Middlesex Sessions Rolls: 1620

Middlesex County Records: Volume 2, 1603-25. Originally published by Middlesex County Record Society, London, 1887.

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'Middlesex Sessions Rolls: 1620', in Middlesex County Records: Volume 2, 1603-25, (London, 1887) pp. 150-158. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/middx-county-records/vol2/pp150-158 [accessed 25 April 2024]

1620

10 January, 17 James I.—True Bill that, at St. Giles-in-the-Fields co. Midd. on the said day, Henry Theoderick late of the said parish yoman, being a common informer, with colour and pretence that a certain Gylbert (sic) Milton of the same parish chaundler was an offender against the recent statute of Weights and Measures made a composition with the aforesaid Gregory (sic) Milton, and for making the same composition without any order or consent of any court of the said Lord the King, took and had to his own proper use of the aforesaid Gylbert (sic) twelve shillings of lawful English money. On his arraignment Henry Theoderick put himself 'Not Guilty,' and was acquitted.—A clerical note at the bill's foot shows that Gylbert Milton the chandler gave evidence against the informer. Milton's name appears four times on the parchment, and until the bill was amended in three of the four places seems to have been uniformly misnamed Gregory. It is obvious that he was Gilbert Milton of St. Giles's-inthe-Fields chandler. G. D. R., 6 Oct., 18 James I.

21 January, 17 James I.—Six several Records that, on being found Incorrigible Vagrants, Cecilia Bateman, Rosa Butler, Frances Davies, Susan Ancker, Grace Heskyns and Anna Davies were branded on the left shoulder with the letter R. G. D. Reg.

4 February, 17 James I.—True Bill that, at Marybone Parke in the parishe of Marybone on the said day, William Kelley brickmaker, Eustace Kelley brickmaker, James Stringer yoman, and William Corner clothworker, all four late of St. Giles's-in-the-Fields co. Midd., stole a grey gelding worth eight pounds, of the goods and chattels of Edmund Odor gentleman. Standing mute William Kelley had judgment "pene fortis et dure"; James Stringer was found 'Guilty' and sentenced to be hung; Eustace Kelley and William Corner were at large. G. D. R., 30 March, 18 James I.

19 February, 17 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Sir Lewes Lewkenor knt. J.P., of William Taylor of Sheere Lane tailor and Austin Mathewes of St. Bryde's London stationer, in the sum of forty pounds each, and of Thomas Kennythorpe of St. Botulphs-withoutAldersgate London gentleman, in the sum of one hundred pounds; For the said Thomas Kennythorpe's appearance at the next Session of the Peace, then and there to answer to a charge of "having sent a letter unto the Countesse of Sussex, conteining scandalous language detracting from the honour of the said lady, and disparaging of some persons of creditt attending her person," and also for his peaceful bearing in the mean time towards Mres. Margaret Kennythorpe. G. D. R., 30 March, 18 James I.

28 February, 17 James I.—True Bill that, at St. Giles's-in-theFields co. Midd. on the said day, William Clarke alias Corner late of the said parish yoman assaulted Silvanus Davies in the highway and robbed him of "one deroy-coulored cloake lined with veluet" worth thirty shillings, of the goods and chattels of the said Silvanus Davies. Found 'Guilty,' William Clarke alias Corner was sentenced to be hung. G. D. R., 30 March, 18 James I.

1 March, 17 James I.—Recognizance, taken before Richard Lowther esq. J.P., of Mathew Bons of Pepper Alley Southwarke dyer, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the appearance of John Crowe at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, then and there to "answere for assemblinge himselfe with divers other Ryottous and disorderlye and lewd people vppon Shrove Tewsdaye last past." G. D. R., 30 March, 18 James I.

27 March, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at Hampton co. Midd. on the said day, William Michell yoman, his wife Joan Michell and Richard Michell yoman, all three late of Hampton aforesaid, stole a silver dishe worth twelve pounds, of the goods and chattels of the said Lord the King, and one silver dish worth four pounds of the goods and chattels of the Most Noble George Marquis Buckingham. Found 'Guilty,' William Michell asked for the book, read it and was branded. Found 'Guilty,' Joan Michell was reprieved before judgment. Richard Michell put himself 'Not Guilty' and was acquitted. G. D. R., . . . ., 18 James I.

3 April, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at St. Giles-in-the-Fields co. Midd. on the said day, and also on two subsequent days viz. the 6th and the 7th days of the same month, Margaret Marsham, late of the said parish spinster and servant of Sir Anthony Bugges knt. and his wife Frances Lady Bugges, with the intention of murdering her said mistress administered to her a certain poison, to-wit "argentum vivum stanno incorporatum" mixed in three several cups of scurvigrasse ale, which three several poisonous draughts the said Frances Lady Bugges drank on the three aforementioned successive days, at the instigation of her said servant, and from each of the said draughts suffered severely in her health, though her life was not extinguished by the three draughts, thus given to her by her aforesaid servant with the design of killing her. Margaret Marsham was found 'Guilty'; the punishment awarded to her being recorded at the bill's head in a remarkable memorandum, that when extended runs thus, "Finis taxatur per curiam ad cccc marcas and a testimony of her offence to be made in writinge which she is to acknowledge openly in Drury Lane in such manner as the constable shall think good, and afterwardes to remayne in prison duringe the pleasure of the Court"; this memorandum being followed by another note running thus, "Et postea ad deliberacionem gaole de xiiii° Julii proxime sequente finis reducitur per curiam ad liiis. iiijd. solvendos per ipsam ante deliberata esset extra gaolam=And afterwards at the gaol-delivery of the next 14th of July the fine is reduced to fifty-three shillings and four-pence, to be paid by her, before she be delivered out of gaol." G. D. R., 31 May, 18 James I.

11 April, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Simon Muskett esq. J.P., of Roger Beaton gardyner and Ralph Page trunkemaker, both of Clarkenwell co. Midd., in the sum of ten pounds each, and of Benedict Wilmote of the said parish butcher, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the said Benedict Wilmote's appearance at the next General Session of the Peace for Middlesex, "to answere for cossening His Majesties leige people with casting a pece of money into a staffe, and for beating James Sutton." G. S. P. R., Easter, 18 James I.

15 April, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at Holborne co. Midd. on the said day, Guy Ayrey yoman and his wife Jane Ayrey, both late of Holborn aforesaid stole one petticoate of tufted stuffe worth eleven shillings, three coyfes worth ten shillings, one greene apron worth . . . ., "duo astrigiment' capital' anglice twoe haire laces worth eight pence, "unum al' astrigiment, anglice one fillet" worth . . . ., "et unum exemplar anglice one sampler" worth twelve pence, and four pence in numbered money, of the goods and chattels of a certain Lettuce Perrot. Throwing himself on the clemency of the court, Guy Ayrey was fined twelve pence. Jane Ayrey also put herself 'Guilty,' but the record of her punishment is obliterated from the bill. Also, on the same file, a True Bill against the same two thieves, for stealing on the same 15th of April divers articles of clothing and apparel, to the value of seven pounds ten shillings and six pence. Both culprits confessing the indictment and throwing themselves on the clemency of the court, they were each fined twelve pence. G. D. R., . . . ., 18 James I.

5 May, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at Whitechappell co. Midd. on the said day, Jane Goodwyn late of Whitechappell aforesaid spinster stole a petticoat worth twelve shillings, an apron of Say worth three shillings, a smocke worth five shillings, one ruffeband worth two shillings, "duo captitalia anglice two crestclothes" worth twelve pence, halfe a yarde of Cambricke worth three shillings, a linen sheete worth twelve pence, "unam togam muliebrem anglice one wastcote" worth two shillings, two cuffes worth six shillings, and a paire of newe shoes worth two shillings, of the goods and chattels of John Wood. Found 'Guilty,' Jane Goodwyn was reprieved before judgment. G. D. R., 31 May, 18 James I.

12 May, 18 James I.—Memorandum, touching a case taken at Edmonton co. Midd. before Sir John Weld knt. and Eusebius Andrewe esq., Justices of the Peace, with order on the case running thus, "It is this day thought fitt and ordered by the aforenamed Justices that Evan Rogers of Edmonton of the said county laborer, who vppon his owne confession is the reputed father of a bastard child christened Richard Rogers lately borne in Edmonton aforesaid in the said countye begotten by him vppon Jane Barton of Edmonton aforesaid shall bee whiped in some open place in Edmonton for his said offence vnlesse hee before the next Sessions of the Peace to be held for this countye doe pay to the churchwardens of the said parishe of Edmonton to the use of the poore of the said parishe the some of Twenty shillings for his said offence." G. D. R., . . . ., 18 James I.

15 May, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at St. Sepulchre's London co. Midd. on the said day, John Harpur late of the said parish yoman stole a trencher plate of silver worth thirty shillings, of the goods and chattels of Elizabeth Lady Finche. On his arraignment John Harpur put himself 'Not Guilty' and was acquitted. G. D. R., 31 May, 18 James I.

22 May, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Robert Heath esq. Recorder of London, of John Jacob of St. Giles's-without-Creplegate cooke and John Slye of St. James's Clarkenwell cordwayner, in the sum often pounds each, and Simon Maxfeild of St. Andrew's Holborne gentleman, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the said Simon Maxfeild's appearance at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex after the feast of St. John the Baptist, then and there to answer "for doyng worshipp at Tyborne and denyinge the Oath of Allegiaunce." G. D. R., . . . ., 18 James I.

31 May, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Francis Michell esq. J.P., of Joseph Kynnet of St. Nicholas Lane London clothworker and Valentine Browninge of Goldinglane victualler, both in the sum of ten pounds, and John Bradshawe of St. Nicholas Lane London aforesaid clothworker, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the said John Bradshawe's appearance at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, then and there "to answere for abuseinge the officers of Whitecrosstreet and disturbinge and molestinge the Inhabitantes by knockinge at their doores at 3 of the clocke in the morninge."—Also, on the same file, three other sets of Recognizances, taken on the same day before the same Justice of the Peace; For the appearance at the same next Session of the Peace, of Francis Collins of Whitecrossestreet tailor, Joseph Kynnett of St. Nicholas Lane aforesaid, and John Harrison of the same lane clothworker, to answer for their parts in the same disturbance of the King's Peace in Whitecross Street. G. D. R., . . . ., 18 James I.

1 June, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Sir Lewes Lewkenor knt. J.P., of John Clarke tailor, Vincent Dixon victualler, Walter Slater ostler, . . . . Fuller barber, William Lee . . . ., Thomas Jones waterbearer, Peter Baget victualler, William Sabben yeoman, Giles Rudd . . . ., and Henry Seagood carpenter, all ten of St. Giles's-in-the-Fields co. Midd., in the sum of twenty pounds each; For their appearance at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, then and there to "give evidence agaynst Dudley Jenninges and his company for an assault and ryott by them committed in Lincolnes Inn Fields." G. D. R., . . . .,18 James I.

2 June (sic), 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Sir Lewes Lewkenor knt. J.P., of Robert Spure and Thomas Whitacre, both of St. Clement's Danes' co. Midd. tailors, in the sum of twenty pounds each, and of William Masters of St. Andrew's in Holborne yeoman, in the sum of forty pounds; For the appearance of the said William Masters at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, then and there to "answere for making an affray and drawing his sword in Drury Lane, to the great disturbance of His Majesties peace."—Also, on the same file, Recognizances taken on 2nd July (sic), 18 James I., before the same Justice of the Peace, of James Chilister and Ralph Greene, both of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, and Mark Mackshen of St. Clement's Danes', all three yeomen, in the sum of forty pounds each; For the appearance of the same three yeomen at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, to "answere for making an affray and drawing their swordes in Drury Lane, to the great disturbance of His Majesty's peace." G. D. R., . . . .,18 James I.

10 June, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Sir Edward Sackeville and Lewes Lewkenor knts. and Justices of the Peace, of Sir Charles Riche of St. Andrew's in Holborne London knt. and Peter Killigree of Lothbury esq., in the sum of one hundred pounds each, and Dudley Jenninges of St. Giles's-in-the-Fields co. Midd. gentleman, in the sum of two hundred pounds; For the appearance of the said Dudley Jenninges at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex "to answere the great disorder assault and ryott which he and his company committed in Lincolnes Inn Feildes at the house of Margery Walton, and for assaulting and beating the watch," and in the mean time for their peaceful behaviour. G. D. R., . . . ., 18 James I.

10 June, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at St. Sepulchre's London co. Midd. on the said day, Nicholas Smithe late of the said parish yoman, stole foure silke damaske coach curtaines worth seven pounds, a greene velvet coache-cushion worth thirty shillings, a coach coveringe of lynnen worth ten shillings, and a coveringe of bayes for a coachcushion, worth nine shillings, of the goods and chattels "Jeronimi domini Landon Legati Venet'." Putting himself 'Not Guilty,' Nicholas Smithe was acquitted. G. D. R., 6 Dec., 18 James I.

12 July, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at Islington co. Midd. and elsewhere in the said county on the said day and at divers other times before and afterwards, John Starre late of Islington aforesaid was a rogue and vagrant, maintaining himself lazily and craftily by playing with cards and dice to the injury of the King's lieges &c. Putting himself 'Not Guilty,' John Starre was found 'Guilty' by a Jury, whereupon it was adjudged—"That he be halfe stripped, tyed at a cartes taile with a superscription vpon his head shewinge his offence, whipped from the gaole to Westminster, To make satisfaccion to the partyes greeved before his deluerye, and to putt in good suertes" for his good behaviour and his appearance at the next Session. G. D. R., 6 Oct., 18 James I.

7 August, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at St. Margaret's Westminster co. Midd. on the said day, Henry Clase and Thomas Wattes, both late of Westminster yomen, broke into Hyde Parke, and there did digge uppe and cut certain leaden conduit pypes, and carry away from the said park the lead of the same pipes. Found 'Guilty,' each of the two culprits was sentenced "to be whipt from Westminster throughe the body of London with papers upon his head shewinge his offence." G. D. R., 1 Sept, 18 James I.

20 August, 18 James I.—True Bill, for keeping brothels in their respective dwelling-houses on the said day, and divers days before and afterwards,—against Emma Hill spinster, Margaret Manninge spinster, Elizabeth Shelton spinster, Elizabeth Throgmorton alias Morgan spinster, Margery Bennett spinster, Mary Allen spinster, John Peratt alias Clapham yoman, Isabell Sowth spinster, Dorothy Jackson spinster, Elizabeth Vaughan spinster, Mary Jagger spinster, Joan Parker spinster, John Mackender yoman, Katherine Griffin spinster, Margery Harman spinster, Dorothy Burrowes spinster, all sixteen late of Cowcrosse co. Midd.; and Katherine Darbye spinster, Mary Beckett spinster and Margaret Peirce spinster, all three late of Clerkenwell co. Midd. G. D. R., 1 Sept., 18 James I.

25 August, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Richard Lowther esq. J. P., of Charles Bell carpenter and William Atkins taylor, both of Cock Lane in St. Pulcre's parish London, in the sum of twenty pounds each; For the appearance of a certain Thomas Branch at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, "to answer for offeringe to presse divers of His Majesties subjectes to serve him in the warres, pretendinge that hee had power and authoritie soe to doe, but uppon examination hee denyed that hee had anie such authoritie." G. D. R., 1 Sept., 18 James I.

29 September, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at St. Johnstreete co. Midd. on the said day, Grace Jones late of the said street spinster assaulted John Reade and robbed him of a piece of coined gold called "a vnite" and current for twenty-two shillings. Found 'Guilty,' Grace Jones was sentenced to be hung. 6 Oct., 18 James I.

6 October, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Robert Heath esq. Recorder of London, of George Reve of the parish of St. Denise Backchurch gentleman, Benjamin Buxton of St. Mary's Wool church grocer, and Anthony Anketyll of St. Mary's Bowe scrivener, in the sum of forty pounds each, and Robert Whitgrave of the parish of St. Denise (Sancte Dionisie) Backchurch merchaunt and William Atkyns of St. Alhallowes Lumbertstreete silkeman, in the sum of twenty pounds each; For the appearance of the said George Reve, Benjamin Buxton and Anthony Anketyll at the next Session of the Peace, to answer "for stealinge Marye Perd from Sir John Sucklyn's house, and for that she was maryed to Reve without Sir John his consent." G. D. R., 6 Dec, 18 James I.

19 October, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Robert Heath esq. Recorder of London, of Phillip James of St. Olive's in Southwark feltmaker, and of Roland Jenkyns of St. Clement's Danes' co. Midd. bricklayer and Thomas Powell of St. Olive's aforesaid feltmaker, in the sum of ten pounds; For the appearance of the said Phillip James at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, to answer "for inticinge Richard Saunders apprentice to Constantine Bateson, to be maryed in a chamber without lycence or askinge in the churche." G. D. R., 6 Dec., 18 James I.

11 November, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Francis Michell esq. J.P., of Nicholas Smither of Long Lane London tailer in the sum of twenty pounds, and Francis Kemp of the same lane cutler, in the sum of ten pounds; For the said Nicholas Smither's appearance at the next Session of Peace for Middlesex, to answer to what "shalbe objected against him on the King's Majesties behalf by William Ebbs toucheing the buying of a silke coach-curteyne, which with other thinges was lately stoalen out the coach of the Honoble. the Lord Embassador for Venice." G. D. R., 6 Dec, 18 James I.

11 December, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at the parish of St. Mary le Stronde alias Savoye within the liberties of the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter of Westminster co. Midd., Edward Sutton, John Jones alias Sayler, Nathaniell Sparkes, Ralph Arden alias Little, and Thomas Eacocke, all five late of the aforesaid parish laborers, stole a velvett purse worth five shillings, one seale of silver worth three pounds, one seale of golde worth five pounds, one other seal of silver worth twenty shillings, one seal of copper worth two shillings, one silke wastcote worth five shillings, and one bunch of keys worth twelve pence, of the goods and chattels of the Most Serene Charles the Prince of Wales. Thomas Eacocke and Nathaniell Sparkes were at large; the other three culprits were found 'Guilty,'—Edward Sutton and Ralph Arden having the benefit of their clergy, whilst John Jones was sentenced to be hung. Afterwards, at the Gaol Delivery of 5 Oct., 19 James I., Nathaniell Sparks put himself 'Not Guilty' and was acquitted. G. D. R., 12 Jan., 18 James I.

18 December, 18 James I.—True Bill that, at Hackney co. Midd. on the said day and on the day next following, John Bowman of Hackney aforesaid yoman, being one of the constables of the said parish obstinately refused to execute a certain warrant duly directed and delivered to him for execution by William Crosse esq. and William Swayne esq. two of the Justices of the Peace for Middlesex, and running thus,—Midd:—To John Bowman and James Skippinge Constables of Hackney: Forasmuch as Henry Wharton silkeweyver and Elizabeth Mason singlewoman both of them of this parishe have lately to the Highe displeasure of Almightie God and to the evill example of others lived together in incontinencie, and therein have begotten a base childe vpon the bodie of the said Elizabeth (she being the naturall sister of the nowe wife of the aforesaid Wharton and their offence soe much the greater by how much they were so nearely lincked in allyance) and suche as might justlie plucke downe vengeance from the highest vpon the heade of such as havinge (in this case) power to correcte yet wold be hoodwinked through connivence, Wee therefore (both for the correction of their flesh, that their spirrittes might be safe and for the example that the rest might feare) Will and require you and in His Majesties name charge and commaunde you, that on Tuesday next being the xixth. of this moneth by nyne of the clocke in the forenoone you attache the persons (?) of the said Henry and Elizabeth and them binde to a carte and strippinge them naked from the waste vpp you give or in your owne presence cause to be given them sound correccion by whippinge them throughout yourc towne, to begin with them both in Homerton at the house of goodwife Godfrey (the place where they committed their offence) and soe drive them by the Church through Churchstreete and soe through Marestreete to the further end thereof . . . . there is any houses and there to discharge them out againe. Hereof faile not vppon the perill that maye fall upon your neglect herein. Given under our handes and seales this xvith. of December 1620."—John Bowman confessed the indictment, when the matter was deferred to the next Session, as the Court wished to take counsel touching the insufficiency of the warrant. G. D. R., 12 Jan., 18 James I.

28 December, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before John Sotherton one of the Barons of the Exchequer and J.P. for Middlesex, of Richard Browne of High Holborne co. Midd. tailor, in the sum of ten pounds, and Thomas Dredge of the parish of St. Bartholomew the Great London tailor, in the sum of twenty pounds; For the appearance of the said Thomas Dredge at the next Session of the Peace for Middlesex, he being so "bownd over for that he and one Richard Browne were taken by the watch att one of the clock in the night coming out of the fieldes armed with swordes and accompanied by a woman." G. D. R.. 12 Jan., 18 James I.

30 December, 18 James I.—Recognizances, taken before Sir Francis Michell knt. J.P., of Anthony Hole of Fleetstreet London baker, and Thomas Stevenson of Cowcrosse co. Midd. plaisterer, in the sum of twenty pounds each; For the appearance of Ellen Scott, wife of Thomas Scott late of Cowcrosse aforesaid victualler, at the next Session of Gaol Delivery for Middlesex, "to answere the receiuing to pawne 2 peeces of lawne of Edward Julian now prisoner in Newgate which with many other goodes to a great value were by him lately stoalen forth of the howse of Sir Edwyn Sandis in St. Martin's London."—Also, on the same file, other Recognizances, taken before the same Justice of the Peace, touching the same stealing of goods from Sir Edwyn Sandis's house in St. Martin's Lane. G. D. R., 12 Jan., 18 James I.