Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 15 Edward III

Staffordshire Historical Collections, Vol. 11. Originally published by Staffordshire Record Society, London, 1890.

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'Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 15 Edward III', in Staffordshire Historical Collections, Vol. 11, (London, 1890) pp. 108-123. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/staffs-hist-collection/vol11/pp108-123 [accessed 18 March 2024]

In this section

De Banco. Hillary, 14–15 E. III.

Placita apud Westmonasterium Coram Rogero Hillary et Sociis suis Justiciariis domini Regis de Banco.

Letters Patent appointing Roger Hillary Chief Justice of the Bench, dated from Westminster 8th Jan., 14 E. III., and first year of France. m. 1.

Staff. A day was given to James de Pype in his suit against Richard de Stafford, Chivaler, at the Octaves of Trinity on the prayer of the parties and without essoins. m. 1.

Staff. Alan Bestspede and Joan his wife recover four acres of land in Cressewalle in a suit against John Perkesone of Cressewalle, and William his brother, the defendants making default. m. 79.

Staff. Alan Bestspede and Joan his wife sued Richard son of John de Melewych for a messuage and eight acres of land in Melewych (Millwich). Richard prayed a view and the suit was adjourned to the Quindene of Trinity. And they sued John Prestessone of Dulverne for twenty acres of land in Dulverne, and William de Hykelyng for eight acres of land in Cressewalle as the right of Joan. The defendants prayed a view, and the suit was adjourned to the same date. m. 89.

Staff. The same Alan and Joan sued Agnes, formerly wife of John de Rossyngton for a messuage, two carucates of land, 40s. of rent, and the fourth of a mill in Fossebrok as the right of Joan. Agnes prayed a view, and the suit was adjourned to the same date. m. 89.

Staff., Northamps. Robert de Haselynden sued Matilda, formerly wife of Robert de Holand, in a plea that she should warrant to him a messuage and twelve acres of land in Yoxhale in co. Stafford, which Robert de Ferrars claimed against him. Matilda did not appear, and the Sheriff returned he had given the precept to Reginald de Ansty, the Bailiff of the Liberty of Wynton, who had done nothing in the matter. He was therefore commanded by writ of "non omittas propter libertatem" to summon him for the Quindene of Trinity. m. 153.

Staff. Roger Wryde of Stafford sued William de Aston, Parson of the Church of Rydeware Mauvesyn, and Edmund de Stafford, Parson of the Church of Draycote, for a debt of 8 marks and a sack of wool worth 10 marks. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff had been ordered to distrain the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield to produce his Clerks at this term, and the Sheriff made no return to the writ, and he was ordered to distrain the Bishop to produce his Clerks on the morrow of St. John the Baptist. m. 165.

Staff. In the suit of John de Barre the elder, against Geoffrey, brother of John de Barre the younger, and John de Barre the younger, for beating, wounding, and illtreating him. The Sheriff returned 10d. as proceeds of a distraint levied on the goods of Geoffrey, and that John de Barre, junior, could not be found and held nothing by which he could be attached. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to distrain Geoffrey again, and to put John into exigend, and if he did not appear, to outlaw him, and if he appeared to arrest and produce him together with the said Geoffrey at the Quindene of St. Michael. m. 246.

Staff. Walter de Portes and Margaret his wife sued William de Hondesacre for a third of the manor of Hondesacre excepting thirteen messuages, four tofts, and two carucates of land in the said manor, as the dower of Margaret, of the dotation of William de Hondesacre, formerly her husband.

William appeared by attorney and stated that the said Walter and Margaret had no claim to the dower claimed, because the manor of Hondesacre together with other manors, lands and tenements, formerly belonging to William her husband, were in seisin of a certain Richard de Bradeleye, Chaplain, and of a certain John Maynard, Chaplain, after the death of her husband, and the said Richard and John on the Monday after the Feast of St. George, 14 E. III, had delivered to the said Walter and Margaret, by an indented deed, 16 marks of rent in Chorleton, in co. Worcester, to be held by Margaret as dower in allocation of the whole of her dower from the freehold formerly belonging to William her husband, and of which rent the Plaintiffs were now seised, and he produced the indenture in question, by which for the above rent they remitted all claim to dower from the lands, etc., held by William de Hondesacre, formerly the husband of Margaret, in the counties of Derby, Stafford, Leicester, and Worcester, dated as above, and witnessed by John de Stafford, Chivaler, Roger Trumwyn, John de Grafton, John le Bruyn, John de Stone, and others.

And Walter and Margaret could not deny that the said deed was their act, nor that they had received the said 16 marks of rent in allocation of the dower of Margaret as above stated. The suit was therefore dismissed, and they are in misericordiâ for a false claim. m. 262.

Staff. Reginald de Batham and Agnes his wife, and Isabella, sister of Agnes, recover an acre of land in Rideware Mauveysin, from John de Pendeford, and an acre of land from John Wysse, an acre from Juliana de Pendeford, one and half acres from Geoffrey Kex, an acre from John de Crumbford and Alice his wife, an acre from Henry de Luttelhay and Katrine his wife, an acre from Emma, formerly wife of William Mauveysyn, and an acre from Agnes, daughter of Hugh, son of William, which they claimed as the right of the said Agnes and Isabella, through default of the defendants. m. 267.

Staff. Hugh de Gunston not appearing to prosecute his suit against Ralph de Thyckebrom for a debt of £20, it was dismissed. m. 273.

Staff. Reginald de Leghe sued Magister Robert de Tene, for making waste and destruction in lands, houses, woods, and gardens in Leghe, which he had demised to him for the life of Robert. The defendant did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce him at the Quindene of Easter. m. 285.

Warr. Ralph de Bracebrugge sued Thomas de Halughton and Margaret his wife, for causing waste and destruction in lands of his inheritance in Kynesbury, which they held as dower of Margaret, and he stated that they held one-third of two parts of the manor of Kynesbury of the dotation of John, son of John de Bracebrugge, formerly husband of Margaret, of the inheritance of the said Ralph, brother and heir of John. Thomas and Margaret denied the waste and destruction, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for three weeks from Easter, a view of the waste to be made in the interim. A postscript shows repeated adjournments of the suit up to Trinity term, 16 E. III. m. 331.

Staff. Matilda, formerly wife of John de St. Maur, sued John, son of John de St. Maur, Chivaler, for a third part of the manor of Felde (Field), which she claimed as dower. John did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon him for five weeks from Easter. m. 343.

Staff. Agnes, formerly wife of John de Benteleye the younger, appeared by attorney against William de Petlyng, Chaplain, the custos of the person and lands of John, son of John, son of John de Benteleye, kinsman and heir of John de Benteleye the elder, in a plea that he should warrant to her the third of 117 acres of land, thirty acres of meadow, ten acres of moor, and a rent of £4 in Benteleye, Tresele, and Wolvernehampton, which Beatrice, formerly wife of John de Benteleye the elder, claimed against her as dower. William did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take land which he held in custody, of the value of the dower claimed, into the King's hand, and to summon him for five weeks from Easter. m. 346.

Staff. Robert, son of Robert de Gresebroke, by his attorney, John de Gresebrok, sued William, son of William atte Rudyng, for a messuage, forty acres of land, and four acres of meadow, in Shenstone, which he claimed as his right. William did not appear, and had previously made default at Michaelmas term, 13 E. III, and the Sheriff had been ordered to take the tenements into the King's hand, and to summon him for five weeks from Easter, on which day the Sheriff made no return; and he was ordered as before, and to summon the defendant for a month from Michaelmas, on which day he made no return; and he was ordered as before, to take the tenements into the King's hand, and to summon the defendant for the Octaves of the Purification, and he did nothing and made no return; and he was ordered as before, and to summon the defendant for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. A postscript states that on that day the Sheriff made no return, and he was ordered as before, and to summon the defendant for the Quindene of St. Martin. m. 367, dorso.

Salop. Margaret, formerly wife of Roger Body, of Hyntes, sued William, son of Roger de Hyntes, for the third of four acres of land in Cornleye, which she claimed as dower. William did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon him for three weeks from Easter. m. 343, dorso.

Leyc. James de Stafford and Isabella his wife were summoned by Thomas, son of John Wichard, of Osberton, in a plea that they should acquit him of the service which Walter, son of Thomas de Rydeware, exacted from him for the free tenement he held of the said James and Isabella in Chirchesheyle, and of which the said James and Isabella were mesne-tenants, and ought to acquit him, and he stated he held of them a messuage and two virgates of land, as of the right of Isabella, in Chirche Sheile, by fealty, and the service of one penny annually, and the said Walter exacted from him fealty and suit of Court at Sheyle every three weeks, and had levied distraints, by taking the cattle of his plough, so that he could not cultivate his land.

James and Isabella admitted that the said Thomas held of them as of the right of Isabella, the above-named tenements by homage and fealty, and the service of one-fourth of a Knight's fee and a penny yearly, and service at their Court at Sheyle every three weeks, and could not deny that they ought to acquit him of the above service, but stated that he had not been distrained by their default, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Quindene of Trinity. m. 331, dorso.

Staff. The Sheriff had been ordered to distrain Thomas de la Hyde, Hugh atte Pyrye, John de Engleton, and John Giffard, and produce them in Court to acknowledge by what services they held their tenements in Gunstone of Ralph de Thykbrom, and which services the said Ralph had conceded by fine to Hugh de Gunstone, and likewise to distrain the said Ralph to appear to complete a fine to be levied between the said Hugh de Gunstone, complainant, and the said Ralph, deforciant, of a rent of 12s. and the sixth part of a Knight's fee in Gunstone, as agreed between them, and the Sheriff now returned certain sums into Court as proceeds of distraints levied against the said Thomas, Hugh, and Ralph. He was therefore ordered to distrain again and produce them at three weeks from Easter, and, as regarded John de Engleton and John Giffard, the Sheriff returned they were dead, and evidence was given that they were alive. He was therefore ordered to distrain and produce them at the same time. A postscript states that at that date the Sheriff made no return, and he was ordered to distrain and produce them at the Quindene of St. Michael. m. 323, dorso.

Staff. Orabel, daughter of William de Pikstoke of Stafford, sued Richard, son of Nicholas de Neuport of Stafford, for a messuage and forty-one acres of land, four acres of meadow, and three acres of pasture in Dunston; and she sued William de Bromshulf and Alice his wife for thirty acres of land, three acres of meadow, four acres of pasture, and a rent of 5s.; and she sued John de Pikstoke of Stafford for four acres of pasture, and Adam le Rotour of Stafford for two acres of meadow, and William, son of Richard Hervi of Dunston, for three acres af land in the same vill, as her right. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff returned the writ reached him too late. He was therefore ordered to summon them for the Quindene of Trinity. m. 165, dorso.

De Banco. Easter, 15 E. III.

Staff. An assize of last presentation which Stephen de Irton and Joan his wife arraigned against Geoffrey Byroun and Anabel his wife, respecting the church of Bydulf, which was vacant, the advowson of which Stephen and Joan claimed; and they stated one Vivian de Verdon and the said Joan, then wife of Vivian, were seized of the advowson, temp. E. II, and had pre sented one Roger de Verdon, who had been admitted and instituted, and by whose death the church was now vacant.

Anabel stated that she claimed nothing in the advowson except as wife of the said Geoffrey, and Geoffrey stated that one Alina was seised of the manor of Bydulf to which the advowson of the church was appurtenant, temp. Ric. I, and after her death the right descended to Hawise, Petronilla, and Dionisia, her daughters and heirs, between whom the manor was divided, and likewise the advowson, so that they presented by turns; and Hawyse was married to one Henry de Verdon, and from her and Henry the right of her purparty descended to one Henry, as their son and heir, and from Henry to Henry, as son and heir, which Henry had enfeoffed one John Tok, Parson of the church of Grendon, of his purparty of the manor and advowson, who gave it to one Vivian de Verdon and Joan his wife and the heirs of their bodies.

And the said Petronilla had enfeoffed one Roger, son of Edward de Bydulf, of her purparty of the manor and advowson; and from the said Roger the right descended to one Thomas, as son and heir, and from Thomas to Roger, as son and heir, and from the said Roger to another Roger, as son and heir, which Roger had enfeoffed John, his son, of his purparty of the manor and advowson, and whose status the said Geoffrey now held.

And the said Dionisia had given her purparty of the manor and advowson to one Thomas, son of Roger de Bydulf, in frank marriage with Petronilla, the daughter of Dionisia, and from the said Thomas and Petronilla the right descended to one Roger, as son and heir, and from the said Roger to another Roger, as son and heir, which Roger had enfeoffed of his purparty the said John, son of Roger, whose status the said Geoffrey now held; and in this way he held the status of two of the coparceners of the manor and advowson; and the said Stephen and Joan held the third share, as of the right of the said Joan, and he prayed judgment on the writ, viz., whether, under such circumstances an assize of last presentation could be maintained, and he stated that at the next vacancy of the church, after the partition between the said Hawyse, Petronilla, and Dionisia, the said Hawise having the first turn as eldest sister in conjunction with Henry de Verdon, her husband, had presented one Odo le Chapeleyn, who had been admitted and instituted, temp. Ric. I; and after the death of the said Odo, the said Roger, son of Thomas, holding the status of Petronilla, presented to the church one Nicholas Coly, who was admitted and instituted temp. Hen. III, and after the death of the said Nicholas, the said Roger, son of Roger, son of Thomas, holding the status of Dionisia, being negligent and remiss, had permitted Henry, son of Henry, son of Henry, to usurp the presentation, and he had presented to the church one Magister Alexander de Verdon, who had been admitted and instituted temp. E. I, and after the death of the said Alexander, the said Vivian and Joan, who is now the wife of the said Stephen, recommencing the turn, had presented one Magister Roger de Verdon, who had been admitted and instituted temp. E. II, and by whose death the church was now vacant; and this being the fifth vacancy since the partition of the manor and advowson, its presentation pertained to him, the said Geoffrey, as holding the status of the said Petronilla, and he prayed the usual writ to the Bishop.

And the said Stephen and Joan, without acknowledging the seisin of the said Alina, nor that Hawise, Petronilla, and Dionisia, were her daughters and heirs, stated that the said Hawise, Petronilla, and Dionisia were seised of the said manor, etc., which had been partitioned between them as Geoffrey alleged, and that the said Hawise was married to Henry de Verdon, and likewise that Petronilla had enfeoffed the said Roger, son of Edward, of her purparty, and that the said Dionisia gave her purparty to the said Thomas, son of Roger, in frank marriage with Petronilla, daughter of Dionisia, but they stated that the said Roger, son of Edward, gave half an acre of land in Bydulf and the third part of the advowson of the church, to the said Henry de Verdon and Hawise and their heirs, in exchange for certain other tenements in the same vill, and the said Thomas and Petronilla, his wife, in the same way gave to the said Henry de Verdon and Hawise, and their heirs half an acre of land and the third part of the advowson in exchange for other tenements in the same vill, so that the said Henry and Hawise were sole advocates of the church in the time of King Richard, and had presented the said Odo in that capacity. And Henry and Hawyse had issue, Henry, son and heir; and this Henry had issue another Henry, son and heir, which Henry, after the death of Odo, had presented the said Nicholas Coly, whom Geoffrey supposed to have been presented by the said Roger, son of Thomas. And at the next vacancy he had presented the said Magister Alexander as Geoffrey stated, but not by an usurpation, but as true patron and sole advocate; and afterwards the said Henry had given the advowson and other lands and tenements in Bydulf and other vills to the said John Tok and his heirs, and the said John had given the same advowson and lands to Vivian and Joan; and the said Stephen and Joan therefore in right of the said Joan are sole advocates of the church, as they are prepared to verify by the assize, and by which right the said Joan, in conjunction with Vivian, her husband, had presented the last parson, and they prayed the usual writ to the Bishop.

Geoffrey in his reply repeated the same story as he gave above, and put himself on the assize. And Stephen and Joan did the same. The assize was therefore to be taken, but was respited till the Morrow of the Ascension through defect of recognitors. A postscript states that the process was continued till the Octaves of Trinity, when a writ of nisi prius was issued transferring the cause to be heard at Lichfield before R. de Bankwelle on the Wednesday in the week of Pentecost, on which day the said Stephen and Joan appeared in proprià personâ before Roger de Bankwelle with whom was associated Richard de Stafford, Knight. And the said Stephen, being solemnly called did not appear, and the assize was taken in his absence, and the recognitors of the assize stated on their oaths that the said Vivian de Verdon and Joan his wife, now the wife of the said Stephen, last presented to the church of Bydulf, one Roger de Verdon, in right of the said Vivian and Joan in a time of peace, in the reign of the King's father, and the said Roger had been admitted and instituted on their presentation, and that the church was now vacant, and they stated, that the vacancy began on the Monday before Christmas Day last part, on which day the said Stephen was in London, and they say that the church was worth according to its true value, 40 marks. It was therefore considered that the said Stephen and Joan should recover their presentation to the church, and their damages, viz., 20 marks, the half value of the church, the "tempus semestre" not having elapsed, and the usual writ was issued to the Bishop. m. 37.

Staff. Baldewyn, son of Alexander de Fryville, Chivaler, and Henry Hillary, Chivaler, were summoned by Ralph le Botiller of Nortbury, Chivaler, in a plea that they should permit him to present a fit person to the Prebend of Wygynton and Cumberford of the church of St. Edith of Tamworde, which was vacant, and of which the donation belonged to him. And the said Ralph stated that one Philip Marmyon was seised of the advowson of the Prebend temp. E. I, and had presented to it one Ralph de Hengham, who had been admitted and instituted, and from the said Philip the right of the advowson descended to Joan, Mazera, Matilda, and to Joan, formerly the wife of Henry Hillary, as his daughters and heirs, and from the said Joan the eldest, as she died s.p., the right of her purparty descended to the said Mazera, Matilda, and Joan, formerly wife of Henry Hillary, as her sisters and heirs, and from the said Mazera the right of her purparty descended to one Joan, the wife of Alexander de Fryvill, as daughter and heir, and from the said Joan to one Baldewyne de Fryville, as son and heir; and from the said Matilda the right of her purparty descended to one Ralph le Botiller as son and heir; between which Alexander de Fryville and Joan his wife, Ralph le Botiller, and Henry Hillary and Joan his wife, a certain composition was made, viz., that the said Alexander and Joan his wife, having the first turn in right of the said Joan, should present to the Prebend when it became vacant, and that the said Ralph should present to it the second turn, and on a third vacancy that the said Henry Hillary and Joan should present, in right of the said Joan, and so on in succession, and by virtue of the said composition, the said Alexander de Fryville and Joan his wife, had presented to the Prebend one Henry le Notte who had been admitted and instituted, temp. E. II, and by whose death, the Prebend was now vacant, and he stated that it now pertained to him, the said Ralph, to present by reason of his second turn, as settled by the said composition, and that he was impeded by the said Baldewyne and Henry, from whom he claimed £40 as damages.

Baldewyne appeared in person, and did not deny that the said Ralph ought to present this turn to the Prebend. And the said Henry appeared by attorney, and stated he had issue by Joan, formerly his wife, so that he had the right of presentation at the third turn by the courtesy of England, n right of Margaret, daughter and heir of Thomas de Lodelowe, the heir of the said Joan, formerly his wife, and saving his right of presentation to the third vacancy, he did not deny the right of the said Ralph to present this time. It was therefore considered that the said Ralph should recover the presentation to the Prebend against the said Baldewyne and Henry, and a writ was issued to the Bishop, and Ralph remitted his claim for damages. m. 82.

Staff. Nicholas de Chaveleye sued John de Sutton, of Abbots Bromley, in a plea that he should warrant to him a messuage and nine acres of land in Rydeware Mauveysin and Colton, which Philip de Barre, of Blythebury, claimed against him. John did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take land belonging to him to the value of the tenements claimed into the King's hand, and to summon him for the Octaves of St. Michael. A postscript states that at that date the Sheriff made no return, and he was ordered as before, and to summon him for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 117.

Essex, Staff. Thomas de Tochewyk appeared by attorney against Hugh, son of Hugh le Blount, in a plea that he should warrant to him the manor of Yengioiberd Laundry, in co. Essex, which John, son of John de Weston, claimed against him, and he had been summoned in both of the above counties and did not appear. The Sheriff of Essex was therefore ordered to take land belonging to him to the value of the tenements claimed into the King's hand, and to summon him for three weeks from Michaelmas. m. 165. (fn. 1)

Staff. Ralph de Stafford appeared by Hugh de Aston, his attorney, against John Trussel of Cublesdon, Chivaler, Thomas de Brynton, John de Podemore, and Robert Balle, of Blorton, for unlawfully abducting from Walton, near Stone, William, son and heir of Richard de Venables, who was under age, whose marriage belonged to him. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce them at the Quindene of Trinity, and to enquire diligently in the interin, into the place of abode of the heir, and if found, to keep him in safe custody and produce him at the same date. m. 223.

Staff. Alianora, formerly wife of John de Parles, of Watford, not appearing to prosecute her suit for dower in Hondesworth against Joan Botetourt, the plea was dismissed. m. 268.

Staff. Robert de Swynnerton appeared by attorney against Roger le Wrighte, of Stafford, Elias le Parchemyner, and Nicholas de Leye, in a plea that they should render a reasonable account for the time they were his bailiffs in Bradeleye, near Stafford. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff returned they held nothing by which they could be attached. He was therefore ordered to arrest and produce them at the Quindene of St. Michael. m. 289, dorso.

Staff. William le Webbe and Emma his wife, and William de Bylynton, of Shradicote, and Felicia his wife, sued Henry de Kenelleworth for three acres of land and two acres of meadow in Great Sardon, and they sued John, brother of Henry de Kenileworth, for five acres in the same vill, which they claimed as the right of Emma and Felicia. The defendants did not appear, and the said Henry had called to warranty John de Keneleworth, and the said John, brother of Henry, called to warranty Griffin de la Pole, of Great Sardon. The Sheriff was ordered to take the tenements into the King's hand, and to summon the parties for three weeks from Michaelmas. m. 272, dorso.

Staff. Matilda, formerly wife of John de St. Maur, sued John, son of John de St. Maur, Chivaler, for a third of the manor of Felde, as her dower; John had made default, and the Sheriff had been ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon the parties for this day, and he made no return. He was therefore ordered to summon them for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 264, dorso.

Northamp. The same Matilda sued the said John for a third part of six messuages, three and a half virgates of land, forty acres of wood, and a rent of a pound of pepper in Herdewyk as her dower, and John had made default, and the dower claimed had been taken into the King's hand, and Matilda now claimed it by his default. John appeared by attorney and denied the summons, and offered to wage his law; he was therefore to appear with his compurgators at the Quindene of St. Martin. m. 264, dorso.

Staff. Adam de Morton and William his son, and John, brother of William, and Thomas de Morton, were attached to answer the plea of William de Morton, Clerk, that they, together with John, son of John de Morton, Robert de Orselowe, and Robert de Ruyton had forcibly taken him from Morton, in Gnousale, on the Wednesday after the Feast of St. Ambrose, 12 E. III, and imprisoned him at Lilleshull, in co. Salop, until he had made a fine with them for £40, and for taking his horse worth £20, and for which he claimed £100 as damages. The defendants appeared by attorney, and pleaded that the plaintiff by the name of William de Morton, Parson of the Church of Holm, near Mare, had pardoned, released, and quit-claimed to them all actions, claims, and demands; dated from Lilleshull, in co. Salop, on the Wednesday above named.

William denied that the deed was executed by him, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Octaves of St. Michael. A postcript shows the suit was adjourned from time to time up to Michaelmas, 18 E. III. m. 207.

Staff. Alianora, formerly wife of William Griffyn, sued Nicholas le Mareschal for a third of a messuage and two virgates and a half of land, ten acres of meadow, and 10s. of rent in Clyfton Caunville as dower. Nicholas called to warranty William, son of John Gryffyn, kinsman and heir of William Gryffyn, who is to be summoned for the Octaves of Trinity. m. 44, dorso.

De Banco. Mich., 15 E. III.

Staff. William de Mollesleye sued John, son of Thomas de Bradeleye, and Nicholas, his brother, John, son of John de Heronville, Chivaler, and John, son of John Dymmok, for coming vi et armis to his fish ponds at Bliston (sic) (Bilston), and taking fish to the value of 100s. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce them at the Octaves of Hillary. m. 34.

Salop. Richard atte Lane of Wolverhampton, was summoned by William de Ercalewe, to render to him a reasonable account for the time he was the receiver of his money. William stated that when the said Richard was his receiver, viz., on the Friday before the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope, 19 E. II, up to the said Feast of St. Gregory, he had received of his money at Salop and at Stafford, £600; viz., at Salop he had received from Ralph de Camoys, £180; from Robert Tochet, 30s.; from John de Bradestan, 10s.; from Henry de Bysshebury, 60s.; from the Prior of Lappeleye, 16s. 8d.; from the Prior of Crokesdene, 6s. 8d.; from John de Somervile, 20s.; from the Prior of Wenlok, 40s.; from John de Hambury, 10s.; from Richard de Hampton, 13s. 4d.; from the Prior of the Hospital of St. John in England, 20s.; from William, son of Robert de Acton, 2 marks; from John de Mere, 6s. 8d.; from John de Brehull, 5 marks; from John de Lauton, 10s.; from William Byron, 10s.; from Peter Gerard, 13s. 4d.; from Roger Carles, 10s.; from William de Wasteneys, 13s. 4d.; from Henry de Crassewalle, 20s.; from William de Shewynde (sic) Chetwynde, 4 marks; from Nicholas de Pycheford, 2 marks; from John de Stafford and William, his brother, 60s.; from Robert Bonenfaunt, 10s.; from Thomas Tochet, 10s.; from William de Chylyton, 10s.; from Adam Randolf, 10s.; from Hamon Bouche, 10s.; from Richard, son of Robert de Oneleye, 13s. 4d.; from William, son of Henry de Stratton, 13s. 4d.; from Roger de Stratton, 13s. 4d.; from Thomas de Pype, 10s.; from Richard, son of Richard Bernard, 20s.; from Henry Godereye, 16s.; from John atte More, 10s.; from John Wyther, 13s. 4d.; from Richard, son of Philip de Poleleye, 20s.; from William de Freford, 5 marks; from Adam de Stepelton, 13s. 4d.; from Walter de Gatacre, 20s.; from Richard de Dulverne, £40; from Hugh de Pycheford, £40; from Roger de Midelton, £40; from Roger de Muryden, £40; from Thomas Purfrey, £40; and from John Gogh, £20. And he had received at Stafford from Thomas Hillary, £10; from John de Ruggeleye, £10; from John de Bysshebury, £10; from John de Wyrleye, £20; from Richard Tokery, £20; from Roger de Assheleye, £10; from Philip de Ipstanes, £20; from Henry de Shene, £10; from Henry de Wotton, £10; from Richard de la Boure, £10; from Stephen Bythewater of Salt, £10; from William de Lockeleye, £10; from William atte Lowe, £8 17s. 4d.; for the use of the said William de Ercalewe, and although the said Richard had been frequently required to render an account of the said receipts, he had hitherto refused to do so, and for which he claimed £1000 as damages.

Richard appeared in person, and stated that the said William unjustly exacted an account from him, because he had, on the Monday after the Feast of the Ascension, 1 E. III, at Ercalewe, in co. Salop, before William del Hulle, at that time sub-Sheriff of cos. Salop and Stafford, and Sir Richard de Brugg, Canon of Haughmon, auditors assigned by the said William de Ercalewe, to hear his accounts, fully accounted to the said William for all the time he was receiver of his money, and had satisfied him for all arrears owing to him, and he appealed to a jury.

William denied that the said Richard had rendered any account for the time stated, and appealed likewise to a jury, and the Sheriff of co. Salop was ordered to summon a jury for the Octaves of Hillary. And Roger de Elyngton, Hugh de Aston, Roger de Aston, Richard de Aston, and William de Whytyngton of co. Stafford, (fn. 2) stood bail to produce the said Richard at the above term, and from day to day afterwards until a jury had found a verdict. m. 38.

Staff. Robert de Ferrars appeared by attorney against John de Grese eye, for breaking vi et armis into his park at Chartelye, and chasing and capturing his wild animals. John did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce him at the Octaves of Hillary. m. 38.

Staff. Roger, the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, was summoned to answer Robert de Kyldesby, the Prebendary of Berkeswich, in the Church of St. Cedde of Lichfield, in a plea that he should permit him to present a fit person to the vicariate of the Church of Berkeswych, which was vacant, and of which the donation belonged to him; and he stated that one Dionisius, his predecessor, had presented to the said vicariate by virtue of his Prebend, one William de Chaddesdene, in the reign of King Edward I, and who had been admitted and instituted, and after his resignation, one Arnulph, then Prebendary, through negligence, had permitted Roger de Meland, then Bishop, to present, through lapse of time, one William de Boys, and caused him to be inducted in the same reign, viz., temp. E. I, and by whose death the vicariate was now vacant.

The Bishop appeared by attorney, and denied that the said Dionisius had presented the said William de Chaddesden, and he stated that Roger de Meland, the Bishop, had given the vicariate to one William de Lenche, and had inducted him, temp. E. I, and after his resignation he had given it to the said William de Boys, who had been inducted, temp. E. I, and he appealed to a jury. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to summon a jury for the Octaves of St. Martin. A postscript shews that the process was continued till Easter, 16 E. III, when a writ nisi was issued and the cause was heard at Wolverhampton on the Monday before the Close of Easter before Roger Hillary and Roger de Bankwell, when a jury returned a verdict in favour of the Bishop. m. 136.

Staff. Thomas de Wasteneys, Chivaler, sued John, son of John le Countour, and William, son of Adam le Smyth, of Colton, for six acres of land i Colton. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take half the land into the King's hand, and to summon them for the Quindene of Hillary. A postscript states that on that date the Sheriff made no return, and the case was adjourned to the Quindene of Trinity. m. 152.

Staff. Alan Bestspede and Joan, his wife, sued Agnes, formerly wife of John de Rossynton, for a messuage and two carucates of land, 40s. of rent, and one-fourth of a mill in Fossebrok (Forsbrook), as the right of the said Joan, of the gift of Richard, son of Richard de Cressewalle, who had enfeoffed her and Ralph de Cressewalle, formerly her husband, in the tenements, and in which Agnes had no entry except by a demise made by the said Ralph to Richard de Cressewalle, and to which she could not object during the lifetime of her husband. Agnes defended her right, and stated that the said Joan held nothing in the tenements in question of the gift of the said Richard, son of Richard, and appealed to a jury which is to be summoned for three weeks from Easter. m. 376.

Staff. Thomas de Rolleston recovers a messuage in Horecross from Roger le Grant, and seven acres of land in the same vill, from Joan, formerly wife of Ralph de Arderne, the defendants making default. m. 396.

Staff. Thomas de Tomenhorn sued Margaret de Greseleye and Edmund, her son, and Nicholas Geffrey, for unjustly taking his cattle. The defendants did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce them at this term, and he made no return. He was therefore ordered to attach them for the Morrow of the Purification. m. 410.

Staff. Richard de Levessone and Nicholas de Wythwyke, the executors of John atte Lowe, sued Richard, son of Reginald de Pelshale for a debt of 5 marks. Richard did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to produce him on the Morrow of the Purification. m. 410.

Staff. John de Swyneshed sued Matilda, formerly wife of Adam de Swyneshed, for causing waste and destruction in houses and gardens which she held in dower of his inheritance in Eccleshale. Matilda did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce her on the Morrow of the Purification. m. 410.

Staff. Roger de Elyngton, Parson of the church of Alrewych (Aldridge), sued Philip, son of Hugh Aleyn, of Wodnesbury, Chaplain, Thomas Frebody, and Richard Dylon for forcibly taking his horse worth 20s. from Honesworth, and other goods and chattels worth 100s., and for beating and wounding William le Spenser, his servant, so that he lost his services for a long time. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff returned they held nothing by which they could be attached. He was therefore ordered to arrest and produce them on the Octaves of Hillary, on which day the Sheriff made no return, and he was ordered to produce them at three weeks from Easter. m. 443.

Staff. In the suit respecting a messuage, four carucates of land, half a mill, and 6s. of rent in Melewych, which Alice, daughter of William Gilbert, claimed under the terms of a fine levied in 7 E. I. The tenants of the land, etc., claimed, appeared to their summonses by attorney, and Alice prayed for execution, and Nicholas le Warner and Alice his wife, and two others, stated that one Robert de Melewych was seised of the tenements in demesne as of fee, and after his death they descended to one Thomas, his son and heir, and Thomas assigned them to one Petronilla, formerly wife of the said Robert to be held as dower, and the same Thomas, whilst Petronilla was in seisin of them, remitted and quitclaimed to her all his right in them, to be held of him for the service of a pair of gloves. And the said Petronilla afterwards alienated the same tenements to one William de Pixstoke, whose status they now held in the tenements, and they said that at the date of the fine, the said Thomas held nothing in the tenements except the rent of a pair of gloves, and this they were prepared to prove. Alice, in her reply, stated that at the date of the fine the said Thomas held the fee of the tenements, and appealed to a jury which is to be summoned for the Quindene of Easter. A postscript states that the process was continued till Michaelmas, 20 E. III, when a jury, delivered a verdict in favour of Alice, stating that at the date of the fine Thomas held the fee of the tenements in question.

The tenants dispossessed under this verdict were Nicholas le Warner and Alice his wife, who held an acre of land; John, son of John de Shorthull, who held a rent of 3s., and Alianora, formerly wife of Richard in the Hay, who held one-fourth of a carucate of land. William, son of Richard de Venables, who held two parts of two parts of a carucate of land, stated by his custos that, one Robert de Melewych, was seised of the said tenements in demesne as of fee and died seised of them, and after his death the said Thomas de Melewych entered as son and heir, and assigned the said two parts to Petronilla to be held as dower, and Thomas had afterwards released and quit-claimed to her all his rights in them together with other lands and tenements for the service of a pair of gloves; and the said Petronilla had enfeoffed William de Pixstoke of the tenements, who had died seised of them, and after his death one Thomas de Pixstoke had entered as his son and heir, and the said Thomas had enfeoffed Richard de Venables his father, and as the said William, son of Richard is now under age, he prayed that the suit might remain till his full age.

Hugh le Chapman, another tenant, stated he held his tenement, viz., half a virgate of land, for term of his life by a demise made by Thomas de Pixstoke, who also granted the reversion of it to one Richard de Venables, and by virtue of which reversion he had attorned himself to the said Richard, and Richard was dead, and the reversion descended to William, son of Richard, without whom he could not bring the said tenement to judgment, and the said William was under age.

William de Wotton and Isabella, his wife, stated they held their tenement, viz., one-third of a carucate of land, as dower of Isabella, of the dotation of Thomas de Pixstoke, and by the assignment of Richard de Venables, and the reversion of it belonged to William, son and heir of Richard, who was under age.

Richard de Cheseworthyn and Alice his wife, stated they held their tenement, viz., one-third of two parts of a carucate of land, as dower of Alice, of the dotation of Richard de Venables, of the inheritance of the said William, and the reversion belonged to the said William, son of Richard, who was under age.

John, son of William le Taillour, tenant of a fourth of a virgate of land, did not appear, and Alice prayed for execution against him; and William Tynte and Elena his wife, stated they held the whole tenement, the said John holding nothing in it, and they held it for the life of Elena, by a demise made by Thomas de Pixstoke, who had granted the reversion of it to Richard de Venables, and his heirs, and Richard had died, and the right in the reversion had fallen to William, son and heir of Richard, without whom they could not bring the tenement to judgment, and he was under age.

Alice, daughter of William (the Plaintiff) replied that William, son of Richard, was of full age, and she prayed he might be viewed by the Court. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to produce him in Court, at the Quindene of Easter, so that the Justices might judge by his aspect, whether he was of full age or not. A postscript states that the said William, son of Richard, appeared in Court at the above date, and as Alice could not deny he was under age, the suit was to remain till his full age. m. 505.

Staff. William Trussebut, whom Ralph, son of Ralph Basset, of Chedle, whom Richard Bassett, of Chedle, whom Ralph Bassett, of Chedle, and Joan, his wife, called to warranty and who warranted the tenements to them, appeared by attorney against James de Stafford, Knight, in a plea that he should warrant to him the third of a messuage, and twenty-five acres of land, and seven and a half acres of meadow in Dulverne (Dilhorn), which Alice, formerly wife of Robert le Rotour, of Stafford, claimed as dower. James did not appear and had previously made default, and the Sheriff had been ordered to take into the King's hand land belonging to him, to the value of the dower claimed, and the Sheriff now returned that the said James held no lands or tenements within his bailiwick, and it was testified that he held sufficient. The Sheriff was therefore ordered as before to take lands, etc., belonging to him into the King's hand, and to summon him for the Octaves of the Purification. m. 516.

Staff. Thomas, son of Roger de Swynnerton, sued Robert, son of Roger de Swynnerton, to warrant to him the manor of Adbaston, which John, son of John Baldewyn, of Salop, claimed against him, and he 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 tenements claimed, into the King's hand, and to summon him for this date, and the Sheriff now returned that the writ reached him too late, and he was therefore ordered again by writ of "non omittas propter libertatem Episcopi Cestrensis," to take lands belonging to him, etc., as before, and to summon him for five weeks from Easter. A postscript shows repeated adjournments of the suit up to Hillary term, 16–17, E. III. m. 516.

Staff. Joan, formerly wife of Roger Purcel, of Bisshebury, sued Henry de Bisshebury, Chivaler, and Amice his wife, for a third of the manor of la Sernore, 100 acres of land, forty acres of meadow, sixty acres of pasture, and £10 of rent in Bisshebury, and she sued Thomas atte Broke, of Bisshebury, for a third of three messuages, sixty acres of land, thirty acres of meadow, and forty acres of pasture in the same vill; and she sued Thomas, son of Thomas atte Brok, for a third of a messuage, sixty acres of land, thirty acres of meadow, and sixty acres of pasture in the same vill; and she sued Robert, son of Thomas atte Brok, and Roger his brother, for a third of a messuage, sixty acres of land, thirty acres of meadow, and sixty acres of pasture in the same vill, as dower. The defendants appeared by attorney and prayed a view, and the suit was adjourned to the Octaves of the Purification. m. 549.

Staff. Simon de Ruggeleye sued John Gentyl in a plea that he had forcibly broken into his close at Longedon, and cut down his trees to the value of £10. John did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain and produce him at the Octaves of Hillary. m. 495, dorso.

Staff. John, son of Hugh de Tymmor, sued John le Pypere, Chaplain, for a book worth 40s., which he unjustly detained. The defendant did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to attach him for the Octaves of Hillary. m. 495, dorso.

Derb. Richard de Curzon, Parson of the Church of Breydeshale, sued Geoffrey de Skeftyngton, for four messuages, four acres and a half of land, and twenty acres of wood, in Bredeshale (and which had been valued at 21s. 6d.), which Robert de Duyn gave to Sampson de Duyn, and heirs of his body, and failing such to Hugh de Duyn, and heirs of his body, and which after the death of the said Sampson and Hugh should remain to him as kinsman and heir of the said Hugh, Sampson having died without leaving issue; and Geoffrey had called to warranty James, son of Nicholas de Audele, who had been summoned in cos. Stafford and Derby, and who now appeared by attorney to the summons made in co. Stafford, and prayed it might be shown why he should warrant the tenements, and Geoffrey stated that one James de Audethelega, the great grandfather of James, son of Nicholas, and whose heir he is, had conceded by deed to Geoffrey, son of John de Skeftyngton, the father of Geoffrey, and whose heir he is, the manor of Breydeshale, of which the tenements in question were a parcel, to be held by the said Geoffrey and his heirs, and with a clause of warranty, and he produced the deed, and James, son of Nicholas, did not deny the deed, but stated he held nothing in fee simple by hereditary descent from the said James, his great grandfather, but nevertheless as heir of blood of the said James, he warranted the tenements to the said Geoffrey.

And Richard then stated that the said Robert de Duyn gave the tenements to the said Sampson, by which gift Sampson was seised of them temp. E. I, and he died s.p., and the tenements remained to the said Hugh, and from Hugh the right descended to one Joan as daughter and heir, and from Joan to one Richard, as son and heir, and from the said Richard to the plaintiff, as son and heir.

And James, son of Nicholas, stated that the said Richard had no claim to the tenements, because one Sampson le Duy (sic), his great grandfather, had granted them to the said James, son of Nicholas, under the name of James de Audideley, together with other tenements in the vill of Bredsale, to be held by him and his heirs, and with a clause of warranty, and he called on the said Richard, as kinsman and heir of Sampson, to warrant them to him, and he produced the deed. And Richard denied that the deed produced was the act of the said Sampson, and appealed to a jury and the witnesses to the deed. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to summon a jury for three weeks from Easter, together with Thomas de Meingware (sic Menilwarin ?), Robert de Stokeford (sic Stokeport ?), William Patryk, Patric de Heselwelle, William de Wystanton, John de Baskervyle, Warine de Menigware, Knights, Walter de Scaccario, Geoffrey de Skyftenton, Jurdan de Pivelesdon, Thomas de Haurthyn, and Roger de Maclesfeld, Clerk, the witnesses named in the deed, and it was to be noted that the same deed had been produced in another plea, as appears in the records of Michaelmas term, 13 E. III, roll 466, and remains in the custody of Adam de Stayngrave, the King's Clerk. m. 350 dorso.

Staff. John, son of Richard de Ripariis (Rivers), Knight, (militis), sued Alexander, Prior of Tuttebury, for 90 marks, the arrears of an annual rent of 20 marks, owing to him. The Prior did not appear, and the Sheriff had done nothing and made no return. He was therefore ordered as before to distrain and produce him at the Quindene of Hillary. m. 347, dorso.

Staff. Thomas de Arderne, Chivaler, sued Thomas de Pype, in a plea that he should render a reasonable account for the time he was his bailiff in Rydeware Hamstal. The defendant did not appear and the Sheriff made no return. He was therefore ordered to attach him for the Quindene of Hillary. A postscript states that at that date the Sheriff made no return, and he was ordered to attach him for the Quindene of Trinity. m. 324, dorso.

Staff. Roger, the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, sued John de Ryvers, Parson of the church of Hambury, for a debt of £15, and John had not appeared, and the Sheriff had been ordered to distrain Roger the Bishop to produce the said John, his Clerk. And he now returned he had levied a distress, and paid into Court half a mark as proceeds of it, and the Sheriff was ordered to distrain again and produce the said John at the Octaves of Hillary. A postscript states that on that date the Sheriff had no return, and he was ordered to produce him at three weeks from Easter. m. 308, dorso.

Staff. James de Pype, who was of full age, sued Richard de Stafford, Chivaler, for the manor of Pype, excepting two messuages, by a writ of entry. Richard prayed a view, and the suit was adjourned to the Quindene of Easter. m. 284.

Staff. Robert de Mere of Burton and Matilda his wife sued William, son of William le Hunte of Burton, for a messuage in Burton-upon-Trent which Henry le Lyttestere gave to Robert de Charteleye, and Agnes his wife, and the heirs of their bodies, and which should descend to them by the form of the gift; and they stated that Robert de Charteley and Agnes were seised of the tenement by the above gift, temp. E. II, and from them the right descended to Matilda, their daughter and heir.

William defended his right and pleaded that the said Henry had not given the messuage to Robert and Agnes as stated by the plaintiffs, and appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Quindene of Hillary. m. 143, dorso.

Staff. Agnes, formerly wife of Robert de la Shote of Dulverne, sued Richard Aleyn of Dulverne for a third of a messuage and twenty acres of land in Dulverne as her dower. Richard did not appear, and the Sheriff was ordered to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon him for this term. And the Sheriff now returned the writ reached him too late, and he was ordered as before to take the dower claimed into the King's hand, and to summon him for the Quindene of Hillary. m. 143, dorso.

Staff. William de Walton sued Amice, daughter of Gilbert de Gorsthull of Lichefeld, and Joan, her sister, for a messuage and seven and a half acres of land in Lichefeld and Morghale by a writ of entry. Amice and Joan called to warranty William le Champioun, who appeared by his attorney, Richard de Engleton, and warranted the tenements to them; and called to warranty Richard le Bole and Joan his wife, and Richard de Fulfen and Amice his wife, daughters and heirs of Gilbert de Gorsthull, who are to be summoned for the Quindene of Hillary. A postscript shews repeated adjournments of the suit up to Easter, 17 E. III. m. 140, dorso.

Staff. Richard de Swynnerton sued John de Westone, Parson of the Church of Little Grantesdon, for a debt of £1,000; and he stated that whereas the said John on the 7th March, 12 E. III, in London, in the parish of St. Nicholas nearle Flesshomeles of London, bound himself to him by a deed in a sum of £1,000 to be rendered in the church of St. Paul of London, viz., at the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist next following, £500, and at the Feast of St. Martin in the winter, £500, the said John although frequently called up to pay the said sum to him had refused, and still refuses to do so, and for which he claimed £2,000 as damages, and he produced the bond above named.

John appeared by attorney and pleaded that he should not be required to answer to the writ, because at the date named he was not the parson of the church of Little Grantesdene, and appealed on this issue to a jury, and Richard likewise; and as Little Grantesdene is in co. Kent, the Sheriff of that county was ordered to summon a jury for the Octaves of St. Martin. A postscript states that the process was continued till Trinity term, 16 E. III, when a jury from the co. of Kent returned a verdict that at the date of the bond the said John was Parson of the church of Little Grantesdene, as Richard stated in the writ, and they assessed his damages for the detention of the debt at £60. Richard is therefore to recover his debt and the above damages. m. 123, dorso.

Staff. Thomas son of William de Morteyn sued Philip de Stepelton for two mills in Great Barre, and Philip did not appear and had previously made default, and the mills had been taken into the King's hand, and Thomas now claimed them through the default of the defendant; and upon this one Robert, son of Philip de Stepelton, appeared and stated that the said Thomas ought not to have seisin of them, because he (the said Robert) was seised of them in demesne as of fee and had demised them to the said Philip for his life only, and the reversion of them belonged to him and to his heirs.

And Thomas stated that the said Robert should not be admitted to defend the suit on this plea because at the date of the writ, namely, 4th July, 11 E. III, the said Philip held the tenements in fee, and he appealed to a jury, which is to be summoned for the Morrow of the Purification. A postscript shews repeated adjournments of the case up to Trinity term, 18 E. III. m. 84, dorso.

Staff. Richard Russel, who sued for the King, appeared against Richard the Prior of Sondwall, Simon, son of William de Burmingham, William le Mercer, and Richard and Roger his brothers, Magister John Blount, and Edmund le Prioursprest of Sondwell, in a plea, that whereas the advowson of the Prebend of Codeshale was annexed to the Deanery of the King's Free Chapel of St. Michael of Tetenhale, and the King's beloved Clerk, William de Sheynton, lately Dean of the said King's Chapel, had conferred the Prebend then vacant on Louis de Chertelon, and the same Louis by virtue of the said collation had been "adeptus" and the King had forbidden any one to make appeals, citations, monitions or processes against the said Louis, or to presume to attempt anything in derogation of the King's patronage; the said Prior and the others above named, intending to impugn the rights of the King and of his Crown, and to enervate the King's right of patronage, had made or procured certain appeals, citations, etc., and other impediments to the manifest enervation of the King's patronage, etc. None of the defendants appeared, and the Sheriff had been ordered to attach them, and had done nothing, but returned they held nothing by which they could be attached, and it was testified that the Prior held sufficient in the county; the Sheriff was therefore ordered to attach him for the Quindene of Hillary, and to arrest the others and produce them at the same date. A postscript states that on that date the Sheriff made no return to the writ, and he was ordered to attach them for the Quindene of Trinity. m. 75 dorso.

Staff. Nicholas le Mareschal appeared by attorney against William, son of John Gryffyn, kinsman and heir of William Gryffyn, in a plea that he should warrant to him the third part of a messuage, two virgates and a half, and ten acres of land, and a rent of 10s. in Clyfton Camvile, which Alianora, formerly wife of Willian Gryffyn, claimed as dower. William did not appear, and the Sheriff returned the writ reached him to late. He was therefore ordered to summon him for the Octaves of Hillary on the prayer of the Plaintiff, and the attorney of Nicholas was told by the Court that he must sue at his own peril. (fn. 3) m. 43, dorso.

Staff. Sarra, formerly wife of Thomas de Benham, sued Robert de Esnyngton for a toft, four acres of land, and four acres of wood in Esnyngton (Essington), which she claimed as her right and inheritance. Robert did not appear, and a day had been given to him by his essoign after the first summons. The Sheriff was therefore ordered to take the tenements claimed, into the King's hand, and to summon him for the Octaves of St. Hillary. m. 1, dorso.

Footnotes

  • 1. Hugh le Blount was lord of Penkridge.
  • 2. The first two sureties were Clerici Regis being Clerks of the Court. William de Ercalewe had been Sheriff of cos. Salop and Stafford.
  • 3. The meaning of this is that the Court issues the writ to compel the attendance of the warrantor, but takes no further responsibility in the matter.