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221. In the same year, Walter Hervy being chamberlain and Gregory de
60
The Plea Roll
Roguesle and Henry le Galeys being sheriffs; on Wednesday before the feast of the Purification [28 Jan. 1271] John de Gynges, Alexander de Asshewell and Maud de Haliwell, Maud their niece, Margery de Haverhulle, Philip Tilly, William de Harwes, Clemence widow of Robert de Penkerk, Agnes de Huntyngfeud, John le Poleter, Alice de Bynere, Andrew de Suthwerk, Andrea widow of John de Alorinton were crushed by the bell tower of the church of St. Mary le Bow (de Arcubus), London,' which fell upon them. Value of the bell-tower 20 marks for which the sheriffs are to answer. All the neighbours come except Stephen de Cornhill. He was attached by Anketin de Bentull and Robert de Camaile. So they are in mercy, and he is not suspected. No one is suspected. Judgment: misadventure. Thereupon the sheriffs come and proffer a royal writ2 in these words: 'Henry [III] to the sheriffs of London; because of the unfortunate accident in which men and women were crushed to death in Westchepe by the ruin of the bell-tower of the church of St. Mary le Bow and of a house belonging to the prior and convent of Christchurch Canterbury, the stone, timber, lead and everything else pertaining to the house were taken into our hand as deodand ; wishing to give thanks to the prior and convent, we have granted them the stone, timber, lead etc. taken into our hand on that occasion; we order you to restore to the prior and convent, as our gift, the stone, timber and lead etc.; at Westminster, 12 March 55 Henry III [1271]'. [cf. 547]
Nota 76. De oppressione virorum et mulierum per casum campanarii ecclesie de Arcubus.
[With a sketch of the bell-tower. Cf. 524 no. 76].
1. Noted in Lib. Ant. Leg., 130.
2. C.P.R. 1266-72, 523, 16 Mar. 1271. |