The corporation of Coventry: Curial records, writs and letters of commission

Curial records, writs and letters of commission

IV. Exemplifications of Curial Records, Writs and Letters of Commission, to the number of thirteen writings.

Together with other writings that need not be noticed in the present report, the MSS. of this group comprise the following:—

Controversy between William Briscoe and the Mayor and Community of Coventre.

14 Edward IV., November 18th [1474].—Exemplification of the enrolment of an Indenture made on 3rd July of 13 Edward IV. between the Mayor and Community of Coventre of the one part and William Briscoe alias Bristoe of the same city of the other part, as entered under the latter date, supra.

Verdict of Jurors on the same Dispute.

15 Edward IV., November 28th [1475].—Exemplification of the Record (amongst the Pleas at Westminster in Trinity Term, 15 Edward IV.) of the proceedings in the cause of the Mayor and Community of Coventre versus William Briscowe, of Coventre, gentleman, closing with the verdict of jurors that the Mayor and Community of the said city unjustly disseised the said William of twenty-eight acres of arable land and three acres of heath lying under the park of Cheldesmore from the buttes called the Skynners' Buttes to the water at Shirborn, and that the said William did not enter with violence and arms on the said land called "the comengrownd," and did not disseise the said Mayor and community of the said land.

Other documents relating to this dispute will be found under the next headings, in Classes V. and VI.

Former Possessions of the Prior and Convent of Coventre in the Wodende.

36 Elizabeth, October 30th [1594].—Exemplification under the seal of the Exchequer of entries in a book formerly belonging to the Priory of Coventre, and remaining in the custody of the Remembrancer of the Exchequer: Certifying that the Prior and Convent of Coventre had in the Wodende a tenement or messuage, and also had as appurtenances to the same messuage two fields called the Knydinges, extending in one direction to the waste of the lordship of Stoke, and also a waste called Bagot Waste lying between the waste of Robert de Stoke and the way toward Leicestre, and also a toft near the Wenchfeldes, and a croft lying in Wyken and called Wykyncroft.

Writs to Sheriffs and Others Co. Warwick, for providing Ships, &c. for the King's Service.

11 Charles I., August 4th [1635].—Writ addressed to the Sheriff of the county of Warwick, the Mayor bailiffs and community of the city of Coventre, and the Sheriffs of the county of the same city, and the Bailiffs of the town of Brymingham, and the Warden and society of the royal town of Sutton Coldfield co. Warwick, and the Bailiff aldermen and chief burgesses of Stratford-upon-Avon co. Warwick, and all the worthy men of the said city, boroughs, and members thereof, and in the county of the said city, and in the towns of Warwick, Alcester and Coleshill, and all the other towns, villages, hamlets and places in the said county: Requiring them to provide at their own charges a ship of war of four hundred tons, manned with one hundred and sixty able and expert seamen, and duly equipped with victuals, arms and munitions of war, and to cause the same ship to be brought, this side the first day of next March, to the port of Portsmouth, thence to proceed in the company of the said King's ships and the ships of others his faithful subjects in an expedition to fight and destroy the robbers and pirates of the sea, Mahometan enemies of the Christian name, and others, who are harassing and despoiling and plundering the ships, goods and merchandise of the king's subjects and friends, and have carried the men of the same ships into most wretched captivity.

Also, three other writs for shipping of war for the same purpose, dated respectively August 12th 12 Charles I., 19th September 13 Charles I., and 5th November 14 Charles I.

Appointment of Deputy Lieutenants of Coventre.

35 Charles II., September 22nd [1683].—Commission, signed and sealed by Robert Earl of Sunderland, Lord Lieutenant of the county of Warwick, appointing the Mayor of Coventre for the time being, Sir Thomas Norton bart., Sir Arthur Caley and Sir Robert Townesend knts., John Dugdale, Basil Fielding and Henry Greene esqrs., Nathanael Harriman, Thomas King, Henry Smith and Richard Haywood, gentlemen, to be Deputy Lieutenants for and in the city of Coventry and the county of the same city. Also, new Letters of Commission to the same effect, dated on 20th June, 1 James II. [1685] by the same Lord Lieutenant.