| Description (Repository) |
Bartholomew de Durham, nephew of Jollan de Durham, appealed Cecily, widow of Jollan, that in 48 Henry III [1263-4] she gave a poisoned drink to her husband so that he died. Because he does not come or prosecute his appeal let him be arrested and his pledges to prosecute are in mercy, viz. John Duraunt; the other pledge has died. Cecily comes and, asked how she wishes to clear herself of the death, freely says that she denies the death and everything and puts herself upon the verdict of the aldermen and neighbourhood that she is not guilty thereof. The mayor and citizens are asked whether the verdict of the aldermen and neighbourhood is sufficient for her release or condemnation and say it is not because she is of the liberty of the City and that she must purge herself by the great law according to the custom of the City. Therefore it is adjudged that she should wage law in the hand of the justices and purge herself thirty-six-handed, with eighteen men from one side of the Walebrok and eighteen from the other; they are to be chosen before the mayor and aldermen, the chamberlain and sheriffs being absent, in the folkmoot in the churchyard of St. Paul's London with the parties present; the election is to be on the first Sunday in Lent [22 Feb. 1276] and she is to come with her law on the following Wednesday. Because she did not find pledges of law she is to be committed to the sheriffs. Afterwards on the appointed day the thirty-six men were elected at the folkmoot
56
The Plea Roll
in the prescribed form; on the east of the Walebrok, viz. Peter de Micheam, William de Keleweden, Henry de . . . , Maurice de Waltham, John le Fethermonger, Hugh le Wolf, Peter le Hoder, Henry le Buriler, John Wy . . . , Osbert le Puleter, Roger le Braeler, John le Batour, John Skip, Ralph le Cotiler, Henry de Faversham, Thomas de Capeneshors, Thomas de Suffolk `peleter' ;1 on the west, viz. Godfrey le Coffrer, Henry le Coffrer, Roger de Euere, Richard le Poter, Roger le Lorimer, Geoffrey Monquey, John Wake, Robert Ha . . . , Ellis of Honilane, Thomas Heyron, Roger de Cleve, Robert Curteys, Roger Fucedame, Nicholas [ ? Le . . . ], Faukes le Taverner, Hugh de Wyndesoures, Alan le Huyrer, Thomas de Hereford. Afterwards on the appointed day Cecily comes with her law and wages it before the justices swearing in these words: viz, that she never gave any poisonous drink to her husband Alan2 or did anything by which he was nearer to death and further from life, so help her God and these holy things (hec sauncta); afterwards six men swore that according to their conscience her oath was a true one; after the six had sworn, Cecily repeated her former oath and after her another six swore and thus Cecily swore six times and waged her law. Therefore it is adjudged that Cecily be quit of the death in perpetuity. The mayor and aldermen testify that Cecily was previously arrested at the suit of Bartholomew and that because she was of the liberty of the City she was handed over to twelve pledges according to the custom of the City, viz. Roger Norman 'orlatour',3 Geoffrey de Rothyng, Henry le Burger, William Wynterington tailor, Peter de Micheham `peteree, Robert de Essex `borleor', Adam de Eye dyer, Mahekin de Folesham `pessoner', Auncelin le Tronur, Robert de Lynton, Philip Frowyk, Fulk de St. Edmunds `burler', who mainperned to have her here on the first day [and did not] have
her. So they are all in *mercy. [cf. 657]
Nota 72. Quod manucapti pro morte hominis usque ad iter justiciariorum non possunt se acquietare per veredictum maioris et aldermannorum et visneti, sed per magnam legem. Et quia non invenit plegios, ideo amerciatur vicecomes. Qualiter magna lex debet fieri. Quod omnes manucapti usque ad iter justiciariorum veniant primo die. [cf. 524 no. 72].
14th cent. at foot of membrane: Die Jovis apud Turrim.
1. i.e. only 17 names.
2. Recte Jollan.
3. Recte orbatour. |