at the next General Session of the Peace, and in
the mean time for his peaceful bearing to all people, and more especially
towards John Valentine. G. S. P. R., Easter, 18 Eliz.
25 April, 18 Elizabeth.—Coroner's Inquisition-post-mortem, taken
at St. Clement's-Danes without the barrs of the New Temple co. Midd.,
on view of the body of Francis Turner late of the said parish yoman,
there lying dead: With Verdict that, on the 24th instant, the said
Francis Turner and a certain John Williams alias Williamson late of
London yoman, and a certain Marmaduke Glover late of London
gentleman, were together at the dwelling-house of Thomas Wryght
within the said parish, when divers insulting words were exchanged
between Francis Turner and John Williams, whereupon Francis
Turner rose from table, and went out of the said house into the open
space near Lyons Inne in the same parish, whither he was speedily
followed by John Williams and Marmaduke Glover, who accompanied
him to St. Clement's Feildes in the same parish, where John Williams
and Francis Turner fought together: And that in the affray so fought
John Williams slew and murdered Francis Turner, by giving him with
a sword a mortal blow on his left arm, of which he died within half-anhour: And That Marmaduke Glover abetted, aided and encouraged
the said John Williams to commit the same murder. On his arraignment, putting himself 'Not Guilty' of murder, but 'Guilty' of manslaughter, John Williams asked for the book, read like a clerk, and
was delivered according to the form of the statute. G. D. R., 2 Aug.,
18 Eliz.
4 May, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Barnard
Randolph esq. J.P., of Geoffrey Penington of Wygom co. Lancaster
gentleman, in the sum of twenty pounds, and of George Leight of the
parish of St. Foster, London, gouldsmythe, and Robert Shawe of the
parish of St. Gregory in London marchent-taylour, in the sum of ten
pounds each; For the said Geoffrey Pennington's appearance at the
next General Session of the Peace to be held for the co. of Midd.
after the feast of next Michaelmas, and in the mean time for his
peaceful bearing towards all people, and more especially towards Henry
Fryerson. G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 18 Eliz.
6 May, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Osterley in the parish of
Heston co. Midd. on the said day about ten p.m., Joan Eyer wife of
Nicholas Eyer of Heston aforesaid husbandman, and Mary Harrys
of the same parish spinster, broke into a certain park, enclosed with
pales and posts for the preservation of deer and other animals of Sir
Thomas Gresham knt. (the said Queen Elizabeth with divers great and
honourable persons of her Privy Council, and many other exalted men
and servants of the same Queen, in attendance there on the same Lady
the Queen, being then in the mansion-house of the same Sir Thomas
Gresham knt., called Osterley Parke House within the said park in
Heston) and "cum vangis, ligonibus, fustibus et securibus" tore up
and threw down four rods (rodas) of the posts and pales of the same
Thomas Gresham, which posts and pales, so torn up and thrown down,
the said Joan and Mary on 7 May 18 Eliz., about the second and
third hours of the morning (in Aurora ante meridiem ejusdem diei),
maliciously, diabolically and wickedly burnt and consumed with fire,
to the very great disquiet and disturbance of the said Lady the Queen,
and of the magnates and honourable men, and the exalted men and
servants of the same Queen.—Also, on the same file, another True
Bill touching the same affair and setting forth that Joan Eyer of
Heston co. Midd., Mary Harrys spinster, Isotta Bull spinster, Lucy
Saunders spynster, Margaret Wynge wife of Henry Wynge laborer,
Margery Hughes wife of Nicholas Hughes laborer, Joan Bull widow,
all being of Heston aforesaid with unknown disturbers of the Peace,
to the number of twenty persons, at the command and instigation of
George Lenton taylor and Nicholas Hewes husbandman, both of
Heston aforesaid, on the 7th day of May 18 Elizabeth, with staves, twopronged forks, spades and axes at Osterley Park (the said Queen being
then there at Osterley House, with divers of the magnates and
honourable men of Her Privy Council), "quoddam fossatum ejusdem
Thome Gresham militis et per ipsum antea factum . . . . . .
foderunt, everterunt et plane jacere fecerunt et cansaverunt ad grave
(? damnum) et prejudicium ipsius Thome Gresham militis."—Appearing in one of the lightest of the fragmentary Rolls, these two notable
indictments come to us under circumstances causing uncertainty as to
the date and locality of the Session at which they were taken; but they
were probably taken at the Session of the Peace held at Fynnesburye
co. Midd. on 18 June 18 Eliz. before John Southcott (Justic' dne
Regine ad placita coram ipsa tenenda), Sir Owen Hopton knt., William
Fletewood esq. and Recorder of London, Jasper Fyssher, Barnard
Randolph and Thomas Bygate esquires, Justices of the Peace, and
adjourned "vsque xix diem dicti mensis Junii apud le Castell in Seint
Johns Strete in com. p'd'co', ad quos diem et locum Juratores predicti
exact' venerunt coram prefato Jaspero Fyssher, Barnardo Randolph,
Toma Bygate et Georgio . . . ." S. P. R., . . . .,18 Eliz.
7 May, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day at Milende
co. Midd., Thomas Leman and Henry Whyteakers, stole and carried off
twelve sheep, worth three pounds, of the goods and chattels of William
Hamon. Of each prisoner it is recorded, "Po se cul ca null' petit
librum legit ut clericus et deliberatur juxta formam statuti &c."
G. D. R., 19 June, 18 Eliz.
17 May, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Hendon co. Midd. on
the said day, Robert Androwes late of London laborer, stole a purse
worth a half-penny, and six shillings and four pence being in the same
purse, of the goods, chattels and moneys of Robert Bonyon. Putting
himself 'Guilty,' Robert Androwes was sentenced to be hung.
G. D. R., 19 June, 18 Eliz.
23 May, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Awsterley co. Midd. on
the said day, Andrew Robynson late of London yoman stole a parcelgilt silver dish, worth four pounds, of the goods and chattels of Robert,
Earl of Leicester. Putting himself 'Guilty,' Andrew Robynson asked
for the book, read it like a clerk, and was delivered according to the
form of the statute &c. G. D. R., 19 June, 18 Eliz.
24 May, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Jasper
Fyssher, esq. J.P., of Francis Thorresby of London gentleman, and
Sampson Lenard of Senock co. Kent gentleman, in the sum of twenty
pounds each; For the appearance of Dorothy Parkyns, wife of Henry
Parkyns of London gentleman, at the next Gaol Delivery. G. D. R.,
19 June, 18 Eliz.
15 June, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Barnard
Randolph esq. J.P., of Tymothy Penury of the parish of St. Martinin-the-Fields writer (scriptor) in the sum of twenty pounds, and of
Walter Weekes of Westminster gentleman and Edward Brand of the
parish of St. Andrew in Holborne draper, in the sum of ten pounds
each; For the said Tymothy Pendrey's appearance at the next General
Session of the Peace, "Bycause he was taken yesternight at 12 of the
clocke by the constable of St. Martins in the Fildes and others of
the watch then wth ye said constable: the said constable demanding
of him certen questions as to his office doth apperteyne, he did bid
him kisse his taile, As Poule Oblyns and Thomas . . . . did
testifie being then in the watche." G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 18 Eliz.
17 June, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Westminster on the
said day, Robert Salterbey and John Partryge, both late of London
yomen, stole "sex libras croci vocat' safferon" worth six pounds and
twelve shillings, of the goods and chattels of Basil Tubervile of London grocer. Putting himself 'Guilty,' Robert Salterbey was sentenced
to be hung. G. D. R., 19 June, 18 Eliz.
— June, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that [due notice having been
given publicly in the parish church of Fulham, on the Lord's Day next
after the feast of Easter, that six certain days, viz. the 18th, 19th, 20th,
21st, 22nd, and 23rd days of June in the said year, were appointed for
mending and repairing the highways of Fulham] John Johnson of
London gentleman, having in his occupation one hundred and twenty
acres of land, being A Plougheland and more, neither found nor sent
any wain or cart, fitted according to the custom of the country with
oxen, horses or other cattle, two fit men, and fit necessaries for carting
things for this purpose, either for the said six days or for any one of
them. G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 18 Eliz.
22 June, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before William
Fletewood, Recorder of London J.P., of Richard Nicholson of London
carpenter, in the sum of twenty pounds, and of John Nicolson tyler
and Thomas Hayward clothworker, both of London, in the sum of ten
pounds each; For the said Richard Nicholson's appearance at the
nexte "Gaole Delivery of Newgate to be holden at the Sessions Hall
in the Olde Bayly in the subberbs of London, for the said Citie and the
Countye of Midd.", there in his proper person to "pleade his pardone
or yelde his bodye to the order of the Courte."
22 July, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Thomas
Hughes esq., J.P., of Thomas Smith one of the Queen's guard (unus
de le garde dict' dne Regine) and William Welles of Woxbridge co.
Midd., in the sum of five pounds each, and of Thomas Woldar horsecorser in the sum of ten pounds; For the said Thomas Woldar's
appearance at the next General Session of the Peace, and in the mean
time for his peaceful bearing towards Thomas Hawle horscorser.
G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 18 Eliz.
26 July, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, whereas Joan Wynstone,
Elizabeth Hopkyns and Margaret Archer on the 6th of February last
past, were convicted of vagrancy and sentenced to be whipt and burnt
on the gristle of the right ear with a hot iron of a thumb's circuit, the
same Joan, Elizabeth and Margaret, being each of them over eighteen
years of age, on the aforesaid 26th of July were vagrants at Clarkenwell co. Midd. and other places of the same county. Joan Wynstone
and Margaret Archer put themselves 'Guilty,' but Elizabeth Hopkins
put herself 'Not Guiliy' and did not retract. At the foot of the bill
a memorandum that Margaret Archer was committed to the service and
custody of John Luck of Wickeham co. Bucks, yoman, for the space of
two years, the said John being bound in his own recognizance in the
sum of ten pounds to produce the same Margaret at Session of the
Peace on the expiration of the said term, or else to produce sufficient
proof of her death. Followed by another Memorandum in these
remarkable words, "Et eciam venit Thomas Wynstone de Clarkenwell
in com. Midd. laborer et retinuit in servicio suo Johannam Winstone
vxorem ejus pro duobus annis integris proxime sequentibus et recognovit se debere domine Regne x li. legalis monete Anglie sub consimili
condicione." = And Thomas Wynstone of Clarkenwell labourer came
and retained in his service Joan Winstone his wife for the two entire
years next following, and acknowledged that he owed the Queen ten
pounds of the lawful money of England under the like condition.
G. D. R., 2 Aug., 18 Eliz.
1 September, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Barnard
Randolph esq. J.P., of Edward Benet of Rislippe co. Midd. servingman, in the sum of one hundred marks, and of Edmund Smith gentleman and John Thomas gentleman, both of the aforesaid parish, in the
sum of forty pounds each; For the said Edward Benet's appearance
at the next General Session of the Peace, and in the mean time for his
good conduct towards all people. G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 18 Eliz.
1 September, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Barnard
Randolph esq. J.P., of Edmund Smith of Rislippe co. Midd. gentleman in the sum of one hundred marks, and of John Thomas gentleman and William Kyrton yoman, both of the aforesaid parish, in the
sum of forty pounds each; For the said Edmund Smith's appearance
at the next General Session of the Peace, and in the meantime for
his good conduct towards all people. G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 18
Eliz.
4 September, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Westminster on
the said day "in regia via ibidem vocat' the Stone Bridge," William
Jones and Edmund Barney assaulted Robert Lucas and Robert Morris,
servants of Robert Hopton esq., Mashal of the Queen's Household,
and beat and wounded them so that their lives were despaired, and
robbed them of a woollen-cloth cloak "coloris sheepes coler" worth
four pounds, of the goods and chattels of Robert Hopton esq., then in
the keeping of Robert Morris, and a woollen-cloth cloak "coloris
Turkey coler" and "layed on with lace" worth forty shillings, and two
swords, worth respectively twelve shillings and twenty shillings. Both
highwaymen confessed the indictment, and were sentenced to be hung.,
G. D. R., 15 March, 19 Eliz.
26 September, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, on the said day and at
divers times before and afterwards, Rowland Fyssherof Fulham co. Midd.
baker sold divers loaves called "penny whyteloves and penny Wheaten
loves," each of them wanting assay to the quantity of eight ounces.—
Also, similar True Bill against Roger Dove of Brayneford co. Midd.
for selling loaves called penny whiteloves and penny wheaten loves
at Brayneford, each of them being under assay to the quantity of two
ounces. G. S. P. R., Michaelmas, 18 Eliz.
3 October, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, having on the 2nd of
Aug. 18 Eliz., been dealt with as a rogue and vagrant in accordance
with the statute of 14 Elizabeth, and been committed into service to
John Luck of Wickham co. Bucks, yoman, Margaret Archer withdrew
herself from his government without his permission; and also that
Joan Winston had in like manner on the same 3rd of October deserted the service of Thomas Wynston of Clarkenwell co. Midd.
laborer, to whose keeping and custody she had been committed on the
same aforementioned 2nd of August. Putting themselves 'Guilty'
both women pleaded pregnancy. Found pregnant by a jury of matrons
Margaret Archer was remanded. Found 'Not Pregnant' by the same
jury of matrons, Joan Wynston was forthwith sentenced to be hung.
G. D. R., 30 Aug., 19 Eliz.
25 October, 18 Elizabeth.—Recognizances, taken before Bernard
Randolph and William Wightman, esqs. and J.P., of Thomas Phillippe
of Braynforde, in the sum of twenty pounds, and of John Benet tanner
and Roger Amerye chapman, both of Braynforde aforesaid; For the
said Thomas Phillippe's appearance at the next General Session of the
Peace, and in the mean time for his good conduct to all people, because
"he gretlie misvsed Mr. Rich a Justice of the Peace in the shire sainge
he was no Justice but of sturr, as he confessed, but ii or iii others
affirmed yt he said yt he was a Justice of troble envie and wrathe and yt it
is pitie that they live yt made him a Justice." G. S. P. R., Easter, 19 Eliz.
1 November, 18 Elizabeth.—True Bill that, at Laleham co. Midd.
on the said day, Helen Beriman spinster, otherwise styled Helen wife
of Henry Beryman of the said parish husbandman, practised witchcraftes, inchantements, charmes and sorceries on four calves worth
thirty shillings, of the goods and chattels of Lionel Dockett at Laleham,
so that she killed the same calves. Putting herself 'Not Guilty,' she
was acquitted. G. S. P. R., Easter, 19 Eliz.