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CALENDAR OF CORONERS ROLLS OF THE CITY OF LONDON

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CALENDAR

OF

CORONERS ROLLS

OF THE

CITY OF LONDON

A.D. 1300 1378

EDITED BY

REGINALD R. SHARPE, D.C.L.

LATE OF ST. JOHN's COLLEGE, OXFORD ; OF THE INNER TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW ; RECORDS CLERK IN THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK OF THE CITY OF LONDON

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CORPORATION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE

London : RICHARD CLAY AND SONS, LIMITED

BRUNSWICK STREET, S.E., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK MCMXIII

INVBICuivaj

L7S53 MIS

LIBER HORN

The Ltder Horn, preserved among the City's archives, is so called from Andrew Horn, a fishmonger of Bridge Street and for some years Chamberlain of the City, an office which he probably held at the time of his death in October, 132&. He was, more- over, a jurist of some repute, and is supposed by some writers to have been the author of the legal treatise known as Speculum [ustidariorum, or " Mirror of Justices," but this is open to question. However this may be, it is certain that he was addicted to legal studies, and more especially to the study of the laws and customs of the City of London, and, by his will proved and enrolled in the Court of Husting, he bequeathed various legal treatises to the City's Chamberlain, for the time being, to hold in trust for the Corporation.

The Liber Horn, in its present form, probably comprises two of the volumes thus bequeathed, viz. : one De veteribus legibus AnglicB, and another De statiitis Anglice, etc. It certainly consists of two separate works bound up together, the Liber Horn proper commencing on fo. ccvi. A fac-simile of this folio forms an appropriate frontispiece to this Calendar of Coroners Rolls, inas- much as the King's Justices appear in an illuminated capital to be emblematically depicted as holding an Iter at the Tower of London, when it was the duty of Coroners, Sheriffs and other City officers to produce in court their Rolls for the period that had elapsed since the last Iter.

On the occasion of a memorable Iter held at the Tower in 132 1 (lasting over 24 weeks and causing the citizens infinite vexation) Horn was a prominent figure, upholding the rights and

G99080

vi LIBER HORN.

privileges of the Commonalty, and especially of the fishmongers and their trade, with which he was personally familiar. It has been said that it was, probably, in view of this visit of the Justices that he drew up the Ordinaciones de Itinere, which appear in his book, in order to instruct the civic authorities as to the procedure to be followed in the reception of these unwelcome visitors ; and that the Ordinances were appropriated by John Carpenter, the City's famous Town Clerk, for his compilation of the Liber Albus, a century later. ^

On the same folio is a rubricated heading testifying that the book belonged to Andrew Horn and stating the nature of its con- tents, and the date of its compilation, as follows :

Iste liber resiat Andree Horn piscenario London! de Breggestrete in quo continentur Carta et Alie consuetudines predide Civiiatis, Et carta libertatis Anglie et statuta per Henricum Regern et per Edwardum Regem filium predicti Regis Henrici edita.

Quern fieri fecit Anno Domini MCCCXI Et anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Edwardi — if'.

Translation,

" This book belongs to Andrew Horn, fishmonger of Bridge Street, London, and contains the Charter and other customs of the said City, and the Charter of Liberty of England and statutes ])romulgated by Henry the King and by Edward the King, son of the aforesaid King Henry.

" He caused it to be made a.d. MCCCXI in the 5th year ol the reign of King Edward, son of King Edward,"

Suspended from a leafy twig in the ornamental border of the page is a shield bearing the arms of Horn depicted in heraldic tinctures, viz, : .\z. a Saltire arg. between three leopards heads caboshed in chief and flanks or. and in base a luce hauriant of the last.

' .Sec IntHKl. I.) Liber CiiUuinamni {\<o\\i. Scries), Vol. I., pp, Ixxxvi, Ixxxvii.

INTRODUCTION

The nine Rolls here calendared appear to be the only original Coroners' Rolls of mediaeval times preserved at the Guildhall.^ They record inquests held in the City between A.D. 1300 and 1378 with various lacunce, there being no record, for instance, of inquests for the years 1302-1320 and between 1340 and 1367. It is probable that they originally formed part of a series of similar Rolls which have long since disappeared. On the other hand, we find inquests for the years 1 276-1 278 recorded in one of the City's so-called " Letter-Books," ^ but there is no evidence of them having been enrolled. That Rolls of Pleas of the Crown should have disappeared may be accounted for by the fact that they remained in the custody of the Officers appointed to " keep the pleas " for the time being, in the City, whether they were the King's Chamberlain or the Sheriffs. This was certainly the custom at the time of the memorable Iter at the Tower in 1321,^ and the custom appears to have continued down

^ There exists one other Roll, 256-279 ; Riley, ' Memorials of Lon-

but as it is of much later date (viz. : don, &c.,' pp. 3-20. A.D. 1590) it has not been included ^ Placita Coronse quK placitata non

in this Calendar. Roll I — the last sunt, vel qure emerserunt postquam

of the series here calendared — re- Justiciarii ultimo itineraverunt apud

cords only four inquests (and these Turrim Londoniarum . . . remanent

imperfectly), viz. : one in each of penes Camerarium, Coronatores et

the years 1367, 1372, 1375 and Vicecomites Londoniarum qui super-

1378. stites sunt. — ' Liber Custumarum '

-See 'Cal. Letter-Book B,' pp. (Rolls Series), i. 290.

viii INTRODUCTION.

to comparatively modern times.^ At the present day the records of the Coroners Court for the City of London and Borough of Southwark are in the custody of the Town Clerk.

Guildhall MS. No. i 26.

The Rolls here calendared are distinguished by the alphabetical letters A to I. A transcript and translation of the Rolls A, B, C, I), G, and I are preserved in what is known as Guildhall MS. No. 126 in the Guildhall Library. This MS. omits altogether Rolls K, F, and H, whilst supplementing the series with a transcript and translation of Inquests in the City for the year 13 15-16 to be found among the archives in the Chapter House, Westminster. The volume forms one of the series of 51 volumes containing extracts from the Liber de Antiquis and other Records of the Corporation, as well as from the Pipe Rolls, Charter Rolls, and other Rolls, &c., preserved in H.M. Public Record Office and else- where. The series was compiled on behalf of Edward Tyrrell (City Remembrancer 1832-63) and was purchased by the Corporation in 1872.

The Kittys Chamberlain.

The institution of a special officer to " keep " the Pleas of the Crown, under the name of Coronator or Coroner, dates back to A.I). 1 194, or perhaps earlier^; but in the earliest "Rolls of the Crown " or " Rolls of felonies and misdemeanours " recorded in the City's Archives (viz. : those for the years 1276-8) the inquisi- tions, or incjuests, were held by the King's Chamberlain in con- junction with the Sheriff or Sheriffs for the time being, the title of

' Sec Report f)f Dr. F. Joseph j the Medico- l^gal Society.— See the

Waldo, the City Coroner, to the Court Coroners' Society Annual Report

of Common Council (presented 2nd 1910-II, Vol. IV, pp. 241-52.

.March, 191 1), wherein it is seen th-it - I'ollock and Maitland, 'Hist, of

Inquisitions taken l)efore a former Knglish Law,' i. 520 n. ; Stuhbs,

Coroner of the City were at one time 'Const. Hist.' (ed. 1874), i. 505;

kept at that Officer's private Chaml>ers Gross, ' Select Coroners' Rolls, A.I).

in Serjeants' Inn. Dr. Waldo has 1265-1413' (.Selden Soc.), pp. xv.

himself written an excellent j}a|K-r on ' xvii. " The .\ncicnt Office of Coroner " for

INTRODUCTION. ix

Coroner not being once mentioned,^ although the powers and duties of Coroners were specially defined by the Statute of 1276.

The King's Chamberlain, as distinguished from the City Chamberlain, played an important part in the Coronership of London, inasmuch as his office was usually combined with that of the King's Butler {Fincerna), one of whose duties was to take the King's duty or "prise " (Lat. prisa) on wines,- and to whom the Coronership of the City ex officio belonged.^ The City's Liber Custumarum gives the names of seven King's Chamberlains between a.d. 1275 and 1320.'* One of them, viz. : Matthew de Columbariis, or de Columbers, is recorded in an early Letter- Book as having been the King's Chamberlain and taker of his wines {captor vinorum) and, on that account, also Coroner of the City ^ ; whilst two others, viz. : Gregory de Rokesle and Stephen de Abyndone, are recorded elsewhere as having filled the office of King's Butler, and therefore the Coronership of the City, whilst occupying the Mayoralty chair.^

These instances of the Coronership being held by the Mayor for the time being were, however, quite exceptional, the nearest approach to them in similarity being the case of John de Wengrave, who was elected to the Mayoralty chair at a time when he was acting as deputy Coroner for Walter Waldeshef, the King's Butler," and who continued to act as Coroner both during his Mayoralty and afterwards.^ The Mayor had no official connection with the Coronership of the City any more than had the City Chamberlain. The allegations of some writers to the contrary are due to an

1 ' Cal. Letter-Book B,' Introd- factus fuit major die Apostoloruni

p. vii. Simonis et Judiv ; qui postea ante

^ Madox, ' Hist, of the Exchequer ' annum completum factus est lx)tel-

(ed. 171 1), p. 526. larius domini regis. — 'Chron. Edward-

^ Et nota quod Botellarius domini I. and II.' (Rolls Series No. 76),

Regis el Camerarius domini Regis et i. 236.

Coronator idem sunt. — ' Lib. Cust.,' ' ' Cal. Letter- Book E,' p. 55 ;

(Rolls Series), i. 296. Eodem anno [a.d. 1316] Johannes de

■• ' Lib. Cust.' i. 239-246. Wengrave, recordator Gildauhie et

* ' Cal. Letter-Book B,' p. 280. subcoronator, electus est in majorem,

^ Ihid., p. 257 n. 'Lib. Cust.,' qui tunc habuit ilia prsdictaofficia. —

i.239 : Eodem anno [a.d. 1315] Ste- ' Chron. Edward I. and II.' i. 240.

phanus de Abyndone, draparius, * ' Liber Cust.,' i. 245-6.

X INTRODUCTION.

error which originated with John Carpenter, " Common Clerk " (or " Town Clerk " of the City, as he would have been designated at the present day), from 1417 to 1438, and compiler of the City's Libtr Albus} The error has unfortunately been perpetuated down to modern times.^

Inquests held by Sheriffs.

In the case of one being killed in the City, we read in the City's Liber Horn that it was the duty of the Sheriff to go and enquire by the venue {per visnettan) who killed him, and to attach the culprit until the Justices should decide if prosecution should follow.^

So again, when the Justices were holding an Iter at the Tower in 1244, the question was asked what was the penalty if Sheriffs failed to attach a felon to appear before them, seeing that " here- tofore the Sheriffs had made attachments and inquisitions on homicide and not the [King's] Chamberlain."'*

In the Roll for the year 1 300-1 here calendared, we have what appears to be the first recorded instance in the City's archives of a Coroner, or his Deputy, being associated eo nomine with the Sheriffs in holding Pleas of the Crown, in place of the King's Chamberlain.

The City's Justiciar.

King Henry I. by charter to the citizens of London circ. 1130- 1135 had granted them permission to appoint a Justiciar of their own, to "keep" the pleas of the Crown and "plead" the same. This officer was believed by the late Dr. Charles Gross of Harvard -no mean authority — to have been identical with the office of Coroner.* However that may be, the citizens do not

' • LiV)cr Alhus" (Rolls Series). i. 1 5. " Kt sic {xilcl qurxl olim eo quod qui* crat Major, erat Camerarius civitatis ct in co qufKl crat Camerarius erat ct Coronator." There is no evi- dence to support this statement.

•' ' Lii>er Horn,' fo. cclvi.

* Et attachiamenla et Inquisitiones de morte hominis usque nunc fecerunt V'icecomites et non Camerarius. — ' Lilx;r Albus,' i. too.

' Cross, ' Select Coroners' Rolls '

' See City's ki-|)ort, Royal Com- i (Selden Soc), pp. xv, xvi. mission, 1893, p. 8.

INTRODUCTION. xi

appear to have gained much by this charter, inasmuch as three centuries and more elapsed before they got the appointment of City Coroner into their own hands, and then only on payment of a large sum to the Crown.'

In the last year of the reign of Edward III. and again in the first year of the reign of his successor, the commonalty of the City complained to the King that great mischief was occasioned by reason of the Coroner not being subject to the civic authorities (« W pas justisable par Maire, Aidermans ne par autres Ministres dHcels) ; and prayed that they might elect a Coroner of themselves, and remove him at will, as other cities were wont to do. To this the King replied that he would not depart from his ancient right. ^

After the lapse of little more than 20 years, viz. : in 1399, the citizens had again occasion to make a complaint to the King in Parliament ; this lime, because Assizes which ought to be taken before the Sheriffs and the King's Coroner or his Deputy, could not be taken, on account of the Coroner or his Deputy being frequently absent. They prayed therefore that the Sheriffs might be allowed to proceed with the Assizes without the presence of Coroner or Deputy. On this occasion the citizens succeeded in obtaining a favourable reply, to the effect that the Sheriffs might proceed, after making a formal proclamation in writing for the Coroner or Deputy to attend.^

The Kt?ig's Justices in Eyre.

In the meantime, the King's Justices had held Assizes at the Tower, but at long and uncertain intervals. We learn from the City's Liber de Antiquis—lhe earliest manuscript volume preserved at the Guildhall— that Pleas of the Crown were heard at the Tower in 1226, when John Herlisun failed to justify himself for the death of a man, but was granted the royal pardon at the instance of the women of the City.^ Between 1226 and

' By charter 20 June, 18 Edward IV. [A.D. 1478].— See 'Cal. Letter- Book K,' p. 187 ; ' Letter-Book L,' p. 229 n.

■- 'Rot. Pari.' ii. 367 ; iii. IQ- ^ ' Rot. Pari.' iii. 429. * 'Liber de Antiquis' (Camden Soc), p. 5.

xii INTRODUCTION.

1244 (when the next Iter was held) no pleas of the City were pleaded at the Tower,^ and no other Iter was held until 1275.2

Strong opposition was always raised by the citizens whenever the Justices attempted to hold their Assizes at the Guildhall, or within the liberties of the City.^ Hence the custom of the Justices holding their Iter at the Tower, as they appear to be depicted in the frontispiece.

As already mentioned, at every Iter, the Coroners, Sheriffs and Justices for gaol-delivery were called upon to produce their Rolls for the period that had elapsed since the last Assize.*

This was not always an easy task, owing to the long interval that had elapsed, and the decease of officers that had occurred. Nevertheless, the Justices of the Iter of 132 1 insisted on their production and went so far as to fine William de Leyre for failing to put in his rolls of accounts, &c., for the Shrievalty he had served some thirty years before."* He was among the first to feel the heavy hands of the Justices at this memorable Iter : but he was not, by any means, the last. Here, too, we may possibly find another explanation of the small number of Sheriffs' and Coroners' Rolls preserved among the City's archives. Did the Justices in Eyre always return the Rolls, presented to them, to the Officers who produced the Rolls ?

Deputy Coroners.

The City Coroner, being the King's Chamberlain and Butler, was so much occujMcd with the King's business that it became necessary to appoint a deputy, and numerous are the King's writs addressed to the civic authorities to admit to office such deputies." 'I'hese writs had always been readily complied with until the year 1435, when (for some reason that is not clear) the

' • I-ilK:r Aihus,' i. 77. » ' Liher Cust.,' i. 297.

' Id., i. II. -.See also 'Chron. of « At the present day, every Coro-

hdward I. anfl II.,' i. 85. ner, whether for a county orlwrough,

' ' LiJK-r lie Antiquis,' p. 40.-f:r. is Uiund by Statute to appoint a

'Cal. I>cttcrH.x)k E," p. 41 ; ' Cal. Deputy.— Stat. 55 and 56 Vict. Cap.

I>ctlcrlJ'>ok F,' pp. 59 60. 56 [a. I). 1892],

* * Lilnrr Cust.,' i. 295 6.

INTRODUCTION. xiii

Mayor and Sheriffs refused to admit John Forthey as Deputy Coroner.

The reasons they gave for such refusal are, to say the least, remarkable,^

In the first place, they declared that prior to the year 1275 when the Statute (3 Edw. I., cap. x.) specifying the class of man to be elected as Coroner in the counties was enacted, the citizens of London had elected their own Coroner, by authority of the King and Parliament, and that the duties had always been executed in the name of the Chamberlain of London ! A greater perversion of facts can hardly be conceived.

Secondly, they said that by virtue of the above Statute the election of a Coroner was lawfully made in the City or County of London, and appertained to the Mayor and citizens of the same. If that were true, it is strange that not a single instance of such an election having taken place is to be found recorded in the City's archives, and stranger still that the citizens should have been content in 1478 to release King Edward IV. of a debt of ^7,000 for the privilege of electing their own Coroner (as already mentioned) so soon as the office, then vested in Antony Wood- ville, Earl Rivers, the Queen's brother and the King's Chief Butler, should fall vacant ! ^

Jurisdiction.

The jurisdiction of the City Coroner at one time extended eastward as far as Tower Hill, and even over a part of the Tower itself, notwithstanding the presence of the King himself within its walls ; ^ but at the present day his jurisdiction does not extend beyond the Tower walls, the Coronership within the walls being a " franchise coronership." * On the other hand, the City's authority now embraces the Borough of Southwark by virtue of the Charter of

^ Letters patent dated 20 June, 10 Edward IV.

» hifra Roll B, I.— Cf. ' Cal.

^ See 'Cal. Letter- Book K,' pp. 186-7. — An attempt has been made to explain the cause of the City's attitude on this occasion in the Intro- duction to the Calendar (pp. xliv, xlv), but it is no more than a surmise.

Letter-Book K,' p. 83.

* See Dr. Waldo's evidence in P'irst Report of Departmental Committee on Coroners, 1909, Ft. II, p. 70.

xiv INTRODUCTION.

1 550, whereas, formerly, the Coroner and the Sheriffs are recorded as having been amerced by the Justices in Eyre for venturing to receive the abjuration of a felon who had taken sanctuary in the Borough.^

Form of Inquest.

The inquests are recorded after a common form thus : — On a certain day information is given to the Coroner and Sheriffs that an individual was lying dead of a death other than his (or her) rightful death [ex alia morte quam recta morte sua) in a certain place, the parish and Ward being specified : that, thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned a jury they diligently enquired how it happened.

The jurors were drawn, as a rule, from the Ward where the corpse was found, and from three, or more, of the Wards adjacent. Occasionally, a point was made of the Wards wherein the deceased was residing at the time, and where he received his fatal injury, being represented on the jury.- The names ot the jurors are not recorded in the first four Rolls here calen- dared, but they are recorded in the later Rolls. Their number varies considerably ; ranging from 1 2 from a single Ward, to 50 from four or five Wards. An average jury comprised about 30 individuals, whereas at the present day the number varies from 12 to 23.

Then follows the report of the jury's investigation as to the cause of death, whether it proved to be the result of a felony or misadventure. If the former, the jurors are questioned by the Coroner and Sheriffs as to what became of the felon, what goods and chattels he may have had, who first discovered the body, and who witnessed the felony. The felon's goods are forthwith appraised and committed to the custody of one of the Sheriffs, to be accounted for by him at the next Assize, when, if convicted, the goods became, by charter,^ forfeited to the City.*

» ' I.ilwr All,us,' i. 86-7.

' ' LilxT Albus,' i. 105-6 ; infra, Roll K, 30; Roll F, 14, 17 and 34 ; Roll H. 8. 18.

» Dated 6 March, i Kdward III. A.D. 1327], preserved at tht Guildhall.

* In the counties, the felon's goods liccamc, under similar circumstances, forfeited to the Crown, down to 1870, when such forfeiture was abolished by Stat. Tf-^ and 34 Vict. cap. 23.

INTRODUCTION.

XV

The corpse was invariably viewed by the Coroner and Sheriffs, in order to see if its appearance tallied with the report of the jury ; and, finally, precept was issued to the Sheriffs to arrest the fugitive felon as soon as he be found within their bailiwick, as well as to attach by sureties not only the discoverer of the body and those who witnessed the felony, but also four of the nearest neighbours, to appear before the Justices at the next Iter ; a Coroner's Inquest being then, as now,' only a preliminary investi- gation, and not conclusive.^

At the present day, the jury view the corpse at the outset of the enquiry, before any evidence is taken by the Coroner, but as this appears to be done chiefly, if not solely, with the object of satisfying them that there is a dead body, the Committee of 1909 (already referred to) recommended that this procedure should be dispensed with as a rule. This recommendation, however, did not meet with the approval of Dr. Waldo, the City Coroner, and others, who objected that the " view " was of "great importance. "^

It will be seen that in framing their report with the view of a subsequent indictment the jurors were careful to give full particulars of the cause of death, specifying the time and place when it occurred ; whether it was occasioned feloniously or not,^ the nature of the weapon used, the exact dimensions of the wounds inflicted, the value of the weapon, &c.

Fire Inquests.

The inquests relate only to felony, homicide and misadven- ture, and have no concern with burglary, wreck, treasure trove, and other matters cognizable by Coroners at common law. Occasionally, we meet with inquests held on bodies of those whose death was caused by fire. Thus an inquest is recorded as

^ At the present day, a prosecution, made on the strength of a finding by a Coroner's Inquest alone, is ex- tremely rare, but such cases are not unknown.

- Minutes of Evidence, Part II, pp. 12, 76.

* Every indictment for a felony must still aver that the alleged act or

acts was or were done feloniously, and if the word " feloniously" be omitted the indictment may be set aside as bad. — Halsbury, ' Laws of England,' Vol. IX, p. 341. In former days, too, it was essential that the actual instrument causing death should be designated, otherwise the prisoner got off ; but this is no longer the case.

XVi INTRODUCTION.

having been held on the body of AHce, wife of John Ryvet, who was burnt to death by a fire occasioned by the fall of a lighted candle in the middle of the night as she and her husband were preparing to go to sleep. The record is a particularly gruesome one, inasmuch as, after effecting their escape from the burning building, the husband was so incensed with his wife for having caused the fire by her own negligence, as he maintained, that he pushed her back into the flames, and made off.^

Another instance of a fire caused by the fall of a lighted candle, which had been carelessly left on a wall, and resulting in the death of a mother and daughter who were sleeping on the premises, is recorded in 1337.-

As a matter of fact, it has always been the custom for Coroners to hold inquests in cases of fatal fires, although not specifically enjoined by the statute of 1276 on "The office of Coroner,"' but the custom of holding such inquests in cases of non-fatal fires is a comparatively recent innovation and is (practically) confined to the City of London.*

It is noteworthy that no case of arson or incendiarism is recorded in these Rolls.

Ecclesiastical Rights.

If the deceased was not killed on the spot, but lingered for some days, as was frequently the case, he is occasionally recorded as having received his ecclesiastical rights {ecclessiatica jura) that is to say, the rights of a dying man to have administered to him the rites of the Church i.e. the Sacraments.^

In the case of the deceased having had his ecclesiastical rights,

' Infra, pp. 170-I. j have bc-en indiscriminately used is

* Infra, p. 183. seen in the expression "conjugal ^ Stat. 4 tdw. I., Si. 2, De \ rights" instead of the more correct

officio Coronatorii. \ expression " conjugal rites" as used

* Hy virtue of the Local .Xct known j by Milton : —

as the " City of L/jndon Fire Inijucsts '• Nor Kve the rites

Act, 1888." Mysterious of connubial love refu.sed."

* See N.K. D. i.v. Right. The I — ' I'aradise I^st,' iv. 11. 742 3. way in which "rights" and " rites" 1

INTRODUCTION, xvii

it was not necessary for the Coroner to view the body,* nor for the finder of the body to be attached. ^ The reason for this latter exemption is not quite clear, but it is said to be because the deceased lived long enough to exculpate the finder, if innocent, and to state who were the culprits.^

Deaths in Prison.

It was usual to hold inquests on those who died in prison, and at the present day it is the duty of the gaoler to notify the Coroner of such deaths before interment. In 1324 an inquest is recorded as having been held on the body of Henry, son of Thomas Staci (or Stace) of Ipswich, who had been committed to the Marshalsea for causing the death of John Christopher in a riot against the town Bailiffs. The record is of exceptional interest from the connection that existed between the Staci family and that of the poet Chaucer.

Another inquest of historical interest held on one who had died in prison is that recorded as having been held on Roger Mortimer of Chirk, who had been committed to the Tower, together with his nephew Roger Mortimer of Wigmore, in 1322. The nephew effected his escape, but the uncle remained a prisoner until he died his "rightful death" in 1326.*

Approvers.

Several instances are also recorded of inquests held on ^' approvers " who had died their " rightful " death in Newgate. These " approvers " were criminals who had saved their own necks by incriminating their partners in crime, by legal process known as an "appeal," and who had been thus rewarded for assisting in ridding the country of evil-doers. In 1325 a number of " approvers " confined in Newgate conspired together and broke prison. They took sanctuary, and were allowed to abjure the realm. ^

' Si interfectus habeat jura ecclesi- astica non est necesse quod Coronator eum videat. — 'The Eyre of Kent,' 6 and 7 Edw. II. (Seldon Soc. ), i. 112. I ^ Infra, p. 167

■^ Nota, qui habet jura ecclesiastica I " Infra, pp. 130-1

non habebit inventorem set iiij vicinos tantum. — Ibid., i. 140.

^ Gross, 'Select Coroners" Rolls,' PP- 5. 83.

b

xviii INTRODUCTION.

If a felon were not immediately arrested three courses were open to him.

(i) He might take flight so as to get beyond the jurisdiction or bailiwick of the Sheriffs, to be arrested by them as soon as he returned. This was a comparatively easy matter to achieve in early days, for he had only to cross the river and seek refuge in the Borough of Southwark, where the Sheriffs could not touch him. After 1550, however, this retreat was closed to him, for by a charter, acquired in that year for the sum of 500 marks paid to the King, the civic authorities were empowered to arrest all felons found in the Borough and to carry them to Newgate to be there prosecuted according to law.

(2) He might take sanctuary in a church or other privileged place, where he was safe from the clutches of the law for at least 40 days. In that case the Coroner would come and parley with him, offering him the choice of surrendering himself to the King's peace or of abjuring the realm. More often than not, the refugee preferred to stay where he was, and to take his chance of escaping under cover of the night. This he frequently succeeded in doing,, owing to the lax manner in which a refugee in sanctuary was guarded. Indeed, the civic authorities and the Sheriffs (to whom the duty of watching was usually committed) appear to have beer* of Dogberry's mind, that it were well to let such a one go and thank God that the City was rid of a knave.

Sanctuary.

In 1 298 the Court of Aldermen had passed a resolution to the effect that in future no robber, homicide or other fugitive in the churches should be watched over {aistodiantur)?- At the Iter of 132 1, however, the Mayor and Aldermen were interrogated by the Justices as to what had become of two fugitives, one of whom had taken refuge in St. Paul's and the other in the adjacent church of St. Gregory. After some days' consideration, the Mayor and Aldermen again appeared before the Justices and told them that the men in question had escaped from the churches; adding that

' 'Cal. Letter-Book B,' p. 215.

INTRODUCTION. xix

neither the City nor the Sheriffs were to be held responsible for such escapes, and that robbers {/atrones) in churches ought not to be watched. To this the Justices took exception as encouraging evil doers, and it was with some hesitation that they allowed the Mayor and Aldermen further time to re-consider their position. Meanwhile, they gave orders to their Serjeants to summon before them all neighbours and discoverers (of corpses) who had found sureties for appearance. Once more the Mayor and Aldermen demurred.^ The matter was settled, for the time being, by the King granting a pardon under the Great Seal to the citizens for past neglect in watching felons, on the distinct understanding that in future they would take the same steps to watch felons and guard against their escape from churches as were taken in other parts of the realm.^

As soon as Edward the Third came to the throne he granted a charter to the City to the effect {inter alia) that the citizens should not be made responsible for the custody of those taking refuge in churches otherwise than of old accustomed, anything in the last Iter at the Tower of London made or adjudged, notwith- standing?"

It was one thing to set a watch over criminals in sanctuary to prevent their escape ; it was quite another to drag criminals out of sanctuary. The latter constituted a grave offence against the Church, and when such an offence was committed in 1334 by order of Reginald de Conduit, the Mayor, the Archbishop of Canterbury hastened to London and cited the Mayor to appear before him in St. Paul's. Argument was useless, and the Mayor had humbly to submit to the head of the Church, who not only

^ ' Liber Cust.,' i. 377-8. Sheriffs] to keep guard over him. —

■^ Letters patent dated 3rd June, 14 {Infra, Roll B, 5). Again, in 1325

Edw. II. [a. D. 1 321], and preserved at the men of Bassishaw Ward were

the Guildhall. Cf. ' Liber Cust.,' ordered to keep watch over a felon

i. 346-7. It is significant that at an who had taken refuge in the church

inquest held in the following Novem- of St. Mary Alderman bur)- (Roll D,

ber, when a felon took refuge in the 19).

church of the Augustine Friars, a ^ Charter dated 6th March, i Ed- precept was issued to the men of the ward III. [a.D. 1326-7], also pre- Wards of Bishopsgate, Broad Street ser%'ed at the Guildhall. —Cf. ' Chron. and Coleman Street [N.B. not the of Edw. I. and II.' i. 328.

XX INTRODUCTION.

insisted on his publicly restoring the prisoner to the sanctuary of the church from which he had been forcibly taken, but imposed on him and his officers a penance {pcenitentiani) adequate to so dire an offence.'

St. Martin le Grand.

The existence in their midst of such a sanctuary for bad characters as that afforded by the church and precinct of St. Martin le Grand was a constant source of trouble to the citizens. Nevertheless, the civic authorities were compelled, much against their will, to respect its privileges. The Sheriffs were not allowed to arrest notorious ofifenders who had taken refuge there,^ and, presumably, the City Coroner could not hold any inquest within the precinct. At least, no record of such an inquest appears to have come down to us.

The right of Sanctuary was abolished by Statute in 1624.^

Abjuration.

(3) It might be that the refugee preferred the role of the " true patriot "' and was prepared to leave his country " for his country's good." ^ In that case a port was either assigned to him by the Coroner,^ or left to his own choice, whither he was to proceed within a limited number of days, each day's journey and halting place being specified, and thence to set sail across the sea at the first tide. His lands and goods were forfeited, and if he returned contrary to his oath, he could be treated as an outlaw.

' 'Chron. F.dw.ird I. and 11./ . * .-\t the //<?r of 1244 the Justices

'• if^i 4- asked whether the Constable of the

"Sec Inlrod., ' Cal. Letter-Hook Tower, together with the .Sheriffs and

K, pp. xxviii-xxxiv. Aldermen, could receive such an

=■ Stat. 21 James I., cap. xxviii. abjuration without the (King's)

* "True jKitriots we, for Ik; it Chanil>erlain (/>. the Coroner) l>eing

underst<KHl, present, and the Mayor and citizens

Wc left our country for our replied that they could do so if the

country's go<xJ." ChamlK-rlain was absent on the

— I'roK^uc toVoimg'-, tragedy "The King's business.— ' Lilx:r Albus,'

Revenge" when pl.nyed by convicts i. 96-7; Roll AA, mcmbr. 2 dor.s. ;

at Sydney in 1796. .See N. \ (,>., 12th ' Lilx;r (Jrdinationum," fo. 209 b.

Feb., 1887.

INTRODUCTION. xxi

The procedure to be followed by an abjuring felon who had taken sanctuary, is thus set out in "The Mirror of Justices"^ — a legal treatise of the 13th century, ascribed, as already mentioned, to Andrew Horn.

" If he acknowledges mortal sin, and prays to go forth from the Kingdom without the protection of the Church, let him come to the limit of the Sanctuary barefooted, ungirt, in his coat or shirt only, and swear that he will keep the direct road to such ])ort or such passage as he shall have chosen, and that he will not remain in any ])lace two nights together, until that for such mortal sin as he shall have acknowledged in the hearing of the ])eople he has left the realm, and further, that he will not return in the king's life-time without his leave so help him God and the holy Gospels. And then let him take a cross and bear it so long as he shall be in the protection of the Church {e la porte taunt cum il est en la proteccion de leglise).^

The ports usually chosen or assigned were Dover or South- ampton ; Harwich and Bristol being exceptional.

The road to be taken to reach Dover — when four days were allowed — lay through " Depeford," or " Derteford " (Dartford), Newington, and Canterbury ; or Singlewell, Newington, and Canterbury ; or again, through Dartford, Rochester, and Ospring. If only three days were allowed, the prescribed route was to Rochester on the first day, and thence to Canterbury : or to Single- well on the first day, and thence to Ospring, reaching Dover on the third day.

If the port of embarkation was Southampton, the felon was allowed to stop at Kingston, Guildford, and Alton ; or at Cobham, Farnham, and Alresford (or Winchester), reaching the port on the fourth day.

Deaths by Felony.

The Rolls reveal in a forcible manner the seamy side of City life in the 14th century. One cannot help remarking how quickly, in those days, a word was followed by a blow from some lethal weapon. It was common for two men to be apparently on

^ Seld. Soc, Vol. VII., p. 34. " Cf. Statutes of the Realm, i. 59.

xxii INTRODUCTION.

friendly terms, when suddenly a quarrel would break out and one would deal the other a blow with a sword or a knife which sooner or later caused his death ; or again, a man casually meets another in the street to whom he owes a grudge, and the same thing happens. Not unfrequently we find the origin of a dispute to have been that causa ieterrima belli — a woman.

A notable instance of the last mentioned class, resulting in the death of a chaplain.^ is recorded in 1301. A married woman, being more or less the worse for drink, abused some workmen engaged on building a house, calling them " tredekeiles." '^ Thereupon one of the men seized her and bumped her on the ground telling her that she too should tread the ground with them (<iuod cum eis operaret et terrain calcaret). On rising, she went to the house of Elena Hellebole, her mistress, and com- plained of the men ; the mistress ran out and roundly abused the men, who were not slow to reply, but her abuse was of such a kind as to call for remonstrance from a passer-by, causing another interchange of strong epithets. The parties then separated, the woman threatening to be even with the man before night. In order to avenge herself she sent for a certain chaplain, named Walter de Elmebye, and one or two others, and persuaded them to go to a tavern kept by Agnes de Notingham where the stranger was housed. This they did, having previously armed themselves each with a fagot-stick, and there meeting a certain John de Melkesham, the chaplain asked him if it were he who had been abusing his (the chaplain's) mistress-* and forthwith hit him on the head and arm. After a brief scuffle, the chaplain received such a blow from a dagger ihat he died on the spot. A sordid affair indeed.

Another sordid story is that of an attack made by a woman known as Agnes " Houdydoudy " on another woman who was enceinte, resulting in an abortive birth and the death of the mother.''

Roll A, 29. I =' This accounts for her having sent

» Cf. " tredc-foiil,"' :i troadcr of lo him in the first place. This is not

fowb as applied to a Monk in pro- the only in(|uest recorded in which a

Uiguc to the Monk's TaU.~ Chaucer's chaplain and his mistress appear.—

'Canterh. Talcs' (ed. .Skcat), H, Cf. Roll E, 17.

'• 3>3S- * Roll E, 39.

INTRODUCTION.

xxm

But perhaps the most sordid of all is the murder of a girl by a man arid his wife, in whose house she occasionally passed the night, simply and solely for the clothes she was wearing. ^

We read of affrays in which apprentices of law were engaged, - and of quarrels between members of different crafts. Thus in 1325 a Saddler was waylaid and killed by certain Goldsmiths, on account of an outstanding dispute between members of the two Guilds.^ Again, in 1340 a riot broke out between certain Fishmongers and Skinners, in which Ralph Turk met his death, and the Mayor himself was assaulted whilst endeavouring to quell the disturbance.* This was one of the few cases where more than one inquest was necessary.

Weapons of offence.

The weapons called into play were of various kinds comprising a long and broad knife known as bidau, bidawe, or bideu ; a trenchour or carving knife ; a double-edged knife known as panade (poniard) ; an Irish knife {culte/lus Yberniactis) ; and a knife variously spelt thwytel, twhitel dcnd twytol, corrupted in later times into whittle.^ Other knives or daggers mentioned are the anelace, or anlaz, the bazelard and misericorde. Of wooden instruments we find balstaff, or balghstaff, otherwise known as balkstaff; a cudgel or quarter staff, a distaff, a fagot staff, a piked staff, a dorbar and a wombedstaff, a variety of the bedstaff commonly used to keep bed clothes in their proper place, but frequently converted into a handy weapon in tavern brawls ; a crutch or staff called potent, a billet of wood known as a shide or talwhschide, and a crooked billet or courbe. Several kinds of axe are mentioned, comprising a pollax, an axe called belte, a tivybill or double-edged axe or halberd (known also as a sparthe) and a gysarme.

One cannot help remarking how many deaths occasioned by such weapons, or resulting from accidents, might have been

1 Roll B, 49.

2 Infra, pp. 134-5, 157, 226. ^ Roll E, I.

^ Roll H, 39.

* Chaucer describes the Miller of

Trumpington as carr)'ing at his side ' ' a long panade " and in his hose a " twitel." — 'The Keves Tale' (ed. Skeat), 11. 3929, 3933.

xxiv INTRODUCTION.

avoided had proper surgical skill been at hand.^ Such assistance, however, was not to be had in those days, the practice of surgery, such as it was, being in the hands of barber-surgeons, whose skill was limited, almost entirely, to letting of blood by cupping.

Accidents.

Next, in point of numbers, to murders and homicides on which inquests were held, come infortunia or deaths from mishap. Many of these were occasioned by falling down stairs (some- times under circumstances which point to the stairs being outside the house 2), or by falling off ladders or out of windows. Others met their death by falling accidentally into the Thames, or by being carried away and drowned whilst bathing. A curious instance of the first kind was recorded as having occurred in 1301, when a schoolboy crossing London Bridge on his way to school, one afternoon, after dinner, being at- tracted by the sight of a plank projecting over the side of the bridge must needs suspend himself from it, hanging on by his hands. His strength failed him and he was precipitated into the water and drowned.^

In October, 1321, two men were drowned within a few days of each other in Tower ditch, the draw-bridge being up.* The name of Houndsditch does not commend itself to our minds as a very suitable locality for a bath ; nevertheless we find that a man was drowned whilst taking a bath there in 1337.^ Another man was

' \Vc have a case recorded in 1 301 of a man having broken his leg whilst wrestling, and of the finding of the

These, however, are exceptional cases. ••^ Infra, Roll F, 27. ' Infra, Roll A, 26. A somewhat

jury that he died of the fracture and similar accident occurred in 1340,

lad attendance (ex fraccione predicta when a seaman playfully walked out

(t male (tutodita). On the other on a plank jutting over the Thames

hand, a case is recorded in 1 324 of a and fell, and was drowned. — Roll

wounded man l)eing rescued by 1 II, 21.

friends and taken to a house for •» Infra, p. 33.

medical trcitnicnt («</ medicinan- •'■ Infra, Roll F, 19. In 1350 a

</«/»). — Roll I), 3. In the following Proclamation was made by the King

year a woundetl man was brought against bathing in the Fosses or in

from Hoddesdon, co. Herts, to Lon- the Thames, near the Tower, on pain

don for treatment.— Roll I), 25. of death.— ' Memorials,' pp. 260-1.

INTRODUCTION. xxv

drowned whilst trying to make his way by water from Paul's Wharf up to Fleet Bridge. He and four companions had com- mitted a highway robbery upon two Florentine Merchants in the course of the day between Romford and Brentwood and had eased them of a number of florins and other goods. By a piece of good luck the foreigners afterwards caught sight of one of the thieves in the City and gave chase. The thief plunged into the river at Paul's Wharf, intending to make his way under cover of the wharves to Blackfriars and thence to Fleet Bridge, but the tide rising, he was drowned.^ Drink in many cases was the cause both of felonies and accidents. We find instances recorded of deaths caused by falling timber, by the kick of a horse,- by being crushed by carts in the narrow streets, by scalding water, and from fires occasioned by the fall of lighted candles, as already noted. Two men were shot by arrows, one at Stepney whilst keeping watch over the crops of the Dean of St. Pauls',^ and the other at Tyburn."* W^e read more than once of deaths being caused by accidentally falling down a well, or by suffocation of those who had deliberately descended wells for cleansing purposes. Some deaths were of particularly iiorrible characters, as was the case of a man who fell into a latrine owing to the breaking of a plank, and that of a helpless infant whose head had been mauled by one of the many swine which in those days infested the City,^ notwith- standing frequent endeavours on the part of the civic authorities to put down the nuisance. Only once do we meet with a fatality on a large scale. This occurred in 1322, when more than fifty men and women of the poorest class were crushed to death at the gate of the Blackfriars whilst waiting for a distribution of alms under the will of Henry de Fingrie, a charitable fishmonger."

^ Roll G, 4. attacked an infant in its cradle and

- If anyone so frightened a horse bit off its ears. Thereupon the King

as to cause death he was liable to ' issued letters patent certifying lo that

punishment. — /w/ra, Roll H, 36. Cf. effect lest, afterwards, it might be

' Liber Albus,' i. 97. 1 thought that the ears had been lost in

' Roll D, 42. the pillory or other disreputable

•* Roll G, 17. I manner.

* Roll B, 29. It is recorded else- j ^ Roll B, 35. ' Chron. Edward I.

where ('Cal. Patent Rolls, 1266- ] and II.' (Rolls Series), i. 304. 1272,' p. 193) that in 1268 a sow

xxvi INTRODUCTION.

Deodands.

In cases of death by misadventure, the thing causing the death became forfeited to the King by way of deodand or gift to God, the forfeit having been originally bestowed on the Church for the good of the deceased's soul. The English name of deodand was " bane," i.e. the slayer, from the Anglo-Saxon bana ( Lat. banum). A distinction appears to have been drawn between cases where the thing or chattel causing death was in motion and where it was not. If in motion, everything connected with it and contri- buting to the death became deodand ; if not in motion only that portion which was the immediate cause of death was forfeited.^ For this reason, when an inquest was held in a.d. 1300 on a man who was killed by a piece of timber falling on his head, the Coroner and Sheriffs were careful to ask the jury whether any one had touched or moved the piece, when they replied that, although a man was shearing cloth in the room where the accident had occurred, he had done nothing with his hand {nichil manufecit) — in other words, had not touched the beam.^

So again, at an inquest held in 1336 upon a man who, being the worse for drink, was killed by a fall whilst scaling a ship's mast by means of a rope, the jury found that death was due solely to drunkenness and the rope, and that neither the ship nor anything belonging to it, except the rope, was moving at the time. Only the rope therefore was adjudged to be deodand at a value of

lOJ.'

Another instance is recorded of a death being occasioned by a cart in motion with three horses attached, when not only the cart but the three horses, and even the contents of the cart were declared forfeited.*

No deodand was due for accidents on the high seas, although

' Omnia qua movent ad mortnn beam was appraised at a penny, by

iunt deodanda. 'Jacob's I^w Diet.' , way of deodand, as it was certainly

citing Hracton, who app.irently dis- ' in motion,

approved of rondcinninR as deodand i ^ Infra, Roll V, 5.

a thing that had not moved. ^ •» Infra, Roll F, lo. For a similar

" Infra, Roll A, 4. It is to Ije case, see Roll G, 28. noted, however, that in this case the

INTRODUCTION. xxvii

a vessel might be forfeited for an accident in fresh water — a distinction difficult to understand.^ Thus a boat out of which a man had been thrown in a storm and drowned in the Thames, near Botolph Wharf, was appraised at 20s. for a deodand, although the boat itself had been removed out of the City's jurisdiction. ^

On the other hand, where a man had been pitched into the river from a wharf, owing to insecure footing, whilst endeavouring to unmoor a boat, the jury found that death was caused by his insecure footing, and that the boat was nof moving and therefore not deodand.^

The thing itself causing death was not forfeited as deodand, but only its value as appraised by a jury at the inquest, and juries were apt to mitigate these forfeitures by putting their value at a low figure. It is to be noted that whereas the goods and chattels of a felon were generally delivered to the Sheriffs to account for them in due course, deodands, or their value, had frequently to be accounted for by the inhabitants of the Ward where the accident happened. It is further to be noted that the claim of the civic authorities to appropriate deodands in the City was not supported by any charter such as was the case with deodands within the Borough of Southwark.*

Whatever may have been the grounds on which the civic authorities based their claim, they appear to have continued to appropriate all deodands in the City at least as late as 1825, for in that year there are two cases recorded where the Corporation surrendered the value of a deodand (which had been received by the City Solicitor as one of the Bailiffs of the City) to the widow of the deceased. In the first case, the widow of a hair-dresser, who had been run over and killed by a Greenwich stage-coach, leaving his wife and family in poor circumstances, owing to the " general disuse of hair powder," petitioned the Common Council that the sum of ^50 that had been levied as deodand on the coach and horses might be handed over to her ^ ; in the second

^ Item nee navis nee batellus in salsa licet in aqua dulei, et hoe per abusionem, sieut in multis aliis casibus. — Bracton, £>e Legibtis Art- glue, ii. 400.

- Injra, Roll I, I. =* Ibid., 4.

■* Charter dated 23rd April 4 Ed- ward VI. [a.d. 1550]. * Journal 99, fo. 67.

xxviii INTRODUCTION.

case the widow oi a labourer, who had accidtiitally fallen ^m an open trap door in a floor, dragging with him a cask of J which stood near and by which he had been crushed to death, prayed the Court that the sum of ;;^io at which the Coroner's jury had appraised the cask as deodand, might be given to her.^ As already stated the Court acceded to both petitions.

By Stat. 3 and 4 Will. iv. cap. 99 [a.d. 1833] it was m^. that all deodands should be estreated into t!,^ Exche^ 'er any claim to them had to be submitted to the King's F^^r brancer, who, if satisfied as to the justice of the claim, ha., over the money.

It appears that the Corporation now began to entertain doubts as to the legality of their claim to deodands within the City and its liberties, and the question was referred to the City Solicitor. That officer reported to the Court of Aldermen on April, 1837, to the effect that Counsel (whom he had consulted) were of opinion that the City's charters were insufficient to vest the right of deodands in the Corporation, and that it would be inconvenient for the City to lay any claim to them. 2

In course of time, the custom of deodands became so repug- nant to humanity that in 1846 they were abolished by Lord Campbell's Act (Stat. 9 and 10 Vict. cap. 62), as " unreasonable and inconvenient."

' /:/., fo. 216 b. - Repertory 241, fos. 146, 174.

R. R. S.

The Gum.dhai-i., London. December, 1913.

,J' . CALENDAR

OF

CITY CORONERS ROLLS

ROLL A

\^ .. .1. On t}ie death of William Wattepas.

On the Feast of St. Edward the King [13 Oct.] a°28 Edward L [a.d. 1300] information given to John the Clerk, Coroner locum tenens . . .^ [and to Richard de Caumpes] and Luke de Haverynge, Sheriffs of London, that a certain William Wattepas lay dead [of a death other than] his rightful death in the rent (in redditu) of William Pikeman, in the Ward of Billingsgate, in the parish of St. Mary at Hill. Thereupon they proceeded thither and having summoned good men of that Ward . . . and Bridge they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that the said William Wattejias had for a long time lived in the county of Essex and had come to London to be cured of a wound in his arm ; that he was taken ill and lived until Tuesday before the Feast of St. Edward, on the morning of which day he died, but not, say they, of his wound. Being asked by whom he had been wounded, they say they know not. The corpse was viewed and the wound was seen, and no other hurt.

^ The corner of the Roll torn or cm off. John the Clerk, otherwise known as " of the Vintry " {,de Vine- tria), acted as Deputy Coroner for

William Trente, the King's Butler and Chamberlain, who was ex officio Coroner of the City. See ' Cal. Letter-Book C,' pp. 93, 116. B

2 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Robert le Treiere [attached] by (iilbert le Barber, Fulk le (,'ouper, " Batiller." ^

William Pikeman, by Walter Pikeman, Henry Poteman.

John Cook, by \Villiani Crul, Thomas de Rederesgate.

Ralph de Bery, by William de Sandwich, Simon de Grascherche.

2. On the death of Henry Curteis.

itoiu^cUt On Friday the Feast of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.] the same

year [a. I). 1300] information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain Henry Curteis lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of Luke de Haverynge, in the l)arish of All Hallows at the Hdiy {ad fenum),^ in the Ward of Douegate. Thereupon they proceeded thither and having sum- moned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards viz.: liridge, Walebrok and Vintry they diligently enquired how it happened. They say on their oath that when on Thursday after the Feast of St. Luke [18 Oct.], after the hour of curfew the said Henry wishing to descend from the Hall of the said Luke, he fell to the ground from a step on to the right side of his head his feet failing him through intoxication ; that he lingered until the following . . . when he died about midnight owing to the .^foresaid fall. [Being asked who were present] they say No one, only he himself. And the corpse was viewed on which the right side of the head appeared broken. No other cause of death was suspected, but the accident only. The step was valued at 1 2 pence,^ for which Richard de Caumpes will answer.*

Richard de Wendlesworth [attached] by William de Douegate, and Geoffrey Scot.

John Powel, by Roger Ueumars, Henry Bode.

' Boatman.

' All IL-illows the Croat in Thames Street ; called " at the 1 lay "' from hayheinp sold at the neighlxjur- ing ha) -wharf.

* In case of death hy misadventure, the thing causing the death became forfeited by way of *' dcodand," or gift to God. See Pollock and Mait-

land " Hist, of English I>aw,'' ii. 471, &c. The old law respecting "deodand" was repealed by Lord Campbell's Act of 1846.

* At the Eyre or //er, when, if convicted, the felon's goods became forfeited (by Charter) to the City. Forfeiture for felony was only abol- ished in 1870.

ROLL A. 3

3. On the death of Cristina Morel, 'ivifc of William the Tailor.

On Monday the Eve of All Saints [i Nov.] the year aforesaid CorJwamr- [A, I). 1300J, information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Cristina Morel lay dead of a death other than her rightful death in the house of her said husband which he hired of Thomas Romeyn, in the Parish of St. Mary de Aldermari- chirche, in the Ward of Cordwanerstrete.^ Thereupon they pro- <:eeded thither and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards — viz. : Bredstrete, Vintry and Queen- hithe — they diligently examined how it happened. They say on their oath, that when on the Friday preceding, in the dusk of the even- ing, a certain Reymund Bernard " Dorette " and a certain Peter de Artoys were together and passing the hostel of the said William the said Reymund entering tlie house found the said William in the solar and charged him with having feloniously sold a certain coat belonging to the said Reymund, so that there arose a dispute between them ; that the said Reymund attacked the said William, and the said Cristina interposing, the said Reymund struck her with his foot under the navel so that she fell ; that she lingered until the following Sunday, when she died, at the hour of Prime,^ of the said kick. Being asked if the said Peter aided and abetted, they say No, but when the said Reymund entered the house Peter went home. Being asked who were present they say Nobody except Reymund. Being asked what became of Reymund after the felony, they say that he forthwith went to the hostel where he and the said Peter were staying, and as soon as he became aware of the death of the said Cristina, of which he was advised by a certain Magot his mistress, he immediately took flight and the said Magot likewise, but whither, they know not. The said Peter was attached and brought to the house of Luke de " Averyngge '" the Sheriff. Being asked if they suspected any one else of the said death besides the said Reymund, they say No. The corpse was viewed, and the belly appeared blue and inflamed under the navel. Precept

^ Thomas Romayn, a Pepperer, was Alderman of Cordwainer Street Ward from 1294-1313; served as Sheriff 1290-1 ; Mayor 1309-10.

- Prime began about six o'clock in the morning, according to the season of the year.

B 2

4 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

to the Sheriffs to attach the said Reymund as soon as he be found in their bailiwick. The chattels of the said Reymund and Magot were appraised at 30 shiUings for which Luke de Haveryngge, the Sheriff, will answer.

The said William the Tailor attached by David the Tailor and I^urence de Totcnham.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Simon Godard, by Gerard le Armurer, Hugh le Taverner.

Henry le Couper, by 'I homas Lef, John de W'avindone.

Roger atte Vine, by Henry le VVaiere, Stephen de Wyntonia.

Master William the Surgeon, by Thomas de Stratton, tailor, Stephen le Carpenter.

4. On the death 0/ John dn Boys of co. Suffolk.

Crepe/gatf On Sunday after the feast of St. Martin [11 Nov.] the year

aforesaid, information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs

that a certain John "de Bois " of co. Suffolk lay dead of a death

other than his rightful death in the house of Adam de " Drietone"

in the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, in the Ward of Walter de

rinchingfeld.^ Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having

summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest

Wards, viz. : Cheap, the Ward of Nicholas de Farndon - and the

Ward of William le Mazerer^ they diligently enquired how it

happened. They say on their oath that when on the previous

Friday at the hour of Vespers the said John came and stood

in Chc;ip between Honilane and Melkstretc, it happened by

accident that a certain jiicce of wood for a long time past fastened

to a solar, formerly belonging to Hugh Molgar, fur the purpose of

drying saddles, fcil upon his head, inflicting a wound four inches

long and two deep ; that he lingered until the following Sunday,

when he died at day-break of the wound aforesaid. Being asked

if any man or woman had touched or moved * the piece of wood,

* St. Mary Ma^jdalcn, Milk Street, '• * In order that a thinj; caiisinj; in the Ward of Cripplegatc. I death should become "deodand" it

' Karrin^don Ward. was necessary that it should he

* Ot ".Ma/eliner"; -Mdersgate tuovins;. Ward. i

ROLL A. 5

they say No. Being asked who were in the solar, they say a certain William de Branthingge, shearing cloths, who did not move his hand {qui nichil vianufecit). Being asked who were in the street, they say there were many passers-by, whose names they knew not. Being asked if they had any suspicion as to the ■death, they say None, except mischance. The corpse was viewed, on which the wound was seen, and no other hurt. The piece of wood was valued at one penny, for which R[ichard] de Caumpes, the Sheriff, will answer.

Adam de " Draiton" attached by William de Kent, Richard le Fruter.

William de Branthingge, by William de Kemesing, Robert le Sherman.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

Nicholas de Gotham, by Bartholomew Tailor, William de Assingdone.

Thomas Seli, by Roger Lechier, John le Barber.

5. On the death of John de Bristoive.

On Tuesday before the Feast of St. Martin [n Nov.] the year f^amdoiu ■aforesaid, information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs '^ '""' that a certain John de Bristowe lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the church of St. Paul, in the Ward of Nicholas de Farndone.^ Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards viz. : Castle Baynard, Bread Street and the Ward of William le Mazerer, they diligently enquired how it happened. They say on their oath that when the said John went on the preceding Monday at the third hour into the said church to pray, being seized there with the falling sickness {niorbo caduco) he

^ Nicholas de Farndone, in his will | Wards of Farndone Within and Farn-

dated 1334, described his Aldermanry | done Without, although it was not

AS that of Farndone -within Ludgate ' until 1394 that the Ward of Farndone

and Newgate and without— {"■ Cal. of ; Without obtained a statutory right to

Wills, Court of Hasting,' i. 398). appoint its own Alderman (Stat. 17,

It will be seen that separate jury ; Ric. IL Cap. xiii).

panels were summonded from the I

6 CALENDAR OK CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

placed himself near a certain pillar, and through weakness and infirmity then and there died at midday. Being asked who were present, they say that there were many passing by and praying, whose names they knew not.

The corpse was viewed on which there appeared no hurt, wound or bruise.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

Henry Parcheminer, by John de Chabeham, Adam de Chabeham.

John le Sherman, by John de Berkingge, Peter le Liminour.

6. On the death of Robert de Shordiche.

On Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Martin [ii Nov.] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1300], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain Robert de Shordiche lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in his house which he held of Edmund Trentemars without Aldgate, in the parish of .St. Botolph, in the Ward of Portsoken. Thereupon they pro- ceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards viz. : Billingsgate, Tower and Bishopsgate, they diligently enquired how it happened. They say on their oath that when on the preceding Sunday a certain William le Wallere came to the house of the said Robert and stole a tunic {collobiuni) belonging to him and pledged it with John de Ipswich, carpenter, for 7 pence, the said Robert discover- ing this, sought out the said William and found him whom he suspected, and assaulted him ordering him to restore his tunic ; that the said William, being terrified, said that he had pledged the tunic for 7 pence offering to go with the said Robert to redeem it ; that they proceeded together to the house of the said John before the hour of curfew, and entering it the said William demanded the restoration of his tunic for the said 7 pence ; that thereupon the said John, moved to anger, struck the said Robert under the right breast with a dagger, inflicting a wound an inch in breadth and two inches deep ; that the said Robert lingered until Monday next after the Feast of St. Martin and then died.

ROLL A. 7

•

about the third hour of the wound aforesaid. Being asked whd were present, they say only those three. Being asked whither went the said John after committing the felony, they say that he tarried in his house which he hired of the Prioress of St. Helen,' and, as soon as he heard of Robert's death took flight, but whither they know not. Being asked whither went the said William le VV^allere who stole the tunic, they say that he remained the whole of that night with the said John, and on the morrow was delivered to Luke de Haveryng, the SherifT, together with the tunic. The corpse was viewed on which the wound appeared. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said John when found in their bailiwick. The chattels of the said John valued at 9^. 6d. for which Luke de Haveryng, the Sheriff, will answer. Afterwards, the said John surrendered himself to Neugate prison and at the' gaol-delivery before R[alph] de Sandwich and S[tephen] de Gravesende, the Justices, on Tuesday before the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec] 30 Edward [a.d. 1302] was acquitted by a jury ; and at the delivery on Monday the eve of St. James [25 July] a° 29 [a.d. 1301] was acquitted by a jury.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Luke le Cordewaner, by John le Lung, John le Pottere.

Walter le Teinturer, by John Billerica, William Perer.

John de Dene, by John le Fulmere, Simon le Cotiller,

John Clerk, by Robert le Tumour and Geoffrey le Wayere.

7. On the death of Cristina de Menstre.

On Monday the morrow of St. Edmund the King [20 Nov.] Wakbrok 29 Edward L [a.d. 1301], information given to John the Clerk, Coroner, and the Sheriffs of London that a certain Cristina de Menstre lay dead of a death other than her rightful death, in the churchyard of St. Mary de Wolcherchehawe in the Ward of Walebrok. Thereupon they proceeded thither and having sum- moned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards viz. : Cornhull, Bradestrete and Langebourne they diligently enquired how it happened. They say, on their oath, that when on the preceding Sunday, in the twilight of the evening, a certain

8 CALENDAR OF CITV CORONERS ROLLS.

William le Sawiere of Kershalton ^ met the said Cristina at the Eastern corner of the said churchyard and asked her to spend the night with him, and she refused and endeavoured to escape from his hands, the said William, moved with anger, drew a certain Irish knife {cultellum Yberniaatm) and struck the said Cristina under the right shoulder-blade, causing a wound an inch broad and six inches deep, of which wound she then and there died. Being asked who were present, they say No one except those two. Being asked what became of the said William after the felony, they say, that being immediately followed by a cry^ he was captured and taken to Neugate. The cori)se was viewed on which appeared the wound and no other hurt. Afterwards at the delivery of Neugate before the Justices on Saturday before the Feast of St. Andrew [30 Nov.] 29 Edward I. [ad. 1301] the said William caused himself to be appealed Ric' \sic\ and put himself on a jury by whom he was condemned and hanged.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

John Page, by Thomas le Flemeng, Hugh de Wolcherchehawe.

Roger de Coumbe, by John de Bury, William le Lung.

Ralph le Coupere, by John de Alegate, Nicholas le Peyntour.

Walter de Wanlok, by John de Lenegarstone and Richard de 1-ondenestone.

8. On the death of Michael Cardoyi.

On Friday after the Feast of St. Andrew [30 Nov.] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1300], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain Michael " Cardoil " lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in his house in the Ward of Thomas Romeyn in the parish of Holy Trinity the less. Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Farndone Within, Bredstrate and Crepulgate, they diligently encjuired how it happened. The jurors say that, when.

' Carshallon, co. Surrey.

- All {persons present when a felony was committed were Ixjunil to raise a hue and cry against an offender

who had escaped, under penalty of fine and imprisonment. See also Stat. of Westminster, 3 Edward I., Cap. 9 lA.i). 1275].

ROLL A. 9

on the preceding Thursday, at the hour of Vespers, a certain Master John "de Elmenham " and Robert his brother were standing at the door of the church of St. Peter de Wodcstrate near the new Cross in Chepe ^ the said Michael was sitting at a stall in the Goldsmiihery {Auri/abria), and perceiving the said John and Robert, he got up and entered the stall of John le Disshere and sat there ; and because of former rancour and abuse, a wordy strife arose between them so that the said Robert drew a certain Irish knife and struck the said Michael upon the left breast inflicting a wound an inch broad and penetrating through the body ; that he lingered until midnight and then died of the wound. Being asked what became of the said Robert after committing the felony, they say that he immediately took refuge in the church of St. Mary Magdalen de Melkstrate with his knife drawn. Being asked if the aforesaid Master John had aided and abetted the felony, they say that, immediately after the felony, seeing his brother taking flight, he drew a certain knife called a " misericorde" ^ and ran after his brother as far as the church in order to rescue him ; that he then entered his house which was near the church, and thence made his escape by a gutter to the church of All Hallows de Honilane, where he remained, and both refused to surrender. Being asked who were present, they say that a great number were passing by, but their names they knew not. The corpse was viewed on which appeared the wound but no other hurt. The chattels of the said Master John and Robert were valued at 65 shillings for which, Richard de Caumpes, the Sheriff, will answer. Afterwards the said Robert " Delmham " had the King's charter of peace, and brought the King's writ to the Sheriffs of London to proclaim his peace temp. Geoffrey de Conduit and Simon Bolet, the date of the writ being 20 March 35 Edward I. [a.d. 1306-7].

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Nicholas de Bury, by John de Burgo and Nicholas Cook.

^ The Cross erected in 1290 by Edward L in honour of his deceased vife, Queen Eleanor.

-' So called from its being used for

giving the coup de grace to anybody or anything wounded and at the point of death.

lO CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Robert le Ken, by John de Batericheseye,i William Sone. Reymund de Burdeus, by William de Gloucestre, Thomas de Kent.

Nicholas le Corviser,- by Robert Cook, CoUard de Bery.

9. On the death of Hervey, cook of John de ^^ Segrave"

On Sunday before the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec] 29 Edward I. [a.d. 1300], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Hervey, servant of John " Wade," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death, in the house of the said John, in the parish of St. James de Garlek- huthe, in the Ward of Vintry. Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Queenhithe, Cordewanestrete and Douegate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when, on the preceding Saturday, after the hour of curfew, the said Hervey and a certain John Bradequoer, clerk 01 John Wade, were sitting in the Hall, a dispute arose about a certain forcer ^ that had been removed from the house of their master; that the said John charged the said Hervey with its removal, and the said Hervey called the said John a liar, where- ujKin the said John, being moved to anger, took a piece of wood called " talwhschide " ■* and therewith struck the said Hervey on the left side of the head, inflicting a wound 2^ inches in breadth and reaching the brain ; that the said Hervey lingered until the morning and then died of the wound. Being asked who were present, they say No one except those two, but the aforesaid John Wade was in his chamber near his bed with his shoes off, and on hearing the noise came down into the hall, and when the said Jolin Jkadequocr heard him coming, he went out by the Hall-door and fled, but whither they know not. Being asked if they had any suspicion of the said John Wade in respect of the deatli, they say No. The corpse was viewed on

' Battcrsea.

- Cofdwaincr.

* .Stronglxjx.

* \ long billet of wood, called .ilso

'■ lalwodc." — ' Cal. Letter-Book it.' I)p. 149, 150. Cf. »///ra a staff called "Shido." Roll. I., 33.

ROLL A. II

which the wound appeared, but no other hurt. Precept issued to the Sheriffs to attach the said John Bradequoer, when found in their bailiwick. The chattels of the said John were valued at 6s. yd., for which Richard de Caumpes, the Sheriff, will answer.

John Wade attached by Adam Wade le ('haundeler.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Thomas de Hertford called "Naverathom,"^ by Henry Mounquey, Richard de Dorkyng.

John Waus, by John atte Leye, John Fraunceys.

Laurence de Totenham by Nicholas Tailor, Simon le Chaundeler.

John de Berden "joynour," by John de Wetheresfeld, William Bonsy (Bousy?).

lo. — On Sunday before the Feast ot St. Nicholas [6 Dec] the Candelwyk-

stvctc

same year, a certain William Brokkesheved fled to the church of St. Swithin de Candelwyk and confessed that he had killed Anabil his wife, and refused to surrender. Afterwards he escaped from the church. His chattels valued at 2^. for which Luke de Haveryng, the Sheriff, will answer.

II. Ofi the death of William Hampnie {Hampme ?).

On Monday before the Feast of St. Lucia [13 Dec] the year Candelwik aforesaid [a.d. 1300], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain William de Hampme, servant of Richard le Sawiere, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death, in the house of the said Richard, in the parish of St. Mary de Abbe- cherche, in the Ward of Kandelwikstrate. Thereupon, they pro- ceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Bridge, Douegate and Billings- gate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that the said William was suffering from a certain malady in his leg called a festre, and had so suffered for the last three years ; that on the preceding Sunday about the hour of Vespers, a certain

^ Never - at - home. Cf. John " Naverathom " similarly attached at a Coroner's Inquest held in 1277. —

' Cal. Leiter-Book B,' p. 266 ; Simon " Naverathom,"' ' Liber Albus,' i.

12 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

vein in his leg burst, so that, being unable to stop the flow of blood, he became weakened and lingered until the hour of curfew when he died. Being asked if they suspected any one of his death, they say No one. Being asked who were present in the house when this happened they say the aforesaid Richard and Alice his wife.

The said Richard attached by Walter Pain, Robert le Wodere.

Two neighbours attached, viz. : Robert Morice, by Thomas de Wynccstre, Gilbert de Mortone.

Godfrey de Kemesingc, by Thomas de Bekenesfeld, Thomas ate Leie.

12. On the ikath of Richard le Brewere.

On Sunday before the Feast of St. Thomas [21 Dec] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1300 J, information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Richard le Brewere lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of Roger Smalpon, in the parish of St. Magnus, in the Ward of Bridge. Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward, and of three nearest Wards, vi/. : Candelwyk, Douegate and Billingesgate, they diligently enquired how it liappened. The jurors say that when, on the preceding Wednesday, the said Richard was going up a step of a solar in the house of William Cros, carrying a bag of malt {portando quaindam carbattatn cum hracio), l)eing overcome with drink, he by accident stumbled from the said step and fell, rupturing his bowels and diaphragm, and so lived until the following Friday, when he died about the hour of curfew. Being asked if they had any suspicion touching his death they say None. Being asked who were present, they say Only himself. The corpse was viewed, on which no wound ap|)eared. The step valued at 2^.^ for which Luke de Haveringe will answer.

' Here is another instance- of ol). ii. 472n.) In one case at least, where a

jccts, animate and inanimate, l.citi^; tipsy man was going up a ship's mast

made to l)ear the guilt of homicide, l)y means of a rope and fell, the jury

which would more justly have U-en iioneslly attributed his death to his

ascril)c<l to Ixer. (Stc Pollock and dnuilf muss and th,- rope. Infra, Roll

.Maitlan<l, " Hist, of Knjjlish I.;iw," V , 5.

ROLL A. 13

William Cross, attached by Thomas Spileman, Richard de Pelham.

Roger Smalpon, by Edward Lambyn, Robert de Mockynge. Two neighbours attached, viz. :

Adam Hospynel by Pentecost Oistermongere, Walter de Grene. Ralph Miles, by Eustace le Cotiller and Walter de Borham.

13. On the death of Johanna de Cherringe.

On Saturday the eve of the Nativity [25 Dec] the year aforesaid /'orisoken [a.d. 1300], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Johanna de Cherringe of Canterbury lay drowned between the Tower of London and the Hospital of St. Katherine, in the Ward of Portsoken, in the parish of St. Botolph without Aldgate. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Billingsgate, Alegate and the Tower, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that on Friday before the Feast of St. Thomas [21 Dec] the said Johanna came to the gate of Billingsgate being pursued by Laurence le Poleter, the King's poulterer, who compelled her to drown herself. Being asked whence came the said Johanna or for what reason the said Laurence had so acted, they say they know not, nor did they suspect any one else of the said death. Being asked what became of the said Laurence, they say that he was taken and brought to Neugate prison. The corpse was viewed, on which there appeared no wound or hurt. Afterwards the said Laurence was acquitted thereof by a jury at the delivery of Neugate held on Wednesday after the Feast of St. Hilary [13 Jan.] the year aforesaid [a.d. i 300-1] before R[alph] de Sandwych and S[tephen] de Graveshende, Justices.

Thomas Bedel, butcher, attached by John Carle, William Serle,

Edmund Trentemars, by Walter le Gerdlere, John Billirica.

John Romeneye, by Gilbert le Barber, Robert le Treyour.

14 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

14. On till- death of Copt ft le Kyng.

On Friday before the Feast of the Purification [2 Feb.] the aforesaid year [a.d. i 300-1], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Copin le Kyng lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house that he hired of Robert dc Kokesle, in the Ward of Douegate in the parish of St. Laurence de Kandelwykstrate.^ Thereupon, ihey proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Candelwykstrate, Langebourne and Bridge, they diligently examined how it happened. The jurors say that when, on Thursday before the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul [13 Jan.], after the hour of curfew, a certain coster {costardius), i.e. a man carrying apples for sale, came before the building ot Master Gilbert the Marshal at the top of the street {in sumnio vice) near Graschirche crying "Costard apples for sale,'' the said Copin and a certain William Osbern bargained for some of the apples, and wished to carry off five of them against the will of the bearer, and thereupon he made a noise and clamour. Where- upon there came a certain Thomas le Brewere who reprimanded the said Copin and William for taking the apples against the wish of the vendor, so that angry words arose between them and the aforesaid Copin and William assaulted Thomas le Brewere, follow ing him with abuse as far as Kancherche, where, at the top of the street, the said Thomas turned back and struck the said Copin on the left side of the head with a staff called Balstaf,^ inflicting a wound an inch long and two inches deep, and another wound on the right side of the head of the same length and breadth \sic\ ; that the said Copin lingered until Thursday before the Purification and then died of the said wounds at the hour of Prime ; but they say that the said Thomas acted in self-defence. Being asked what became of the .said Thomas, they say that he was taken and com- mitted to prison at Kin^stone, where he was living, and thence to Ncugate, and that he had x\u (.haitcls in London. The corpse was viewed on which the said wounds a{)pcarcd. Afterwards the said

> St. Laurence roultney. | - Otherwise known as Balghstaff

I or Hal k staff, a cudgel or quarterstafl".

ROLL A. 15

Thomas had a day of delivery before the Justices of Neiigate in the Octave of Trinity, on which day came Christiana wife of the said Copin, prepared to prosecute her appeal against the said Thomas, and brought a writ to the Sheriffs to have the body of the said Thomas before the King wheresoever &c., pursuant to which he was taken there, and there the matter was determined. Afterwards the lord the King allowed the said Thomas suit of his peace, and the writ remains in the hands of Hugh Pourte, Sheriff in the si"' year.

William Cosyn attached by Richard le Bevere, John Baunquer, (leoffrey le Taverner, Gilbert the Marshal, Walter Creie, John de Bois.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Robert de Roquesle, by Richard le Barber, William Canoun.

William de Parys, by Henry de St. Osith (?), Elias Shereman.

Walter le FoUere, by Clement le Pestour, Hugh de Steben huthe.

Walter de Kent, by Richard de Lauvare, William de Basingge.

15. Oti the death of Robert de Balsham.

On Ash Wednesday [15 Feb.] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1300-1J, lUlin^esgaic information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Robert de Balsham, le Cordewaner, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house which he hired of John Gumbard in the parish of St. Andrew the Apostle,^ in the Ward of Billingesgate. Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Bridge, Tower and Langbourne, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when, on the preceding Friday, about midnight, the said Robert, who was afflicted with a grievous infirmity from which he had suffered for three weeks past, rose from his bed and laid himself on the ground where he immediately died. Being asked who were present, they say No one except himself and Isabella his wife. Being asked if they suspected any man or woman of his death,

' St. Andrew Hubbard.

l6 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

they say No. The corpse was viewed and there appeared no hurt nor bruise.

The said Isabella, attached by Peter Beauclerk and William de Lambourne.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

Robert de Wandlesworth, by Roger de Wandlesworth, Jolin le Hakiere.

John atte Dene, by Henry Tollelove, Reginald Forbour.

1 6. On the death of Roger ie Brewere.

On Sunday before the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra [i Aug.] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Roger le Brewere lay dead of a death other than his rightful death, in the house of Adam de Ely, fishmonger, in the parish of St. Mary de Boihawe, in the Ward of Walebrok. The jurors say that when, on the preceding Saturday, the said Roger, about ihe ninth hour left the kitchen of the said Adam de I'^ly complaining of a disorder called Tisik^ he asked Agnes, his wife, whom he found in the Hall, to summon a chaplain to come to him immediately; that the said Agnts ran to a church [but] before his arrival, the said Roger fell dead in the Hall of the said disorder. Being asked if they suspected any man or woman of the dcatli, they say No. Being asked who were present, they say the aforesaid Atones, and Margery her servant. The corpse viewed, on which appeared neither wound nor hurt.

Adam [de] Ely, attached by Walter de Chichestre, Roger ie Seler.

Ajines, wife of the said Adam, by Ralph le Forbour, Robert le Cordewancr.

Margery, their servant, by Hugh le Cordewaner, Roger Ie Plomer.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

William Reyner, by William de Norhamptone, John de Kemesyngc, baker.

John Ie Botiller, by William Walramen, Simon le Taillour.

ROLL A. 17

17. On the Death of Joke de Cornwall.

On Monday after the Feast of St. Gregory [12 March] the year WaUbrok aforesaid (a.d. i 300-1), information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain Joice de Cornwall, " peleter," ^ lay dead of a death other than his rightful death, in a street near the church of St. Mary de Bothhawe, in the Ward of VValebrok. Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward, and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Doue- gate, Candelwikstrate and Vintry, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that on the preceding Monday, at the hour of Vespers, the said Joice and a certain Thomas de BristoU, skinner, were playing chequers on a bench {ultra perticam) in the house of Alice de Wautham, when there came Robert de Exeter, Roger de Lincoln, and Henry de Lincoln, bringing with them a certain woman over the chequers; that thereupon the said Thomas de Bristoll found fault with them so that angry words arising between them, the said Robert de Exeter seized the said Thomas by the shoulders and stript him of all his clothes down to his girdle ; that finding, thereupon, that the said Thomas had a dagger, the said Robert seized and drew it. Seeing this, the said Thomas escaped to a room upstairs ; that the said Robert then assaulted the said Joice who quitted the house, being followed by Robert as far as the corner of Paternosterlane, who then struck him with the said dagger, inflicting a wound on the left side of his chest under the breast, three inches deep, and one inch broad, with which wound the said Joice proceeded to the church of Bothawe, but fell in the street and immediately died of the aforesaid wound. Being asked if the said Roger and Henry were abettors of the felony, they say Yes. Being asked what became of the felons after the felony, they say they immediately fled, but whither, they know not. Being asked as to their goods and chattels tlie jurors say they have none. Being asked if any more were present at the time, they say None, except Leticia, the servant of Alice, who sold ale there. The corpse viewed, on which appeared the said wound and no other hurt. Precept to the ' I'elterer, a dealer in raw hides.

C

l8 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Sheriffs to arrest the felons as soon as they be found in their baihwick.

The above Leticia attached by Roger de Norwiz, John de Wyrecestre.

Thomas de Bristoll, by Richard Longevile and Salomon le Joynnour.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

James le Botiller, by Hugh le Cordewaner, Roger le Plomer.

Adam de Barchon, by John de Cornwall, John Woderove, " Teler."

Salomon le Joynour, by Henry le Mareschal, Stephen de Hertford.

William Reyner, by John de Kemesink, John le Botoner.

1 8. On the death of Simon de Teye. Qutt-nhtthe Q^ Easter Sunday [2 April] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1301],

information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Simon de " Teie " lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the Court {in Curia) of John de Chigewelle, outside the gate of his Hall on the Western side in the Ward of Queenhithe, in the parish of St. Mary de Somersete. Thereupon they proceeded thither and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Vintry, Bredstrete and Castle Baynard, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on Easter Eve, as it was growing dark, the said Simon mounted a ladder to the top of the house to fetch a saddle that had been laid in a gutter to dry, on returning he placed his right arm/^r tnedium strigilli, so as to carry it, and the saddle fell from his neck and carried him down along with it so that they both fell upon the pavement from a height of 16 feet, from which fall the said Simon immediately died. Being asked who were present, they say that a certain Bartholomew Cook was in the kitchen. Being asked if they suspected any one else of the said death, they say No. The cori)se viewed of which the whole of the left side of the head ap|jeared crushed and the body bruised. The ladder valued at 2s. for which Luke de Haveryng, the Sheriff, will answer.

ROLL A. 19

Bartholomew Cook, as being present, attached by William Flinthard and Thomas de Shirebourne. Two neighbours attached, viz. :

William Faber, by Stephen Bernard and Matthew de Dodintone. Robert le Couper, by John Bernard and John Fichs.

19. On the death of Philip le Faitour.

On Friday after the day called " Hokeday " ^ the year aforesaid Fanidom [a.d. 1 301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Philip le Faitour lay dead of a death other than his rightful death at the top of the street {in suvtmo vico) of Westchepe opposite the church of St. Mary le Quern, in the Ward of Nicholas de Farndone Within (infra), in the parish aforesaid. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward, and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : the Ward of William le Maserer,^ Crepelgate, and Castle Baynard, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Thursday, as it was growing dark, there came the said Philip, a certain Henry le Portour, Roger le Stronge and Peter Pecok through Westchepe, and the said Philip and Henry were quarrelling together, when they came opposite the said church, the aforesaid Henry le Faitour ^ drew an anelace and therewith struck the said Philip on the right side of the body, inflicting a wound an inch broad and four inches deep, reaching to the heart ; that he lingered untill midnight, when he died of the said wound. Being asked who were present, they say No one except those four. Being asked if the said Roger le Stronge and Peter Pecok were abettors of the felony, they say [No] but that they ran after the felon and were unable to catch him. What became of him, they know not. Being asked as to their goods and chattels the jurors say they had none. The corpse viewed on which the wound appeared, but no other hurt. Precept to the

^ The third Tuesday after Easter, when rough play known as " Hok- kyng " was practised in the streets. See Riley's ' Memorials,' p. 562, note.

- Aldersgate Ward. •'' Clerical error for Henry U Portour.

C 2

20 CAI.KNDAK OK CITY CORONKRS ROLI-S.

Sheriffs to attach Roger le Stronge, Peter Pecok and Henry le Portour as soon as they be found in their bailiwick.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

WiUiam Bole, by Roger Russel, Adam de Canterbure.

Henry de Belhous, by William Horn, William Vigerous.

Adam le Barber, by Roger Scot and John de Northerne.

William le Chaundeler, by Thomas de Aveyns and John

" Discarium."

20. — The same year John le Espicer of Cornhull complains of bloodshed caused by John Faber of Cornhull in Whitsun week. Pledges for prosecution, viz. : William Fratre and William Forest : and John Faber is attached by Geoffrey Gordeleis and Adam

Mohant.

2 1. 0/1 tlw death of Peter de Huntingdon.

On .Saturday after the Feast of H. Trinity [28 May] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Peter de Huntyngdon lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of Richard Bene in the parish of All Hallows on the solars {super solar') ^ in the Ward of Douegate. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward, and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Bridge, Candelwikstrate, and VV^alebrok, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on Saturday the Feast of St. John ante Portam Latinam [6 May], the said Peter and a certain Andrew Prille came to the house of Walter Vigerous and there continued drinking until after the hour of Vespers, they by mutual consent agreed to wrestle ; that, after- wards, the said Andrew left the said Peter, saying that he would no more wrestle as his clothes were torn, and that thereupon the said Peter took off his own vest ( Wardccors) and handed it to Andrew for him to wrestle in it ; that they then wrestled with all their strength and gripjK-d each other in such a way that Peter's right leg was broken, and so he lingered until Thursday after Trinity,

' Mure ruinmonly known as ,\ll Hallows nn the Cellars (j«/Vr f#/a/' I "f All Hallows the Ixrss. to distin-

guisli it from .\ll Hallows at the hai^- \\h»r( {a<t/g>/uw) or All Hallows the (ircat.

ROLL A. 21

when he died as night was coming on, from the fracture and l)ad attention. Being asked who were present, they say the aforesaid Walter Vigerous, AHce his wife, and a certain Richard Bene. Being asked what became of Andrew Prille they say that he went wandering about, but after he knew of Peter's death he fled, but whither, they know not. Being asked as to the goods and chattels of the said Andrew they say he had none. The corpse was viewed, the leg of which appeared fractured and gangrened. Precept to the Sheriffs, to attach the said Andrew as soon as he appeared in their bailiwick.

Walter Vigerous, attached by Geoffrey Vigerous, Walter de Creie.

The above Alice, by William Tailor, William Edward.

Richard Bene, by William de Castello, " fever," John le Barber.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Reginald de Walsingham, by William de Parys and Elias Shereman.

Reginald de Thunderleie, by William de Writle and William de Douegate.

" Hyoun " de Wytle, by William de Mallyng and Oeoffrey le Cordewaner.

Estmere de Wyntonia, by " Hugh " de Whittele, Thomas de Wyntonia.

2 2. On the death of Alice, ivife of Adam Cobel.

Wednesday before the Feast of St. Barnabas [i i June] the year Fanidoiu aforesaid, information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Alice, wife of Adam Cobel, lay dead of a death other than her rightful death and was buried in the church-yard of St. Sepulchre without Neugate, in the Ward of Nicholas de Farndone, without. Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having sum- moned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : of Walter de Fynchingfeld extra Wardam} of William le Maserer2 and of Castle Baynard, they diligently enquired how

' Cripplegate Without. | •^ Aldersgate Ward.

22 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLT.S.

it happened. The jurors say that when on Maundy Thursday (die Jovis in cena domini) after the hour of curfew there came a certain John le Sherman and Augustine le Curszon to the house of the said Adam in the rent {in redditu) of the Prior of St. Bartholomew in Smethefeld, and brake the door and windows and made a premeditated assault upon and badly beat the said Adam ; that the said Alice wishing to help her husband interposed to save him, and was so beaten by the said John and Augustine, that she shortly gave birth prematurely to a child, and afterwards lingered until Wednesday after the Feast of Holy Trinity [28 May] when she died of her injuries about the hour of Vespers. Being asked who were present, they say the aforesaid Adam, Alice, John and Augustine. Being asked what became of the said John and Augustine, they say that they immediately fled, but whither they know not. Being asked as to their goods and chattels the jurors say they had none, so far as they could learn. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said John and Augustine as soon as they be found in their bailiwick.

The said Adam Cobel attached by John Totlemound and Hugh de Saxham.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Joice atte VValle, by John Mountoriel and Roger atte Stoples.

John de Soham, by Peter de Berkynge and Henry Marescall.

Walter Louerd, by Hugh Pope and Henry le Ridere.

John Morice, by William Taillour and Geoffrey de Somersete.

23. On the death of Richard de St. Alban.

Bitihopetgau On Thursday before the Feast of St. Barnabas [11 June] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Richard de St. Alban lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the stable of Reginald Woleward, in the parish of St. Athelburga within Bisshopesgate in the same Ward. Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest

ROLL A. 23

Wards, viz. : CornhuU, Bradestrete and Ferthingwarde,^ they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that on the preceding Wednesday, about midday, the said Richard, grievously suffering from a quinsy {tnorbo squinacie), wandered about and entered his master's stable where he fell down and suddenly died of that malady. Being asked who were present, they say No one except a certain Gunnora, a servant of the said Reginald, who was in the Hall, nor did they suspect anyone of the death. The corpse viewed, the neck and throat of which appeared large and swollen, but no other hurt.

The said Reginald, attached by Robert Dodeman and William le Hornere.

The said Gunnora, by John Litle and William Hirais.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

William Pinguoun, by John Mareschal, John Chaundeler.

Alexander Punge, by Edmund de Suffolk, William Poyntel.

24. On the death of Robert le " Braceour.'"

On Sunday the morrow of St. Botolph [17 June] the year afore- Tower said [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Robert le " Brasour " lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the rent of Thomas Pourte, in the parish of St. Dunstan towards the Tower, in Tower Ward. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Billingesgate, Langebourne and Alegate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when, on the Sunday before the Feast of St. Barnabas [11 June], the said Robert had ■come into Wodestrate after the hour of Vespers, and had met a certain Robert de Amias, they quarrelled together, both being inebriated, and the said Robert de " Hamias " beat the said Robert le Brasour with an oak stick ; that the latter then went towards the church of St. Bartholomew the Little, and there lay

^ Another name for Lime Street Ward. See ' Cal. Letter-Book B,' p. 183 n. Cf. Hust. Roll, 191 (II), where the parish of St. Andrew on

Cornhill is described as being in Warda de Lymestrete, alias dicta Ferthyngward 2X a time (1460) when William Hulyn was its Alderman.

24 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

down on a trunk and passed the night ; that at sunrise on the morrow he went to the house of Henry Potenian, his master, who reprimanded him for leaving his house without permission, l^aid him his wages {solvens ei serviciion sjtum), and ordered him to leave the house ; that he thereupon went to the house of John Butcher and there lingered until the Thursday before the Feast of St. Barnabas, when he died after the hour of Prime ; they say, however, that he was not nearer death nor farther from life by reason of the beating, but that he died from the illness he contracted by passing the night in the street, and not from any felony. Being asked what became of the said Robert de Amyas, they say that immediately on learning of the death of Robert le Brasour he fled, but whither they know not, nor had he any chattels. The corpse viewed, the arm of which appeared bruised and excoriated, and the body, in many places, blue. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said Robert de Amyas as soon as he be found in their bailiwick.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

Thomas Pourte, by William le Surgien and Simon le Cotiller.

William de (lillingham, by Laurence le Dubbour and Nicholas de Haddeley.

25. Oh the death of William de Otteford

langbournf On Wednesday after the Feast of Nativity of St. John Bapt. [24

June] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain William de Otteford lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of William Mokelyn, in the parish of St. Edmund the King, in the Ward of I^ngbourne. Thereupon they i)roceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said W^ard, and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Cornhill, Candelwikstrate and Bridge,* they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Tuesday, before tiie hour of Vespers, the said William had come to the house of the said William Mokelyn grievously suffering from a quartan fever he asked to be allowed to rest there, until the attack should pass off; that he laid himself on

ROLL A. 25

the ground, and after a little while {post pusillutn) died of the fever. They suspect no one of the death. Being asked who were present, they say No one except himself and the said William Mokelyn. The corpse viewed, on which no hurt appeared.

The said William Mokelin attached by John le Barbier and Simon le Taillour.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

John de Shaftesbury, by William le Taverner, John le Chaun- deler.

Walter le Coupere, by Thomas le Tapicer, Reginald le Tapicer.

26. On the death of Richard^ son of John le Mazon.

On Friday the eve of the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen [22 July] Qiuenhithe the year aforesaid [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain Richard son of John le Mazon lay dead of a death other than his rightful death on the strand (super strandam) of Queenhithe, in the parish of St. Michael in the Ward of William de Betoyne.^ Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Bredstrete, Vintry and Bridge, they dili- gently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when, on the preceding Tuesday, the said Richard, who was 8 years of age, was walking, immediately after dinner, across London Bridge to school, he hung by his hands in play from a certain beam on the side of the bridge, so that, his hands giving way, he fell into the water and was drowned. Being asked who were present, they say a great multitude of passers-by, whose names they know not, but they suspect no one of the death except the said mischance. The corpse viewed, on which there appeared no wound or hurt.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

John de Brinkele, by Adam Wade and Richard de Dorkyng.

Philip Galoun, by John Taverner, William Hathewy.

* Alderman of Queenhithe Ward, from circ. 1288 until his death in 1305 {Beaven's " Aldermen of London.'')

26 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

27. On the Death of William Baman.

Ungtboumt On Thursday after the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula [i Aug.] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain William Baman de Chaurede lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of William Abel, in the rent of Henry le Galeis, in the Ward of Langebourne. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward, and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : CornhuU, Walebrok, and Bradestret, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when, on Thurs- day after the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr [7 Ju'y]> ^^ aforesaid year, the said William was in the house of Philip de Spine, after the hour of curfew, a quarrel having arisen between two dogs belonging to the said Philip, the said William savagely struck one of the dogs, and thereupon the said Philip, moved to anger, began to rate the said William ; seeing which, a certain " Thouse," ^ steward {dispensator) of the said Philip, took a staff called Balstaf, and therewith beat the said William on his arms and shoulders ; that the said William lingered until Monday, the eve of the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula, when he died of the beating at dawn. Being asked who were present, they say No one except those three. Being asked if the said Philip abetted the felony or not, they say Yes, and that he afterwards harboured the said " Touse." Being asked what became of the said Philip and Touse, they say that, i)erceiving that the said William was near unto death, they fled, but whither, the jurors know not. Being asked if they suspected any one else of the death, they say No. The corpse viewed, on which the right arm appeared swollen and inflamed, and the body, between the shoulders, blue. Pre- cept 10 the Sheriffs to attach the said Philip and "Thouse" when found in their bailiwick. Their chattels valued at ^£"107 los. 4^., their debts excepted, and bonds satisfied 2 {et Uteris contentis), for which sum of money and bonds aforesaid Luke de Haverynge, the Sheriff, will answer.

Afterwards, the said chattels were given up by virtue of the * "Touse le Lumbard,"in margin. | » This interpretation is doubtful.

ROLL A. 27

King's writ, which is in the hands of Luke ; and " Thouse " has the King's writ of peace, which is in the hands of Hugh Pourte.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Ralph le Conver, by Nicholas the painter, John Sailleby.

Simon fitz Robert, by William Amys, William de Dagenhale.

Thomas le Maderman, by John de Shaftesbury, John le Chaundeler.

Walter le Conver, by Walter de Kydemenstre, William Oggelin.

28. On the death of John Kyngessone.

On Tuesday before the Feast of St Laurence [10 Aug.] the year Famdoue aforesaid [a. D. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain John Kyngessone, " paternoster," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of John Lamb, " paternoster," in the rent of Henry de " Keyles," in the Ward of Nicholas de Farndone. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Aldresgate, Crepelgate, and Castle Baynard, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on Sunday before the Feast of St. James [25 July] at the hour of Vespers, the said John was sitting with Thomas Willeday in the house of Henry de " Keilles " outside Aldresgate, angry words arose between them and they went out of the house into the street ; that the said Thomas drew a knife and struck the said John on the right arm between the elbow and the hand, inflicting a wound an inch long and half an inch broad ; that the said John Kyngessone and Henry de Westminster and John Pikeman, " paternosters," went to the house of John Lamb their master, but not being able to get in, they walked as far as the croft called " Seintemaricroft " near " Witewellebeche " ^ in co. Middlesex and there slept; that thereupon came Peter le "Cornmangere" who lived outside the Bar of Smethefeld, William, son of JohnWerkman of " Whitewellebeche," Robert leTillere, called " Renaboute " living there in the rent of Stephen Thorghugod and Robert le Haltere living there in the rent of Michael de Wellesdale, who were keep- ^ Near Clerkenwcll,

28 CALKNDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

ing watch there that night for the preservation of the peace, and finding them sleeping, took them for robbers ; that thereupon angry words arising, the said watchmen beat the said John and his companions with sticks all over the body ; that the said John lingered until Monday before the Feast of St. Laurence when he died from the effects of the beating at daybreak. Being asked who were present they say No one except the said watchmen and the said Henry de Westminster and John Pikeman. Being asked if the said John Kyngessonc was brought nearer death and further from life by the wound on his arm, they say No. Being asked if the aforesaid watchmen were guilty of the death they say Yes. Being asked what became of the watchmen they (the jurors) say that remained in their houses outside the Bar of Smethefeld in the county of Middlesex. The corpse viewed, a great part of which appeared blue and bruised. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said watchmen whenever found in their bailiwick.

The said John de Westminster, attached by John le Perere, Robert de Dudlington.

The said John Pikeman went home {patriam suam adivit), grievously beaten, and has no chattels.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Henry the Surgeon, by John Brough and William de Assindone.

Thomas de Aveines by John Meel, John de Es.sex, "seler."^

Thomas Meel, by John de Berkyng, Robert Scot.

Henry del Belhous, by John de Burgo, William de Westmelle.

29. On the death of Walter de Elmeleye. Crtptif^at, On Friday after the Decollation of St. John Bapt. [29 Aug.]

the year aforesaid [a.ix 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Walter de Elmeleye, a chaplain, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in Wodestretc, in the parish of St. .Mban in the Ward of Walter de Finchingfcld.- Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Basseishawe, the Ward of William le Mazerer and the Ward of

* Sadler. J from ciiu. 1292 until his de.ilh in 1307

'■' Aldcrin.-in of Cripplcj^at* W.nrd (Ik-aven).

ROLL A. 29

Nicholas de Farndone, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Wednesday, after the hour of Vespers, a certain Alice, wife of John le Quernbetere came into Wodestrete at the corner of Selverstrete, she found workmen of Thomas Sely there preparing the ground for the walls of a new house to be built there, and being drunk {imbuta) abused them, calling them " tredekeiles," whereupon one of them drew her by the hand to himself and told her that she should work and tread the ground with them, and maliciously bumped her on the ground ^ ; that she afterwards got up and went to the house of Elena Hellebole, her mistress, of whom she rented her house, and complained of the men ; that thereupon the said Elena went to the men, calling them Ribalds and other opprobrious names ; that a man came by, whose name they know not, and reprimanded the said Elena who abused him, calling him a thief, and he calling her a whore ; that thereupon she threatenened him saying that before night the matter should be squared (hoc compararet) ; that she forthwith sent for the said Walter the Chaplain, as well as a certain Roger le Skirmisour, a tenant of hers, and another person unknown, and prayed them to avenge her on the said stranger who was to be found in the house of Agnes de Notingham, a taverner ; that the three hurried thither, having brought a fagot for a farthing, from which each man furnished himself with a stick, and there met a certain John de Melkesham at the entrance of the house who was asked by the said Walter the Chaplain if he had abused the said Elena his mistress, and was forthwith hit on the head and that arm ; thereupon the said John drew a dagger, seeing which the said Walter turned to draw his knife with his right arm, but the said John struck him with the dagger under the shoulder, inflicting a wound an inch and a half broad and reaching to the heart, of which wound he immediately died. Being asked who were present, they say they know of none except the said A\'alter and the aforesaid evil doers. Being asked what became of John de Melkesham and Roger le Skirmisour after the felony, they say that the said John immediately fled to the church of St. Olave near the Tower, whence he escaped at night,

' Ita quod ipsant t>er vialiciam deorsum sedebat in terra.

30 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

and Roger le Skirmisour fled, they know not whither. They have no chattels. Of the stranger they know nothing and he has no chattels. The corpse viewed, on which the wound appeared and no other hurt. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said John de Melkesham and Roger le Skirmisour when found in their bailiwick. The chattels of the said John de Melkesham valued at 2gs. ^d. for which Richard de Caumpes, the Sheriff, will answer.

The above Elena attached by Henry de Passenham, Gregory le Lorymer.

The above Alice, by John Woderove, "cordewaner," John le Taverner.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Gregory le Botoner, by Thomas de Kent and John atte Grove.

Alexander le Copersmith, by William le Chaundeler, William Lefchild.

Hugh de Frennelingham, by William de Wynton', Walter de Aumbresbury.

William de Pelham, by Thomas de Canterbury and Robert de Cantebrige.

30. On the death of Petronilla daughter William de JVytitonia.

Creptlgau On Friday after the Decollation of St. John Bapt. [29 Aug.] the

year aforesaid [a. D. 1 301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Petronilla, daughter of William de Wyntoniaaged three years, lay dead of a death other than her rightful death, in her father's house in the Ward of Crepulgate. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Bassingeshawe, the Ward of William le Mazercr and the Ward of Nicholas de Farndone, they diligently cncjuired how it happened. The jurors say that on Tuesday the Feast of St. Philip and James [4 May] the year aforesaid, there came a certain Hugh Picard riding a white horse belonging to Master William de London, a clerk in Philippeslane, after the hour of Vespers, when the said Petronilla was playing in the street, and the horse being

ROLL A. 31

strong, quickly carried the said Hugh against his will over the said Petronilla so that it struck her on her right side with its right fore-foot ; that the said Petronilla lingered until the following day, when she died, at the hour of Vespers, from the blow aforesaid. Being asked who were present, they only know of those mentioned. The corpse viewed, the right side of which appeared blue and badly bruised, and no other hurt. The horse valued at a mark, for which, Richard de Caumpes, the Sheriff, will answer. The said Hugh fled and has no chattels, he afterwards surrendered to John de Boreford,^ Sheriff.

William de " Hwyttone " attached by Henry de Harewe and William le Chaundeler.

Two neighbours attached, viz. :

Richard de Meldebourne, by Walter le Fuster, John le Perer.

John de Crepelgate, baker, by Robert le Chaundeler and Robert de Welle.

31. On the death of Richard le Brewere.

On Saturday after the Keast of Nativity B. Mary [8. Sept.] the Canddwik year aforesaid [a.d. 1301], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Richard le Brewere lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house which he hired of Alice atte Vine, in the Ward of Kandelwikstrete, in the parish of St. Clement.'^ Thereupon, they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Langbourne, Bridge and Walebrok, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that v»rhen, on Monday, the eve of the Feast of the Decollation of St. John Bapt. [29 Aug.], the said Richard entered his brewhouse to take boiling water out of a leaden vessel {de plumbo) with a certain ladle (gata) ^ and put it into a certain vat, both his feet having given way he fell backwards and the water poured over his neck and body and scalded him ; that he lingered until the Nativity of

1 Or " Burford," Sheriff, 1303-4. I a similar case of death by scald-

2 St. Clement, Eastcheap. ing. ' Cal. Letter-Book B/ p. 269. •* An inquest was held in 1277 on '

32 CAI.KNDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

the Blessed Mary, when he died at midnight. Being asked who were present, they say No one but himself. The corpse viewed, the neck and front part of which appeared scalded, and no other hurt. The ladle valued at 2d., for which Luke de Havcrynge will answer.

'I'wo neighbours attached, viz. :

Silvester de Mordone, by Robert le Chaundeler, Roger le Barber.

John le Cirger, by John le Surgian and Giles Jordan.

ROLL B

Roll of the Crotvn temp. John de Ilford, Coroner of London,'^ and Richard Costa?ttyn and Richard de Hakeneye, then Sheriffs of the same City from the Feast of St. Michael a° 15 Edward II. [a.d. 1 321] to the Feast of St. Michael next ensuing.-

1. On the death of Elias de Beverle and John Costard.

On Saturday before the Feast of St. Luke [18 Oct] a°, 15 Tower Ward Edward II [a.d. 132 i], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Elias de Beverle, servant of Hurtin Caillau the King's Serjeant-at-arms, and John Costard, Chamberlain to Sir Robert de Welles, Knt., lay dead of a death other than their rightful death in a certain waste place within the second gate of the Tower of London, towards the West,^ in the parish of All Hallows de Berkyngchirche in Tower Ward. Thereupon they proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Portsokne, Billingges- gate and Alegate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that on Thursday after the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.] the year aforesaid, at the hour of curfew when the said Elias de

^ lie was in strictness sub-coroner to Stephen de Abyndone, who, in his capacity as the King's Butler, was Coroner of the City from 13 16-1325. See ' Cal. Letter-Book E,' p. 165-6 ; Beaven's "Aldermen of London," p. 380.

" A transcript of a Coroner's Roll for the City a° 9 and 10 Edward IL preserved in the Chapter House, West- minster, will be found in Guildhall

MS. No. 126, in the Guildhall Library. ^ This is important as showing the extent of the City's jurisdiction at the Tower. According to Coke (" Insti- tutes," iii. 135) the old London Wall passed through the Tower, the part to the West of it being in the City ; whilst the part to the East of it lay in the county of Middlesex. Cf. ' Cal. Letter- Book I,' p. 3 ; ' Cal. Letter- Book K,' p. 83.

34 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Beverle wished to visit the said Hurtin, his master, the bridge being drawn owing to the lord the King being then in the Tower, he accidentally fell into the water and was immediately drowned ; and that on Thursday next before the Feast of St. Luke [i8 Oct.] the same year, the said John Costard accidentally fell into the water there, in like manner, after the hour of curfew, and was drowned, and so the said Elias and John remained in the water until the Saturday aforesaid when a certain Robert le " Brybour " found their corpses after sun-rise and raised a cry so that the country came. Being asked who were present when this happened, they say No one except the said Elias and John, nor did they suspect any man or woman of the said deaths, but only mischance. The corpses viewed on which appeared no wound, hurt or bruise.

The fmder, viz. : Robert le" Bribour," attached by Richard le Ussher and John I'e Chaundeler.

Four neighbours attached, viz. : Richard Pilk, by Andrew de Northamptone and Peter de Plomtone.

Alan le Palmere, by .'\ndrew le Hurer, and John le Chaundeler.

John Ballard, by Richard Brid and John de Iltone.

John Prest, by Richard Duket and Thomas de Salopia.

2. Ofi the death of John de IIar7ve, '■'■ portoury

I'iuiry On Tuesday after the Feast of St. Luke [i8 Oct.] the year

aforesaid [a.d. 132 i], it happened that John de Harwe, " portour," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain solar which he hired of Robert de Pelham, " chaundeler," in the parish of St. Martin, in the Ward of Vintry. On hearing this the afore- said Coroner and Sheriff went there, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of four other Wards, viz. : Queenhithe, Cordewanerstrcte, Douuegate and Billinggesgate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when, on the ])receding Monday, after the hour of Vespers, a certain Thomas atte Chirche, esfjuire to the Earl of Arundel, and a certain unknown man, whose name they know not, were riding together through "Tamsctrete" towards the Tower, and had come opposite the house of Olive Sorweles, a widow, in the parish of St. Botolph in

ROLL B. 35

the Ward of Billinggesgate, the said Thomas atte Chirche nearly threw to the ground with his horse a certain unknown woman carrying a child in her arms, and because the said John de Harwe begged them to ride more carefully, the said Thomas, moved to anger forthwith drew his sword and struck the said John on his right side inflicting a mortal wound, two inches long and five inches deep, with which wound the said John went as far as the said solar, where he received his ecclesiastical rights {jura sua ecclesiastica) and lingered until the aforesaid Tuesday, when he died in the morning of the aforesaid wound and of no other felony. Being asked who were present when it happened they say the aforesaid Thomas and John, the man and the woman unknown and many passers-by whose names are unknown. Being asked what became of the said Thomas and the man unknown they say that they immediately fled toward the Tower, but where they went or who received them they know not, nor do they suspect any man or woman of the death except the said Thomas atte Chirche, who has no chattels except the horse on which he took flight.

The corpse viewed on which appeared the wound and no other hurt. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said Thomas and all other persons unknown who were present, as soon as they gained knowledge of them.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Thomas de Cobeham, by Thomas Deien and Richard de Walyngford.

Benedict de Suff[olk], by James Beauflour and John Hardel.

Robert de Lenne, by Henry le Gaugeour and Stephen de Bercote.

Andrew de Tyndale, by Robert de Ilford and Richard Dask.

3. On the Death of Thomas ie Rede.

On Friday next after the Feast of St. Luke [18 Oct.] the year Toiver aforesaid, it happened that Thomas le Rede, servant (gara'o) of Richard de Tonge, clerk of the chapel of the lord the King, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the tenement of Thomas Scot in the parish of St. Dunstan in Tower Ward. On

D 2

36 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs went there, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. ; Alegate, Portsokne and Billinggesgate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when, on the preceding Sunday, after the hour of curfew, the said Thomas le Rede and a certain Richard, a clerk, called Dicoun le Clerk, were quarrelling together opposite the house of John le Braye in the said parish, the said Richard drew forth his small knife and struck the said Thomas on the right side, inflicting a wound an inch long and four inches deep, with which wound the said Thomas went to the said tenement, where he lay dead. He there received his ecclesiastical rights and lingered until the Friday aforesaid, when he died at midnight of the wound aforesaid, and of no other felony com- mitted against him. Being asked what became of the said Richard they say that he forthwith fled, but whither, or who received him, they know not. Being asked who were present when it happened, they say No one except those two, nor did they suspect any man or woman of the death except the said Richard, who had no chattels as far as they could ascertain. The corpse of the said Thomas was viewed, whereon the wound appeared, and no other hurt. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said Richard when found in their bailiwick.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

John de Braye, by Robert de Hakeneye and John de Bengho.

William de Lutone, by Ralph Pone and Hugh le Barbier.

John Cole, by Hamo de Coptone and Richard de Braye.

Thomas le Barbier, by Hugh de SnodhuU and William de Marleberge.

4. On the death 0/ Isabel hi, -ivife of Robert de Pampesrvorth.

Quanhithe Qn Monday the Feast of St. Andrew Ap. [30 Nov.] the year

aforesaid, it happened that a certain Isabella, wife of Robert de Pampesworth lay dead of a death other than her rightful death in a certain solar within the tenement held by Master Robert de Leycestre, clerk, under the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's, in the

ROLL B. 37

parish of St. Mildred ^ in the Ward of Queenhithe. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs went there, and having summoned good men of the said ^V'ard and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Vintry, Bredstret and Castle Baynard, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that the aforesaid Isabella for the two last years and more had suffered from a disease called " frensy," and that on the preceding Sunday, at the hour of Prime, she was alone in her chamber whilst Cristiana de Iseldone, servant to John de Pampesworth, son of the said Isabella, went to the kitchen to get her some food, and she hanged herself by a cord from a small beam in the said solar, when nobody was present, whilst suffering from the aforesaid disease ; that the said Cristiana when she entered the room and saw her hanging raised the cry, so that a certain William Scot ran thither and cut the cord with his knife, and the said Isabella fell to the ground alive, and so lingered for the space of a quarter of an hour of the same day and then died from weakness of the said disease and the hanging aforesaid. They suspect no one of the said death. The chattels of the said Isabella are appraised by William de Waltham, John le Chaundeler, Robert le Piebakere, Nicholas le Cordewaner, William de la Marche and John le Taillour of the Ward of Queenhithe, viz. : one blanket and a worn sheet at 6 pence, an old chest at 3 pence, and the aforesaid beam and cord at a farthing, which Richard Costantyn, the Sheriff, will answer for.

Those present attached, viz. :

Cristiana de Iseldone attached by John de Pampesworth and William Salle, tailor.

William Scot, by William le Porter and John de Bedeford.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

William de Waltham, by Robert Skot and John Monek.

William le Trompour, by Hamo le Barbier and Richard de Reynham.

William Wolnoth, by Robert le Huthereve and William le Botiller.

Roger le Palmere, by Robert le Keu and John le Chaundeler.

1 St. Mildred, Bread Street.

38 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

5. On the death of Michael le Gaugeonr.

I^ingehoiirnt On Monday the Feast of St. Andrew Ap. [30 Nov.] the year aforesaid | a.d. i 32 i ],it happened that a certain Michael le Gaugeour lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the lane called " Abbechirchelane," oi)posite the brewhouse then held by John de Douuegate of William de Canefeld, in the parish of St. Mary Wolnoth in the Ward of Langebourne. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Walbroke, Candelwykestrete and Cornhulle, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Sunday after curfew, the said Michael and a certain John Faukes, " corour," were playing at a game called " hasard," in the said brewhouse, a quarrel arose between them, so that the said John Faukes left the brewhouse, laying in wait for the said Michael, whom he shortly afterwards saw leaving the same brewhouse by himself, and drew his sword called a "fauchon" and of malice prepense, feloniously struck the said Michael with it on the left side of his breast, inflicting a mortal wound an inch long and 5^ inches deep ; whereupon the said Michael fell to the ground and immediately died of the said wound and not of any other felony. Being asked who was present when it happened, they say No one except those two and a certain Agnes la Pursere, wife of the said Michael, who came up and first found the said Michael dead, and raised the cry so that the country came. Being asked what became of the said John, they say that he immediately fled into the church of the Augustine Friars and confessed before the said Coroner and Sheriffs that he had committed the said felony, and therefor refused to surrender himself to the King's i)eace. Precept issued to men of the Wards of Bisshopesgate, Bradestret and Colemanstrete to keep watch over him until, &c.,i and he re- in 1298 the Court of Aldermen i maintained that liy the ancient cus- had passed an. ordinance that those ] loms of the City they were not hound taking sanctuary should not he | to place a guard upon those taking watched.— 'Cal. U-ttcr-Book H,' j,. sanctuary in churches nor were 215. At the //^/recently held at the res|X)nsihle for their escape. The Tower, the civic authorities had King thereupon had issued letters

ROLL B. 39

mained in the said church until Thursday next before the Feast of the Conception of the B. Mary [8 Dec], on which day he escaped in the early morning {in aurora), but whither he went or who afterwards received him they know not. Being asked of the goods and chattels of the said John, they say that he had none so far as they could learn. The corpse of the said Michael was viewed, on which the said wound appeared and no other hurt. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said John as soon as he was found in their bailiwick.

The discoverer of the body attached, viz. :

Agnes la Pursere, by John de Mountfichet and Roger Snellyng de Candelweykstrete.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Walter de Canefeld, by John de Stoure and Richard le Cotiller.

William de Canefeld, by Robert de Arderne and Thomas Prest.

Ivo le Coupere, by John le Maderman and Hugh de Hecham.

Hugh Picard, by Peter Michel and Richard Hotgo.

6. Oh the death of John de Ca?iterbury.

On the same day it happened that a certain John de Canterbury, Portsoken " sadeler," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain " solar," tenanted by Agnes de Cranesle in the rent {in redditu) of Richer de Refham, Knt., in the parish of St. Botolph in the Ward of Portsokne. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest W^ards, viz. : Tower, Lymstret and Alegate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when Sunday preceding the Feast of St. Martin in yeme [ii Nov.], after the hour of curfew, a certain William Counte called " Frelove," and Ralph Sutor, boatmen met the said John de Canterbury in the street called " Hoggestrete "^ in

patent (3 June, 1321) pardoning the Book E," p. 149; 'Liber. Cust.' i.

citizens for past negligences in this 346-7.

respect on the distinct understanding 1 "On the East side, and by north

that in future they should set a watch of the tower, lieth East Smithfield,

in conformity with the law and cus- Hogs streete, and tower hill." — Stow,

torn of the realm. — • Cal. Letter- " Survey " (ed. Kingsford) ii, 71.

40 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Estsmethefeld in the said ^^'ard, they, of maUce prepense, assaulted the said John and with their sticks, called oars, mortally beat him about the legs and back and the said William Counte beat the said John over the forehead with his stick inflicting a mortal wound two inches long and penetrating to the brain ; that the said John so wounded was carried by his friends into the solar afore- said, and there received his ecclesiastical rights ; that he lingered until the Sunday before the Feast of St. Andrew [30 Nov.] when he died about sunrise of the wound and beating aforesaid, and of no other felony. Being asked who were present when it happened, they say No one but those three, nor do they suspect any one of the death except the aforesaid William and Ralph. Being asked what became of the said William and Ralph, the jurors say that they immediately fled to the house of the said Ralph which he held of William de Bosenham in the parish aforesaid where they were captured by Richard de Hakeneye one of the Sheriff's. They had no chattels. Afterwards before Henry Spigournel and his fellow Justices at Newgate they put themselves^ {po. se) and were acquitted on Monday after the Feast of Circumcision [i Jan.].

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

John Bigge attached by Robert de Depyng, cordwainer, and William de Leytone.

Simon le Keu, by Stephen Talpe and Hugh de Hecham.

William dc Chesthunte, by Henry le Sunor (?) and Alan le Sopere.

William (lodefreye, by William le Tywelere and Ralph de Redynge.

7. On the death of Waller Edivard.

Ntugait Friday after the Feast of the Conception of the B. Mary [8 Dec]

the year aforesaid [a.d. 1321], a certain Walter Edward died in the prison of Neugate his rightful death, having been committed to the said prison by the Steward and Marshal of the lord the King for 30s adjudged to John Salve of Hese in a plea of trespass. The cori)se wa.s viewed on which no hurt appeared.

' On the country, i.e., claimed a jury.

ROLL B. 41

8. On the death of Elena Scot.

Tuesday after the Feast of St. Thomas Ap. [31 Dec] the Castu year aforesaid [a.d. 132 i], it happened that a certain Elena Scot, "■^'"'' servant of Margaret de Sandwich, lay dead of a death other than her rightful death in a certain house held by the said Margaret of Henry de St. Osith in the parish of St. Benedict de Wodewharf in the Ward of Castle Baynard. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Farndone, Bredstrete and Queenhithe, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the Sunday preceding, at dusk, the said Elena left the solar of the said house to seek fire, she slipped from the top step of the entrance of the solar and fell backwards down the steps upon a stone at the bottom and broke her neck and forthwith died in consequence and from no other felony. Being asked who were present when this happened they say the aforesaid Margaret and one Cristina Lovel, and the said Margaret first discovered the corpse and raised the cry, so that the country came ; nor do they suspect any man or woman of the said but only the mischance aforesaid. The corpse was viewed, on which the broken neck appeared and no other hurt.

Those present attached, viz. :

Margaret de Sandwich attached by Gilbert de Haryngeseye, " botere," and John Waleys.

Cristina Lovel, by William de Kent and Walter de Borham.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Henry de St. Osith attached by William alte Cornere and William de Hestone.

Robert de Ware, by Gilbert le Sherman and John Hood, " cordewaner."

Henry de Somersete, by Nicholas le Coupere and William Hubert.

Gilbert de Istilworth, by William de Blynes and Richard de Leymenstre.

9. On the death of Robert Denys.

Wednesday after the Feast of St. Thomas Ap. [21 Dec] the ^J^'^^'J'"'""''- year aforesaid [a.d. 132 i], it happened that a certain Robert Denys,

42 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

goldsmith, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of Dionisius de Grauntebrigge, his father, in the parish of All Hallows de Bredstrete in the Ward of Cordewanerstrete. On hearing this the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Cheap, Bredstrete and Vintry, they diligently cnijuired how it happened. The jurors say that when on Saturday before the Feast of St. Nicholas [6 Dec] at dusk, the aforesaid Robert and a certain John de Pastone had come to the corner of the church of St. Mary le Bow in the lane of Cordewanerstrete, quarrelling together, the said John de Pastone at length drew his sword and feloniously cut off the left hand of the said Robert who, thus wounded, went to the house aforesaid where he lay dead ; having received his ecclesiastical rights he lingered until Monday in the said Feast of St. Thomas and then died about the third hour, from the loss of his hand and no other felony. Being asked who were present when this happened, they say those two and a certain John, son of John de Fyncham and no one else. Being asked if the said John abetted the felony or not, they say No ; nor do they suspect any man or woman of the said death but only the said John de Pastone. Being asked what became of the said John they say he entered the house of Matthew de Essex, his master, in the said lane, the said Matthew knowing nothing of the felony, and there the said John was arrested and committed to Neugate. He had no chattels, so far as they could learn. The corpse was viewed, the loss of the hand was seen and no other hurt.

John, son of John de Fyncham, being present, attached by Adam de Fyncharn and Nicholas atte Melle.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Adam le Sackere attached by John Musard and Simon le Bedel.

John de Bredstrete, by William le Chaundeler and Walter de Bredstrete.

Adam de Depedene, by John de Redyng and Nicholas de Feryby.

John de Hyntone, by John le Sackere and William de Meldebourne.

ROLL B. 43

lo. On the death of Philip de Asshetidone.

Sunday after the feast of Circumcision [i Jan.] the year afore- Bisshopes^ate said [a.d. 1321-2], it happened that a certain Philip de Asshendone lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the Hospital of St. Mary without Bisshop[csgate] in the Ward of Bisshop [esgate]. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither and having summoned good men of that Ward and four other Wards, viz. : Bradstrate, Cornhull, Farndone Within and Chepe, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on Monday before the Feast of Conception of the B. Mary [8 Dec], at the hour of Vespers, a certain William, son of Henry atte Rowe, goldsmith, stood at the top of St. Vedast lane near Chepe, and made water into a certain urinal, he cast the urine into the shoe of an unknown young man, and because the latter complained, the said William struck him with his fist, so that a staff called " pollex " which was in the young man's hand fell to the pavement. On seeing this the aforesaid Philip upbraided the said William, who moved with anger straitway picked up the staff and feloniously struck the said William [sic] over the forehead, inflicting a nfortal wound an inch long and penetrating to the brain so that he fell to the ground, and was thence carried by men unknown for charity's sake to the said Hospital where he had his ecclesiastical rights and there lingered until Saturday after the Feast of Circum- cision when he died at the third hour of the said wound and of no other felony. Being asked who were present when this happened, they say the aforesaid William, Philip, the youth unknown, John de \\'aledene, " sadeler " and Thomas de la ^Velde, servant of Richard de Hakeneye, Sheriff of London, who took the aforesaid William and brought him to the prison of Neugate. They suspect no one else of the said death except the said William son of Henry atte Rowe who had no chattels. The corpse viewed, &c. Precept to the Sheriff to attach the youth unknown when found in his bailiwick and he can get knowledge of him {tioticiavi ab eo habere possit) because he was present, &c.

44

CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Those present attached, viz. :

John de Waldene, " sadeler," by John de Houtone and Elias de Farndone.

Thomas atte VVelde, by Stephen de \\altham and Thomas de Ilford.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Thomas le Gardiner, by Thomas le Brewere and Walter de Northamptone.

William le Gardiner, by John le Mareschal and Geoffrey le Wyttawyere.

Bernard le Carpenter, by Adam Fitz Robert and Walter de Hornmede.

Walter de Bermyngham, by Robert le Joynour and William le Mareschal.

II. On the death of John le Dyere de Wot tone.

Ntugate John le Dyere de Wottone died in Newgate prison on Monday

after the Feast of St. Hillary the year aforesaid [a.d. 132 1-2] of his rightful death. The corpse viewed, &c. The said John was sent to the prison by the Steward and Marshal of the King's Hoifsehold.

12. On the death of John " Tigre."

Langebotirne Tuesday after the Feast of Epiphany [6 Jan.] the year aforesaid [a.d. 132 1-2], it happened that John de "Tygre" lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain .solar in the tenement of Alice his wife in the parish of St. Clement de Candelwykstrete in the Ward of Langhourn. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of five other Wards, viz. : Candelwykstrete, Cheaj), Bredstrete, Crcpelgate and Farndone Wichin, they diligently entjuired how this happened. The jurors say that when on Sun- day next after the Feast of the Circumcision [i Jan.] the year aforesaid a certain John de Eddeworth, brother of the late Osbert le Pledour, was riding in company with certain men unknown who were taking Walter de Selby, an enemy and rebel to the lord

ROLL B. 45

the King, towards the Tower of London, he met the aforesaid John de Tygre, to whom he said that by reason of the death of the aforesaid Osbert his brother, whom the said John de Tygre had killed, he would have something to say to him when opportunity occurred ; that the two men moved to anger separated, and thence forward each lay in wait to kill the other. At length on Monday next after the Feast of the Circumcision, before midnight, the said John de Eddeworth, with two other men, his companions, whose names are unknown [met] the said John de Tygre at the head of Soperslane, in the Ward of Cheap, and immediately the said John and John with their swords drawn, and the two persons unknown, one with his knife, called " Irisknyf," and the other with a wooden staff called " Balstaf," fought together, so that the said John de Eddeworth and his two companions drove the said John de Tygre from place to place, and at the head of Wodestrete, opposite the tenement of John de Shordych in the Ward of Crepelgate, the said John de Tygre fell over a heap of dung, and forthwith the said John de Eddeworth and his companions mortally wounded him as he lay, viz. : the said John de Eddeworth with his sword inflicted five mortal wounds, three being on the back of the head, and one on the left side, each of them two inches long and pene- trating the skull, and one under his left ear, an inch and a half deep and two inches long, whilst one of the unknown men with his staff mortally beat him on his sides, back, arms and neck ; that when certain watchmen for keeping the peace in the said Ward heard of this, they immediately ran thither and found the said John de Tygre thus wounded and beaten, and certain of his friends carried him to the said solar where he lay dead and there he had his ecclesiastical rights, and lingered until the Sunday before the said Feast of Epiphany when he died after the ninth hour from the said wounds and blows, and from no other felony. Being asked where the said John de Eddeworth and his compan- ions went, they (the jurors) say that they immediately fled, but whither they went or who received them they know not. Nor had they any chattels so far as they could learn. Being asked who were present when it happened, they say No one except those four, nor did they suspect any man or woman of the death

46 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

except the said John de Eddeworth and his companions. The corpse was viewed on which the said wounds and bruises appeared. Precept to the Sheriffs to arrest the said John de Eddeworth and his unknown companions as soon as they are found in their baiHwick, and knowledge of them be had (et noticiam eommdcm habeant).

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Thomas Beauflour. junior, by Thomas de Coventre and Simon de Asshendone.

John de Nimmes, by Roger le Avener and William le Weyere.

John Mire, by Thomas le Chaundeler and William Wastel.

Robert atte Folde, by John le Coupere and Richard de Bristol!.

13. On the death of Edmund Poer.

Nfiii^aif Fldmund Poer attached for a robbery on Margaret de Heneleye

at Heneleye co. Oxon died in Newgate prison, on Tuesday next after the Feast of Conversion of St. Paul [25 Jan.] the year afore- said his rightful death and not of any felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

14. On the death of Reginald de Frees to?ie, Settere}

•

liiadeitiet Tuesday next after the Purification B.V.Mary [2 Feb.] the year

aforesaid [a.d. 1321-2], it happened that a certain Reginald de Freestone, ".settere," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the street called Bradstrete, near the gate of the tenement held by Juliana de Bromford of Jordan de " Langeleye " in the parish of St. Peter de Bradstrete. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither and having summoned good men of Bradstrete Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz.: Bisshopesgate, Cornhulle and Colmanstrete, they diligently enquired how it hap- I>ened. The jurors say that on the preceding Tuesday at midnight the said Reginald de l-reestone, John " Bocche," Walter le Skyn- nere and eleven others whose names are unknown were passing the door of the shop tenanted by William de " (irymysby " under Roger, ' Arrow-head maker.

ROLL B, 47

son of Robert Osekyn, in the parish of St. Benedict Fynk in the Ward of Bradstrete, singing and shouting, as they often did at night, [when] the said William de " Grymyby " who was in the shop, besought the said Reginald and his companions to allow him and his neighbours to sleep and rest in peace. Whereupon, the said Reginald de Freestone, John "Becche," Walter le Skynnere and the rest of their companions, unknown, invited the said William de " Grymisby " to come out of his shop if he dared. At length, the said William de "Grymesby " seizing a staff called " Balstaf," left his shop, and running after the said Reginald, Walter and his other companions smote the said Reginald with the staff on the left side of the head and smashed the whole of his head therewith, so that he fell to the ground at the entrance of the tenement of Jordan de " Langelegh " aforesaid and there lingered without speak- ing until break of day on the aforesaid Tuesday when he died of the blow and of no other felony. Being asked who were present when this happened the jurors say the said William, Reginald, John, Walter and their eleven companions, unknown, and no one else ; and the said William de " Grymesby " forthwith fled, but whither he went and who harboured him they know not, nor do they suspect any one else of the death. Alice de Breynford first discovered the said Reginald, dead, and she raised the cry so that the country came. Being asked as to the goods and chattels of the said William, the jurors say that he has divers which should be ap- praised, and they are appraised by the oath of Thomas Brangueyn, Peter le Coffrer and William Mabily, viz. : two small pigs at 3X. ; one " shippingbord " at 3^. ; one broken chest and a table at 6^. ; one pair of worn linen sheets at 4^. ; a blanket and a worn linen cloth and other small things at is. ghd.. Total 6s. iihd., for which Richard de Hakeneye, the Sheriff, will answer. Precept to the Sheriff to attach the said William as soon as he be found in his bailiwick, and also the aforesaid John " Bocche," Walter le Skynnere and the eleven unknown persons who were present, as soon as he gets knowledge of them.

Alice Burgeys de Breynford, who found the body, attached by John de Borwell and Stephen de Waltham.

48 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Godfrey de Eldynge, by John de Donnowe and John Starlyng.

Peter le Coffrer, by Ralph le Chaundeler and John le Peyntour.

Roger de Wynton', by John de Bengho and Thomas le Noble.

William atte Puwe, senior, by Thomas atte Puwe and Richard Spront.

15. On the death of Geoffrey Sprot.

Neugau Tuesday after the Feast of St. Matthias [24 Feb.] the year

aforesaid, a certain Geoffrey Sprot attached on his being indicted in the county of Middlesex for divers robberies and felonies, died in the prison of Neugate his rightful death and of no other felony. The corp.se viewed, on which no hurt appeared.

16. On the death of Richard de Mountsorel, cobbler.

I.iiHi^(f>ounu Monday after the Feast of St. Gregory [i 2 March] the year afore-

said [a.d. 1 32 1 -2], it happened that a certain Richard de Mount- sorel, servant of Roger de Notyngham, cobbler, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of John atte Rye which the said Roger holds in the parish of All Hallows de Graschirche in the Ward of Langebourne. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Bridge, CornhuUe and Bisshopesgate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Sunday, at dusk, the said Richard de Mountsorel and a certain Ale.xander le Ferrcjur, servant of Henry de Amondesham, were quarrelling together in the said house, the said Alexander, moved with anger, drew his knife, called a "fauchon," and mortally wounded the said Richard de Mountsorel under his left ear, (nobody except the said Richard and .Mcxander being present), inflicting a mortal wound an inch long and two inches deep, so that he immediately fell down and lingered until the hour of curfew of the same day, when he had his ecclesiastical rights and then died

ROLL B. 49

of the wound aforesaid and of no other felony. Being asked whither went the said Alexander, they say that he immediately fled, but whither he went or who received him, they know not, nor do they suspect any man or woman of the said death, but only the said Alexander. Being asked about his goods and chattels they say that he had none so far as they could learn. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said Alexander when found in their bailiwick.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Richard le Cordewaner, by Roger de Haveryng and Thomas de Haveryng.

John Myre, by William Lyghtfot and John de Kent.

Simon de Kydmenstre, by Robert le Taillour and Roger de Notyngham.

John Cotekyn, by Geoffrey de Blithe and Robert Pavy.

17. On the death of William de Brouneswold.

On Sunday after the Feast of the Annunciation [25 March] the -'^'^I'gt^f^ year aforesaid [a.d. 1322], William de Brouneswold who had been made prisoner on the appeal of William Brusel, an approver {pro- bator)} died in the prison of Newgate his rightful death and of no other felony {non ex aliqua alia felonia sibi lata). The corpse viewed, on which no hurt appeared.

18. On the death of Luke atte Hetthe.

Monday after the Feast of St. Mark [25 April] the year afore- Lynntrcte t^aid [a.d. 1322], it happened that a certain Luke atte Hetthe, " avener," ^ lay dead of a death other than his rightful death near " le Ledenhalle" in the parish of St. Peter de Cornhulle in the Ward of Lymstrete. On hearing this, the aforesaid Sheriffs and Coroner proceeded thither and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Cornhulle, Bisshopesgate and Alegate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say

^ One, who being himself con- victed of a crime, "appeals" or ■accuses iiis confederates, hoping to ^ain some benefit thereby. — Coke's

' Institutes,' Part III, cap. hi. ; Pollock and Maitland, ' Hist, of English Law,' ii. 631. - Cornmonger.

50 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

that when, on the preceding Sunday, at the hour of Vespers, the aforesaid Luke and a certain John le Avener, clerk to the Earl of Chester ^ and William de AN'ircestre, the said John's groom {garcio), were sitting drinking in a solar of the tavern held by John de Oxenford of ^Villiam de Wengrave in the said parish, a quarrel arose between them, so that the said John le Avener took in his hand a certain wooden measure called a " quart " and struck the said Luke therewith on the top of his head, inflicting a wound that was not mortal, two inches long and reaching to his skull. Thereupon, the said William de Wircestre feloniously threw the said Luke on to the stair of the said solar so that he mortally injured his neck and shoulders, and the said Luke, thus injured, was carried thence by his fn'ends to the place where he died and where he had his ecclesiastical rights ; that he lingered until mid- prime ^ on the Monday, at which hour he died of the said injury. Being asked who were present when it happened, they say No one except those three and a certain Roger Ote. Being asked if the said Roger abetted the felony, they say No ; nor do they suspect any man or woman of the death of Luke save the said John and NN'illiam who had no chattels so far as they could learn. Being asked what became of the said John and William the jurors say that the said John forthwith fled, but whither he went or who received him they know not ; and the said William was captured and committed to Neugate prison. The corpse viewed on which the injuries appeared and no other hurt. The aforesaid measure was appraised by the said jurors at a half-penny, and the stair at two-pence, for which Richard de Hakeneye would answer. Pre- cept to the Sheriffs to attach the said John le Avener when found in their bailiwick, and also the said Roger Ote because he was present.

I'our neighbours attached, viz. :

Geoffrey de Blithe, by Walter de Chelmesford and Adam de Rothynge.

' E<lwar(l I'laiitagcnct i)f Windsor, the day, varied acc<)r<ling to the son and heir .-ipparent of King Kd- season of the year. In winter it

ward II. ; succeeded his father on the throne as King l.dward III.

-' The hour of I'rinie, or lirst hour of

would be al)out 6 a.m. .Mid-prime was the hour mid-way between Prime and Terce or third hour of the day.

ROLL B. 51

Robert Pavy, by Roger de Kent and Alexander le Settere. William de Alegate, by John le Barbier and William le Gurdeler. John Bogeys, by William Bogeys and Laurence le Barbier.

19. On the death of Stephen Cokard.

Thursday before the Feast of St. Gregory [12 March] the year Neugate aforesaid [a.d. 1321-2], Stephen Cokard of "Tresk," who had been arrested for burglary of the house of John de Essex, apothecary, died in prison his rightful death, and of no felony. The corpse viewed, on which no hurt appeared.

20. On the death of Robert de Kent, cordwainer.

On Wednesday after the Feast of St. Mark [25 April] the year Cheap aforesaid [a.d. 1322], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain Robert de Kent, cordwainer, and William his son, lay burnt in a certain high solar held by the said Robert of Adam Braz in the parish of St. Martin de Ismongerlane in the Ward of Cheap. Hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Walbroke, Corde- wanerstrete and Colemanstrete they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Tuesday a little before midnight, the said Robert and Matilda his wife, and William and John their sons lay asleep in the said solar, a lighted candle fixed on the wall by the said Matilda fell by accident on the bed of the said Robert and Matilda, and set the whole house on fire ;that the said Robert and William were immediately caught in the flames and were burnt, and the said Matilda and John with difficulty escaped with their lives. Being asked who were present when it happened, they say No one except the aforesaid Robert, Matilda, William and John nor do they suspect anyone thereof, but the aforesaid mischance. The corpses viewed, of which the heads, legs, arms and other members appeared burnt and almost utterly destroyed. Reginald de Conduit, junior, first found their bodies, and raised the cry so that the country came.

E 2

52 CALENDAR OF CITV CORONERS ROLLS.

The above Reginald attached by John de Burgoyne and Adam de Bandone.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

John de Redyng, cordwainer, by John Coterel and Richard de Hayles.

Walter de Bardeneye, by Richard de Farnberwe and Adam le Coffrer.

Reginald de Conduit, junior, by Thomas de Hameldene and Roger de Suthcote.

Gillot le Fourbour, by Hugh le Fourbour and Gerard le Latoner.

2 1 . On the death of Henry Lenyng.

Ntugate On Friday before the Feast of SS. Philip and James [i May]

the year aforesaid [a.d. 1322], Henry Lenyng who had been attached by the Sheriff of Middlesex for divers larcenies, died in the prison of Neugate his rightful death and of no other felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

22. On the death of John, son of John de Lincoln, cordwainer.

CornhulU On Sunday after the Feast of SS. Philip and James [i May] the

year aforesaid [a.d. 1322], it happened that a certain John, son of John de Lyncoln, cordwainer, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the house of Agnes de St. Neot in the parish of St. Michael in the Ward of Cornhulle. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having sunmioned good men of the same Ward and of three other Wards, viz. : Bisshopesgate, Bradestrete and Billynggesgate they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that on the preceding Friday at the hour of Prime when the said John was journeying towards Roucestre he associated with a certain groom, whose name is unknown, and that when they had come to the wick (vicum) called " le Blakehethe " in the county of Kent, the said groom, (nobody else being near), drew a knife called " Twytel " * be-

* .Also spelt " Twytol," " Twhilel," | "A Sheffield whittle bare he in his ivc , corrupted into "whittle." Cf. | hose." — Chaucer, The Nteves Tale.

ROLL B. 53

longing to the said John from its sheath and therewith struck the said John in the belly under the navel, inflicting a wound half an inch long and an inch deep, and bound the said John and robbed him of the goods which he had in his possession; that the said John lay there so bound until the dawn of the Saturday following when a carter, name unknown, came by and for charity's sake unbound him, and brought him on his cart to Grenewych where he had his ecclesiastical rights ; that thence certain boatmen, names unknown, conveyed the said John for the love of God to St. Botolph's wharf and delivered him to his friends who took him at Noon on the Monday aforesaid to the said house where he lay dead and where he lingered until Vespers of the same day when he died of the wound and of no other felony ; nor do they suspect any one of the death save the unknown groom who immediately fled, but whither they know not, nor does it appear that he has goods or chattels. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach him, as soon as he be found in their bailiwick and they can get knowledge of him.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Walter atte Holte, by John de Caumpedene and Edmund Mou- hant.

Stephen atte Stoples, by John de Marche and Simon Bryd.

Roger Horold, by John Lucas and Richard Cristemasse.

John de Alegate, by John de Byry and Thomas le Northerne.

23. On the death of William son of John de BricK.

William, son of John de Brich', who had been attached for Neugate burglary of the house, and carrying off the goods, of Geoffrey le Rook of Litelburstede ^ died of starvation ^ in the prison of Neu- gate on Thursday before the Feast of St. John before the Latin Gate [6 May] the year aforesaid, and of no felony. The corpse viewed, on which no hurt appeared.

^ Little Burstead, co. Essex. ^ Prisoners in Newgate and Lud- gate (if without private means) were

largely, if not wholly, dependent upon charity in those days. — See ' Cal. Letter- Book K,' pp. 124-6.

54 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

24. On the death of Thomas atte Grene.

Neugate Monday after the Translation of St. Nicholas [9 May] the year

aforesaid [a.d. 1322], Thomas atte Grene who was kept in

\ Newgate prison for 100 shillings adjudged to Joyce de Spaldyng

in a plea of trespass, died of starvation in the said prison and of

no felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

25. On the death of Williavi Micche of Alvithelee}-

Ntuf^aie William Micche of Alvithelee who had been attached by Robert

Oliver and Adam Pykeman and other neighbours of Bridge Street on suspicion of larceny, and chiefly because they found him lurk- ing in a certain tavern holding the scabbard of his sword in his bloody hands, died in Newgate prison his rightful death on Friday before the Feast of St. Dunstan [19 May] the year aforesaid. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

26. On the death of Simon de Depyng.

Neugate Simon de Depyng, " pursere," who was confined in Newgate

prison for 20^. adjudged to Thomas de Welleford and for 7^. ad- judged to Alexander de Burgoyne in a plea of trespass, died in the said prison his rightful death on Sunday before the Feast of St. Dunstan [19 May] and not of any felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

27. On the death of Robert Curteys.

Hrcdiireu Tuesday before the Feast of Ascension [20 May] the year afore-

said [a.d. 1322], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Robert Curteys lay dead of a death other than his rightful death near the door of the house held by John atte Ryole of Richard de Wyrhale in the lane called "Distaflane," in the jiarish of St. Dunstan {sic\ in the Ward of Bredstrete. On hear- ing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and

' Aveley, near Kainham, co. Essex.

ROLL B.

55

having summoned good men of that ^Vard and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Queenhithe, Castle Baynard and Farndone Within, they dih'gently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Monday about the time of sun-set the said Robert made an assault upon Amicia, wife of John Pope as she stood at the door of the shop which the said John and Amicia hold of John Madefrey in the aforesaid lane by reason of an old quarrel between them, and had badly beaten her with a staff called " Distaf," there came up the said John Pope holding in his hand a drawn knife called " Twytel " which he used in the service of William Prodhomme, fishmonger, and approached the said Robert Curteys to pacify his anger by fair means, if possible ; and that when the said Robert saw him coming, he assaulted and beat him pursuing him as far as the wall of the house which Richard Heyne holds of John de Pelham in the said Ward of Bredstrete ; that, at length, the said John Pope struck the said Robert with the knife under the left breast, inflicting a mortal wound an inch long and two inches deep ; that the said Robert, so wounded, followed the said John in order to kill him, as far as the place where he lay dead, and there he fell and forthwith died of the wound aforesaid. Thereupon, the said John took refuge in the church of St. Margaret ^ in the said Ward. Being asked who were present when this happened, the jurors say the said Robert, John Pope, Amicia his wife and a certain Isabella de BristoU who was the first to find the corpse of the said Robert and to raise the cry so that the country came. Being asked if the said Amicia or Isabella abetted the felony, they say No, nor do they suspect any man or woman of the felony save the said John Pope who, when the said Coroner and Sheriffs came to him, would confess nothing. He had no chattels except 6d. which Richard Costantyn the Sheriff will answer for. The corpse viewed whereon the said wound appeared and no other hurt. Precept to the Sheriffs to safeguard, 8cc. Afterwards, viz. : on Monday after the Feast of Pentecost [30 iSIay], he surren- dered himself to prison, &c.

^ St. Margaret Moses, at the cor- ner of Friday Street ; opposite Distaft' Lane. The church being destroyed

in the Great Fire, the parish was afterwards united to that of St. Mildred, Bread Street.

56 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Amicia wife of John Pope, who was present, attached by William Prodhomme and Roger Gubbe.

Isabella do HristoU, who found the body, attached by John le Clerk and John le I>okyere.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Roger de Bristoll, by William de Bosgate and Robert le Bret.

Thomas de Chiggewell, by John le Clerk and John de Chiggewell.

Adam Brabazoun, by William Prodhomme and Adam de Ely.

Robert de Kestevene, by Hugh le Fruter and John atte Ryole.

28. On the death of William Cristemasse.

Nfuga/e William Cristemasse who had been attached for the death of

Katherine, wife of Thomas Lovekyn, killed at " Sarnieres barnatt." ^ for which he had been indicted before the Coroner of Middlesex died in Neugate prison on Tuesday after the Feast of the Ascension [20 May] the year aforesaid, his rightful death and of no felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

29. On the death of Johanna, daughter of Bernard de Irlaunde.

Qnftiihithe Friday after the Feast of St. Dunstan [19 May] the year aforesaid

[a.d. 1322], it happened that Johanna daughter of Bernard de Irlaunde, a child {puer) one month old, lay dead of a death other than her rightful death, in a shop held by the said Bernard of Philip " Balum " in the parish of St. Michael, in the Ward of Queenhithe. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Vintry, Castle Baynard and Bredstrete, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Thursday, before the hour of Vespers, the said

' CO. Herts. ?

ROLL 1$. 57

Johanna was lying in her cradle alone, the shop door being open there entered a certain sow ^ which mortally bit the right side of the head of the said Johanna. At length there came Margaret, wife of the said Bernard and mother of the said Johanna, and raised the cry and snatched up the said Johanna and kept her alive until midnight of the said Friday when she died of the said bite and of no other felony. Being asked who were present, they say No one except the said Margaret ; nor do they suspect anyone thereof except the bite aforesaid. The corpse of the said Johanna viewed on which no hurt appeared [sic]. The sow appraised by the jurors at 13^^/. for which Richard Costantyn, the Sheriff,, will answer.

The above Margaret who found the body attached by John de Bedford and Andrew de Gloucestre.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Gilbert Pavy, by Roger le Joynour and Richard de Burgh.

Hugh Fitz Roger, by Richard Starlyng and John Sprot.

Robert le Huthereve, by Roger de Suthcote and Henry Mounkoy.

Philip " Baloum," by Richard de Reynham and Hamo le Barbier.

30. Ofi the death of Thomas Bibi.

Thomas Bibi who was detained in Neugate prison for 40^. Neu^ate adjudged to Jghn de Bernes on a plea of trespass died in the said prison on Thursday in the week of Pentecost his rightful death and not of any felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

^ All pigs found wandering in the his own house ! Liber Albiis, i. 270.

street were liable to be killed (except In the City of York, the finder of a

those belonging to the Hospital of vagrant pig, after killing it, was

St. Anthony), and became the pro- allowed to cut off and keep the four

perty of the slaughterer, unless feet ^les quatre peedz) until he had

redeemed by their owner by payment j received the fourpence from the

of fourpence. ' Cal. Letter-Book A,' 1 owner. — ' York Memorandum Book '

p. 220; 'Cal. C p. 5 ; ' Cal. D,' p. i (Surtees Soc.) Vol. I., p. Ixix, also p.

251. If anyone wished to keep pigs 261. in the City, he had to feed them in

58

CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Fixrndone WithottI

31. On the death of John de Thorpe, " uphe/dere.'''^

On Sunday after the Feast of St. Barnabas [11 June] the year aforesaid [.v.n. 1322], it happened that a certain John de Thorpe, " upheldere," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death near the hostel of the Bishop of St. David- in the parish of St. Bride in the Ward of Farndone Without. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of three other Wards, viz. : Castle Baynard, Queenhithe and Vintry, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on ^^'ednesday in \\'hitsun week the said John and Agnes his wife purposed sailing in a boat called "Dongbot" to Kyngestone, and had arrived near Potenhuth,^ the said John was thrown by tempest into the water and by misfortune drowned. Being asked who were present when this happened, they say the aforesaid John and Agnes, John de Hegham and William Stedeman, boatman of the said boat, and nobody else, nor do they suspect any man or woman but the said misadventure. The corpse viewed on which no wound appeared. Agnes the wife of the said John was the first to find him dead and raised the cry so that the country came.

Those present attached, viz. :

William Stedeman, by Robert de Ware and John de Boxore.

John de Hegham, by Weaker de Muryfeld and Thomas de Suttone.

.\gnes, wife of John de Thorp, who found the body, by Robert Marage and John de Kent " upheldere."

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

William de Wynton', tailor, by John de Derby and William Plome.

Thomas de \Vynchecombe, by William de Chesele and John le Walshman.

Henry Roffot, by John Skone and Nicholas le Mareschal.

• Upholder, i.e., an upholsterer ur undertaker.

- "The Bishop of S. David had his Innc over against the north side of

this Hridwell." .Stow, "Survey (ed. Kingsford), ii. 45. '^ I'utney.

ROLL B. 59

William atte Slo, by Robert Ode and Richard le Rous, " hornere."

32. On the death of Robert, son of Ralph de Ley re.

On Saturday after the Feast of Nativity of St. John Bapt. Qucenhithe [20 June] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1322], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Robert, son of Ralph de Leyre de la Hay of co. Essex, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain shop in the rent of Oliver Brounyng in the parish of St. Peter the Little ^ in the Ward of Queenhithe. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Castle Baynard, Vintry, and Bredstrete, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that [when] on the preceding Friday the said Robert went to the wharf called "le Fisshwarf," and entered the river to bathe, no one being present, he was by accident drowned and so remained in the water until the following Saturday, when, about noon, a certain John Curteys, a boat-man, found him drowned and raised the cry, so that the country came ; that at the request of friends of the said Robert, his corpse was taken out of the water and placed in the said shop for better inspection, and for fuller enquiry as to his death to be made. They suspect no one of the death but only the mischance aforesaid. The corpse viewed on which no wound or bruise appeared.

The above John Curteys, who found the body, attached by Thomas le Noble and Geoffrey de Blithe.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Roger de Bernes, by William Trig and Adam de Laufare.

Walter Gladewyn, by William Bodyn and John le Long.

Richard de Hereford, by Joyce de"Spaldyng and John Snow.

Simon de Tournham, by Walter de Bamptone and John Sket.

33. Oil the death of Joh?t Rose. Wednesday the Feast of the Commemoration of St. Paul Nengate [30 June] the year aforesaid, John Rose of Botelstone died in the ^ Otherwise known as St. Peter Paul's wharf.

6o CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

prison of Newgate his rightful death and of no felony ; the said John being detained in prison for burglary of the house of the Bishop of Coventry and "Lichef."^ His corpse viewed on which no hurt api)eared.

34. Oft the death of Johi de Irlaunde.

Aldiesgate Tuesday before the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the

Martyr [7 July] the year aforesaid [a.d. 1322], it happened that a certain John de Irlaunde lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain solar over the gate of the Hospital of the Abbot of Waledene ^ in the parish of St. Botolph in the Ward of Aldresgate. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest ^Vards, viz. : Farndone, Cheap and Crepulgate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when the said John was alone in the said solar at the hour of Prime on the aforesaid Tuesday, he hanged himself by his shirt from a beam of timber, no one being present. At length there came a certain Nicholas de Swynbourne and Walter Michel, a chaplain, who tried to resuscitate him, cut his shirt with a knife, and finding him dead, raised the cry so that the country came. Being asked about his goods and chattels, they say that he had none so far as they could learn. They suspect no one of the death except the hanging. The corpse viewed on which no other hurt appeared. The shirt and beam appraised by the jurors at 3 pence, for which Richard Costantyn will answer.

The finders of the body attached, viz. :

Walter Michel, chaplain, by Richard de Stynesle and Costantine de St. John.

Nicholas de Swynebourne, by Thomas de Iltone and Thomas le Noble.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Master Walter de Depenhale, by Peter de Hungrie and William de Northamjjtone.

William de Bedeford, by Augustine le Herberer and Simon de Rothewell.

' Lichfield. 2 Little Walden or Saffron Walden, co. Essex.

ROLL a 6i

Simon Trenchant, by Roger Hubert and William le Smyth. Richard de Rothyng, carpenter, by Adam de Rothyng and John Spray.

35. On the death of many poor people crushed at the Preaching

Friari}

On Wednesday after the Feast of Translation of St. Thomas I-'anuione [3 Ju^y] ^° 16 Edward II [a.d. 1322], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that many poor people lay dead of a death other than their rightful death within Ludgate around the gate of the Preaching Friars in the Ward of Farndone. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Castle Baynard, Bredstrete and Aldresgate, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when at daybreak of that day a great multitude of poor people were assembled at the gate of the PViars Preachers seeking alms. Robert Fynel, Simon, Robert and William his sons and 22 other male persons, names unknown, Matilda, daughter of Robert le Carpenter, Beatrix Cole, Johanna "le Peyntures," Alice la Norice and 22 other women, names unknown, whilst entering the gate were fatally crushed owing to the numbers, and immediately died thereof and of no other felony. They suspect no one of their death except the misadventure and crushing. As regards who were present or who first saw the corpses, they are unable to say owing to the crowd and it being night-time. The corpses so crushed were viewed on which no other hurt, wound, or bruise appeared.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Richard Larblaster, by John le Hert and William de Shirwode.

Richard de Dokesworth, by Philip le Lynere and John Haket.

Thomas Edmund, by Richard le Lacer and John de Wynton'.

James le Palmere, by Robert de Rissham and Thomas Redhod.

The occasion of this disaster, which caused the death of fifty-five men and children, was the distribu- tion of ahns for the soul of Henry

Fingrie, late fishmonger and Sheriff [a.u. 1299-1300], by his executor. 'Annales Paulini' (Rolls Series, No. 76), i. 304.

62 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

36. On the death of John de Waltham.

iValhroke Monday after the Feast of Translation of St. Thomas [7 July]

a° 16 [Edward II., a.d. 132::], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs, that a certain John de Waltham, beadle of the Ward of Walbroke, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain shop which the said John held of Adam de Bury in the parish of St. Stephen de ^^^alebroke in the same Ward. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of the said Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Candelweykstrete, Douuegate, and Cordewanerstrete, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Friday after the hour of curfew, the said John was in the lane called "Shitebournelane," ^ in the said Ward for the purpose of keeping the King's peace, there came a certain John Mynge, a " poleter," of co. Essex, and with malice prepense struck the said John de Waltham on the top of the head with a staff called " Gysarme," ^ inflicting a mortal wound 6 inches long and penetrating to the brain ; that the said John Myng forthwith fled, but whither or by whom he was received they know not ; that the said John de Waltham was carried by his friends to the aforesaid shop where he had his ecclesiastical rights, and lingered until the following Sunday, when he died at the hour of Prime of the said wound and of no other felony. Being asked who were present when it happened, they say No one except the said John and John, nor do they suspect anyone of the said death except the said John Mynge, who had no chattels except a " hakeneye " and two paniers valued at 2^., for which Richard de Hakeneye, the Sheriff will answer. The corpse viewed, on the head of which the wound

* Now known as Sherlwrnc Lane. (ed. Kingsford), i. 14 ; ii. 307. This ancient spelling of the name - \'ariously spelt "Gesarnie,"

(varied occasionally as " Shilteborwe- " Gisarnie," &c. Described (N.K.D.

lane," "Schilel>oronlane,"&c. ) shows s.v. Gisarnie) as a kind of battle-axe,

Stow's etymology respecting it as bill, or halberd, having a long blade

l)eing so-called from its "sharing" or in line with the shaft, sharpened on

dividing a stream into rivulets, to l)e both sides, and ending in a point. |)urely conjectural. See ' Survey '

ROLL B. 63

appeared and no other hurt. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said John when found in their bailiwick. The staff appraised at 2d. for which the Ward of Walbroke will answer.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Nicholas Godewyne, by Adam de Biry and William de Cane.

Nicholas de Jernemewe, by Robert de Surreye and John de Honylane.

Elias de Thorpe, by Richard de Surreye and ^Villiam Busshe.

Geoffrey de Shrouesbery, by Nicholas atte Marche and Nicholas Norman.

37. On the death of Robert^ son of John de St. Botulph.

Saturday before the Feast of St. Margaret [20 July] a° 16 Vintry [Edward II a.d. 1322], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Robert, son of John de St. Botulph, a boy seven years old, lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain shop which the said Robert held of Richard de Wirhale in the parish of St. Michael de Paternostercherch in the Ward of Vintry. Thereupon the said Coroner and Sheriffs pro- ceeded thither and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the tliree nearest Wards, viz.: Douuegate, Queenhithe and Corde- wanerstrete, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the Sunday next before the Feast of St. Dunstan [19 May], the said John (Robert?), Richard, son of John de Chesthunt, and two other boys, names unknown, were playing upon certain pieces of timber in the lane called " Kyrounelane"^ in the Ward of Vintry, a certain piece fell on the said John (Robert ?) and broke his right leg. In course of time Johanna, his mother, arrived, and rolled the timber off him, and carried him to the shop afore- said where he lingered until the Friday before the Feast of St. iMargaret [20 July] when he died at the hour of Prime of the

^ Called by Stov ("Survey," ed. Kingsford i. 248) "Kerion lane, of one Kerion sometime dwelling there" ; but more usually "Kyron" or

the Rolls of the Court of Husting to have been more than one lane in the City of that name, another being in the neighbourhood of Foster Lane

' ' Kirone " lane. There appears from i and Aldersgate.

64 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

broken leg and of no other felony, nor do they suspect anyone of the death, but only the accident and the fracture. Being asked who were present when it happened, they say the aforesaid Robert, Richard, son of John de Chesthunt and two boys whose names they know not and no others.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Richard Daske, by Peter Cosyn and Roger le Ropere. ' Anketin de Gysors, by Robert de Wynton' and Andrew de Gloucestre.

Thomas le Ropere, by Richard de Colyngstoke and Thomas atte Marche.

John Amys, by John de Shirbourne and John de Lyncoln.

38. Abjuration of John son of Richard atte Crouche called ''atte Lake."

Abjuratio On Monday before the Feast of St. Margaret [20 July] a° 16

[Edward II, a.d. 1322], John, son of Richard atte Crouche called "atte I^ke " of Canturbury, took refuge in the church of St. Mary atte Hull and confessed before the said Coroner and Sheriffs that he had feloniously killed a man, name unknown, at Wynchecombe Glouc. on Thursday in Christmas week last passed and therefor he refused to render himself to the peace of the lord the King and sought to abjure the realm of England, and he abjured it on the Monday following, and the port of Dover was assigned him for four days, viz. : the first to Depeford,^ the second to Rouchestre, the third to Osperyng and the fourth to Dover to cross the sea at the first tide under penalty attaching thereto. ^

* ProbaMy a mistake for " Derte- ford."

' A felon who had taken sanctuary, could enjoy the privilei^e of such sanctuary for forty days, in the course of which the Coroner interviewed him and he couhl make uj) his mind whether to submit to trial or abjure the realm. If he chose the latter course, he was obliged to clothe him- self in sackcloth and make all speed to a port assigned to him thence to

cross the sea at his earliest opportu- nity. His lands and goods were for- feited, and if he returned he could be treated as an outlaw. Bracton (ed. Travers Twiss), ii 395. Pollock and Maitland, ' Hist, of English Law,' ii. 588 ; Mazzinghi, " Sanctuaries," pp. 30, 31. Occasionally we find the felon choosing his own port of depar- ture. Vide Infra Roll C, 16. Cf. ' Select Conjner's Rolls ' (.Selden Soc.) page 9, note/

ROLL R 65

39. On the death of John RateUre.

John " le " Ratelere who had been attached for cutting off the Neugate purse of John de Pelham died in the prison of Neugate his rightful death on Thursday before the Feast of St. Margaret [20 July] the year aforesaid. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

40. On the death of William de Bedeford.

William de Bedeford who had been attached on suspicion of Neugate larceny with keys, " clikets " ^ and other instruments of iron for breaking locks, died in the same prison his rightful death on Saturday before the Feast of St. Margaret [20 July] the year aforesaid. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

4 1 , On the death of John de Rothetvell^ tailor.

John de Rothewell, " taillour," who had been attached for a Neugate robbery committed on Henry, son of Robert de Surreye de London, died in the prison of Newgate his rightful death on Friday after the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen [22 July] the same year. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

42. On the death of John de Chiggewell.

On Friday before the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula [i Aug.] ti° Afdnsgate 16 Edward II. [a. d. 1322J it happened that a certain John de Chiggewell, " lorymer," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in a certain solar which John Pentyn holds of Mabel de Gysors in the parish of St. Mary de Stanynglane in the ^^'ard of Aldresgate. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs

^ Kr. clujuet, described by Cot- grave as the ring, knocker or hammer of a door, from cliquer, to click or snap —an onomatopoeic word. It also equals a latchkey. Cf.

"... Vox of the smale wiket He bar alwey of silver a smal cliket With which, whan that him leste, he it

unshette. '"' — Chaucer.

Merchant' s Talc ^ed. Skeat), 11. (801-3), 2045-7.

F

66 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that ^Vard and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Farndone, Crepulgate, and Cheap, they diligently encjuired how it happened. The jurors say that on Thursday before the Feast of St. Margaret [20 July] at the hour of curfew the said John Pentyn would have hanged himself in the aforesaid solar, and on that account his wife Clemencia raised the cry so that the said John de Chiggewell, John atte Mersshe, Adam de Wykham, and other neighbours, names unknown, came to her assistance, and that when the said John de Chiggewell would have entered the solar before the others, the said John Pentyn feloniously struck him on the head over his left ear with an iron staff, inflicting a mortal wound three inches long and five inches deep, with which wound the said John fell down in the said solar and there had his ecclesiastical rights ; that he lingered until Thursday before the Feast of St. Peter [i Aug.] and then died shortly after Noon of the wound aforesaid and of no other felony. Being asked what became of the said John Pentyn, they say that he was immediately captured and taken to Neugate, and they suspect no one else of the death except the said John Pentyn. The corpse viewed on which the wound appeared and no other hurt. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the persons unknown as soon as they had knowledge ot them, because they were present.

Those present attached, viz. :

Clemencia wife of John Pentyn, by Thomas de Bernham and John atte March.

John atte Mersshe, by William le Camissour and Simon de Wircestre.

Adam de Wykham, by John atte Brigge and Walter le Burler.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Robert Box, by Thomas ie Nayler and Thomas Micol.

Thomas de Lincoln, by Robert de Blithe, " Faster," ^ and Roger de Woxebrigge.

Richard le Forester, by Richard Rolf and Nicholas le Hattere.

John Michel, by Ralph le Girdeler and John le Fylehewere.

^ Maker of saddlebows.

ROLL B. 67

43. On the death of Robert Bankuer.

Robert Bankuer, called " Mate," an approver {prolfutor), died NtHguU in the prison of Neugate on Thursday after the Feast of St. Laurence [10 Aug.] a° 16 Edward II. [a.d. 1322], his rightful death and of no other felony. His corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

44. On the death oj Adam May.

Adam May of Papford who had been attached for a robbery Ncugatc committed upon Peter le Clerk of Haveryng, at Haveryng, co. Essex, died in prison of starvation on the Thursday aforesaid, and of no felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

45. On the death of William Wastel.

William Wastel of Bradele who had been attached for a robbery Neugate committed on John de Bradele, a chaplain, near AN'atford, died in Neugate prison his rightful death on Saturday after the Feast of St. Bartholomew [24 Aug.], the year aforesaid. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

46. On the death of John, soti of IVilliam Chapman.

John, son of William Chapman de Creshale, an approver, died Neugate in the prison of Neugate on Sunday the Feast of Decollation of St. John Bapt. [29 Aug.] the year aforesaid, his rightful death and not of any felony. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

47. On the death of Roger de Rotheivell.

Roger de Rothewell who was kept in prison for a robbery Newmte committed on Henry Lavener of Lincoln, at Lincoln, died in the prison of Neugate his rightful death on Sunday before the Feast

F 2

68 CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

of Nativity B.M. [8 Sept.] the year aforesaid. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

48. On the death of Richard Curteys de Greneford.

Neugatr Richard Curteys de Greneford who had been attached on

appeal of Adam le Mouner de Alpertone, an approver, at Berk- hampstede, died in the prison of Neugate his rightful death on Sunday before the Feast of Exaltation of H. Cross [14 Sept.] the year aforesaid. The corpse viewed on which no hurt appeared.

49. On the death of Lucy Faukes.

Alei^ate On Monday before the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.] the year

aforesaid [a.i>. 1322], it happened that a certain Lucy Faukes lay dead of a death other than her rightful death in a certain shop which Richard le Sherman held of John Priour, senior, in the parish of St. Olave in the Ward of Alegate. On hearing this, the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Port.sokne, Tower, and Langebourne, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that on Sunday before the Feast of St. Matthew [21 Sept.] a'' 16 [Edward II., a.d. 1322], about the hour of curfew, the aforesaid Lucy came to the said shop in order to pass the night there with the said Richard le Sherman and Cristina his wife, as she oftentimes was accustomed, and because the said Lucy was clad in good clothes, the said Richard and Cristina began to quarrel with her in order to obtain a reason for killing her for her clothes. At length the said Robert took up a staff called " Balstaf," and with the force and assistance of the said Cristina, struck her on the top of the head, and mortally broke and crushed the whole of her head, so that she forthwith died : that the said Richard and Cristina stript the said Lucy of her aforesaid clothes, and immediately fled, but whither they went <ir who received them, they (the jurors) know not. Being asked who were jjresent when this happened, they say No one except the said Ri<:hard, Cristina and Lucy, nor do they suspect anyone of

ROLL B. 69

the death except the said Richard and Cristina. Being asked of the goods and chattels of the said Richard and Cristina, the jurors say they had nothing except what they took away with them. Being asked who found the dead body of the aforesaid Lucy, they say a certain Giles le Portour who raised the cry so that the country came. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said Richard and Cristina when found in their bailiwick.

The above (iiles le Portour attached by Henry le Frensshe and John Ruffyn.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Thomas de Burton by Hugh le Taillour and Thomas de Hakeneye.

Andrew le Criour, by Daniel le Peleter and Thomas de Cherteseye, tailor.

Ralph Hunteman, by Geoffrey le Hurer and Peter de Mertone.

John de Bery, by Robert le Fethermongere and Robert le Coupere.

ROLL C.

Roll of misfortunes and felonies that occurred in the City of London betiveen the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.'\a° 17 Edward II \A.D. 1^2 7,^ and the Feast of St. Michael following, Stephen de Abyndone, being at the time the Kin^s Butler and Coroner of London, John de Ileford his substitute (ejus siibstituto), fohn de Oxon" and Adam de Salisbury, Sheriffs of the City.

I . On the death of Gilbert de Geiyngtone.

Bradestret On Friday after the Feast of St. Michael [29 Sept.] a° 17

Edward IL [a.d. 1323], information given to the said Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Gilbert de Getyngtone lay killed in a solar within the tenement of Ivo Perceval, in the parish of Little St. Bartholomew in the Ward of Bradestret. On hearing this, the .said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Bisshojjesgate, Cornhulle, and Walebroke, they dili- gently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on Monday before the Feast of St. Mattliew [21 Sept.] last passed, after the hour of curfew, the said Gilbert had left the house of the said Ivo where he had been supping the same night and was going to his hostel in Soperslane, there met him oj^posite the church of Christopher in the said Ward of Bradestret a certain Roger de Modyngham, fishmonger, and Reginald Laurenz, called "Heyne." and they fjuarrelled with one another, so that the said Reginald I^aurenz attacked the said Gilbert with his

ROLL C. 71

knife called a " bideu " ^ ; that the said Gilbert broke the knife with his staff called "fagotstaf"^ whilst fighting, and then each threw the other to the ground ; that the said Roger struck the said Gilbert when on the ground with a staff called "sparth"^ on his right hand, inflicting a mortal wound four inches long, and penetrating the middle of the hand ; that the said Gilbert so hurt went thence to the place where he lay dead and had his ecclesi- astical rights ; that he lingered until Wednesday before the Feast of St. Michael when he died at the hour of Prime of the wound aforesaid. Being asked who were present when this happened the jurors say Richard Perers, Laurence atte Gate and William his brother. Being asked if the said Richard, Laurence and William, or any of them, abetted the felony, they say No, nor do they suspect any one except the said Roger and Reginald, who immediately after the felony took flight, but whither they went or who received them, the jurors know not. Being asked as to the goods and chattels of the said Roger and Reginald, they say that the said Roger has none so far as they can learn, and that the said Reginald has a blanket, a long cloak {husceam), and two worn sheets of the value of 14 pence, a chest with half a bushel of beans worth 7 pence ; total 2 1 pence, for which Adam de Salisbury, the Sheriff, will answer. The staff called " sparth " and the knife called " bideu " were valued by the jurors at 3 pence, for which the Ward of Bradestreet will answer. The corpse viewed on which the said wound appeared. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said Roger and Reginald when found in their bailiwick.

Those who were present attached, viz. : Richard Perers, by Laurence Scheyl and Thomas Cullyng.

Laurence atte Gate, by Richard Lovekyn and Walter de Kent.

^ Variously spelt " bidau," " bi- ] ^ A pole for carrying faggots of

dawe," and " bidowe " ; described wood.

inf7-a (Roll F. 8) as a cullellm longus * Some kind of heavy weaix)n, e.g.

et latus. Probably a kind of sickle axe or halberd. Cf. " He hath a

at the end of a long pole used for cut- sparth of twenti pound of wighte."—

ting brushwood.— See Skeat's Notes Chaucer, Knight's Tale, 1. (1662),

to Piers Plowman, \\. i^"]. , 2520, Synonymous with " Polax,"

i infra Roll H. 39.

72

CALENDAR OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

William, brother of the above Laurence, by John le Taillour and Richard VVymond.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

John Poyntel, by Thomas Poyntel and John le Coroner.

John Soke, by Adam Bledelowe and John Sewy.

John Bledelowe, by Roger Stot and Andrew de Tyndale.

John de Berdene, baker, by Thomas atte Wayvre, and Robert Ailbright.

2. Abjuration of John son of William le Muleward of Scheie }■

Alaresgate On Wednesday before the Feast of St. Edward [13 Oct.]

a° 17 Edward II. [a.d. 1323], a certain John, son of William le Muleward, of Schete, co. Southampton, fled to the church of St. Agnes within Aldresgate in the same Ward, and there, on the same day, confessed before the said Coroner and Sheriffs and other trustworthy persons that on the preceding Sunday at dusk he robbed a man, name unknown, in a house near Andovere, CO. Wilts, of cloth and other goods to the value of 5^. and refused to surrender to the King's peace therefor, and asked to abjure the realm of England, and did abjure it on the following Thursday. And the port of Dover was assigned to him to cross the sea in four days, viz. : the first to Depeford, the second to Roucestre, the third to Osprenge, and the fourth to Dover, thence to cross the sea at the first tide under penalty attaching thereto &c. Chattels of the said John, viz. : a gown and hood of green, appraised by oath of Richard Fuster and John le Brewer at i8r/., for which John de Oxon', the Sheriff, will answer.

Neugate 3. — Richard Turnehare attached for counterfeiting the seal of the

lord the King died in the prison of Neugate his rightful death on Monday before the Fea.st of St. Luke [18 Oct.] a° 17 Edward II. [a.d. 1323]. The cori)se viewed on wliich no hurt appeared.

* Sheet, CO. Hants.

ROLL C.

73

4. On the death of John de Chartres.

On Thursday the eve of SS. Simon and Jude [28 Oct.] a^ 17 Bredstret Edward II. [a.d. 1323], it happened that a certain John de Chartres de Monte Leheri ^ lay dead of a death other than his rightful death in the kitchen of the hostel of Master Pandulph de Luca which he holds of Hamo Godchep in the parish of St. Mildred in the Ward of Bredstret. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Cordewanerstrete, Vintry and Queenhithe, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Wednesday the said John de Chartres together with William de Wodeford and Johanna de Crougestere his wife had supped in the house which the said William and Johanna held in .Melkstrete the said William, John and Johanna a little before midnight entered the said hostel in order to remove and take away certain goods lying therein as previously arranged between them, and when they had arrived at the hostel and had opened and forced divers doors, chambers, coffers and chests, and removed divers goods, it repented the said John to have done it, and perceiving this, the said William asked the said John to go into the kitchen of the hostel to light the fire, and when the said John came there and was on his knees to light the fire the said William, with the assent and assistance of the said Johanna of malice aforethought mortally struck the said John on the back of his head with an axe called " belte " - which he carried in his hand, no one else being present, so that he broke the skull on to his brain, and crushed the whole of his head so that he immediately died ; [that the said William] placed the wood and fire over the corpse of the said John to burn it, so that it was nearly consumed ; and that thereupon the said William and Johanna his wife stealthily took and carried away such goods as

^ Montlhery, in France (Depart. Seine et Oise).

- Nothing is known of the deriva- tion of this word as signifying an axe (N.E.D.). W. de Biblesworth, in

Wright's Voc, p. 163, identifies " the belte" with Vx. le coin^{'La.\.. Ciiiieus, a wedge). Cf. Roquefort, Coingnie ; Cognee, espece de massue ; de

74 CALENDAR OF CITV CORONERS ROLLS.

they could and fled, but whither they went or who received them the jurors know not, nor do they suspect any one except the said William and Johanna who have no chattels except those they carried away with them. Precept to the Sheriffs to attach the said William and Johanna when found in their bailiwick. The corpse viewed on which the felony appeared.

Thomas le Keu who found the body and raised the cry so that the country came attached by John le Taillour and Adam Fisshmongerc. Your neighbours attached, viz. :

John dc Lincoln, by Ciilbert de Lesnes and William de Kele.

John de Stebenhuth, by Thomas Wyght and John Romeseye.

John de Wrotham, by Adam Brabanson and Roger de Evere de Bredstret.

Adam de Ely, by Alexander le Settere and John de Boltone.

5. Oft the death of Thomas, Clerk of the parish church of St. Dionis

Bakcherche.

iMtt^bournt On Saturday after the Feast of St. Martin [11 Nov.] a° 16 Edward II. [.v.d. 1323], a certain Thomas, clerk of the church of St. Dionis Bakcherche lay dead of a death other than his rightful death under the wall of a shop held by John de Kirkeby, barber, of William de Wrotham in the same parish, in the Ward of Langebourne. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that Ward and of the three nearest U'ards, viz. : Bisshopesgate, Bridge and Lymstrete, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Friday the said Thomas and John de Kirkeby were standing at dusk at the door of the said shop, the said John drew his knife called *' trancheour," and, because the said Thomas had previously cited him to the Chaplain, of malice aforethought niortally struck him under the left breast, inflicting a wound an inch long and seven inches deep of which he immediately died. Thereupon the said John forthwith took flight and was afterwards captured and committed to Neugate. Being asked who were present when this happened, they say No one except those two, because it was night, nor do they suspect any one of

ROLL C. 75

the death except the said John. Being asked of the goods and chattels of the said John, the jurors say that he had one brass bowl and pot valued by them at 2s. 6d., three old pans worth 15^., a basin and ewer worth 16^., a pitcher (^picheriini) of tin worth dd., five small dishes worth t^s. 6^., four towels worth 2s. ^d., one shirt {caniceam) worth 4^/., three old sheets worth i8</., three blankets worth 4^., two silver rings worth 2</., three razors and a pair of forceps worth 6^., a coffer worth 8^., in cash {doiariis numeratis) id., a chair and buffet {btiffettum) worth <)d. Total 195. \\d., for which Adam de Salisbury, the Sheriff, will answer. The corpse viewed on which the said wound appeared. Precept to the Sheriffs to safeguard the said John until, &c.

Nicholas " Parvus," sub-clerk of the church of St. Dionis Bak- cherche, who first found the corpse and raised the cry so that the country came, attached by Robert de Wengrave and Robert Symond.

Four neighbours attached, viz. :

Richard atte Sterre, by Nicholas atte Forde and John de Surrey.

Walter de Stepenhuth, by Adam Inthelane and Richard atte Cocke.

Edward de Norffolk, by Dionisius le Avener and Robert atte Gate.

William de Wrotham, by Thomas Wastel and Richard Frere.

6. On the death of Thomas de Basyngstoke.

Thursday after the Feast of St. Andrew [30 Nov.] a° 17 Crupulgate Edward II. [a.d. 1323], information given to the aforesaid Coroner and Sheriffs that a certain Thomas de Basyngstoke, "coureur," lay dead of a death other than his rightful death, under the wall of the house which Alexander le Taverner holds of Robert Leyre in the parish of St. Laurence in the ^^'ard of Jewry. On hearing this, the said Coroner and Sheriffs proceeded thither, and having summoned good men of that ^Vard and of the three nearest Wards, viz. : Colmanstrete, Bassieshaw, and

-/(> (ALKNDAK OF CITY CORONERS ROLLS.

Chepe, they diligently enquired how it happened. The jurors say that when on the preceding Wednesday the said Thomas and a certain Arnald de Ware, a cobbler, were quarrelling opposite the house aforesaid before the hour of curfew, the said Arnald drew his knife called "tranchour," and feloniously struck the said Thomas therewith under the left breast, inflicting a mortal wound an inch long and an inch and a half deep, whereof he then and there died. Thereupon the said Arnald immediately fled,