Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 1271-2

Staffordshire Historical Collections, Vol. 4. Originally published by Staffordshire Record Society, London, 1883.

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'Plea Rolls for Staffordshire: 1271-2', in Staffordshire Historical Collections, Vol. 4, (London, 1883) pp. 182-191. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/staffs-hist-collection/vol4/pp182-191 [accessed 23 April 2024]

In this section

Roll No. 162.

Headed, "Placita coram Domino Rege, a die Paschæ, in quindecim dies, anno, &c., L. quinto." [19th April, 1271.]

Letters Patent, giving power to Edmund, the King's son, to admit to the King's peace all of co. Derby, Stafford, or Lancaster, who were against the King, and holding of Robert de Ferrars, formerly Earl of Derbeye, dated 10th March, 52 H. III. m. 2, dorso.

Edmund, son of the illustrious King of England, to all, &c. Know ye we have remitted and pardoned to all and singular of the tenure of Robert de Ferrars, formerly Earl of Derbeye and of the fee of Cliftoun, all actions, injuries, trespasses, &c., committed by them against the King our father, &c., up to the date of these letters. Dated Chesterfield, 16th October, 51 H. III. (sic). m. 2, dorso.

Salop. Edelina, the widow of Roger Corbet, appeared against Roger de la More of Bruges, Alan de Endon, Hugh de Mose, Richard le Orfevre, David le Pestur, Henry Beisun, Richard de Wadele, and twenty-five others, for breaking vi et armis into her house at Quatte, and taking goods and chattels to the value of 10l. m. 12, dorso.

Leyc. The King sent a mandate to Richard de Clifford, the Eschaetorcitra-Trent, that whereas Orabel and Margaret, the daughters of William de Harecurt and Alice his wife, (fn. 1) had manifested to the King that Richard de Harecurt, the father of William, had given to the said William and Alice the manor of Eylestun, and 4l. of rent in his Soke of Stratton, to be held by the said William and Alice, and the heirs of their bodies, and Adam de Monhaut, to whom the King had granted the custody of the land and of the heirs of William, till their full age, would not permit the said Orabel and Margaret to receive the 4l. of rent from the Soke of Stratton, which they used to receive in the lifetime of their father William, the Escheator was to inquire into the truth of the matter; and he had made inquisition by which it appeared that the said Richard gave to William de Harecurt, his son, 4l. of rent in the Soke of Stratton, in frank marriage with Alice his wife, to be held by the said William and Alice, and the heirs of their bodies, to make up 40l. of land in the manor of Eyleston. The Escheator is therefore to take the 4l. of rent into the King's hands, and to summon the said Adam for this day.

The Escheator is afterwards ordered to give Orabel and Margaret seisin of the said 4l. of rent. m. 16.

Staff. Philip Marmiun appeared against Richard de Flottebrok for coming vi et armis to his houses at Middelton in co. Warwick, and wounding and illtreating his men there, and carrying away goods to the value of 20l. Richard did not appear, and had previously made default. The Sheriff is therefore ordered to distrain him, &c., and to have his body in Court at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 16.

Warw. The suit between Richard de Loges and William Bagot, respecting a carucate of land in Sowe, is terminated by a verdict in favour of Richard; the jury stating that Hugh de Loges was non compos mentis suæ when he made the feoffment to William Bagot. The verdict is given in a postscriptum, having been delivered Hillary term, 56 H. III. m. 19.

Roll No. 163 contains no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 164.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: a die Paschæ, in quindecim dies, anno R. R. LV." [19th April, 1271.]

Staff. Sarra, widow of Thomas de Coulee, sued Bertram de Burgo for a third of two parts of the manor of Coulee as her dower. Bertram appeared by attorney and prayed a view. A day is given to the parties at the Octaves of Trinity. m. 1, dorso.

Staff. John Chachepole and Julia his wife sued William, son of Roger Hillary and Felicia his wife for a third of a messuage and half a virgate of land in Bercumdescote (Bescot), as the dower of Julia. William and Felicia called to warranty Joan, daughter of Cecilia, daughter of Henry de Bercmundescote, who is to be summoned in Worcestershire for the Octaves of Trinity. m. 3, dorso.

Staff. The suit of Roger Bydolf versus the Bailiff of John de Verdun of Alton, and others, respecting suit and service owing to the Curia of Alton, is adjourned to fifteen days from St. John the Baptist, none of the defendants appearing, and the Sheriff is ordered to cause to be given up the cattle of Roger which had been taken by distress. m. 5.

Warw. William de Parles appeared against William de Arderne and Hamon de Wyeleston, for coming vi et armis to his manor of Honeworth (Handsworth), and taking away his goods and chattels to the value of 40l. The defendants did not appear; and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain them, &c., and to have their bodies in Court at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 10.

Staff. Thomas de Mere sued John de Baskerville for a messuage and half a carucate of land in Leleheved. John did not appear, and is to be summoned for the Octaves of Michaelmas; the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 12, dorso.

Staff. Eva de Ounesby sued Robert de Hekinton and Beatrice his wife for a third part of a messuage and twenty acres of land in Longedon. The defendants made default; and the Sheriff was ordered to take the land into the King's hands. The Sheriff returned they held no land, and Philip Noyel (Noel) appeared and stated he held the land in question, and was in possession before the writ was sued out. As Eva could not deny this, the suit was dismissed. m. 15, dorso.

Staff. Henry, son of Richard, sued Simon Sponne and Felicia his wife for a messuage and three acres of land in Alveton. The defendants did not appear, and are to be summoned for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist; the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 17, dorso.

Staff. A day is given to Philip de Draycote and to Richard de Sandbech, plaintiffs, versus Hugh de Leye and Elena his wife, tenants, in a plea of land at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist, prece partium. m. 17, dorso.

Staff. Richard, son of Isabella de Heywode, sued Roger Aunsel for a messuage and six acres of land and half an acre of pasture in Heywode. Roger did not appear, and is to be summoned for fifteen days from Michaelmas; the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 20, dorso.

North. The suit of William de Parles versus Geoffrey de Luscy, Jordan de Morton, and others, for abducting his ward Hamon fitz Hamon from the house of William in Northampton, adjourned to fifteen days from St. John the Baptist, the defendants not appearing, and writs of distringas to be issued. m. 24.

Staff. Simon de Cotes sued the Abbot of Deulacresse for 25l. owing to him. The Abbot did not appear. To be re-summoned for the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 24, dorso.

Staff. Thomas de Weseham, the Seneschall of the Forest of Kynnok (sic), appeared against Hugh de Aynesham, in a plea that he should render to him an account for the time he was his Bailiff of the Forest. Hugh did not appear, and the Sheriff returned he held nothing by which he could be attached. The Sheriff is ordered to produce his body in Court at fifteen days from St. John the Baptist. m. 31.

Staff. The Abbot of Cumbe sued Robert Buffray, William, son of Felicia, Walter, son of Amice de Crokewell, William, son of Geoffrey, and Henry, son of Henry de Overton, for taking his cattle. The defendants did not appear, and had previously made default. The Sheriff is therefore to distrain them and produce them at a month from Michaelmas. m. 36.

Staff. William de Stretay, Clericus, sued Magister Henry, son of Henry fitz Walter, for one-third of a mill, excepting a fifth part in Freford; and he sued Nicholas de la Grene for a messuage in the same vill. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for three weeks from Michaelmas; the tenements to be taken into the King's hands. m. 39, dorso.

Staff. Juliana, the widow of Ralph Boule, sued Hugh de Cave, the custodian of the land and heir of Ralph Boule, for one-third of a messuage and a virgate and a half of land in Hauneton, and Ralph de Grendon and other tenants for a third of their lands, &c., in the same vill, as dower. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for the Octaves of St. John the Baptist; the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 41.

Staff. Reginald le Rus sued Richard de Hylton for two and a half acres of land in Boleleye, and Robert de la Coldervelle in Stretey (Streethay), and Christiana his wife, and William, son of Christiana, for two and a half acres in Stretey, and Henry de Barre and Margaret his wife for twenty acres and half a messuage in Longedon. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned for three weeks from Michaelmas; the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 42.

Roll No. 165.

Headed, "Placita coram Domino Rege in crastino, et in Octabis Sanctæ Trinitatis, anno, &c., Lmo. quinto." [1st June-7th June, 1271.]

Staff. Clement de London came into Court and acknowledged a charter he had made to John de Houton and Alianora his wife, granting them and their heirs six acres of land in Wytegrave, which Richard de London, his brother, had held of him, and three acres of land which Robert de Suchlegardin held of him in the same vill. Witnesses, Magister Richard de Stanes, tunc Justiciaris coram Rege, John Pouterel, Henry de Edelingthorp, John Purbik, Clerks; William de Stanes, John de Westminster, Roger de Flogethorp, Henry de Manefend, Richard Wassaund. m. 11, dorso.

Staff. Hugh de Beumes and Isolda his wife, Stephen le Bolur, and four others who are styled villam (fn. 2) of the said Hugh and Isolda, sued William de Norton for taking their goods and chattels to the value of 6l. 10s. 4d. at Hamchirche, and for imprisoning the said Stephen. William did not appear; and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain him, &c., and to produce him within a month (i.e., of the Octaves of St. John the Baptist). m. 21, dorso.

Staff. In the suit of Philip Marmiun versus Richard de Flotesbrok, for taking his goods and chattels from Middelton in co. Warwick, vi et armis, Richard appeared and denied the fact, and appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury for fifteen days from St. Martin. m. 25.

Roll No. 166 contains no Staffordshire suits.

Roll No. 167.

Headed, "Placita coram Domino Rege in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, anno regni Regis Henrici, filii Regis Johannis, Lmo. sexto. [20th January, 1272.]

Staff. In the suit of Henry de Verdun versus Thomas Corbet, respecting the redemption of the lands of Henry in Darlaston, under the provisions of the Dictum de Kenilworth, the Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury at a month from Easter; and "because it was testified that the whole of the county of Stafford was against the King," the Sheriff of Worcestershire is ordered to summon eight Knights and others of his county, and the Sheriff of Warwickshire the same number from his county, who were not against the King, in order to form the jury. m. 8.

Staff. In the suit of Hugh de Weston versus Thomas Corbet, respecting the redemption of Hugh's lands in Neweton and Weston, Thomas stated that during the time of the disturbances, Hugh was of the retinue (de familiâ et societate) of Ralph Basset of Drayton, throughout all the depredations and burnings committed by Ralph, and he assisted in the defence of the town of Stafford against the King at the coming of Hamon le Estraunge, the King's liegeman, and he ought therefore to be forced to redeem his lands under the provisions of the Dictum de Kenilworth. Hugh appeared and stated that Ralph had taken him against his will, and he had committed no damage to the King's subjects, and therefore ought not to be forced to redeem his lands. The Sheriff was ordered to summon a jury as in the last suit. m. 8.

Staff. A writ to the Sheriff reciting that whereas, on account of the transgression of Philip de Mitton, the King had conceded to his beloved and faithful Robert Blundel, the redemption of all Philip's lands in Mitton and Rewell (Rule), to hold according to the form of the Dictum de Kenilworth, and Robert stated that the said Philip was against the King during the disturbances, and at the capture of the town of Stafford was present with an armed force, and was with Ralph Basset of Drayton in all the depredations made by him and his men. And Philip came and denied all enmity to the King, and stated he was not at Stafford with Ralph Basset at the time of the capture of that town, nor was he ever with Ralph Basset at any other time, and therefore ought not to be forced to redeem his lands; also that both before and after the time of the disturbances he was Seneschall of Adam de Brynton, one of the King's liegemen, and was never mixed up with the disturbances, and he appealed to a jury. A jury is ordered to be summoned from the counties of Worcester and Warwick as before. m. 8.

Staff., Derby. Thomas Corbet appeared by attorney against Geoffrey de Greselegh, in a plea that whereas in consequence of the transgressions of the said Geoffrey, the King had given to Thomas the redemption of all Geoffrey's lands in Kingeston and Morton, Greselegh, Draggelawe, Lollington, and Linton, according to the form of the Dictum de Kenilworth, and the said Geoffrey had denied he ought to be forced to redeem his lands, and had been summoned to appear in Court, and did not appear, the Sheriff is ordered to take all the lands, &c., of Geoffrey into the King's hands, and to summon him for a month from Easter. m. 8, dorso.

Salop. Roes de Staundon (fn. 3) by her attorney appeared against Ralph, son of Roger Reyner, and two others, for coming to the house of the said Roger Reynge (sic) in Salop, and breaking open a chest belonging to her, and taking goods and chattels from it to the value of 39 marks. The defendants did not appear, and had previously made default. The Sheriff is therefore ordered to distrain them, &c., and to produce them at three weeks from Easter. m. 20.

Warw., Staff. The suit between the Lord the King and Richard de Loges, in a plea of land, is respited till a month from Easter, because the said Richard is in prison. m. 26.

Roll No. 168.

Headed, "Placita apud Westm: in Octabis Sancti Hillarii, anno R. R. H., filii R. J., LVI." [20th January, 1272.]

Warw. Thomas Payn and Alice his wife sued Henry del Parck and Margaret his wife for 40s. rent in Horsel. Henry and Margaret appeared by attorney, and called to warranty William Bagod, who appeared and called to warranty John, son of Robert de Pendeford, who is to be summoned in co. Stafford for the Octaves of Trinity. m. 6.

Staff. Alice, the widow of Hugh de Boeles, who brought a writ of entry against William Hillary and Alice his mother, respecting a messuage and virgate of land in Rushale, has permission to withdraw her plea. m. 8, dorso.

Staff., Wygorn. In the suit of John Cachepole and Julia his wife for Julia's dower in Bermundescote (Bescot), the Sheriff of Staffordshire returned by inquisition the dower demanded to be worth 10s. per annum. The Sheriff of Worcestershire is commanded therefore to take land to that value belonging to John, son of Cecilia, daughter of Henry de Bermundescote, into the King's hands, John having been called to warranty and not appearing, and possessing no land in co. Stafford. m. 9.

Staff. Thomas, son of Hugh le Fraunceys of Amelecote, sued Ingeran, son of Laurence de Amelecote, for a messuage and two acres and a half of land in Amelecote (Amblecote), in which he had no entry except by a disseisin unjustly made by Laurence of one John the Smith (le fevre) of Amelecote, the grandfather of Thomas, whose heir he is. Ingeran appeared and called to warranty William de Stafford, who appeared to the summons, and warranted the tenement to him, and stated that Laurence had entry into the land by a feoffment made by one Cecilia de Stafford, who put him into seisin of it, and he appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury in the county and return the inquisition into Court at the Octaves of St. John the Baptist. m. 13, dorso.

Staff. Edmund, the King's son, appeared by attorney against Robert de Ferrars, in a plea that he should permit him to present a fit parson to the Church of Rollestone which is vacant, and of which the donation belongs to him. Robert did not appear, and is to be attached for fifteen days from the Purification. m. 17.

Staff. Roes, the widow of John Dolye (d'Oilli), appeared by attorney against Robert de Cote, in a plea that he should permit her to have common of pasture in Cotes, near Swyneforton, of which Robert de Cotes, the father of Robert, whose heir he is, had unjustly disseised her. Robert did not appear, and his first sureties are in misericordiâ. To be attached by better pledges for a month from Easter. m. 19.

Staff. Richard de Hareferton appeared against the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield in a plea that he should produce in Court this day William de Bokeleg, the Parson of Northburgh, to answer respecting a debt of 9l. 13s. 3d. which he owed to him. The Bishop did not appear, and is to be attached by better sureties for five weeks from Easter. m. 25.

Staff. Thomas Payn and Alice his wife sued Geoffrey de Pycheford and Mary his wife for customs and services, and arrears of rent owing to them for a free tenement held of them in Burwardesle (Broseley). The defendants did not appear, and had made frequent default. The Sheriff is therefore commanded to distrain them, &c., and to produce them on the morrow of Ascension Day. m. 27.

Staff. William de Mortayn acknowledged he owed Margaret la Rus 90 marks, half to be rendered at the Feast of St. John the Baptist this year, and the other half at the Feast of all Saints next ensuing, and if he should fail, the Sheriff might raise the sum by distress on his lands, &c. m. 28.

Staff. Matilda, the widow of Robert de la Leye, sued Robert de Grendon for one-third of 9 marks and 5s. of rent in Daddesle; and she sued Alexandra, the widow of Philip de la Leye, for one-third of ninety-four acres and a rood of land in Leye, Daddesleye, Middelton, Wythinton, Neubold, Fowell, Chekele, Wodehures, Normansle, Pynlawe, and Edenynghale, as her dower.

And Robert and Alexandra appeared and called to warranty Hugh de Legh and Elena his wife, Philip de Draycote and Richard de Sondbache, who came and warranted the land to them; and with respect to the claim made against Alexandra, they stated that one Philip de la Leye, the father of Robert, endowed the said Alexandra with the land at the Church door when he married her, and they asked whether dower can be claimed from land of which she (Alexandra) had been endowed before Matilda was married. Matilda could not deny this, and therefore Hugh and the others are dismissed from the suit, and she is in misericordiâ for a false claim.

And with respect to the dower out of the rent claimed against Robert de Grendon, they say that the said Alexandra after the death of her husband Philip had sued the said Robert de Grendon for a mill by writ of entry, claiming by a demise of the said Philip, and Robert had called to warranty the said Robert de la Leye, who warranted the tenement to him, and when by the judgment of the Court, before Gilbert de Preston at Derby, he lost the mill, the said Robert de Grendon was to be compensated from other land of the said Robert de la Leye, and he was given in exchange the rent in question, and therefore Matilda had no right to dower out of it. Matilda stated she was ignorant whether the rent was so recovered or not. A day is therefore given to the parties at five weeks from Easter, and a scrutiny is to be made of the Rolls of Gilbert de Preston in the interim. m. 32.

Roll No. 169.

Headed, "Placita forinseca apud Warw: de quindena Paschæ, anno LVI." [8th May, 1272.]

Staff. John, son of Henry de Kinton, sued Magister Henry le Teynturer for a messuage and half a virgate of land, and one-third of a virgate in le Wal-extra-Lichefeld. Henry did not appear, and is to be summoned for the morrow of the Ascension, and the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 3.

Henry afterwards appeared to his summons and prayed a view. A day is given to the parties on the Octaves of St. John the Baptist at Lichfield. A view to be made in the interim. m. 13.

Leyc. Hillaria de Harecurt sued Orabel de Harecurt and Margery her sister, for one-third of a messuage, two tofts, two mills, twenty-eight virgates of land, sixty acres of wood, and 20s. and 10d. of rent in Ayleston, and one-third of the advowson of the Church of the same vill as her dower. Orabel and Margery pray a view, and a day is given to the parties at Westminster at fifteen days from the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. m. 13, dorso.

Staff. A day is given to Saer Mauveysin, plaintiff, and Ralph Wyvemere, tenant, in a plea of land, at three weeks from the Purification. m. 25, dorso.

Sussex. In the suit for dower brought by Roes, widow of John Doylly, against tenants in Wernham, Alan le Draper appeared to his summons, and called to warranty Roger, son of John Doylly, who is to be summoned in Staffordshire to be at Oxford at a month from Michaelmas.

M. 33. Headed, "Placita de diversis Comitatibus apud Salop, a die Sancti Michaelis in unum mensem, anno LVI." [27th October, 1272.]

Staff. The Prior of Trentham sued John, Parson of Stoke, for a messuage, two tofts and three acres of land in Wytemore by writ of entry; and the King sent a writ to the Justices that "whereas it has been shown to us by our beloved Chaplain John de Wycham, Parson of the Church of Stoke, which is of our advowson, that when Henry de Barre, formerly Parson of the said Church, his predecessor, had impleaded before us, by writ of quo warranto, the Prior of Trentham, respecting the advowson of the Chapel of Wytemore, to which pertains a messuage, two tofts, and three acres of land in the same vill, and had obtained seisin of the advowson and of the said tenements by a judgment of the Court, the said Prior had afterwards impleaded the said John before you in your Iter, for the said tenements, and John could not answer to the writ without us, and the said suit ought not to be determined elsewhere than before us, we therefore command you to have the record of the said suit sent to us on the Octaves of St. Martin, wherever we may be in England. Dated at Walingford 24th June, in the fifty-sixth year of our reign." m. 33.

Staff. Magister Michael le Teyntur, of Lichfield, sued William de Wyrleye, called to warranty by Nicholas de Wyrleye, for a messuage and a virgate of land in Alreschawe, held of the King in capite as his right and inheritance, and of which he had been seised in the reign of the present King, and offered to prove his right by wager of battle. And William appeared before the Justices at Lichfield, and called to warranty Geoffrey, son of Robert del Wal, who now appeared to his summons and warranted the tenement to him, and put himself on the Great Assize. A day is given to the parties at fifteen days from Michaelmas, when four Knights are to be summoned (to elect the jury). m. 33, dorso.

Staff. Magister John Giffard appeared against Roger, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, in a plea that he should permit him right of fishery in the water of Cokemere (Copmere). The Bishop did not appear, and is to be attached to be at Westminster on the Octaves of Hillary. m. 33, dorso.

"Placita apud Salop, in crastino Sancti Martini." [12th November, 1272.]

Staff. Geoffrey de Greseleg sued Robert de Staundon in a plea that he should give up to him Henry, the son and heir of Henry de Verdon, the wardship and marriage of whom belonged to him, inasmuch as Henry held his land of him by Knight's service. Robert did not appear, and is to be summoned at Worcester on the Octaves of Hillary. m. 33, dorso.

Staff. Petronilla de Cherleton sued Richard Brun for eleven acres of land in Cherleton (Chorlton), and John, son of Simon de Cherleton, for six acres in the same vill, and Walter de Wytemore for an acre and a half, and William de Cotes for half an acre in the same vill. The defendants did not appear, and are to be re-summoned to be at Worcester at the Octaves of Hillary; the land to be taken into the King's hands. m. 33, dorso.

Staff. Richard de Twysel, Clericus, sued James, son of James de Audedeleye, for two messuages and two bovates of land in Bautrideleg (Balterley), and thirty acres of land in Thyknes near Auddeleg, which he claimed to hold of the gift of William de Twysel, and in which James has no entry except through James his father, who had unjustly disseised him (the said Richard). James appeared and stated that his father died seised of the land, and he succeeded to it as his heir, but he is under age and cannot answer to the writ, and he asked for a writ "de etate;" and James was in Court, and it appeared evident to the Justices that he was under age. The suit is therefore to remain till his full age. m. 33, dorso.

Derby. Richard, son of Richard de Stratton, gives half a mark for license of concord with Robert de Knithteleg and Alina his wife, respecting a rent of 6 marks and 9¼ d. in Honeston. (fn. 4) m. 31.

Henry de Bray produced a deed (for record) to this tenor: Sciant presentes, &c., quod ego Walterus de Aylesbyri et Lucia uxor mea, dedimus, &c., Henrico de Bray, totam terram nostram quam habuimus in Ruton et Ambaldeston, &c. Habendum, &c., eidem Henrici et heredibus suis, &c. Hiis testibus, Dominis, Otdone de Hodinet, Johanne de Arundell, Roberto Corbet, Roberto Pycot, Rogero de Ondeslowe, Roberto de Say, et Willelmo de Tytlesleye. m. 34, dorso.

Staff. William, son of John de Rideware, sued Roger de Bissopeston for a messuage and half a virgate of land in Rideware, in which Roger had no entry except by a disseisin of John de Rideware his father, which had been made by Joan, the widow of Richard de Pycheford. Roger appeared and stated that John never was seised as of fee of the tenement, and appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury to be at Worcester on the morrow of Hillary. m. 35.

Staff. Roger, son of Emma Springhalt of Lilleshulle, sued Hugh, son of Henry de Knitchton, for a messuage and a bovate of land in Knychton, into which Hugh had no entry except by Henry de Knichton, father of Hugh, whose heir he is, and who had unjustly disseised Emma, mother of Roger. Hugh appeared and stated that Emma was never in seisin of the tenement, and appealed to a jury. The Sheriff is ordered to summon a jury to be at Worcester on the morrow of Hillary, unless Ralph de Hengham (the Justice) first, &c. m. 35.

Staff. Philip de Sey and Roes, the widow of John le Bret, who had brought a writ of entry against Henry, son of Ralph, and Alice his wife, respecting the third part of a virgate of land in Overpenne, and against Gundreda, the daughter of the said Alice, for one-third of a virgate in the same vill, have permission to withdraw their plea. m. 35, dorso.

Staff. Bartholomew de Swynnerton appeared (sic, left unfinished). m. 35, dorso.

Roll No. 170.

Headed, "Placita coram Domino Rege apud Wodestoke, in Octabis Sanctæ Trinitatis, anno, &c., Lmo. sexto." [26th June, 1272.]

Bucks. Margery, the wife of Peter de Anesy, by attorney, and Mathew de Anesy, appeared against Richard de Vernon, Gilbert le Fraunceys, and William de Warre, in a plea that whereas on account of the transgressions committed by Richard during the disturbances in the kingdom, the King had given the lands and tenements of Richard in Basteldene and Ashamstede to Peter de Anesy, to hold according to the form of the Dictum de Kenilworth, and the said Peter being lately seised of them, had left by will half of them to Margaret, and the other half to Matthew, the said Richard and the others had ejected the plaintiffs vi et armis, in the middle of the night, and had done other malicious injuries and damage to them, the Sheriff had been ordered to attach the said Richard and the others, and to have their bodies before the King at this term, and they did not appear. Their pledges are therefore in misericordiâ, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain them, &c., and to produce them at the Octaves of Michaelmas. m. 3, dorso.

Bucks. Roger de Somery appeared against Ysabella, Countess of Arundell, to complete the chirograph of a fine made in the Curia Regis coram ipso Rege, between him (Roger de Somery), complainant, Ralph de Crumwill and Margaret his wife, John le Straunge and Joan his wife, Walter de Solleye and Mabel his wife, Henry de Herdington (Erdington) and Matilda his wife, coparceners of the inheritance of Nicholaa, who had been wife of the said Roger, (fn. 5) and the said Countess, deforciant of the advowson of the Church of Holney; and she did not appear, and had made frequent defaults, &c., and the Sheriff is therefore commanded to distrain her, &c., and to produce her coram Rege at three weeks from Michaelmas. m. 9.

Warw. John le Moyne appeared against Robert Hasteng in a plea that he and others, during the disturbances in the kingdom, had burnt his houses at Scheldford, (fn. 6) and carried away goods and chattels to the value of 300l. Robert did not appear, and the Sheriff is ordered to distrain him, &c., and to produce him coram Rege at fifteen days from Michaelmas. m. 19, dorso.

Rolls Nos. 171 and 172 contain no Staffordshire suits.

Footnotes

  • 1. William de Harecourt had two wives—Alice de la Zouche, and Hillaria de Hastings. The children by Hillaria were evidently under age; and this suit shows that Richard his successor was his son by his second wife.
  • 2. This suit shows that the villani or customary tenants of a manor were not serfs. The latter could not sue in a court of law. Domesday speaks of servi, villani, and bordarii, as different classes of tenants in the same manor.
  • 3. Roes de Staundon was widow of Vivian de Staundon, co. Stafford, who died circa 34 H. III. (Fine Rolls). She must have survived her husband nearly thirty years, for she was alive A.D. 1279.
  • 4. Sic in orig., but probably should be Doneston (Dunston).
  • 5. Nicholaa was daughter and co-heiress of an Earl of Arundel, and the co-heiresses here named were the daughters of Ralph, son of Roger de Somery (old parchment Roll at Wrottesley in handwriting of 13th century).
  • 6. Perhaps Shallowford in Chebsey.